Saint Denis, Rue Flavienne, the Land Mansion.
This was the city's wealthy district. Davey's residence was here, as was Bronte's, along with the mayor's mansion.
Inside the main hall,
Davey idly toyed with the finely crafted invitation in his hand.
"Mac, if I'm not mistaken, you've got a hand in this gambling ship as well," he said.
"After all, you run a casino together with Martelli. Without your approval, that ship wouldn't have been able to dock at the port of Saint Denis."
"So tell me—what role are you playing in this?"
Davey hadn't originally planned to get involved with the gambling ship.
As for the things Arthur and the others were doing, there was no real need for him to step in anymore.
At his current stage, it simply didn't hold much significance.
What he hadn't expected was for the invitation to end up in his own hands.
"Alright, Davey. I knew I couldn't keep it from you—especially once I sent you the invitation," Mac said helplessly.
"I originally planned to have someone else deliver it, but if you went, you'd have found out anyway."
Mac sighed inwardly. His brother was too sharp—sometimes that wasn't a good thing.
"You're right, Davey. This does have a lot to do with me and Martelli," he admitted.
"A few days ago, the people behind this casino ship contacted us, looking to cooperate."
"They've got plenty of resources and connections with wealthy people. But if they tried to open a casino here without permission, I'd make sure they learned a lesson."
"Twenty percent, split between Martelli and me. This game is on a large scale—there should be a lot of money involved. Way more than what we make from the small casino under the Saint Denis hotel."
"Of course, we also have to guarantee their safety. Besides connecting them with Saint Denis's rich crowd, we need to make sure nothing goes wrong during the event."
Mac laid everything out honestly, but Davey looked more disappointed than impressed.
"Mac, I really don't know what to say about you—and that Martelli idiot," Davey said coldly.
"Just twenty percent, and that's enough for you to agree to the gambling ship?"
"When you should be greedy, you're not. When you shouldn't be greedy, you're greedier than anyone else. I really don't know what to say about you, my stupid little brother."
Being scolded like that, Mac scratched the back of his head.
"Alright, when you put it that way, it does sound like too little. Split between Martelli and me, that's only ten percent each."
"So what should I be asking for? Thirty percent? Or forty?"
"Maybe thirty percent is reasonable. Forty might be pushing it—they probably wouldn't agree."
Davey was at a loss for words.
You're a hardened outlaw, and yet when it comes to this, you suddenly get cautious—where did all that nerve go?
"If they don't agree, then there's no need for this gambling operation to happen at all," Davey said flatly.
"Tell them fifty percent. If they don't accept it, they can get out of Saint Denis. This isn't a place where they can run wild."
"You and Martelli split thirty percent. The remaining twenty percent goes to Officer Trappett at the Saint Denis Police Department."
Davey needed to give Trappett some benefits—enough leverage for him to stand his ground against Chief Benjamin.
That money wasn't just for Trappett alone; it was also meant as a benefit for the Saint Denis Police Department as a whole.
Davey trusted that Trappett knew how to distribute it properly, which would increase his influence within the department.
But hearing Davey's arrangement, Mac was clearly unhappy.
"Those idiots at the station can't handle anything. Why should they get this money for nothing?"
"We don't really need to give it to them. It's pointless, Davey."
Davey shot Mac a calm but piercing look and rebuked him.
"Do exactly as I say, Mac. I won't repeat myself."
"Officer Trappett is working with me. We need the strength of the Saint Denis Police Department."
"There are many things you can't solve quietly behind the scenes—especially in a city like this."
"Fine, maybe I shouldn't even bother explaining all this. I doubt you'd understand it anyway."
"So just follow my instructions. Understood, Mac?"
Mac clearly didn't understand, but once he heard that Trappett was cooperating with his brother, he had nothing more to say.
"Alright. I'll do as you say, Davey," he replied.
"Maybe you're right. You've never been wrong, ever since we left the Van der Linde Gang."
"I heard you caused quite a stir at the mayor's banquet last night. Maybe you should take me along sometime, let me see Saint Denis's high society for myself."
Seeing the envy on Mac's face, Davey smiled.
"My brother, next time there's a banquet, I'll definitely bring you along," he said.
"But I don't think you'd enjoy it."
"A bunch of self-important people wearing fake smiles, either flattering others or praising themselves."
"Though there are a few exceptions—some rather special friends."
Hearing that, Mac's interest faded quickly.
"Alright, from the way you describe it, it does sound pretty boring," he said.
"But maybe I should still see it for myself."
Davey nodded.
"You will," he said calmly.
"Soon enough, Mac."
...
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