Aaron looked at the bidding board and wrote a number beneath Saira's photo. Then, he wrote a number twice as high beneath Zuri's photo.
The bald man raised an eyebrow at the amount. "That's the highest price I've ever encountered. Aren't you worried no one will bid? If no one does, wouldn't such a beauty go to waste?"
"Good goods don't fear a high price," Aaron replied confidently, raising his glass and downing the drink in one gulp.
An hour later, the attendees were signaled to leave the banquet hall. Saira, seeing everyone departing, was puzzled.
"Why is everyone leaving?" she asked, stopping a beautiful woman.
The woman smiled coyly. "We go back to our rooms first. We'll come out later."
Though Saira found it strange, she followed the crowd out of the banquet hall.
Two hostesses approached Zuri and Saira, smiling as they said, "Miss Lin, Miss Lin, please follow us."
The two followed the hostesses to the top-floor suites, walking down the corridor until they reached the door at the end.
One of the hostesses turned to Saira and said, "Miss Lin, this is your room. The night's excitement is just about to begin. Enjoy yourself."
Saira was confused, wondering if some special event was planned. She wanted to ask, but feared it would make her seem unsophisticated, so she pretended to understand and nodded.
The other hostess led Zuri to the neighboring suite. "Miss Lin, this is your room. Enjoy your evening."
Hearing the suggestive tone, Zuri's lips curled into a smirk.
Once inside, the door automatically closed behind her.
It was an exceptionally luxurious room with panoramic windows offering an unbeatable ocean view. The living room and bedroom were spacious, especially the bedroom, where a large bed stood out—a soft, sensuous waterbed.
They sure know how to cater to their guests.
After thoroughly checking the room to ensure there were no hidden cameras or listening devices, Zuri leisurely sat on the sofa, waiting.
About an hour later, the door opened, and a chubby middle-aged man walked in.
Seeing Zuri, the man's face lit up with a smile. "Miss Lin."
"Hello!" Zuri smiled and waved at the man.
The man was taken aback by her lack of surprise at his appearance. Could it be that she already knew the rules here?
If so, it might take some of the fun out of it.
He had paid a high price for this woman, hoping for something pure and fresh. If she turned out to be second-hand, he wouldn't be pleased.
Despite his suspicions, he didn't rush to complain to the host. He wanted to inspect the goods first. If she wasn't what he wanted, he could complain later.
Eyeing the beauty in front of him, the man licked his lips and said with a smile, "Miss Lin, you are truly beautiful."
"May I ask how I should address you?" Zuri asked with a smile.
The greasy middle-aged man chuckled, "My surname is Jia, you can call me Brother Jia."
Brother Jia?
Zuri almost gagged.
"Oh, so it's Mr. Jia. Pardon me for not recognizing you. May I ask how much you bid?" Zuri asked with a smile.
Mr. Jia was taken aback. "Miss Lin, you know everything, yet you're still willing?"
Ladies of your status, when they come here for the first time, usually make a huge fuss. It's rare to meet someone who can chat and laugh so casually.
"If I wasn't willing, would you use force?" Zuri asked casually, without any hint of accusation or displeasure in her tone.
Mr. Jia laughed heartily. "It seems I won't need this tonight."
He tossed aside a remote-like device he had been holding.
Curious, Zuri picked it up and asked, "What is this?"
"If you press this, something to enhance the mood will fill the bedroom. I thought it might come in handy tonight, but I guess it's not needed."
Mr. Jia's eyes glinted as he leered at Zuri. "Sweetheart, every moment of the night is worth a thousand gold. Let's begin!"
"Not so fast!" Zuri dodged as the middle-aged man lunged at her.
Mr. Jia, missing his target, wasn't angry. Instead, he seemed even more excited, his gaze fixed on Zuri like a hungry wolf eyeing tender prey.
Suppressing her disgust, Zuri calmly said, "Mr. Jia, could you do me a favor and call my father? I have something to give him. Once he's here, we can enjoy a beautiful night together."
