Just as the Longbottoms had said on Christmas Eve, after the Paris Region Incident, the dark wizards and Muggle criminal organizations had reacted the fastest, merging their forces long ago.
Among these elites dispatched by other families were not only members of Muggle families, but also members of dark wizard families.
The moment those in the rear saw the gesture raised by the people ahead, they instinctively became alert. Their movements halted in unison, and the atmosphere in the foyer instantly froze.
They all knew very well that an unfamiliar voice appearing at this moment could only mean that their plan had been exposed.
Though they did not know why the plan had been compromised, now that it had fallen apart, all they could do was fight with everything they had.
Unlike the low-ranking family members who brawled in the streets, those who had made it to this estate were all elite members of their families' upper ranks. They possessed extensive combat experience and had even undergone rigorous training.
They did not hesitate in the slightest. Like a receding tide, the crowd withdrew, accompanied only by the faint clicks of bolts being pulled, the rustle of clothing, and soft footsteps.
In the blink of an eye, the dispersed crowd formed a fan-shaped formation, each finding an angle favorable for shooting and casting spells, ready to enter battle at any moment.
As so many people retreated into the living room at once, the relaxed look vanished from Joseph Bonanno's face. Like a lion whose territory had been invaded, he narrowed his eyes slightly, a dangerous glint flashing within them.
He showed no sign of panic, merely giving the subordinate beside him a meaningful look.
The subordinate immediately understood Joseph Bonanno's intent. He took out a walkie-talkie, held down its button, and