After half an hour, Dante had poured out his thoughts about the southern region's underworld gang. Feeling uneasy after his confession, he realized Yvette was more intimidating than any gangster he'd encountered. It wasn't a superficial hardness, but a chilling nonchalance. She seemed capable of ending a life with a smile—a type of person he'd never met. He waited respectfully for her to speak.

Yvette sat cross-legged, her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Her tone was indifferent. "Your background," she said.

Hendrick, kneeling with a broken hand, spat. "That Dante is nothing but trash. A slum dweller. His mother abandoned him, his drug-addicted father—who also had a mistress—died years ago. He grew up in a dump and thinks he can rule the southern region? What a joke!"

Hendrick's words stung. Dante's expression shifted to grim embarrassment. His humble origins were a constant source of shame. If not for them, the Pentagon Gang would have risen sooner.

Hendrick, acting recklessly, provocatively stared at Yvette and Jeremiah. Yvette strolled over, hands in pockets, a smirk playing on her lips. "Who told you trash from the slums can't rule the southern region?" she drawled.

Her gaze held Hendrick captive, leaving him speechless. A swift kick sent him sprawling; a bone-crunching sound followed by a blood-curdling yell. He lay motionless, ribs broken.

Dante had expected dismissal, but Yvette's defense brought him relief. His clenched fists loosened. He was determined to prove his past didn't define his future.

Jeremiah watched Yvette use ancient combat techniques, recognizing her anger. He frowned, wondering about her connection to the slums. Perhaps it was tied to her past.

Mario watched Hendrick's defeat. He hesitated, about to speak. Hendrick was one thing, but the Union Gang was another matter entirely.

Just as feared, a commotion erupted at the diner entrance. Mario tensed, knowing the Union Gang had arrived.

The Pentagon Gang members became alarmed. Only Hendrick, half-dead, bloodshot eyes staring, roared, "Save me!" He then fainted.

Dante turned to Yvette. A one-on-one fight against over a thousand gang members was impossible. Escape was paramount. His face grim, he said, "Ms. Zeller, let's use the back door. The Union Gang is here, and your men haven't arrived. Even if they did, we'd likely stand no chance."

Dante hadn't reached his position through brute force alone; if so, he would have died long ago.

Taking off his apron, Mario urged, "You should all go. I can cover for Hendrick. Just leave."

Dante grabbed Mario's arm. "Come on, Mr. Cattaneo. I won't leave you." If the Union Gang saw Hendrick, no story would be believable.

As footsteps approached, the Pentagon Gang grew anxious. "We have to go, Dante!" his men urged. Their loyalty was evident.

The tension was palpable. Yvette's green eyes, deep and still, seemed to pierce them. "Sit down," she ordered, her flat tone instantly calming the atmosphere.

Dante sank into a chair, followed by the others. They exchanged glances—for once, they were united. Mario felt embarrassed, humbled by a young woman.

Yvette sat, pouring coffee for herself and Jeremiah. Jeremiah, impassive, asked, "Have you made up your mind?"

Yvette, a mischievous glint in her eye, gave Dante a lazy look. "How about we go with him?"

The others were baffled. Dante wondered, 'Why am I listening to this woman? How can she face the Union Gang?' Yet, he trusted his instincts and waited.

They watched the entrance, ready to fight. Yvette and Jeremiah calmly sipped their coffee. As the door was about to open, their hearts leaped.

The door slammed shut. The intensified noise outside was different—more uniform, suggesting discipline.

Jeremiah realized Yvette had summoned the Seventy-Two Chambers of the Goodman family, ruthless mercenaries. He raised an eyebrow. "When are you going to train me?" he asked earnestly.

Yvette looked at him impassively. "Aren't I training you every night? What, you think my training isn't intense enough?"

A knowing smile touched Jeremiah's lips. "I think we could push our training a bit further," he said.