Chapter 23: Sophia, the Woman Who Strayed

"Senior brother, could you step out first?" Sophia asked with some embarrassment as Ben started undressing right in front of her.

Ben teased her nose, "Other women beg me to strip in front of them, and here you are, acting like a thorny rose that's too delicate to touch."

Sophia chuckled awkwardly but firmly asked him to leave.

Reluctantly, Ben exited the car.

Sophia changed into the wine-red dress and reluctantly began to apply makeup from the kit beside her. She was barely done applying the lipstick, trying to mimic Red Spider from the photo, when she felt overwhelmed by the pungent smell.

The makeup Leo bought her was much better, without any weird scent. Next time she needed makeup for a mission, she'd bring the products Leo had bought for her.

Soon, a perfect replica of Red Spider was born.

Stepping out of the car, Ben's eyes lit up. "Good, Abner has never seen Red Spider's true face. He has only heard about Red Spider's usual attire, and you, dressed like this, even surpass the real Red Spider in terms of allure."

Sophia kicked her cheekily teasing senior brother without hesitation.

"Hey, that's harsh!" Ben took the kick without dodging, still maintaining a jesting demeanor: "I might have to hold you tighter later, lest Abner decides to take you away."

Sophia kicked again, this time Ben dodged.

Sophia sighed. Her senior brother was great in many ways but carried a bit of a playboy vibe, always stirring trouble.

"Alright, alright, no more teasing. I'm going to change too. Pity that I have to disguise as the ugly Scar Three, quite the mismatch with Red Spider," Ben joked.

Sophia ignored him.

Claiming he was getting in the car, Sophia waited but heard no movement from him.

Turning around, she saw Ben staring intently at her shoulder with a serious expression.

"What's wrong, is there something amiss on me?" Sophia asked.

Ben approached, asking sternly, "What are these marks on you, where did they come from?"

Sophia was startled, realizing she had forgotten about the off-shoulder dress revealing marks Leo might have left. How to explain?

"Where do they come from, some man's doings?" Ben shouted in anger.

Sophia was shocked; she had never seen her senior brother so furious.

"Senior brother, you…"

"I'm asking you where they're from, speak up!" Ben pressed on, disregarding Sophia's feelings.

"Why are you being so fierce? It's just my mischievous nephew biting me. He's teething and bites everything. Once when I carried him, he kept asking for candy which I refused, so he bit my shoulder," Sophia said, trying to sound calm while masking her nervousness.

Ben relaxed somewhat, his hostile gaze softening.

He thought, how could his steadfast Sophia be easily involved with a man...

In Ben's mind, it was impossible for Sophia to have another boyfriend under his watch. He had guarded against Aaron for years, yet Aaron failed to win her over, which is why he suspected it might be some other man when he saw one staring at Sophia from a distance.

"Sorry for scaring you!" Ben offered a warm smile.

Sophia returned the smile, not minding it, considering him her overly concerned, nosy senior brother.

As night approached, Sophia was rehearsing all information about Abner and Scar Three to avoid slipping up during the negotiation.

The more critical the moment, the more excited Sophia became, ready to catch another big baddie.

"Alright, my dear Miss Red Spider, time to meet our boss," Ben said, getting into character quickly. He gestured gallantly towards Sophia waiting in the car for the elegant beauty to hand him her delicate hand.

Sophia, embracing her role, hooked her arm around Ben's neck instead of taking his hand, relying on him to get out of the car.

Ben played along, wrapping his arm around her waist.

Sophia, enjoying her performance, smiled provocatively, but then froze.

About ten meters away, Leo, impeccably dressed, was glaring at her coldly, as if ready to tear her apart with his gaze.

Sophia panicked.

Why was he here?

What to do - Leo would surely come to tear her apart. Being Leo's woman now, her actions just now would enrage any man, let alone the devilish Leo.

This could jeopardize their mission.

Feeling uncertain, she felt a sudden pain on her shoulder - Ben had gripped her harshly.

