"Exactly, damn it, what we hate most are lone wolves like you!"
One of the guards across from him picked up where Manager Ryan had left off.
"Why doesn't a solo act like you go build up some experience robbing convenience stores?
You just got to Gotham, didn't you? I haven't heard of any new Asian guy like you showing up around here.
Since you've got some guts, put down the gun. I can take you to meet the boss. Maybe we'll end up being coworkers!"
As he spoke, the guard nodded to his colleagues nearby. The remaining two guards immediately moved closer to Downton.
Watching the two approach without hesitation, Downton patted Ryan on the shoulder.
"Manager Ryan, it seems they don't care much about your life."
"They aren't my subordinates. We're partners. They're just guarding their family's money and valuables."
Manager Ryan answered helplessly, then continued trying to persuade Downton.
"So put the gun down before things get too out of hand.
You're alone, and you don't have much experience. You haven't even secured the people in the lobby.
If they get out, they'll call the police. And the police won't want to see the Maroni Family lose its temper.
Maroni is Falcone's right-hand man. You know Roman, don't you? His donations to the Gotham Police Department are three or four times what the cops make in regular wages.
The police are always plenty eager when they're working for him!"
"Then we'll finish the job before the police get here!"
In response to Manager Ryan's persuasion, Downton grinned and turned his gun toward the two mob security guards closing in.
"Guys!"
Downton continued.
"I honestly didn't expect you security guards to be mobsters. After all, mobsters are a lot more dangerous than ordinary guards.
But no matter who you are, you wouldn't turn down money, would you?
You've got two paths in front of you. One of them isn't very pleasant. Even if you can take me down, I can at least take one or two of you with me.
Do you really want to die that badly?
Or can you guarantee that the one who dies won't be you?
Now listen to the other path. This one is much more interesting. Even if your family's money and valuables are stored in this bank, I'm not robbing your family's money or valuables!
Let me make this clear: I'm robbing the bank's money, and I'll give you a cut too.
In other words, how am I alone? It's not too late for you to become my partners.
All you need to do is turn a blind eye, and you'll get a hefty share of the profits from this robbery. In the end, I'll be the only one facing your family's pursuit and the police hunt.
See? You take no risks, yet stand to gain a lot. So do me a favor. Go urge those broads at the counter to get moving and bring out our money.
Even if I go back on my word and refuse to split the money with you, there are three or four of you. Are you really afraid I'll get away alone?
Give me an answer. Do you love money, and do you value your lives?"
With that, Downton swept his gun back and forth across the guards.
Watching the muzzle sway constantly, the guards exchanged looks, then couldn't help glancing toward the surveillance cameras.
After confirming once again that the cameras had been shut off, one of the guards nodded to the others.
"I think he's right. He's robbing the bank's money. As long as nothing happens to our family's valuables, the boss won't punish us.
Besides, we can hand some of our share over to the boss!"
"Yeah, I think it's a good idea too. I like this Asian guy!
He fits Gotham perfectly. If he survives, he might even become somebody big!"
"So we're doing this?"
"We're doing it!"
With that, two of the guards stayed behind to keep their guns trained on Downton, while the other two went to the counter and actually began forcing the tellers to fetch cash.
The tellers were panicking so badly they were practically turning into dried longans. They looked hesitantly toward Manager Ryan, whom Downton was holding hostage.
Seeing the plea in the tellers' eyes, Manager Ryan took a deep breath and spoke softly to Downton.
"Sir, since you've already reached an agreement with the Maroni Family's men, would you mind... having a few more partners?
If you don't mind, I think the customers here and us employees can all become your partners.
It still won't stop the fleeing customers from calling the police, but at least fewer people will hate you, and there'll be less resistance during this operation. What do you think?"
"I think you're a talented man, Ryan!"
Downton nodded approvingly, then gestured to the nervous tellers behind the counter.
"You heard him, ladies. We're all in the same boat now.
Go get the money. This time, you're taking out our money, so move it!
And to everyone else who only came here for business, your luck has arrived. I am your good luck, haha!
Maybe a few thousand, maybe tens of thousands. Who would mind having some extra cash with no strings attached and no taxes to pay?
Find some bags for the bills and pack them up. Don't forget to fill your pockets and bags too!
