Fox saw Santino D'Antonio start eating beside him and turned to Smith:
"He wants John Wick's blood oath contract?"
"Why?"
"Wasn't that guy just declared wanted?"
Smith had a mocking look on his face and said:
"The bounty was issued by this very man."
"He just realized the power he possesses can't protect him at this moment."
Fox pretended to be surprised:
"So he just tried to revoke John Wick's membership?"
Smith laughed:
"Some people use the blood oath to order someone to complete a task, then turn around and send killers after them, even placing a bounty on their head."
"When they realize they can't win, they run for refuge and even try to cancel the other's membership."
"A man shouldn't be too much like Santino."
Smith didn't lower his voice. The assassins in the dining area heard everything clearly.
Many looked at Santino D'Antonio with contempt. While none of them were good people, this kind of backstabbing behavior was a first.
At that moment, Santino's face was very ugly. He had already been in a sorry state fleeing to the Continental Hotel, rejected by Winston and mocked by Smith. His anger boiled inside.
But he couldn't do anything to Smith Doyle. After inheriting his sister's seat, his first move had been to investigate Smith's background.
The Assassins' Guild — even the High Table had to maintain peace with them.
That made Santino even more frustrated. He clenched his dinner knife tightly.
Now all he could do was stall at the Continental Hotel, protect himself for the moment, and later find a way to eliminate John Wick.
As for Smith Doyle, not only could he not offend him, but he still needed to extract information about the two Dragon Balls from him.
Meanwhile —
John Wick followed the tracks all the way to the outside of the Continental Hotel.
Looking at the building, he knew Santino had come here seeking asylum — after all, this was a no-kill zone.
Pushing open the hotel doors, gun in hand and killing intent in his eyes, John approached the front desk and spoke to Charon:
"I'm here to see Santino D'Antonio."
Charon looked at the battle-worn John Wick, his aura still sharp. Swallowing nervously, he responded:
"He's waiting for you in the dining area, sir."
John Wick didn't pause and headed directly to the dining hall on the basement level. At the stairs, he saw Santino D'Antonio drinking wine and enjoying his dinner. He also noticed Winston, Smith Doyle, and Fox.
John didn't pay much attention to Smith Doyle's presence. His focus was Santino.
Hearing the approaching footsteps, Santino saw it was John Wick. He took a deep breath, and then relaxed — this was the Continental Hotel, the safest place there was. John wouldn't dare act here.
Straightening his suit and posture, he leaned back in his chair and watched John approach.
Everyone in the dining area turned their attention to John Wick, especially noticing the killing aura and the gun in his hand, creating a sense of foreboding.
Santino slowly picked up his fork, speared a piece of beef, dipped it in duck fat, and put it in his mouth. While eating, he looked at John and said:
"Duck fat — a very important condiment."
Seeing something was off, Winston called out:
"John!"
But Santino continued to provoke:
"John, have you seen the menu here?"
"Pick something you like."
Winston realized this could end badly and warned:
"John, listen to me."
But John Wick ignored him and just stood in front of Santino, unmoving.
Fox whispered, uncertain:
"Smith, do you think John Wick will break the rules here?"
Smith calmly replied:
"If he doesn't even have the courage to break the rules, then he won't have the power to fulfill his goal."
Smith Doyle knew exactly how much power a High Table seat holder possessed. John had managed to kill the leader of the Camorra and push Santino into hiding only because neither had fully assumed their roles yet.
Gianna died before her ceremony, and Santino hadn't had his coronation. Their true power hadn't yet been realized.
If Santino survived this, he could soon consolidate the Camorra and High Table's power and make John Wick's life hell.
Even if just by increasing the bounty, he could make John's survival nearly impossible.
Santino taunted again:
"The menu here is very rich. One could stay a long time."
Feeling the overwhelming killing intent, Winston pleaded:
"Jonathan, leave now."
Santino added, mockingly:
"Yes, John, you should go."
At that moment, John Wick knew — if he didn't kill Santino here, there would be no peace. His survival would be uncertain, let alone his quest for the Dragon Balls.
Breaking the rules was now necessary.
And Smith Doyle's words had made it clear.
John didn't hesitate — he raised his gun and shot Santino in the head.
Smith smiled at the act. Rules were meant to be broken. If Perkins dared break them, why not John Wick?
Winston was in shock. John had killed Santino D'Antonio inside the Continental Hotel, in front of everyone.
Looking at Santino's lifeless body, Winston quietly said:
"What have you done?"
John placed his gun on the table and coldly replied:
"Ended it."
Then he turned to Smith Doyle.
Seeing John's gaze, Smith spoke:
"Your trial continues. Survive and enter our domain. You know the place."
—End of chapter—
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