Trafford's Trading Club

780: Chapter 24: The Opposite of Beauty 780: Chapter 24: The Opposite of Beauty Fates intertwine here, between people, among all beings.

The face of evil. … …

The root of chaos stems from death—though in this country, death is no stranger.

Yet true death seems far away from the doors of the rich.

They are well protected, even the law serves them.

Convenience, comfort, privilege… they manipulate all these advantages, yet never imagined that one day, death would appear so close.

The one with crimson blood flowing down the chest should be the famous Conductor, someone who might be considered a national treasure in some ordinary countries?

Such a dazzling life has disappeared just like that.

The Conductor’s life ended on the stage, abruptly at the peak of the orchestral movement, truly entombing himself within a great symphony.

But clearly, the audience at this moment was not willing to sing praises to this renowned Conductor’s deeds—shouldn’t they be more concerned about the situation on site?

They have been kidnapped.

So, what exactly were those police officers doing, who had arrived early before the concert started, especially the police chief known as the “Greedy Pig of Tanlang”?

This guy, who is only good at devouring national assets to the maximum extent, is he now at the point where he is utterly useless and can be abandoned… An elderly man sitting steadily in the highest VIP box was now glaring severely at the accompanying “Greedy Fat Pig.”

Chief Jose felt truly wronged because, to ensure safety here, he had started deploying personnel from morning onwards, and every guest entering the theater had to go through several checks before confirming their identity to get in.

As for the theater’s staff, each one had been thoroughly investigated… how did the culprits get in?

Even if they managed to get in, they actually brought in weapons and, right under everyone’s eyes, shot a Conductor dead—during such an international exchange event.

Though such exchange events are held with various names throughout the year—the key is that even if it’s a formalized exchange activity, it inherently represents communication between countries.

Chief Jose never thought of going further, closer to the center of this country’s power.

He felt it was enough just to hold the current position, wait for retirement, and then be a wealthy man in western countries.

Yet after this incident, he fears that besides the nickname “Greedy Fat Pig,” he will be labeled with the words “incompetent.” “Mr.

Senate Speaker, please believe me!

I will ensure your safety and quickly control the situation at the scene!” Jose stared in terror at the old man filled with anger in his eyes — this old man held great power, able to make him step down with a word! “I hope so, Jose.” The Senate Speaker said in a deep voice: “After all, I don’t want to lose a colleague either.”

Jose wiped his sweat, nodding in a panicked manner, “Rest assured, to ensure order at this venue, I’ve deployed my most elite subordinates.

They must already be aware of the situation at the scene, and I believe they’ll shortly capture this lawless group of people.”

The Senate Speaker snorted coldly.

Compared to promises like this, he preferred to see substantial results — perhaps Jose’s prayers worked, as the VIP box door opened the next moment.

Several well-equipped, uniformed police officers quickly stepped in.

Jose silently praised God — these guys were incredibly capable, appearing right after he finished speaking!

Now, maybe the Senate Speaker could calm down a bit?

The “Greedy Fat Pig” was already planning to reward these ‘elites’ who rushed to him and the Senate Speaker as soon as he got back. “Mr.

Senate Speaker, look, this is the UPP squad, for safety concerns, I’ve deployed a team since this morning!” Jose said proudly.

The Senate Speaker was evidently aware of the UPP squad — because, years ago, to safely host a world-class sports event, this country had put a lot of effort into eradicating forces within many slums, controlling these crime areas.

The forces that completed this significant operation were the UPP Squad.

Compared to Jose’s pride, the Senate Speaker just calmly nodded, then looked at Jose: “Mr.

Jose, hope you can quickly control the situation, I don’t wish to see any more life losses tonight, you know, many guests present are friendly figures to our country.” “Absolutely, absolutely!” Jose nodded hurriedly and then moved his several hundred pounds body to the well-armed men, saying in a coarse voice: “How many of you are in here?

Have you controlled the culprits’ position?

Who is your leader?

Get him to meet me quickly!” “Okay, he’ll come to see you shortly.” The leading man showed his very white teeth, smiling at Jose, “After all, having you fat pig walk over would really take too much time.” “Hmm, coming right away?

Good…” Jose nodded in satisfaction, but suddenly his face froze… what did he hear?

This guy actually dared to call him a fat pig?

Yet before Jose had time to get angry, a hard kick landed on his abdomen — it seemed to target his spleen explosively, Jose fell to the ground, letting out a wretched scream, “You… you dare to touch me?

Are you rebelling?” “Seems like you haven’t figured out the situation.” The man who had acted directly let out a cold laugh, then pulled out a gun, pointing it at Jose: “I really don’t understand how an idiot like you managed to hold the current position.” “You… you are the kidnapping thugs!” Jose’s face suddenly turned in shock, finally realizing that the UPP personnel had been swapped — he finally understood how the gangsters got in easily!

No matter how airtight your defenses are, they cannot fend off internal harm — from the start, people had already infiltrated his personnel!

The gun was pushed against Jose’s forehead.

The “Greedy Fat Pig” now fearfully raised his hands, pleading: “Don’t kill me, I’m just a nobody…” “I surely know you are just a controlled nobody.” The gun-wielding man sneered: “However, I really wonder if your fat can stop my bullet to save your life… I truly want to find out!” “Save me…” Jose instinctively looked at the elder Senate Speaker, begging desperately.

The elderly man regarded Jose with eyes like looking at a dead man.

Having weathered many storms, he sat on one of the nation’s power throes, and now amidst danger, he still maintained his calmness.

The Senate Speaker said indifferently: “Killing him will do you no good, regardless of who you are, I don’t wish to see any further casualties tonight.

Since you claim it’s a kidnapping, what are the conditions?” “There are not many, just two.”

