American variety show: The Godfather, the Peace Ambassador, what the heck?

Chapter 161 Bobby's Gratitude
Public opinion intensified over the next period of time, with discussions taking place all over the United States, and countless eyes focused on the dilapidated city of Detroit.

Time flew by and it was early August.

The northern suburbs of Detroit.

Hofa's house had a few more guests, including the Marcel brothers who came to visit their uncle.

Marcel, being both white and a perpetrator of the violence, didn't seem to care much about public opinion. He wasn't a racist, and he knew more inside information: weren't those Black people all YBI drug dealers? Was it really necessary for the police to shock the entire nation by killing a few drug dealers?

When drug dealers kill each other, the media barely pays a glance; but when a white police officer kills a black drug dealer, it stirs up a huge uproar.

Marcel felt that those black drug dealers deserved it—as an orphan, he hated those blacks who used children to sell drugs. How many families would be destroyed by drugs? What about the future of these children?

But Jerry, the second son who is Black, felt deeply about this. He had suffered too much discrimination in Detroit, and even after he reformed and became a businessman and a law-abiding citizen, the situation did not improve much.

Although those Black people were drug dealers, they could be punished through judicial trials or life imprisonment, but not through violent execution.

“Uncle Hoffa,” Jerry sighed, “you should release a statement through the media as soon as possible. This matter is getting out of hand and will have a great impact on your reputation.”

"Statement what? Did I do something wrong?" Hoffa said sternly. "I support the police in fighting gang crime and protecting the rights of unions. Is that wrong? I don't think I did anything wrong. Philip abused his power and used excessive force. He's the one who should give an explanation to the public!"

Stubborn, impulsive, and irritable, Jimmy Hoffa knows he's in a vortex of trouble, yet he continues to do as he pleases and stick to his beliefs.

At that moment, he thought of the last time he saw Frank, who had a similar attitude and was advising him to stop one last time.

Frank said one thing at the time: That's enough!
Hoffa immediately understood that the Mafia, represented by Luca, Russell, and Fat Tony, had lost patience to continue the entanglement—they would consider killing him.

Hoffa's answer was: They wouldn't dare! They wouldn't dare! Don't give me that nonsense, it's all bullshit. If anything happens to me, they're all finished! You know what I mean, because I have documents, I have evidence, I have records and tapes! I can make those bastards go! These damn bastards will spend the rest of their lives in prison! They know that very well!
After saying those words, Hofa would never forget the look in Frank's eyes, filled with helplessness, heartache, melancholy, and despair.

This was the first time he had seen such a complex look in his old friend's eyes, as if their intertwined lives had come to an end in a single glance. The phrase "It ends here" could not fully explain everything they had experienced over the years, yet it was the best testament and interpretation of their friendship.

They met when they were young, but parted when their hair had turned white. For more than a month after that day, Hofa had not seen Frank again. The Irish hitman, who always pretended to be serious and had a slight stutter, had left his life silently, leaving Hofa with only a lonely figure and a sense of melancholy.

He realized he seemed to be about to lose a close friend.

There's nothing more to lose.

Death takes everything away from life. Hoffa tries to hold on, but some sand always slips through her fingers. Will she take the union badge to her grave? Or will the blessings and memories of old friends be placed in front of her tombstone with a bouquet of flowers?
As people get older, they lose control of their energy and become easily distracted. Hofa gently rubbed his temples, looking at the two good children before him, his tone and smile softening:

“You don’t need to worry about me, I’m fine. The police station will issue a statement to explain everything. Jerry, while I’m still alive, I want to do more. Since it was the black gang that blocked your renovation plan, the public opinion should be in your favor after the police release the truth. We can take this opportunity to ask the city council to amend the proposal.”

“Uncle.” Jerry’s expression was complicated. He believed Hoffa was not a racist, nor did he support police brutality. “Babby and I will handle this ourselves. You can’t get involved in any more trouble now. Mother is very worried about you, worried that those angry black gangs will cause you trouble.”

“Jerry, your mother told me about the redevelopment project. She knows you're in trouble. Go back and tell your mother not to worry about me. I will keep my promise to you and her.”

"Huh?" Jerry was taken aback. His mother actually knew about his affairs? "How did she find out?"

“She watched you grow up, do you think you can hide it from her?” Hoffa explained simply, and also mentioned Ms. Marcel’s contributions.

When Jerry heard that his mother had gone to the city councilor and called the police, his expression changed slightly.

