Dinner / Something Happened Again!

She smiled again and looked at Maria.

Maria remained silent for a moment before turning her head away.

"No problem."

As she spoke, her eyes glanced sideways towards a corner.

"I'm here, nothing else will happen."

Her lips moved slightly, but the words she uttered were different from the syllables she actually spoke.

This is a warning.

Maria was warning the wolves that were eyeing this area.

'Don't move.'

Chapter 110 Dinner

The social aspects of the ball quickly and quietly came to an end.

The surging crowd split into two lines and silently took their seats at the long table.

As the inviter and the representative of the Columbia Sicily Family, Madame Madam Sicily undoubtedly sat in the seat of honor.

To her left, where Soro, one of her family members, should have been sitting, was Maria, a complete stranger to everyone.

To his right was Servadore, the patriarch of the Texas Family, who was not qualified.

Soro was sitting in the farthest seat, next to Madam Sicily.

This arrangement is clearly motivated by ulterior motives.

However, the other family members did not make any rash judgments. Instead, they quietly lined up next to Maria and Salvadore according to their positions.

It is worth mentioning that the thugs they brought from their family were not allowed to sit at the table, but Madam Sicily still arranged a table for them to sit at next to their main table.

This serves as a testament to everything.

Once everyone had entered, the well-mannered waiters quietly served them dinner and began pouring drinks in turn.

After they finished, they returned to the shadows, closed their eyes, and pretended not to hear or see anything.

"Gentlemen..."

Madam Sicily raised her glass, facing everyone.

"Thank you for accepting my invitation. I heard from my friends that something unpleasant happened at the ball, but I believe that unpleasantness will eventually pass. In this vibrant and prosperous city of Columbia, many more opportunities await us..."

Madam Sicily was no young woman after all; she quickly took control of the entire evening. After gesturing to everyone, she even made a point of clinking glasses with Maria and Salvadore beside her as a gesture of goodwill.

But everyone knows this is just the beginning.

The main course hasn't even arrived yet...

Soon, the meal service began.

But to their surprise, neither Sicily, who wanted to reclaim the winery, nor Texas, who wanted payment, spoke up at this moment.

They were like they had started a silent war, each waiting for the other to lose their temper first.

Everyone understands that making concessions is difficult, and if things don't go well at the dinner table, then they'll have to settle for it during the fight.

Clearly, this is a scene the Texas Family doesn't want to see.

After a moment of silence, Salvadore turned to look at Madam Sicily and raised his glass in greeting.

"What a wonderful drink! It brings back so many memories... Was it brought from Siracusa?"

"Naturally, the weather in Siracusa isn't great, but when it comes to brewing alcohol, I think it surpasses all the other countries on Terra."

"This is wonderful... I wonder if Poporo Winery can also make such a memorable wine. I almost don't want to drink it."

Salvadore spoke with a smile, and the Madam Sicily returned the smile.

"If you like, I can have some prepared for you... so you and your family can enjoy it together."

"Thank you, but it's not necessary. It would be too much trouble for you, and most of my family members are from Columbia. They might not be able to appreciate the taste of such strong liquor."

At this point in their conversation, both of them fell silent.

They stared at each other, each with their own stance.

"Speaking of which... I've never heard of the Texas Family owning a winery before."

The Madam Sicily attacked first, but Salvadore just smiled.

"I just recently inherited it from a friend... it was a pleasant surprise."

"So... what does the Texas Family intend to do with it?" Madam Sicily avoided asking how the other party acquired it and instead inquired about their plans for the winery.

"The winery is naturally for making wine, and it just so happens that the Texas Family is currently lacking a major business line. Perhaps its existence can fill the gap in the family's business at this time."

"Is that so?" Madam Sicily remained noncommittal.

"But Poporo Winery's original share in Columbia wasn't that large, so expanding it would require a massive investment."

"So, Madam Sicily, you mean you'd be willing to grant us a little friendship?"

Salvadore was like a leech, unmoved even by Madam Sicily's repeated hints.

He is open to other families joining, but the Texas Family must maintain dominance in the winery!

For this reason, he even glanced at Soro a few more times.

He knew perfectly well that the Sicily Family wouldn't let them eat this cake... and he also knew that he absolutely had no ability to eat it.

But unlike the Sicily Family's insistence on independent development, their company only involves zero and one.

It's either full authority or nothing at all.

