Boiling music, dazzling lights, a torrent of heat, and men and women dancing wildly amidst gods and demons.
When Ruboo, Zoe, and Madison arrived at the party, this was the lively scene that greeted them.
Unlike Ruboo, the newcomer, and Zoe, the well-behaved girl,
Madison, who seemed utterly at home here, boldly asked those around her, "How does a girl go about getting a drink in a place like this?"
"Follow me!" exclaimed a girl who clearly recognised Madison, enthusiastically taking her by the hand and leading her deeper into the crowd.
Meanwhile, fraternity members who had also spotted the beautiful actress at the party were buzzing with excitement.
"Now this is a proper party! Madison Montgomery, she's a proper stunner!"
"Anyone fancy trying to get her? I've never been with a Hollywood star before."
"Dalton, you're not in his league."
"You won't catch a big fish without dangling the bait."
Dalton ran his fingers over the powder in his pocket, specially prepared for this conquest, and set off with confidence.
Meanwhile.
At the party, guided by Madison, newcomers Ruboo and Zoe quickly settled in.
With the atmosphere working its magic, Zoe had shed her initial reserve. Her hands resting on Ruboo's shoulders, she moved her rather impressive figure with a blend of enthusiasm and a hint of bashfulness.
This sight dimmed the spirits of Kyle, the fraternity leader who had spotted Zoe from afar and watched her for some time.
"Where's Madison?"
Ruboo inquired, his arms wrapped around Zoe's slender waist as he savoured the allure of her youthful charm.
As a Hollywood star, even if past her prime, Madison was undoubtedly the centre of attention in this entertainment-distant locale of New Orleans, especially at a party full of young university students. Coupled with her stunning face and alluring figure, she had attracted quite a few admirers along the way.
Ruboo had been consciously keeping his eyes fixed on Madison.
But in the blink of an eye, she vanished into the crowd.
"Madison? Haven't seen her," Zoe glanced around and shook her head.
"What? Is something wrong?" she asked, noticing her boyfriend's furrowed brow, puzzled.
Of course there was.
Ruboo explained, "A single woman, especially a celebrity, is bound to encounter all sorts of troubles."
Zoe, fundamentally kind-hearted, immediately offered, "Then let's go find her."
Ruboo nodded, taking Zoe's hand and heading straight for the second floor.
Meanwhile, Madison, who had slipped out to the stairwell for a smoke, showed no interest whatsoever in Dalton's advances. She dismissed him as though he were a waiter, merely instructing him to fetch her a drink.
And so, the formidable Salem witch was rendered unconscious by a packet of sleeping powder.
...
Upstairs.
When Ruboo arrived with Zoe, the first thing he noticed was a peculiar odour, a mixture of tobacco and sweat.
Well aware that such substances were frequently consumed here, Ruboo sighed at the decay of youth. Ignoring the sounds of rough sex echoing from rooms lining the corridor, he strode purposefully deeper into the building.
Soon, he spotted a group of young men in fraternity T-shirts, excitedly escorting an unconscious Madison towards the deepest part of the floor.
"Hey! What on earth are you lot up to?"
Ruboo hurried over to intervene.
An exasperated brotherhood member blocked Ruboo's path, snapping irritably, "Get lost! Mind your own business!"
Ruboo replied coldly, "You're committing a crime, you know that?"
"Bullshit! Get lost if you don't fancy a beating! You Asian monkey should stick to your books instead of playing hero here!"
The fraternity youth blocking Ruboo, standing at a towering 1.9 metres as a member of the school basketball team, loomed over him. His massive hand gripped Ruboo's collar, looking as though he might devour him.
Zoe, witnessing this, was about to step in to help.
But in the blink of an eye, the previously arrogant youth was drenched in cold sweat.
"Your mouth stinks!"
Having grasped the essence of American culture the moment he arrived, Ruboo swiftly drew the Glock from his waistband, the muzzle pointing squarely at the youth's chest. He sneered coldly,
Repeat what you just said.
Faced with American-style iaido, China's elderly folks might not care, and might even have the nerve to try snatching the gun.
But as native-born Americans, they wouldn't dare entertain such insolent notions.
"Oh~~ Good heavens!"
The youth, instantly sobered by terror, raised his hands instinctively, all trace of his earlier arrogance vanished.
Not just him—even if O'Neal showed up here, he'd have to surrender.
Who would have thought that partygoers would be carrying guns?
Unfortunately, Ruboo, who had anticipated this very scenario and made thorough preparations, had brought one along. He now declared:
"Then get down on your knees."
The young man, now understanding, obediently complied.
At that moment, other fraternity members sensing something amiss behind them turned their heads—only to find a gun barrel pointed directly at them.
"NO!"
"Hey mate, keep calm!"
"We can talk this out!"
"Don't shoot!"
Under the barrel of a gun, all defiance is subdued.
Whether drunk or driven by lust, in that moment everyone sobered up.
"Zoe, go catch Madison," Ruboo instructed.
Zoe hurried over to take the unconscious Madison from him.
Watching his prey being taken away, Dalton—whether in a daze or something else—suggested grudgingly, "Mate, if you fancy it, you can join in. We'll let you go first."
This time, Ruboo didn't need to say another word. Zoe, seething with fury, delivered a vicious kick squarely between Dalton's legs.
The sound of cracking bones echoed.
Dalton knelt down, clutching his groin in agony.
As the assembled men empathised with his plight, Kyle, who'd been watching Zoe, rushed over.
"Lads, what's going on... Oh! Mate, relax, relax, I mean no harm."
Before Kyle could even grasp the situation, he spotted Ruboo's Glock. Instinctively raising his hands, he hurriedly protested.
Ruboo had no intention of actually firing. He explained, "Clearly, your mates drugged my friend and planned to take turns hurting her. Is the Brotherhood recruiting scum these days?"
Kyle's face darkened considerably, especially upon seeing Madison's dazed expression as Zoe helped her over. He believed every word.
"The Brotherhood are nothing but a bunch of arrogant scum!" Zoe coldly added, driving the point home.
Kyle had no energy left to argue.
He turned to the fraternity members, his eyes blazing with fury as he shouted...