"Can't you give it to him tomorrow? Sweetheart, let's not waste any more time," Mr. Jia said, already starting to undress.
Zuri shook her head, her voice soft and slightly plaintive. "Mr. Jia, can't you grant me this one little wish?"
Her tone and expression melted Mr. Jia instantly. How could he refuse?
"Alright, alright, my sweet. Don't be sad. I'll call him over right now."
As a valued client tonight, his request was naturally fulfilled.
Not long after his call, the door was knocked, and Aaron stood at the entrance.
Mr. Jia greeted him with a smile, letting him in before closing the door.
Seeing Mr. Jia in the room, Aaron recognized him as a wealthy businessman from Hong Kong.
Mr. Jia half-jokingly said, "Mr. Lin, I guess I'm half your son-in-law now."
Aaron's smile stiffened, but he didn't dare offend him, so he quickly changed the subject. "I wonder, Mr. Jia, what you need me here for?"
Mr. Jia chuckled. "It's not me who needs you, but your daughter. She said she has something that must be handed to you."
Aaron was puzzled.
Zuri stepped out of the bedroom, smiling at Aaron.
Aaron felt a chill run through him.
That smile filled him with unease, a bad feeling creeping over him.
"Zuri, you—"
"My dear father, the game is officially starting," Zuri said with a smile.
What does she mean?
Both Mr. Jia and Aaron looked at Zuri in confusion.
Before they could react, Zuri darted forward, striking them both on the neck, knocking them unconscious.
Five minutes later, Mr. Jia and Aaron were lying side by side on the sensuous waterbed.
Zuri looked down at them. "Enjoy your lovely evening."
She picked up the remote and pressed a button. Pink smoke began to drift from the vents, quickly filling the bedroom with a hazy mist.
She gently closed the door, and soon after, sounds began to emerge from inside the room, gradually growing louder.
One hour earlier.
In Oceanic City, on the lakeside island, Leo was handling business in his study when he received a call from Lone Wolf.
"King, we've just received word that Aaron took his two daughters to attend Bald Strong's private banquet."
Bald Strong's private banquet was infamous in the underworld, known for its unsavory activities, catering to the peculiar tastes of certain powerful figures.
The place was a specialized entertainment venue for the elite. Bald Strong had invited Leo several times, hoping to establish a connection, but to no avail. Eventually, Bald Strong sought backing from a branch of one of the eight major families in the capital.
Leo put down the document in his hand, a dark glint flickering in his eyes. "Prepare the speedboat and gather our men."
"Understood."
Five minutes later, a red sports car sped off the island, heading towards the dock.
Half an hour later, a row of black cars lined up at the dock. As soon as the red sports car came to a stop, everyone stood at attention, respectfully waiting on the sidelines.
Leo stepped out of the car, and immediately, everyone bowed and greeted him, "Boss!"
Lone Wolf approached. "The ship left the port half an hour ago, heading towards the open sea. If we move at full speed, we should intercept them in forty minutes."
The group quickly boarded the speedboat, racing towards the cruise ship at top speed.
In a luxurious cabin, Bald Strong was leisurely enjoying himself, drinking, smoking cigars, and being attended to by beautiful women, completely unaware of the approaching danger.
Suddenly, a subordinate burst into the room, frantically reporting, "Boss, something's wrong! Our ship is surrounded!"
Bald Strong immediately sat up, shoving the woman in his arms aside. "Who dares to come after me?"
In all his years in the underworld, he had never encountered anything like this. Who would be foolish enough to target him?
Someone must have a death wish to mess with him!
"I don't know who they are, but they're all armed."
As they spoke, the door to the cabin was kicked open.
A group of men in black combat gear, highly trained, stormed into the room.
For the first time, Bald Strong was faced with such a situation. Judging by the weapons they carried, he knew they were no ordinary force, and the calmness on his face vanished, replaced by a trembling fear.
The men in black split into two rows, pointing their guns at everyone in the room.
The occupants were so terrified they didn't dare move.
The sound of footsteps echoed from afar, growing closer.
