Metropolitan, New York, a membership-based bar.
There were few people in the bar. The bartender was wiping glasses, and the security personnel were lazily slouched on a sofa, idly watching a few people playing billiards nearby.
The bar door was pushed open, and a beautiful woman with long silver-blonde hair, a tall figure, and a captivating physique walked in.
The people inside instinctively glanced at the newcomer, then quickly looked away and continued with what they were doing.
This was a stronghold of the Black Organization, outwardly a private bar, but in reality, one of the Organization's meeting spots in Metropolitan.
Sitting at the bar was a long-haired man with a cold demeanor, dressed in black, drinking silently.
Beside him sat a burly man.
When he saw that it was Vermouth who had entered, Vodka immediately averted his eyes, pretending not to notice her.
Vermouth walked over and sat down beside Gin, subconsciously intending to order her usual drink.
But after thinking of the cocktail Toru had mentioned before, she said, almost as if possessed, "Three-quarters Vermouth with one-quarter sherry, plus a drop of orange-flavored liqueur."
She had slightly altered the original recipe, switching the sherry to one-quarter and increasing the Vermouth.
"Okay, please wait a moment."
Although the bartender had never mixed such a drink before, it sounded simple enough. He picked up the shaker and got to work.
Gin glanced sideways at Vermouth, his brow furrowing slightly. "This isn't your usual drink."
Vermouth took out a lady's cigarette, lit it, held it between her slender fingers, and exhaled a puff of smoke. "Sometimes I want to try something new."
Gin's cold gaze rested on her for a moment, then he suddenly asked, "Are you in a good mood right now?"
Vermouth's heart tightened. She knew very well that Gin was extremely perceptive, and even the slightest change in mood wouldn't escape his notice.
It was exactly this ability that allowed him to root out moles within the Organization and prevent critical information from being leaked.
She realized she had triggered Gin's suspicion. The smile that always hung on her face disappeared, and she reverted to her usual mysterious and aloof self.
"My mood is good. Are you not used to me being like this now?"
Gin didn't respond to the coldness in her voice. He thought this woman, known as the Witch of a Thousand Faces, was always shifting her persona. That was normal.
He also felt he might have been overthinking. Vermouth had a close relationship with That Man and had no reason to betray them.
He withdrew his gaze, picked up his glass, and took a sip. "The person who betrayed you has been found. As expected, it was a Mossad mole."
"Dealt with?"
"That's a redundant question."
Vermouth thought the same. Gin was skilled at handling traitors, and he would've done it cleanly.
"If one cockroach has been found, it means there are more. You need to purge them, Gin."
Vermouth took the drink handed to her by the bartender and took a sip. Honestly, the cocktail wasn't very good, but thinking about the recipe Toru had mentioned, she forced herself to drink it.
Maybe the proportions were wrong?
"I'll take care of it, but in a few days, I'm heading to Japan."
Gin's tone was cold.
"Because of Sherry?"
Vermouth's slender eyebrow twitched. At the mention of that name, she didn't bother hiding her disgust.
"Yes. The drug the Boss cares about has been progressing slowly. Sherry's being ungrateful. I need to go to Japan to keep an eye on her. Ah, Sherry... hehehehe..."
Gin's eyes turned icy, a twisted smile forming on his lips.
"Since the traitor has been dealt with, I'll be leaving."
Vermouth downed the cocktail in one gulp. She had come to confirm something with Gin. Now that it was settled, there was no reason to stay.
She wanted to hurry back and see her Angel. As a woman who had tasted pleasure, she didn't even want to get out of bed these past few days.
She stood up and walked out of the bar gracefully in her high heels.
Once Vermouth had left, Vodka, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke up with indignation, "That woman has no respect for you, Boss!"
Gin said coldly, "Her status is special. As long as she doesn't betray the Organization, That Man won't care what she does."
Sensing the warning in Gin's words, Vodka immediately tensed, forcing a smile and not daring to speak again.
Just as Vermouth stepped out of the bar, she received a text message.
She opened it, and her mood instantly darkened.
The message was from Toru, apologizing and saying that he had to head to Japan early due to an urgent matter.
For the next year, unless something important came up, he might not return to America.
Vermouth subconsciously gripped her phone tightly, exhaling the frustration in her chest.
(To be continued.)
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