The girl's unwavering devotion touched a chord within James. Young women in the throes of youthful passion often acted as though their love was a matter of life and death, as if their lives would end at twenty. Their earnest naivety was endearing.
"If you're going to be like that, then there's nothing more to say. I, your brother, promise to take care of you for the rest of your life, alright?" James tenderly pinched her chin between his thumb and forefinger, his expression full of affection.
Young girls valued promises above all else, regardless of whether the man before them could fulfill them in the long years to come. For now, she believed his words.
Shirley Taylor's eyes shimmered with tears. This happiness had come upon her so suddenly that she didn't know how to embrace it. Gathering her courage, she once again leaned in and kissed him.
[System prompt: Shirley Taylor's favorability +9]
Damn it, why only +9? Shirley, your character settings are all messed up! Weren't you supposed to add ten points each time? Why is it always just a little bit off? Do I really have to pretend to have an incurable illness and, on the verge of death, act out some tragic love story with her just for this one point of favorability? Wouldn't that be way too melodramatic?
James silently grumbled to himself. He had considered this plan before. Well-versed in the literature of angsty teen romances, James believed that only a deeply unforgettable love could make a girl fall completely head over heels. But now, he was hesitant.
This was a real, living person after all, a beautiful one at that, whose every smile and frown was intoxicating. And especially when he looked into her deeply affectionate eyes, he couldn't bring himself to be as cold and ruthless as he was with NPCs. Who could bear to see such a girl suffer even the slightest bit?
As James kissed her, he quietly pondered other solutions. Just then, his phone buzzed with a message.
Jay Johnson: "Boss, that girl who just went out seems to have gotten into an argument with someone."
James checked the message. No wonder she had been gone so long; she was out causing trouble. Those politician's kids were truly something else, acting up wherever they went. He quickly fabricated an excuse and told Shirley Taylor and Asa to stay put in the private room. Then, he hurriedly summoned Jay Johnson, who was standing guard at the door, and rushed towards the source of the commotion.
...
Bella had dashed off to the front desk to get some dice. As she passed an open private room, she accidentally bumped into a young woman running out. The woman was dressed skimpily in a pink halter top and a short skirt, clutching a purse, and appeared extremely flustered. After colliding with Bella, she didn't even offer an apology, just steadied herself and tried to run off.
Bella, normally quite composed, politely said, "I'm sorry." But then, a tattooed man emerged from the room and grabbed the young woman's arm. He was a large, burly fellow with a menacing look, sporting a close-cropped haircut about an inch long, and his voice was rough and deep.
"What the hell? You haven't even finished your drinks. Where are you going?"
"Sir, please let me go. I don't want this job anymore," the young woman pleaded with a pained expression.
"It's not like I'm not paying. You're in this business. What's wrong with letting my big brother have a little feel?" The tattooed man said, trying to drag her back into the room.
"That's not just 'a little feel'..." The young woman desperately clung to the doorframe, refusing to go back inside.
"I'm only here to serve drinks. We agreed on that from the beginning. Please, sir, get someone else."
"My big brother liking you is doing you a favor. Don't be ungrateful," the tattooed man threatened, turning his head.
The young woman was too scared to speak, tears brimming in her eyes, but she still wouldn't let go of the doorframe. As the tattooed man turned to pry her hands loose, he noticed Bella standing nearby, looking pretty and full of youthful energy, especially her long, fair legs, which made his mouth water.
His eyes lit up, and he leered, "Well, well, you're a looker. Standing by the door, are you thinking of coming in for a drink?"
Bella frowned, her disgust evident on her face. This man was clearly bad news. Having grown up in a Cadillac, Bella had a strong sense of justice. She should have intervened to stop this kind of forced behavior. However, this woman was a hostess. If she had chosen this line of work, she should have been prepared to encounter such customers.
Bella had no desire to play the saint. She had helped people in similar situations before, only to have the victims remain silent afterward, leaving her to face accusations and slander. So now, she only helped those she cared about. She couldn't be bothered with every stray cat and dog.
Bella shot the tattooed man a withering glare and walked past them. She heard the man's sleazy voice behind her, "Hey, little lady, what's your number? Come have some fun with me."
"Go have fun with your mother," Bella retorted angrily.
Never in her life had anyone dared to speak to her so rudely. As a politician's daughter, she was the one who usually did the bullying. No one in their right mind would dare to harass her.
"Feisty, aren't we? Dressed like that, aren't you just looking to make some money?"
"Go make your own damn money."
The tattooed man grinned. Being in the underworld for some time, he had picked up a few things. Seeing his own appearance and the girl's fearless, foul-mouthed attitude, he knew she probably had some backing. Maybe she was a street-smart delinquent, or perhaps a spoiled rich girl who thought she was untouchable. Either way, it was risky to mess with someone without knowing their background.
The tattooed man swallowed his anger and ignored Bella, forcefully pulling the hostess back into the room.
"Help! I don't want to do this anymore! Please, miss, get the manager..." The hostess looked at Bella with tear-filled eyes, hoping for help.
The tattooed man, hearing that even this woman dared to defy him, flew into a rage.
"Smack!"
He slapped her across the face.
"Goddamn it, I'm trying to be nice, aren't I?"
He couldn't do anything to the other girl, but he could certainly handle a hostess.
The hostess held her face, looking utterly despondent.
Bella, wisely, didn't confront him. It was broad daylight; how could this man dare to hit someone? She immediately took out her phone and called her friend, a detective.
Just then, another drunken voice came from inside the room.
"Redneck, what's all the racket outside? I thought I heard some chick cursing."
A shirtless man emerged from the room. He was slightly leaner than the tattooed man but still had a large belly. A long, scar ran across his chest, and his eyes occasionally flashed with cruelty and violence.
"Tiger Bro, it's that little girl. She's got a temper. I asked if she was working, and she started cursing."
"Oh?"
Following his underling's direction, the scarred man looked up at Bella, who was about to make a call, and his eyes lit up. She was pretty, with nice legs, though a bit flat-chested.
"Hey, little girl, you've got some nerve, cursing my man?" The scarred man slowly approached.
Bella didn't answer. She took two steps back, waiting for the call to connect. But the call was hung up, indicating that the person was busy. She quickly dialed the police chief's number.
Just then, the scarred man suddenly rushed forward and snatched her phone. Then he grabbed her hand and pulled her into the room.
"Little chick, come in and play with me."
Bella screamed and cursed, "Let go, you bastard! If you don't let go, I'll have you locked up, you hear me?"
"I wouldn't mind going back for a couple of days. Give it a try if you can."
Relying on his strength, the scarred man dragged Bella into the room. The door slammed shut with a "bang."
The light dimmed.
Seeing the man's drunken state, Bella started to panic a little. Drunk people were capable of anything. If she were assaulted here, even killing these animals wouldn't make up for her loss.
Thinking of this, she quickly revealed her identity:
"My dad is Kennedy Hawson, the head of the Miami Kennedy family! You better behave!"
The Kennedy family of Miami was an old, powerful family, mostly involved in politics. Kennedy Hawson was a big shot who controlled Miami's law enforcement agencies. Anyone in the underworld would know that name.