How Lilies turn Black Chapter 64 - Legal Illegality (5)

 

Jimmy McKenna. Whether his unexpected appearance should be called misfortune or a stroke of luck…

If the former, it was because of the strange, lingering discomfort in his heart, like an odd sensation at his fingertips.

If the latter, it was because Jimmy had forcibly resolved a situation that seemed impossible to predict how it would end.

 

“For Theodoro to come all the way here himself… I was truly shocked when I received the visit notification.”

 

Perhaps it was better to consider it a stroke of luck.

 

Since Jimmy, who had no idea what had just happened, naturally started the conversation, Lilia was able to shake off the thought of Theodoro’s hand, which had been gripping her mind.

 

“Is there urgent business?”

 

Lilia looked at Jimmy, seated across the sofa, with a much calmer expression than before. 

 

Despite his composed tone, Jimmy was carefully gauging Theodoro’s mood. Even if there was reason to trust him, perhaps he still felt tense.

 

Had he sensed that, for whatever reason, this visit was not for a good purpose? He waited for Theodoro’s answer with an uneasy expression.

 

On the other hand, Theodoro showed no sign of impatience… He simply sat with his arms crossed and replied indifferently.

 

“That’s a rather hasty question.”

 

“Ah… Well, no—”

 

“It feels like it’s been a while since we last met. Shouldn’t we exchange greetings over a cup of tea first?”

 

The quiet reprimand made cold sweat bead on Jimmy’s forehead. 

 

Without delay, he called for his secretary to bring tea, and soon, fragrant black tea and light refreshments were prepared on the table in front of the sofa.

 

Finally, the proper appearance of hosting a guest was in place. 

 

Jimmy must have realized belatedly how careless he had been. No matter how uncomfortable or wary he felt, he had never once offered Theodoro, who had come as a guest, even a cup of tea until now.

 

Liliana carefully studied Jimmy’s face, which was visibly tense.

‘He’s not as impressive as I thought.’

She had assumed a man bold enough to strike a deal with the Corella family would at least have some nerve. But he wasn’t like that at all. It was hard to believe he had the guts to pull off something so daring.

 

Judging by their attitudes alone, Jimmy and Theodoro seemed to have switched places.

The stiff, uneasy man who couldn’t even lean back in his chair—how could someone like that have deceived a Mafia family? 

 

Meanwhile, Theodoro, lounging lazily with his legs crossed as if this were his own office, seemed far more fitting for the role.

 

‘This man, really…’

Liliana clicked her tongue as she watched Theodoro. 

 

How could he, even after being humiliated in front of Inter Press, still exude such intimidation without a trace of desperation?

The way he rested his head against the sofa, a cigarette dangling from his slightly raised lips—it wasn’t just empty bravado. 

 

No matter what anyone said, it was the unwavering presence of a true underworld leader.

 

“How’s the company doing these days?”

Theodoro’s dry voice carried a natural condescension as he addressed Jimmy. The question made Jimmy visibly scramble for hidden meanings, his thoughts plain on his face.

But no matter how much he racked his brain, he couldn’t decipher Theodoro’s intent. His answer came out uncertain.

 

“Well… it’s running about the same as always. Nothing special…”

Theodoro’s eyes narrowed slightly, a displeased glint flashing through them.

“Hm, is that so?”

“Huh? What do you mean…?”

“Your face looks all greasy, so I thought business must be booming lately.”

At those words, the so-called greasy-faced man turned completely pale.

“N-no, that’s not… What are you talking about?”

 

Seeing the flustered expression must have amused Theodoro, as he smoothly arched an eyebrow. Then, lifting his upper body from where it had been sunk into the couch, he reached an arm toward Jimmy.

 

“Just kidding.”

 

His hand patted Jimmy’s shoulder, as if telling him to relax.

 

Whether it was because his emotions were laid bare or because Jimmy’s frame was far too frail compared to Theodoro’s thick, muscular arms—every time Theodoro patted his shoulder, Jimmy’s body swayed like a sheet of paper.

 

Liliana, who had been silently observing, flinched as if she were the one being hit.

 

What… what kind of…

 

His expression, delivered without a hint of a smile as he called it a ‘joke,’ was utterly chilling. And the so-called encouraging pats on the shoulder were so rough they bordered on cruelty. 

 

Just watching made her own body ache.

 

This was likely the mildest, lightest form of intimidation Theodoro could muster… The thought alone sent a chill down her spine.

 

But no matter how ‘light’ the intimidation was, it must have been unbearable for Jimmy.

 

“So, uh… was there a particular reason for your visit today?”

