Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 793: Chapter 37: Queen in the Black Night

“Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

Raised wine glasses clinked lightly together, emitting a crisp sound, as the room filled with the aroma of liquor. Oni casually lit a cigar and sat down comfortably, taking a puff, “Haha, we finished off Poway in the end.”

Lluvia said, “It’s not over until we get back safely, don’t get too happy too soon.”

Oni dismissed her concern, “From the beginning with Neymar to the end with Poway, these concentrated assassinations will surely drive the police crazy trying to find a connection. But in reality, the only connection between these killings is that they are all our masterpieces. The incompetent cops wouldn’t imagine that our targets were commissioned by different clients. It’s just that they were all strategized together and executed all at once.”

Lluvia instinctively glanced at the silhouette by the floor-to-ceiling window. Song Haoran was gazing at the City of God — before leaving the base, the strategist said: having accumulated so many commissions, it’s finally time that these people are all in one place; let’s deal with them all at once. Only by arranging the time reasonably can I indulge in my holidays.

Lluvia put down her glass and said, “However, Poway’s influence is too great, and he was always cautious in his travels. If it weren’t for everyone letting their guard down after this hostage situation, I’m afraid we wouldn’t have had such an easy shot.”

Oni scoffed, “Before the hostage situation even began, I had already locked down that old man. He was a tough one to take out, and we only managed to catch him because he appeared at such a public event this time.”

Lluvia shook her head, unwilling to say more to Oni, this arrogant guy, “Strategist, tomorrow morning each major station will likely conduct strict checks. Shall we book tickets for the first train out?”

Leaving immediately after the mission is completed without lingering was always the style of Iris.

However, Song Haoran suddenly said, “I’m not going back yet.”

“Strategist?”

Song Haoran turned around, smiling slightly, “I want to have a meal first and then leave.”

Lluvia was puzzled, “Strategist, you’re talking about the young Chinese man you met at the theater?”

Song Haoran unexpectedly said, “Do you think he resembles the old man in his younger days, at least in the eyebrows and nose?”

He took a note with an address out of his clothes, squinting as though in thought, and suddenly said, “Let’s have lunch?”

…

…

“The place is a bit small, but staying for one night should be fine… although it’s quite hot.”

It’s more than just small; there was even a strange odor. But for someone like Livia, who lacked any domestic skills, getting it tidy to this extent was already astonishing.

Caroline could only shake her head, “Doesn’t matter, I’m only staying for one night anyway.”

Should she perhaps not have agreed with Livia? Maybe just finding a motel outside would have been a better choice, surely not to save those few bucks.

Clearly, she had a huge sum of money on hand… though she dared not spend it recklessly for the moment.

Maybe, it was her deep-seated thrifty nature at play? Caroline couldn’t help but chuckle self-deprecatingly and then asked Livia, “How did you explain it to your man? I mean, Anu? Anù?”

“Arno!” Livia rolled her eyes at Caroline, then quietly said, “I told him you’re my colleague, you have an early thing tomorrow, so I brought you here to stay for the night, he didn’t say much, don’t worry… he doesn’t know about us, so don’t spill the beans!”

Caroline shook her head, also not too pleased, “Are you a love-believing fool?”

Livia replied wistfully, “Caroline, for people like us, how many chances do we get like this? The future… we’ll see about the future.”

Livia was the live-by-the-day type.

“I’m a bit tired, go keep your Arno company.” Caroline sighed, ushering Livia out of this small storeroom, and then admonished, “I’m really tired tonight, so please keep it ladylike when you’re doing your thing.”

“Don’t worry about that~”

Closing the storeroom door, the space immediately turned into a nearly sealed-off small area with just a single window. The sweltering summer heat made Caroline break into a light sweat.

It was an old house, with poor soundproofing. Caroline could even hear Livia and her boyfriend Arno talking in the next room.

She sighed, the sleeping conditions were obviously poor, reminding Caroline of when she lived at the repair shop of her foster father’s home as a child.

Soon, Caroline started hearing Livia’s familiar yet suppressed moans. This passionate couple clearly had no idea how loud the bed’s noises were, did they?

Perhaps too exhausted, Caroline, even so, drifted into sleep in her drowsy state.

