Judy thought Evelyn wouldn't agree.
But Evelyn agreed very readily.
Looking at Judy's surprised expression, Evelyn, who was a head taller than Judy, smiled charmingly, adjusted Judy's collar, and whispered.
"As long as it helps you, I'm willing to do it."
Uh...
Judy barely managed to control herself and turned her head away.
Although she didn't want to admit it, she had indeed been charmed for a second just now.
Especially since Evelyn wasn't a stranger; she was familiar with her scent, and they had once shared moments of intimacy in bed.
This is the friendship between girlfriends in Night City.
It's messy and tangled.
But it's a pity.
Why wasn't it earlier?
The former Evelyn only cared about money and climbing the social ladder; why didn't she look back at her then?
Now it's too late.
Everything is too late.
Thinking of this, Judy's mood became heavy. She lowered her head, her hair drooping, and she had no energy at all.
Evelyn knew that Judy was silently rejecting her.
She gave up.
But she wasn't dejected.
There's still a chance.
Judy's reflection filled Evelyn's eyes, every subtle expression etched into her gaze... Evelyn joining was a natural progression.
After all, special circumstances required special handling, and since both parties were willing, the procedure was completed quickly.
With Berry's full delegation, essentially saying, "I trust you to handle this," Evelyn became the manager of the extortion Bar.
Naturally, Evelyn's first reform proposal—to change the name "extortion"—was immediately vetoed by Berry.
Berry instructed that she could change everything else, but this ancestral rule could not be altered.
Facts proved that Berry's original idea was indeed correct.
What was most lacking in 2077? Talent.
Professional tasks should be handled by professionals.
Evelyn, with the three fires of a new official, quickly gave the bar a complete makeover.
First, she replaced all the large incandescent lights with dark, dusky pink ones and added several disco balls.
In Evelyn's own words, this was called strategy.
People still retained habits from the primitive era; they could relax more in dimly lit places, allowing them to fully enjoy the stimulation of alcohol without feeling constrained.
This also had practical significance.
If they came in pairs, with the dim lighting, who would notice any small, private actions?
This was certainly a kind of romantic atmosphere.
Furthermore, the bar's music and wall murals were completely overhauled.
When Berry came to visit, she was greatly impressed.
Goodness, this girl is truly capable.
Berry was very satisfied with this and couldn't help but praise her own brilliant decision-making.
A large ship sails fast only with a good helmsman.
The ancients truly did not deceive me; I probably deserve eighty percent of the credit.
The only strange thing was that in this dim, dark environment, the walls were covered in various suggestive drawings, accompanied by songs that sounded more like a collection of meaningless murmurs than actual music.
How did this bar end up looking like a nightclub?
But seeing the Mercenaries holding their drinks and shouting loudly, Berry felt she could still accept it.
Getting frisky is the primary productive force.
Whether it toes the line or not, success is earning back the cost of the drinks.
"Evelyn, you're really amazing. In just a day or two, this bar has completely transformed."
At the bar, Judy surveyed the layout and felt happy for Evelyn.
After all, Evelyn was Judy's best friend.
Judy was also very happy that she could succeed.
Of course, this relationship was understood not only by Judy but also by Evelyn.
Moreover, she saw this as her chance for a breakthrough.
Behind the bar, Evelyn, dressed in a small black suit, was captivated by Judy's smile and reaffirmed her resolve.
She absolutely could not miss her chance with Judy again.
She had once been foolish, failing to cherish the treasure right beside her.
Until the very end, when she was close to death.
The so-called connections and wealth she had accumulated over the years were utterly useless.
Only Judy abandoned everything to save her at the last moment.
Only when she opened her eyes and saw Judy did she finally understand everything.
It seemed a little late, yet perhaps it was just in time.
Evelyn knew that Judy was currently infatuated with a female Mercenary named Kikyo, pouring all her attention onto her.
Kikyo had also saved Evelyn, and Evelyn was grateful.
However, this did not mean she had to give Judy up to her.
Looking at Judy's hazy face under the lights, Evelyn felt her emotions were becoming difficult to suppress.
Since she couldn't suppress them, she decided to just let go.
"Judy, I mixed a drink just for you. It's special. Want to try it?"
Her voice was low. Evelyn lowered her head, hiding her emotional eyes.
She was like an old hunter lurking in the shadows.
She had enough patience for her prey.
"What? Sure."
Judy, still looking around and marveling at the bar's changes, hadn't realized what was happening.
Seeing Evelyn present a triangular sherry glass, she reached out without suspicion.
Evelyn intentionally or unintentionally placed the glass containing the red liquid in front of her, forcing Judy to stretch out her arm to reach it.
As Judy stretched her slender arm for the glass, the impatient Evelyn sprang up like a praying mantis hunting its prey, gripping Judy's arm.
Judy was stunned speechless and instinctively tried to pull her hand back, but the perfectly calibrated pressure Evelyn applied made it impossible.
"Wait, Evelyn, what are you doing!?"
Ignoring her prey's teasing struggle, Evelyn held Judy's hand and gently kissed the back of it.
Lifting her head, she saw Judy's surprised face. Evelyn smiled and leaned in to kiss Judy's fair cheek.
"I'm sorry, Evelyn, we can't do this."
Judy finally reacted, dodged Evelyn's kiss, and simultaneously pulled her hand back.
"Why?"
"I'm sorry..."
Judy held her hand, looking distressed, but firmly refused Evelyn.
Evelyn frowned, feeling annoyed inside.
Is she repulsed by me that much?
"But Kikyo hasn't accepted you yet, has she?"
"Why can't I? Judy, aren't we close?"
But Evelyn's persistence could not breach Judy's heart.
Someone else was living there now.
"I'm sorry, Evelyn, you are my best friend, but, I just can't."
Judy shook her head awkwardly.
Clearly, Evelyn's relentless pursuit made her very uncomfortable.
"It would be best if we kept our distance from now on. Kikyo might misunderstand."
After struggling for a moment, Judy spoke these slightly heartless words, stood up, and fled, giving Evelyn no chance to stop her.
"Shit..."
Evelyn slammed her fist onto the bar in frustration.
Judy's heartless words stabbed her like a knife.
Because of this, she hated her former self, who had been blinded by power.
So much so that now she had to watch the person she loved walk into someone else's arms.
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