Emerald's face distorted the instant he heard that comment from Sakuzi and he looked out into the crowd, searching for a certain woman and when he found Cecil entertaining herself with the other women, his gaze returned to Sakuzi, saying, "Can we discuss this in private?"

"All the better," Sakuzi said and gestured with his hand in a manner that said, 'lead the way'.

Emerald walked on ahead with Sakuzi following behind until they came into his office where no one would dare to eavesdrop on. Sakuzi might be kind and all recently but not to a spy - betrayal was the worst crime one could ever commit against him.

In here, everyone was taken as one family and treated as such, hence betraying him was endangering the rest of his family, so Sakuzi would not let such a parasite live.

"It's a good thing to fall in love with the one you love, but let your brain stay intact. How could you have let Fernandez live after what he did?!" Sakuzi scolded the grown man like a kid, "Do you know how important you are to me? The Sakuzi Clan? The whole organization?!"

Emerald's brow raised at that comment, he didn't know they held him in such high esteem. But then, this was a problem, he was leaving the gang to live a normal life - which would be quite difficult.

Being part of the Falcon gang was the only thing he knew, was the place he grew up; the place that made him what he was today. Leaving it was going to be hard but he had promised Cecil and for the sake of his kid. He would adapt, right?

"I'm sorry but I promised Cecil not to touch the bastard's pathetic life," Emerald told him, head lowered. He knew that was a shameful thing to say considering his capability. Heck, the gang would make fun of him if they heard of this and the reputation he's built over the years would crumble like dust. But that was the sacrifice he had to make in pursuit of happiness.

"I understand," Sakuzi nodded.

Emerald sighed in relief. Thank God for his understanding.

But the man added to his surprise, "Which is why I'll be doing the killing,"

"What?!" he glanced up, jaw dropping to the ground.

"You heard me right. A weed cannot be left to grow else it would choke and deprive the healthy ones of their nutrients. Who knows, when he cannot have your woman, he might decide to kill her. Is that when you're going to rise?" Sakuzi went on, "You can go ahead to keep your promise to her while I do the killing. Problem solved. You can thank me later,"

Emerald shook his head, "No, that's not it, I'm thankful, but Cecil is a smart woman and would know in an instant that I'm responsible for his death if something happens to Fernandez,"

"Chill, I understand your fears, "Sakuzi assured him

Emerald narrowed his eyes at him suspiciously, "What do you plan to do?" Sakuzi would not ask him to relax if he didn't have a plan up his sleeve.

"I don't intend to be involved in his death directly. In case you don't know, Fernandez has committed enough atrocities capable enough to make you a saint before him. I'll use one of his enemies to put an end to him," Sakuzi laid out his plan.

Emerald was not frightened by Sakuzi's cleverness - and cruelty - else Valentino wouldn't have lasted with the title of Sakuzi this long. This life was a battle of survival, and only the fittest would survive.

"It looks promising till the enemy goes spilling the truth," he pointed out the flaw.

"You should already know how we work,"

Oh, Emerald understood his hint perfectly. Whoever was going to finish the job was going to be contacted indirectly and would not mutter a thing while they fulfill the ends of their agreement as well, else death awaits the contracted killer.

"Alright. It's not like I can change your mind anyway," Emerald said, arms wrapped around his chest as he went over the plan mentally.

"Also, I know about your plans of leaving the gang," Sakuzi revealed.

Emerald's attention reverted to him, "And?"

"I'm sorry, Emerald but I can't let you leave like this, you're a huge asset to the gang," Sakuzi denied the request that hasn't even been forwarded to him yet.

Emerald swore, "Fuck Valentino! You of all people know how much this means to me!"

"Hear me out first," Sakuzi raised his hand, gesturing to him to give him a listening ear.

"Fine, go ahead," Emerald said through gritted teeth, rearing in the rising anger.

"No one knows this gang thoroughly like you do which is why I want you in its administration. You don't have to go on missions or shed blood - that's what you want to avoid, right? That kind of stuff can be left for your subordinates and other members of the gangs. However, you would help overlook the smooth running of the organization, direct and keep the members in check and all, "

Emerald rolled his eyes," Why don't you just make me Sakuzi instead, " He joked. If only he knew.

"Duh," Sakuzi snorted, "That's what I'm making you. I want you to be my successor, Emerald,"

"What?!" He was dumbfounded. That was unexpected, he had only been joking.

"I want you as the next Sakuzi, Emerald,"

"Whoah, Whoah, Whoah, wait a minute, are you fucking me? Are you seriously fucking with me?" He didn't believe Sakuzi was serious here.

"I'm serious here," Sakuzi gave him his business look and he realized immediately the man was goddamn serious.

"B-but I'm not even related to you," He was flustered by the whole thing. It felt surreal.

"Idiot, you don't have to be blood to be family,"

"But your sons? They -"

"Agreed to this suggestion. They already have a handful of their mother's gang and my other legitimate businesses,"

"And Reina?... "

"Doesn't want to corrupt her children further, she says to make sure I glue your butt to that position, " Sakuzi narrated.

Emerald was overwhelmed by emotion, he just stood there shocked. He couldn't believe that everyone accepted him like this, it was a big honor - an honor other members of the gang would kill to have.

"God, this is too much. I don't deserve -"

"If you feel indebted, you can finally let me adopt you legally as my son," Sakuzi grinned, knowing he had him where he wanted.

Emerald groaned, and rubbed his forehead. That sly man, "Fine, I'll think about it,"

And ask Cecil for her opinion, Sakuzi already read in between the lines, yet didn't say a word. Let the man do what he wants.

Emerald groaned for the umpteenth time already. Cecil wanted him out of the gang, but then he just sank deeper, to the bottom floor. May God help him as he relays the news.

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Say no to piracy : Reading this book outside of webnovel means you're reading stolen content. I pour in my knowledge, emotions and time into this book, so it hurts to see it stolen by another site. Anyway, thanks for your understanding - yours only glimmy.