After listening to the grain merchant's account, Raphael scritched the cat's ear, then asked with a hint of mockery, "Only I can bring you 'justice'? Then why didn't you seek my help from the start?"
Duke grew somewhat more flustered, "I... I didn't know how to ask for your help at first?"
Raphael smiled again and added, "No need for deliberate explanations. I know you were afraid of getting involved with a gang and owing me a favor."
Clearly, he had voiced Duke's true thoughts. The grain merchant grew even more uneasy, rising to his feet, "Mr. Collins, if you can kill those two men and help me recover my 1,200-pound investment, I can pay you a substantial sum."
At that moment, Carter, who had been sitting nearby, suddenly shot up in anger, "Boss, let me string up this disrespectful bastard and give him a beating!"
Duke was startled, clearly not understanding what he had said wrong, and stood there at a loss for words.
Raphael, however, gave a slightly mad chuckle, waved Carter off, set the cat on the desk, stood up, and asked Duke, "Mr. Duke, in what way have I offended you that you show me such disrespect? This is our first meeting, yet you're asking me to commit murder?"
Duke's hands trembled slightly, "Mr. Collins, I didn't mean any disrespect. I–I just, I just don't know how to properly express my respect for you."
Observing from the side, Audrey thought to herself: 'A calm lunatic is indeed harder to deal with than either a calm person or a madman. It's difficult to predict when he might go mad, and equally hard to detect when he's concealing his anger...'
If this conversation were viewed as a confrontation, then Duke has been completely outmaneuvered by Raphael.
"It's simple," Raphael said, walking up to Duke, "I hope you're here to make a friend, not to hire a murderer. And from the moment you entered until now, you've never addressed me as Godfather even once."
"Make a friend?" Duke was somewhat surprised but quickly caught on, "Yes, yes, of course. I'm here to make friends!" Then, he solemnly took Raphael's right hand, kissed the back of it, and respectfully said, "Godfather."
Raphael nodded in satisfaction, "We are not assassins, nor will we collect debts for you. But we can help you vent your anger."
He patted Duke's shoulder, "And you can use my reputation to intimidate your competitors. But when the time comes that I need you to help me with something, you must provide your fullest assistance. Of course, that time may never come."
Duke finally smiled, "At your service."
Raphael made an acknowledging grunt and gestured for Duke to return home and wait for news.
With only him, Carter, and Audrey left in the room, Raphael said, "Carter, go prepare. Bring four or five reliable men. I'm going personally." He glanced at Audrey and grinned, "The newcomer will also join this operation."
If official Beyonders investigated here later, the fact that Godfather Raphael had an operation today would be enough to further mislead them.
As for bringing Audrey along, it was because he only felt at ease when she was within his line of sight.
"On it," Carter immediately went out to prepare.
Audrey reminded him, "That grain merchant wasn't entirely truthful about some things."
"Of course I know," Raphael smiled, "Since the Grain Act was enacted, large numbers of grain merchants went bankrupt. A grain merchant like Duke, who not only avoided bankruptcy, but actually profited, is no law-abiding citizen."
Audrey was taken aback, "You... you knew he was lying about some parts? Then why are you getting involved in this?"
Raphael went to the bookshelf, poured himself a drink, took a small sip, and then said, "Duke's competitor, Holmes, did indeed collude with Logan to set a trap for him. And regarding bribing the judge, Holmes' side clearly offered more generous terms."
He he took another sip, then continued, "As for why I'm still helping Duke? They're crooked merchants, and we're a criminal organization. None of us are good people. Why shouldn't I get involved?"
Audrey was first surprised. She hadn't expected Raphael to so readily admit he was a bad person. Then she asked with some astonishment, "Did you get information in advance?"
Because his description of Duke and the others was spoken with such certainty, it didn't sound like speculation...
Raphael took a sip of his drink again, "With enough understanding of people like this, such things can be easily deduced."
Audrey fell into brief contemplation. She suddenly realized a problem... while she had indeed observed Duke lying, she couldn't determine exactly which parts were lies.
The reason for this was that her understanding of human nature was still inadequate.
It was clear that after falling into his competitor's trap, Duke had fallen into a state of self-hypnosis, convincing himself he was a law-abiding citizen who had been wronged, while his opponent had used underhanded tactics and was thoroughly evil.
This self-hypnosis made Duke believe he himself was a law-abiding person. So when describing the situation, he didn't think he was lying.
This led to Audrey observing contradictory results. In such cases, one needed experience to judge what was truth and what was falsehood.
However, the advantages of a 'Spectator' were unmatched by ordinary people. Audrey didn't necessarily need rich life experience. Once she had this concept, she could make accurate judgments next time...
...
After his men were prepared, Raphael didn't act immediately. Instead, he had his subordinates conduct a simple investigation on the grain merchant named Holmes.
Upon learning the man was merely connected to a certain regional councilor, Raphael decisively led his men to the other's grain company.
Carter and the others cleared the way with vicious intimidation, and before the company's staff could react, one Mafia henchman had already kicked open the door to Holmes' office.
This was Raphael's usual method: once action began, it must be swift, catching the other party off guard saved a lot of trouble.
Holmes, a man in his forties with thinning hair, had a flicker of panic in his eyes, "Gentlemen, you..."
Carter skillfully led several henchmen to haul him from his chair and bring him before Raphael.
Simultaneously, another took out Holmes' wallet and handed all the cash notes inside to Raphael.
Raphael pocketed the money with a smile, "We bring you greetings from Mr. Duke."
Holmes' face showed shock and rage, "Duke! That bastard–"
Carter punched him in the stomach, causing the formally-dressed, balding grain merchant to double over in pain, clutching his abdomen.
Then Carter took out a small iron hammer and said to the henchmen, "Hold him steady."
"Let me do it," Raphael said, a flicker of madness in his eyes, "I love the sound of breaking bones the most."