But he is very open-minded.

He was willing to donate a portion of his business to other families to strengthen ties between them.

The only requirement is that these companies must retain control in our own hands!

They want to get the biggest slice of the pie while everyone else profits!

He wanted to ensure that, under the same circumstances, the Texas Family would have the greatest growth, and that even in unbalanced circumstances, the Texas Family would still have the ability to catch up!

Previously, even if he were willing to give up his shares in the winery, probably not many people would be willing to risk offending the Sicily Family by taking them.

But at this moment, after Soro intervened, everything changed.

Some families have begun to worry about this powerful Sicily... Even if Madam Sicily wants to cooperate, they have to consider whether they will be completely taken advantage of.

The reason for all this is due to the customs they brought from Siracusa.

Only zero and one!

Conversely, the Texas Family, which originated in Columbia, was supported from the beginning by a cooperative approach, and their image was already deeply ingrained in everyone's mind.

They are willing and trust the Texas Family's invitation to cooperate!

As long as he can continue to push the plan forward, he can maintain the upper hand!

Even if Madam Sicily really wanted to launch a purge, he was confident that he could use his shares in the winery to rally a group of people to fight against her.

The Sicily Family has dominated Columbia for far too long!

Although they all came to Columbia defeated, that doesn't mean they would surrender to anyone.

Of course, if possible, Salvadore would prefer that Madam Sicily agree to his application and become a shareholder, which would save everyone a lot of trouble.

But...

"Thank you for the invitation, but... the Sicily Family doesn't understand the so-called cooperation model. As you know, we are always wary of unfamiliar things."

Madam Sicily spoke calmly, and Salvadore raised his head with a smile.

"So... what do you mean?"

"I want a winery."

"... Do you want to buy Popolo from us?"

"It's not an acquisition, it's an exchange."

Madam Sicily calmly raised her head and gazed at Salvadore in front of her.

An oppressive atmosphere gradually spread.

Soro, who had been silent all along, seemed to understand Madam Sicily's meaning, and his brows furrowed decisively.

"No!"

"Uncle Soro, I think the family sent you here to visit me, not to put you in charge, right?"

Madam Sicily, with just a casual glance, subdued her opponent.

After seeing him sit back down with a grim expression, Madam Sicily looked at Salvadore again.

"I've heard that the Texas Family still doesn't own any land of their own, does it?"

"For a family, this is practically homelessness... it's a bit Tai He."

"I personally own a fertile piece of land in the Eastern District of Columbia that I had been thinking of using to grow some grapes, but after careful consideration, I realized that the winery is more important to me."

"Perhaps this price is not bad?"

Madam Sicily stared at Salvadore in front of her.

This is the highest she can offer; any further and she'll have to use her family's wealth.

Salvadore was taken aback by the generous gesture.

For the first time, a hint of unease appeared on his face.

Although she was very restrained, Maria knew that for a person, this was a necessary step on the path of crossing new horizons.

Is it about pursuing wineries that can clearly generate wealth, or about securing a foothold for one's family?

This is a choice.

Rob frowned, clearly having some thoughts on the matter, and wanted to convey his judgment to Salvadore.

But the silent knife suddenly landed beside his chair.

Rob paused for a moment, then looked up.

Maria continued to eat calmly.

Elegant demeanor.

Chapter 111 Another incident!

"Thank you for your gift. Indeed, a stable home might be a better fit for us than a winery."

After waiting for Rob's opinion, Salvadore gritted his teeth and made his judgment.

The winery might bring wealth to the Texas Family, but clearly, a stable place is more in line with their current needs.

They needed a location to set up their camp.

Thank you for your understanding.

Madam Sicily raised her glass and toasted the other person again.

At this point, the matter has essentially reached a conclusion.

Despite the twists and turns, the Sicily Family still managed to acquire the winery, while the Texas Family gained an undeveloped piece of land, reaping considerable profits as a result.

But what was more significant to them was that they secured some family friendships in exchange for illegitimate wineries and legitimate land.

This is a result that satisfies everyone... at least, everyone present was quite satisfied.

After a long silence, Soro quietly got up and left the venue.

"I apologize, I may have had a little too much to drink and need to rest... Please don't mind me, everyone, and enjoy the banquet."

Upon seeing the other person's actions, Madam Sicily immediately spoke as well, and gently stood up.

Maria stood up and affectionately helped the other person up.