"Where did it all go wrong? What step did I miss?!"
Roy lowered his head, his thoughts a tangled mess. Something felt off—terribly off.
What was it?
The familiar frustration that had plagued him lately surged again. He retreated to a quiet corner, focusing on his breathing, forcing himself to calm down.
Years of survival on the battlefield had taught him one thing: staying composed was paramount. The moment anger took over, reason fled—and defeat followed.
...
"Jodie..."
At the center of the venue, Veil's voice called softly from behind her.
Jodie startled, turning to face him with a wary look. "What is it?"
Veil straightened, his tone serious. "About the company—I still need to discuss a few things with you. This is my first venture, after all. Can't afford to be careless. Even though you're the expert, we should still make everything crystal clear, don't you think?"
"Not now," Jodie rolled her eyes.
"Miss Murphy, what was that? Ah, never mind. Too many people here. Let's take this upstairs."
As a guest passed by, Veil raised his voice conspicuously. Once the coast was clear, he gave her back a light, almost imperceptible pat, nudging her toward the staircase.
An hour later...
[System Notification: Ding! Congratulations, Host. You've gained +1000 Villain Points.]
Jodie descended the stairs first, her cheeks faintly flushed.
Any guests who noticed would simply assume the Murphy heiress had indulged a little too much in the wine tonight.
Even those who knew her well thought the same.
Take Julia, for instance. Fresh from her own round of social charades, she bounded over to her sister, her energy undimmed.
Glancing around and failing to spot the person she'd been hoping to see, she pouted and patted her chest dramatically. "Sis, I'm exhausted! Is this what 'playing the part' feels like? If you hadn't warned me beforehand, I wouldn't have lasted three minutes!
Those old men are disgusting! Praising him for being a doting father, for being 'devoted' to his wife—even suggesting he remarry!
They're all clueless! They probably don't know he'd harm his own daughter, let alone that his so-called loyalty is a complete farce!"
"Julia!"
Jodie's hand shot out, clamping over her sister's mouth. She glanced around nervously before releasing her. "Don't say such things!"
Julia immediately clung to her sister's arm, whining, "Oh, Sis, don't worry! I checked—no one was around when I came over!
Besides, with so many people here, who'd even know who I'm talking about?"
Her tone was casual, almost careless. Whether she'd truly scouted the area or was just venting her frustrations, it was hard to tell.
Her gaze lingered on Jodie, then narrowed in sudden curiosity. She stepped closer, reaching up to brush her finger against the corner of her sister's mouth.
"Sis, you're such a glutton! It's a banquet, and you're sneaking snacks upstairs? What's this? Let me taste it."
Before Jodie could stop her, Julia popped her finger into her mouth.
"Stop! Don't just eat anything!" Jodie quickly grabbed her sister's wrist.
She didn't trust her gluttonous sister at all, even using her hand to wipe Julia's mouth clean. "There are so many guests here. Behave," Jodie whispered in reassurance.
Her sister was perfect in every way except for two incurable flaws - being a glutton and a hopeless romantic. If she didn't teach her better, what would happen if she carelessly ate something from strangers in the future?
"Jodie, Julia, you're here too! What a coincidence!"
Veil descended the stairs cheerfully, greeting the sisters at the landing as if their meeting was pure chance.
Julia, completely unaware of what had transpired earlier, thought this must be fate - even hiding in this corner of the mansion, she still bumped into her beloved brother!
"Brother, where have you been? They made me drink so much and you didn't even try to stop them!" Julia clung to Veil's waist, burying herself in his embrace while pouting. "Those old men were terrible, all praising my drinking skills just to make me drink more! They all smile so nicely but they're actually villains who don't care whether I like alcohol or not!"
She looked up with adoring eyes. "Only brother's smile is truly genuine, hehe..."
Veil nodded in agreement. "Indeed, when it comes to sincerity in smiles, who can compare to me?"
His smug expression lasted only a moment before he suddenly hissed in pain, sucking in a sharp breath. Turning, he found two slender fingers pinching and twisting the skin at his waist with vicious precision. The pain was excruciating!
"Yes, Mr. Lancaster," Jodie said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, increasing the pressure before finally releasing him. "When it comes to sincerity in smiles, who could possibly compare to you?"
