In the midst of an inexplicable tension, Chairman Porter signaled the start of the committee meeting.
“Carmen.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
As Porter called her name, Rita Carmen responded obediently.
We were watching the scene unfold on the TV screen from the mansion.
“What is that woman thinking?”
“I know, right? She wouldn’t show up at a place like this without a plan.”
Elena and Felicita exchanged perplexed glances, a rare moment of agreement between the two wives.
Meanwhile, unlike Sanchez, who was only visible from his torso and hands, Carmen’s entire body was displayed on screen.
She was wearing the Carmen Family’s signature metal mask, though.
“First Sanchez hides his face, and now we have a masked figure?”
It felt less like a hearing and more like a circus. At that moment, Congressman Paragoni provided a brief introduction to Rita Carmen.
She was the infamous Boss of the Carmen Family.
“Ms. Carmen, is your species indeed Dark Elf as it appears?”
“…Just an Elf.”
“What did you say?”
“Just an Elf. We don’t call humans by different names based on skin color, do we?”
“Usually we do. Like Caucasian, Black, Asian, for example.”
“…”
What a farce this was. As Carmen pointed out, both Elves and Dark Elves are technically just Elves. The term Dark Elf is just a convenience based on skin tone.
What mattered was Paragoni’s response and Carmen’s reaction to it.
The journalists in the hearing room were amused, as if they were watching a comedy show. It was hard to tell whether this was an attempt to lower defenses or just to create a friendly atmosphere.
Unlike Sanchez, who got defensive, Carmen maintained a cooperative stance with the lawmakers.
“Ms. Carmen, what is your net worth?”
“I will submit my personal financial statement to the committee by the end of the day.”
“…Alright.”
Even in the face of Chairman Porter’s crucial question, Carmen remained steady.
If there was anything wrong with Rita Carmen’s financial statement that she would submit to the committee, the lawmakers wouldn’t stand idly.
“They must have already figured everything out, right?”
“…I guess so. She’s that kind of woman.”
Elena responded to my comment. Meanwhile, one of the housemaids from the mansion brought out simple bread for us, and Felicita received a basket filled with bread.
“Thank you.”
After receiving the bread from the maid, Felicita placed it on the table.
“I’m glad I got this, I was hungry.”
“Don’t eat too much. We need to save room for dinner.”
“Elena, that sounds like too much of a challenge for Luke.”
“Is it really? Do you think Luke’s some kind of pig?”
Felicita smiled for some unknown reason at Elena’s reaction.
“….”
I was eager to meet Elena’s expectations, but I honestly felt I wouldn’t be able to hold back for much longer.
“Elena, Felicita.”
I urged my two wives to focus on the TV screen, where Carmen was saying something.
“It was unexpected for Ms. Carmen to respond to the summons.”
“Like a werewolf tucking its tail between its legs and fleeing?”
“Hahaha!”
The werewolf Carmen mentioned was a reference to Dragovich.
Paragoni had confidently assured me that, after Sanchez, Dragovich would be next up for the hearing, but the results were the complete opposite.
Missing Mikhail Dragovich was clearly a blunder; it could easily highlight the committee’s incompetence.
“Silence! Everyone, please maintain silence!”
Thus, Chairman Porter demanded quiet from the people in the hearing room.
“Ms. Carmen, I will ask again.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“Aside from the purpose and intent of this committee being held, do you have a reason for responding to the summons?”
“…Yes, I do.”
“Can you state that reason right now?”
Porter’s question was hastily picked up by Congressman Paragoni. It was clear this was not prearranged.
Even through the TV screen, I could tell Porter’s expression had soured.
“….”
The TV screen quickly shifted, the view of the lawmakers and Carmen now focusing solely on Rita Carmen.
Suddenly, she raised her hand and removed her mask.
“…What?!”
My wives and I could only stare in disbelief.
Rita Carmen was revealing her face? During this nationally-watched hearing?
“It’s too bad Veronica missed this moment.”
“Elena, talking about that now….”
As both wives chimed in, Carmen began to speak again.
“As you all clearly summoned me with a specific purpose, I have one as well.”
“….”
Paragoni said nothing in response to her declaration. Carmen continued her speech fluidly.
“I know who killed the Godfather.”
“The Godfather? Which Godfather are you referring to?”
Chairman Porter asked with a tone of surprise. Paragoni seemed about to speak, but Carmen cut in faster.
“Vito Felini. I know who killed him.”
“…Who do you think killed Vito Felini?”
“One is in your hands, and the other has fled your grasp.”
“Are you saying Edward Sanchez and Mikhail Dragovich killed Vito Felini? Am I correct in that question?”
“Yes.”
Carmen replied without a hint of hesitation.
But at that very moment, everyone in the hearing room except Carmen became agitated.
