Chapter 545: Volume 4 – Chapter 64: Peep-Toe Heels

"You seem to be in a good mood today. Is there something worth celebrating?"

Daren narrowed his eyes, walked right up to Stussy, picked a lady's cigarette from the table, lit it, and smiled.

Something was off about the way this woman was looking at him.

He was well aware of it.

Generally speaking, women's gazes toward him fell into three categories.

The first was naked, fiery desire—like the hungry noble ladies, wealthy merchants' wives, and court princesses back when he was in North Blue. Daren had always been generous with women like these and never minded spending a night together.

Well, except for Big Mom—that crazy old hag obsessed with having kids.

The second was admiration and adoration, sometimes mixed with a bit of fondness and shyness. This type usually came from young girls, like royal princesses or some of the younger female Marines...

Daren never hesitated to build pure friendships with these young girls, becoming the dream lover they tossed and turned over late at night.

The third kind was filled with love, passion, and tenderness.

Daren often saw that look in Toki and Gion.

But the Queen of the Pleasure District standing before him...

She was a fourth kind, entirely different from the others.

Sometimes angry, sometimes resentful, sometimes burning with passion, sometimes filled with raw desire... depending on the occasion, and whether it was before or after.

But the look in her eyes right now—Daren had only seen it once before, during their very first meeting.

Back then, she had planned to use her beauty and Devil Fruit powers to extract information from him.

It was the confident gaze of a hunter eyeing helpless prey.

"Didn't I already say it?"

Stussy shot Daren a coquettish glance, pursed her lips, and giggled.

"It's been so long... I'm just really happy to have Vice Admiral Daren visit us again..."

As she spoke, she crossed her legs with a slight smirk. Her black pencil skirt perfectly outlined the queen of the Pleasure District's flawless curves.

In the lavishly decorated office, a mature and enchanting woman, dressed in a professional outfit, leaned lazily against her hand, smiling as she smoked a lady's cigarette. A few strands of hair fell over her cheek.

It was like a breathtaking painting hidden behind a veil of mist—mysterious and dreamy.

"Then let's not waste any more time…"

Daren glanced at her high heels, suddenly smiled, took a step forward, and teasingly lifted Stussy's chin.

"W-What are you trying to do?"

Stussy immediately broke character, staring at the Vice Admiral in panic.

For some reason, flashes of that night in the abandoned warehouse at Marine Headquarters resurfaced in her mind. Her legs shifted uneasily.

She tried her best to stay calm, but her face was quickly overwhelmed by a flush of red.

After all, what had happened that day was far too shameful.

The dusty, abandoned warehouse, the CP0 uniforms and masks, the suppressed gasps, and the cold clinking of iron shackles...

She couldn't even remember how she managed to walk out of that warehouse that day.

All she knew was that afterward, she slept for two whole days just to regain most of her strength.

And now...

Staring at Daren's handsome, unruly face closing in on her, the strong scent of tobacco clinging to him, Stussy's throat moved uneasily.

"You... you promised... until the bet is over..."

"I know."

The Vice Admiral's deep voice sounded like a devil's whisper in her ear.

"Last time was an accident..."

"I may be despicable, shameless, a smoker, a drunk, greedy, and lecherous... but I've always lived by one great motto."

"Keeping my promises is my way of survival!"

Hearing that, Stussy rolled her eyes but quietly let out a sigh of relief.

Yet when she felt Daren's hand brush against her cheek, her delicate body trembled. Gritting her teeth, she asked,

"Then what... what are you doing now?"

Daren shot her a wicked smile, then slowly lowered his gaze to her feet clad in peep-toe heels.

Through the gaps of the heels, her white toes painted in bright red polish peeked out, looking like flawless works of art, sculpted by the gods themselves.

Stussy froze for a second, then immediately understood, her ears flushing crimson.

This pervert!!

She was about to refuse when the familiar voice rang in her ear again.

"You wouldn't want to..."

...

Twenty minutes later.

Stussy, now putting her high heels back on, glared hatefully at the Vice Admiral lounging casually on the leather sofa, puffing on a cigar.

This bastard... is he really a Marine?

How does he even know so many bizarre, colorful tricks!?

And the most infuriating part was that he wouldn't even let her clean up afterward.

The lingering discomfort inside her high heels made her feel even more humiliated, her expression twisting in frustration.

What kind of twisted fetish is this!

"So what the hell are you even here for!?"

Stussy clenched her fists, her face flushed as she snarled through gritted teeth.

The way she glared at Daren made it seem like she wanted to tear him limb from limb.

Mm, that's more like it...

Daren leisurely blew out a smoke ring, smiling playfully.

"What's wrong? Weren't you thrilled to see me just now?"

"Why the long face?"

Stussy snapped,

"I was happy too soon! Enough! Get to the point already!"

She finally understood.

There was no need to be polite with this despicable bastard.

Because he never showed her any politeness either!

Seeing her reaction, Daren chuckled inwardly.

A little bit of a broken spirit now, huh?

"It's nothing much. I just wanted to check in on our little bet."

Stussy sneered coldly.

"Starting to panic already? I guess it makes sense. The government has issued strict orders to thoroughly investigate and hunt down the murderer of the Shichibukai candidate... I bet someone's sweating bullets by now."

"Yeah, I really do have a headache..."

Daren sighed dramatically, pretending to look troubled.

"After all, I'm the one in charge of the investigation. If I don't find any results, I'll probably get scolded again..."

"That's why I'm under so much pressure. I'm just so stressed out."

Stussy: ...

Stressed out, my ass!

You're the murderer!!

Damn it!

She gritted her teeth, swallowing the humiliation and fury bubbling inside her, her eyes flashing dangerously.

Just a little longer...

Seeing that insufferable grin on Daren's face, Stussy wished she could just rush over and rip it off.

Go ahead, laugh while you still can...

Once I push Doflamingo into the Shichibukai, let's see whose face will be smiling then.