Hunting season

It was not until Friday morning that Alex Maxwell and Eliana Carter met Ivy Lambert. Her older sister finally managed to convince her to come to school.

Ivy was still a little reserved, not having her old dynamic character. Nevertheless, Maxwell and Carter are happy to know that their young friend is doing well. And that day, the group resumed their usual routine, hanging together, sitting, and eating at the same table as before.

Although Ivy managed to warm up to her friends, she still needed proper counseling to strengthen her mental health. And in the afternoon, the Lambert sisters left early to meet with a psychology professional.

Eliana Carter also left before the supplementary class because of her modeling work, leaving Maxwell alone after bidding his goodbye to Yuna Shin after their fencing practice at the end of the school day.

After leaving the West Castle campus, he immediately heads toward his downtown company office and meets with Mathias there. They made a prior appointment to visit Blue Bass nightclub.

The moment Mathias learns of Maxwell's arrival, she promptly comes to the entrance and welcomes him.

"Good evening, young Master!" Kayla greets Maxwell with a charming professional smile. Today too, her dress was elegant. A long-sleeved emerald dress, perfectly matching her green eyes and beautifully contrasting her red pixie cut.

"Hi, Kayla. Charming as always." Alex returns her smile. "Do you still need time to complete your work, or can we go?" He asks her.

"We can leave now. We just finished for the day," Kayla says and begins to walk beside Maxwell toward the outside.

The two arrive in front of the red SUV and Kayla continues her conversation. "I already made a reservation for VIP access at the nightclub. So when we arrive, we can directly enter."

"You are efficient as always." Alex compliments her.

Still in front of the car, Mathias extends her hand toward Maxwell, presenting him the vehicle's key.

"What is it?" Alex asks with a puzzled expression.

"The car's key," Kayla replies, tilting her head in confusion. She wanted to give back the vehicle Maxwell previously lent her.

"Why? You do not like the car?" Alex misunderstands her intention. He thought he had already given the car to Kayla.

"Heh?" She tilts her head the other way.

Finally understanding her confusion, Maxwell closes her delicate hand, enveloping it with his and making her firmly grasp the object. "I said it before. The car is yours. Consider it as a thank you gift from me."

Kayla hesitates a little but finally resolves to accept Maxwell's generosity.

"Then I won't refuse. Thank you, young Master." She nods her head slightly and keeps the key close to her chest, barely able to hide her happy smile before she opens the door to Maxwell.

____

Friday evening is a popular time for people to unwind from their busy week. When Mathias and Maxwell arrive at Blue Bass, they see the long line of people.

Nonetheless, the two of them didn't have to wait like others to enter the club. They have access to the building's parking, reserved for VIP guests, allowing them to access the nightclub directly from a different entry.

Inside, after taking an elevator, they pass by a private lobby located on the upper floor. A large space lit by blue and purple neon light with chrome decoration on the walls. In the center is a large circular bar made out of dark marble, encircling a tall cylindrical glass drink shelf. Around it, the two notice celebrities enjoying drinks among the guests.

Maxwell and Mathias go to a private room first, guided by a staff member. They order some beverages and snacks and sit on the soft sofa overlooking the large glass window.

"Wow! the place seems to be really nice. No wonder many big shots have come here," Alex says and looks all over the well-furnished place.

"Kayla, now that we're here. Tell our men I'd like to meet our friends from law enforcement when they arrive," Alex instructs Mathias.

"Young Master, isn't that too risky? Wouldn't our covert operation be exposed to Talon Hopkins if we make such an open move in his territory?" Kayla responds with a doubtful look.

"Do not worry about that! Just make sure only our men see them enter." Alex reassures Mathias and sips a glass of wine with a relaxed attitude.

After following his order, Kayla leaves the room. Maxwell waited for a while. However, since Mathias hasn't come back yet, he decided to look for her and returns to the lobby where they arrived.

Sure enough, Maxwell notices that Kayla, bugged by two men next to the bar, blocking her way back. He swiftly approaches and gets in between them.

"Sorry gentlemen, the Lady is mine." Alex casually wraps his arm around Mathias's hips, pulling her close to himself. Thankfully, things didn't escalate; the men left without making a fuss.

But Maxwell did not release the lady right away, feeling the pleasant sensation of her gorgeous silhouette in his hand. Mathias averts her eyes away from him in embarrassment, noticing that her body is indecently attached to his.

"Are you alright?" Alex jests, grabbing Mathias closer and tighter, making her blush in vivid red.

Kayla quickly frees herself from his clutch and straightens her green dress, already flawless. "I'm okay. Thank you, young Master," She responds hastily. Flustered by her employer's nonchalant behavior, Kayla wonders if she is the only one being conscientious.

She turns back and hastens her pace to return to their private room, unwilling to let Maxwell witness her destabilized self any further.

As for Maxwell, he could not help chuckling, looking at the mature red-headed fleeing from him with cute but rhythmic small steps.

____

Back into their room, Maxwell and Mathias wait for their subordinate to bring the detectives inside.

