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The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 35: Playing with Dynamite
Next in his list. Burke.Mason flipped Burke's business card between his fingers. The edges had gone soft, worn down like the man's principles.Eve watched from her position, cataloging the minute changes in Mason's posture - the tightening around his eyes, the way his jaw worked.Burke's had his hand in Leo's pocket for years. Time to remind him who signs his real paychecks.Mason's phone blue glowed as he dialed. Three rings, then a gruff voice: "Burke.""Commissioner." Mason let ice coat the word. "Word is you broke bread with Ricardo Ramirez today. Must've been quite the conversation."Silence crackled across the line. Then: "Who is this?""Playing dumb doesn't suit you, James." Mason's voice dropped lower, dangerous. "Neither does betrayal.""King?" Burke's voice went wobbly, uncertainty bleeding through. "Look, that lunch wasn't what you think-""Stow it." Mason sliced through the excuses. "I want Carlos in my custody by sundown."Burke sucked air. "That's... complicated.""Unco
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 36: Non-Negotiable
Gibson's Steakhouse was the kind of joint where money talked in whispers - all dark wood and brass that caught the light just so. In the Lancaster Room, Ethan Langford's fingers played a nervous tune on the tablecloth, matching the drum in his chest.Sophia sat across from Ethan, her Armani suit as sharp as the smile she wore. Next to her, Sergei's bulk filled an entire side of the table, while their lawyer, Harrison Wells, arranged papers with practiced precision. They'd picked this spot - their kind of territory, where deals got done over rare steaks and hundred-dollar pours.The whole setup stank of aged beef and old leather, mixing with the smell of Ethan's fear. His collar felt like a noose, custom-made or not."Another scotch, Mr. Langford?" Sophia's voice carried silk-wrapped steel.Ethan's hand trembled slightly as he lifted his glass. "No... no, I'm good."Smart man. Sophia's blood-red nails tapped the contract. "Shall we proceed?"The room's careful climate control fought a
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 37: Five Percent Paradise
Ethan stiffened. "Matter with you? This is pure profit."Sophia traded a look with Sergei. "Then we'll make that call ourselves."Ethan's glance dropped to his watch. The bruise from Ramirez throbbed. He exhaled. "How about you make it fast."Outside, the L-train thundered overhead as Sophia punched in Mason's private number."Talk." Mason's voice cut through the train's clatter."Recording's solid. Got Ramirez, the payment structure-" Sophia dropped her voice. "Plus a bonus. Our friend wants the wife installed as Operations Director. Overseeing his remaining stake."Mason's laugh had teeth in it. "Perfect." The L-train screeched around a corner. "That's better than we originally planned. Having her in-house... that's poetry.""What about the media leak? The investigation?""New play. Give him everything - Ramirez's payment, his cut, the wife's position. Let him think he's won." Steel crept into Mason's voice over the train's screech. "Olivia under our thumb beats any scandal."Someti
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 38: High-Rise Hunters
Trying to kill time, Ethan stood to watch Chicago from up here in his penthouse. Chicago spread out below him like his personal kingdom. The penthouse's floor-to-ceiling windows framed Chicago's skyline, all those lights twinkling like scattered diamonds.All that power. His power.Speaking of diamonds...Ethan's fingers tapped a familiar number. The auction house's receptionist answered on the second ring."Morrison's Private Collections, how may I assist you?""Judas Morrison. Put him on." Ethan's voice carried the weight of old money.A pause. "I'm sorry, Mr. Morrison is in a meeting—""Tell him it's Ethan Langford." He examined his manicured nails. "He'll take it."Muzak filtered through the line. Ethan's mind wandered to the King family's charity luncheon. Such a perfect opportunity. All of Chicago's elite gathered in one place, including their precious Aurora Borealis."Ethan!" Judas's voice boomed through the speaker. "To what do I owe the pleasure?""That King girl." Ethan kep
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 39: The Snake and The Saint
