Clara furrowed her brow, clearly frustrated. "So, did he ever come back?"
Scarlett glanced over, one eyebrow raised. "The girl died, and somehow he found out. Folks back home were scared he'd lose it, so they sold him out to his rivals, hoping they'd tear each other apart. He was just sixteen then."
Clara muttered a curse under her breath, her lips pressed tight with anger. "And after that?"
"He came out on top. Took over that whole district. Later, he expanded his casino business back home. Those who betrayed him back then? They wouldn’t dare say a word now. Look at Midnight Enterprises—it's thriving. No one dares investigate. Who knows what dirt he has on them, all worried about keeping their positions."
Scarlett took a sharp turn as they drove. "But hey, take it all with a pinch of salt. It's just rumors from Midnight's side. A sixteen-year-old taking over an entire underworld scene? Sounds like something out of a movie."
Still, Clara couldn't shake the feeling that it might just be true.
The car pulled up outside Midnight. Clara stepped out, watching Scarlett effortlessly chat with the entrance guard.
They were let in quickly.
As they walked inside, Clara asked, "What are you really doing here tonight?"
Scarlett flashed a card with a smirk. "There's an auction going on. The spots are reserved, so I can't take you in. But feel free to explore the casino. We’ll meet up later."
Following the server, she soon found herself in an area with a large heated pool, the mist making everything hazy.
The server bowed and retreated behind a screen. "The pool’s spotless. Feel free to take a dip while I check if he's available."
Clara wasn’t in the mood for a swim; she sat down on a nearby chair instead.
The lighting was dim here too. She reached out to stroke the blooming flowers next to her, when a sudden memory sparked in her mind.
In a similar misty setting, she had once looked at someone with sultry eyes. It was her first time, and the pain had made her arch her neck.
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