Half-step Purgatory

Durin stroked the black cat on the armrest of his chair, sitting on the black leather sofa. Through the glasses perched on his nose, his gaze passed over the long table in front of him and settled on the man kneeling on the carpet:
"I understand, you've made money in Naples, your business has been very successful, and you've led a happy life. You've had those secret police, friends in both the law and the underground, and even the Royal Family speaking on your behalf."
"You don't need a friend like me, I know that. You're afraid of owing me a favor, and you don't want to get involved in troubles."
"But now you come to me and say, 'I beg you, Mr. Durin of the Corleon family, please help me seek justice, so that my life and my family will not suffer and sink into despair.'
Yet, in your eyes, I was nothing more than a second-rate artist involved in movies and music. Even at the brink of death, you still show me such disrespect, not even willing to call me by my title... Keeper of Secrets."

Durin's Diary

It has to be said, clothes make the man. Higgins, that little bastard's new look blinded quite a few eyes, but to avoid suspicion, Durin parted ways with him before entering the hall, and so, aside from a certain old Enrique and Mr. Qinelun, no one knew that Durin was the one scheming behind the scenes for this little ruffian.


Old Enrique approached, looking a bit angry: "Why did you help that kid dress up to the nines like that?"


"He's not completely bad. Didn't your heart soften a bit when he called you 'Grandpa'?" Durin said in an attempt to soothe him.


"Have you seen the way my granddaughter cried when she caught that little bastard sleeping with a human woman?"


The linguistic duel between the younger and older generation reached this point, and Durin narrowed his eyes: "I wasn't aware of that. I admit a young man should keep himself clean when he's away from home, but you should understand, Old Enrique, that for a kid like him, many times it's beyond his control."


Chapter 32: High-End Game, Hunters are also Prey