Luca walked straight to the long table above the podium in the hall and sat down.
Frank Fitzsimmons, the heavyset chairman, also walked over and sat beside Luca, while Frank Sheeran sat on Luca's right.
Luca naturally took the center seat.
Neither of them objected.
As more workers gradually entered the hall, Fitzsimmons leaned closer and whispered:
"Dove, these workers were instigated by Sally Bug. Most of them actually don't have the guts to oppose you. If you deal with Sally Bug, everything will calm down."
Luca scoffed inwardly.
A little bug like him dares to stir trouble?
Was he really just some local bully who had grown used to dominating Jersey City?
Did he seriously think he could challenge the New York Mafia families?
Luca didn't believe there wasn't some instigation from the Genovese family behind this.
Those Bastard.
The Genovese family had a very particular way of doing things.
From the boss down to the lowest members, they loved pushing someone else to the front while they hid behind the curtain.
Even after Carlo Gambino died in the future timeline, that family would still continue stirring trouble everywhere.
Luca nodded slightly, then looked toward Frank Sheeran.
"Mr. Sheeran, it's been a long time. Sorry to trouble you with this trip to Jersey City."
Frank replied politely.
"It's my responsibility. We're all members of the truck drivers' union. Helping each other is how we make the union stronger."
Luca nodded again.
Frank had done a good job managing the union and had genuinely helped many workers resolve their problems.
The Irish painter worked for the Mafia, yet he also sincerely considered Jimmy Hoffa a close friend and wanted to protect the union for him.
Yet in the end…even best friends ended up pointing guns at each other.
That shot was far too cruel.
Life was full of unavoidable choices.
Frank could only carry the word loyalty to the very end.
Perhaps it was the aftereffect of being a soldier.
No matter how complicated the emotions were, they had to remain buried in his heart while orders from superiors always came first.
---
Soon, the workers arrived one after another.
Luca glanced at Sally Bug, and the system panel appeared in his vision.
D-Rank Card.
Almost no development potential.
Sally Worm was also watching Luca.
His eyes were full of vigilance.
He clenched his teeth, suppressing the panic rising inside him.
That kid…
Their carefully planned protest at the gate had been crushed so easily.
Suddenly Sally remembered Joe Gallo.
Even when facing that madman, he had never felt this level of fear.
"With me here, you won't take control of Local 560 so easily!"
A cold murderous light flashed in Sally's eyes as he thought about how to deal with the Dove of Peace.
He just needed the right opportunity.
Luca pulled the microphone closer.
"Friends!"
All the workers looked up.
"Some of you have concerns about the change in union leadership."
"I understand that."
"Change always makes people uneasy."
"I'm here today to answer your concerns… and to fulfill the promise I made to Chairman Frank Fitzsimmons."
Fitzsimmons "???"
What promise? Did I accidentally promise him a gasoline partnership?
Luca continued calmly.
"Let's get straight to the point."
His voice suddenly hardened.
"First, let me ask you something."
"After all these years under Pro's leadership, how much did your wages increase?"
"How much medical insurance did you actually receive?"
"And did your retirement funds improve at all?"
Whispers spread through the hall.
"That bastard Pro was lucky he didn't squeeze us dry."
"What benefits did we ever get from him?"
Fitzsimmons' heart skipped a beat.
Damn it… Why are you bringing up exactly what workers care about?
You couldn't just make promises like that.
Frank Sheeran also looked at Luca with surprise.
Then Luca continued.
"After receiving my appointment letter a few days ago, I immediately reached cooperation agreements with thousands of gas stations in New Jersey."
"I also signed transportation partnerships with companies like ExxonMobil."
Luca glanced at Jimmy.
Jimmy distributed prepared documents to the crowd.
"Starting next week!"
"All Teamsters Local 560 drivers involved in gasoline transport will receive a 20% base salary increase!"
"Night shift workers will receive an additional 25% wage subsidy!"
"Furthermore, ExxonMobil and other gasoline wholesalers will cover 50% of your family medical insurance premiums!"
"These are real benefits I secured for you."
The entire hall exploded.
Workers stared in disbelief.
Fists clenched.
Veins bulged.
A 20% raise.
And medical insurance coverage.
These benefits were far beyond anyone's expectations.
Frank Fitzsimmons was speechless.
Are you seriously throwing money around like this?
Aside from ExxonMobil…
weren't most of those gasoline companies secretly owned by Luca and the Russians anyway?
Frank Sheeran's eyes flickered.
Excitement and gratitude surged inside him.
Because before working for the Mafia…
he had also been a truck driver struggling to support his family.
Low wages had eventually pushed him toward the underworld.
Luca raised his hand, signaling for silence.
He had noticed something.
The most hostile workers had gone through three stages:
Resistance to Confusion then Anticipation come.
What could resistance bring them?
Nothing.
Luca raised his voice again.
"But the union must remain united!"
"Division only benefits the bosses!"
"It gives them the chance to drive wedges between us!"
"Those who stir up conflict among workers…"
His gaze casually drifted toward Sally Bug.
"…only damage everyone's interests."
Luca remembered one principle clearly.
If you want your own goal to succeed—
turn it into the goal of the masses.
His gasoline transportation network relied on these workers driving truckloads of black gold across the state.
Unity meant strength.
"I also have evidence that Sally Bug embezzled union funds."
"He withheld wages."
