Free Beer

A few moments later, K's reply appeared in the dialog box.

"The Gallianos' Alpha has disappeared. The Drummonds have taken over the authority rights to Boston Port from the Gallianos. The fee increase was their decision."

The Drummonds were one of the top five mafia families in the country.

After that, K typed another line of words. "As for why the Drummonds attained the authority rights so easily, my analysis indicates that someone in the Galliano family colluded with them."

Green Wolf: "We never analyze baseless speculations."

K: "Green Wolf, I'm getting more and more curious about who you really are. Why would you get yourself involved in the Gallianos' problems? I suggest that you keep your distance from them unless necessary. Those people are vicious wolves who will eat people without spitting out their bones."

Nina didn't reply. She closed the laptop and turned off the independent signal source.

Just then, there was a soft knock on the door. Shortly after, Cathy poked her head in. "The party is about to start. Are you interested in handsome men and free snacks?"

Nina stubbed out her cigarette and exhaled. "Any beer?"

Cathy laughed excitedly. "Free beer! Unlimited!"

—

"Where's my free beer?"

The wind in the mountains was chilly, but Nina did not seem to feel cold in her thin white shirt. Her tall figure stood quietly on the road as she stared at Cathy coldly.

Cathy had said there would be a party that night, and there would be beer to drink. But now, here she was with Cathy in the mountains—no party nor any beer.

"Don't worry." Cathy wore a black leather jacket over her T-shirt, but she was still shivering from the cold.

"Aren't you cold?" she asked Nina incredulously.

Cold?

She had stayed in the coldest places. Furthermore, given Nina's physique, this temperature was not considered cold.

Nina could even run outside for an hour wearing only a tank top in -20°C weather.

As a matter of fact, she had done so.

Just then, the lights in the distance became brighter.

Cathy quickly pulled Nina toward the light sources.

Several bonfires were burning along the mountain highway, with light bulbs and wires tied to the tree trunks. The bright lights illuminated the surroundings like it was daytime.

Smoke curled around the bonfire as young men and women holding their cigarette butts gathered around laughing together.

There was a group of young men in black punk attire among them. This group was the most eye-catching one as they were all dressed in black leather jackets and white shirts. Even their hair was styled with hair gel.

"Brent!" Cathy pulled Nina toward that group.

Cathy had talked about Brent Cletis while they were on the way. The family was said to run a farm and a winery. The Cletis family was also one of the founding families in Hommes.

And Brent was the object of Cathy's adoration.

To Nina, the other party represented sour red wine. This was because the Cletis family produced the "sour red wine" that Cathy had raved about tonight.

"Hey, I'm Brent Cletis. Just call me Brent," the handsome brown-haired young man said to Nina as he stubbed out his cigarette.

"Nina Jowett," replied Nina, scanning the scene indifferently.

So it seems like their so-called party tonight is racing?

No beer…

Cathy took a cigarette from Brent and lit it, smoking it skillfully. "Brent, let my country-girl sister from Maine experience our entertainment."

Brent smiled and said, "No problem. You two can ride in my car later."

He even winked at Nina as he said, "Fasten your seatbelt."

Nina didn't look impressed because she was really bothered that Cathy had used free beer to lie to her.

In contrast, Cathy was giggling at Brent's humorous expression.

Suddenly, the roaring sound of a motor from afar echoed.