Chapter 7: The Beginning of Chaos

"I…I'm…I'm" The girl was terrified after seeing Choa's eyes but her last line of defence was broken after seeing Lucifer's indifferent eyes. 

Just when she was about to apologise, 

Slap!

Anne's slap echoed in the grand hall, jolting everyone out of their comfortable sense of superiority. The girl's face turned red, her eyes wide with shock and humiliation, while her friends could only stare, mouths slightly open.

Anne's expression, however, was fierce, as if she'd crossed a line she'd wanted to cross for a long time.

"Do you think you're special just because I've been nice to you?" Anne's voice cut through the murmurs, sharper and louder than before.

"Don't you realise the kind of people who come here? Don't you know people who came here all with privilege?  Do you think without me,  your family connection is enough to come here? And you, acting high and mighty in front of me?" She scoffed, and there was a chilling detachment in her tone that silenced even the most daring whispers.

The girl could only blink in shock, her lips trembling as if to form words, but nothing came. Her bravado shattered and her face twisted with the sting of betrayal and humiliation.

"You there! Drag her away," Anne commanded, her gaze flicking briefly toward her bodyguard, who stood at a discreet distance. At her call, he closed the gap, swiftly taking the girl by the arm and pulling her toward the exit.

"No! You can't do this! I'm sorry!" she cried, her voice breaking, but no one moved to stop her fate. The desperate pleas faded into the heavy silence, her cries a mere whisper that was lost as the doors shut behind her.

Anne then smoothed her hair, her gaze shifting to Lucifer, dark eyes filled with a new intensity. She was beautiful, and with her wealth and connections, she'd learned to move through the world like a queen. With a slight smile, her eyes lingered on Lucifer, sizing him up. There was something tantalisingly dangerous about him that she couldn't resist.

But Anne wasn't a fool. From the day she was born, she'd been educated in how to handle herself in high society, and she knew there were lines she couldn't cross. People like Rong Qing, a celebrity, yes, but one whose family was as powerful as her own, could easily pose a risk if provoked.

Yet, none of that compared to Lucifer's aura. Even standing with ease, the look in his eyes carried a quiet, intimidating strength, as though the power surrounding him wasn't something to flaunt—it simply was. And it took her breath away.

"I apologise," Anne said, her voice as smooth as silk, leaning forward slightly. "My friend offended you. I doubt you need any compensation, but as an apology, let me treat you to a meal." She brushed her long black hair back, knowing the effect of the gesture.

She had spent years mastering the art of charm, and she knew exactly when to turn it on.

The store manager and his staff stood to the side, holding their breath, hoping not to draw anyone's attention. The top floor of the shopping centre was reserved for elites, the people whose mere glances could decide the fate of entire families.

They had to tread lightly, careful not to offend any of the powerful figures watching this spectacle unfold.

From the edge of the crowd, Rong Qing watched, eyes narrowing as he took in Anne's actions. Something out of character burned in him, an unhappiness that was difficult to place.

He didn't know why, but the thought of the young man getting close to anyone else made him uneasy. There was an aura to Lucifer, something that commanded attention and admiration but that also hinted at a hidden danger.

Lucifer, the centre of this silent storm, raised an eyebrow, an almost amused expression flickering across his face as he internally summoned, 'Hey, system.'

"Yes, Lord Host?" System 4858 answered, its voice bright and ready to respond.

'People in this world are quite nice, aren't they?' Lucifer's lips twitched as he posed the question.

"Yes! Yes! They seem very polite and accommodating!" System 4858 replied though the hint of wariness in its tone revealed its unease. The system doesn't know what kind of game this tyrant host was playing but it has no say in this matter.

The slight humour in Lucifer's gaze darkened, his expression cooling with an almost imperceptible shift. 'I don't like it.

'His voice was flat as if delivering a casual statement, but there was a deadly finality to his tone that made System 4858 internally shiver.

"Um, huh?" System 4858 stammered, feeling a creeping dread. The last time the tyrant host mentioned disliking something, entire worlds had been torn apart by wars, and entire histories were rewritten. System 4858 still didn't know if that war had ended.