The sound was like the melody of death, sending chills down everyone's spine.
As the footsteps approached, a tall figure came into view. The man's deep-set features were cold and stern, exuding an aura of chilling intensity.
As he drew near, the atmosphere in the room became oppressive, the suffocating pressure making it hard to breathe.
Bald Strong's pupils contracted when he saw the man. His voice trembled as he spoke, "Mr. Ye—Mr. Ye, I apologize for not welcoming you properly."
Leo stepped forward, pressing a silver gun to Bald Strong's forehead. "Where is she?"
Bald Strong was scared out of his wits.
Damn it, Aaron's going to get me killed!
"Miss Lin is in Room 1808. Here's the key."
Bald Strong, trembling, pulled out a master key from the drawer.
The cold barrel of the gun pressed against Bald Strong's forehead as Leo's low voice echoed in his ears, "If she loses even a hair, you'll pay with your life!"
Leo took the key and left.
As soon as they were gone, Bald Strong collapsed onto the ground, his face ashen, silently praying that nothing had happened to Miss Lin.
As they approached Room 1808, they could hear the miserable cries of a woman and the mocking voices of several men coming from a nearby room.
The woman's voice was somewhat familiar.
Leo recognized it—it was the voice of the eldest daughter of the Lin family!
Leo quickened his pace.
When he reached Room 1808, he quickly unlocked the door and rushed inside, only to see a woman sitting in the living room, leisurely eating fruit with her legs crossed.
Hearing the commotion, she looked up in confusion, surprised to see Leo.
"You... Why are you here?"
Then, as if something occurred to her, she stared at him in shock and slight disdain.
Could he also be a guest on this ship?
The ship had already left the port, yet he could appear in front of her. He must have been here all along.
Wow, she really didn't expect Leo to be this kind of person.
It turned out that men who seemed abstinent on the surface often had unknown sides to them.
Leo could tell from her expression what was going through her mind.
He had been worried sick about her, and here she was, heartlessly imagining things about him. What an ungrateful little brat.
Leo walked over and flicked her forehead lightly with his finger. "Get rid of all those messy thoughts in your head."
Zuri covered her forehead, glaring at him.
At that moment, from the bedroom separated by just a door, suddenly came a man's shrill scream.
"Ah! Ah! Ah! It hurts... it hurts...!"
Both Zuri and Leo recognized the voice—it was Aaron.
Then, they heard Jia Dafu's rough voice. "Stay still. It won't hurt in a moment. If you move again, I'll beat you to death."
A look of astonishment flashed across Leo's deep, calm eyes.
The next second, a pair of warm hands covered Zuri's ears, holding them tightly.
Zuri looked up at him, blinking, silently telling him.
Too late!
She had already heard it all.
Everything she should have heard, and shouldn't have heard, she had heard it all.
"This place is too dirty, not fit for you to stay in," Leo whispered softly into her ear.
"No way, I still have something to retrieve."
She had installed an invisible pinhole camera in the bedroom. If she didn't retrieve it, this trip would have been for nothing.
"What is it?"
Zuri gave a sly smile. "What do you think?"
Leo understood. "I'll have someone retrieve it for you."
Without giving her a chance to refuse, he grabbed Zuri by the collar, lifting her like a little duckling, and carried her out of the filthy place.
Zuri didn't forget to remind him, "Make sure they don't forget to get the item under the TV switch. They must be careful not to break it. That information is very valuable, and if it's lost, it's gone forever."
Seeing how she was still fixated on that item, the veins on Leo's forehead throbbed.
"If it's lost, I'll get you another one. The main characters will still be those two."
Zuri was momentarily stunned, then gave Leo a thumbs up, casually adding, "No need for Jia Dafu, we can find some other leads, someone like him would be just fine."
Leo: …
Zuri spoke with such casual confidence, without a hint of embarrassment.
"Zuri, I'm a man," Leo couldn't help but remind her.
Her long eyelashes fluttered as she looked at him earnestly, "I know that!"
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GOT IT