How Lilies turn Black Chapter 65 - Legal Illegality (6)

“Good job.”

Vincent tossed out a single, clipped word.

That was his first remark regarding the news Theodoro and Liliana had delivered—specifically, the news of the failed negotiations with Jimmy. 

 

Of course, it wasn’t directed at Theodoro but rather praise for Liliana.

 

“Now we have more than enough justification. We gave them a chance to choose, and whatever happens next will be the fault of the fool who wasted that opportunity.”

Liliana nodded in agreement.

Giving them a choice, ‘Yes, that was exactly the first step of her plan—legal illegality.’

 

Of course, she already knew Jimmy wouldn’t accept either of the two proposals. 

 

What kind of idiot would jump at those offers?

Especially since he still believed the governor and the mayor were his solid allies… From Jimmy’s perspective, there was no reason to cooperate with Benedetti.

 

‘In fact, that’s exactly what we wanted.’

A firm refusal. As Vincent said, it was nothing more than justification to move on to the next phase of ‘legal illegality.’

 

So what was Liliana’s next move? 

 

Establishing another wired communication service company to surpass Inter Press.

 

“Well… Now that things have turned out this way, it’s time for us to get to work, don’t you think?”

 

They weren’t exactly the most compatible pair.

But when it came to business, they somehow worked well together. Vincent pulled out the materials he had prepared for the company’s establishment.

As Liliana skimmed through the documents, she was momentarily stunned, her eyes darting between Vincent and the files.

 

The day she first mentioned the plan and the day they met Jimmy were only a few days apart—had he really prepared this much already?

 

Seeing her startled rabbit-like eyes, Vincent let out a soft chuckle.

“Of course, I knew he’d refuse, so I prepared in advance. The company should be able to start full-scale operations within two weeks. Handling legal procedures and paperwork isn’t that difficult.”

 

No, wait.

“Within two weeks?”

 

The awe-like surprise in Lilia’s eyes vanished completely. Instead, she furrowed her brow, visibly displeased.

 

It didn’t make sense. 

 

No matter how thoroughly they prepared or how much they bypassed standard procedures, the idea that the company could start normal operations within two weeks was absurd. 

 

This wasn’t some neighborhood convenience store—how was that even possible?

 

“Two weeks is way too short to reach a level where horse racing broadcasts are feasible. There’s more than just one or two things to prepare. It’s not like we can just rent an office, slap a company sign on it, and call it a day.”

 

“Ah… I must’ve forgotten to mention something.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Didn’t I mention something about ‘illegally legal’ or whatever? The idea itself is good, but your thinking is still quite naive. The level you’re talking about is a bit of a stretch to even call illegal. It’s lacking, I’d say.”

 

Lacking? How much more did they need to do for it to be considered illegal?

 

The level she had in mind was establishing the company and then using ‘a bit of force and intimidation’—in other words, the usual tactics these mafia types excelled at—to ensure bookmakers exclusively used Benedetti’s communication services.

 

Even that much was already illegal. Forcing business partners to comply and resorting to violence if they refused was hardly legal.

 

‘Then… what more are they planning to do?’

 

Her clear, blue eyes filled with unease. Vincent met her gaze directly and said, “We don’t plan to broadcast the races ourselves. Who’d go through all that trouble for someone else’s benefit?”

 

“Then how will the broadcasts work…? Don’t tell me you’re planning to steal—”

 

“Quick on the uptake, aren’t you? We’ll just take Inter Press’s broadcast data and use it as-is.”

 

“…”

 

Liliana was at a loss for words there. With her slightly parted lips tinged red, she stared blankly at Vincent, then at Theodoro… and then back at Vincent again.

“B-but…”

All she could see was Vincent’s cold, merciless face—yet for some reason, Jimmy McKenna’s visage overlapped with it.

 

When she had delivered the first demand, his eyes, drowning in despair, had lost their focus. His lips had trembled faintly.

And when she finally told him to sell the company, his face had burned with barely contained fury, his searing gaze fixed on her.

