Up in the second-floor VIP area, Ririko handled the guests with effortless ease.
She balanced a tray in her right hand, wineglasses and expensive imported liquor standing on the silver platter.
She slipped sideways through the door and bent to set the drinks on the table. The key was to let her long hair hide her face, build the guests' anticipation, then slowly lift her head.
The method worked remarkably well.
The people in the room glanced up at her and found themselves unable to look away from her face.
She could pour however she pleased. Whether she poured too much or too little, or even picked up the wrong bottle, no one cared.
No one wanted to interrupt the brief few dozen seconds she spent in the room.
By the time she finished the whole routine, she could collect a handsome tip. Some people even followed her out just to get another look at her and press more money into her hand.
Ririko returned to the Dormitory and spread out all the banknotes she had received that night-they covered the entire bed.
She smiled in satisfaction and carefully stashed the money in a little box in the most secluded corner of her room.
With this money, she could buy more nice things, like a phone. Then she could shop online whenever she wanted and check the latest news about Wayne Enterprises.
After all, she needed to pay more attention to her "partner," Bruce, and the hundreds of billions in assets that would eventually fall into her hands.
Then she remembered the way Oswald's face tightened as though he were constipated every time he saw her-
He had been furious enough to stamp his feet when she lifted his bangs, yet he had never actually done anything to her. Despite all his cursing, he had still raised her hourly wage by two dollars and transferred her from the first floor to the second...
The corners of her mouth slowly curved upward.
The bird man was petty, but so far, he had treated her pretty well.
Good birds deserved good things. She decided to stop contradicting him quite so much.
When she came to work the next day, the manager entered the Staff Preparation Room.
"Ririko, a very important guest is coming to see Mr. Cobblepot shortly. You'll be looking after him. Be attentive."
"Understood."
Ririko took a small box out of the little drawer in her vanity.
She had asked Butch to bring it back for her when he went out to "take care of business" earlier that day.
Inside was a brand-new bottle of Chanel perfume, still in its packaging.
Butch was sometimes unresponsive, but he was fairly reliable when it came to getting things done. She was already grateful that he had not bought men's cologne instead of women's perfume.
Since the bird man had an important guest today, she would "repay" him for once and reluctantly put some real effort into serving him.
She raised the perfume in front of her, lifted her hair, and sprayed her neck.
Warmed by her body heat, the fragrance slowly mellowed and spread, becoming part of the scent of her skin.
Her body already gave off a faint, sweet scent, but she could hardly deprive herself of the pleasure of wearing perfume.
She savored the lingering fragrance in the air, feeling content in body and mind.
This was the scent of money.
She glanced toward the staff lockers. That idiot still had not shown up...
He's probably slacking off somewhere, Ririko thought.
At the far end of the second floor's east wing, the dark oak doors of a private room stood shut, with two guards in black suits stationed on either side.
Oswald approached from the other end of the corridor, his steps far steadier than usual as he deliberately concealed the scraping sound of his dragging foot.
He wore a dark blue suit and a gleaming silver silk tie, with two little locks of his bangs neatly fixed against his forehead.
The door opened, and Oswald walked inside.
The room was elegant and understated, reserved specifically for entertaining his most important guests.
There were three people inside, one of them seated on the sofa.
Raymond Carlisle, general manager of Wayne Pharmaceuticals.
He had a sharp, capable face and salt-and-pepper hair styled in the standard corporate executive cut-
Parted on the left and held in place with gel, every strand exactly where it belonged.
His clothes were more understated than Oswald's, but the fabric and workmanship were superb. It was easy to see that he appreciated life's comforts.
Oswald glanced at the two bodyguards beside him, his lips curving into a perfectly measured smile.
"Rest assured, Mr. Carlisle. My lounge is absolutely safe."
He gracefully took the seat opposite him.
Raymond sent his men to the other side of the room to give the two of them space to talk.
"Please don't misunderstand, Mr. Cobblepot. I've always preferred to be cautious."
Oswald's smile never faltered. He leaned forward slightly and pushed a briefcase toward Raymond, its latches facing up, waiting for him to open it.
"As long as I'm elected mayor, I'll make sure you're well rewarded, Mr. Carlisle."
Raymond lifted the lid just a crack. Once he confirmed that the case was packed with banknotes, his smile broadened.
"Since you're interested in serving Gotham, Mr. Cobblepot, I happen to have some information that could help you."
Oswald leaned forward a little, listening with keen interest.
Raymond closed the case and set it beside him.
"Wayne Pharmaceuticals is going to develop a drug that enhances physical capabilities. Its effects are quite remarkable. Once it hits the market, the company's share price is certain to reach a new high."
Oswald's eyes lit up.
With this inside information, all he needed to do was make his move ahead of time, and he could easily launder the Iceberg Lounge's illicit proceeds. There would be no need to keep using those shipping routes and shell companies that could be investigated at any moment.
"Is this drug really that impressive? Thomas certainly seems ambitious."
Oswald probed cautiously, his voice carrying just the right amount of admiration.
Thomas Wayne was always making a public spectacle of his charity work in Gotham, presenting himself as some great philanthropist.
If he was secretly developing a "physical enhancement drug," that meant Wayne Enterprises was not actually "doing charity," but "dealing in arms."
Raymond smiled.
"Thomas isn't involved in this research... All he thinks about is charity projects."
"Then... who's heading the project?"
Oswald lowered his voice, seeming deeply interested in the person openly defying Thomas.
Raymond offered no further details.
Oswald knew when to take a hint.
He smiled and raised his glass without asking any more questions.
"I've had my best chef prepare a meal, along with a fine bottle of champagne." Oswald changed the subject, guiding Raymond toward the dining table.
Raymond gladly took a seat, interest brightening his face. "I hear the girls at your lounge are all very beautiful."
Oswald gave a knowing smile.
He had long heard that this man was greedy for both money and women. The rumors were clearly true.
For some reason, Ririko's sultry face sprang unbidden into his mind.
No. Ririko absolutely must not appear tonight. That woman is far too uncontrollable. If she shows up, she'll ruin everything.
Fortunately, he had asked Butch to make the arrangements. Butch should have understood what he meant-
Have an obedient girl serve this distinguished guest instead.
A soft knock came at the door.
"Come in," Oswald called.
The door opened.
A server wheeled in a small dining cart.
Oswald did not even turn his head. He could already tell from the fragrance that it was not Ririko.
Ririko carried that seductive, sweet scent that sent people's minds wandering despite themselves...
This server's scent was more elegant, with just the right balance of flowers and sandalwood. She smelled like a reasonably obedient girl.
"French baked escargot with caviar."
The server placed the main courses beneath their silver covers in front of the two men, along with a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket and two crystal glasses.
At the sound of that voice, like a kitten's teasing scratch, Oswald's entire body stiffened.
He whipped his head around, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets-
Ririko was looking down at him with a bewitching smile.
Oswald's mouth opened and closed, then closed and opened again, but he could not force out a single sentence.
"You, you..."
He hurriedly looked at Raymond, but it was already too late-
The man's gaze was fixed on Ririko's captivating face, utterly intoxicated by the delicate fragrance wafting from her body.
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