 

He forced a pitiful smile and asked again. He must have been desperate to end this meeting quickly. Pushing this hard for an answer was unusual.

 

It should have been a relief for Jimmy, but Theodoro must have decided this was enough pressure for now.

 

“I came with a proposal.”

 

“A… proposal?”

 

“Liliana?”

 

Instead of explaining further to Jimmy, Theodoro called for Liliana. And not just ‘Miss Liliana’—he said ‘Liliana.’

 

Liliana? Not Liliana Moretti, just… Liliana?

 

Her eyes widened as she turned to look at Theodoro. 

 

What on earth had gotten into him? After stubbornly using her full name all this time, why drop the surname now?

 

Questions piled up in her throat, but she knew this wasn’t the time to ask. 

 

Swallowing her discomfort, Liliana opened her briefcase. If he had called her mid-discussion about the proposal, there was only one reason.

 

“Here.”

 

She placed the documents she had prepared on the table right in front of Theodoro. Then she glanced at him again, wondering what kind of mood he was in now.

Theodoro, with a white cigarette clamped between his lips, jerked his chin at her.

Anyone could tell it was a gesture telling her to relay the contents of the documents. From the start, he showed no intention of straightening his back from the sofa or removing the cigarette from his lips.

In the end, Liliana had no choice but to pick up the documents with trembling hands and hand them to Jimmy.

 

“Would you take a look?”

“What is this?”

“Um…”

 

When she glanced at Theodoro one more time, he nodded as if urging her to continue. Steeling herself, she began to speak.

 

“It’s a contract proposal from the Benedetti family. As you’ll see when you read it… There are two main offers. You don’t have to choose both—just pick whichever option appeals more to Mr. McKenna.”

“Two… offers?”

 

“The first is that you pay our family approximately 40% of the intermediary fees you collect from our territory every month.”

“Wha—what… what did you say? 40 percent?”

 

Liliana flipped through the pages of the document in Jimmy’s hands and pointed to a specific section.

“See for yourself.”

“You’re crazy—no, what kind of nonsense is this all of a sudden? Where does 40% even come from?”

 

He muttered, dazed. Though his reaction was expected, she felt too awkward to add anything further. 

 

At that point, Liliana looked at Theodoro one last time.

At that moment, he sat there calmly, smoking his cigarette without a hint of agitation. For some reason, seeing that scene made her feel strangely at ease.

Perhaps it was because she knew that, at least for now, he was her steadfast ally. Drawing strength from an odd surge of courage, she continued speaking plainly.

 

“It was originally 30%. As you know, Mr. McKenna, there was quite a ‘gap’ for a long time. Instead of claiming compensation for that, we’re offering 40%.”

 

“No… no, this is… this is absurd. You can’t demand this, no….”

 

He muttered incoherently to himself, as if in a panic, and Liliana frowned, unsure if he was even processing the conversation properly.

 

But hearing this next part will snap him back to reality.

 

“If that’s not acceptable, we have another proposal.”

 

“Wh… what…?”

 

“Hand over Inter Press News Service to Benedetti.”

 

“…!”

 

Yes, just as expected. The moment those words reached him, Jimmy’s eyes widened as if they were about to pop out of his head.

 

And that was when the hand holding the documents began to tremble uncontrollably.

 

“Ah….”

 

Then, Jimmy let out a sigh and hung his head low…

 

Soon after, the quiet sound of teeth grinding echoed in the silence.

 

“Y-you… you have no right to force this on me.”

 

“We’re not forcing you. Like I said earlier, this is our proposal—Mr. McKenna’s choice to make.”

 

When Jimmy lifted his head again, his eyes burned with a fury never seen before.

 

“I won’t choose either of them.”

 

“…I see. That’s unfortunate.”

 

“I hope this topic is never brought up again… or that no unpleasant incidents arise from it. Things have been running smoothly… without issues until now.”

 

Liliana had nothing more to say. If that was his decision, so be it. She glanced at Theodoro with a look that asked, Now what? And gave a slight nod.

 

The man, who had been puffing away at his cigarette with visible boredom all this time… finally parted his lips.

 

“Hey.”

 

A hollow voice dissipated along with pale, wispy smoke.

“Guess the problem never existed for you. For us, it was always there.”

Theodoro slowly straightened his sprawled body from the couch. Then, he reached for the untouched cup of black tea, still steaming with warmth.

 

Zit—

 

The sound of a cigarette butt drowning in the tea sent a chilling hiss before fizzling out. 

 

As if foretelling the futile demise of Jimmy McKenna and the fate of Inter Press.

 

“Enjoyed the tea.”

 

With those words, Theodoro rose from his seat without delay.

 

The negotiation had broken down.