My mother even knows about the Sweet family?!
A sense of foreboding crept into his heart. He looked at Bobby and said anxiously, "Bobby, we have to find Mother. Damn it! How did she get involved with the mob? That bastard Sweet is capable of anything!"

Bobby realized this in an instant and immediately got up to leave. Before leaving, he reminded Hoffa, "Uncle Hoffa, if any black gangs dare to cause you trouble, call me anytime! I'll make them understand that even after all these years, I, Bobby, am still the street king of Detroit!"

Hofa smiled with satisfaction.

East District, a community street.

Mrs. Marcel walked into a neighborhood supermarket carrying bags, intending to stock up on supplies and food. As soon as she entered, the white store owner and cashier cast wary glances at her, but their expressions softened upon seeing that it was Mrs. Marcel, and they greeted her warmly.

The atmosphere in the East Side has become extremely tense recently due to the Philippe incident, with a noticeable increase in zero-dollar purchases, mostly occurring in white-owned stores. Black rioters, desperately needing an outlet, are attempting to gain human rights and respect from white people through violence.

"They were simply venting their violence. What about seeking justice for the Black victims? That's just a fig leaf to cover up their crimes. Some Black people believe that the law won't punish everyone; if everyone's causing trouble, they won't get involved."

The Mexican shop owner shook his head with a wry smile, "There are so many ways to solve this, why choose violence? Why rob a shop?"

Watching Mrs. Marcel's retreating figure as she moved between the shelves, the cashier muttered under her breath, "Black people are born thugs; their blood is filthy."

“Hey, don’t say things like that. Be careful if those black people hear you and label you as a racist. I don’t want to cause trouble for my shop.”

The shop owner muttered to himself, "I'm neither white nor black. I just want to do business here."

The words had barely left his mouth when the door was kicked open, and two hooded thugs stormed into the shop. One of them was carrying a shotgun and rushed straight to the cashier, pointing the gun at the shop owner and the cashier: "Hey! Get behind the cash register! Now! And hurry up!"

Another person, also carrying a handgun, joined his accomplice in threatening the shop owner and cashier.

The shop owner turned pale with fright and quickly begged, "No! No! Don't shoot, please!"

He took out the money from the cash register and handed it over, saying, "It's all yours, take it. I don't want any trouble, please don't shoot. I've only just arrived in this country!"

"Don't move! Shut your stinking mouth!" the thug roared.

"Please," the shop owner pleaded, raising his hands.

"This is America, you brat!" The thug raised his gun and yelled, "Black people don't get what they want in this country, so what gives you the right to?"

The gun was pointed at the shop owner's head, and the shop owner closed his eyes in despair.

Biu! Biu!

Two gunshots rang out!

This wasn't the sound of a shotgun. The shop owner realized he wasn't dead. He opened his eyes shakily and saw two thugs lying on the ground, and a tall white man wearing a small round hat and sunglasses standing at the door.

Lyon put away his gun, walked to the counter, and ripped off the hoods of the two thugs.

As expected—two black men. Leon also knew that these two men weren't just there to rob him, but to shoot Mrs. Marcel, because she knew many things she shouldn't have known.

Are you trying to take advantage of the chaos in the East District to stage a robbery and murder?

Lyon sighed in admiration at the old pigeon's foresight, then quickly found Mrs. Marcel, who was huddled in a corner trembling, and comforted her, "Mrs. Marcel, I'm here to help you."

You provided intelligence and information, instructing Leon to kill two black thugs. You protected the peace of the supermarket.

[Gain Skill Points x5]

[Gained 2 Skill Fragments]

[Remaining Skill Fragments: 348]

Northern suburbs.

When Bobby and Jerry find their "missing" mother, there is another person at the scene that Bobby never expected—Luca.

Barbie had a hard time forgetting Luca's young, handsome, and highly recognizable face after seeing him once at the club.

"You've finally arrived, please have a seat," Luca greeted them, then calmly explained the whole story and handed a few photos to Bobby.

The reason is simple: when Mrs. Marcel went to the police station to report the crime, a mole in Sweet's gang found out and notified Sweet. Sweet, seeing that Mrs. Marcel had presented some evidence, decided to kill the troublesome old woman.

Upon learning what had happened, Bobby was still shaken and said with lingering fear, "Thank you, pigeon, thank you for saving my mother."

"I learned about Mrs. Marcel by chance when I was investigating the Sweet gang."