Mason strolled up to Jake's apartment complex in a modest sedan - not the kind of ride Leo King would be caught dead in, but perfect for keeping a low profile. The box with him held a stack of comic books, medical journals for Sarah, and a tablet loaded with games for Tommy.Chicago's late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the crumbling concrete, highlighting every crack and water stain on the building's facade. The place looked even worse than Mason remembered. A constant reminder of how the other half lived - the half he used to belong to.The security door buzzed him in, its hinges protesting with a screech that made Mason wince. Jake's voice crackled through the ancient intercom: "Third floor's still working, brother. Elevator's about as reliable as campaign promises."Mason took the stairs two at a time, his footsteps echoing in the narrow stairwell. The smell of curry from 2B mixed with cleaning supplies from the super's closet. Some things never changed.Jake waited in his
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 40: A Devil's Charity
Here was the moment - the chance to set his plan in motion. The weight of his plan sat heavy in his gut. Mason took a deep breath, letting the night air fill his lungs."Got a lead on a job," Mason said, keeping his voice casual. "Risk Assessment Manager position. Real corporate stuff, benefits package that'd make your union rep jealous."Jake's eyebrows shot up. "Yeah? What's the fine print?""No fine print. Company's called LangCorp Technologies." Mason watched Jake's face carefully. "They're restructuring, looking for fresh blood in management.""LangCorp?" Jake recoiled. "Ain't that your wife's new sugar daddy's company? Hell no, Mason. That's like twisting the knife."Mason held up a hand, shoulders strained. Thankfully he's managed so far to hide the injured shoulder away from Jake's notice. "Was his company. Word is Langford sold off seventy percent of his shares. Different beast now.""Still..." Jake's jaw worked. "After what that bastard did to you?""This ain't about him."
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 41: Family Obligations
Mason's phone buzzed. Again. Like a damn wasp that wouldn't quit.He squared up, pulling on Leo's blue-blood swagger like a tailored suit. Time to play make-believe with mommy dearest."Mother." Mason infused his voice with practiced warmth. "What a pleasant surprise.""Pleasant? Is that what we're calling it now?" Helena King's voice dripped acid-sweet sarcasm. "Six months of you playin' ghost on me, and now what – you expect me to be all sunshine and roses? Maybe I oughta ring you up every hour on the hour, yeah? Give ya a taste of what *pleasant disturbance* really feels like, sugar."Mason winced. "Listen, Ma—""Oh spare me the escuses, darling." Helena cut through his words. "Don't think I forgot the annual King Foundation Charity Luncheon darling. Saturday when the clock strikes noon. All the big shots and their dames'll be there, dressed to the nines." A pause pregnant with meaning. "Memory still working, or did that ghost too?"Mason's insides did a free-fall. Another test of
The Underdog Turned Kingpin Chapter 42: Queen Takes Knight
"Hmm." Eve tapped her chin in mock consideration. "Spend my Saturday watching Chicago's elite pretend they're not terrified of you while eating overpriced rubber chicken?" Something wicked flashed in her eyes. "Wouldn't miss it. And that's a 'you owe me big time.'" Eve stretched, the movement doing interesting things to her silk nightwear. "Besides, got the perfect present for mommy dearest, too."Mason's eyebrows climbed. "Present?""The diamond necklace you gave me on your birthday." Eve's face softened. "Eve..." Mason's voice softened. "That was a gift.""And now it's a strategic move." Eve's smile turned calculating. "Six months without showing face? She'll be expecting groveling. Instead, her boy's new... companion presents her with a small fortune in diamonds?" She shrugged. "Besides, what better way to say 'potential daughter-in-law material'?"Mason's brain stalled. "Daughter-in-law?""Well, what else would she think?" Eve's smile turned wicked. "We've been practically living
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- The Underdog Turned Kingpin
Chapter 119: Blood is the Final Result
Meanwhile, in Eastern Europe sat a warehouse at the edge of nowhere like a forgotten secret. Inside, blue light from dozens of monitors painted Diego, Yuri, and Katya in digital twilight. The place smelled of coffee gone cold and ambition gone hungry.Diego lounged in his chair, expensive boots propped on metal like he owned the place. The Armenian cognac in his hand caught the screen light, amber turning to gold. Six months of their lives spent crawling through digital vaults, and what did they have?"Míra esto," he drawled, Spanish accent thick with irony. He gestured at the largest diamond on display, his lips curled in amusement. "Six months breaking into banks, and what's our prize? Rocks." He took another pull from the bottle. "Pretty ones, sure. But Chicago?" He shook his head. "They fight over these things like they're made of pure power.""These aren't mere stones," Yuri's voice rumbled like distant thunder across the warehouse. His massive frame hunched over the monitor, thi