The reporters jumped up from their seats, and the sounds of large cameras rushing into action resounded.
“Quiet! Everyone! Please maintain silence!”
Chairman Porter demanded order amidst the chaos, but some reporters were eager not to miss this scoop.
Ignoring proper procedures, they began bombarding Carmen with questions.
“….”
My wives and I remained focused on the spectacle, saying nothing.
Of course, my hands did not stop reaching for the bread, but Elena and Felicita were too absorbed in the unfolding drama to notice my small gestures.
Meanwhile, the phones in the mansion began to ring loudly.
“Mr. Felini, it’s a call for you.”
According to the maids, it seemed the bosses of the Five Families were urgently trying to reach out. As if to verify whether this sudden situation was in line with Elena’s and my intentions.
Just as I was about to reply, I heard from the other end:
“Enough! We will conclude today’s hearing schedule!”
Chairman Porter would not allow further disorder. The committee members rose from their seats, and the congressional staff escorted the key witness, Rita Carmen, out.
The reporters tried to seize the opportunity, but it was futile.
One journalist was flung towards a staff member and was captured flying through the air on the TV screen, but that was just a fleeting moment.
The TV, which had been showcasing the hearing, suddenly ceased to show anything at all.
*
“Yes, Father. No, we’re still trying to assess the situation. Yes, I’ll let you know as soon as something becomes clear.”
“No, not yet. But I’ll confirm through Paragoni right away. Don’t worry. Nothing’s wrong.”
Felicita and I were busy handling the phone calls at the mansion.
Felicita was on the line with her father, Vito Marinelli, while I was on the line with Little Dom Solomon.
“Congressman.”
Meanwhile, Elena was talking to Paragoni.
We needed to hear some explanation about what was happening.
“Did you know that Carmen would give that kind of answer?”
“….”
“Congressman, please answer.”
“Yes, Mrs. Felini. I did.”
“…Why didn’t you inform us?”
Even while handling calls from different bosses, Felicita and I focused on Elena’s conversation. However, Elena didn’t talk long with Paragoni.
“Solomon, I’m hanging up.”
“Godfather! Wait a minute!”
Click. Despite Solomon’s pitiable voice, I hung up the receiver.
“Elena, so what did the guy say?”
“It seems that Carmen asked Paragoni for something.”
“And they agreed without telling us?”
“…It seems she might have a lot to say to that congressman.”
After finishing her call with her father, Felicita spoke.
“I guess I’ll have to meet him in person.”
“Elena, even so, getting involved with a congressman is….”
“Luke, do you think I’m that foolish?”
“No, it’s just that being cautious wouldn’t hurt.”
Of course, I agreed that Paragoni should learn a significant lesson to prevent this kind of incident from happening again.
“Luke, how about we go to the funeral together?”
“…Well.”
I had promised Felicita that I would go with her, but the situation had changed.
“Luke, I’ll be fine, so go on.”
“Are you really okay?”
“We don’t both need to meet with Paragoni. One is enough.”
“Thank you, Elena.”
“Felicita, if you’re grateful, come back quickly. Don’t waste time keeping Luke here.”
Despite Elena’s words, Felicita couldn’t hide her smile. She seemed happy to be attending the funeral with me.
Well, saying I was happy to be going to the funeral does sound a bit weird.
“Alright, then let’s go right away.”
My two wives and I left the mansion. Of course, I made sure to grab the remaining bread from the basket.
“Luke, you can leave that behind.”
“Don’t worry. I can eat it all in the car.”
“…Really? With how much you eat, how come you’re not taller?”
Felicita’s remark caught me off guard, and I almost choked. She quickly apologized, but I had no intention of getting angry.
“Brother, the car is ready.”
“Okay.”
Felicita and I hopped into my bulletproof vehicle.
I also noticed Elena heading toward her own bulletproof car that I had gifted her.
“Felicita, what’s that?”
“Oh. It’s the money I’m going to give to the bereaved families.”
Condolence money? This felt rather unusual. Though in this world, it didn’t seem like condolence money was typically given.
The same went for my father’s funeral.
Sure, if the bereaved families were in dire financial straits, sometimes they would receive help. But unless specifically requested, giving condolence money was seen as dismissive towards them.
But from Felicita’s actions, it seemed that rule didn’t apply for the rat people from the Rat Hole.
“Godfather, where shall we take you?”
“Felicita, where is the funeral home located?”
“South of the city for now.”
Upon hearing my words, Felicita informed the driver of the approximate location.
I wondered if the Rat Hole was based in the southern part of the city, but it seemed this funeral home was the only one in that area.
“I’ve never been to a funeral home in the Rat Hole before.”
“…This will be my second time.”
Second time? I thought this was the first time Felicita had a contact among the Rat Hole.
