63: Chapter 63 The younger brother questions, Marcus makes excuses

The gang lackeys blocked Marcus's path, their expressions grim.

The tall lackey's palm was still pressed against Marcus's chest, pinning him firmly against the mottled concrete wall, causing bits of plaster to flake off. The other short lackey stood to the side, his hand resting on the switchblade tucked behind his waist, his eyes locked onto Marcus with a murderous glint.

"Let go!" Marcus shoved the other's arm forcefully, his floral shirt's collar pulling out of shape, the thick gold chain around his neck swaying. "Who the hell do you two think you are, talking to me like that?"

Instead of letting go, the tall lackey increased the pressure, pinning him even tighter and roaring, "When the fuck are you going to pay back the money you owe?"

The alley was the back street of the casino, with trash piled up like small mountains. Blackened plastic bags leaked sewage, and the stench of rotten cabbage leaves mixed with empty liquor bottles wafted into their noses. The streetlamp overhead had a poor connection, flickering intermittently, its dim yellow light swaying across the three men's faces and casting long shadows.

Li Wei hid behind a trash can diagonally opposite, half his body tucked into the shadows. He had already stuffed the recorder back into his pocket and was currently clutching the disposable camera Lin Chen had given him. The lens was quietly aimed at the alley entrance, his finger poised on the shutter, his eyes unblinking.

Marcus was pinned so hard he could barely breathe, his face turning the color of pig liver, yet he remained stubborn. "What's the rush? I'll pay it back sooner or later! It's just a few thousand; is it worth you two blocking me here?"

"A few thousand?" The short lackey sneered, stepping forward half a pace as the tip of his knife glinted coldly from his pocket. "Embezzled protection fees, hidden gambling funds—it adds up to nearly three thousand! Have you forgotten Boss Julio's rules?"

The tall lackey followed up with a verbal blow, his tone full of impatience. "Boss Julio wants to audit the accounts, and tomorrow is your turn. I'd say you're in for a beating!"

These words pierced Marcus's heart like needles. His eyes flickered visibly, but he still stiffened his neck and argued, "Audit then! That was just for temporary cash flow. I've been looking for a way to make money lately. Once the money's in hand, I'll return every cent to the gang!"

"A way to make money?" The tall lackey pointed toward the casino, his voice growing louder. "Losing money at the casino is your way to make money? Marcus, do you take us for fools?"

Marcus's face flushed red and white. After his true thoughts were exposed, he flew into a rage out of shame, raising his hand to swing at the tall lackey's face. "You dare threaten me?"

The tall lackey was prepared. He tilted his head to dodge, grabbed Marcus's wrist, and twisted it back violently. With a soft 'crack,' Marcus grimaced in pain, cold sweat instantly breaking out on his forehead, though he continued to curse, "Let go of me! If you dare touch me, I'll have Julio fire you!"

"Fire us?" The short lackey stepped forward and kicked Marcus in the back of the knee. "You can't even save yourself, and you still dare to say that?"

Marcus fell to one knee, his wrist hurting even more, yet he still refused to back down, struggling to stand up. The scuffle between them grew more intense. Just as the tall lackey's fist was about to strike, the noisy clamor of the distant casino suddenly echoed through the alley, mixed with someone's bluffing shout of "The police are here!"

The tall lackey paused, and the two exchanged a look, both seeing the other's concern. This was the Slum District; though it was chaotic, if someone actually died or if they were targeted by the police, no one would have a good time.

"Count yourself lucky!" The tall lackey let go and gave Marcus a hard shove. "You have until tonight to get the money together, otherwise when you see the Boss tomorrow, there'll be hell to pay!"

Marcus tumbled to the ground, rubbing his reddened wrist. He watched the two walk away, his eyes full of venom, yet he didn't dare actually give chase. He propped himself up against the wall to stand, brushed the dust off his clothes, and continued to mutter curses under his breath.

Hiding behind the trash can, Li Wei breathed a sigh of relief. When the two were fighting earlier, he had pressed the shutter three times, capturing the scenes of Marcus being suppressed and the two arguing. Once the photos were developed, they would be direct evidence.

He had just tucked the camera back into his pocket when a slight 'beep' sounded in his ear—it was the miniature pager Lin Chen had asked him to carry. Looking down, there was only one line of text on the screen: [Doubao Tip: Julio is summoning Marcus at The Pier warehouse at 8:00 PM tonight.]

Li Wei's gaze sharpened, and he immediately committed it to memory while quietly peeking out to look at Marcus.

Marcus had lost his earlier arrogance. He leaned against the wall and pulled out a pack of cigarettes, shaking it for a long time before a single cigarette came out. However, because his hands were trembling, he struck three matches without lighting it. Clearly, the news of the 'audit' and the 'summons' had completely panicked him.

He irritably threw the cigarette on the ground, stomped on it several times, and then looked left and right. After confirming no one was in the alley, he pulled a battered old Flip Phone from his trouser pocket and quickly dialed a string of numbers.