A few days later, outside the intensive care unit at San Francisco General Hospital.
Liu Yutong stood before the observation window, gazing through the glass at Bai Jingchen, who lay in the hospital bed covered in tubes.
Whenever she had free time these past few days, she would come to check on him, but President Bai remained in critical condition.
As for Bai Shisui, she had barely left the hospital at all.
Although she had long stopped crying, her eyes were swollen like walnuts, and she had visibly lost weight.
"Is there still no improvement?" Liu Yutong asked the attending doctor as he walked over.
The doctor took off his mask and shook his head. "The situation is very complicated. Although the bullet was removed, we cannot control the infection, and his kidney function is beginning to fail. We have used the best antibiotics and equipment available, but the patient is older, and his underlying health was compromised by overwork in his early years... Now, we can only wait and see if he can pull through on his own."
Liu Yutong said, "No matter what, please do everything in your power. Use the best medicine, the best treatment plans—money is not an issue!"
"We will absolutely do our best," the doctor replied.
After the doctor left, Liu Yutong walked over to the bench and sat down.
Bai Shisui seemed to have found a pillar of support. She rested her head on Liu Yutong's shoulder and sobbed softly. "Sister Yutong, I am scared... If my dad dies, what am I going to do?"
"Do not talk nonsense. Uncle Bai will pull through."
Liu Yutong wrapped an arm around her shoulders and comforted her, "You have to believe in your dad. He is Bai Jingchen. A man who has weathered so many storms will not just fall like this."
Just then, Zhao Tianyi hurried over from the other end of the corridor.
Seeing Liu Yutong, he quickly stepped forward and whispered, "Eldest Miss, there has been a development."
Liu Yutong patted Bai Shisui's back. "Shisui, rest here for a bit. I need to go handle something."
The two walked to the waiting area at the end of the hall.
Zhao Tianyi began his report. "Jesse is now fully in power. Through the family's channels, he bribed a mid-level boss within the Snake Head Gang. He got word from him that the attack on President Bai was indeed executed by the Snake Head Gang, but the mastermind..."
He paused before continuing, "...might be connected to Zhao Weixiang."
Liu Yutong's gaze sharpened. "Zhao Weixiang? Is he not hiding out in a casino in Los Angeles? How could he be involved with Uncle Bai?"
"That is exactly what is so puzzling."
Zhao Tianyi pushed up his glasses and continued, "That Snake Head Gang boss said they took the job through a middleman. Jesse's people caught the middleman, too. He confessed that the employer is from our country, specifically from the Port City area..."
Liu Yutong asked, "Are you saying the true mastermind behind the attack on Uncle Bai is not the Snake Head Gang?"
Zhao Tianyi nodded. "It is highly likely. The Snake Head Gang has not made a serious move against President Bai in all these years, which shows they fear him. For them to suddenly strike now, I am guessing whoever is behind this promised them some major benefit, prompting them to take the risk. They might have even prepared a scapegoat. If we had not intervened in time, this case probably would have been hastily written off as a gang vendetta."
"Then what is the deal with Zhao Weixiang? How did that guy hook up with the Snake Head Gang?" Liu Yutong asked again.
Zhao Tianyi had clearly given this some deep thought. "I suspect Zhao Weixiang might actually be one of the financial backers or bosses behind the Snake Head Gang himself, perhaps even holding some degree of authority. Otherwise, it is hard to explain how he spends all day in casinos, throwing money around so lavishly, yet never seems to run out of cash. The businesses the Snake Head Gang runs are highly lucrative."
"Eldest Miss, we need to catch this guy as soon as possible. He is too much of a troublemaker!"
"Later, use your status as a special advisor to ask the police officer in charge of this case about their progress. Apply some pressure. Their investigation is far too slow," Liu Yutong said coldly.
Speaking of this, she suddenly remembered something else. "Right, I will give you a list later. It mainly contains the names of political figures, mostly candidates currently running for office or intending to run. Give it to Jesse. Tell him to use the family's resources and funds to find ways to befriend these people. He can invest a bit more generously if needed."
Zhao Tianyi instantly guessed her intention. "Political donations?"
"Exactly!" Liu Yutong nodded.
In the States, everyone from local council members to governors, congressmen, and even the President has to be elected, and elections require massive amounts of funding.
Political donations are one of the legal channels. As long as they are declared according to regulations, both businesses and individuals can donate to candidates. These donations help them run ads, hold rallies, and build campaign teams.
If they successfully take office, they naturally will not forget the financial backers who fully supported them.
Jesse's Collaro family, despite having somewhat of a mafia background, had its power mostly confined to the San Francisco area and could never quite make it onto the grand stage.
True mafia families had long stopped relying on street violence to survive. Their networks of connections had already infiltrated political and business circles, giving them immense influence.
To put it bluntly, if a real mafia family wanted to crush gangs like the Snake Head Gang or the Hells Angels, all they would need to do is lift a finger and make a few phone calls.
If Jesse wanted to grow quickly, or even become a true mafia godfather one day, he had to aim high.
With Jesse's current status, if he tried to cozy up to those big shots, they probably would not even give him the time of day. Therefore, the list she provided consisted entirely of figures who were on the rise—people desperately in need of funds but not yet famous.
Of course, these currently obscure figures were destined to become political stars and major players in the future.
Because she was the one who provided the list.
Zhao Tianyi understood perfectly. "I get it. Jesse is now the head of the Collaro family. It is most appropriate for him to step forward and manage these relationships. Not only will it expand his network, but it will also pave the way for our syndicate's future operations in the States."
Liu Yutong nodded. "That is exactly the idea."
"Remember, everything must be legal and compliant!"
"Understood!"
Zhao Tianyi pulled out another photograph and handed it to Liu Yutong. "This is a record Jesse pulled from the immigration bureau through his connections in the police department. When Zhao Weixiang entered the country three months ago, the person who picked him up at the airport was a man named Chen Ming. And this Chen Ming is the deputy director of logistics for the Bai Group's US branch. He has been working at the Bai Group for eight years."
Liu Yutong took the photo, which showed an ordinary-looking middle-aged man. "Chen Ming... Does this person have any special background himself?"
"His personal background is very ordinary. He comes from an average family, and his abilities are above average."
Zhao Tianyi pushed up his glasses and said with a hint of amusement, "But his wife is a relative from President Bai's wife's side of the family. In other words, he has ties to Madam Bai's maiden family."
Liu Yutong suddenly realized something. "Right before Uncle Bai's accident, he was just preparing to transfer thirty percent of his shares to me..."
"Miss, a thirty percent stake is worth over two billion dollars. This amount of wealth is enough to make many people green with envy, or even drive them to desperate measures. If Chairman Bai were no longer around, there is a real possibility that this gift agreement could be contested or even overturned," Zhao Tianyi said meaningfully.
Liu Yutong's gaze instantly sharpened. "Go about your business for now. I'll have Assistant Su send you the list later."
"Understood, Miss."
Zhao Tianyi nodded, took his briefcase, and turned to leave.
Liu Yutong composed her emotions and made her way back to the corridor outside the intensive care unit.
Before she even got close, she noticed two more figures by the bench. With red-rimmed eyes, they were speaking in hushed tones to Bai Shisui.
One was a woman of about fifty, dressed in luxurious clothes but looking rather haggard.
The other was a man in his forties, slightly stout, who wore an equally sorrowful expression.
........
