Chapter 14: Chapter 14 : Charity Fundraising Activities
Bonus Chapter - 200 Power Stones
Next Morning.
Westview Township Community Plaza.
At the moment, the time was only eight o'clock, and the square was already packed with a sea of people.
The crowd consisted of both locals and tourists from other places, and everyone's faces were filled with joy.
At the entrance directly in front of the square stood a circular arch with the words "Charitable Donations" written on it.
Numerous temporary booths were set up in the rear, offering a variety of entertainment facilities and food to those who participated in the charity fundraising activities.
"Finn, I really didn't expect Mr. Wilson Fisk to come to Westview Town for a fundraising event. He's a big shot in New York City," Josh said, his eyes fixed on a poster not far away.
The poster featured a tall, imposing figure with a sturdy build and sharp eyes that commanded respect.
"Wilson Fisk seems to be quite famous. A lot of people know him," Finn replied.
He had gotten up early that morning, which was unusual for him, as he typically preferred to sleep in.
However, the charity event near the community had piqued his interest, and he decided to join in the fun.
What surprised him even more was that Josh, who usually slept until noon, had also woken up early to participate in the event.
It seemed that Finn had slightly underestimated Wilson Fisk's influence.
"Finn, he's a huge deal. He's donated countless amounts of money, his company has driven the state's economic development, and he's considered a perfect role model," Josh explained excitedly.
"I see," Finn said, nodding. He was a little surprised, but it made sense.
Wilson Fisk, also known as the Kingpin, was a man who operated in both the legitimate and illegitimate worlds.
His power and influence were vast, and he had the ability to manipulate situations to his advantage without fear of repercussions.
"He doesn't look very nice," Wanda, who was standing next to Finn, said slowly as she glanced at the poster.
She had just returned from out of town and happened to be in time for the charity event.
Having lived in poverty for most of her life, she was eager to participate in the fundraising activities.
Helping others always made her feel better.
"Appearances can be deceiving. You can't judge someone just by how they look," a passerby interjected, clearly displeased with Wanda's comment.
Other passersby also showed their disapproval.
It was evident that most of the people present held Wilson Fisk in high regard. Many had come to the charity event specifically because of his involvement.
Otherwise, who would care about a small, remote town like Westview?
"Sorry, my friend misspoke," Finn said with an apologetic smile, quickly steering Wanda away from the crowd.
The glares from the onlookers were intense, and it was clear that Wilson Fisk's reputation had been carefully cultivated to inspire awe and respect.
"Finn, my intuition has always been accurate," Wanda added, her voice tinged with frustration.
As a wielder of Chaos Magic, she had the ability to sense the true nature of people, and her instincts told her that Wilson Fisk was not the benevolent figure he appeared to be.
"You should be careful with your words. Mr. Fisk has a lot of influence," Josh muttered under his breath, clearly uncomfortable with Wanda's criticism.
Then, his eyes lit up as he exclaimed, "He's coming!"
"It really is him..." Finn said, following Josh's gaze. Over the heads of the crowd, he could see the central stage, where a tall, imposing figure stood.
Wilson Fisk was not just an ordinary man; his presence commanded attention. He moved with authority, each step exuding power and confidence.
Wilson Fisk, the philanthropist, the entrepreneur, and the undisputed kingpin of New York's underworld, had arrived.
As soon as Fisk stepped onto the stage, the crowd erupted into applause and cheers. Josh joined in, clapping enthusiastically.
"Sharp," Finn muttered under his breath. Wilson Fisk's skills in manipulation and control were top-notch, even among the most powerful figures in New York.
He had mastered the art of balancing his public persona as a philanthropist with his darker, more sinister activities.
"You think he's great?" Wanda asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"No, I mean he's very good at manipulating people. This guy is not a good person," Finn clarified, realizing that Wanda had misunderstood his comment.
"Um," Wanda nodded in agreement. "When Pietro and I were living on the streets, the gang leaders we encountered gave off the same vibe as Wilson Fisk on that stage."
At the mention of her brother, Wanda's expression darkened. Pietro, also known as Quicksilver, had been her twin brother.
They had fled their war-torn homeland together, only to be caught up in HYDRA's experiments, which granted them extraordinary powers.
However, Pietro had lost his life during the battle in Sokovia, struck down in a hail of bullets.
"Let the past behind," Finn said gently, trying to comfort her.
"It turns out you're all here. I thought everyone was on vacation," a voice interrupted. Agatha Harkness approached from behind, looking slightly disheveled.
Her eyes were shadowed with fatigue, and she cradled a rabbit in her arms. The rabbit's red eyes were fixed intently on Finn.
"Aunt Agnes, does your rabbit like me? It keeps staring at me," Finn said, reaching out to rub the rabbit's head. The creature squeaked in protest, clearly uncomfortable.
"Scratchy doesn't take well to strangers," Agatha replied, pulling the rabbit closer to her chest.
"Sorry, I just have a soft spot for animals," Finn said with a sheepish smile, though his thoughts drifted to how much he enjoyed braised rabbit dishes.
The rabbit, sensing Finn's less-than-friendly thoughts, shrank further into Agatha's arms.
Agatha, however, seemed more preoccupied with her own concerns. "I didn't sleep well last night because of what happened yesterday," she admitted.
In truth, Agatha had spent the entire night searching for the source of the dark magic she had sensed.
She was convinced that another sorcerer was hiding in Westview, but her efforts had been in vain. Whoever it was, they were exceptionally skilled at concealing their presence.
"I'll make sure to tighten security to prevent anything like that from happening again," Finn assured her, though his mind was already elsewhere.
At that moment, Wilson Fisk's speech was drawing to a close. The crowd erupted into applause once more, and even Josh was visibly impressed.
"Mr. Fisk's speech was incredible," Josh said, his admiration evident.
But just as the applause began to die down, an unexpected disturbance erupted.
Several cars approached the square at high speed. The lead car suddenly accelerated, careening out of control like a boulder hurtling down a mountainside.
"Look out!" Finn shouted, grabbing Wanda and pulling her aside. Agatha and Josh quickly followed suit.
In an instant, the car plowed into the square, sending people scattering in all directions.
The windows of the car rolled down, revealing several gunmen with weapons trained on the crowd.
Before anyone could react, the gunmen opened fire.
**Boom! Boom! Boom!**
The sound of gunfire echoed through the square as bullets rained down on the panicked crowd.
The once festive atmosphere was shattered, replaced by chaos and fear. People screamed and ran for cover, their faces etched with terror.
The sudden violence had turned the charity event into a scene of utter pandemonium.
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