Isaac grinned when he heard Chairman Lucius.
Chairman Lucius froze, seeing that smile. His face stiffened, as if something unpleasant had crawled into his mouth.
“You earned it already?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“That shouldn’t be possible. The sixth day isn’t even over.”
Alice stepped in before Lucius could say more. “He’s not lying.”
Chairman Lucius turned to her. Then he looked back at Isaac.
A strained smile pulled at the corners of his lips. It was the kind of smile that didn’t reach the eyes.
“I see. I’m happy to know you’re a capable person.”
He didn’t mention the deal. There was not a word.
Alice didn’t let it slide. “Uncle, you promised him something.”
Lucius blinked. “W-What might that be, my dear niece?”
“Me.”
Lucius’s face drained of color. He stared at Alice for a long second, then shifted his glare to Isaac. His expression was tight, jaw clenched.
Isaac could almost see the internal struggle play out across the man’s face.
“I hope the two of you are happy together.” Lucius muttered under his breath.
Seeing him like that, Isaac’s smile turned brighter, which only pissed off Chairman Lucius more.
Soon, Selene joined them.
She greeted the group. “I hope all of you have been enjoying the banquet.”
“Selene,” Alice replied, then glanced at her outfit. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” Selene said with a soft smile.
The conversation turned lighter as they exchanged a few pleasantries. After a few minutes, Alice turned to Emily.
“Come on. Let me show you the Calloway estate.”
Emily’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
“Of course,” Alice said with a nod.
As they left, Alice’s eyes met Isaac’s. She gave a small, subtle signal with her gaze. One that said, stay.
Isaac caught the meaning.
He understood Alice’s intentions. She was trying to smooth things over between the Selene and him, and this was her way of nudging them in the right direction.
Chairman Lucius noticed too, and for once, he didn’t complain. If Isaac stayed away from Alice for a while, that was a win. And if he and Selene got along better, even better.
“That’s a good idea,” Lucius said. “Selene, you should introduce Isaac to a few people. He might find some potential business partners once he starts expanding.”
“Okay,” Selene said. “I’ll take care of it.”
Alice and Emily disappeared down a corridor.
Meanwhile, Isaac followed Selene and Chairman Lucius as they made their way through the gathering.
They stopped now and then to greet a few prominent guests.
Chairman Lucius stayed close, keeping one eye on Selene and Isaac.
At first, it was to see if they had become friends finally.
But over time, he noticed something. Selene kept glancing at Isaac, not just once or twice, but frequently, and there was a faint blush on her cheeks.
Chairman Lucius frowned.
He waited to see if it was just in his head, but it wasn’t. As the minutes passed, it only became more obvious.
Selene was smiling more. She leaned a little closer when Isaac spoke. Her laughter came easier. It didn’t make sense. She wasn’t the type to be easily swayed, let alone charmed.
Chairman Lucius’s eyes narrowed. He stared hard at Isaac, who glanced back, confused at first, then annoyed.
Their eyes locked.
’Brat, why is my daughter looking at you like that?’
’I don’t know.’
There were no words spoken between them, nor did they use any telepathic message.
The only reason they could ’talk’ was due to the mutual understanding that came through the stare alone.
’How dare you seduce my second daughter too!? I’m going to have you neutered!’
Isaac was surprised by the brazen words, but then he shot back, ’Neutered?! Why are you acting like I’m some stray dog?’
’Because you are. A damn mutt who can’t keep his pants on!’
’Stop blaming me. I haven’t done anything to her!’
While the two continued to bicker, Selene looked between them and tilted her head.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
“It’s nothing,” Isaac said. He kept his tone light and glanced back at Lucius. ’Listen, I’m not interested in Selene. You know how I feel about Alice. Think about it. What do you think she’d feel if I showed interest in her sister? She wouldn’t be happy, right? I wouldn’t do anything to make her feel like that.’
Chairman Lucius didn’t answer.
He could feel his chest tighten. He knew Isaac was… wrong.
Alice hated sharing anything, unless it involved Selene.
She would share everything with Selene to spoil the girl.
Back when Alice and Selene lost their parents—during the same mission—both girls had been shattered. Chairman Lucius had tried to look after them, but between grief and running the company, he hadn’t been much of a presence.
Alice, despite her own pain, had taken it upon herself to care for Selene.
She would share anything with her cousin. Even the things she treasured most. If Selene liked something, Alice would give it to her without a second thought.
Chairman Lucius’s throat felt dry.
’If Alice finds out Selene has feelings for Isaac, and if she still has that habit of giving up what she loves for Selene’s sake… no. I can’t let that happen.’
He straightened and turned toward Selene. “Selene, you should—”
“Dad,” she interrupted, looking behind him. “The Governor is looking this way. I think he wants to speak with you.”
