I got exams coming up, so these chapters will be the last upload for 2-3 weeks.
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Holding a glass of non-alcoholic drink, Ritsu stood off to the side near a corner, observing Jeff as he chatted with others. As a well-known producer, it was only natural that many people in the industry would try to build connections with him so the person he was meeting for a deal was most likely someone from the same circle.
For the first half hour, Jeff had been moving around the venue without doing anything suspicious and hadn't left either. But after thirty minutes, his patience for keeping up appearances wore thin. After giving a subtle signal to his assistant, a greasy, oily smile spread across his fleshy face.
"Sorry, I need to wash my hands. Let's talk about our cooperation later."
"Mr. Messina, I also wanna go to the bathroom."
Ritsu had initially thought Jeff would meet his contact alone but it turned out the brown-haired man who had been talking with him for about five minutes was the actual partner in the deal. From their conversation, Ritsu learned his name, George O'Brien.
Without drawing attention, Ritsu followed behind them, keeping a safe distance while pulling out his phone to look up information on the other party.
A quick search revealed that George O'Brien was the president of a well-known American transport company. It seemed likely they were using the automotive transport sector to move drugs.
Capture footage of the deal to use as leverage, wait until the money comes in, and then anonymously report them? On second thought, forget it. He wasn't FBI, CIA, or part of a narcotics task force, best not to risk getting exposed over something like that.
Clearly, this wasn't their first transaction. Perhaps previous deals had gone smoothly because this time, they didn't take many detours. After passing through two intersections, they headed straight to the backyard of their destination.
Leaning against a wall, Ritsu watched as the two well-dressed elites acted furtively beneath a plane tree. One of them pulled out a bag of white crystalline powder. Ritsu took out his phone, started recording in night mode, and made sure to mute the sound and turn off the flash.
"How about this? The goods this time are pretty good, right?"
"It can definitely sell at a good price."
What followed was discussion of how the transaction would proceed, but that didn't matter to Ritsu. He already had the footage he needed, his mission was complete.
Returning to the venue, he approached Vermouth, who was chatting with a woman with chestnut-colored long hair. To get back at her for teasing him earlier, he casually placed his left hand around her slender waist and leaned in from behind, whispering by her ear.
"Darling, what are you talking about?"
Vermouth clearly hadn't expected that move from Ritsu, but as an actress, she slipped into the role faster than he did. Leaning back boldly into his arms, she smiled seductively.
"Do you get jealous even when I'm talking to a woman? This is Sakemaki Aiko, Director Sakemaki's daughter."
Seeing the "lovey-dovey" display, Aiko said with mild annoyance, "Okay, okay, I know you two have a great relationship. Could you maybe tone it down in public? Anyway, I won't disturb your little world. I still need to entertain guests over there, so I'll be going."
"Take care, Miss Aiko."
Once no one else was around, Ritsu forced a smile and said stiffly, "How long are you planning to lean on me? Can I stand up straight now?"
Vermouth hooked her arm around his neck, preventing him from straightening up and forcing him to remain bent forward. At that moment, Ritsu deeply regretted ever provoking her, he had only ended up getting played himself.
"Since you took the initiative for once, I'm not letting go so easily."
"Vermouth, stop messing around. The mission's done, we can leave."
"That was quick. Fine, I'll let you off for now. Come on, let's go say goodbye to the director."
Her arm finally loosened from around his neck. After smoothing out the wrinkles in his suit, Ritsu followed Vermouth to bid farewell to Director Sakemaki, explaining that they had other matters to attend to.
Once inside the car, Vermouth checked the video on her phone. After confirming everything was in order, she copied the footage and said, "I'll hand this over to the U.S. operations team. Your mission is complete."
"Got it. Are we heading straight back to New York?"
"Let's drive to O'Hare International Airport. Or… do you want to come back to New York with me and stay the night?"
Without even turning his head, Ritsu could imagine the teasing smile on her face. He tore off the mask on his face with one hand and stared ahead expressionlessly.
"I'm not interested in you, so please stop joking around. Last time you had me pass a message to Gin, I almost got chewed out."
"Oh? Then are you interested in Sherry? I didn't expect that from you. She's only fourteen, you know."
"Where did you hear that nonsense? To me, Sherry is just a former colleague." Ritsu's expression darkened. "If anything, you're the one interested in her. She panicked so much just hearing your name that she dropped and shattered her glass."
He was curious about the relationship between Vermouth and Shiho. If it really had something to do with APTX4869, then it would confirm she had taken the prototype developed by the Miyano couple.
A faint smile flickered in Vermouth's aqua-green eyes. She touched her diamond earring and spoke slowly,
"When prey hears the hunter's gunshot, fear is only natural. Sooner or later, she'll become my trophy."
"Macallan, what do you think is the happiest moment for a hunter?"
Ritsu's grip on the steering wheel tightened. He hadn't expected Vermouth to want Shiho dead. That all but confirmed it, the drug created by the Miyanos had indeed been taken by her. Her body must have undergone some kind of change… perhaps even halting her aging.
But eternal youth was something many women desired, otherwise cosmetics and skincare wouldn't sell so well.
Then the prototype APTX4869 must have hidden side effects.
Catching onto that clue, Ritsu said in a low voice, "The spirit of a hunter is to enjoy the hunt itself. Driving prey into a corner or making it walk into your trap, that's the happiest moment, isn't it?"
"You really are to my taste."
The car slowly pulled into O'Hare International Airport. Unfastening his seatbelt, Ritsu glanced at the beautiful woman beside him, who always wore a smile.
"That's quite the honor."
"You did a great job on this mission. We'll meet again… Macallan."
"Drive carefully on your way back. I don't want to see news about Chris Vineyard after I land."
"Oh my~ then you should be careful too. Plane crashes aren't unheard of."
"Goodbye."
After watching Ritsu leave, Vermouth got out of the car and walked around to the driver's seat. Instead of getting in right away, she took out her phone and dialed a number.
A cat's meow came from the other end. Her expression turned serious, all traces of her smile gone as she spoke respectfully.
"Boss, he is indeed a very suitable candidate."
A hoarse, low voice echoed from the other end of the line, echoing in an empty space.
"He is a sharp blade we can make use of. We'll rely on him to quietly dismantle the small movements happening right under our noses. Vermouth, continue observing him for a while longer. Make sure he's not one of them."
"Yes, Boss."
After hanging up, Vermouth let out a long breath. The invisible pressure had finally lifted.