Sweet Revenge: Jace & Emerald

The group led by Jace stayed in place while waiting for Detective Ronnie and Cedrick. Young Higginson didn’t want to miss the unfolding events because he was eager to bring the good news to his wife. Despite his worries, he tried to remain calm, as Liam, who was with him in the car, reminded him.

Meanwhile, inside the Red House, Detective Ronnie and Cedrick sat on a long couch facing a sizable stage. They knew what kind of establishment the Red House was and what was inside.

A waitress approached them and offered them drinks, which they accepted. Due to the nature of their work, they were used to drinking and didn’t get drunk easily, so they drank while ensuring they were still doing their job.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

The two wondered why no women were dancing on stage, even though people were inside. They looked around and noticed that the customers with them didn’t seem to care.

“Maybe it’s not yet time for the women to perform,” Cedrick said, looking at Ronnie. “It happens; the women perform only at certain times. When their important customers arrive, the dancers will surely take the stage.”

Ronnie nodded in agreement, as what his fellow detective said made sense. The two decided to take it easy with their drinking, not spending all their money and achieving nothing, fearing they’d disappoint their bosses.

Soon, the Red House’s important customers began to arrive. They were important because they were politicians and well-known elderly businessmen in the country. The two detectives shook their heads at the realization.

Behind them, they overheard a conversation among other customers: “Madam is at the Purple House.” A man’s voice was so familiar that they assumed it was an aide to the person he was talking to.

“You know I don’t care what she does,” said the voice of an elderly man. The detectives looked at each other, and both thought that the Purple House mentioned by the first man was similar to the Red House but with male entertainers.

Suddenly, the surroundings dimmed before the soft lights began to flicker. Seductive music echoed along with a sliding door opening in the center of the stage. The two detectives looked up and were stunned when a woman emerged and began dancing.

But it wasn’t the woman dancing that surprised them; her see-through bra and panties didn’t cover anything. “I’ll start the search,” Cedrick said.

“I’ll create a diversion,” Ronnie replied, his eyes fixed on the dancing woman before him.

“We’re here to work,” Cedrick reminded.

“I know,” Ronnie confirmed before Cedrick stood up and left him. He felt he wouldn’t be noticed because everyone’s eyes were glued to the woman exposing herself.

The stage was high, so Ronnie had to look up, his eyes fixed on the woman who didn’t glance at him, intentionally avoiding eye contact as she continued to dance.

“Get down here, bitch!” yelled the old man behind Ronnie, which he didn’t like, but he calmed himself and stayed seated, thinking it wasn’t time to make a scene since Cedrick had just left. Ronnie stayed in his seat, letting his eyes feast on the naked body of the woman dancing before him.

The Red House was a labyrinth of shadows and secrets, its opulent facade concealing a darker underbelly. Inside, the club was alive with pulsating music and flashing lights, the air thick with the scent of expensive perfume and the hum of whispered conversations. Jace’s private detective, Ronnie, sat on a plush velvet couch, his eyes fixed on the stage where a woman danced seductively. He sipped his drink, a seemingly relaxed patron, but his mind was alert, ready to create a diversion if needed.

Across the room, the dim lighting cast long shadows, creating pockets of darkness where deals were made and secrets were whispered. The dance on stage was a distraction, a smokescreen for the activities behind closed doors. Ronnie knew this place well, and that behind the glamour was a world of illicit activities.

Meanwhile, Cedrick moved stealthily through the corridors of the Red House. He had one goal: to find Dr. Sanders and Ember. He slipped past bouncers and patrons, blending into the background with practiced ease. His heart pounded as he approached the first door, marked only by a small brass plate reading “VIP Room 1.”

Carefully, Cedrick turned the handle and pushed the door open a crack, peering inside. The room was dimly lit, furnished with lavish, crimson decor. A large bed dominated the space, draped in silks and satins. On it, a well-dressed man lounged with a young woman, their conversation intimate. Cedrick quickly shut the door, his pulse quickening. This was not the room he was looking for.

He moved to the next door, labeled “VIP Room 2.” Opening it slightly, he saw another similar setup: a plush seating area with a private bar where two men negotiated something over a glass of whiskey. At the same time, a scantily clad woman sat on one of their laps, giggling. Cedrick closed the door silently and continued down the hall.

Each room he checked told a similar story. “VIP Room 3” contained a middle-aged man receiving a massage from a young woman in a revealing outfit. “VIP Room 4” was occupied by a group of businessmen engaged in a hushed conversation, interrupted by the occasional laughter of the women around them.

As Cedrick reached “VIP Room 5,” he took a deep breath and opened the door slightly. Inside, he saw a room designed for more specific entertainment. The walls were lined with mirrors, and a pole stood in the center. A woman performed for a lone man sitting in a leather chair, a look of satisfaction on his face. Cedrick shut the door quietly, feeling the weight of his mission pressing down on him.

