Antonio of the Gulf Cartel was dead.

“Antonio is dead?”

“Yes.”

“Cause of death? Natural? Suicide? Or was he killed?”

“That much hasn’t been revealed yet.”

Antonio was dead.

They said the culprit was unknown, but judging from the circumstances, Eduardo was the most likely one.

If you can’t find the killer, you find the one who benefits the most from the death.

“What about Eduardo’s movements? No—what about Antonio’s brothers?”

Antonio hadn’t been alone.

The Guillén brothers held considerable power within the Gulf Cartel.

If it became known that Eduardo had killed Antonio, the cartel could split in two.

With the Michoacana Cartel already betraying them, if the Gulf Cartel collapsed into civil war as well, the council would fail from the very start.

They could do without the Michoacana Cartel, but the Gulf Cartel was essential.

“There’s been no movement yet. Eduardo has called an executive meeting.”

“Keep watching the situation.”

“Should we intervene?”

“No. Let’s leave this to Amado. If we keep stepping in, it’ll only make him uncomfortable.”

“Yes, Boss. I’ll pass it along.”

The Gulf Cartel was one of the oldest organizations in Mexico.

Compared to other cartels, their numbers were smaller, but their loyalty was exceptional.

Antonio had risen to the position of boss simply because he was the younger brother of the previous leader.

But the man most members trusted was Eduardo.

Antonio had proposed a co-leadership to Eduardo, and Eduardo had accepted, knowing the cartel couldn’t afford to split.

The civil war that began with the boss’s arrest had been quickly resolved when the two joined forces.

“I’m curious how this will play out.”

What kind of outcome Antonio’s death would bring—it was worth watching.

* * *

When news of Antonio’s death spread, Eduardo convened a meeting of executives.

He stationed cartel members around the meeting location.

At his summons, the scattered executives gathered one by one.

They lounged on sofas, waiting for Eduardo.

When he finally arrived, he looked around and spoke.

“You’re all here.”

“Eduardo. What’s this about?”

Aside from Eduardo and his aide, no one yet knew about Antonio’s death.

“What’s so important you called us all here? And where’s Antonio? Where’d he go? Damn it, why is that bastard always late? Hey, Mario.”

A man called Mario snapped irritably.

“Show some respect. Antonio is our boss.”

“I’m not disrespecting him, am I? I do. But why the hell are we suddenly supposed to treat him like royalty? Since when have we ever done that?”

“Jose!”

Mario, Antonio’s younger brother, raised his voice and argued with Jose.

“Enough.”

At Eduardo’s low command, both men fell silent.

“That’s enough. Antonio isn’t coming.”

Not “won’t come”—“can’t come.”

At those words, all eyes turned to Eduardo.

Jose hesitated before asking,

“...What do you mean, boss?”

“Exactly what I said. Antonio won’t be coming.”

“Why not? Eduardo, what happened to my brother?”

At Mario’s question, Eduardo’s expression darkened.

“Antonio was found dead this morning.”

For a moment, no one spoke.

A heavy silence filled the room.

“What the hell are you saying! Why would Antonio die? Where is he? Where is my brother!”

Enraged, Mario jumped up and pressed Eduardo.

Gone was any trace of courtesy—he looked like a wild beast.

“Follow me.”

With a sigh, Eduardo led them down to the basement.

There, a single coffin rested.

At his signal, his aide opened the lid.

Inside lay Antonio, his face calm as if asleep.

“Brother! Brother!”

Mario and another man shook the body.

“Antonio! What happened!”

They cried out, but Antonio did not rise.

The other executives stood in silence, watching.

After some time, Mario turned to Eduardo, eyes filled with killing intent.

“Eduardo.”

Eduardo nodded.

“You must have a lot of questions. I’ll tell you everything I know.”

“How did he die?”

“I don’t know. We were supposed to meet today to decide who would attend the council. When he didn’t show, I sent my aide. He found Antonio cold.”

Mario’s gaze shifted to the aide.

“Manuel. Explain in detail.”

“When I arrived, he was already dead. I didn’t touch anything. I contacted Boss Eduardo immediately and brought him here.”

