Chapter 3 3

Alyssa's POV:

"This is interesting," my Chinese boss said with a sly grin. I handed him an envelope containing an invitation to a black market auction that would take place at the Dark Casino. The Dark Casino was the venue for almost all illegal auctions in America. The wealthiest businessmen from various countries would come here. Since the auction was illegal, it took place in the most secretive room inside the Dark Casino. The building itself was intricately designed; every guest entering had to wear a mask. There were numerous security personnel around, and every entrance leading to that room was guarded by multiple security doors and CCTV cameras. Not even a mouse could enter the room without getting burnt or electrocuted.

To gain access to that room, one needed to be a member of the Dark Society, have a net worth of at least half a billion dollars, and provide collateral to the management of the Dark Casino in case of betrayal. The collateral could be your own life or the life of someone dear to you. It depended on them which collateral they preferred.

What billionaire wouldn't be interested in becoming a member when the vault of the Dark Casino contained various intriguing items from different countries? From stolen paintings, antiques, century-old books, to crime evidences. Yes, even evidence of illegal activities that could potentially reach the police could be bought at the auction.

Take Mr. Choo, my boss for instance. He's a notorious smuggler from China. He kept all his transaction records, his clients, and his allies in what he called his Sin Book, which was stolen from him. The book surfaced at the auction, so he was compelled to become a member of the Dark Casino. He put his daughter's life on the line as collateral. Some of his rivals in the business attempted to buy the Sin Book from the auction, so he spent a generous amount just to win its bid. Looking at Mr. Choo now, he didn't regret joining. He enjoyed collecting expensive items that were only available in the black market.

His membership in the Dark Casino was the reason why I joined this syndicate. I am one of his personal bodyguards, and I am the most trusted among them all.

"You'll escort me to this auction, right? It's gonna be fun, Alyssa. I wonder if they're selling the recently lost porcelain vase of the Princess of Monaco. I heard it has a treasure map hidden in its intricate designs," he said, followed by a hearty laugh.

I simply nodded. I had no idea about that porcelain vase, and frankly, I didn't care. I smirked to myself, having heard that Masked Wolf would be hosting the auction. It was my chance to face him. It wouldn't help me if the auction went smoothly as planned. I needed to create a scene, to grab the headmaster's attention. I would start planning now for what needed to happen.

Jandrix's POV:

"The police secured the CCTV footage from that bar, so we haven't got any," Jan, who was seated across from me, said as he sipped his tea inside the private lounge located underground in one of my mansions here in New York. Only four of my four thousand men have access to this room.

I glanced at Ares and Lee, who were facing the dartboard and competing. The game was useless for both of them; their wrists were perfect, so there would be no loser if there was no cheating. I returned my attention to Jan.

"Don't tell me about the annoying stuff. Get into details Jan, I know you have done something about it already."

"Oh. Of course." He smiled at me, then took out a small disc and inserted it into the laptop in front of him. "I hacked into the police's records. I distorted their copy and got us our own. The woman you're trying to find out about is here." He turned the laptop towards me. The monitor displayed a very beautiful yet intriguing face of the woman in red. I studied her face closely. Even in a picture, she had the same effect on me. I couldn't even look away. The woman had intense black eyes, a straight nose, and beautifully carved lips. Just like a masterpiece. Even more beautiful and fascinating than the most valuable gem ever sold in my auctions. I closed my eyes, recalling how soft her entire body was, how responsive she was to every touch of my hand on her skin. How her lips alone could lead to the peak of ecstasy...

"She looks exactly like a precious and a very fragile crystal, isn't she?" Jan commented. "But she's venomous. All the curves of her beautiful face and body spell danger."

I furrowed my brow. That was the first thing I sensed from her aura. I couldn't afford to be wrong because my instincts were strong in all matters. But Jan, he hadn't faced this woman, so he knew if he had any evidence to support his claims. After all, when it came to documents and gathering information, he was the most reliable for me.

"Her name is Alyssa Fay Cabrera. She's a Filipina. She was born and raised in the Philippines. But because of her exceptional talent in school, she became an exchange student here in New York a few years ago. She's an orphan; her stepmother was living with her in a small apartment sponsored by the Government. She was living a normal life until recently when her mother was involved in a tragic car accident."

"What a pity... but what does all this have to do with her being in that bar and disappearing like thin smoke?"

Jan continued, "She's looking for you."

"Tell me something I don't know, Jan. Of course, I've realized that already."

"She's not looking for you because you're the crime leader or something as extravagant as that. She was merely looking for you because you're a great doctor, Masked Wolf. You're the only surgeon in town who can heal her dying mother."

I raised an eyebrow at what I heard. "Really?"

"There's a very tiny pin inserted in her mother's head causing her to be in a state of coma. It has to be removed, otherwise, she'll die. But the operation is very complicated. Only a miracle doctor can perform it without killing the patient in the process. That's why she needs you."

"Wait. How can an ordinary foreign student like her know about my existence? Isn't it a little disturbing?"

Jan scratched his neck. "Recently, right after the accident, she's been in contact with an unknown person. This person has been giving her all the information and all the instructions she needs to get to you."

"What's the motive? And who is this unknown person? Why did he or she choose an inexperienced student like Cabrera to go after me?"

Jan sighed. "I don't know, Jandrix. I can't track where the call is coming from. But I have a bad feeling that someone powerful is behind all this."

"What does this lady know about me so far?"

"Nothing much. She doesn't know you. Her idea of the Masked Wolf is Ares. She thinks it's Ares."

"But we can't be more complacent. You know how much I value the anonymity of my identity, Jan. Let's not take this casually. I need you to continue monitoring that woman; she'll most likely show up at the auction."

"She's currently working as Mr. Choo's personal bodyguard. How she got tangled with the famous Chinese Mafia, I also don't have an idea. A lot of information still doesn't match up."

I sipped my tea while working on the details he gave me. I turned to Alec. "Alec, you'll be in charge of the whole security system and personnel at Dark Casino on the day of the auction. I need you to focus on this woman." I faced him towards the laptop monitor.

Alec nodded slowly, holding his favorite deadly pen.

"Ares, you'll be the Masked Wolf. And Lee, Mr. Choo will be our special guest that night. I need you to try and kill him."

Lee froze in his stance at the dartboard. "Try? You want me to try or you want him dead?"

"Don't put too much effort into it. I just want you to try."

"I might miss and kill him for real."

I grinned. "Well then, I guess we can call it the work of fate then."

I don't know why I worry about this pitiful lady so much. I guess I just want to see her again and kill her like she told me to do last night. Or maybe, I just want to see her, period.

My attention was snapped back when my cellphone rang.

"Dr. Jandrix Alexis Dimarco, one of your patients is in critical condition. We need you here in 30 minutes. Please come over."

"I'm on my way," I replied.