He continued down the corridor, past rooms marked with more anonymous brass plates: “VIP Room 6,” “VIP Room 7,” and so on. Each room he checked revealed more of the same high-paying clients indulging in private fantasies, unaware or indifferent to the world outside.

As Cedrick moved further into the depths of the Red House, he felt a growing sense of urgency. Time was slipping away, and he had not found any sign of Dr. Sanders or Ember. He knew he couldn’t search every room without raising suspicion, but he had to be thorough. Every door he opened, every room he peered into, brought him one step closer to either finding them or being discovered himself.

Returning to the main corridor, Cedrick paused to collect his thoughts. He knew he had to remain calm and focused. Dr. Sanders and Ember had to be here somewhere, and he was determined to find them. He glanced back towards the club area, where Ronnie was still seated, a silent sentinel ready to act if necessary.

Cedrick continued his search, his senses heightened, moving further down the corridor. The sounds of the club faded into the background as he ventured deeper into the labyrinthine structure. He approached another door, which was marked “VIP Lounge,” and cautiously opened it. Inside, he found a slightly different room a more sophisticated setting with luxurious couches and a grand piano in the corner. A couple sat on one of the couches, engaged in a private conversation, oblivious to his presence.

Shutting the door, Cedrick moved on, his frustration mounting. He had to stay sharp and keep looking. He knew that Dr. Sanders and Ember were hidden somewhere within its walls. He just had to find the right door.

Cedrick continued his search, each step deliberate and silent. The corridor stretched ahead, an endless series of doors and secrets. As he moved, he noticed something peculiar-no CCTV cameras were in the area. Given the nature of the Red House, Cedrick was certain that surveillance existed but was hidden, perhaps embedded discreetly within the ornate decor or behind the elegant wall fixtures. This realization made him even more cautious. He had to tread carefully, knowing that eyes could be on him at any moment.

He reached a staircase at the end of the corridor and ascended to the top floor, each step creaking softly under his weight. This floor was quieter, more secluded. The ambiance changed slightly; it was more refined, with plush carpets and dim, ambient lighting. Cedrick knew this floor was likely reserved for the most exclusive guests who valued their privacy above all else.

Cedrick began his methodical search again, checking each room with the same careful precision. He opened the door to find a lavish suite with a king-sized bed and a private jacuzzi, but it was empty. Another room revealed a small, private bar with a view of the city, also unoccupied. His frustration grew with each door he opened, but he couldn’t afford to give up.

As he moved further down the corridor, he heard voices. They were faint at first but grew louder, indicating someone was approaching. Cedrick’s heart raced. He quickly scanned the area, looking for a place to hide. He noticed a small alcove just ahead, partially concealed by a large potted plant. Without wasting a moment, he slipped into the alcove, pressing himself against the wall and praying that he wouldn’t be seen.

The voices grew clearer as they approached. Two men, engaged in a low conversation, walked past Cedrick’s hiding spot. He could make out snippets of their dialogue.

“I can’t believe they managed to transfer them in time,” one man said, his voice tinged with disbelief.

“I know, but the man Hubert recommended has everything under control,” the other replied, sounding confident.

Cedrick’s pulse quickened. They were talking about the transfer. He remained perfectly still, barely daring to breathe. The men continued down the corridor, their voices fading as they rounded a corner.

Once the coast was clear, Cedrick carefully stepped out of the alcove, his mind racing with the new information. He had to find a way to signal Ronnie or create a distraction without drawing too much attention to himself. Every second counted, and he knew Dr. Sanders and Ember’s lives might be in danger.

He moved further down the corridor, more cautious than ever. He approached a door at the end, its frame more ornate than the others. He pressed his ear to the door, listening for sounds from within. Hearing none, he carefully turned the handle and pushed the door open just a crack.

The room was dimly lit and filled with elegant furniture and luxurious drapery. It seemed empty, but Cedrick knew better than to trust appearances. He slipped inside, closed the door quietly behind him, and searched the room thoroughly. He meticulously inspected every drawer, cupboard, and hidden nook.

As he moved towards the back of the room, he noticed a slight draft coming from behind a large, ornate bookshelf. He carefully examined it and found a hidden latch. His heart pounded as he pulled the latch, and the bookshelf swung open, revealing a narrow staircase leading downward.

Cedrick knew he had to proceed, but he also needed to let Ronnie know about this hidden area. He took out his phone and sent a quick, coded message to Ronnie, indicating that he might have found something significant.

With a deep breath, Cedrick started down the narrow staircase, his senses alert. Each step took him closer to the unknown, but he was determined to find Dr. Sanders and Ember. He just hoped he could do so before it was too late.