PORT – ANTELOPE'S WAREHOUSE – NIGHT
Midas didn't speak.
He grabbed Perfecto by the collar and shoved him against the wall. The wood cracked. Perfecto slipped, but Midas caught him. His fist shot out.
BAM.
The punch didn't hit Perfecto. It rebounded. Midas felt his own force explode back into his face. Blood ran from his nose.
Perfecto wiped his cheek.
"You see? You know absolutely nothing about me. So much so that you don't even know my power."
Midas spat blood.
"Why did you do that to Silva?"
Perfecto looked at him.
"Because you were going to abandon me."
Midas blinked.
"Remember that day. The day you killed that rabbit-man. You promised me you would fulfill my dream."
His voice broke.
"Our dream. The dream you had since you were little. You wanted to be a hero, back then. And me, to create a hero agency."
He stepped closer.
"But that dream, that promise… you quickly forgot it. For your sweetheart."
"In that Family, I was the most neglected. You don't even know what I went through."
Midas struck him.
The blow came back at him. He took it. He struck again. The blow came back. He struck. Took it. Struck. Took it.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Up to 32.
His face was bloody. His eyes swollen. His lips split.
He struck a 33rd time.
BAM.
The blow hit Perfecto.
He had reached the limit.
Midas started shouting at him.
"I understand your pain! But did you really need all this to get noticed? To make me stay?"
He beat him down.
Bam. Bam. Bam. Bam.
Perfecto was covered in blood. Broken teeth. Closed eyes.
"I'm sorry, Midas."
He spat blood.
"Really. I want to make it right."
Midas stopped.
"You don't need to stay in the gang anymore."
Perfecto looked up.
"I created a company for you. The NG Group. I prepared everything. You'll be able to raise your daughter peacefully. Don't worry."
Midas looked at him for a long time.
"That's not enough to forgive everything. In my eyes, you're dead."
He turned away.
"Know that I'll keep you in my heart. But not in a good way."
He walked out.
Perfecto lay there, on the ground, in his own blood.
---
SOME TIME LATER – THE RECOMPOSED FAMILY
The atmosphere had changed.
Sharky took the lead of the Family's gangster branch. The casino pillars were under his orders but kept their respective positions.
Midas, Amélie, and Perfecto took control of the NG Group.
Midas's empire evolved.
Until the present day.
---
MIDAS'S OFFICE – PRESENT
Midas sat in his armchair, behind his marble desk. A USB key lay before him.
The door opened.
Julie entered. Mechanic's clothes. Oil stains on her cheeks. Her hair tied in a ponytail.
"Hi, Dad."
"Hi, Julie."
He held the USB key in his hand.
"Sweetheart, have you finally finished the armor I asked you for?"
"Almost, Dad. Just need to add the dorsal reactors."
"Magnificent. You're a true genius."
Julie smiled.
"Dad… I have a question."
"What?"
"Why have you never told me about Mom?"
Silence settled.
Midas looked at the USB key.
"Because there's nothing to say. Leave now."
"OK."
She left, looking sad.
Midas called her back.
"Julie."
She turned around.
"I'm sorry. We'll talk about it later."
She smiled. A small smile. Then she walked out.
Midas was left alone.
He had changed. With a total coldness.
His strength also came from his emotional detachment. He never let himself be blinded by concepts like friendship or loyalty anymore.
No more mistakes based on feelings.
No more weaknesses.
Since that famous betrayal.
---