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Chapter 119 - The Godfather of Richmond

"Ha, Mr. Valentino.

Twenty million is just a drop in the bucket for us.

With this land, we're going to build Richmond's own 'Empire State Building'!

Virginia's tallest skyscraper will be the symbol of Lamb & Hammon's entry into the state—and just the beginning."

Leo studied the aggressive CEO.

He had to admit: you didn't build a company like theirs by being an amateur.

Robert's thinking aligned with Leo's own:

this prime location was perfect for a massive tower.

Anyone entering Richmond would see it soaring into the sky and immediately think:

Powerful. Deep pockets. Their buildings must be reliable.

It was advertising that would last a century—and the skyscraper itself would be wildly profitable.

Leo could have scraped together over $20 million to compete, but that would have strangled his next round of projects for cash.

In these brutal games, even the tiniest weakness would be ruthlessly exploited.

He wasn't giving up on that land.

There were other ways to get it.

A plan was already forming in his mind.

Their attention was drawn as murmuring rippled through the guests nearby.

"Did you hear?

The state legislature passed Governor Harry's modern highway plan.

A billion-dollar project!"

Robert turned to Leo with a smile:

"I hear you own the Blue Ridge Company. Specializes in government contracts, right?

Looks like we've got a new battlefield.

Mr. Valentino, you're about to be the first man in five years to feel the full power of Lamb & Hammon.

You'll watch everything you built get crushed under our machine."

Leo shrugged lightly:

"Christoph said almost the same thing to me.

Guess trash talk is a company tradition of yours.

The bidding war for Virginia's real estate cake is just getting started.

Excuse me."

He hadn't come to the auction afterparty just for fun.

Mayor Eamon would be here.

Back when Thomas was alive, Leo could walk into Eamon's office without knocking.

Now, he had to show up at unofficial events and hand over a business card like everyone else.

This was a test—a final chance to preserve their friendship.

He approached the mayor's secretary.

This young man, who once bowed and scraped before him, now barely glanced his way.

He tossed Leo's card back dismissively:

"The mayor doesn't want to see you."

Leo didn't react to the insult.

He spoke slowly and formally:

"Please tell him this: Does he no longer value our friendship?"

The secretary smirked and raised his voice for the whole room to hear:

"Ha! The noble Tiernan family doesn't need the friendship of some man who can't even keep his mistress."

Robert started clapping, voice booming:

"Well said, Mr. Zoe!

A man who didn't even earn his way here shouldn't be in such a fine gathering."

Several people joined in the laughter and applause.

But among the crowd of real-estate men, many eyes glittered with resentment toward these so-called industry leaders.

Leo swept the hall with a calm gaze, quietly noting the faces of those who'd clapped loudest.

When he slid into his Bentley, he told Noodles beside him:

"They say I'm the Richmond mafia godfather.

Fine.

People who talk that way about a godfather need to pay.

Send for Billy Jute."

Jackson Ward District.

A grand century-old building had a new owner today.

Workers were putting up the Lamb & Hammon sign above its massive doors.

Alongside it hung the name of the Virginia Real Estate Union.

This was the new HQ, bought for a fortune to house both the union and Lamb's Virginia branch.

Inside the buzzing meeting room, all 24 union-member companies were gathered.

Robert Davis strode in beaming, a tall, thin man beside him: Citibank VP Manson Joshua, head of the loan division.

Robert was here to strategize with the union on how to gobble up the state highway contracts—and to plan all-out competition with Leo's companies on every front.

But as he began, he noticed Leo was already there, lounging in a corner seat.

"Mr. Valentino, I don't remember inviting you."

Robert's voice was cold.

"True.

But as the Union's very first registered member, I think I have every right to attend."

Robert's face twisted as if he'd swallowed a fly.

But Manson smoothly rescued him.

Manson was here on orders from the Cotton family, who owned 5% of Citibank.