"Sophia, is he the man who's infringed on you?" Ben demanded furiously.

A moment ago, he fully trusted her, but now she had surprised him with this "gift." He had actually believed her absurd lie - the man glaring at Sophia from a distance had the look of a man dealing with an unfaithful woman.

Sophia's mind was in turmoil, unable to lie.

Ben believed he was tough enough to intimidate most, but the natural dominance and aggression emanating from the man ten meters away made even him feel a bit subdued.

What kind of high-status man could exude such pressure?

Yet, Ben was undeterred. To him, Sophia's future man would only be him.

It was his oversight that allowed his precious gem to be taken; he'd reclaim her.

"Let's proceed with the mission," Ben whispered to Sophia.

Regaining focus, Sophia steeled her resolve.

Now wasn't the time to fear the terrifying Leo. She needed to stay calm and find a way to complete the mission.

Together, they entered the Zui Sheng Meng Si Bar, under Leo's burning gaze.

Very well, he thought. I let you roam free, and you turn around to flirt with men. Underestimating you was a mistake, Leo chided himself internally, following them into the bar.

"Red Spider" laughed seductively as they reached the most secluded booth of the bar, where Abner was already seated.

In the dimly lit room, amidst blaring music, a man in black with sunglasses smoked a cigar, flanked by two voluptuous women massaging his legs.

"Heh, big boss, you really know how to enjoy!" "Red Spider" greeted with a flirtatious laugh as a form of introduction.

Scar Three nodded at the man, acknowledging his presence.

Abner, knowing his subordinates' personalities and their capabilities, didn't mind their lack of formality.

Going straight to business, he began discussing the expansion plans for the inland market.

"Red Spider" didn't rush, casually discussing expansion plans with Abner while fondling "Scar Three's" chest, her body restlessly rubbing against him.

The more they talked, the more Abner's guard was lowered.

The ravishing but reckless Red Spider and Scar Three, with three scars and a silent demeanor yet shrewd planning, matched the profiles their subordinates had reported.

Their business acumen was something no one could fake.

As the trio concluded their talk pleasantly, "Red Spider" suggested a toast, and Abner didn't refuse.

However, before the drinks could reach their lips, an unwelcome guest arrived. No, many guests.

"Big brother, why didn't you inform me of your return? I would've prepared a grand welcome," the lead man said.

"Red Spider" and "Scar Three" were shocked to see Henry, the biggest suspect in illegal arms smuggling, addressing Abner as big brother.

The police had suspected him for years but always lacked evidence.

Now, with him associated with Abner, it confirmed they were both major villains.

But Henry brought many men with him," Red Spider" and "Scar Three" began to worry. These formidable-looking individuals meant that an altercation could leave them not only failing to capture the criminals but possibly being wiped out entirely.

"Henry, my brother, long time no see. You're looking more handsome than ever," Abner quipped, extinguishing his cigar.

"Red Spider" saw Henry's face, pale in the dim light, turn fierce, with those slender phoenix eyes gleaming dangerously. "Don't joke, boss," he retorted.

Abner laughed heartily, "Come, come, my dear brother Henry is here, I wasn't properly prepared for your visit. This place is too cramped, let's move somewhere more spacious to catch up, how about it?"

Henry loathed anyone commenting on his looks, whether in jest or seriousness, and always held a grudge. Ignoring Abner's suggestion, he instead turned his gaze to "Red Spider," leaning on "Scar Three."

His knowledge of their identities was unclear, but he assumed they were Abner's people.

So, this is the boss's taste, choosing subordinates from a smuggler like Abner. Seeing her seductive appearance clinging to that ugly man, he thought, the boss has quite the peculiar taste, much like his own.

Recently, his always distant boss had unexpectedly called him, leading him to think his boss finally allowed him to return. Instead, the boss curiously asked about... that certain aspect of women.

At that moment, he nearly wished for a block of tofu to bash his head against.

He had expected someone extremely pure, beautiful, and protective. Only such a woman could make their perpetually icy boss suddenly interested to the point of doting affection.