Taking the initiative

Veil had been carefully cultivating Kai as his most trusted confidant. While he never explicitly stated certain matters, he gradually revealed his inner thoughts through repeated conversations. Over time, Kai naturally became less rigid in his thinking and began intuitively understanding Veil's intentions. This meant many minor tasks could be handled without explicit instructions - an efficient arrangement that saved considerable effort.

The sudden ringing of a phone interrupted their discussion. Kai glanced at the screen displaying Lisa's caller ID and immediately bowed deferentially. "Young master, I'll take my leave so you can attend to this."

Veil waved dismissively but stopped Kai at the last moment, tossing him a small pill.

Kai examined the unfamiliar object curiously. "Young master, what is this?"

"It's a physical enhancement supplement with no side effects - it'll make you stronger." Veil adopted a tone of feigned concern. "You've served me faithfully for years now. To me, you're like an elder brother who's always protected me."

He paused meaningfully before continuing, "I don't usually comment on personal matters, but you should show some restraint with women. This will help restore your depleted energy."

Kai's dark circles and haggard appearance clearly resulted from overwork, yet Veil deliberately attributed it to romantic escapades.

Was this a reprimand? Far from it.

By pretending to believe Kai's exhaustion stemmed from pleasure rather than duty, Veil wasn't scolding - he was indulging him. The unspoken message was clear: "I see your 'indiscretions' but instead of punishing you, I'm giving you medicine." This subtle manipulation fostered a sense of privileged intimacy.

"Young master, I..." Kai began to explain that his fatigue came from working late compiling intelligence reports, not carnal pursuits. But the words died in his throat as Veil's apparent concern washed over him. Swallowing his protest, he simply nodded. "Understood. I'll take my leave now."

The door clicked shut softly behind him.

Veil exhaled, satisfied. Kai's loyalty had always been absolute, but until now it had been the dutiful service of a bodyguard. That wasn't enough. Veil wanted devotion.

A man fighting from duty would give 100%.

A man fighting from loyalty would give 120%.

The constitution pill cost a mere 1,500 villain points - pocket change. If he needed more, he could always have Saoirse wear that maid outfit a few extra times. Besides, strengthening Kai ultimately benefited Veil himself.

This was only the beginning. Kai's current abilities were merely adequate - Veil demanded excellence.

The phone rang again - Lisa's second attempt. Veil had deliberately delayed answering to heighten her anxiety. When he finally picked up, his voice was thick with feigned sleepiness.

"Who the hell... Do you know what time it is?"

"It's... it's me. Lisa." Her voice was uncharacteristically timid. "I can call back tomorrow if this is a bad time."

"Oh. You." Veil's tone shifted to performative politeness. "What do you want? Calling to nag about the engagement? Don't worry - I've already handled it with the Lancasters. Soon you'll be free. No more ties to me. Date whoever you want. I won't interfere like before."

Lisa's breath hitched audibly. "That man Roy - it's not what you think! I don't even know him! We just happened to talk at the party!"

"Save it. The contract's void. Your relationships are none of my business now." Veil's dismissal was razor-sharp. "State your purpose or I'm hanging up."

A stifled sound - perhaps a swallowed sob. Every fiber of her wanted to scream, to make him understand her anguish. But she knew better. Veil wouldn't indulge her. Not anymore.

Mom was right, she realized bitterly. This is all my fault.

Swallowing her pride, she forced out her prepared excuse: "It's about the Beauty Elixir partnership. The dilution ratios are finalized. We should... meet to discuss the contract. Tomorrow perhaps?"

The words tasted like ash. This was her first time ever initiating plans with him. The fear of rejection coiled tight in her chest.

Veil paused just long enough to make her sweat before grunting, "Fine. Pick a place."

Relief flooded her. "I'm free tomorrow. Your place?"

If she could get inside his home, she could explain everything - Roy, the misunderstanding, all of it.

Veil's laugh was deliberately skeptical. "A bit inappropriate, don't you think? We're not 'together' anymore. People might talk."

Amusement curled in his chest as he imagined her flustered expression. Oh, how the tables had turned. The proud Lisa, now pleading for his attention.

Patience. This was only the beginning.

"We're adults. It's business," she insisted, desperation seeping through. "Unless you're the one overthinking?"

A beat. Then, with theatrical reluctance: "...Whatever. Come by at noon."

He hung up before she could respond.

.....

The next afternoon, Lisa stood before Veil's estate after spending hours preparing. She'd selected a navy blue dress that accentuated her figure without being overt, applied makeup with painstaking precision, even spritzed on the jasmine perfume she knew Veil liked.

Taking a deep breath, she checked her reflection one last time. Her usually confident amber eyes betrayed anxiety, pupils slightly dilated. The dark circles from last night's tears had been carefully concealed.

"It's just business," she whispered, smoothing her dress. "You've done this a hundred times."

But they both knew better.

Her heels clicked against cobblestones as she approached the grand double doors. The afternoon sun cast dappled shadows through oaks lining the driveway, the scent of cut grass mingling with sea air.

The slightly ajar door felt like a test. Lisa hesitated only a moment before entering.

The cool foyer contrasted sharply with the bright sunlight outside. Two steaming teacups sat on the coffee table in deliberate arrangement - Veil's signature theatrics. She set her purse down carefully, fingers lingering on the mahogany surface. The house carried his scent - sandalwood with something sharper, like gunpowder. It wrapped around her like an unwelcome memory.

