I've Become Rich And I Want Revenge

10. The rules of the game

Turning around, Leon swallowed as he saw a tall woman, a little older than him, with her brown hair up in a bun and wearing dress clothes.

She was serious, and the thin rimmed glasses she wore made her gaze seem even more penetrating.

After getting close enough not to be heard by others, the woman crossed her arms and raised her chin.

"Leon, we need to talk."

Leon arched an eyebrow, maintaining his defiant countenance. 

"Talk? You should have thought of that before you humiliated me in that room. Where were you while those old men were laughing at me?"

The woman let out a restrained laugh, as if amused by the situation. 

"Humiliation? Oh dear, you haven't seen anything yet. The real humiliation has only just begun."

Leon felt anger bubbling up inside him, but he kept his composure. 

The boy clenched his fists, but tried to keep his voice neutral:

"Who do you think you are to talk to me like that?"

She ignored the question, looking him up and down with disdain. Then she began to circle him, like a butcher bird waiting for the right moment to strike down its prey.

 "You think you're clever, don't you? An ambitious boy, thinking he can play with the big boys. Let me give you some advice, Leon: you're nothing."

"You may be one of the greats, but you don't impress me. I'm here to play a game, and I'm going to win, no matter who stands in my way."

"You don't understand. This isn't a game you can win. You're like a piece on the board, and we're the players. And, believe me, there's no room for novices like you."

"So that's it? You're offended by the truths I've spoken to all of you, and you've come here to try to destabilize me."

"Leon, listen to yourself for a moment. You turned eighteen very recently. You were lucky to get such good deals, lucky not to have lost all your money on prostitutes or gambling. But tell me, do you think luck is going to get you a real place in the sun?"

The boy didn't answer. The woman continued:

"Luck is treacherous. Diabolical, if you like. It can smile on you today and stab you in the back tomorrow. And do you know who will be there, right next to you, waiting for that day to come? All the men you've just humiliated. Think about it."

"You talk as if you know everything about me. As if you had some authority over my destiny. But I'll tell you something: I don't need your approval, and I certainly won't bow to veiled threats."

The woman smiled condescendingly.

"Veiled threats? No, Leon, that's not a threat. That's the truth, the purest truth. Whether you believe me or not will make little difference to how true it is."

Leon arched an eyebrow, defiant.

 "So what do you suggest? That I become a mere pawn, a puppy of these guys who have been in power the longest?"

She giggled. 

"No, Leon. I suggest you learn to play the game. You're dealing with people who have decades of experience, who know the ins and outs of this city much better than you do."

He crossed his arms, keeping his posture firm. 

"Do you think I'm just going to back down? Let me tell you, I won't. I'm not just going to play this game,

I'm going to rewrite the rules."

The woman moved closer, staring into his eyes. 

"You're stubborn, Leon. But stubbornness isn't always a virtue. Sometimes it's just a shortcut to ruin."

"Ruin? I'll show you what it means to be in control. The city will be mine."

"So that's your choice? Won't you listen to my good advice and take a step back? It could be the difference between your life and your death."

"I'm not going to listen to any of the shit you're saying. Save your little speech for those who care."

The woman's carmine-painted lips opened in a cruel smile:

"Then allow me to say that it will be a pleasure to be there to see your sad end, little boy."

Without saying another word, the woman left, returning to the event taking place there.

Determined not to let her words affect him, Leon turned his back and started walking in the opposite direction. 

However, as soon as he left the building and entered a side street, Leon realized that something was wrong. The shadows seemed thicker, and the night silence was interrupted only by his footsteps.

Suddenly, a group of men emerged from the shadows, surrounding Leon. They were all wearing dark clothes and ski masks."

"You shouldn't have intruded where you didn't belong, kid," said one of them with a mischievous grin.