How Lilies turn Black Chapter 56 - Tragic News of 1962 (2)

“This is the intercepted call. A hit squad is being assembled within the Murder Incorporated…”

 

Liliana clenched her fist as she recalled the tragic news from 1962 in her past life—an incident that had shocked the entire world.

 

“They’ve been identified as plotting the assassination of President Raymond Findel.”

 

“…!”

 

Theodoro, who had been silently reviewing the documents, suddenly jerked his head up. His eyes were filled with intensity.

 

The gaze he fixed on her was sharp—strangely, it didn’t carry the shock or horror one might expect.

 

‘Ah…?’

 

Liliana stiffened and glanced at Vincent, but his expression was the same. Behind his glasses, his dark eyes gleamed with a sharp light.

 

For a moment, her heart sank. As she stood frozen, Theodoro’s cold voice pierced through the silence.

 

“…This matter is classified to the highest degree. Even the higher-ups in our organization are unaware of it. It’s impossible for an ordinary individual to not only secure evidence but even grasp a hint of the assassination plot.”

 

“…”

 

“Liliana Moretti. Can you blame me for suspecting you?”

 

Liliana swallowed hard, saying nothing. She had gone to great lengths, preparing every meticulous detail of evidence to avoid this very suspicion. 

 

But no matter how much she tried, it still wasn’t enough to shake off the assumption that she might be a planted spy.

 

It was too late for regrets now. The best she could do was to insist, with all her might, that she was no traitor.

 

“Both of you… seem to have already known about this. That means… you must also realize I wasn’t lying.”

 

Her voice trembled as she spoke.

 

“Wh-what harm could exposing this truth possibly bring to the Benedetti Family? What benefit would I gain from it? And even if I were acting on someone’s orders—who would profit from this? What could they possibly gain?”

 

Her words weren’t wrong, so for a moment, a heavy silence filled the room.

 

Moreover, if she were truly a spy, she would have leaked information more carefully. There was no way she would recklessly throw out such suspicious intel in the very first meeting—especially in such a bold manner.

 

The two men seemed lost in thought, neither fully embracing nor dismissing their doubts. 

 

As Liliana anxiously gauged their reactions…

 

Theodoro, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke, “So. Is that all?”

 

“…Huh?”

 

Is that all? Was he asking if that was the end of her explanation?

 

Liliana, momentarily speechless, parted her lips slightly—only for him to continue.

 

“I’m asking if the only thing you wanted to say was that the assassination plot seems to be moving forward.”

 

“Ah…”

 

The topic had shifted, just like that.

 

Had they set aside their suspicions for now, only to keep a close watch on her later? Or were they waiting to hear her true purpose before deciding how to deal with her?

 

Either way, the blade at her throat had momentarily retreated.

Amid her bewilderment, Liliana allowed herself a faint breath of relief. She had almost forgotten—being abruptly suspected of being an imposter—but revealing the assassination plot wasn’t the only reason she had arranged this meeting.

 

The exhaustive evidence she had painstakingly gathered and presented here was all for the sake of one crucial proposal.

 

“I… wanted to suggest acquiring a defense contractor.”

 

Because without the premise of President Findel’s assassination, there would be no reason to explain why they had to enter the defense industry.

 

Before she began, Liliana took a deep breath.

 

“If you hear me out to the end, you’ll realize… I truly have no ulterior motives. That all I want is to be of use to the Benedetti Family.”

 

Then, meeting the gazes of the two men watching her intently, she began.

 

“Vinline has been fighting a war of independence against Larmange for years. And our country has long been supplying military aid to Larmange’s forces.”

 

“…”

 

“But as you know, the current president… ever since taking office, has been gradually withdrawing our Victorian troops stationed in Vinline.”

 

If President Findel is not assassinated, the Victorian forces will completely withdraw from Vinline within the next five years.

 

But what if the future unfolds the same way it did before?

 

“If the assassination succeeds, Vice President Marrow will assume the presidency… and his stance on the Vinline conflict is very different from President Findel’s.”

 

In reality, when Marrow succeeded Findel as president, he pursued a foreign policy of aggressive intervention in the Vinline War.

 

But she couldn’t speak of that future outright, so she set it aside.

