Maloney blinked in surprise.


    “Is this the underground bar you mentioned? It doesn’t seem very underground at all.


    It’s quite conspicuous.


    ”


    Bryson led Maloney and Dotson inside without uttering a word.


    The main hall was elegantly decorated with Luxurious rosewood chairs and lengthy tables.


    The walls were adorned with paintings, and rows of fine porcin vases cast a gentle radiance.


    “This doesn’t seem like a bar,” Maloney said as he looked around.


    “It’s more like a private mansion.


    ”


    Just as he finished hisment, a woman d in a red dress appeared from across the hall.


    “Mr.


    Mitchell, pleasee this way.


    ”


    Bryson nodded, signaling Dotson and Maloney to follow.


    As the two men caught up with Bryson, Maloney whispered, “Have you been here before?”RêAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    “Yes,” Bryson responded, his voice tinged with nostalgia.


    “I used toe to this ce frequently when I first came back to the country.


    ”


    The woman in the red dress guided them toward the right side of the hall, to an elevator.


    Upon entering, Maloney noticed the only button was for the basement level.


    “So, this leads to the actual underground bar?”


    The woman nodded and exined, “Yes, the upper levels are the residence of the owner.


    We only allow ess to those we trust.


    ”


    As they descended, the area grew darker, and the sound of loud music began to fill the atmosphere.


    Bryson said directly to the woman, “I’m here to see your boss.


    ”


    “Of course, the boss isn’t busy right now.


    I’ll take you to him,” she responded, leading them through a series of corridors until they reached their destination.


    Just as Maloney felt he was losing track of their path, the woman halted and said, “Here we are.


    Please wait here while I notify the boss.


    ”


    “Okay.


    ”


    After the woman went inside, Maloney looked around.


    There was a small fountain.


    The area was notably quietpared to the earlier noise.


    The sound of the fountain was soothing.


    The surroundings here contrasted sharply with the noise they had heard earlier.


    But they didn’t know where they were.


    They seemed to have walk a long distance.


    Maloney leaned in and whispered to Bryson, “Something feels off here.


    Keep your guard up when we go in.


    ”


    Dotson stayed alert, quietly scanning the surroundings.