The Blossom of Youth

Long before Downton entered Little Italy, streetwalkers had already been relaying messages to Liv.

Consequently, the moment Downton stood before the entrance of the Iceberg Lounge, Liv was already smiling as she walked over to greet him.

"Mr. Downton, apologies for not meeting you sooner. Please, follow me inside the club so we can sit and talk."

"You've already met me quite far enough; the entrance is three or four hundred meters away from the backstage area where you were hanging out."

Downton exchanged pleasantries with Liv while casting a satisfied glance at her black silk stockings.

Behind Liv, the dancer Downton had previously singled out waved at him with a face full of exhaustion.

Noticing the dancer, Downton leaned in, patted her bottom, and asked, "Why are you so sleepy?"

"I only got to sleep at three this morning, and it's not even nine yet. You can guess why Big Sister dragged me out of bed!"

Facing Downton's greeting, the dancer pouted in complaint before lazily nestling into his arms, greedily demanding his lips.

After a long kiss, Downton draped an arm around the dancer and Liv, finding a private booth to sit in.

While the dancer was pouring him a drink, Downton gave Liv his instructions.

"I want intelligence on the Dimitrov Family, specifically the location of their boss. Also, arrange a car and a driver for me."

"No problem, Mr. Downton."

Hearing his request, Liv promptly pulled out a mobile phone and handed it to him.

"Consider the phone a gift from me. The Dimitrovs' location has already been marked on the navigation. By the way, regarding your driver, I managed to save Bartel from Oswald. Do you think he's suitable?"

"Bartel, huh? He's sensible enough, but driving for me is a bit dangerous. I told him I'd give him a good life, and now I'm just leading him to his death—that doesn't feel right, does it?"

Downton grinned, glancing at Bartel, who was standing guard outside the door.

Noticing Downton's gaze, Liv smiled faintly and shook her head.

"To save this unlucky fellow from Oswald, I specifically emphasized that he would be useful to you. Since I've already said as much, he had better be useful, or death is the only thing waiting for him. Besides, there are countless nameless gunmen in Gotham; driving for you might actually help him make a name for himself. Don't underestimate the appeal of getting ahead for a common thug, Downton. If they're certain they can die in a blaze of glory, even a coward might be willing to face death."

With that, Liv called out toward the door. "Bartel, come here and meet your new boss."

As her voice fell, Bartel's body stiffened, and he cautiously turned to walk into the room.

Standing before Downton and Liv, the burly, rugged Bartel actually stood with the bashful awkwardness of a young girl.

Downton took an uncomfortable sip of champagne, then suddenly fired a shot right next to Bartel's feet.

Bang!

Just as Bartel began to tremble in terror, Downton scolded him irritably.

"I don't need anyone to charge into the fray for me; I usually handle the pleasant business of killing people myself. However, while I don't need you to go on a rampage like Victor Zsasz, you at least need to have the bearing of a mobster's arm candy, don't you? Stand like you're supposed to, sit like you're supposed to—don't be all fidgety like a softie."

At this, Downton curled his lip at Liv. "Liv, I'm suddenly regretting letting this guy be my driver. I think I'd rather have a fierce henchman like Victor."

"I understand you."

Liv nodded in understanding. "As the ruler of Gotham for the past thirty years, Roman is the most excellent of all the Gotham bosses, and his henchman is likewise the most excellent of henchmen. Aiming to challenge Falcone, you naturally want a henchman on par with Zsasz. However, Downton, since you admire sharp, killer-type henchmen like Victor Zsasz, why don't you try recruiting some elites from the assassin world? After all, your abilities are a natural nightmare for killers."

"Wait, are you saying...?"

Listening to Liv's suggestion, Downton vaguely understood something, and he clapped his hands in excitement.

"You're right, Liv! As long as I put a high bounty on my own head, I'm naturally the perfect bait to lure in assassins! Whether it's eight million or ten million, they'll never get the commission for a successful hit, and they'll end up completely entangled with me!"

As he spoke, Downton rubbed his chin with interest. "Liv, introduce me—who are the elite assassins in the industry right now?"

"Speaking of elites, the first that comes to mind is Deadshot from our Gotham Narrows; that guy and I have even collaborated before.

Aside from his habit of hiking up the price at the last minute, he has no other flaws as a hitman.

And his track record of never failing an assassination since his debut makes employers care very little about his habit of raising prices.

However, Downton, as your middleman, I must remind you.

While you are considering your future henchmen, Roman has already set his sights on the Dimitrov Family.

If nothing goes wrong, Victor Zsasz is likely already leading his men toward your target at this very moment.

Clearly, your enemy could be taken out by Victor Zsasz at any time, because even you yourself have said that Victor Zsasz is the best hitman in Gotham.

So, hurry up and go snatch the Dimitrovs from Zsasz~"

As her words fell, Liv turned Downton's face toward her, looking charmingly straight into his eyes.

Meeting Liv's gaze, Downton grinned.

"Falcone's reaction is truly fast; is he using the destruction of a family to suppress news of me?

That won't do. I almost never leave my revenge for the next day; the Dimitrovs must be taken out by my own hand.

I won't dawdle with you any longer, I'm off..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Downton stopped because Liv bit down hard on his lip.

After they parted, looking at the beads of blood, Liv ignored Downton's dissatisfied glare and gently used her tongue to apply lip balm for him.

It is unknown how long she applied it, but Liv finally took a satisfied breath and then slipped out of Downton's embrace.

Gently patting Downton's chest, Liv smiled and urged him on.

"You really should set off this time; I wouldn't want you to have any regrets because you were late."

"It is indeed time to say goodbye. I'll come find you again when I have new requirements."

Downton nodded and led the anxious Bartel out of the private room.

Watching Downton's retreating back, Liv couldn't help but lick her lips.

"What a perfect guy. He is my fated partner; even if Falcone gets old, I can still rely on him to continue being the most powerful middleman in Gotham!"

"Ahem!"

Before Liv could finish her sentence, Downton, who had returned, interrupted her.

"Uh, the way you were praising me behind my back was quite sultry; keep doing that in the future.

Besides that, help me find some tracking devices. I need to install a tracker on myself."

"Huh?"

Hearing this, Liv was slightly stunned.

"Why would you want to install a tracker on yourself? That sort of thing has no benefits at all. Once the signal is intercepted, even your enemies will be able to track your movements!"

"Haha!"

Liv's words made Downton burst into laughter. While laughing, Downton said.

"If I don't install a tracker on myself, even my driver won't be able to find me.

Don't ask any more questions, just hurry up and find some tracking devices. I'll pay you extra later, Liv!"

Although there was no promotion this week, I can still strive for one next week. I ask everyone to keep up with the reading; just flipping to the last page of the final chapter every day is enough.