“Cause of death?”

Manuel pulled out a document.

“The doctor says it’s likely a heart attack.”

“What? A heart attack? You expect me to believe that?”

“Heart problems run in your family. Omero even had surgery.”

Manuel gestured to Omero standing behind Mario.

“I don’t believe it. I’ll have a doctor I trust examine him.”

“You mean an autopsy?”

“If that’s what it takes. And whoever is responsible—I’ll tear them apart. Even if it’s the President of Mexico.”

Mario stared straight at Eduardo.

“Omero. Call people. We’re taking the coffin.”

“Got it, brother.”

But as Omero moved, the basement entrance filled with armed men.

The brothers were trapped.

“What the hell is this! Move!”

The men didn’t budge.

Every single one held a gun.

“Eduardo. What are you doing?”

“I’m sorry. I can’t let you leave. This is for the cartel.”

“What? You’re detaining us?”

“If you leave, you’ll rally your supporters and try to take control. But I’ve decided the cartel can’t stay in your family’s hands.”

His cold voice echoed.

“Choose. Be buried here with Antonio, or acknowledge me. Personally, I’d prefer the latter. I want to make the Gulf Cartel the strongest in Mexico again.”

Mario looked around for support.

No one met his eyes.

They had long resented the Guillén brothers.

“Sorry, Mario.”

“Jose!”

Even Jose said nothing.

There was no escape.

After a long silence, °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° Mario spoke.

“...What do you want from me, boss?”

He chose survival—for now.

“Brother! What are you doing!”

“Omero. Stay quiet.”

Mario stopped him.

“What do we need to do?”

Eduardo studied him.

Kill them? Or spare them?

Killing them would be logical.

But it would trigger immediate civil war.

“Mario. I’ll represent the cartel in the council.”

“I never intended to oppose that.”

“And I had nothing to do with Antonio’s death. I mean it.”

“....”

“If you want, bring your own doctor. Examine the body here.”

Mario still looked wary.

“You can’t leave until this is settled.”

“So we’re prisoners.”

“It’s for the cartel. And you’re part of that cartel.”

It was a convenient justification—but not wrong.

“Our history is long. But look at us now. Los Zetas left us, Sinaloa keeps encroaching.”

The Gulf Cartel had once been dominant.

But times changed. Leaders died. Connections to the government weakened.

Now they were considered the weakest of the four major cartels.

Eduardo hated that.

“We need unity. To gain power in the council. For our own interests. Will you join me?”

“I’ll answer after confirming my brother’s cause of death. Until then, we stay. Let us contact our people.”

“Granted.”

They returned upstairs.

At that moment, Eduardo took control of the Gulf Cartel.

* * *

Soon, it was announced that Eduardo would take the council seat.

“A heart attack...”

That was Antonio’s official cause of death.

“As if anyone would believe that.”

The timing was far too convenient.

“Charlie.”

As I stepped out of the car, Amado greeted me.

“Amado. You’re early.”

“He was an old friend.”

“Life is unpredictable. Do you believe the report?”

“The heart attack?”

He didn’t.

“Does it matter? The Gulf Cartel is united now.”

Moments ago he had mourned Antonio.

Now he spoke coldly.

“He wasn’t fit to lead.”

I nodded.

“Heart attack, assassination—it doesn’t matter. This benefits us.”

“That’s true.”

We continued talking.

“The war’s over?”

“Yes. Without Sinaloa, Michoacana couldn’t resist. Leadership is dead. Juárez absorbed the rest.”

“Juárez?”

“So it goes.”

Even Amado wasn’t immune to favoritism.

“I see. Killing everyone isn’t always the answer.”

“Do you plan to wipe out Sinaloa?”

“Of course. They must be sacrificed.” 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

“That’s not what I meant.”

Amado smiled.

“What if we only remove Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán and his top people... and absorb the cartel intact?”

No unnecessary bloodshed.

“That’s ambitious. Got a plan?”

Amado’s smile widened.

“There’s someone who can take us straight to him.”

That was worth hearing.