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Chapter 32: Rules
🕑 Added 2023-08-27 16:32:08 +0000 UTCThree days had passed since the Charles Incident.
Charles Doyle stood in the lobby of his Agency, gazing at the newly renovated and reopened establishment. He nodded in satisfaction.
Within three days, the damaged furnishings had been repaired. The efficiency impressed him.
"Boss, we've tested the formula for the healing bath, and there are no issues," Ginny reported as she approached Charles.
Charles smiled and said, "Great. Since the healing bath is good to go, let's start setting up the recovery room."
"Boss, the owner of the neighboring property isn't in New York at the moment. They'll only be back next week to discuss. It might take some time for the recovery room to be sorted out."
"However, we can temporarily modify one of the rooms. It can be used for recovery when someone is injured."
Charles nodded and replied, "Okay, go ahead and arrange it. I'm going to the storage room."
The storage room was located on the basement level. It was a vault created by Charles, containing some cash and other equipment.
Upon entering the storage room, Charles waved his hand, and a box of gold and a box of jewelry that he had stashed away in his storage space appeared before him.
Glancing at the firearms and ammunition hanging on the storage room wall, Charles shook his head. He hadn't used these things much in the past three years.
After closing the storage room, he returned to the main floor. He cast a look at Umino Iruka, who was sitting in the lobby, and walked over to him.
"Hi Iruka, where are Sasuke and Rock Lee?"
Iruka stood up respectfully upon seeing Charles and said, "Lord Charles, Rock Lee and Sasuke are sparring in the training room."
Charles smiled and said, "Iruka, as I've told you before, you don't need to be so formal. You're always so respectful. When Rock Lee and Sasuke are done, you can let them know that the healing bath has been tested and can be used for physical recovery."
Iruka was elated. "Lord Charles, that's fantastic news. While technology is advanced here, the recovery process is still too slow. We don't have medical ninjas here, so this healing bath is a great supplement."
Just as Charles was about to say something else, Ginny rushed over and immediately spoke up, "Boss, there's news about John Wick, the one you asked me to keep an eye on."
"Exactly as you anticipated, his house was bombed by Santino D’Antonio!"
"Boss, how did you know in advance that John's house would be targeted?"
Hearing Ginny's words about John Wick's house being bombed, Charles knew that once John completed the blood oath for Santino D’Antonio and then killed him at the Continental Hotel, violating the rules of the Continental hotel, he would lose his membership and face expulsion.
This meant he would have the chance to intervene in the High Table's affairs.
Charles smiled and said, "I had a hunch."
Upon hearing Charles's casual response, Ginny rolled her eyes and asked, "Since you already knew about it, what's the plan now?"
Charles grinned mysteriously. "Wait... wait for the right time."
Seeing Charles playing coy, Ginny turned to leave.
Charles spoke again, "Ginny, I've already stored the jewelry and gold in the vault below. Make sure to sell them off early."
"Understood, boss!"
...
On the other side-
John Wick arrived at the Continental Hotel with his newly adopted Staffordshire Bull Terrier. He headed straight for the hotel's service desk and approached Charon, saying, "I'd like to see the hotel manager."
Charon looked at John Wick before him and greeted, "It's a pleasure to see you again so soon, Mr. Wick. Do you want me to inform Winston?"
John glanced at his Staffordshire Bull Terrier and then back at Charon. "Yes, please. Thank you."
He then turned to his Staffordshire Bull Terrier and commanded, "Sit!"
Seeing the obedient dog sit down, John Wick proceeded to head upstairs in the hotel.
After John Wick left, Charon picked up the phone and dialed a number. "Sir, Mr. Wick is here."
Hanging up the phone, Charon looked at the dog and sighed in relief, thinking, "I wonder who's the fool that's angered John Wick again."
On the hotel's garden terrace, John Wick's first words to Winston were, "Where is he?"
Winston didn't immediately address John Wick. Instead, he stood up and politely saw off his guest who had just here.
Once the guest was gone, Winston turned his attention to the man before him and said, "Why are you here, John?"
"He bombed my house."
Winston's expression remained unchanged as he remarked, "You declined his blood oath. He merely bombed your house. Consider yourself lucky."
"What were you thinking?"
"To give a blood oath to someone like Santino D’Antonio."
John Wick replied, "It was the only way for me to retire."
Winston shook his head with a touch of exasperation and continued, "Do you consider this retirement?"
"What do you think will happen? What are you expecting?"
"Do you truly believe this day would never come?"
"Don't forget, a few days ago, you just gave a blood oath medallion to Charles Doyle."
Hearing Winston mention the blood oath medallion given to Charles Doyle, John Wick felt a bit frustrated. He turned away and didn't meet Winston's gaze.
Seeing John's discomfort, Winston carried on, "Why did Santino D’Antonio approach you?"
"I didn't ask. I refused him directly."
Winston shook his head helplessly and said, "So, when Charles Doyle comes to you with a blood oath, are you also planning to respond in the same way?"
"Guess so. You should know what the consequences would be if you played him."
John Wick replied, "If Charles comes to me, I'll honor my blood oath promise. He saved my life!"
Hearing two different answers from John, Winston couldn't help but feel speechless.
Refuse a blood oath request from Santino D’Antonio but be willing to assist a few days ago when Charles didn't ask you for anything.
John Wick really shouldn't be so inconsistent in his actions!
Winston extended two fingers and said in a very helpless tone, "John, the Continental Hotel has two rules that must be followed."
"The Continental doesn't allow bloodshed."
"No blood oaths are to be desecrated."
"While I could reduce your punishment to exile for now, if tradition is broken, the high table won't spare you easily."
John Wick looked at Winston, his voice low, "Do I have no other choice?"
Winston's expression turned solemn, and he spoke each word distinctly:
"Desecrate the oath, death!"
"Kill an oath maker, death!"
"Run away, death!"
After a brief pause, Winston continued, "John, these were the conditions you accepted. Only if you do as he says can you redeem yourself."
"Once you fulfill the blood oath, if you want to track him and burn his house, feel free. But until then..."
John Wick said two words, "The rules."
Winston smiled and said, "Exactly, follow the rules."
"Without rules, what distinguishes us from animals?"
