Chapter 8: Kill Your Entire Family

Hearing Tom's words, the people behind Joseph burst into laughter. They had seen oblivious people before, but never someone so completely unaware of their own impending death that they would insult someone like Joseph. Azazel pulled out his handgun and pointed it at Tom. "You are not allowed to speak to the Reaper that way!" Tom, shocked, finally realized that this was no dream. This was all too real. "I-I, don't shoot! I'll do whatever you say!" Like a dog, he began to eat the rotting food. Maggots started crawling away from the food and out of the cage. Joseph, seeing this, kicked the dog cage lightly. "The food is getting away. If you waste it, you'll face my punishment." Tom, on the verge of tears, could do nothing but comply. "It's my fault. I'll eat, I'll eat..." The food was so rotten that he vomited almost as much as he ate. But Joseph wasn’t finished yet. "Tsk." Thinking about how this man had treated his daughter like a dog filled Joseph with rage. Azazel placed a chair behind Joseph, who sat down and watched like he was seeing the most interesting movie in the world. Suddenly, Tom seemed to slack off. He pretended to vomit everything back up after barely swallowing any food. Abaddon, silent until now, wasn’t going to tolerate this. "Bang!" Abaddon shot Tom in the knee. "No! Don't! It hurts!" Tom rolled on the ground like a worm, mimicking the maggots. "Don't play tricks." Abaddon's eyes were sharp. Tom realized that his little scheme had been detected. These people weren't afraid to kill him—they were keeping him alive for their amusement. Terrified, Tom began shaking uncontrollably. Like a trash bin, he shoved more of the rotten food into his mouth, barely looking human as he begged for mercy. "I'm sorry. I don't know how I offended you, but I'm genuinely sorry. It was all my fault. Please give me a chance. My family is wealthy. We're the biggest mafia in Los Angeles! My father won't let you get away with this. Tell me what you want, and I'll..." Before he could finish, Joseph stood up and kicked the cage hard. "Compensation? You harmed my daughter. Do you think a little compensation is enough? Or do you think your worthless life equates to my daughter's?" Before he could respond, Tom wet himself in fear. He could see Joseph was serious about killing him. "But...my father's gang is huge, with over 300 men! If you go against him, it's suicide!" Samael burst into laughter and pulled out a phone. "Your father? Call him. Get those 300 men over here." Joseph watched quietly. Tom, trembling, dialed his father. "Father, I've been captured. Come help me, I'm at home!" Jackson, Tom’s father, was at home preparing to find a new wife. Hearing this, he hurriedly pulled up his pants. "What? How dare they! Give them the phone. I can't believe someone would dare defy me! Find out what they want!" Tom handed the phone to Joseph, who calmly answered. "Yes?" Jackson sneered, "You must be out of your mind! Do you know who I am? Do you think you can get away with this? My son gets even a scratch, and you’re dead!" Joseph replied calmly, "It seems you don't have time to discipline your son. I’ll help you with that." Jackson shouted angrily, "You have no idea who you're messing with! In Los Angeles, opposing me means certain death!" Joseph’s voice was steady, "What if I insist on opposing you?" Jackson was momentarily speechless. He was used to scaring people into submission, but Joseph's calmness threw him off. Desperately, he demanded, "Tell me who you are! If you dare defy me, at least give your name! Maybe I'll spare you." "Joseph." Joseph looked down at Tom, who was quivering in the cage. "I came back from abroad specifically to kill your son. Aren't you honored? Many people would dream of being killed by me." He continued, "If you're upset, tell me your address. Or don’t—I’ll find you. I can make sure you and your son meet soon." To Joseph, killing one person or an entire family was the same. If he was angry, he would wipe them all out without a second thought. "You..." Jackson was stunned into silence.