Chapter 62: The Crimson

Victor's eyes widened, a mix of shock and disgust crossing his face. "What? Are you certain about this, Anthony?"

Anthony nodded grimly. "I'm afraid so, sir. We've cross-verified the information from multiple sources. It appears to be a well-kept secret within certain circles of the racing world."

Victor began to pace the room, his mind racing. "Tell me everything, Anthony. Leave nothing out."

Anthony pulled out a small notebook from his jacket pocket. "According to our information, the Society has been operating this...

enterprise for several years now. They target horses that are no longer fit for racing, either due to age or injury. Instead of retiring these animals or providing them with proper care, they're... processing them, for lack of a better term."

Victor's face darkened with each word. "Processing them? For what purpose?"

"Various purposes, sir," Anthony continued, his voice tight with distaste. "Some of the organs are sold to medical research facilities. Other parts are used in the manufacture of certain goods - glue, gelatin, and even some high-end leather products. It's a lucrative business, albeit a thoroughly reprehensible one."

Victor stopped his pacing, turning to face Anthony. "And they have the gall to lecture us about 'traditional values' and the 'integrity of the sport'? Hypocrites!"

Anthony nodded in agreement. "Indeed, sir. It seems their public face of preserving racing traditions is just that - a face. Behind the scenes, they're exploiting these animals in the most horrific way imaginable."

Victor's mind was working furiously, processing this new information and its implications. "This could be devastating if it got out, Anthony. The public outrage would be enormous."

"Precisely, sir," Anthony replied. "It would likely bring down not just the Society, but could potentially damage the reputation of the entire racing industry."

Victor nodded slowly, a calculating look in his eyes. "We need to tread carefully here, Anthony. This information is dynamite. In the wrong hands, it could cause untold damage. In the right hands, however..."

He trailed off, lost in thought for a moment. Then he turned back to Anthony, his expression resolute. "We need more concrete evidence. Documents, testimonies, anything that can irrefutably prove these allegations. Can you get that for me?"

Anthony straightened, nodding firmly. "Consider it done, sir. I'll put our best people on it immediately."

Victor sat back, processing all this information. After a moment, he leaned forward, pointing to two names on the list. "These two," he said, "The Newmarket Racing Association and the Yorkshire Downs Consortium. They're closest to us in terms of scale and ambition. I want to know everything about them, Anthony. They'll be taking a significant portion of our potential customer base."

Anthony nodded, making a note. "Of course, sir. What specifically would you like us to focus on?"

Victor's eyes narrowed in thought. "I want to know their financial situations, their expansion plans, their key personnel. I want to know about any skeletons in their closets and any weaknesses we can exploit. And most importantly, I want to know about their innovations. What are they doing that we're not? What can we learn from them?"

"Understood, sir," Anthony replied.

"But your prime focus should still be Society" Victor ordered.

Seeing Anthony nod, Victor stood up and began pacing the room, his mind whirring with possibilities. "This is a crucial moment, Anthony. We're not just entering a market; we're reshaping it. Every move we make needs to be calculated, every decision informed by the most accurate intelligence we can gather."

Victor nodded, "Now, about these competitors. I want weekly reports on their activities. Any significant moves they make, I want to know about it immediately. We need to be proactive, not reactive."

"Understood, sir," Anthony said, making more notes. "And what about our expansion plans? Should we adjust our timeline in light of this new information?"

Victor considered for a moment. "No," he said finally. "We stick to the plan. But we'll need to be flexible, and ready to adapt if necessary. Our competitors think they know what we're capable of, but they have no idea what's coming."

Victor Mallory stepped out of his office, his mind still churning with the information Anthony had provided. The weight of his plans and the potential dangers they faced hung heavily upon him. As he exited the building, he nodded to the doorman and made his way not to his usual sleek, attention-grabbing automobile, but to a more modest vehicle parked discreetly around the corner.