She shot Veil a glare full of resentment. Before today, she would have agreed with her sister's assessment. But after being deceived by Veil's supposedly "genuine" smile and lured upstairs, she would never trust him again!
"Have you ever been in a relationship before?" Veil suddenly asked Jodie curiously.
Jodie frowned. "Why would you ask that?"
Could he be doubting something? Impossible - unless Veil had gone blind last night, he must have seen the evidence on the sofa!
Veil's mouth twitched. "I'm just wondering how you mastered that womanly skill. Is it genetic? Something hardwired into female DNA that doesn't require practice?"
This pinching technique - was it truly an innate ability all women possessed, activated instinctively in appropriate situations?
"Who knows?" Jodie sniffed, secretly pleased to see Veil suffering. "If you're scared, behave better next time!"
The banquet had reached its peak - all expected guests had arrived, along with some unexpected ones.
Like Lisa.
She still wore her office attire - a black OL outfit with stockings, having come straight from the research facility. Originally planning to return to the office to handle distribution channel documents, she'd rushed over immediately after her assistant mentioned Veil attending the Murphy family's banquet.
On one hand, Lisa needed no makeup to outshine every woman present - her beauty was absolute. On the other hand, she wanted to see what her supposedly busy CEO had been doing while she worked herself ragged day and night preparing the Beauty Pill launch!
Her gaze swept across the room like a wife hunting for her cheating husband, instantly locking onto Veil's annoyingly handsome face. Seeing him flanked by the Murphy sisters only stoked her fury.
"Miss, you seem to dislike that Veil fellow?"
Roy, who had just calmed down, immediately noticed the stunning newcomer at the entrance. With looks and figure both scoring over 95, dressed in that tantalizing office lady outfit... To men like Roy, such professional attire held special appeal.
Noticing Lisa's visible anger, Roy saw an opportunity and approached.
Lisa, already fuming, had no patience for small talk. But when she noticed Veil looking her way, her competitive spirit flared. She smiled sweetly at Roy. "It seems you're not fond of him either?"
Roy shook his head. "Not dislike exactly. I'm just puzzled - according to my information, he's a notorious playboy, yet some people see him completely differently."
Having learned from past mistakes, Roy avoided direct accusations this time, posing his doubts subtly instead.
"Perhaps it's not your information that's wrong," Lisa said meaningfully, watching Veil and the Murphy sisters approach, "but those other people who have... changed their perspectives."
She deliberately continued, "In Luxhaven City, Veil's reputation as a scoundrel is well-earned. His misdeeds are too numerous to count."
Roy smiled knowingly at the approaching Veil. "Mr. Lancaster, your reputation precedes you. It seems the rumors aren't unfounded after all!"
"Rumors are irrelevant," Veil shrugged nonchalantly, though his eyes narrowed suspiciously at Lisa. "I'm just curious - you two seem to be getting along quite well?"
Lisa's gaze swept critically over Veil's entourage. Him, coming to check on her? Surrounded by sisters, was he now collecting a harem?
"You've seen me now. Satisfied?"
Though she knew she was being unreasonable, Lisa's competitive nature flared. Why should Veil enjoy the company of the Murphy sisters while she remained alone? Since when were these the terms of their agreement?
Roy sensed the tension. "Is there some misunderstanding here?" he asked Lisa cautiously, not wanting a repeat of the Murphy sisters' scenario. His hostility toward Veil remained, but he adopted a more diplomatic approach.
Lisa scoffed. "What misunderstanding? That we're engaged?"
"Engaged?!" Julia's large eyes widened in shock as she turned to Veil. "Brother, what's this about? Is she really your fiancée?"
Jodie also looked uncomfortable. To say she loved Veil would be exaggeration, but after what happened between them, she couldn't remain indifferent to this revelation.
Lisa coldly clarified, "It's just some outdated contract our elders arranged. Who still honors such antiquated traditions nowadays?"
Her anger burned hotter seeing the sisters' reactions. There was definitely something between Veil and them!
After working tirelessly for days on the Beauty Pill project while Veil flirted behind her back, how could she possibly remain calm? Had he ever considered her feelings?!
"So that's how it is. Yes, it's way too old-fashioned. It's best not to listen to adults. You should decide for yourself who to marry in the future!" Julia nodded earnestly, fully agreeing with Lisa's perspective.
