Chapter 203 Gangster Identity
"What just happened?" Trinity breathed, her face confused. "What's going on?"
She turned to Elbert, her eyes wide. "Are you... the demon they were talking about?"
Elbert chuckled softly. "They mistook someone else for me."
She drew out his name, studying him with a playful glint in her eyes. "Really?" she purred, "I think I need to freshen up."
With a swish of her red dress, she disappeared into the restroom. Once inside, she pulled out her phone and sent an encrypted message to a contact labeled 'FIE'.
[Help me identify someone.]
Opening her photo album, she scrolled through a series of candid shots – Elbert from various angles; driving, drinking water. Selecting the clearest headshot, she sent it.
The reply came back almost instantly.
[Give me fifty seconds, boss.]
Back in the car, Elbert lit a cigarette with a thoughtful look.
"Elbert," Robert's voice crackled through the speakers, "someone is running a background check on you. It's from Trinity's organization."
Elbert raised an eyebrow. "Fabricate a standard civilian profile."
"Consider it done."
Fifty seconds later, Trinity received a response.
['Elbert, 26 years old, Veridiania resident, employed at FutureTech Group. Clean record, exemplary character, excellent academic history, good family background. Single, no vices, owns property and vehicle.'
'Hobbies: beautiful women, red dresses, female authority figures, law enforcement officers.']
Trinity blinked, her heart skipping a beat.
[Are you sure about this?] she typed back, confused.
[Information verified, though somewhat unusual,] came the reply.
Unusual was an understatement. This read more like a dating profile than a background check.
Meanwhile, Elbert, oblivious to the fabricated 'personal ad' Robert had created, was starting to wonder about Trinity's methods. Were international agents always this... unorthodox?
Trinity slid back into the car, recomposed. "Elbert," she asked, her voice laced with playful curiosity, "aren't you even a little bit curious about who I am?"
"Not particularly," Elbert replied, exhaling a plume of smoke. "Where to next?"
She pouted, then nodded with a smile. "You're so difficult. I like that."
"If the Dragon Pride Syndicate is out of the picture, then let's pay a visit to the Black Fox Gang. They're the largest organization in Wavehaven."
Elbert chuckled, nodding in agreement.
Twenty minutes later, they pulled up outside Luminous Hall, a bustling entertainment complex. There was no need for forced entry this time.
Trinity, smiling mysteriously, entered the building. A long table had been set up in the foyer, where a gang member sat behind a stack of papers.
"Name, work experience, desired position," he droned, not looking up.
Trinity paused, utterly bewildered. Was she applying for a job? Had Veridiania's gangs gone corporate?
"I'd like to speak with your boss," she finally said, her voice amused.
The gang member looked up, and a flicker of something akin to awe crossed his face. "The boss? Sure, I can take you to him."
He led her through the building, unchallenged, until they reached the fifth floor. The scene that greeted Trinity was far from what she expected.
Gone were the intimidating glares and menacing postures. Instead, everyone was hunched over desks, pens scribbling furiously with brows furrowed in concentration.
"Thank you for your patronage!"
"Have a pleasant day, sir!"
"We look forward to serving you again!"
The air buzzed with... customer service? Since when were gangsters so polite? She was starting to seriously question the accuracy of her organization's intel.
Ten minutes later, Elbert, having found a convenient excuse to leave the car, strolled into Luminous Hall.
The gang member at the registration desk practically leaped to his feet. "Boss Paul Two!" he exclaimed, his face flushing. "A beautiful woman just came in asking for you. She's on the fifth floor."
He nodded, smiling knowingly. He casually grasped the young man's wrist, checking his pulse.
"Irregular heartbeat," Robertconfirmed. "My hypothesis was correct."
Elbert's smile widened. So that was her game. He had to hand it to her; she was well-prepared.
As he reached the fifth floor, he heard Trinity's melodic laughter echoing from a nearby office. Peeking inside, he saw her seated across from Black Fox, the gang leader, who seemed utterly captivated.
'Impressive,' Elbert thought, stifling a chuckle. She'd wrapped him around her little finger in under ten minutes.
"Of course, of course, it'd be an honor to have you join the Black Fox Gang, Miss Nora," Black Fox said, his voice slightly dazed. "I could make you..."
He trailed off as he noticed Elbert standing in the doorway. His dazed look vanished, replaced by panic. He started to rise, but Elbert subtly shook his head, placing a finger to his lips.
Trinity, noticing Elbert as well, smiled knowingly at him before turning back to Black Fox. "You were saying? What position did you have in mind?"
Black Fox stammered, suddenly speechless. What had come over him? Appointing a complete stranger, especially with Boss Paul Two standing right there, would be suicide!
He glanced nervously at Elbert, who simply nodded encouragingly.
Black Fox's confusion deepened. Had the boss also fallen under this woman's spell? But his expression was calm, almost amused.
"H-how about... a Hall Master?" Black Fox finally choked out, his eyes darting between Trinity and Elbert.
Elbert nodded again, mouthing the words, "Go along with it."
Black Fox's jaw dropped. Was the boss serious? But one look at Elbert's unwavering gaze told him there was no room for argument.
"Excellent," Trinity purred, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Now, I'd like you to announce my new position publicly. And if anyone inquires about my credentials, there's no need to hide anything."
Elbert nodded once more.
Black Fox, utterly bewildered and sort of terrified, could only nod back.
'The boss had clearly lost his mind over this woman. Is this the end of the Black Fox Gang?' he felt troubled.
As a final touch, Trinity blew Black Fox a kiss, her smile both alluring and slightly predatory.
Black Fox's heart hammered in his chest, but the fear of Elbert's wrath kept him firmly rooted to the spot. He didn't dare question anything further.
Trinity stood up, taking Elbert's arm. "Come along. On to our next destination."
As they left the office, they were met with Elowen and Melissa's angry glares. Leave it to women to sense this kind of thing. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife.
Trinity purred, her eyes amused. "You're even more popular than I thought."
She brushed past the two women, leaving a trail of her intoxicating perfume in her wake.
Elowen and Melissa fumed, but a subtle gesture from Elbert silenced their protests.
"That was impressive," she said as they drove away. "Even the mighty Black Fox couldn't resist the allure of my red dress."
Elbert chuckled. "It's true, no man can resist your charms. But in the eyes of women..." He paused, letting the implication hang in the air. "Let's just say it doesn't inspire the same reaction."
"That's where you're wrong," Trinity countered, leaning closer, her gaze locked on his. "Every man I've ever met has been utterly captivated by me. Except you, Elbert. You're different."
She whispered, "And it's that very indifference that draws me to you."
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