 

Instead, Liliana focused on how Findel’s passive approach had drawn criticism—and how his successor, Marrow, would have no choice but to take a more active stance.

 

“Victorian troops will be increasingly deployed to Vinline. Military intervention will expand.”

 

“…”

 

“The defense industry is bound to become a goldmine.”

 

But was raking in money really all there was to it?

 

No matter how many factions in the underworld were involved in the assassination plot, the majority of the Benedetti Family’s members would remain unaware.

 

And if Theodoro were to step into the defense industry under these circumstances…

 

“Right now, you might think I’m insane. But once the incident happens, you’ll understand. That Theodoro was always several steps ahead.”

 

Liliana’s tone was brimming with conviction. Having lived through these events in her past life, the future was crystal clear to her.

 

Yet the two men before her didn’t seem to share her certainty. Their expressions showed no signs of agreement—no nods of approval.

 

Theodoro merely stroked his chin repeatedly, his face troubled. 

 

Watching him, Liliana’s eyes darkened with concern. This wasn’t the reaction she had expected.

 

What’s the problem? I didn’t spout some wild conspiracy. So why…?

 

In the silence, Vincent was the first to speak, “Let’s set aside the suspicious parts for now and focus solely on the business proposal.”

 

“…”

 

“Since it’s a takeover, most of their executives will be out. Not bad. But because we dragged the Goths into this, things got messy… At least if the next operation is centered around Benedetti, there’ll be less backlash.”

 

The response began in agreement with her opinion. But that was as far as it went.

 

“Alright, all good… but the problem is Findel—whether there’s any real chance of assassinating that man.”

 

“…What?”

 

“If the assassination succeeds, then taking over the defense contractor would indeed be a brilliant move, as you said… But the target isn’t some small-time neighborhood thug, you see.”

 

“Ah…”

 

“It won’t be easy. Right now, we should prioritize assessing the ‘probability of success.’”

 

Why hadn’t she thought that far ahead? 

 

She knew exactly how the future would unfold, but for them, it wasn’t so simple.

 

For Lilia, President Findel’s death was an unforgettable event. Probably every citizen of Victoria in 1962 felt the same way.

 

In restaurants, bars, homes… wherever you went, footage of the president’s assassination was broadcast on TV. Every citizen was plunged into shock and despair, and the sound of weeping swept through the nation.

 

The streets were drowned in grief. Endless lines of mourners filled the roads.

 

But Vincent and Theodoro couldn’t have known that. They wouldn’t have dreamed such a thing could happen.

 

‘Well… it is the assassination of a head of state. It’d be strange to be absolutely certain it’d succeed.’

 

Lilia weakly let the corners of her eyes droop. Even if she understood logically, she couldn’t help but feel deflated.

 

As she stood there, Theodoro and Vincent continued their exchange.

 

“Let’s put it on hold for now and see how things develop.”

 

“Agreed. We’re not in a position to take direct action ourselves. Let’s check how Bucio or the ‘Company’ are preparing.”

 

Lilia stared at them blankly. 

 

Had their suspicions eased somewhat? Should she be relieved that the discussion ended like this? Or should she be disappointed?

 

Her mind was still in disarray. The only silver lining was that, thanks to this meeting, she had managed to distance herself from the defense industry.

 

After all, as long as there were no major variables capable of altering the future, the assassination operation would proceed without the slightest error. 

 

And as suspicions about her gradually faded… the acquisition matter could be revisited and discussed later.

 

‘Right, let’s just assume it’s been postponed for now.’

Liliana let out a deep sigh, as if shaking off her disappointment. 

 

Straightening her previously hunched back, she pulled out the final prepared document and presented it.

 

“I’ve compiled a shortlist of companies that would be ideal for acquisition or investment. It would be great if you could review them at your convenience.”

 

Vincent was the first to take the document and flip through it. As he skimmed the contents, his eyes gradually widened in surprise.

 

“…Hmm.”

 

At his brief exclamation, Theodoro’s brows arched smoothly. 

 

Even he, who had shown little interest in the last document, began flipping through the papers.

 

Meanwhile, Vincent, who had already finished speed-reading, closed the file and locked eyes with Liliana.

 

“Impressive. Have you handled office work before? This isn’t the skill of an amateur.”

 

Caught off guard by the unexpected praise, Liliana’s eyes widened in surprise.