Lucifer's gaze drifted lazily toward the crowd. 'They've arranged their own play, acted out the whole scene without me needing to lift a finger. Boring.' He sighed a cold, almost mocking expression flickering across his face.

Then, as though losing interest entirely, he turned his back on Anne, dismissing her existence with a single, indifferent glance.

For a moment, Anne could only watch him walk away, her expression frozen. She wasn't used to being disregarded, especially not so callously. The realisation seemed to hit her harder than any verbal rejection might have.

Choa shot Anne a sharp, mocking glance, his eyes brimming with disdain. "You should know your place," he sneered, his tone laced with warning. "He's not someone you should even think about looking at." With a dismissive flick of his gaze, he strode confidently to catch up with Lucifer.

Lucifer himself moved through the store with a detached air, utterly disturbed by the scene that had unfolded moments before, as if none of it had anything to do with him. 

Anne, however, felt a pang of reluctance. A part of her wasn't ready to give up, but the memory of Lucifer's cold, indifferent gaze held her back. She didn't want to make a fool of herself, especially in front of her friends, and so, reluctantly, she followed in step behind him.

Behind Anne, her friends fell into place, creating a line trailing Lucifer, a "long tail" following in silence and reverence. Among them was Rong Qing, his eyes fixed firmly on Lucifer, unwavering and intense. 

Watching the procession, the System covered its eyes, its black-and-white, panda-like expression hinting at a complex mix of resignation and worry. It sighed inwardly as it observed the people who now trailed after its host. 'I should be used to this by now,' it thought, its inner monologue tinged with cynicism. 

'This has happened countless times before… Let's just hope they don't become the kind of fanatics who'll do anything for him. There have been many admirers, but those fanatical followers—' The System shuddered at the memories of previous incidents, '—are always the most unpredictable, their actions completely divorced from common sense.'

Lucifer soon finished browsing and selected his items. The store manager, sensing the gravity of his high-profile customer, busied himself arranging Lucifer's purchases with great deference. 

When it came time to pay, however, Lucifer had barely lifted a hand before three sleek black credit cards appeared on the counter. Startled, the manager glanced up to see Anne, Choa, and Rong Qing each holding out their cards, each vying to cover Lucifer's bill.

Anne and Choa looked at Rong Qing in surprise, Rong Qing didn't care about other people's eyes, his only focus was Lucifer.

Choa and Anne exchanged fierce, challenging looks, their silent rivalry unspoken yet glaringly obvious. They each held their card as if it were a weapon, prepared to outdo each other, but Rong Qing remained steadfast, his eyes entirely focused on Lucifer, unaffected by the others' glares.

The manager cleared his throat awkwardly, shifting his weight as he looked at the three cards. "Oh... Um…" His voice wavered with uncertainty as he tried to choose among them, torn by the obvious wealth and status of each person involved. This was clearly beyond his normal customer service experience.

Lucifer finally stepped in, clicking his tongue with mild irritation. He handed over his own card, and the manager nearly tripped over himself in gratitude. "Thank you, esteemed customer!" he exclaimed, clutching the card with both hands. "I'll have everything arranged immediately."

Anne, Choa, and Rong Qing withdrew their cards, each casting glances of barely restrained irritation at one another, their tension hanging heavily in the air. They clearly wanted nothing more than to throw down right there, each vying to establish their place in Lucifer's favour.

Soon, the manager returned, card in hand, and bowed as he presented it back to Lucifer, not because of what happened earlier but because of the things Lucifer brought over more than 60 million. Even the young masters of the wealthy families who came in the past won't spend this much in one go. 

Lucifer, however, took back the card without a word and walked to the exit.

Choa lingered briefly, approaching the manager to arrange for the delivery of Lucifer's purchases to the hotel, and then immediately followed Lucifer's back.

Anne watched from a distance, longing to speak with Lucifer, but her thoughts were interrupted as her phone buzzed with a message from her father, reminding her of the evening birthday party.  With clear reluctance, she turned to leave, casting a final glance over her shoulder at Lucifer.

Rong Qing, on the other hand, hesitated by the doorway, watching Lucifer intently. He had no intention of leaving; his gaze held a quiet resolve. He wouldn't let this chance slip by.