American variety show: The Godfather, the Peace Ambassador, what the heck?

Chapter 33 Dove of Peace

Jimmy is always very efficient at handling matters related to the origin and destination of money.

Two days later, Jimmy found a reputable charity for Luca and anonymously donated 60 to it.

Of these, 55 is to be specifically allocated to designated individuals, while the remaining 5 will be left to the charity for its own "handling".

Jimmy, nicknamed "The Gentleman," was already quite famous in the Bronx before Luca's debut. The charity gladly accepted his donation and promised to deliver the funds to those in need as soon as possible.

"If anyone asks you, just say that peace doves fly over every inch of the world."

In the evening, Denham returned home dejectedly after his investigation failed.

Jordan Belfort has vanished into thin air these past few days. Even though we know he's hiding in the Bronx, we can't get any information from him.

Meanwhile, Stratton, without Jordan, continues to operate normally, happily profiting from its customers.

Behind every transaction lies thousands or tens of thousands of commissions.

Denham looked at the bank statements and then at his own payslip. There was no harm in comparing them.

He was already planning how to make the most of next month's salary.

“Pat, a foundation came to our house today,” his wife said, bringing over a plate of fruit pie and sitting down beside him.

“The Foundation?” Denham became wary.

As an FBI agent, he knew that many foundations were fraudulent organizations.

“A medical assistance foundation,” the wife explained. “They learned about your mother’s situation from the hospital, then came to our home and had me fill out some application forms, saying they could help us with your mother’s surgery costs.”

"Anything else?" Denham questioned, as if interrogating for evidence. "Is it okay if they ask you for other private information? Did they ask you to pay money? For example, that members can get priority access to the foundation's funding? Hopefully, you're not foolish enough to actually pay them."

"They didn't charge any fees."

The wife was somewhat resistant to her husband's suspicious and interrogative behavior. "They only asked about medical insurance and your mother's medical records. Please, don't treat me like a stupid woman who doesn't know anything. I asked my lawyer friends, and they said this foundation is a legitimate organization."

“You should tell me that no one knows better than me whether these organizations are legitimate or not.”

"How many times have you answered my calls? Every time I call you, you say you're busy with work! All you do all day is keep an eye on your suspects. If you had the chance, you'd even want to sleep with them. You care more about your suspects than your son or your mother! Are they more important than your family?"

Denham was annoyed by his wife's sudden emotional outburst. He didn't want to explain, nor did he want to explain that everything he had done was for the sake of the family.

He wanted to go outside and light a cigarette.

His wife's voice softened again, "Pat, what I admire most about you is your sense of responsibility. That's what attracts me most and made me fall in love with you, but it's now destroying our relationship. My sisters all envy me for marrying a good husband, but only I know that I haven't been happy these past few years."

“I’m sorry.” Pat took his wife’s hand. “I promise you that after this case is over, I will step down from the front line and go to a less demanding department, where you will have more time for me.”

His wife sobbed silently a few times, which softened Denham's heart even more.

Not long after, my son suddenly called.

"Pat, I got a scholarship! Oh, I can't believe it! I just filled out the forms on a whim, and they gave me a scholarship of 50,000!"

"???"

Denham looked completely bewildered. "Is it a loan? Is the interest rate high?"

"No, this isn't a loan! It's a grant!" the son exclaimed excitedly. "Thank God, with this money, I can continue pursuing my favorite subject!"

Denham was shocked. Could there really be such a good thing in the world?
This sounds just as absurd as the Mafia maintaining peace.

Something's not right.
Could it be that bastard Balfour?

But he refused his bribe—that guy was just giving him the middle finger a moment ago, how could he possibly be trying to give him money through the foundation again?

Son: "Peace doves will fly to every corner of the world!"

"watt?"

"This is what the foundation told me, maybe it's their slogan?"

"Peace dove?"

Denham was struck dumb.

It's a pigeon!
When Denham saw the 50 in the hospital account, he still couldn't believe that Luca would be so kind as to send him money in such a discreet way.

He checked; it was an anonymous donation with no further information left, and the foundation had no connection to the Mafia.

The origin of this money has been thoroughly cleaned; it went through all the proper procedures of the charity and there are no problems whatsoever.

His first reaction was to return the money, but the doctor said that with the funds available, he could arrange for his mother to be transferred to the best hospital in New York and receive the best surgery, and that she would recover quickly.

