chapter 16

Chapter 16: Who's More Arrogant

The moment those words hung in the air, the entire group froze in their tracks.

"You're Don Giovanni?" Henry's voice faltered. His initial plan to call his father evaporated in an instant. When he realized it was Don Giovanni standing before him, the thought of involving his dad seemed suicidal.

This was Don Giovanni—no amount of family connections could save him now.

"Smack!"

One of the burly men in a black tank top beside Don Giovanni lashed out, slapping Henry across the face. "Do you think you're on a first - name basis with Don Giovanni?"

The group was left dumbfounded. None of them had expected that the man they'd offended was the notorious Don Giovanni! This was a catastrophe.

Don Giovanni commanded hundreds of loyal thugs. He was a well - known entrepreneur in New York, owning more than a dozen companies, with nightclubs and bars scattered across the city. He was the undisputed kingpin of New York's underworld.

Offending anyone else might have been manageable, but crossing Don Giovanni was a death sentence. The man had no boundaries and was capable of anything. He wouldn't hesitate to target family and friends.

It was over. There was no way out. They'd come to his territory, beaten his men, and demanded two hundred thousand dollars. The entire New York underworld would laugh at them—this wasn't just reckless; it was suicidal.

Regret washed over the group. Some shot hateful glances at Derek, who lay groaning on the ground. Why did he have to pick a fight with the one person you never messed with?

Derek was petrified. After being beaten senseless, he'd planned to retaliate. But now, he didn't dare utter a word.

"What? Do you need a little bloodshed to loosen your wallets?"

Don Giovanni cracked his knuckles, eyeing the group with a cold smirk. "You came to my territory, beat my men, and dared to ask for money? You've got some nerve! I've been in this game for years, and this is the first time someone's had the audacity to pull this stunt. If you don't pay up today, each of you loses an arm."

With a subtle nod, he signaled to his men. One of them promptly pulled out a gleaming machete.

Don Giovanni wasn't bluffing, and everyone knew it. These men lived by violence and had no qualms about following through.

"Victoria, why don't you call Alex?" Emily's voice trembled. She knew Victoria had ties to the son of the former deputy mayor.

"Alex's dad is out of office. Even if he came, he couldn't stand up to Don Giovanni," Victoria replied, her voice laced with fear.

Don Giovanni let out a cold laugh. He sauntered over to Sophia, grabbed her neck, and sneered. "What's wrong? Isn't your boyfriend going to save you now? Weren't you so cocky when you had him beat up my men?"

He slapped Sophia hard across the face. "What's wrong with my men flirting with you? Upset? Call someone to help you out now!"

Sophia cowered in fear, not daring to move or speak.

Next, Don Giovanni approached Emily, cupped her chin, and looked at Henry. "Your girlfriend? She's quite a looker. Might have some fun with her."

Henry gritted his teeth but remained silent. He knew better than to provoke Don Giovanni.

The once - arrogant group now stood in silence, their heads bowed.

Derek lay on the ground like a wounded dog, all traces of his former bravado gone.

"Boss, there's still one guy in the private room," a lackey rushed over to report.

"Go drag him out."

Lucas sat back in his chair, smoking a cigarette. He had no interest in the commotion outside and had no intention of getting involved. But he never expected they'd come looking for him.

"You! Get out here," the lackey barked at Lucas from the doorway.

Lucas stood up. He'd already suppressed his anger several times, but now, someone was pushing their luck.

As Lucas emerged, Henry and the others, despite their fear, sneered at him. They still thought he was a coward.

"You're with them, aren't you? You thought you could hide?" Don Giovanni took a puff of his cigar and pointed at Lucas, sneering. "You're in the same boat. Fork over two hundred thousand, and you can leave."

"I didn't hit anyone, and I wasn't involved. That's not fair, is it?"

"Cut the crap! I said two hundred thousand, so it's two hundred thousand!" Don Giovanni roared.

"Oh? What if I don't?" Lucas looked at Don Giovanni with a hint of amusement, completely unfazed by the dozens of thugs surrounding him.

"Don't?!" Don Giovanni let out a humorless laugh. What was going on today? A bunch of ordinary office workers had come to his territory, beaten his men, and tried to extort money. If word got out, his reputation would be in tatters.

Now, some young upstart was challenging him. He needed to teach this guy a lesson and remind everyone that Don Giovanni was not someone to be trifled with.

"Do you even know who you're talking to?" Don Giovanni's eyes turned icy.

"Doesn't matter who I'm talking to. I'm not leaving a dime today."

"If you don't pay, you'll leave an arm behind!"

Henry and the others were stunned. Wasn't this guy a coward? Why was he talking back to Don Giovanni? This was suicide!

Even Derek and Henry, who had some connections, wouldn't dare speak to Don Giovanni like this. What made this nobody think he could?

As Lucas prepared to retort, someone nearby tugged at his sleeve, but it was too late.

"Don't you care about your arm?"

"Alive and well."

It was escalating rapidly. Henry and the others were on the verge of panic. Why was this guy being so reckless?

"These days, anyone thinks they can mouth off," Lucas scoffed. He pulled up a chair, sat down in the middle of the hall, and stared Don Giovanni down.

He could tell Don Giovanni wasn't bluffing—this was a man who would kill without hesitation. But Lucas wasn't worried. When it came to ruthlessness, Don Giovanni was no match for him.

"Hehe, it seems like it's been a while since I've taken a life. People have forgotten who Don Giovanni is," Don Giovanni seethed. Lucas's attitude and words had pushed him over the edge. He decided to make an example of this young man.

He wasn't bluffing—he fully intended to kill. In Don Giovanni's world, a life was a small price to pay for maintaining his authority.

"Consider yourself unlucky. I'm already in a foul mood. You're the perfect target." Don Giovanni kicked over a stool and signaled to his men.

He was going to make an example of Lucas today!

Henry and the others were herded back into the private room. What was about to happen was too brutal for them to witness.

It was going to be a murder!

Lucas was doomed—or so they thought.