- The Underdog Turned Kingpin
Chapter 118: Father's Wisdom, Son's War
Ethan's head was pounding, each throb a reminder of how spectacularly everything had gone to shit. The kind of mess that made South Side gang wars look like kindergarten squabbles. His fingers pressed against his temples, trying to massage away the reality that was bearing down on him like a freight train.The whiskey bottle beckoned. He grabbed it, poured himself a glass like his life depended on it. Arthur's eyes followed the amber liquid, and without a word, Ethan knew his old man wanted in.The chair screamed against concrete as Ethan shoved it back. Chicago's finest furniture didn't belong in this basement office, but then again, neither did they anymore. He passed the bottle to Arthur, his movements sharp, controlled—barely"That woman," he spat the words like poison, memories of the King's annual luncheon burning fresh. "Helena fucking King. You know what she did? One phone call. Maybe not even—could've been a damn text for all I know. That fast." He snapped his fingers, the so
- The Underdog Turned Kingpin
Chapter 117: The Aurora's Secret
Ethan felt the cold crawl down his spine like a drunk spider, the name Thomas hanging in the air thick as Chicago fog. Thomas wasn't just a name—he was a goddamn legend whispered in back alleys and dimly lit bars. A cipher that spelled out chaos, sharp as a razor's edge, dangerous as a loaded gun.His voice cut through the silence, that particular tone Arthur knew too well—part confusion, part intrigue. The kind of voice that said he'd seen some shit but wasn't about to back down."That Thomas King you mentioned..." Ethan drawled. "Same Leo's old man?"Arthur paused. Not the kind of pause that meant he was thinking—the kind that meant memories were wrestling beneath his skin.He exhaled slow, a rasp that spoke volumes. "Yeah, Ethan. Same Thomas King."Ethan leaned back, those sharp eyes narrowing. The smirk that crawled across his lips was pure cynical, knowing. "Huhhhh. Thought that bastard was worm food by now."Arthur's mouth twitched. Not a smile. Something darker. "Oh, he's dead
- The Underdog Turned Kingpin
Chapter 116: The Aurora Borealis Revelation
Ethan slammed his fist against a close desk, sending a thunderous crack through his father's meticulously organized workspace. Blueprints and papers scattered, each document a testament to his mounting frustration—the Aurora Borealis diamond dancing just beyond his grasp. "Damn it!" he hissed, reaching for his phone. His fingers hovered over Marcus's contact before he dialed, his breath ragged, bitterness coating every syllable when the connection clicked. "You better pick up, Marcus. We've got a serious goddamn problem."The line crackled with Marcus's trademark edge—part irritation, part calculated cool. "What now, Ethan? Another half-baked scheme?" "Cut the smart-ass routine," Ethan exploded, heat rising from his collar like steam off Lake Michigan in December. "I want that real diamond by tomorrow, or I'm burning your entire operation to the ground. You hear me?"Marcus's laugh was razor-sharp. "Watch yourself, hotshot. I ain't some corner boy you can intimidate. Remember who ex
- The Underdog Turned Kingpin
Chapter 115: When Diamonds Deceive
Mason rolled up to the King mansion like he owned every square inch of Chicago's most brutal real estate. The place wasn't just a house—it was a statement. Massive oak trees framed the property like sentinels, their branches casting long shadows that whispered old secrets. Leo's SUV cut through the wrought-iron gates—those gates had seen more drama than a South Side courthouse on a Friday night.The gates swung open with an electronic hum, a technological ballet that screamed money and power. Mason knew this wasn't just an entrance. This was a threshold between worlds.He paused. One heartbeat. Two.His eyes—sharp as a loan shark's accounting ledger—scanned the estate. Every window, every marble pathway was a narrative waiting to spill. Old money mixed with new power, and the combination was volatile as hell. The mansion glinted in the evening light, a chrome-plated promise of everything and nothing.Staff materialized like ghosts. Maids in pressed uniforms. Security personnel who mov
- The Underdog Turned Kingpin
Chapter 114: Who Left Me at the Gates?
