Ultimate Mafia System

Chapter 41 - Back to Verbindung

The gentle hum of the train echoed through the carriage as Matteo and Ludovica sat side by side, their journey back to Verbindung underway. The soft hum of conversation surrounded them as passengers shuffled in their seats, some lost in thought while others chatted animatedly with their fellow travelers.

"Are you sure you trust your friend, Ludovica?" Matteo's voice broke through the gentle rumble.

Ludovica met his gaze with unwavering resolve. "Yes," she replied simply.

"Alright then, we will see when we get back," Matteo conceded, leaning back in his seat as he contemplated their next move.

As the train pulled into Verbindung station, Matteo and Ludovica rose from their seats, gathering their belongings before disembarking onto the bustling platform. The air was thick with the scent of diesel and the sound of bustling activity as passengers hurried to catch their connections or reunite with loved ones.

Making their way through the crowded station, Matteo's keen eyes scanned the scene before them, various groups and individuals moved with purpose through the throng of people.

Near a goods train full of shipping containers, a scene unfolded that caught Matteo's attention—

"How many containers are there this time?" one of the mafiosos inquired, his gaze fixed on the train owner.

"145," the owner replied, his voice tinged with resignation as he braced himself for the inevitable demand for payment.

"So according to 15 Alpenas per container, it should be... 145 multiplied by 15... that is..." The mafioso trailed off, his brow furrowing in concentration as he struggled with the simple calculation and he started counting his fingers.

One of the junior members couldn't help but stifle a laugh at the mafioso's expense, earning him a sharp smack on the head from the irate gang member. "What's so funny, huh?" the mafioso demanded, his eyes narrowing in anger.

The junior member wisely chose to remain silent, not wishing to incur further wrath.

Sensing an opportunity to assert his dominance, the mafioso turned to the young member. "If you're so smart, then you tell me!" he challenged, his tone laced with menace.

The junior member hesitated for a moment before tentatively offering his answer. "That's 2175 Alpenas, boss," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Very good," the mafioso acknowledged with a nod. "Now since I am generous boss, I will reward you, and your reward is to clean the entire warehouse floor with a toothbrush when we get back, how does that sound?"

"It sounds wonderful, boss." The kid replied meekly.

But before the situation could escalate further, the train owner interjected, his voice trembling with apprehension. "Ummm....15 Alpenas? It was 10 Alpenas per container last month!" he protested, desperate to avoid the inflated fee demanded by the gang.

"Inflation, shithead! Talk to the leader if you have problems!" the mafioso snapped back, his patience wearing thin as he silenced the owner's objections with a harsh rebuke.

Defeated, the train owner fell silent, resigning himself to the inevitable payment demanded by the gang.

As Matteo processed the scene before him, his mind whirred with calculations and possibilities. "Fifteen Alpenas per container. Almost a hundred thousand containers are transported each month... that's over 1.5 million Alpenas! PER MONTH!" he murmured to himself, his thoughts consumed by the staggering scale of the extortion racket. 'Damn! This is good business!'

"Hello! Earth to Matteo!" Ludovica's voice broke through his reverie, her tone cutting through his thoughts as she stood near the open door of a waiting taxi, her gaze fixed on him expectantly.