Studying the annoyed shareholders, Manson realized the files on Leo needed updating: he was even more shameless than expected.

"Robert, just introduce the plan to everyone.

If Mr. Valentino wants to hear how we'll dismantle his empire piece by piece, so be it.

This is power in action.

Just so you know, Mr. Valentino—we don't accept surrenders."

Manson's cool aggression lit Robert up.

He launched into his speech.

His plan had two parts.

The first: bidding for the state's new billion-dollar highway network.

He bragged about Lamb's credibility and Citibank's financial backing.

He talked like the project was already theirs.

Then came part two.

As he outlined it, the other builders in the room began glancing at Leo.

Every part of the plan was carefully tailored to undercut Leo's businesses:

municipal contracts, new housing, land development, utility networks, renovations—each with detailed pricing, always lower than Leo's.

When Robert finished, he turned to Leo, expecting to see despair.

But Leo was unruffled.

At that moment there was a frantic banging on the meeting-room door.

Robert frowned and signaled the secretary.

The door flew open, the secretary shoved aside by a flood of panicked assistants.

They all scrambled to whisper in their bosses' ears.

Within minutes the room fell silent, every gaze fixed on Leo.

Leo offered a pleasant, polite smile.

But the contractors saw something devilish in it, and many shivered.

Robert was about to demand what was going on when one company owner finally blurted:

"Apologies, Mr. President.

The Kari Construction Company may have to withdraw from the union.

My assistant will handle the paperwork.

There's an issue at our site—I have to go."

He stood and left.

Like a starter pistol, it triggered a stampede.

One by one the company bosses delivered the same line and hurried out.

In minutes the once-packed meeting was down to three people.

"What a shame," Leo said, standing up and brushing off his jacket.

"That brand-new 'union' sign will have to come down after just one morning."

Robert's secretary had been quick, stopping one assistant before he left to find out what was happening.

He delivered the news in a low voice.

Their job sites had all suffered sudden "accidents":

worker walkouts, yard fires, machinery breakdowns—all with obvious signs of sabotage.

Robert's gaze locked onto Leo.

Pulling off 20+ simultaneous disruptions in a single night?

Who else in Richmond but this so-called godfather?

"It was you!"

Robert snapped.

Leo gave a big, cheerful laugh.

"Careful. Accuse me without proof and I'll sue for slander!"

He walked out of the room still chuckling.

Leo's visit had served two goals:

to pay Robert back for last night's public insult and to reassert his dominance over Richmond's construction scene.

It also weakened Lamb & Hammon's hold—even delaying them was valuable.

He just needed time.

After Leo left, Robert seethed.

Manson, ever cool, said:

"Don't get worked up.

Without those union members, we actually save resources.

Our power alone is enough to bury that arrogant Valentino.

And when he's cornered, those so-called members will crawl back to us."

Seeing Robert's anger ease, Manson continued:

"But he clearly can hurt our jobs too.

We need to protect our own sites.

You're close to Mayor Eamon. Can you—"

Robert cut him off with a bitter laugh:

"Close?

Ha! Leo and Eamon used to be best friends too.

Tiernan's family only cares about money.

Eamon charges too damn much.

No—we'll wait for Bazzini to finish up in New York.

Then he'll come to Richmond."

"Bazzini? That Italian mobster desperate for high-society approval?

I heard he's at war with the well-regarded Corleone family.

Can he even get free?"

Manson asked doubtfully.

"Old Vito stepped back.

The Corleones are run by Sonny now—a rabid dog, ignoring every warning and starting a war in New York.

I introduced Bazzini to some key people.

Now they see him as the stable choice.

He promised me the war will end soon.

And when Bazzini wins, we'll pull our focus off Richmond and dominate the rest of Virginia.

When Valentino is pinned in just one city, that's when his whole company will collapse.

And that is when Bazzini will finish him off."

Robert spoke calmly now, his plan crystal clear.

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