American variety show: Sniper Elite

Chapter 170 Young Master Salong's Big Trouble
Beta held the phone in one hand: "Take someone out, a CIA agent. Name your price."

Like a restless cat, Katalia climbed up from behind him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and sat on his lap, her warm skin pressed against his chest.

Beta had to free one hand to hold her waist to prevent her from slipping.

"30," Sterling quoted on the other end of the phone.

Beta felt the restless squirming of the person in his arms and asked, "How many of you are there?"

“Mr. Hat should have told you,” Sterling said. “There are five of us. But one lady has a very high appearance fee, which doesn’t include the $300,000. She wants an additional $300,000.”

“We don’t need her,” Beta said, using her hand to block Katalia’s approaching lips and gently pushing her face away. “4 people, 300,000, very reasonable. When can we get to New York?”

"When do you need us to arrive?" Sterling countered.

Beta restrained the still restless Katalia: "Within a week."

“No problem,” Sterling readily agreed.

Beta's phone screen lit up again, showing another incoming call.

He glanced at the number and quickly told Sterling, "Half the deposit, I'll transfer it to you later."

"Okay," Sterling replied, then hung up the call.

Beta slid the answer button, and Ashley's voice came through the receiver: "Please, our young master Salong, bring your little pet and get dressed, then come to the next room. I've brought my men to rescue you."

Beta chuckled softly, "Yes, ma'am. Five minutes."

“Tell your little wildcat to wash off that stench before you come back,” Ashley’s voice was clearly disgusted.

Beta glanced down at Katalia, who was pouting and looking disdainful, and picked her up, heading towards the bathroom: "Yes, ma'am. Be there in twenty minutes."
-
Beta pushed open the door to the next room, followed by a reluctant-looking Katalia.

His gaze fell on Ashley on the sofa, and he was slightly taken aback. The Ashley in front of him was completely different from the capable and efficient person he knew.

Her once-signature short hair has now grown to her shoulders and been styled into elegant French curls. A well-tailored dark green dress accentuates her waist, a diamond necklace around her neck reflects the light, and a delicate chain on her wrist sways gently with her movements.

The way she leaned back on the sofa made Beta vaguely see the shadow of another person.

"How come you're starting to look more and more like Jaina?" Beta walked closer and sat down, naturally putting his arm around her waist, carefully examining her profile.

Ashley's fingers gripped his wrist, a smile on her face, yet she forcefully removed his hand from her waist: "As your wife, you should act like one."

Her voice was soft but tinged with jealousy: "After all, you're going to be the queen of the Antonio family in the future, aren't you, young master Salon?"

She crossed her legs and glanced meaningfully at Beta's hand: "By the way, after you calmed your little wildcat down, did you wash your hands properly?" The sour jealousy in her words was almost tangible.

Beta looked around; the room was empty except for the three of them.

Katalia had already consciously sat down on a single sofa some distance away, looking down at her phone and keeping her distance from them.

He deliberately brought his hand to his nose and took an exaggerated deep breath: "Hmm—Ashley still smells the best."

Ashley was amused by his lewd expression and nudged his side with her elbow: "Don't give me that." Her earlier jealousy had mostly dissipated.

Katalia, sitting on the sofa in the distance, glanced up at the screen, then casually looked down and continued playing on her phone, only this time her fingertips tapped the screen with noticeably more force, making a clicking sound.

Beta wrapped his arms around Ashley's waist again, and this time she didn't push him away, but nestled into his embrace. "Have you found the mastermind? Who sent the gunman?" she asked, tilting her head up, the faint scent of perfume from her hair lingering around Beta's nose.

Beta didn't answer, but turned to look at Katalia, who was sitting in the distance: "Come sit here, we're family."

Katalia put away her phone, met Ashley's warning gaze, and sat down casually on the other side of Beta.

Beta opened his arms and hugged her as well, before answering Ashley's question: "We haven't found the person yet, but we found a name."

His fingers tapped lightly on the waists of the two men: "I found a few professionals to start with this name."

Ashley frowned slightly, her gaze lingering on Katalia for a moment, but ultimately said nothing more.

“I’ve transferred twenty people from home. They’re all top-notch men personally selected by Jaina, and they’re efficient and capable.” She looked directly into Beta’s eyes: “Feel free to use them.”

Beta nodded: "Okay."

Ashley raised her chin, her gaze sweeping contemptuously over Katalia: "Now, shouldn't you be smart enough to leave? I need to rest with my husband."

Katalia curled her lip and let out a cold snort. She flicked her long hair and deliberately slammed the door shut, but deliberately didn't close it.

Seeing this, Ashley smiled victoriously. With Jaina backing her up, she wasn't afraid of what tricks this little wildcat might play.

“Young Master Salong,” Ashley tapped the door gently with her ringed finger, “Could you please close the door?”

Beta smiled helplessly and got up to close the door tightly. When he turned around, the sight before him made him gasp for breath.

Ashley's dark green dress had slipped to the ground, like a shed snake skin. She was slowly and deliberately untying the diamond necklace around her neck, the dazzling gems sparkling on her fingertips.

“I hope,” she looked up, glancing meaningfully at Beta, “that little wildcat of yours didn’t drain you too dry.”

Beta touched his nose.

Honestly, if I had known I would end up in this mess, I would never have impulsively gotten myself into a fight with Katalia in the car, even if it meant crippling myself. Now, the power struggle between these two women seems like it will never end.

Beta tried one last time: "Are you hungry? I'll have someone bring some food up."

Ashley loosened her grip, and the diamond necklace landed with a "thud" on the coffee table, making a crisp sound.

She raised an eyebrow, looking at him with a half-smile: "Oh? I am indeed very hungry. But what I want is not a meal, Young Master Salong."

"How about some drinks?" Beta persisted, her eyes darting around, searching for a way out: "Wine? Champagne? Or..."

His voice stopped abruptly.

Ashley was already lounging against the back of the sofa, her high heels twitching lightly on her toes. She stretched out a finger and beckoned to him: "Come here."

Her voice was as sweet as honey, yet utterly irresistible: "Please don't make me do it myself, okay?"

Beta rubbed her hair in frustration, but her gaze involuntarily fell on Ashley.

He took a deep breath.

Fuck!
(End of this chapter)