Coldly, a swift voice came from behind the several well-uniformed UPP officers.

Following this, they made way, letting a man clad in the same uniform stride in.

The stubble covered face looked extremely rugged, yet the soft, fine medium-length curly hair gave him a distinct delicacy…

The man appeared to be about thirty-five or thirty-six years old.

This man exuded a dangerous aura from head to toe—The Senate Speaker frowned; he disliked dealing with such heavily murderous individuals because people like them often didn’t follow conventional rules, and nothing in this world could regulate how they acted. “Oh?

Are you their leader?” The Senate Speaker, maintaining his composure, quickly glanced at the concert hall below.

He didn’t know when, but the exits of the concert hall had been taken over.

The fake police officers, dressed in UPP uniforms, were holding sharp weapons, aiming at the panic-stricken crowd, and on the stage, a group of orchestral musicians and choirs were holding their heads and walking off stage—under the threat of a few gunmen.

The situation was unexpectedly severe. “My name is Roger.” The man smiled slightly and then took a few steps closer.

Naturally, such a VIP box would offer a drink service, and Roger seemed interested in the wine on the table, but the way he drank was as rugged as the stubble on his face—after blowing a breath into the bottle, Roger burped, touched his lips, and continued, “Two conditions, withdraw all UPP troops from all the slums in Rio, and release a few people from prison.”

The Senate Speaker didn’t respond, instead quickly pondering the other party’s intentions.

But Roger didn’t let him have much time to consider, “Two conditions, if the first can’t be done, every ten minutes, I’ll kill one person below.

If the second can’t be done, every ten minutes, I’ll still kill one person below.” “What!” At this moment, the Senate Speaker was clearly caught off guard—hence, he hated dealing with such madmen.

He couldn’t help but frown, “Your demands, especially the first one, are not things I can immediately agree to!

You must understand, withdrawing the UPP troops requires congressional approval.

As for the second condition… who do you want to be released?”

Roger took another sip of wine, walked to the stands, overlooking the crowd below like sheep, “How lucky these people are.

I really want to see how these people look when they’re unfortunate…

So, let’s see who has the worse luck tonight?”

Saying this, Roger turned to the Senate Speaker, revealing a sinister smile.

Without even looking down, he pulled out a gun and casually fired a shot below.

The gunshot in the concert hall was like a thunderclap, immediately followed by screams from below.

However, seeing this, the Senate Speaker’s face turned pale…

This guy was a complete madman—he actually fired a shot into the crowd below without even looking? “It seems these guys all have good luck.” Roger glanced with regret, “Didn’t hit anyone, what a pity.

But next time I won’t fire so casually…

Senate Speaker, can you agree to my terms now?” “I can agree to your request, to release the people you want released.” The Senate Speaker gritted his teeth, “This is my sincerity!

But the first request is indeed not something I can order alone!

You’ve successfully threatened me, further brutality is no longer necessary, please let us find a peaceful path.”

Roger shrugged: “In one hour, I want to see these people appear in front of me…”

Roger listed several names… each one, in the eyes of the Senate Speaker, was a heinous person—those being asked for release were unexpectedly the leaders of some gangs captured by UPP during the “violent crackdown” a few years ago! “At the same time, I’ll also give you an hour, make sure to persuade everyone in the Senate.” Roger knocked on the stand with the handle of his gun, “Actually, my shooting is very accurate, if it’s not blind firing.”

No matter what, at least they could buy an hour of time.

The Senate Speaker hurriedly took out his phone… withdrawing the UPP troops was no joke—this was tantamount to handing control back to those unrestrained thugs… equivalent to the government bowing to these rioters!

But, there were also the hostages here… “By the way, recently there have been many murder cases, those were also your handiwork, right?” The Senate Speaker frowned and asked at this moment.

He didn’t really want an answer, just hoped to talk a bit more to perhaps gather more information…

Information would mean more negotiation leverage! “Is the incompetent government planning to pin the blame on us just because they can’t catch the real culprits?” Roger sneered coldly, “No worries, we don’t care about such accusations…

Also, Mr.

Senate Speaker, you have fifty-four minutes left.”

Having already taken hostages in an international exchange event, and with international friends among the hostages, it would inevitably cause diplomatic problems for the country.

This crime was already huge enough, in Roger’s view, a few lives were insignificant.

But… who exactly was behind assassinating those guys?

Gang leaders, parliament members, these dead guys seemed to have no connection. “I know!”

The old Speaker glared at Roger.

But… if they weren’t Roger’s men, then who was pushing these murder cases from behind?

Bang—!

The phone hadn’t even connected, and the Senate Speaker was suddenly startled.

Roger, appearing playful as before, blew gently on his gun barrel.

Of course, that gunshot just now came from Roger—this guy fired into the crowd once more! “Mr.

Roger!

You said you’d give me an hour!” The Senate Speaker was indignant, glaring back. “But I can’t just wait around bored for an hour, right?” Roger squinted, aiming his gun downwards again, moving constantly as if searching for a target.

Enjoying murder for fun.

Seeing this, the Senate Speaker dared not hesitate any longer.

As soon as the call connected, he barked, “This is Treffman!

Get the President on the phone!

Immediately!!” …

Black as ink, with no possibility of any other color mixing in.

Boss Luo’s gaze was concentrated in the direction of the higher-tier VIP box, murmuring to himself, “Though theoretically such a color would appear, it’s the first time I’ve seen it… pure malice.

In terms of quality, surprisingly high.”

All goodness, beauty, and jewel-like brilliance, naturally invaluable.

However, where there is light, there will be dark, the extremes of violence are naturally also extremely rare.

The opposite of beauty… is equally marvelous.