America: The neighbor's wife is so incredibly hospitable!

Just as the group was exchanging pleasantries...

A commotion arose from the other side of the banquet hall.

A group of men in black suits escorted several people in as they entered.

The one leading the group is still that persistent Eva Green.

She wore a white suit today, which made her look even more capable and aloof.

The gloom of losing money last night seemed to have vanished, and a professional fake smile was on his face.

But beside her was an old man in a wheelchair.

The old man was probably in his seventies or eighties, very thin, and even had an oxygen tank hanging from his arm.

But as soon as he appeared, the bigwigs around him who had been talking loudly suddenly disappeared.

They all stood up to pay their respects, their expressions respectful and even fearful.

"Who is that?" Chen An asked Robert in a low voice.

Robert's smile vanished, and his expression turned serious.

"That... is the real mastermind behind 'Silicon Valley Pioneers,' and the biggest underground godfather on the West Coast: Joe Capone."

Robert lowered his voice, "I heard he was in the ICU last month."

"I never expected that this old geezer would actually come in person for your mine."

Surrounded by the crowd, Old Joe surprisingly did not go to the head seat.

Instead, he gestured to the person pushing the wheelchair, and pushed it directly towards Chen An.

The atmosphere froze instantly.

Everyone around held their breath.

I want to see what this old godfather, whom even the governor has to give face to, will do to this rising young man.

The wheelchair stopped in front of Chen An.

Old Joe took off his oxygen mask, his cloudy eyes rolled, and he stared intently at Chen An.

"young people."

Old Joe's voice sounded not only weak, but also hoarse and harsh.

"I heard you won eight million chips from my advisor last night?"

Chen An stood there, neither bending down nor dodging, his gaze fixed on the old man who seemed as if he might die at any moment.

"Just lucky. If Mr. Capone is worried about the money, I can return it. Consider it your retirement fund."

"hiss--"

A collective gasp of astonishment rippled through the crowd.

Is this kid looking for death?

How dare you talk to Old Joe like that?

Surprisingly, Old Joe wasn't angry. Instead, he grinned, revealing a few gold teeth.

"You've got guts. Nobody's dared to mention pensions to me for years."

Old Joe coughed twice, and Ava immediately handed him a handkerchief.

"However, young man, in this industry, winning money is easy, but keeping it is difficult."

Old Joe's fingers were thin and bony as he tapped on the armrest of his wheelchair.

"I know you have leverage with the military. But that doesn't mean you're safe."

"My truck drivers' union has passed the resolution unanimously."

"Starting next week, any heavy vehicles entering or leaving northern Montana will be subject to 'security checks'."

"This kind of examination... could take a long time. Maybe a year, maybe ten. Who knows?"

This is a threat.

The resolution allows unions to set up checkpoints along the long transport route even if you have a military license, using legitimate reasons such as "road safety" and "overloading inspection".

Although a large number of ants cannot kill an elephant, they can annoy it to death, or even starve it to death.

"So what?" Chen An asked, his expression unchanged.

"So, I'm giving you a second option."

Old Joe waved his hand, and Ava handed him a new document.

"I can choose not to acquire it. We can cooperate."

"Together, a joint venture was established, with TerraPower investing one billion US dollars to acquire a 49% stake."

"You are still the major shareholder, and you can still be your local tyrant."

"And... I can guarantee that your goods can be sold to any corner of the world without any hindrance."

This sounds like a concession.

What started as a forced sale has transformed into a joint venture for mutual benefit.

Moreover, an investment of one billion US dollars is quite a show of sincerity.

"What if I still refuse?" Chen An asked.

Old Joe's eyes instantly turned cold, like a viper flicking its tongue.

"Then you'd better be fully prepared. Maybe one day your pretty little secretary will 'accidentally' get lost when she goes out to buy a dress."

"Or your still-attractive housekeeper might 'accidentally' get food poisoning."

"In this world, there are some accidents that even the Pentagon can't control."

boom.

Chen An's murderous aura erupted instantly.

He can tolerate business suppression and the scheming at the negotiating table.

But he would never tolerate anyone using his woman as a threat.

This is the Achilles' heel.

The harm done to one's family should not be extended!

Chen An stepped forward, ignoring the bodyguards around him who instantly reached into their clothes.

He braced his hands on the armrests of the wheelchair and brought his face close to Old Joe's, less than ten centimeters away.

"Old Joe."

Chen An's voice was deep and cold, as if it carried a chill from hell.

"You're getting old. It's time for you to retire."

"I have a piece of advice for you. Don't mess with my people."

"Otherwise, I'll show you what a place more painful than the ICU is."

"besides."

Chen An straightened up, looked around, and spoke loudly.

"Titan Mining doesn't need joint ventures, nor does it need to be subservient to anyone."

"As for logistics..."

Chen An took out a photo and slapped it on Old Joe's knee, which was covered with a wool blanket.

That's a recent photo.

The photo shows a huge C-17 Globemaster III transport plane painted in camouflage.

They were preparing to land at a makeshift field airfield less than ten kilometers from Titan Manor.

"To ensure the security of strategic materials, the Pentagon recently approved an air corridor."

Chen An looked at Ava, whose face had turned deathly pale, and at Old Joe, whose expression had frozen.

"From now on, I will use airplanes to transport my goods."

"If your trucks can fly, then let them fly up and stop me."

Done.

Chen An straightened his collar, didn't even glance at those so-called mafia bosses, and turned back to his seat.

The entire venue was deathly silent.

Skywalk!

Directly using military transport planes to haul away ore?

What kind of insane skill is this?!

Robert couldn't help but give a thumbs up and whispered:

"Chen, that slap was way too loud. This old guy's probably going to be so angry he'll be sent straight to the crematorium when he gets back."

Chen An snorted coldly, picked up the water on the table, and took a sip.

"This is just the beginning."

He looked toward the exit of the banquet hall.

"When my first batch of lithium salts were turned into batteries and installed in electric vehicles around the world."

"That will be the time when they truly despair."

And now...

Chen An glanced at his phone.

Jessica sent a text message with a selfie of herself in a luxury store wearing a newly bought, more daring lace dress.

[Boss, I bought the skirt. It's even easier to tear than yesterday's. Are you checking up on me again tonight?]

The coldness on Chen An's lips melted instantly.

It's better to argue with these old coffin-heads.

It's more interesting to go back and check up on things.