Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 943: Chance Encounter

Bucky recalled that this train conductor, Cage, was supposed to follow him. But when Bucky had sent him ahead to meet with his own subordinates, a swarm of plainclothes officers suddenly appeared.

At the time, Bucky thought he couldn’t bother with Cage and quickly slipped away on his own.

Afterward, a series of events unfolded. Had he not run into him today, Bucky would probably have forgotten about him altogether.

As for any promises he made to Cage, Bucky had mostly forgotten, but Cage’s “my boss, Bucky” still resonated with him.

“Still not leaving? Are you looking to die?” a tattooed young man wielding an iron pipe slapped it against his palm and approached Bucky.

“Heh, is this how the new street thugs operate? Far worse than in my day,” Bucky sighed. “I wonder how your boss trained you guys.”

“I’m the boss,” the young man sneered. “You’re clearly here looking for trouble... You know this guy? He stole money from me, and I was just teaching him a lesson. Got a problem with that?”

“He’s already had his beating, so let it go,” Bucky replied calmly. “Friend, give me some face. We’re all in this life, always crossing paths; we might even end up working together someday.”

“I’ll make you bow!” the hostile young man sneered, raising the pipe. “Daring to show off in front of me?”

But as he swung down, Bucky easily caught the pipe and held it firmly. The young man froze, trying to yank it back, but the pipe didn’t budge!“You don’t want my goodwill? Then don’t blame me!” Bucky sneered. “Teaching me rules? When I was in the game, you were probably sneaking peeks at brothels... pathetic!”

With that, Bucky kicked him square in the stomach, sending the young man flying over two meters.

The young man hit the ground, frothing at the mouth before passing out.

The remaining young men surrounded Bucky, but he bent the pipe in front of them and threw it on the ground.

He waved them forward with a dark smile. “If you’re not afraid to die… come on!”

His words instantly paled their faces, and someone shouted as the group scattered, fleeing down the alley.

“Spineless.”

Bucky sighed, lamenting the current crop of thugs. He walked up to Cage, helping him up. “You okay? Didn’t realize you weighed this much.”

“You’re…” Cage squinted his swollen eyes at the man who’d saved him.

This was obviously a well-dressed, charismatic guy, possibly wealthy… Why would someone like this come to such a rough neighborhood, and even rescue him?

Bucky smiled and said, “Because my boss is also Bucky.”

Cage froze, then clung to Bucky’s leg, crying, “I finally found the organization! Boss Bucky, I finally found news of you!”

“Hey, hey…”

---

This guy probably hadn’t had a decent meal in days.

At the hospital’s outdoor café, Bucky watched, dumbfounded, as the bandaged Cage devoured his food. “If it’s not enough, just say so…”

“Another steak, please!” Cage showed no reservations. Along the way, he’d already proclaimed himself the savior of “Boss Bucky.”

During the conversation, Bucky finally pieced together what had happened after that day he was betrayed and Cage was captured.

Apparently, undercover officers mistook Cage for Bucky, then threw him into a detention center after a severe beating.

Cage eventually got a lawyer and was bailed out after several hurdles. He had told the police he was only helping Bucky under threat to his life.

After reviewing his records, the police seemed to believe him and released him—but that’s when his real troubles began.

First, he lost his job for helping a convict escape. Then, he found his wife had run off with another man, taking their daughter with her. The house, listed under her name, had been sold, leaving him homeless.

Jobless, homeless, and with no money left, Cage soon turned to crime out of desperation. He started by robbing random passersby, gradually growing bolder after a few successful attempts.

Today, he had spotted another promising target for robbery but didn’t realize it was a gang leader’s woman. He ended up chased into an alley and beaten.

Cage suddenly asked, “Was it Boss Bucky who sent you to save me this time? I knew it! Boss Bucky is loyal and wouldn’t just abandon me!”

“Of course! Our boss Bucky is known for his loyalty. I’m lucky to have met such a great leader in my life!” Bucky thought he was surprisingly sincere while saying this.

Probably from all the times he’d convinced his followers?

“And how’s Boss Bucky now? Is he safe?” Cage asked anxiously. “A lot of people seemed to want him caught that day!”

“He’s fine, very safe, and doing well. Don’t worry,” Bucky answered, finally remembering what he’d once promised Cage.

“Then… can I see Boss Bucky?” Cage asked hopefully.

Bucky shook his head. “I’m afraid not. He… Boss Bucky is handling important matters right now and can’t show himself. Once he’s free, I’ll let him know.”

“You’re right, someone must have betrayed him, and he must be seeking revenge.” Cage nodded. “If only I could help him! I’d do anything to help!”

Bucky thought, Didn’t expect such loyalty.

He chuckled. “It’s rare to find such loyalty. I’m sure the boss will be happy to hear it.”

“Right?” Cage quickly wiped his mouth and leaned forward, saying, “Let me tell you, brother… Oh, I just realized I forgot to ask your name this whole time. How should I address you?”

“Me? Ba…”

“Ba?”

Bucky instinctively started to answer, then stopped, cleared his throat, and said, “Just call me Kiba.”