Life shouldn't be all fighting and killing. Wouldn't it be better to keep things harmonious and get rich together?
I'm not some capitalist. I'm really giving you a share, so get moving, now!"
Following Downton's words, after a brief stunned silence, the people around him immediately erupted with tremendous enthusiasm.
"I'll help carry it!"
"Count me in!"
"I've got a travel bag here. You can use it!"
"Quick, quick, move faster, or the police will get here!"
"Anyone want to go after the people who ran off with me? If we can make them report it later—or not at all—we'll have more time!"
"We can also make false reports to the Gotham Police Department. Say there was a robbery in Burnley District or Diamond District and split up their manpower!"
"Block the doors and windows first! Don't let anyone outside notice something's wrong!"
One person's plan was short; three people's plan was long. When everyone pitched in, the fire burned high.
Once a large group of partners joined in, the whole operation went smoothly. Not only did the tellers retrieve money much faster, but people even handled the police situation.
For a time, some blocked the windows, some shut the doors, some packed money, and some split it up.
In less than two minutes, someone brought a travel bag full of cash to Downton.
"How about that? We did pretty well, didn't we?"
Seeing the expectant look on the young pregnant woman who had brought him the money, Downton nodded heavily and praised her.
"Everyone did well. You did especially well!"
"Thank you, thank you!"
Having received a ton of emotional validation, the young pregnant woman excitedly covered her chest.
"I never thought I'd run into something like this. I'm pregnant, but the baby's father disappeared. Even if I withdrew all my money, it wouldn't be enough for the surgery and care costs.
I thought I had no way out, but then I met you. With this money, whether I keep the child or get an abortion, I'll be fine!
I don't know what to say. Thank you for giving me a little hope in this damned city of Gotham. Can I know your name?"
"Why not? I'm Downton—Downton of Downton Abbey, haha!"
Facing the young pregnant woman's gratitude, Downton laughed as he took the travel bag stuffed with money.
After slinging the bag over his back, he pushed Manager Ryan away.
"Don't just stand there, Ryan. Go take the share you deserve."
"Thanks, Boss Downton!"
Ryan was a little excited too. The atmosphere was too heated. Like the pregnant woman handing Downton the money, whose cleavage was stuffed full of bills, Ryan had been getting impatient for a while!
Off in the distance, even though Downton no longer had a hostage, the guards couldn't be bothered to aim at him anymore.
Their lives were their own, but the money belonged to everyone. Wasn't it obvious which mattered more?
Watching everyone desperately stuff money away, Downton leaned against the bank's front door with the cash on his back, waiting for them with a smile.
After the last person had filled every pocket in their clothes, Downton lightly clapped his hands.
"Guys, the party's over. More than three minutes have passed, and it's time for me to go.
If nothing unexpected happens, you'll all hear my name again in the future. Or perhaps by then, I'll have some other alias.
But no matter what, don't forget our cooperation, and don't forget... I'm a man who is never stingy and never breaks his word!"
"You're a smart man. You'll definitely make something of yourself in Gotham, Boss Downton!"
"Thank you, Boss Downton! Working with you was amazing!"
"Maybe one day I really will call you boss—assuming you survive the Maroni Family's pursuit!"
"Downton, Gotham welcomes you!"
Amid the cheers around him, Downton grinned as he raised the rolling shutter, then pushed open the doors and walked outside.
The police had not arrived yet. Only pedestrians were hiding in the various shops around the bank, watching it from afar.
Seeing Downton swagger out, then hearing the cheers from inside the bank, which remained impossible to suppress despite their restraint—
The onlookers were completely dumbfounded.
You called this robbing a bank?
Bank robberies could be this lively?
And people were even cheering?
Why didn't they just eat hotpot and sing a few songs while they were at it?
Competition for new books was fierce. If the results were even slightly poor, the book would spiral downward and easily flop.
If you have even the slightest interest in this book, then even if you plan to let chapters pile up, please quickly flip to the last page and help this book gain one more follow-up read.
Half-Dead has previously completed premium novels of two million and three million words. As long as this book's performance is decent, he'll write several million words to entertain everyone.
I hope everyone will lend a hand. Half-Dead is deeply grateful.
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