Chapter 57: Mandy reacts differently than William expected
"What?"
Mandy's arms were still wrapped tightly around William, not loosening even an inch.
She looked at him with a faint smile — almost serene.
"I have other women."
William lit a cigarette as he spoke, then waited for her response.
Just as expected, the moment the words left his mouth, Mandy's embrace trembled.
But she didn't back away.
"So?" Her voice dropped. "Does that mean… this was a one-time thing?"
There was disappointment — but no accusation, no tears, no rage.
William studied her with mild surprise.
He had originally assumed she would explode into the terrifying "pure-love warrior" mode — demanding exclusivity, demanding he only belong to her.
That assumption now felt naive.
In the show, Mandy behaved that way with Lip because they were equals — two kids from the same slum, same level, same hopeless reality.
But William… arrived in front of her driving a BMW, speaking about business deals and money she couldn't even imagine.
To Mandy, he wasn't "someone like her."
People instinctively fear strength.
Only a tiny fraction of humans dare to challenge someone stronger than themselves — and most of those rare cases live in psychiatric wards.
So Mandy didn't flip the table.
She didn't demand devotion.
She did the one thing she felt she could do — withdraw, and make room.
"Whether this is a one-time thing depends on you," William replied. "Like I said — you deserve better.
Even if you don't want… this kind of relationship, you'll still have a place under me."
He stroked her head gently — almost paternal.
Mandy slowly released her hold, but immediately caught the hand he was using to touch her hair.
Then she pressed her cheek against his palm, nuzzling it like a kitten seeking reassurance.
"Will you ever… not want me anymore?"
The insecurity in her voice was naked — raw.
William hadn't expected this side of her.
He had expected obsessive possessiveness.
Instead, he got anxious fragility.
But for him, this was even more ideal.
"As long as you still want to stay," William said quietly, "I have no reason to send you away."
Open relationships weren't as openly celebrated in early-2000s America as they would be later —
but they existed.
Mandy wasn't offended by the idea.
She just didn't want to be discarded.
Hearing his answer, Mandy's lips slowly curved upward.
She took the cigarette from William's mouth, drew in a breath of smoke…
…and leaned close again.
___
Mandy took a slow drag from the cigarette she snatched earlier.
"So who's the other woman? My boss?"
She didn't answer his earlier question — but the implication was painfully clear.
"Svetlana? No. I'm not interested in her at all."
This time it wasn't a diplomatic lie. William truly had no romantic interest in the Russian woman.
Even if the system later gave him a mission involving her, it would, at most, end in a one-night stand.
Svetlana was too clear-headed.
She would never lose herself over a relationship. She was the type who could smile, love, live in a three-way marriage — yet always keep full control of her life.
Even in the show, when she built a family with Kevin and V, despite the laughter and happiness, she never fell into dependence.
She even took advantage of how gullible Americans could be and managed to seize ownership of the Alibi bar.
Even though Kevin and V later got her deported for being an undocumented immigrant, her ruthless intelligence never faded.
A woman like that? Useful as a subordinate, yes.
But absolutely not suited to be part of his inner circle.
Once William finished his gun-running quest, that would be when Svetlana was quietly "relocated."
"Then why have her handling the gun business? If everything blows up, you won't walk away clean either."
That was pure love-brain behavior — she had barely slept with him and she was already calculating risks for him.
"Well," William exhaled a thin stream of smoke, "I'm not actually involved in the trade chain. When the time comes, all I need to do is make sure Svetlana keeps her mouth shut."
Seeing Mandy worry about him warmed his ego — the tool was shaping up beautifully.
"Why not get rid of her and let me take over? I can move guns through the Milkovich network. Safer.
And even if something goes wrong, I would never betray you."
And she meant it.
William believed her without hesitation.
But the mission wasn't tied to Mandy.
He needed an excuse.
"Mandy, listen. Svetlana's position is dangerous.
The reason I want you working for me… actually has another purpose."
She tilted her head slightly, curious. "What purpose?"
"I need you to keep an eye on Svetlana. She's not simple — and she's not obedient.
Do you understand?
I need you to watch her. Any suspicious movement, you report to me first."
Mandy still didn't understand. "Then just let me replace her. Why go through all this?"
"Mandy, listen carefully. Her position is dangerous. I don't want you getting hurt for my sake.
If something goes wrong, Svetlana is expendable. You are not."
He looked at her with the affectionate gaze of a man who cherishes his people.
Of course, it was 100% calculated manipulation.
The real reason was simply that the system mission was bound to Svetlana.
But nothing stopped him from using it to deepen Mandy's loyalty.
And just as expected — her eyes immediately trembled.
She threw her arms around him, hugging him like she wanted to give him everything.
"I'll do it. I'll keep a close watch on her."
Short sentence.
But in her heart, the decision had already crystallized:
If Svetlana ever betrayed William… Mandy would kill her without hesitation.
---
Meanwhile-
At the Probate Certification Office, two uniformed security guards stood at the entrance.
Bulletproof vests. Glocks on their belts. No joking around.
T-Bag's pickup sat in the lot.
He stared at the guards from afar.
"Listen, Frank. We're at the final step now. I don't want any… surprises between us.
Understand?"
He grabbed Frank by the throat, whispering in his ear with that sick, predatory tone.
"O-of course. I wouldn't do anything stupid. Once I pay back your six grand, I'll still have plenty left.
If I piss you off, I'll never live long enough to enjoy it.
I may be an idiot, but not that stupid. Trust me."
T-Bag observed his face, his expression, every twitch — still smiling that unsettling smile.
"Good. Go on. And you'd better keep your word."
He shoved Frank forward.
Frank didn't get angry.
He even forced a polite smile as he continued walking toward the office.
But the moment he turned around — out of T-Bag's sight — every trace of flattery disappeared from his face.
Calm.
Hostile.
Scheming.
"You want my money? Dream on."
---