Outside the offices of Black Rabbit Security Headquarters in Chicago.
Kroon sat on the sofa, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the armrest, thinking over and over again about Alfred's simple yet weighty invitation: "Mr. Speaker, please come to headquarters at 3 pm to discuss important matters."
The last cooperation has completely ended, what is the priority now?
After the Crips were annihilated, Kroon's Red Bloods had just absorbed the remnants of the Crips and were at the peak of their power on the streets of Chicago.
He is already the nominal "Boss of Chicago".
But he knew very well that the title of "Chicago Boss" was nothing compared to the iron torrent of the National Guard and the billions of dollars in funding for the Blue Roof Project.
Even the Chicago mafia boss had to bow his head in front of Reeves' political power.
Before even meeting Reeves, Kron already felt an inexplicable pressure.
The office door opened, and Alfred appeared at the door expressionlessly: "Mr. Kroon, the Speaker invites you in."
Behind his desk, Ribbs was looking down at a document. Clune suppressed the thoughts surging in his heart and called out respectfully, "Mr. Speaker!"
Ribs raised his head and went straight to the point without any greetings. His voice was low and deep: "Kroon, you and your people did a good job in New York. The attack on Thorne was well coordinated."
Kron's heart trembled, and he straightened his back. "Thank you, Speaker! It's my honor to serve you!"
Ribs gently closed the file, leaned forward slightly, and his gaze became even deeper: "The Chicago Crips are gone, and you, the Red Bloods, are now the local tyrants. But a snake, no matter how big, is still a snake after all."
He picked up his cigar and took a deep drag. The curling smoke blurred his vision for a moment. "I think you should also know that if you keep fighting and killing to seize territory for a lifetime, the best you can do is become a bigger gang leader. You saw what happened to Stanley from the Crips Gang."
These words put immense pressure on Kroon. Of course he'd seen all this! Ribbs had personally shown him a more terrifying yet brighter path—integrating street power, cloaking himself in a veneer of legality (Black Rabbit Security), controlling the economy (the Blue Roof Project), and even deeply infiltrating politics (as Speaker of the House, with the support of the governor).
The end of the gang is to be whitewashed, to get out of trouble, and to truly stand at the top of the city like Ribs!
This was exactly the area he vaguely longed for deep in his heart, but he didn't know how to start.
Just as Kroon's heart was surging, Ribs' next words were like a bucket of cold water poured over his head:
"Ao Guanhai has temporarily left. The daily operations of Black Rabbit Security and its street-level armed forces require someone experienced and capable of taking over. I think you're suitable. I hope you can integrate the power of the Red Blood Gang into Black Rabbit Security and expand Black Rabbit Security's influence to New York. Are you interested?"
Kroon hadn't expected that Ribs would hand over such an important matter as Black Rabbit's security to an outsider like him.
He stood there in a daze, quickly analyzing the pros and cons of the matter in his mind.
Taking over Black Rabbit Security? This meant that he and his men would go straight from street thugs to a gray force with a "formal security contract" background. This was undoubtedly the most important step in clearing his name!
But, should it be incorporated into the Black Rabbit Security system?
This meant that he and the Red Blood Gang would become vassals of Reeves and become an executive branch! The New York branch sounded like an expansion of power, but in reality, it was turning the territory he had worked so hard to build in New York into a subsidiary of Reeves!
Although this could quickly clear his name, at this moment, Kruen did not want to become a gun or pawn in the hands of Ribbs.
"Speaker!" Kron's voice was filled with uncontrollable excitement. "I... I will never betray your trust! From now on, Black Rabbit Security is my life! I will run the New York branch with flying colors and let the Black Rabbit flag be planted in the heart of New York!"
"Very good." Reeves nodded with satisfaction. "Alfred will give you the authority and information. Straighten out the organizational structure in the near future and prepare to set up the framework in New York." He waved his hand to signal the end of the conversation.
Kruen suppressed his pounding heart and chaotic thoughts, bowed respectfully, and left the oppressive office.
The door closed behind him, blocking Ribs' sight, and Kroon finally felt that the breath he had been holding in his chest could be released.
He stood in the cold corridor, but his mind was already picturing the bright lights of Manhattan.
The best strategy now was to agree to Reeves's terms. While Chicago was Reeves's chessboard, New York... was his! He would wait until he established a truly entrenched power in New York! He would turn the New York branch into his own independent kingdom.
By then, with a large army and wealth in hand, he might be able to stand on equal footing with the almighty Speaker of the Council, Ribs.
Kron came to the street and turned to look at the tall glass curtain wall of the Black Rabbit Security Building.
I never thought that a street gangster like me would be able to sit in such a grand office openly one day.
…
In the high-level office, Ribs looked down at Kruen as he got into the car and slowly drove away.
"Alfred," he said calmly, "I remember there was a young man named Eugene in our Black Rabbit Fifth Training Camp?"
Alfred immediately opened his tablet to check the information and replied half a minute later: "Yes, Speaker, you are not mistaken."
"I've been keeping an eye on this guy for a long time. He's top-notch in every test and his loyalty is undeniable." Ribs turned to Alfred and said, "Transfer him out and place him in Kron's core team. He doesn't have to be high-ranking, but he needs to be in a position where he can access core information. Tell him that you are his only direct superior, and his sole responsibility is to report everything in New York to me—especially Kron's movements."
"Understood, Chancellor. I will personally arrange for Eugene to be our loyal eyes and ears."
Trust has always been a luxury, especially in the vortex of power.
Ribbs gave Kroon a ladder to step onto a higher stage, but he also personally buried a silent nail deep in the opponent's shadow.
If Krune was truly loyal to him, this chess piece could remain hidden forever. As long as Krune showed any signs of misbehavior, this chess piece could become his trump card.
A few days later, Kruen finally got his wish and took the position of the boss of Black Rabbit Security.
The feeling of becoming a leader of the regular army was even better than he had imagined.
Spacious and bright offices replaced cramped gang strongholds, and written instructions printed with the Black Rabbit emblem replaced bloody street orders.
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