Charlie scoffed, “Let’s be real—you’re only alive right now because of me. Forget about enjoying red wine and steak for your next meal; whether you even survive until then is uncertain. So, are you still fantasizing about reiming your Sanchez family? Remember, the Americans have sentenced you to life in prison, and there’s no escape for you.”


    In despair, Gustavo asked, “Then… what am I supposed to do now?”


    Charlie replied casually, “Just follow me. I’ll keep you safe from now on. Go tell the prison guard that you’ll be moving in with me. You’ll share your cell with me, and I’ll ensure your safety.”


    Gustavo was taken aback. Why would Charlie offer to help him when the odds of survival seemed so grim? He couldn’t help but wonder, “Could it be that this man is attracted to me? It has to be… Otherwise, why would he go out of his way to protect me? Why would he want me to live in his cell?”


    Yet, he thought, “But what could he possibly see in me? I’m not young anymore…”<h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    Noticing Gustavo’s silence, Charlie’s tone turned icy. “Let me make one thing clear: I didn’t help you without reason. You have to follow my orders from now on. Whatever I ask, you must do it, or I’ll inform my eldest nephew that I no longer care about your fate. Do you understand?”


    Fearful, Gustavo replied quickly, “I… I understand, I understand…”


    Suppressing the humiliation he felt, he approached Charlie, lowered his head, and choked out, “I will do whatever you say. Just promise to protect me and don’t let anyone kill me…”


    Charlie nodded, satisfied, but maintained a stern expression. “Should I protect you? We’ll see how obedient you are.”


    “I am obedient! I promise to be obedient!” Gustavo eximed hastily.


    As he spoke, he reached into Charlie’s trouser pocket, intending to show some form of submission. Charlie initially thought Gustavo had something valuable to offer, but to his surprise, Gustavo turned out his pockets and held them up with a pitiful look, a mix of humiliation and willingness toply on his face.


    Charlie quickly grasped his intentions. Was this some sort of joke from the American show “Prison Break”? Did this old man really think he had a n for him?


    Feeling a wave of disgust, Charlie pushed Gustavo away a few meters and shouted, “What the hell is wrong with you? Do you think I’m gay? If you disgust me again, I’ll have my nephew deal with you—he’ll make sure you won’t survive this!”<fn1b70> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n find?novel</fn1b70>


    Gustavo, struck for the first time in his life, felt his face swell with pain. His initial reaction was anger; he fantasized about conjuring an AK47 and unleashing all his fury on Charlie.


    But then, a sense of relief washed over him. It seemed that Joseph, the sudden appearance of Charlie’s uncle, wasn’t plotting against him, and he no longer had to endure the humiliation.


    Gradually, joy reced his anger, and a smile appeared on his face for the first time—but it was a smileden with ttery.


    With a sycophantic expression, he looked at Charlie and said, “I’m sorry, Mr. Wade. I misunderstood everything. Please don’t be angry. From now on, I’ll do anything you ask. I’m at your service!”<h3 ss="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center" id="chapter-list"><strong></strong>