Chairman Lucius followed her gaze. The Governor of Fortified City 50 was indeed glancing in their direction.
Chairman Lucius sighed heavily. “I suppose I should go meet him.”
He looked back at Isaac, his stare full of warning. “I trust you’ll enjoy Selene’s company, and not do anything inappropriate.”
Isaac fought the urge to roll his eyes. “Of course.”
Chairman Lucius walked away, reluctantly.
Now it was just Isaac and Selene. The background noise of the banquet continued—conversations, soft music, the clinking of glasses—but the space around them felt quieter.
“So. Now that he’s gone, I suppose it will be only two of us.” Selene gave him a side glance. “This reminds me, how far are you from the the ten billion target?”
“I’ve reached it.” he answered.
Since Alice and Selene were both trying to put the past behind them, he felt it was only appropriate he did the same.
“That fast?” She looked genuinely surprised.
“Let’s just say I had a good week.”
A small smile crept onto her lips. “I’m impressed.”
“You sound shocked.”
“I am. A little.” She paused, then added, “I expected you to finish it in a record speed, but you finished far faster than my expectations.”
“I get that a—” Isaac stopped mid-sentence and turned to her, a questioning look in his eyes. “Did you really try to do that to me?”
She chuckled, clearly pleased her joke had landed. “You looked too serious. I thought it would help.”
The mood had relaxed now.
Whatever tension there had been earlier was gone. They continued walking at a casual pace, blending in with the rest of the guests as the evening carried on.
Later, when there was a quiet moment, Selene turned to him again. “By the way that joke, earlier. Was it too much?”
Isaac waved it off without hesitation. “No. If you think that’s going to offend me, you clearly don’t know what kind of mental damage Professor Catherine has done to me. That was practically a compliment compared to her jokes.”
Selene laughed softly. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
They moved through the banquet hall together, pausing occasionally to exchange greetings.
All the while, he could feel a gaze on him.
Chairman Lucius hadn’t taken his eyes off Isaac since the moment he and Selene started talking.
Isaac was used to pressure, but even then, Lucius’s stare had the sharpness of someone calculating whether he should use words or a knife.
’Why is he looking at me like that even I told him I won’t do anything?’
Feeling a bit wronged, Isaac joked with Selene, and made her laugh as a revenge. His soul was soothed as he felt the Chairman Lucius’ smile stiffen.
The banquet continued for a while longer.
Food was cleared, the music softened, and guests gradually began to leave.
A few who had drank too much were escorted by staff, others said their goodbyes directly to Chairman Lucius, or Selene.
As the hall emptied, Selene noticed her device was lighting up.
She read the message, then turned to Isaac.
“My dad wants to talk to you.”
Isaac tilted his head. “Now?”
“Yeah. It shouldn’t be anything serious, so don’t worry.”
She pointed toward the main staircase. “Take the left flight. His office is the last room at the end of the upper corridor. It’s the one with the silver door.”
He nodded. “Thanks for the help.”
He made his way up.
The estate’s upper floor was quieter, lined with expensive but restrained decor.
When he reached the silver door Selene had mentioned, he took a moment to gather himself.
“Let’s get this over with,” he muttered, wondering if he was going to hear more how he had ’seduced’ Selene.
He knocked once.
“Enter,” came the voice from inside.
Isaac stepped in and closed the door behind him. The room was spacious. It had luxurious decorations, but one could tell the room was focused on practicality while maintaining the appearances.
There were shelves of books, a large desk, and a man sitting behind it with a tired but focused look.
Chairman Lucius gestured toward the chair across from him. “Come. Sit.”
Isaac did.
Chairman Lucius didn’t say anything at first. Instead, he reached into one of the drawers and pulled out a folder. He placed it on the table, then slid it across.
Isaac raised a brow and picked it up. “What’s this?”
“A document for land ownership. Five hectares in Akaza Ruin Stronghold. Also, a retail space in Sector 4 of Fortified City 50.”
Isaac blinked. “Five hectares? That alone should cost a few billion Obols. And a shop location in Sector 4, that’s prime real estate.”
Lucius leaned back in his chair. “Yes. And both are under your name now.”
Isaac looked at the man carefully. “What’s this for?”
“You completed the challenge I gave you. This is your reward.”
Isaac held his gaze for a second longer, then nodded and placed the folder into his spatial ring. “Thanks. I’m not going to pretend I’ll say no to free money.”
Chairman Lucius allowed a small smile to cross his face, but it vanished just as quickly. His expression turned serious again.
“There’s something else.”
Isaac raised an eyebrow. “I figured.”
Chairman Lucius steepled his fingers. “Did you notice anything strange during the banquet?”
The question was casual on the surface, but Isaac could tell this was what the whole meeting was really about.
He leaned back slightly. “Are you talking about how everyone seemed unusually friendly with Alice?”