When they arrive, the two officers greet Maxwell politely then sit on the adjacent armchairs.

"It has been a while, detectives," Alex opens the discussion with a friendly smile.

"Young Master, what reason did you call us here?" The older one responds cautiously.

"Last time, I asked you two gentlemen to help me with the investigation. As well as share with me if you happen to have any news about the criminals."

"I am greatly concerned. After all, It involved my dear friend." Alex continues, obviously faking a sad expression.

"Young Master, we could not share investigation information with you. So…," The man tries to explain, but Maxwell sighs loudly to cut him.

"Come on, gentlemen! How many times are you going to use that same excuse?"

He signals Kayla to display some photos from on the table and continues. "It seems to me you are sharing information with this place's owner. Why is that?" Alex places his hand on photos, showing explicitly the two detectives handing a document to Talon Hopkins in exchange for bundles of cash. "Was investigation files not confidential? How come you are sharing it with a civilian?"

"This is?" The men jolt from surprise.

"Tell me, detective. What are you doing at this place tonight?" Alex asks, knowing they met with Talon earlier.

Noticing the cold sweats dripping from their forehead, Maxwell continues with a friendly tone. "Do not worry. I fully understand the investigation of the gang is not easy."

"After all, you diligently visit this place where the gang often hang several times and find nothing," Alex says sarcastically, making the atmosphere heavy with tension.

"Young…" The man tries to explain but is cut by Maxwell again.

"I know it is a complicated case. That is why I asked your supervisor to send more personal to help you," Alex stands and gives a large smile, tapping the man's shoulder.

"Rejoice, detective! Your workload will be reduced." Alex says, then stops smiling entirely, giving off an overwhelming expression of disdain.

The two men remained silent; they perfectly understand what Maxwell meant. He was suggesting they cooperate with the new detectives that will be attached to the case.

They will be Maxwell's men, implying the two of them should behave and quietly relinquish total control of the investigation.

"Now, detectives, I would like to enjoy the night with my companion, so I will not accompany you outside," Alex approaches Mathias standing next to the coach and holds her waist suggestively, prompting the men to leave.

"Young Master, they left the room. You can release me now." Kayla pinches Maxwell's hand that was wandering near her posterior.

"Hahaha! I got carried away," Alex laughs it out and returns to the couch, leaning comfortably with a satisfied smile.

____

Sometime after Maxwell and Mathias visit the nightclub, Hopkins and his gang prepare for their next coup. In an enclosed room, somewhere inside the Blue Bass nightclub, several members of Hopkins's gang met together. There were about twenty men and women, the oldest not exceeding thirty.

"I have decided on our next target. Jared! Spit out everything you know about her!" Talon, surrounded by the crowd, orders. He was lazily sitting on the soft sofa with a short-haired girl sitting on his lap.

"Twenty-two years old. Actress from WE entertainment. Currently, her family is in the countryside, so she is living alone at Riverside's five-stars hotel." One of the subordinates, a slender young man with glasses, reads the information on his tablet.

"Riverside's five-stars? Oy, Jared! Is that the one with a huge waterfall inside?" Talon asks.

"Correct!" Jared answers and continues reading his tablet. "She is often seen at our club with fellow actresses or friends. And always leaves alone around eleven PM."

"This time, to be safe, I want everyone on the same case. I don't want some bullshit like last time to happen again!" Talon instructs his men.

"What about the detectives? And that Maxwell? He was the one who busted our guys last time," Jared asks Hopkins.

"Those old fuckers bailed out! It seems someone else took the case," Talon hits the armrest with anger. "I don't know who yet, but they will also be our little dogs, sooner or later," He sneers.

"As for Maxwell, he is no big deal. Who knew the last chick was his bitch? Just keep an eye on him! The last time was fucked up." Talon remembers their last operation about Eliana Carter.

"How about our buyer?" Talon inquires with Jared.

"No one knows who was supposed to be the target. And since we are currently working on the new case, nobody asked for a refund yet," Jared explains.

"Since then, we also have new buyers interested, the same price, one grand for the whole clip. And as of now, we have a total of two hundred clients." Jared continues his explanation, making Hopkins smirks in satisfaction.

To simplify things, Talon's gang produces authentic r*pe videos of promising rising talents that they auction on the black market. Payments are made in advance and anonymously. But the client will not know the target's identity until the release.

Talon and his continue their planning a bit longer. And after the meeting, the short-haired girl, the one who was sitting on Talon's lap, discreetly moves to a quiet place outside the nightclub and makes a call.

"Their next target is Melissa Andrews. It seems they will make their move in two weeks at Riverside five-star Hotel."

Without receiving an answer, she continues. "I told you everything I know, so you must keep your promise!" She desperately says, but her interlocutor ends the call without uttering a word.

____

Back at Alex entertainment headquarter, Kayla knocks on Maxwell's office and enters.

"Young Master, we have the intel on Smiling House's next target."

Hearing it, Maxwell leans back on his chair and mutters to himself. "Let the hunt begin!"

____ End of Chapter 22 ____