“So, Brother Kiba!” Cage nodded immediately, then corrected himself, “Brother Kiba… no, no, Boss Kiba! Thank you for saving me. From now on, I’m sticking with you! I’ve thought it over—I already promised Boss Bucky I’d follow him, and he agreed. But since Boss Bucky isn’t here, and you’re his trusted right-hand man, following you is just as good!”

This guy might actually be useful? How did I not notice this before?

Bucky shuddered slightly, quickly stood up, and said, “Oh, take your time eating. I just remembered something important I need to do! Really urgent! I’ll cover the bill, don’t worry!”

“No, Boss Kiba!” Before he knew it, Cage, despite his heavy build, had leaped to the ground with surprising agility and wrapped his arms tightly around Bucky’s leg. “Boss Kiba, you can’t leave me! If you leave me now, my life is over!”

“Hey, hey…” Bucky tried to pull his leg free but found he couldn’t budge it.

“For Boss Bucky, my wife and kids left me! But I never regretted it!” Cage sobbed with snot and tears, wailing, “I’ve never regretted it! My life was so dull until I met Boss Bucky! He opened the door to a new world for me! I’ll never forget that night!”

“Hey, hey…” Bucky used both hands, but he still couldn’t break free from Cage’s grip.

But that wasn’t the worst of it—the worst part was the curious glances from other diners and their whispered remarks.

So, he lost his family… for Boss Bucky?

And opened the door to a new world? Was that his first time at a nightclub?

And that unforgettable night… wasn’t it just a succubus draining him? Why does it sound like I did it… damn!!

“Waaah! You can’t abandon me now! I have nowhere to go!”

Stop wiping your snot on my pants, you idiot!

“Daddy, what are those two men doing?”

“Shh, don’t look, sweetie.”

“Those two guys are so gross!”

Whispers, whispers, whispers.

“Enough!” Bucky shouted, silencing not only Cage but also startling the nearby diners.

“Fine, fine, I get it! I’ll take you with me! Just get up already!” Bucky quickly said, “Let’s get out of here, unless you want to embarrass us even more!”

“Oh, yes, Boss Kiba!”

…

The car spun into a parking space, showcasing Mr. Issam’s driving skills. But now was not the time for admiration—Old Madam’s condition was critical.

After parking, Mr. Issam quickly scooped up the Old Madam and rushed inside.

They had already contacted the hospital by phone, and the emergency team was waiting.

“I’m not going in,” Lucifer suddenly stopped.

Chalty, too preoccupied with Old Madam’s condition to argue, frowned and said, “Don’t wander off!”

“I won’t, no worries,” Lucifer shook his head indifferently, “As long as the Old Madam lives, I won’t be able to go far… I just don’t like the smell here.”

“You don’t like the smell of medicine?” Chalty asked, surprised.

Lucifer grimaced, “There’s a cleric in the hospital. I can feel it… probably praying for the dead. I loathe holy light, absolutely loathe it! I’ll wait outside.”

Ahead, Uncle Issam turned back and called, “Chalty, hurry up! What are you waiting for?”

“Coming!”

Old Madam’s health was more important. Clenching her teeth, Chalty quickly chanted a spell in her mind.

Lucifer’s body suddenly felt heavy. She struggled to move to a bench and sat down, breathing heavily.

“Sorry, wait here for me!” Chalty quickly said and rushed after Uncle Issam.

Watching Chalty disappear, Lucifer tried to raise her hand but found it too heavy, like it was being pulled down by an unseen force.

The Queen of Hell’s eyes flashed with a dangerous, icy light. “Gabriel, just you wait…”

…

“Boss Kiba, where are we going? I have nowhere to stay right now, you know…”

After leaving the hospital’s restaurant, Bucky was already considering how to ditch Cage… though it didn’t seem easy.

Hmm, I’ll go to the restroom, then switch identities… yeah, let’s do that!

“Cage, wait here for me. I’m going to the restroom!” Bucky quickly said.

But before Cage could respond, Bucky headed for the restroom—only to hear urgent shouts from the hallway.

“Make way! Emergency! Please make way!”

A doctor was leading, followed by several nurses pushing a mobile hospital bed, a large man, and a nun hurrying along.

Caught off guard, Bucky stumbled and fell. The nun also fell as they collided.

“Hey! Watch where you’re going! You just hit my boss!” Cage shouted, helping Bucky up.

Bucky frowned, glancing at the nun who had fallen with him.

The man stopped, “Chalty, are you okay?”

Chalty’s veil had fallen in the fall, her long hair flowing down. She instinctively looked up, eyes red and misty with worry over the Old Madam’s condition.

Bucky’s eyes widened, his heartbeat quickening.

“I’m so sorry!” Chalty apologized quickly, got up, and hurried after the hospital bed, which had entered the elevator.

“What the heck, a nun without any manners… Boss Kiba, you alright?” Cage asked, dusting off Bucky’s clothes.

Bucky bent down, picked up the veil, took a deep breath, and said, “Cage, didn’t you say you wanted to follow me? I have a job for you.”

“Boss Kiba! What do you need?”

“Find out who that young nun was, her name, favorite foods, where she lives…” Bucky turned to Cage, “I think I’ve fallen in love…”