Suddenly, the thought crossed her mind—what had Jimmy McKenna done so wrong? Was refusing to pay the unjust tribute demanded by the mob, the very act that would cost him his company’s greatest asset, truly so immoral?

 

Amid the tangled mess of her thoughts, Theodoro’s murky voice cut in.

“Feeling sympathy?”

“…”

“Nothing much has changed. Whether we embezzle or not… regardless, we’ll make sure every gambling den in Demercy uses our company’s services. And in doing so, Inter Press will lose all its clients and head straight for ruin. That was your so-called ‘legal illegality’ in the end. The only difference now is whether we add a little more anger to their path to destruction… that’s all. If we’re going to die one way or another, what does the process matter?”

 

Ah… she had forgotten.

Listening to his voice—dry and grating like a desert wind—she could now clearly feel it. The fact that this man was none other than the underboss of a mafia family.

Yes, she had forgotten. That if he chose to be cruel, he could be as cruel as he wished. That he was someone capable of utter ruthlessness.

 

‘I must have gone mad for a moment. Did I really think of you differently…? Hah.’

All the strength drained from her body, leaving her unable to stand properly.

 

Everything surrounding Liliana left her powerless. Theodoro, too—even his words.

The illegality she had imagined never went that far. She had never even considered stealing services, let alone suggested it.

But as Theodoro said, whether they stole the services or not, the result would be the same. It was just taking a shortcut to reach the same destination.

And the one who first brought up the idea of going to that destination was Liliana herself…

“How ridiculous for me to talk about business ethics while insisting that illegal exploitation is a step too far. What exactly am I trying to justify?”

A bitter sense of emptiness and futility washed over her.

 

“Are you having regrets now?” Theodoro asked, but Liliana couldn’t answer.

 

If she were to regret, what should she regret? Her bold decision to bring down Inter Press? 

 

Proposing they establish a new company for it? Meeting Wayne, who became the catalyst for all these plans? Or simply walking into that kebab shop where horse racing was playing on the TV?

Even now, if she were to regret, the target wasn’t clear. She couldn’t even pinpoint what exactly to resent.

 

“Corrella got involved in this, didn’t they?”

For some reason, Vincent abruptly brought up another topic.

 

“Honestly, I don’t hold any resentment toward them. Even if we’re all part of the same bloodline, the most important thing is the family you belong to. It’s not hard to understand their actions. If we were in the same situation, we’d most likely have made the same choice.”

“…”

“But Jimmy McKenna’s case is different. He disgraced the Demercy mafia families. So this is about protecting honor—and the law of the jungle in this world.”

 

So Vincent was saying that there was no need for pity or sympathy when it came to crushing Jimmy McKenna.

 

Defending honor. 

 

Surviving as the strong in a world of survival of the fittest. Even if it meant trampling over someone else’s entire life…

 

This world was so ruthless that even after stepping into it with full resolve, every step forward felt unbearably heavy.

 

Every time she thought she’d hit rock bottom, there was always another level below—and another after that.

 

‘Really… Just how deep does this abyss go?’

 

Liliana wondered just how much worse her situation could get. But even if she tried to imagine it, how could she possibly picture the depths of a hell she hadn’t yet seen?

 

Besides, just as Theodoro had given Jimmy McKenna one final chance, this time, he was giving Liliana that same choice.

 

“Liliana Moretti. If you can’t do it, get out.”

 

She couldn’t afford to drown endlessly in her thoughts.

 

At the crossroads where she stood, pushed to the edge, she had to choose—once again—whether to become another cruel, ruthless person.

 

And as always… the answer was practically decided. If what she had to protect remained the same, she knew her answer would never change.

 

Liliana clenched her small fist, her smooth palm wrinkling.

 

“…I’m not leaving.”

 

Her gaze, which had been fixed on the ground, now locked onto Theodoro—radiating a tenacious will to survive, like the stubborn green leaves in the height of summer.

 

“I’ll never leave.”