Note: if you want to get access to +10 Advance Chapters before everyone else and help me Translate More Chapters For You join my patreon.com/flokixy
In a members-only bar in New York City.
The bar was sparsely populated. The bartender was wiping glasses, while the security personnel lounged lazily on a sofa, idly watching a few people playing pool nearby.
The door of the bar swung open, and a beautiful woman with long silver-gold hair, a tall stature, and an alluring figure walked in.
The people inside instinctively glanced at the newcomer before turning their attention back to what they were doing.
This place was one of the Black Organization's secret bases. On the surface, it appeared to be a members-only bar, but in reality, it was one of their meeting spots in the metropolis.
At the bar sat a cold-tempered man dressed in black, his long hair flowing down as he sipped his drink. Beside him stood a burly, muscular man.
Vodka, upon recognizing the newcomer as Vermouth, quickly averted his gaze, pretending not to notice her presence.
Vermouth approached and took a seat next to Gin, instinctively about to order her usual drink.
However, recalling the cocktail that Fujiwara Toru had mentioned earlier, she absentmindedly said, "Three-quarters absinthe, one-quarter sherry, and a drop of orange-flavored liqueur."
Vermouth slightly altered the recipe, reducing the proportion of sherry from three-quarters to one-quarter and increasing the ratio of absinthe instead.
"Very well, please wait a moment."
Although the bartender hadn't prepared such a drink before, it didn't sound difficult. He picked up the cocktail shaker and got to work.
Gin glanced at Vermouth beside him, his brow furrowing slightly. "That's not your usual drink," he remarked.
Vermouth pulled out a slim cigarette, lit it, and exhaled a puff of smoke. Holding the cigarette between her slender fingers, she replied, "Sometimes I want to try something new."
Gin's emotionless gaze lingered on Vermouth, and suddenly he asked, "You seem unusually happy today?"
Vermouth felt a chill run down her spine. She knew that Gin was extremely perceptive; even the slightest change in someone's emotions wouldn't escape his notice. It was this ability that allowed him to uncover moles within the organization, preventing the leakage of critical information.
She realized that Gin now harbored suspicions about her. The smile that had been lingering on her face disappeared, and she reverted to her usual mysterious and aloof demeanor.
"My mood is good right now. Isn't that what you're used to seeing?"
Gin didn't dwell on the coldness in her words. He thought of how Vermouth was known as the "Thousand-Faced Witch," and her ever-changing aura was nothing unusual.
Perhaps he had been overly suspicious. Vermouth had a close relationship with "That Man," so betrayal seemed unlikely.
He turned his gaze away, took a sip of his drink, and said, "The person who betrayed you has been found. As expected, it was a Mossad mole."
"Dealt with?"
"A pointless question."
Vermouth thought it over and realized Gin was indeed an expert at handling traitors. He would have made sure the job was clean.
"If we've found one cockroach, there are bound to be more. You'll need to conduct a thorough cleanup, Gin."
Vermouth accepted the cocktail from the bartender and took a sip. To be honest, it wasn't particularly delicious, but since it was based on the recipe Fujiwara Toru had mentioned, she forced herself to continue drinking it.
Maybe the proportions were off?
"I'll handle those matters. But in a few days, I'll be heading to Japan."
Gin spoke in his usual cold tone.
"About Sherry?"
Vermouth raised a delicate eyebrow, making no effort to hide her disdain when mentioning Sherry.
"Yes. The Boss cares deeply about the progress of the drug development, which has recently slowed. Sherry has become increasingly defiant. I need to keep an eye on her in Japan. Ah, Sherry… Heh heh heh…"
Gin's eyes grew colder, revealing a twisted smile.
"Now that you've cleaned up the traitor, I'll take my leave."
Vermouth finished her drink in one gulp. She had come here solely to confirm intelligence with Gin.
Now that she had confirmed it, there was no reason to stay any longer. She wanted to hurry back to see her "boy." This woman, who had tasted passion, hadn't even wanted to get out of bed for the past few days.
She stood up, her high heels clicking elegantly against the floor as she left the bar.
After Vermouth exited the bar, Vodka, who had remained silent until now, finally burst out indignantly, "That woman shows no respect for you, Boss!"
Gin coolly replied, "Her position is special. As long as she doesn't betray the organization, 'That Man' won't interfere with whatever she does."
Sensing the implicit warning in Gin's words, Vodka grew fearful and awkwardly chuckled, choosing to remain silent.
As soon as Vermouth stepped out of the bar, she received a text message.
Opening it, her mood immediately soured.
The message was from Fujiwara Toru, apologizing and explaining that due to an urgent matter, he had to leave for Japan ahead of schedule.
For the next year, unless it was important, he might not return to the United States.
Vermouth instinctively tightened her grip on her phone, exhaling a deep sigh of frustration.