Chapter 165 - 166 The Corleone Family Power Struggle

Words : 1053 Updated : Sep 19th, 2025

Chapter 165: Chapter 166 The Corleone Family Power Struggle Hardy said, "Michael, I have some suggestions." "Go ahead, Hardy." "I’ll send a team to guard Mr. Vito Corleone. Having our own men there will ensure his safety. They’re former Marines with strong combat skills. What do you think?" "Good. I’ll say they’re security personnel from the TV factory. That’ll shut up anyone who complains," Michael said. "Second, give me a few local experts, loyal ones, familiar with New York and the five families. I need to investigate all potential enemies and prepare." "Got it. I’ll find someone," Michael said. Hardy was up against the five families and possibly more. Most of the Mafia Commission supported the drug trade. He had no fear of the Mafia but wouldn’t underestimate them, preparing for the worst and planning thoroughly to handle any unexpected situations. Hardy and Michael arrived at the hospital. A few people immediately stood up at the entrance of the room. Michael spoke to the person in charge, a captain of the family squad, "I brought a friend to visit my father." Hardy walked into the room. The old godfather lay in bed, with an IV drip attached to his hand, his eyes tightly closed, and his usually meticulously groomed hair slightly messy. In the past. Every time Hardy saw the old godfather, he felt he was like a lion. Majestic and steady. Now the lion was injured. Michael walked to the bedside, held his father’s hand, and said softly, "Father, I was worried about your safety, so I called Hardy over from Los Angeles." Hardy also walked to the bedside, touching the old godfather’s hand, "Mr. Vito, I believe you will get better. Don’t worry about Michael. I will do my best to help him, and this crisis will pass." It was unclear if the old godfather heard Hardy’s words. The old godfather’s eyelids seemed to move a little. Hardy left Leo’s combat squad to guard the hospital and requested a room next to the old godfather’s ward. With Leo’s squad there, even if the other side sent thirty or forty people to storm the hospital, there would be no problem holding the enemy off. The squad leader in charge of the hospital was somewhat surprised. "Michael, who are these people?" "They are security personnel from my company. I asked them to stay and protect my father," Michael said. "We are enough here," the squad leader said. "This is my act of filial piety. I hope you understand. I will talk to my brother about it. More people means more safety. You can also take turns resting, and they are professional security personnel." Michael’s attitude was very firm. The squad leader opened his mouth but said nothing. Although Michael had not been involved in the Corleone family’s affairs before, he was, after all, a member of the Corleone family. After arranging the rear guard, Hardy was half at ease. The rest was the offensive. Hardy asked Michael to provide people familiar with the local environment and the situation of the other four families in New York. Michael didn’t have suitable personnel for the moment. He had always rejected the family business before, unwilling to get involved in gang affairs, wanting to be a proper businessman and politician. Now, with the sudden change in the family, he suddenly felt he had too little power in his hands. He realized that he had indeed been somewhat immature before. "Hardy, do you think it’s appropriate for me to borrow people from the family? Will it affect you?" Michael asked. "There will always be contact. Who are you planning to borrow people from?" Hardy asked. "Uncle Clemenza. He is one of my father’s legion commanders and controls half of the family’s power. I have a good relationship with him. Last time, when we dealt with that singer, I asked for his help," Michael said. The image of the Italian fat man immediately appeared in Hardy’s mind. At the party, dancing a few steps would leave him panting and sweating, but such a person was one of the most powerful in the Corleone family. The Corleone family had two legion commanders: Clemenza and Tessio. Hardy remembered that Tessio eventually betrayed the new godfather, Michael, while Clemenza remained loyal. "You can borrow people from Clemenza, but you must tell him to keep this matter confidential for now. I suspect that your family is not stable internally. If what we do is leaked, it will affect future actions," Hardy said. "I understand. I will call Uncle Clemenza now," Michael said. Clemenza was still at the Corleone family estate, where Sonny was discussing how to retaliate. The consigliere, Tom, was always against it, while Tessio remained silent. Clemenza glanced at everyone and had already sensed a subtle atmosphere within the family. When the old godfather was around, he suppressed everyone. Now that the old godfather was seriously injured, many people had their own thoughts. Sonny was too eager for revenge, either out of love for his father or maybe trying to establish his position in the Corleone family. Tom was captured by Sollozzo before. Did they reach some agreement in private? Why did the usual ruthless and strong Tessio remain silent this time? What was his intention? Clemenza suddenly felt that the Corleone family was in a precarious situation. If this matter was not handled well, the Corleone family could face the risk of destruction. The main disappointment was Sonny. He was too blatant in his power struggle, clearly fearing Tom’s rise, which made him anxious for revenge. Tom was the family consigliere and the godfather’s adopted son. According to mafia family traditions, if something happened to the godfather, the second in command or consigliere usually handled family affairs. Tom had a strong chance of vying for the new godfather position. "Ring ring ring~!" At this moment, the telephone in the living room began to ring. A subordinate answered the phone. After a while, he came to the study, "Clemenza, it’s a call for you from Michael." Hearing it was a call from Michael, the others didn’t pay much attention and continued discussing. Clemenza struggled to get up from the sofa armrest, walked to the living room, and answered the phone. "This is Clemenza .... Yeah, yeah, okay, I got it."

Chapter 165 - 166 The Corleone Family Power Struggle

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