His wife, still unaware of the truth, excitedly boasted to him about it, saying how wise her choice was, that the foundation was a genuine charity, and that they were willing to help people who couldn't afford medical expenses!
Denham hadn't seen his wife this happy in a long time.

When he stood by his mother's bedside, looking at her frail appearance and holding her hand, the middle-aged man actually shed a tear. He had been holding back the words "refund" for a long time, not knowing how to say them.

He suddenly felt like a useless person. He also felt that Pigeon's move was too vicious; he didn't even need his consent to legally and legitimately send the money through his wife and son.

He was caught in a dilemma: should he report everything and ruin the joyful atmosphere at home? Should he show his son and wife how badly he, the head of the household, had made their lives? Should he let his mother continue to suffer from illness?

That night, Denham went to a bar and drank quite a bit, leaving his drunken figure on the street. For the first time, he noticed that the lights of New York City at night were colorful.

Late May, Spencer School.

Matilda is on vacation!

"Luca!"

Matilda rushed out of the school gate with her backpack on, excitedly jumping into Luca's arms. "Finally, it's vacation time! I can be a full-time Mafia now!"

Luca's smile was stiff.

I strongly recommend that New York State add a bill to allow schools to provide summer tutoring for students with poor grades!

Luca carried Matilda around twice, patted her head and put her down, then took out a 20-yuan note. "Buy me two lattes, one with sugar and one without, the more bitter the better! Oh, and don't forget to buy one for yourself. Buy whatever you want. Go on."

Matilda happily grabbed the money and ran off, while Luca turned back and walked toward the car not far behind him.

The car window rolled down, revealing Denham's face, which had dark circles under his eyes but bright, piercing eyes.

Denham: "Old Pigeon, we need to talk."

Luca leaned against the car door, "Just for calling me 'Old Pigeon,' I'll give you a 8% discount when you come to my SSR Club from now on!"

“Uh, thank you.” Denham hesitated for a moment. “I’d like to talk to you about Balfour.”

"What happened to him this time? Did he get caught by the police for running a red light while on drugs?"

"The FBI doesn't deal with this kind of thing."

Denham cut to the chase: "I won't stop here regarding Balfour; no amount of money will change that."

Luca glanced furtively into the car. "I've heard that the FBI likes to install listening devices in their cars."

"."

“When did I give you money? Bribing federal officials is illegal, I won’t do it!! According to U.S. criminal law, bribery requires a definite transaction and amount, you can’t stand up in court without evidence.”

"I didn't plant any listening devices!!"

“Oh~~~” Luca said with a smile, “Agent Denham, are you planning to talk to me about your mother’s recovery? I hope she recovers soon, and I also hope your son’s studies go well.”

Denham rubbed his temples, looking exasperated, and sighed, "I won't stop the investigation, but I can ease the surveillance on Balfour, and I won't bother him anymore."

But please also tell him not to go too far! The China Securities Regulatory Commission will not give up its prosecution against him, and if I obtain evidence, he will still not escape legal punishment!

It sounded like a virtuous woman who had been raped but still insisted on being pure and innocent. However, once Denham said that, Luca truly believed that he hadn't installed any listening devices. "I can talk to him."

Just then, Matilda came running over carrying a bag.

Luca took out the cup of bitter coffee and handed it to Dreem. "Buying a cup of coffee shouldn't be considered a bribe, right?"

Denham was both amused and exasperated. He took the money and thanked him. He asked curiously, "Aren't you afraid that the money will go down the drain? You didn't offer anything or attach any conditions. I've never met anyone like you before. There are no philanthropists in this world who don't need anything in return."

Luca smiled wryly. "That's not important. Go ask around in Little Italy if I've ever asked anyone for anything in return."

Denham paused for a moment, unsure how to respond.

The man's identity and actions were so contradictory that he couldn't determine Luca's true motives.

Luca extended his hand. "I'm just someone who likes making friends."

With mixed feelings in his heart, Denham closed his eyes and recalled the peaceful and kind deeds he had observed Luca during this period. For a moment, he couldn't tell whether Luca was real or fake. If it was an act, why would he act like he rushed into the fire to save people?

pigeon
After opening his eyes, Denham had already grasped Luca's hand.

"I owe you a favor."

[Bond: Friends]

Luca drove Matilda away.

Denham sat in the car, silently watching the car's retreating figure until it disappeared from sight, before belatedly opening the lid of his coffee.

Take a sip.

His expression immediately turned ferocious.

Why is it so bitter?!

Damn pigeons!
(End of this chapter)