In the middle of the night, Caroline woke up from the heat. But by then, she couldn’t hear Livia and her boyfriend Arno anymore, presumably because they were done and had fallen asleep?

Caroline quietly opened the door. She intended to take a cold shower, and then… maybe the leather sofa in the living room, even if torn, would be more comfortable — at least the living room wasn’t as hot.

As soon as it was light, she’d leave; just send Livia a message afterwards — sitting on the sofa after the shower, Caroline switched on a fan that blew with a slight coolness, slowly getting a bit more comfortable.

Unknowingly, she fell asleep again right there.

…

…

The area was filled with dizzying lights, explosive sound systems, and people wildly swaying — Train Chief Cage dumbly watched the place.

He knew here was a bar, no doubt — but he didn’t anticipate that Bucky would bring him to such a bar.

To hide, isn’t it usually in a secluded place? But quickly, Cage felt there must be a reason why Bucky didn’t go to Warden Markem’s designated place and came here.

“I get it, Boss Bucky, they say the best hiding is in plain sight! It’s crowded and chaotic here, and those guys wouldn’t expect you to be so bold, still daring to come to nightlife spots now! Am I right!” Cage looked at Bucky with admiration, worthy of being a legendary leader, such courage is indeed…

Bucky glanced at Cage indifferently, debating whether to tell this fool that this place was one of his properties… just under another identity.

But Cage’s driving skills were indeed amazing, managing to shake off several cop cars with such a heavy prison van — of course, that prisoner van had long been discarded somewhere else.

Later, Cage bought two suits from a clothing store; after changing into them, they came straight here.

Strictly speaking, this bar has its own owner, but Bucky was a financial backer — as for the bar’s profits, over the years, Bucky hadn’t taken a penny.

“Flaming Red Lips!” Cage slapped his head at this moment, “I remember now, Flaming Red Lips! Isn’t it a famous spot on Ninth Avenue? Rumor has it the owner of Flaming Red Lips Bar is a stunning beauty, incredibly captivating, but unfortunately, a rose with thorns; never heard of anyone winning her over. According to gossip, a famous soccer player sent three trucks of red roses just to have a meal with the beautiful owner and was refused.”

“Cage, stay here, if I don’t come back, you don’t need to leave.” Bucky directly escorted Cage to a private room.

Then, Bucky went straight into the no-entry area of the bar, which was generally used for offices, essentially the bar’s basement.

He walked down a long corridor, coming to a door.

Two sturdy men wearing wrestling masks, clad only in leather pants, stood in front as if guarding like towers paused their gaze only briefly when Bucky approached.

“After all, I’m the investor here, right…” Bucky muttered softly, the gaze of the two muscular men moved again, as if they were treating Bucky as air.

“Is Lucifer around? I have some business with her…” Bucky had no choice but to ask helplessly.

“Her Majesty the Queen is resting and won’t see outsiders,” one of the muscular men said calmly.

“After all, I’m the investor here…”

“Her Majesty the Queen is resting and won’t see outsiders.” The same answer was given by the other muscular man.

Bucky swallowed, remembering the scene where one of these men had mercilessly twisted the head of a South American lion, so he weakly said, “Then I’ll wait until she’s done resting.”

The two muscular men closed their eyes, ignoring Bucky.

Bucky leaned against the nearby wall, as if resting. He looked at the door guarded by these two musclemen—every time he saw this door, Bucky felt a deep sense of fear and cold seep from his heart.

The door was entirely black, adorned with countless carvings depicting demons… it was like the gateway to Hell.

Lucifer… a woman with a very mysterious background. Bucky admitted that in his entire life, he had never met any woman who could evoke all the desires hidden deep within a man’s heart like Lucifer could.

With just a glance, she could drive men completely insane.

Like a truly walking witch… an ageless witch.

At least, since Bucky met her twenty years ago, she has maintained that youthful appearance. Bucky truly did not know what origins Lucifer had; he only knew that within the Flaming Red Lips Bar, there were two kinds of employees.

One type served the customers inside, hired from outside. The other type was brought by Lucifer herself—and every one of them referred to her as Her Majesty the Queen.

For various reasons, Bucky and Lucifer had formed a special relationship. He provided all the funds for Lucifer’s activities, while she resolved many matters.

Bucky was well aware of his worth.

