Blue Bass Nightclub

Every evening, Blue Bass is always bustling with life. A place where youths consume music and pleasures. Among the many nightclubs of Leven, it stands out with its collection of high prestige guests, lavish private rooms, and its reputation for being the nightclub of the elite.

In recent years, Blue Bass has become the social gathering place of the rich younger generation.

Talon Hopkins, a tall and well-built young man, often visits the nightclub. He was handsome and it was not strange to see the many beauties at his side.

Tonight, Talon came with two young women, Julie Morel, a beautiful and gorgeous brunette, an old acquaintance of Lily Lambert, and a short dark-haired girl, as stunning as Julie.

"You must have seen her face earlier! It was hilarious!" Talon laughs loudly, casually strolling in the club's private guests' hallway, leisurely wrapping his arms around the two girls.

He was reminiscing about the incident with Ivy Lambert.

"Serve her right! Let that bitch taste some despair," Julie responds with a satisfied smile.

A staff member guides Talon and his group to a private room. A spacious and extravagantly decorated room.

After entering and dismissing the staff, Talon and his girls sat on a lavish couch overlooking the dancefloor from a large glass window.

"How was your trip to West Castle? The old man said anything?" Julie asks Talon while naturally squatting down in front, hinting it was a habit. She attaches her long hair into a ponytail with a rubber wristband and proceeds to casually unzip Talon's pants.

"Don't worry! The old fuck didn't say anything. He took the green and agreed like a good dog." He laughs as he replies, comfortably leaning on his back, groping the other girl's exposed chest, mounted on his top.

The three continue their sultry passion, disregarding the man entering the room. He humbly approaches where Talon is seated and apologetically interrupts.

"Boss, Miss Andrews has come." The man bows slightly, trying to ignore Julie Morel on her knees and the girl on top of his employer.

Acknowledging the man, Talon makes a nonchalant flick of his wrist, indicating the man to leave without taking his head out of the short dark-haired girl's bosom.

However, the man did not leave right away, which annoyed Talon for his lack of tact. "What are you waiting for?"

"Boss, Sir Jasir came with miss Andrews. We guided them to one of the VIP rooms."

"You dumb fuck, you should have said that from the start." Talon explodes from anger and violently throws the short-haired girl to the ground.

Julie also immediately stopped after hearing the statement. They quickly redress themselves and proceed to go and greet the seemingly important visitor.

____

Talon hurries toward where his guest is staying and enters the large frame door after a few knocks, followed by Julie Morel.

Inside, Talon sees a young man with light tan skin and a gorgeous young woman with a short purple wavy bob in a skimpy but elegant black dress, enjoying a few drinks, sitting on the soft sofa.

Similar to his underling earlier, Talon carefully approaches.

"Jasir, welcome to Blue Bass," He politely says.

"Miss Andrews, I'm glad you came back again!" Talon also greets the unresponsive lady.

Her beautiful face was embellished with a silver septum piercing. In addition, her long-winged black eyeliner around her hazel blue and brown eyes and her deep-colored lipstick made her look bold and rebellious. Even so, the young woman appeared reserved, borderline timid.

"Yo! Talon! Miss Morel," Jasir interrupts their admiration and energetically greets the two, "How have you been?" He strongly pats Hopkins's shoulders.

"I'm doing great. Thank you for your concern," Talon responds, keeping his polite attitude.

Jasir guides Hopkins to take a seat to continue their conversation. Behind, Julie Morel quietly follows and sits on the adjacent armchair.

"I like your nightclub! Melissa also gave me rave reviews of it!" Jasir tells Hopkins, looking at the purple-haired beauty at his side.

"I'm glad you like my place, Miss Andrews," Talon gives a friendly smile to the dashing young woman.

But she didn't answer and didn't even bother to look at him, making the atmosphere awkward.

Jasir chuckles a little before talking again. "I heard you are having fun with your little group. Smiling House, was it?" Jasir tells Talon with an amused tone.

However, despite Jasir's amiable mannerisms, Talon becomes nervous.

"Jasir…"

"Hey, relax!" Jasir stops Hopkins and grabs his shoulder, noticing him being on edge. "How is business?" He casually changes the topic to ease the tension.

"Great! Thank you and Mr. Richmond for leasing me the place. Business is booming,"

"Don't mention it! And don't worry about your little group. Richmond doesn't mind. So long as you properly take care of things, that is!" Jasir gives a smile, underlining his serious tone.

"Jasir… I promise they won't be able to trace things back to me. And Mr. Richmond can rest assured, he won't be involved," Talon desperately explains.

Jiwari slowly takes a sip of his glass then responds. "Yeah, I know. I heard you pocketed a few cops. Is that right?"

"You don't have to worry, Jasir. They won't betray me. Even if they dare, there is nothing much that can incriminate us." Talon explains, trying to reassure his interlocutor.

"Still, Richmond told me to remind you to be careful. Whatever your little group is doing, make sure to cover your trace carefully. In any case, regardless of what happens, Richmond won't be involved. Meaning, if you mess up, you are on your own," Jasir warns Talon before returning to his friendly side.

____

Back at the Lambert estate, Alex Maxwell and Eliana Carter were about to leave Lambert's estate after their visit. The sun has set, and most of the property's residents are already asleep, including the parents and the Lambert little sisters.

Only Lily and some house employees accompanied the two guests to the entrance.

Before leaving, Carter embraces Lambert endearingly before reluctantly separating.