"Hey, Jake," he said, the lie sliding smooth as butter, "LangCorp pushed the interview to Tuesday."Jake responded with a satisfied grunt. "Works for me. Gives me time to wrap things up at the site."The conversation shifted, and Mason's voice softened. "How's Tommy doing?"Jake's tone dropped, carrying the raw weight of a father's worry. "He's holding steady. But his next round of meds? Ten grand. Been breaking my back trying to scrape together every dollar.""Faith, Jake," Mason said, his voice low and steady—the voice of someone who'd seen Chicago chew up dreams and sometimes, just sometimes, spit them back whole. "Tommy's a fighter. This city don't break kids like him easy."A pause, then Jake lowered his voice. "You know I’ve always got your back, bro. Nothing’s played out yet, but don't wait too long to find out if this whole doppelganger thing is a winning play.""Yeah, I know," Mason replied softly, but it felt like a lie. The truth haunched on his shoulders like a lead weight
- The Underdog Turned Kingpin
Chapter 113: The Leo Paradox
Mason deliberately sidestepped Jake's calls, his footsteps echoing against the worn concrete as he made his way to the SUV parked down the block.Night draped Chicago like a heavy coat, the air thick with potential. Mason's fingers traced the cool metal of the SUV, feeling the vehicle vibrate with a restless energy that matched his own. It was a sharp contrast to the suffocating atmosphere of the church basement he’d just left.His phone buzzed. Again. Jake's name flashed persistent, a digital drumbeat demanding attention.Mason finally relented, thumb swiping across the screen. "Jake? You there?"Jake's voice crackled through, raw and unfiltered. "Damn, took you long enough. Thought I'd have to send out a search party."A dry chuckle escaped Mason's lips. "Been busy.""Same here! Crazy night yesterday; I crashed out at the site. That foundation ain’t gonna pour itself, you know?"Mason chuckled, shaking his head. "Found you another multilevel bender job?""Dude, I was working my ass
- The Underdog Turned Kingpin
Chapter 112: Unwritten Contract
Her gut twisted—years of detective instincts wrestling with a possibility that could transform everything. “I want guarantees. Real proof. No more bullshit.”“My word,” Mason said, pressing a hand dramatically to his heart. “Full access. Every connection, every proof. If I'm lying, I don't deserve mercy.”“Certainty,” Maria muttered. "How do you guarantee anything in this city?”A grim smile spread across Mason’s face. “We draw them in. Like moths to a flame, they’ll be intrigued to see what I have to offer. I’ll dangle the carrot.”Maria’s brows furrowed. “A carrot? Meaning what?”“We build an empire they can't ignore. Job opportunities. Community investment. Financial incentives that make violence look stupid. We create a horizon on the South Side rich with promise instead of blood.”She inhaled sharply, the air heavy with possibilities. “A proposal that’s overly generous if I’ve ever seen one. But you know what? I won’t lie—I’ll leverage your idea to the police. If you’re willing t
- The Underdog Turned Kingpin
Chapter 111: Negotiating Darkness
But Mason was ready. He leaned forward, eyes blazing with a conviction that went beyond simple ambition. “Ironically, they're the ones already investing. We're not taking them down—we're offering them a seat at a table they've never seen before. A legitimate future. Who wouldn’t want a seat at the table when it comes to playing god over fate? We give them a glimpse into a better, brighter Chicago—a city that thrives on respect instead of fear.”“Care?” Maria's voice rose, cutting through the church's musty silence. “These crime lords barely care about the breathing bodies on these streets. You think they'll care about the positive side of your fancy tech?”“That's where you're wrong.” Mason's tone softened, but the edge remained. He moved closer, close enough that Maria could see the determination etched into every line of his face. “I've shown them something new. Something that makes money. I'm giving them a distraction from the business-as-usual crime that plagues this city. They're