The rumor among outsiders about the legendary villain, the numerous sensational events from years ago, the high-risk missions completed during his time at the Imperial Command, were all actually achieved thanks to Lucifer’s power…

Crack—!

His reminiscences were interrupted by the sound of a door opening, and Bucky looked over to see a seductive woman in a black dress appear. Her skin was pale and bloodless, as white as a sick person, with long wavy hair cascading down to her waist.

Her face had a faint blush, seemingly some lingering charm that added a unique allure to her.

Yet Bucky dared not look at her for long, knowing this woman was Lucifer’s constant companion and the most favored by her—yes, favored was correct.

Lucifer had never hidden from him the fact that she was a lesbian.

Her so-called rest was probably indulging in something delightful.

“Miss Charlotte, long time no see,” Bucky greeted with his head down, avoiding eye contact with the woman… she was the Queen’s favored one.

“Indeed, it’s been quite a while, little Bucky,” the woman smiled softly, her voice like rippling water, making one’s bones seem to tingle.

Nevertheless, even so, Lucifer inside the room was far more formidable than Charlotte, this little attraction had yet to bewitch Bucky.

“I want to see Lucifer,” Bucky took a deep breath and said.

“The old rules.” Charlotte nodded.

Bucky shrugged, then the two musclemen guarding the door took out a black satin ribbon, blindfolding Bucky and blocking all his sight.

After this, Bucky felt the door, and followed Charlotte into the room.

A unique fragrance permeated the room, and Bucky stopped about ten steps in—a limit he deeply understood, knowing that this woman named Lucifer actually hated male presence—those two muscular guardians might appear robust, but they were actually eunuchs.

“Bucky, what’s the matter? Aren’t you doing quite well in prison, preparing to live recklessly till the end?”

A voice echoed from deep within his heart, even though he couldn’t see, just hearing it made Bucky want to rip the black satin from his face and rush forward.

If not for a special contract with this woman, it might have already happened… Bucky took a deep breath and slowly said, “Lucifer, how many wishes do I have left?”

“Three in total, you’ve already used one real wish.” The woman’s voice rose again, as if smiling, “Little Bucky, are you finally willing to use your second wish?”

Bucky shook his head, “No, I just want to confirm. You know, every time I want to confirm. Because I’m afraid if I don’t, maybe you’ll swallow me without noticing.”

“Then what did you come to ask?”

“Lucifer, there’s something I want to ask,” Bucky said, “Have you ever seen a blue potion, after injection, causing a person’s body to mutate, even turning their blood blue, muscles swell, and seeming impervious to pain?”

“Where did you see such a thing?” Charlotte spoke this time.

Bucky did not hide, simply recounting the events earlier at the theater, and once again describing Roger’s appearance during his mutation in detail.

After listening, the room fell silent for a while, finally Charlotte’s voice broke the silence, “This should be a type of new potion called ‘Heavenly Tears’… or rather a new drug that has emerged among some wealthy circles in recent years. But from your description of Roger, it seems he used the purest form of ‘Heavenly Tears.’ Too bad he got killed, otherwise we might have understood how much it could enhance his physical strength. The shooter sure doesn’t know how to play.”

Ghost… such a dangerous thing, of course better off just killing immediately… thinking back on Roger’s terrifying form, Bucky was still slightly terrified.

Bucky continued speaking, time slowly passed, about half an hour later, he left the room.

As for what he actually talked about with Lucifer, only the parties involved would know.

The black door adorned with carvings slowly shut, Charlotte walked on the black velvet carpet, arriving at a large sofa—a woman wearing only light sheer clothes was lying languidly on it, holding a long tobacco pipe, gently puffing.

Charlotte knelt before the sofa, then leaned into the woman’s arms, closing her eyes, quiet as a house cat.

“Staying in this Mortal World has become increasingly boring.”

“Heading back… to the Demon Realm.” Charlotte murmured.

“What for?” The woman smoking the long pipe… Lucifer extended a hand to stroke Charlotte’s skin like smooth jade.

Charlotte murmured again, “But this is the City of God… beneath God’s watchful eye.”

“It’s blind.” Lucifer lowered her head, directly kissing Charlotte’s lips.

Tongues… intertwined wetly.

“Didn’t we just… mm… mmm ah~”