"Don't force yourself! Alright," Eliana says with a gentle voice. "Don't come back until you feel perfectly well."

"I'm fine now. I will be at school tomorrow," Lily reassures Carter and squeezes her tightly within her arms.

Maxwell patiently waited for the two friends to finish saying their goodbye. Amused with their touchy interaction, he giggles and makes a jesting remark. "If you continue, it is going to make me jealous. At least let me join," He smiles mischievously, only to exasperate the beauties, rolling their eyes.

Sensing the duo's glares, Maxwell quickly appeases the girls. "Okay, take your time. I'm leaving first."

"See you tomorrow, Lily. And tell Ivy I said we miss her." Alex continues with a beaming smile and leaves.

"Can't believe we both fell for that idiot," Eliana mutters following a long sigh.

Lily returns her remark with a smile, "You should go now. I will see you at school," She releases the blonde, allowing her to exit.

Shortly after, Carter joins Maxwell in the car. And after small waves toward Lily, they left the property with the acceleration roaring of the engines.

On the road, Carter and Maxwell hold a conversation in the continuity with what they heard from Lily.

"Alex, do you think Lily might be right? Is it really possible they targeted Vy because of Lily and Julie's relationship?" Eliana asks Maxwell with concern.

"I am not sure. But I am certain that Talon is not as simple as he seemed." Alex responds.

"Alex…" Eliana looks down and hesitantly calls his name.

Noticing her distress, Maxwell grabs and firmly holds her hand, giving her enough confidence to continue.

"Please help them. I also sense there is something big behind it all. And I hate that I can't even do anything to help Lily and Vy."

The car stops at a red light, but receiving no answer from Maxwell yet, Eliana continues. "I know you are scheming to get Lily to be yours. But I also know in some way you do care. You are the only one I can ask this, Alex. Please, help them. In return, I... I'm willing to do anything you ask of me." She desperately tightens her grip on Maxwell's hand and searches for his eyes contact.

After a short silence, Maxwell finally answers.

"If my girl asks me so desperately, I guess I am obliged." He leans toward Carter and peers deeply into her misty gray eyes. A rosy mood arises among them, and Maxwell proceeds to kiss her deeply, to her pleasant surprise.

"Worry not! Leave it to your master." Alex smiles mischievously before being pushed by a pouting Carter.

___

Maxwell and Carter are still on the road, heading to the hotel where they are staying. After cruising for some time, Maxwell notices Carter, fallen asleep peacefully. They still had some distance to travel before reaching their destination, and at the following red-light stop, Maxwell took off his jacket to cover his lover from the chilly night.

At the same time, he received an email from Kayla Mathias reporting the result of her investigation. Immediately after briefly reading it, he calls her, wearing his wireless device.

"Hello, young Master?" Kayla responds within the second.

"Everything you found out, do you have confirmation?" Alex cuts to the chase and asks directly.

"Yes, young Master. We implemented some personnel at the location. And finally, today, they met the establishment owner." Kayla explains.

"They confirmed that a certain Talon Hopkins is the current club's owner. Furthermore, our men suspect that the club hides a gang within it, which confirms your previous suspicion." She continues her revelation, making Maxwell smirks at the coincidence.

"Kayla!"

"Yes, young Master?"

"You are the best!" Alex, unable to contain his excitement praises Mathias.

"You are flattering me, young Master." She humbly replies. "However, young Master, we can't have definitive evidence of the gang presence nor activity."

"We only suspect that the owner Hopkins is highly susceptible to be behind it." Kayla continues.

"It is okay. You did great, Kayla. Keep a close eye on Talon. And if you may dig a little more information on him." Alex instructs her in response.

"Understood, young Master!"

"And Kayla? Do you have free time Friday night?" Alex asks casually.

"I should be?" Kayla answers in the form of a question. Curious about Maxwell's intention.

"Excellent, I want to personally visit this Blue Bass," Alex declares boldly.

"Then I'm putting it on our schedule," Kayla confirms.

"One last thing, young Master. Do you remember the detective you told me about previously? The one from whom you received your information. Our men saw them at the club. They were talking with Hopkins."

Maxwell kept silent for a moment, thinking about all these revelations.

In his mind, he was conjecturing a conclusion with the different information available to him.

First, he learned that the same Talon who previously bullied Ivy Lambert is coincidently the owner of the nightclub Blue Bass.

The nightclub in question was a crucial piste to Elian Carter's incident.

Second, the detectives who strangely gave him the errored information after Eliana's incident were seen at Blue Bass, meeting with its owner Talon Hopkins.

And third, from Kayla's investigation, Talon is highly probable to be behind a gang.

Maxwell could more or less conclude that their gang activities may involve human trafficking and underground sexual video production. And these detectives were pocketed to hide their traces.

"Thank you, Kayla. Good night," Alex greets Mathias before ending the call.

Immediately after, he dials another number.

"Son? What is it?" The loud baritone voice resonates throughout Maxwell's ears, grimacing from discomfort.

"Father, I have another favor to ask you," Alex says calmly.

"What is wrong? Tell me immediately if you are in trouble," The panicked father quickly urges Maxwell.

"I know you are acquainted with prosecutor Hamilton. I would like to meet him," Alex declares, preparing a new ploy.

"I hope this can entertain me!" Maxwell mutters. His expression exuded a wide sinister smile from exhilaration.

___ End of chapter 21 ____