"He altered contracts."
"And he pocketed the difference himself."
"This instigator who violated your rights… will be expelled from the union."
Many workers immediately glared at Sally Worm.
Because what Luca said…
was true.
Sally suddenly jumped up.
"Luca! You bastard"
"I worked my ass off for this union!"
"You can't expel me!"
He pointed at Fitzsimmons.
"You betrayed me, didn't you?!"
Fitzsimmons laughed awkwardly.
"You're just a bug."
"You can't fight a dove."
"You'll only end up as someone else's lunch."
Several Lucchese family soldati stepped forward, grabbed Sally Bug's arms, and dragged him out while the crowd watched.
Luca sighed dramatically.
"See?"
"That's what happens when emotions overpower reason."
"Don't worry."
"The union will make proper arrangements for Sally."
"Even after retirement, a former vice president still receives pension benefits."
"So you can safely entrust your future to me."
"I'll take care of everything."
"Even after you retire, the union will cover your pensions… and even help with your children's education."
"Because we are one big family."
Luca waved his hand.
Jimmy brought over a box.
Luca opened it.
Inside were stacks of bright green banknotes.
"This is Sally's compensation."
"He may not have been a qualified vice president, but he deserves a dignified ending."
Jimmy handed the box to him.
"Take your money and go."
Sally stared at the alley outside.
That's it? They're sending me away with this little money? Fuck you!
Just wait.
He grabbed the box and stormed out.
Luca smiled calmly.
"From today onward, my office door is always open to constructive suggestions."
"But anyone who tries to divide the union…"
He glanced meaningfully at the entrance.
"…will never be tolerated."
"The union will eliminate parasites who threaten our family."
After Luca finished speaking, Fitzsimmons grabbed the microphone.
"Let's welcome Mr. Greco as the new president of Teamsters Local 560!"
Applause erupted.
Especially from workers who weren't wearing Pro's badge.
Even some protesters began clapping.
After all—
the new president had delivered real benefits.
Luca smiled warmly.
"Let's build a harmonious family together."
__________________________________________________________________________
[Ding! You successfully resolved internal conflict within the Truck Drivers Union. Union peace maintained]
System Rewards
Skill Points +20
Skill Fragments +10
Memory +5%
Remaining Skill Fragments: 26
__________________________________________________________________________
After the ceremony, workers lined up to receive the new contracts.
Everything was written clearly in black and white.
Legally binding.
Real benefits.
Many workers were smiling widely.
Frank Sheeran felt deeply satisfied watching them.
"Dove… thank you for everything you've done."
This time he extended his hand first.
Luca shook it firmly.
Both men felt the thick calluses on each other's palms.
Bond: Familliar
Later, Luca sat comfortably in the president's office.
This was now the territory of the Dove of Peace.
Only an hour's drive from Manhattan, it would serve as another base for him.
Daily operations would simply be handled by his own men.
"Jimmy."
"Have Brian, Leon, and the rest of our brothers join the union."
"I'll give you a list later."
"Arrange their driver's licenses and union membership."
Jimmy nodded.
Luca continued.
"Worker salary increases will be deducted from profits of cooperating gas stations and gasoline companies."
"If they want our cheap gasoline…"
"They accept the terms."
Jimmy nodded again.
"No problem."
"We should also invest part of the pension fund into gas stations, refineries, or stocks with Jordan."
"Good."
"And don't forget to deduct a 10% management commission."
Jimmy instantly understood.
The union pension fund was enormous.
Every investment meant profit.
And every profit meant commission.
Money only made more money when invested.
Otherwise it just sat idle.
Jimmy couldn't help thinking—
Ole Dove really was a genius at making money.
Luca made money.
The union made money.
Workers received benefits.
Everyone won.
--
Meanwhile, in another apartment…
Sally Bug returned home and opened the box of cash.
At least he had salvaged something.
Suddenly—
a dark head emerged from the pile of money.
Its tongue flicked.
Triangular eyes stared coldly.
Black Mamba.
Swish!
The snake shot forward like an arrow and bit his arm.
Venom entered his bloodstream.
Sally collapsed.
His muscles lost control.
Breathing became difficult.
Convulsing on the floor, he reached toward the scattered money.
His eyes were still full of desire.
No one knew if it was desire for life…
or for money.
Minutes later—
he died.
A tall figure quietly entered the room and collected the money.
Leon called Luca.
"Target confirmed dead."
"Money intact."
"Should I send it to you?"
Luca replied casually.
"Keep the tens of thousands."
"Buy yourself a decent car."
"The SSR Club's head of security should drive something nice."
Leon "…Or maybe buy more Silver Queen plants."
Luca laughed.
"You've worked hard, Leon."
"With you behind me, I move forward without fear."
"You're like my shadow."
"Wherever I go, you follow."
"One day I'll take you to the highest places in this world."
"The whole world will be full of Silver Queens."
Leon paused.
"The world is huge."
"Do I have to water them all myself?"
Luca burst out laughing.
"Hahahaha!"
Leon smiled slightly.
Bond: Close Friend
__________________________________________________________________________
New Skills Unlocked:
Ring Trick
Shadow Raid
__________________________________________________________________________
Leon disappeared silently into the darkness.
Outside, he stood in the shadows and looked toward the distance.
The lighthouse of New York Harbor flashed rhythmically in the night.
Like the endless heartbeat of the city.