Of course, Lisa couldn't marry Veil! If she did, what would happen when Julia grew up? Wouldn't that mean there'd be no one left for her to marry?
"That scared me!" Julia patted her chest, trying to calm her fluttering heart.
Veil stared at Lisa for a long time, until her gaze began to waver. Then he glanced at Roy beside her and sighed. "So that's how it is..."
The fish had taken the bait—Veil was sure of it. But was this the right moment to reel it in? No, it wasn't. Instead, it was time to throw the fishing rod away entirely. In fishing, the willing ones would come on their own.
"If that's the case, then I think I understand your feelings." Veil took a deep breath and looked at Lisa seriously. "Lisa, I'm sorry for the trouble the engagement has caused you. I apologize for restricting your freedom in love. But don't worry—starting tonight, you'll be completely free from any engagement or contract. You'll never be bound by them again."
"Let's go. What started as a mistake has turned into something beautiful, in a way." Veil laughed self-deprecatingly, then took Julia's hand and turned to leave. After a few steps, he paused and looked back at Lisa, who stood there in a daze. "I wish you happiness in the future, and a lifetime of love with the person you choose."
With that, Veil disappeared from Lisa's sight.
She stood alone, frozen in place, while Roy hesitated beside her. Something was definitely off—he could feel it. Both Julia and Jodie's earlier reactions told him that this wasn't the time to offer congratulations or celebrate her newfound freedom. That would only make things worse.
It seemed there was something complicated between Lisa and Veil—not quite a romantic relationship, but something tangled and unresolved.
Roy's instincts told him it was time to leave. But before he did, he pulled out a business card and handed it to Lisa. "Miss Lisa, here's my card. If you ever need help with security issues, feel free to reach out. I'll take my leave now."
Lisa took the card, her dazed expression slowly fading. She turned to Roy and said coldly, "Are you out of your mind?"
"?"
Roy frowned.
Lisa continued, "Why are you giving me your card? Did I ask for it? If I have security issues, why wouldn't I call the police? What good are you?"
"??"
Roy's frown deepened.
Lisa wasn't done. "Didn't you say you were leaving? Why are you still standing here? Do I know you? Is hitting on women your idea of fun? What's wrong with you?"
"???"
Roy's brows furrowed tightly. Even with his patience, he was starting to lose his temper. What had he done wrong? He hadn't said anything out of line! Lisa was the one who'd brought all this on herself, yet somehow, it was all his fault now?
It wasn't him who was crazy—it was Lisa who'd lost her mind! But before he could retort, Lisa stormed off without another word, leaving Roy standing there, utterly baffled.
The truth was, Roy wasn't entirely wrong. What he didn't understand was that when a woman was angry, she *was* crazy—and sometimes, very much so.
---
Lisa drove straight home after leaving the Murphy estate, too upset to deal with the pile of work waiting for her at the office. Her mind was a mess.
"That bastard Veil! That shameless Veil! Breaking off the engagement? Ending the contract? If you're so brave, then actually do it! Anyone can talk big. And putting on that act in front of the Murphy sisters—what were you even trying to prove? If you really wanted to break it off, you wouldn't have waited until now! Ugh, next time, even if you come crawling back, I might not even give you the time of day!"
Lisa ranted and raved, tossing and turning on her bed. In her hands, she clutched a large white teddy bear—a gift Veil had given her when her mother passed away. He'd said it would help her sleep at night, that holding it would make her feel like he was there, giving her a sense of security.
"I'll strangle you!" Lisa wrapped her hands around the bear's neck, her eyes wide with frustration. When that didn't seem to satisfy her anger, she hurled the bear to the floor and stomped on it a few times for good measure.
Then, exhausted, she slumped against the headboard, silent for a long time. Eventually, as if the position didn't feel safe enough, she curled up into a ball, hugging her knees tightly.
The room was quiet except for her heavy breathing. Her gaze drifted to the bear lying on the floor, now back in its original shape. Lisa hesitated, her arm twitching as if debating whether to reach for it. Finally, she stretched out her hand, picked up the bear, and held it close to her chest.
"I'm sorry," she murmured softly. "I'm not mad at you. I'm just mad at Veil. I shouldn't have taken it out on you."
If Roy had been there to witness this, he might've been driven to the brink of madness. Lisa could apologize to a stuffed bear, yet the thought of apologizing to him never even crossed her mind.