The car, a well-maintained but unremarkable Ford, blended seamlessly into the London traffic. Victor had chosen it specifically for its ability to go unnoticed. As he navigated the busy streets, his thoughts drifted to the task ahead. The information about the Jockey Club Preservation Society's illegal activities was a powerful weapon, but one that needed to be wielded with extreme caution.

The bustling city gradually gave way to more refined neighbourhoods. Elegant townhouses and manicured gardens lined the streets, a testament to the wealth and influence of their inhabitants. Victor's destination lay in the heart of this upper-class enclave, a place where the elite gathered to conduct business away from prying eyes.

He pulled up in front of a stately building, its facade an impressive blend of Victorian and Georgian architecture. A discreet brass plaque beside the door read "The Crimson Stallion." To the uninitiated, it appeared to be nothing more than an exclusive gentleman's club. But Victor knew better.

Straightening his tie and adjusting his cufflinks, Victor entered the establishment. The interior was a study in understated luxury - rich mahogany panelling, plush carpets, and tasteful artwork adorned the walls. A few well-dressed patrons sat in leather armchairs, engrossed in newspapers or quiet conversation.

Victor made his way to the bar, where an impeccably dressed bartender stood polishing glasses. The man looked up as Victor approached, his face betraying no sign of recognition.

"Good evening, sir," the bartender said smoothly. "What can I get for you?"

Victor leaned casually against the bar. "A glass of your finest whiskey, if you please. I hear the Highlands have been particularly generous this year."

The bartender's expression remained neutral, but a flicker of understanding passed through his eyes. "Indeed they have, sir. Though I've heard the lowlands have their own hidden treasures."

Victor nodded almost imperceptibly. "Ah, but sometimes the most valuable treasures are found beneath the surface, wouldn't you agree?"

The bartender set down the glass he had been polishing. "Quite right, sir. Some would say the real treasures lie in the cellars, where the spirits truly come alive."

With these words exchanged, the bartender reached beneath the bar and pressed a hidden switch. A section of the wall behind him slid open silently, revealing a narrow passageway.

"Enjoy your evening, sir," the bartender said, his tone now warmer, more familiar.

Victor inclined his head in thanks and stepped through the hidden door. As it closed behind him, he found himself in a long, dimly lit corridor. The plush carpeting muffled his footsteps as he made his way down the hallway.

On either side, doors lined the corridor - some open, others firmly closed.

As Victor stepped into the dimly lit corridor, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation coursing through his veins. The sounds of moaning and grunting emanating from behind closed doors only served to heighten that feeling.

He made his way down the hallway, passing several open doors where beautiful mature women beckoned him inside with promises of unbridled pleasure.

Each woman was more alluring than the last, their bodies on full display as they teased and tempted him with suggestive glances and sensual movements.

One woman, in particular, caught his eye - an exquisite brunette with piercing green eyes that seemed to burn right through him. She stood tall and confident, her curves accentuated by a tight red dress that hugged every curve perfectly. Her lips were painted a deep shade of crimson, inviting him to taste them as she ran her fingers seductively down her neckline revealing just enough cleavage for it to be tantalizing yet still maintain an air of mystery about herself.

Victor resisted the urge to stop at any one door, knowing that time was precious and he had important business to attend to tonight.

As Victor passed each door along the corridor, he couldn't help but hear the various sounds coming from within - soft moans mixed with occasional grunts echoing through the halls like an erotic symphony playing just for him.

The moans that echoed through the corridor were deep and sensual, almost primal in their intensity. They varied in pitch and tone, some low and throaty while others were high-pitched shrieks of pleasure. There was a sense of urgency to them as well - as if the women inside couldn't contain their passion any longer.

Some moans were punctuated by sharp intakes of breath or soft whispers pleading for more, adding to the overall atmosphere of lustful abandonment that permeated every corner of this secretive place.

He continued down the corridor until he reached a door at its end - different from all others due to its absence of sound coming from within it. He paused for a moment before pushing it open slowly...