Luca went on to explain, “The Detroit council and police have close ties with black gangs, and even my gasoline business has been affected. I’ve been looking for the stolen tanker truck for so long and I can’t find it. Now I suspect it was stolen by this Sweet gang.”

Lyon remained silent to the side.

First it was the YBI drug cartel, then the Sweet gang; they just wouldn't hire a black-market hitman.

Bobby and Jerry looked through the documents and, combined with some information they already knew, realized that Luca was most likely telling the truth.

The Sweet gang not only blocked Jerry's renovation project, but also planned to kill Mrs. Marcel.

Everything Luca said was true; this was the original plot. After the four brothers returned, they investigated for a long time before figuring out the whole story and the true cause of their mother's death. For Luca, however, it wasn't a difficult matter; he saved Mrs. Marcel and prevented a tragedy from happening.

Marcel is a kind white old lady. Luca, who also lost his parents at a young age, respects these elderly people who are willing to adopt homeless children. On the other hand, the YBI gang of black people who use children to smuggle drugs will be wiped out sooner or later.

The entire United States is now sympathizing with a group of ruthless drug dealers. Luca will soon release more video footage to try and clear his name. Although it cannot erase Philippe's violent law enforcement, it can wash away the prejudice and resentment of many people.

At this moment, Jerry complained to his mother with a helpless expression, "Why did you have to take such a risk? This is my business. Do you know how worried I was about you?"

“You didn’t tell me either?” Mrs. Marcel held Jerry’s hand and said softly, “You don’t want me to worry, and I don’t want you to worry either. You are my child, and I have a responsibility to take care of you.”

The mother and son embraced tightly.

Luca sighed. If Marcel had told her "bastard sons" directly in the original story, the Sweet gang would probably have been wiped out. But the old lady wanted to resolve the matter through proper channels and didn't want her sons to get their hands dirty again—she knew all too well what kind of violence the four brothers would commit.

But this is Detroit, where gangs abuse violence, and police abuse violence too.
Naturally, Bobby now understood the whole story. His eyes blazed with fury as he stood up angrily. "Mom, don't worry about this. I'm going to solve this my own way! Those damn bastards, how dare they lay a hand on you! I'll make them pay with their blood!"

Mrs. Marcel advised, "Bobby, don't be impulsive, we can do it."

Bobby gently pushed his mother away. "No, they've already sent assassins to kill you. Do you think there's any other possibility of negotiation?"

Jerry clenched his fists: "Bobby, I'm going with you! These bastards, they have to pay!"

Luca gave Leon a look, "Leon, you should go help them too. Mrs. Marcel is right here, I'll take good care of her."

Bobby had no objections, and before leaving, he made a point of thanking Luca, saying, "Pigeon, you saved my mother. If you ever get into trouble, just come to me anytime. Name me, and I'll kill whoever you want."

[Bond: Familiarity]

[Babby: A]

[Avenger Vanguard: When taking revenge, mark suspicious targets, tracking efficiency +20%, combat power +10%; if mother dies, skill effect doubled]

[Learning Requirements: Affinity level of Friends or higher; Requires 60 Skill Fragments]

[Eldest son of the family: Your ability to inspire your family members' actions +20%; When leading your family members in battle, action coordination efficiency +30%, critical hit rate of all members +20%, and combat power +15%]

[Learning Requirements: Bond level must be close friend or higher; 100 skill fragments required]

As expected of the eldest son of the family, Luca felt that Bobby's skills should be taught to one of his generals. But it was fine, why not just make Bobby his general? Letting him lead the troops would still provide buffs to his teammates.

Luca looked up at Jerry Marcel again.

The younger brother is only a C-rank card, but he has a skill called "Insurance Compensation," which increases the insurance compensation amount by 10%.

—In the original storyline, Jerry bought his mother a huge death insurance policy. After Mrs. Marcel died, he received a large sum of money, which almost led to his brothers misunderstanding him as the one who killed their mother.

It now appears that the insurance payout will not be available for the time being.

The two brothers set off with Leon to settle scores with the Sweet gang. Leon had already gathered sufficient intelligence, and all they needed to do was kill.

At the same time, Luca also made a phone call.

Release another batch of materials to the media, providing more information and perspectives, such as the process of drug dealers talking and making deals with children, and the process of drug dealers resisting the police before kneeling down.
This intelligence could sway public opinion and give Philip's violent behavior more "legitimacy," leading to more white people siding with Philip in the subsequent court trial, and the American justice system protecting white people, thus further enraging black people.

(End of this chapter)