Cage Bird：The Boss’s Little Dove

Conflict

Lucas

Lately, unsettling rumors had begun to circulate within my organization, whispers of betrayal that disturbed the calm of our operations.

A small group of individuals was quietly conspiring, plotting to seize control of the eastern territory—the coastal region that remained largely untapped, yet brimming with potential. Their intentions were clear: undermine my authority and claim this strategic area for themselves.

Though it was still underdeveloped, the location held immense promise, poised to become a critical gateway to the city and, with it, a significant advantage in our business dealings.

However, this plan was known only to a select few, and the territory had long been entrusted to me—it was considered my personal domain.

Yet, there were those who secretly schemed to destabilize my position. Their corrupt ambitions had taken root in the shadows, growing insidiously, unseen but steadily gaining strength.

To address this, I, along with Liam—my most trusted confidant and second-in-command—organized this gathering, inviting the key leaders from each jurisdiction to attend.

I sat in the VIP room of Nero Vino, my gaze locked on the monitors in front of me, bathed in the dim light. I studied each face, analyzing the individuals present. Liam stood by my side, his expression as grim as mine.

“Everything’s been arranged,” Liam murmured, his eyes sharp as a blade.

I nodded, taking a sip of whiskey, the amber liquid warming my throat. My fingers rhythmically tapped the table, the sound echoing in the stillness of the room.

I understood well that in the mafia, profits came first. But loyalty was the foundation of everything. Loyalty meant rules, and rules were the bedrock upon which I had built my empire. I had made my stance clear to my members countless times: No betrayal, no infighting. Those who joined me had to remain loyal, no matter the cost.

However, there would always be fools who mistakenly believed they could challenge my authority, thinking they could conspire in the shadows and act with impunity. They had no idea just how thoroughly I controlled my territory. Every secret passage, every stronghold, even the movements of each member—I knew them all. Nothing could escape my watchful eye.

Tonight, I would make it abundantly clear: Betrayal would be met with swift and severe consequences. No one would challenge me.

“Has the suspect arrived?” I asked in a low voice, tinged with controlled anger.

Liam nodded, a cold smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “He’s here. I’ve also sent messages to the other leaders. If he has accomplices, he’ll likely try to win them over tonight.”

“This way, we’ll see who stands with him. We’ll root them all out.”

The lights in the bar flickered as the music played on, the noise of the crowd masking any outward tension. I stood and walked out of the room, joining Liam in the hallway.

Leaning against the railing on the second floor, I held my drink and gazed down at the crowd below. These so-called “gifts” were also my eyes and ears. They were girls I had rescued from the darkest corners of society—homeless, vulnerable. By offering them shelter and security, I ensured their absolute loyalty.

In this dangerous world, beauty was another weapon, and I used it to my advantage.

Suddenly, a flash of white caught my eye. A woman in a simple yet elegant white dress was walking alone toward the bar. I raised an eyebrow. She didn’t seem to belong to any faction—there was none of the arrogance typical of mafia members, nor the nervous tension of an outsider. Why was she here?

A thought flashed through my mind: Could she be an ordinary guest? I furrowed my brow, realizing that tonight’s gathering was crucial. Every moment, every decision carried risk. The plan was already complicated, and I couldn’t afford any mistakes. This woman’s unexpected appearance didn’t just raise my suspicions—it unsettled me. Her presence had shifted the room’s balance. Whoever she was, she couldn’t stay here much longer.

I glanced at Liam, silently signaling him to look toward the woman. He quickly picked up on my unease and spoke cautiously, “What’s wrong with that girl?”

I watched her speaking softly with the bartender, ordering a drink. “She doesn’t belong here,” I said, my voice low and commanding. “Make sure someone escorts her out.”

I pulled out my phone, checking for any missed messages.

Just as I thought everything was under control, our suspected target—Martin—moved toward the girl. My attention snapped back, halting Liam’s movement to send someone downstairs.

“Wait.”

It was clear the girl was resisting Martin’s advances. The two struggled for a moment, and to my surprise, she picked up a bottle of liquor and smashed it over Martin’s head.

Interesting.

A faint, enigmatic smile tugged at my lips.

Martin, furious at the girl’s defiance, had his bodyguards quickly surround her. It seemed these were the allies he’d been trying to recruit. I casually adjusted the cuff of my sleeve and made my way downstairs with Liam.

By the time we reached the scene, Martin still hadn’t grasped the severity of the situation. He was dragging the girl backward, his face contorted with murderous intent. His bloodlust, no doubt, was meant for me as well.

“Enough.”

Liam signaled to stop the music, and my deep, commanding voice reverberated across the entire hall. The moment Martin saw me, he immediately released his grip and lowered his head in respect. His mouth kept muttering apologies, but I ignored him, my attention fixated on the girl.

She was kneeling on the ground, still gripping the broken neck of the bottle in her hand. Her hair was a tangled mess, having been roughly yanked by Martin. Her white dress, which reached just above her knees, was uneven at the hem, showing signs of being torn. That detail only deepened my curiosity about her background.

Martin’s kneeling and the blood dripping from his forehead onto the floor pulled my focus back to him. He looked utterly devout, but I knew too well his true nature. I drew my gun, idly spinning it in my hand, testing his nerves.

“You’ve broken the rules, Martin. You know what the consequences are, don’t you?”

Martin’s face turned pale with fear as he stammered, “I—I thought she was a gift you arranged. I didn’t mean to offend—”

“A gift?”

I didn’t get angry but instead smiled coldly, locking my gaze on him. “Since you know she’s my ‘gift,’ then she’s mine. And yet, you dare cause chaos in my territory, breaking my rules? You’ve got some nerve.”

I gritted my teeth, pressing the barrel of the gun to his temple. His lips trembled, “It’s a misunderstanding, a total misunderstanding!”

Despite his practiced act, I noticed something off in his eyes. They kept darting around, almost as if signaling his accomplices. It seemed a fight was inevitable tonight.

I shot a glance at Liam, giving him a silent nod. He quickly returned the gesture, signaling that everything was in place.

“You need to understand your place, Martin. You know exactly what I mean.”

Seeing his expression shift back to one of vicious, murderous intent, I knew he was about to show his true colors.