Chapter 2.7

The warm glow of chandeliers cast a golden hue over the banquet hall, reflecting off polished silverware and crystal glasses.

The air carried the rich scent of gourmet dishes, mingling with the faintest trace of expensive perfume. Laughter and polite conversation filled the space, but Joey's focus remained on the unfolding scene in front of him.

Noah, the charming golden boy, stood beside Lillian Sinclair, his hand resting lightly on her slim waist—a gesture of quiet possession. He leaned in, whispering something against her ear, and Lillian's lips parted in a soft, amused smile.

To an outsider, they were the perfect lover pair.

Joey nearly rolled his eyes.

Noah's reputation preceded him, and so did Lillian's. She was supposed to be Ethan's fiancée, a bond arranged since childhood by their mothers. But after the accidental swap that placed Ethan in another family, Lillian's engagement had quietly shifted to Noah. Even after discovering their real son, neither family made an effort to reverse the arrangement.

Ethan, seated across from Joey, remained composed, even after seeing this scene.

Joey watched as Noah turned to Lillian, his voice warm, affectionate. "You look stunning tonight."

Lillian, playing her part just as well, let out a soft laugh. "And you always know just what to say."

Their exchange was seamless, effortless—like a lovely pair.

Joey clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. "Now that's interesting."

Ethan arched a brow. "What is?"

Joey gestured toward the pair. "The one who should have been your fiancée seems quite taken with your dear brother."

Ethan's jaw tightened, but his expression remained blank. "It doesn't matter."

"Right," Joey drawled, resting his chin on his palm. "Because a lifetime engagement being subtly unraveled in front of an entire room is completely unimportant."

Ethan exhaled slowly, as if rying to explain . "Lillian was never truly mine. She was my mother's choice, not mine."

Joey hummed in amusement. "And Noah?"

"What about him?"

"He's quite good at this." Joey tilted his head, watching as Noah guided Lillian toward a small gathering of elites, his hand still lingering at her waist. "Playing the devoted lover."

Ethan's lips pressed into a thin line. "He doesn't need to play."

Joey's smirk faded slightly. Ah.

So Ethan actually believed it.

Joey observed Noah carefully. The adoring glances, the careful touches, the perfect tone of voice—it was all there. Convincing. But if Joey had learned anything in his time, it was that the most believable performances were often the most deceptive.

Lillian certainly wasn't blind to it. She leaned into Noah's presence, soaking up the attention, but Joey had caught the fleeting moments when her gaze had drifted—not toward Ethan, but toward status, power, control.

And Ethan?

His disinterest in her clearly visible.

Joey tapped his fingers against the table, playful. "Tell me, Ethan."

Ethan glanced at him.

"If she were truly yours, would you want her?"

For a brief second, something flickered in Ethan's expression—too quick, too buried.

Then, just as swiftly, he looked away. "It doesn't matter."

Joey grinned. "If you keep saying that, someone might actually believe you."

But not him.

Joey tapped his fingers against the table, letting the silence stretch between them before playfully tilting his head. "Alright then, if not her, who is your ideal type? or maybe you already have someone in your heart"

Ethan, who had just picked up his glass, paused mid-motion. His gaze flickered toward Joey, guarded yet vaguely intrigued. "Why do you care?"

Joey smirked. "Just making conversation. You know, since we're stuck here anyway."

Ethan exhaled, setting his glass down. "Someone straightforward. Honest."

Joey hummed. "That's it? No preferences on looks?"

Ethan shrugged. "Appearance doesn't matter. Pretenses do."

Joey propped his chin on his hand. "So, basically the opposite of Noah."

Ethan's jaw twitched, but he remained composed. "I don't compare people."

Joey grinned. "That's a nice way of avoiding the question."

Ethan didn't respond immediately. Instead, he studied Joey for a second longer than necessary before finally saying, "Someone… who makes things unpredictable."

Joey raised a brow. "Unpredictable, huh? Sounds like a hassle."

Ethan's lips curved—just slightly. "Maybe. But some things are worth the trouble."

The weight behind his words made Joey pause. The way Ethan was looking at him—he don't want to wrong guess again . Again ? Why did he say again.

"Host ,focus on your mission" the missing system said with strange emotions.

Joey was startled by the sudden voice.

"System,where were you gone ? you never replied to me since coming to this world "