Chapter 373

I was thinking to myself, 'If this was just some random kidnapping, the guy would probably do it because Kelsey's gorgeous. But making someone disappear without a trace? That's definitely not a one-man job.'

So, I was guessing there was some shady organization behind this, probably tied to some gang.

If it was gang-related, there was only one reason: they snatched her to train her for Kabuki, or maybe to keep her as a secret lover.

My heart sank; women were at a disadvantage against men in terms of strength, especially girls like Kelsey, who are even more vulnerable.

I asked, "Crystal, is there any place around herewhere we can get some info?"

Crystal's face changed instantly. "Mr. Cena, didn't you say you were here for a vacation? Why are you asking this?"

I quickly explained, "Don't freak out, I'm just curious. Isn't this how it always goes in the movies?"

My explanation didn't calm her down; she got even more cautious. She pulled me aside, looked around, and then whispered, "Mr. Cena, are you here on some special mission?"

"What mission?"

"Like gathering all sorts of secret info," Crystal said nervously, "Tell me the truth, if that's the case, I'll refund your money. I won't take the job."

I finally got it. "No, you're overthinking it. I'm not that kind of person."

"Really?"

I sighed. "I don't even understand the language here. Do you think I could do that kind of work?"

She thought for a moment. "You scared me. I thought you were here on a special mission."

I laughed. "Don't overthink it. This is my first time in Crystal Nation, so I'm just curious."

"Is there such a place?" I asked again.

Crystal hesitated a bit. I took out a wad of cash, and her eyes lit up. "There is, but it's pretty hidden."

I took out some more money, then she agreed, "I'll take you there!"

Honestly, people living in Crystal Nation didn't necessarily have it easy. Money talked everywhere.

Soon, I followed her to a small restaurant. This place was pretty tucked away, in a corner of an alley.

Before going in, Crystal said, "I found this place by accident. I won't go in. This restaurant is actually controlled by a gang. I heard they use it to exchange info and even post bounties."

I thought, 'Post bounties? Isn't that exactly what I need?'

My eyes lit up. "Are you sure you won't go in?"

"I'm a bit scared." Her face turned slightly pale. I could tell she was genuinely scared.

I thought, 'If it weren't for the money, she definitely wouldn't have brought me here.'

"Alright then, I'll just go in and take a look." With that, I opened my translation app and walked in.

The lighting inside was dim. Cassandra Webb, with tattooed arms, was sitting at the front desk, smoking a cigarette. She looked like trouble.

She glanced at me and said something in Crystal Nation's language, which I didn't understand. The translation app translated it to: "Welcome."

'With that lifeless tone, does she really wanna people come here?' I thought, 'If this place is really controlled by a gang, it makes sense. Who would think that there was a restaurant hidden in such a place? Clearly, they don't expect visitors.'

I glanced around. The place wasn't big, but there were a few men drinking. They were silent, exuding a menacing aura, clearly not to be messed with.

I spoke into my phone, and the app produced a mechanical voice. Cassandra's eyes lit up, and she said a bunch of things. The translation came out as: "Who are you? Who sent you?"

I replied, "I came on my own. I heard you can post bounties here, right?"

Cassandra asked, "Are you from Simbara?"

"Yes, can I post bounties?"

Cassandra asked directly, "Yes, who do you want to kill?"

I swallowed hard and thought, 'That direct? Is this a gang or an assassin organization?'

I said, "I don't want to kill anyone. Can I look for someone?"

"Yes, ten grand! We take a thirty percent commission fee!"

Thirty percent commission was crazy high. But a thousand bucks wasn't much.

I asked, "The higher the bounty, the better the chances, right?"

"Yes!"

I rubbed my chin. "Can you bring her back safely?"

"A hundred grand!"

I thought, 'As long as Kelsey is safe!'

"I'll give you three hundred grand. Find her and bring her back safely."

Cassandra's eyes lit up. "Do you have any info or photos?"

"Yeah!" I quickly pulled out my phone, showed her the photos, and gave her all the info about Kelsey, including the last place she was seen.

"I'm posting the message now. You need to pay me a hundred grand upfront!"

That was four hundred grand in total.

"I'll give you a two hundred grand deposit. Once you find her, I'll pay the rest!"

Cassandra thought for a moment and nodded. "Okay!"

After stepping out, I felt a bit uneasy, not sure if these people would really look for her. But even if I got scammed, it didn't matter.

"Mr. Cena, over here." From a distance, I saw Crystal waving at me.

I couldn't help but laugh, thinking, 'Are you really that scared?'

From her behavior, it was clear that this place was indeed gang-controlled.

I asked, "Aren't you a bit too much?"

Crystal blushed. "We're in a foreign country; we have to be cautious. This is Crimson Lotus Society's territory. They're one of the three major gangs in Moxford's underworld."

"You know quite a lot."

"I've lived here for a long time, and I don't want anything to happen to you," Crystal said.

"Why don't you go back to the States? Things are pretty good there now."

Crystal sighed, her eyes dimming. "Going back isn't that easy. Alright, let's not talk about that. Where to next?"

I smiled. "Are there more places like this restaurant?"

"There are, but..."

"Then take me there, but not one controlled by Crimson Lotus Society."

Seeing Crystal hesitate, I took out another thousand dollars. "You just need to show me the way. It has nothing to do with you."

Driven by money, she couldn't resist. "Alright, I'll take you."

Then, I arrived at a place controlled by Blackhawk Syndicate. It was similar to the Crimson Lotus Society's restaurant, but the bounty tasks here were cheaper, costing me only two hundred grand.

After leaving the Blackhawk Syndicate's restaurant, I went to a restaurant controlled by Skywolf Society to post a bounty. All three major gangs controlling Moxford's underworld had taken on the task.

I spent almost a million dollars in total. I must find Kelsey. I even thought, 'Once I find Kelsey, I will kill the person who kidnapped her.'

I prayed in my heart that Kelsey would be safe.

During this time, Lillian and Ruby took turns calling me. The embassy had mobilized connections, and the police were conducting a large-scale search, but there was still no progress.

As night fell, my anxiety grew. Every minute of delay increased the danger.

What really infuriated me was Kelsey's parents' indifferent attitude upon learning of her disappearance. They didn't care about her.

I swore in my heart that once I found Kelsey, I would never let her leave my side for the rest of my life. I would protect her well.

"Mr. Cena, this Kabukicho is very nice," Crystal introduced.

"Crystal, thanks for your hard work today. You can go now. I want to walk around alone."

Crystal was stunned and a bit panicked. "Mr. Cena, did I do something wrong?"

I knew that people like me, with money, were rare for them to encounter. "No, I just want to walk alone. I still need you tomorrow."

Hearing this, she sighed in relief. "In that case, I'll leave now. If you need anything, message me anytime."

I nodded, standing on the streets of Moxford, feeling lost.

Just then, I received a message from Cassandra of the Crimson Lotus Society: [We found her, come quickly!]

Previous Chapter Next Chapter

Popular

History

Chapter 373