Capítulo 157: Chapter 157: Clash of Big Brothers
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**Corleone Manor**
Vito Corleone stood before the mirror, carefully grooming himself. He combed his hair with precision and applied wax to ensure a smooth, controlled appearance. He was determined to project the image of the formidable Vito Corleone, despite his recent trials.
As he entered the living room, his children—Tom, Michael, and Fredo—were already there. Vito smiled at them reassuringly. "Don't worry. This meeting will be safe. They know better than to disrupt the peace talks; that would breach the fundamental rules of the committee."
"Tom, come with me," Vito instructed. Tom helped him into his suit, noting the old man's struggle with the still-healing injuries.
After getting dressed, Vito checked his reflection one last time. He felt a renewed sense of resolve. Despite the pain, he was ready for the meeting.
At the hotel arranged by Basini, Vito took a deep breath before stepping out of the car and walking towards the conference room.
Inside, the room was filled with over twenty family heads. Emilio Basini, head of the Basini family, greeted Vito with a warm smile. "Vito, long time no see."
"Yes, it's been a while since our last committee meeting. I expected you at my birthday party, but instead, you went to Cuba," Vito replied with a smile, his tone light.
Vito scanned the room. All the major players were present, including Philip, head of the Tatakilia family. The Corleone-Tatakilia relationship was marked by deep-seated enmity, making Philip's presence particularly charged.
Some family heads greeted Vito with nods, while others remained aloof or distracted. Vito knew this meeting would be fraught with tension and possible confrontation.
Tom helped Vito into his seat at the conference table and took his place behind him. Once everyone was seated, Basini stood up and addressed the room.
"We've all experienced losses recently, and the original purpose of this committee was to resolve conflicts between families. Today's meeting aims to address these issues openly and seek a resolution rather than perpetuate endless conflict."
Basini then turned to Vito. "Vito, do you have anything to say?"
Vito took a deep breath, spreading his hands as he spoke with a serious expression. "I don't fully understand how things escalated to this point. It's unfortunate and unnecessary. I was attacked and shot twelve times. The Tatakilia family lost a son, and I lost a son. It's been a tragic few months."
"We've endured significant losses in our conflicts. I believe it's time to put an end to this. Continuing the fighting benefits no one."
Vito looked at Philip, expecting a response. But before Philip could speak, Basini interjected.
"Vito, the root of our conflict is the drug trade. Every family wants a piece of it. The Corleone family controls New York's legal and political landscape, but you refuse to share. It's time to include everyone and make us all prosperous."
Basini glanced at the other family heads. Nicholas Silvera, the Mafia boss from Kansas City, stood up. "Mr. Vito, I may not endorse drugs, but the profits are undeniable. My men buy them for a few thousand and sell them for fifty thousand. The profit margin is too tempting to ignore."
Several bosses nodded in agreement, showing their support for the drug trade.
After Silvera spoke, the Boston City boss also voiced support for the drug trade. Other family members followed suit, indicating their willingness to engage in the business.
Tom, seated behind Vito, could sense the shifting tides. The Corleone family's refusal to enter the drug trade had led to widespread rejection among the other families. He looked at Vito, feeling a pang of concern for the man who had taken him in and raised him.
To Tom, it felt as though the old godfather was a lion surrounded by hyenas, all poised to strike.
Vito remained stoic, his thoughts inscrutable. The future of the Mafia hung in the balance, depending on his response.
After a tense silence, Vito finally spoke. "I agree to enter the drug business."
A wave of relief and satisfaction swept through the family heads. The old stubbornness had finally yielded.
"But," Vito added, "I have a few conditions."
"What are your conditions?" Basini asked.
Vito glanced at Philip and said, "Philip's son is dead, and Sonny is dead. Let this be the end of it."
"My second son and youngest son were both targeted. I need assurances that no one will harm them in the future. Should anything happen to them—whether it's a shooting, a car accident, or any other misfortune—I will hold everyone here responsible. The Corleone family will retaliate without hesitation, even if it means destroying the Corleone family itself."
His eyes flashed with intensity, signaling his resolve. Everyone understood that despite recent setbacks, the Corleone family remained a formidable force capable of retribution.
Basini signaled to Philip, urging him to agree quickly. Philip stood and nodded in agreement.
The two men shook hands, sealing their verbal agreement.
"Vito, what else do you want?" Basini asked.
Vito met Basini's gaze. "I understand you're willing to buy my support with money. I want the shares of the Flamingo Casino in Las Vegas."
The room fell silent. No one expected this demand. Vito's request was tied to Jon Hardy, who had aggressively pursued the Corleone family's rivals.
Philip, annoyed, interjected, "I invested 800,000 in that casino. You want it for nothing?"
Vito frowned. "Then you expect me to use my resources for nothing?"
Basini, showing a willingness to negotiate, said, "To demonstrate my sincerity, I'm willing to relinquish the Flamingo Casino shares."
He looked to the other family heads for confirmation. Kolobo, head of the Strache family, nodded in agreement. Philip, begrudgingly, consented as well.
Although Jon Hardy was not present at the meeting, his influence was felt strongly. The Corleone family's association with Hardy made them a formidable force, and the other families knew better than to underestimate them.
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