In the following days, the aftermath of the sniping incident gradually subsided. However, the people of New York were still thoroughly entertained by their own brand of abstract performance art. Times Square saw an even greater influx of visitors, many of whom came specifically to see what this so-called "Crappy Times Square" actually looked like.
This forced the city government to tighten control and strengthen security to prevent similar heinous incidents from happening again in Times Square. If incidents like that happened a few more times, the humiliating label would become impossible to remove.
As the instigator of all this chaos, Luca remained completely uninvolved. He had been busy these past few days selecting a location for his club.
At the same time, he had someone investigate the killer behind the "Seven Deadly Sins" case. Once he located him, Luca planned to personally deliver fish to the man's door and eliminate future trouble at its root. He knew the killer's name, but not his address. Since the original storyline never mentioned it, he could only search by name.
Meanwhile, Luca's bond with Matilda grew stronger day by day.
Living together was clearly different from being neighbors. Sharing the same roof brought a completely different rhythm to their lives.
During the day, Matilda went to school while Luca "went to work."
Around three in the afternoon, Luca would pick her up.
"Luca!" Matilda would wave from the school gate.
"Get in," Luca would say with a faint smile. "Training time."
"Do we have to run again today?" she complained, though she still obediently buckled her seatbelt.
They jogged through Central Park before heading to a nearby gym. Luca put on protective gear and taught her basic boxing and close-combat techniques.
"Keep your guard up."
"I am!"
"Your left side is open."
"Hey—!"
Wearing oversized boxing gloves, Matilda pounced on him like a tiny tiger, baring her teeth and swiping wildly. After several rounds, she would collapse dramatically.
"I'm dying… I have no strength left…"
Then Luca would bend down. "Get on."
She would immediately wrap her arms around his neck and climb onto his back.
As they walked home, she chattered endlessly.
"Do you know what happened in math class today? And Jessica said—"
Weren't you exhausted just now?
Her voice was lively and energetic, completely betraying her earlier act.
Little rascal.
After returning home, she was instantly revitalized again. She volunteered for housework and then pulled out a cookbook.
"I'm making something new today."
"What is it?"
"Surprise."
The result was usually loud clattering in the kitchen, flour on her cheeks, and pots boiling over.
Luca would pinch his nose exaggeratedly. "Your skills have improved."
Matilda rolled her eyes. "You're clearly lying."
In the evenings, Luca tutored her.
She would prop a pencil against her lips, struggling to stay awake as he explained.
"Focus."
"I am focusing…"
Yet when he laid a handgun on the table and said, "Watch carefully," her eyes sharpened instantly.
"This is how you disassemble it. Don't miss any steps."
She memorized every movement seriously.
As the days passed, Luca was pleased to see her becoming livelier and showing more of her innocent, carefree side.
Matilda's situation was progressing smoothly.
But Leon was another matter.
Compared to Matilda's outgoing nature, Leon was far more difficult to approach.
In recent days, the family occasionally ran into small "problems"—deliver fish, collect debts, eliminate minor threats. Luca would deliberately bring Leon along.
After several operations, Luca had accumulated forty-five Skill Fragments.
Their coordination improved significantly, and their Bond level reached "Familiar."
But going further was not easy.
Without Matilda's accidental intrusion into his life—like in the original storyline—this not-so-cold-blooded assassin had sealed his heart tightly. He lived mechanically, completing one contract after another.
One evening, after finishing a mission, Luca drove Leon home.
"I'm planning to open a club," Luca said casually.
Leon glanced at him. "A club?"
"Mm. I need a head of security. Come work for me. Salary is negotiable. It'll be no less than what you earn as an assassin. And much safer."
Leon looked surprised. "Security supervisor? Sorry. I have no work experience other than being an assassin."
"That's not important," Luca replied. "What matters isn't your résumé. It's you."
He continued calmly, "The head of security is responsible for the entire club's safety. I don't trust anyone else with that position—but I trust you."
Leon was silent.
"You never kill women or children," Luca went on. "You never leak client information. You're efficient and decisive. You have principles. I need someone like that."
Leon stared ahead. "Trust me? Need me?"
"Yes."
After a pause, Leon shook his head. "I don't think I'm suited for that job. I only know how to kill, not protect."
Luca almost laughed.
"Leon, have you ever considered living a different life? The Continental Hotel's power is growing. More people are becoming assassins. In a few years, you'll lose your advantage."
Leon remained quiet.
"Being in charge of club security is simpler," Luca said lightly. "You just point a gun at someone's head and let them choose—follow the rules and live, or break them and be carried out. That's it."
"That's not the same," Leon replied.
"You won't be alone. You'll have a team."
"Assassins are used to being lone wolves."
"Oh? That hurts," Luca said with mock disappointment. "I thought we worked well together."
Silence.
"You know assassins rarely turn their backs on anyone," Luca added. "But I can turn my back to you. That's how much I trust you."
Leon's fingers tightened slightly.
"The club hasn't opened yet," Luca concluded. "Think about it."
"…Okay."
He truly needed time.
That weekend, Luca decided to show Matilda another side of Mafia life.
In her imagination, the Mafia meant constant violence—men who drew guns at the slightest provocation. Like those corrupt cops who had killed her father.
But what Luca showed her was something else.
They first went to Arthur Avenue and walked into a supermarket.
"Uncle Bill!"
"Luca!"
The two embraced warmly. Uncle Bill's Black girlfriend gave Luca a cheerful kiss on the cheek.
"Uncle Bill," Luca said, guiding Matilda forward, "this is my sister, Matilda."
"Oh! What a cute little girl!"
Uncle Bill grabbed several bags of snacks and chocolates from the shelf and stuffed them into Matilda's arms.
"Take whatever you like. Don't be shy. This is your home."
Matilda blinked.
She had never seen such a generous shop owner before.
"Thank you, Uncle Bill! Your store looks amazing!"
Uncle Bill laughed heartily. "Good! Come often!"
His girlfriend hugged Matilda affectionately. "We should have a sweet daughter like this in the future."
Luca asked casually, "When's the wedding?"
"Probably this year," Uncle Bill sighed. "Business has improved a lot lately. No one dares rob the place anymore. Everyone knows the Lucchese family protects this area. I'm too busy to even think about getting married."
Luca fell silent for a moment.
If Uncle Bill didn't get married soon, when would that Hong Kong nephew fly to New York for the wedding?
Has the butterfly effect already altered the original plot?
It seemed even fate could shift under subtle influence.
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Still waiting for power stones tho.