America: Starting with the Last Liberty

After the meeting ended, Jane followed her superior, Sean, out of the Los Angeles Police Department's conference room.

"Jane, what are your thoughts on this case?"

Jane frowned and thought for a moment, then gave an answer.

"I feel like those guys' operation went way too smoothly!"

"Oh? Tell me more."

"In the Pacific Standard Bank case, those four people completed the entire process in just 18 minutes, which felt like...like..."

Jane was at a loss for words and didn't know how to describe her thoughts.

Fortunately, Sean's words revealed Jane's true thoughts.

"It's like there's a script, isn't it?"

"Yes! That's exactly what I mean! Such a smooth crime couldn't have been accomplished by just four people. I suspect there are others in the bank secretly cooperating with them!"

"A really interesting idea! Jane, take a look at this."

Sean handed a document to Jane, who glanced at it quickly and immediately looked surprised.

"This is……"

"David Albert, the branch manager of Pacific Standard Bank, made a loss last month."

"Sir, you've been suspicious of this general manager for a while now, so why did you come to the Los Angeles Police Department headquarters?"

"Of course, it's to confirm whether those idiots have discovered this crucial clue! Let's go, let's pay a visit to Mr. David Albert."

In a manor in Malibu, western Los Angeles County, an elderly man with white hair sits in a boss's chair, smoking a cigar.

The old man stood in front of three men: one about his age, one middle-aged, and one young—a perfect age distribution.

At this moment, all three men seemed apprehensive, as if they were terrified of the old man smoking a cigar.

"So, my gold is missing, and I'm the last to know? And I only found out after seeing the news! Luca, what's your explanation for this?"

The old man's voice wasn't loud, but it was full of authority, causing the three men in front of him to break out in a cold sweat.

The oldest of the three men quickly offered an explanation.

"Mr. Bonanno, this is because David Albert, the general manager of Pacific Standard Bank, has been giving statements at the police station and is hesitant to contact us, so..."

The old man, known as Mr. Bonanno, could barely accept this explanation, so he looked at the middle-aged man among the three men.

"Sonny, what about you? Have you found out who did it?"

"Mr. Bonanno, I have inquired with people in the organization, and no one has received any related information. It's as if those people appeared out of nowhere."

Bonanno exhaled a smoke ring, then glared sharply at Sonny.

"Then what are you still standing here for? Go investigate! We have to find my gold before the police find the rest!"

Sonny quickly bowed and apologized.

"Mr. Bonanno, I'll go check right away!"

After saying that, the middle-aged man hurriedly left the room, as if something terrifying was chasing him.

"Damn it! Who came up with this stupid idea? To spread gold around in those small banks?"

Bonanno's incessant cursing made the two remaining men in front of him extremely embarrassed.

Finally, the younger man spoke up and reminded Bonanno.

"Godfather, this idea seems to be your own."

Bonanno looked at the young man in surprise, his expression one of utter embarrassment.

"Francis, is that so?"

"Yes! A few years ago, the IRS began to investigate family businesses. In order to avoid the family's wealth being wiped out, you dispersed the gold into various small banks around Los Angeles."

Bonanno slapped his forehead, looking somewhat helpless.

"Damn it! I'm really getting old!"

Francis stepped forward and asked Bonanno indirectly.

"Godfather, now that the storm has died down with the IRS, should we bring back the gold that's been stored outside?"

Bonanno pondered for a moment, then nodded.

"You're right. It's indeed a bit unsafe to keep it out all the time. What if something like what happened to Pacific Standard Bank happens again... Francis, do you have any good ideas?"

"Godfather, we can easily find a middleman to acquire a bank on the verge of bankruptcy and use it as the family's treasury."

Bonanno's eyes lit up.

"That's a good idea! Francis, you'll assist Martin with this! By the way, where's Martin?"

Upon hearing the name Martin, Francis's eyes instantly deepened.

"Young Master Martin is still tinkering with race cars in the garage."

Bonanno slammed his hand on the table, looking quite angry.

"That brat, all he cares about is racing, he doesn't pay any attention to the family business! Francis, go and drag him out of the garage!"

"Yes, Godfather!"

Francis bowed and then left the study.

In the corridor, Francis could still faintly hear Bonanno's words.

"Sigh, if only Martin could be as sensible as Francis."

Immediately following was Luca's voice.

"Mr. Bonanno, young master Martin is still young. He should mature when he gets a few more years. At least for now, Francis is still holding on, which should be enough to keep young master Martin growing up."

"I hope so..."

Upon hearing these words, Francis's expression immediately darkened.

Then, Francis passed through the living room and saw a beautiful, mature woman sitting there.

The woman was dressed in gorgeous clothes, and her face had a pitiful look, but she didn't seem very happy.

Francis's perspective at that moment was perfectly aligned with those voluptuous and graceful curves, causing a hint of greed to creep into his eyes.

Seemingly sensing the unusual gaze, the beautiful and mature woman turned to look at Francis.

Although Francis's gaze was quickly withdrawn, the woman still caught some of it.

The woman straightened her clothes, a hint of wariness appearing on her face.

"Francis, have you finished discussing your business?"

"Not yet, but the Godfather asked me to go and fetch Master Martin."

"Oh, I see. Then you should go quickly."

Francis bowed.

"Then I won't bother you any longer, Godmother Sophia."

Francis left the living room, much to the relief of the beautiful woman named Sophia.

Although her husband's godson was always polite, Sofia felt like she was looking at a jackal whenever she saw him.

With a deep sigh, Sophia stood up, her face full of sorrow. She prepared to go for a walk in the garden; the oppressive atmosphere in the house made her feel like she couldn't breathe.

Breathing in the fresh air of the garden, Sofia let out a long sigh.

"When will this kind of life finally end?"

(Monica Bellucci as Sofia Bonanno)