Running water echoed from down the hall. Lisa's pulse jumped. She sat rigidly on the sofa edge, knees pressed together. Every nerve felt electrified.

The water stopped. Footsteps approached.

Lisa stood abruptly, her prepared greeting dying as Jodie Murphy entered instead of Veil.

The two women stared, tension crackling between them. Jodie looked effortlessly elegant in a cream pantsuit, dark hair piled carelessly atop her head. A single loose curl framed her knowing smirk.

"Lisa," Jodie purred with false sweetness. "What a... surprise."

Lisa's nails dug into her palms. This was a setup - Veil's cruel joke.

The untouched teacups steamed between them as silence stretched. Somewhere in the house, a clock ticked relentlessly toward inevitable confrontation.

Neither noticed the shadow moving upstairs, nor the glint of amusement in watching eyes.

The game was far from over.

Lisa frowned deeply, her brows knitting together in confusion. "Why are you here?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

This was Veil's home, and now Jodie was here. Did that mean they were already living together? Had their relationship progressed to that extent?

"Why can't I be here?" Jodie replied nonchalantly, sitting down across from Lisa. She crossed her legs, the black stockings shimmering slightly as she leaned against the corner of the sofa. She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, a faint smile playing on her lips as she recalled the events of the previous night. A mischievous thought crossed her mind.

She picked up a cup of tea, took a small sip, and then deliberately said, "I came to visit my boyfriend. Does that concern you?"

Veil wasn't here, so Jodie felt no need to be shy. She was simply trying to provoke Lisa. After all, as the saying goes, beautiful women are natural enemies. And this sentiment was perfectly embodied in the tension between Lisa and Jodie.

Lisa took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Don't get angry, don't get angry... It's all lies, just lies! she reminded herself internally.

Boyfriend? Veil? Impossible!

"Don't think I don't know," Lisa retorted coldly. "You're just working for Veil, aren't you? Calling yourself his girlfriend? Who do you think you are?"

She refused to believe it. Veil's personality was such that he would never have a steady girlfriend. Even in Luxhaven City, where he was surrounded by beautiful women, he had never publicly acknowledged anyone as his girlfriend. How could he suddenly be in a relationship with Jodie?

This was clearly a cheap trick! Jodie was just trying to mess with her, and Lisa wasn't going to fall for it.

As her anger slowly subsided, Lisa felt a pang of realization. Veil had actually managed to recruit Jodie. She had thought it was just Veil's wishful thinking, especially since Jodie was the eldest daughter of the Murphy family, with the vast Murphy Group assets waiting for her to manage.

But now, the impossible had happened, right before her eyes.

"There's no need to provoke me," Lisa said, her voice steady. "But I do want to ask, why did you agree to work for Veil? And at the Murphy family gathering, were you so close to him because he was trying to recruit you?"

Lisa felt as if she had been mistaken before. Perhaps Veil's closeness to Jodie wasn't due to some other entanglement, but simply because he was trying to bring her on board.

The more straightforward Jodie was, the more confident Lisa became.

"Miss Windsor," Jodie replied coldly, "these matters have nothing to do with our current business. I have no comment."

She didn't want to answer, and she couldn't. How could she tell Lisa that her father had an illegitimate son and had pushed her out of the Murphy Group's power structure?

Now that her lie had been exposed, Jodie didn't feel the need to defend herself. As for Lisa, no matter how persistent she was, it seemed their relationship hadn't progressed that far. As for Jodie herself? Well, although she was reluctant to admit it, she was already completely Veil's.

Thinking back, she couldn't help but feel a hint of fear at Veil's terrifying capabilities.

Lisa pushed the documents she had brought across the table. "Since you're Veil's subordinate, let's follow protocol. Here are the trial reports, as well as the different tiers and pricing for the Beauty Elixir. Take a look."

Jodie didn't refuse. She took the file and began to examine it carefully. As she read through the data, even someone as experienced as her couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

Was this really a beauty product? How was this possible?

The value was incredible! The mid-tier Beauty Elixir performed on par with high-end products on the market, while the premium version was far ahead, completely surpassing most existing products.

If this were launched, it would undoubtedly take the market by storm!

She had thought Veil's descriptions were exaggerated, but the trial data was astonishing.

Lisa spoke calmly, "I've already discussed this with Veil. He agreed to have Windsor International handle the production and distribution of the Beauty Elixir. Is that acceptable to you?"

Jodie closed the file and nodded indifferently. "That's fine."

If she hadn't been pushed out of the Murphy Group's power structure, if her father hadn't barred her from business dealings, she would have wanted to take on the Beauty Elixir project herself.

The Murphy Group did have a beauty products company, though it wasn't as large or as established as Windsor International. But that didn't matter.

As the saying goes, even an elephant can fly if it catches the right wind. The Beauty Elixir was the next big thing, and she wouldn't have minded letting the Murphy Group ride that wave.

Of course, that was just a thought.

"Let's wait for Veil to return to discuss the rest," Lisa said, losing interest in confronting Jodie.

But Jodie frowned. "Since I'm here today, I'm handling this matter. Are you doubting me? Or are you just trying to cling to Mr. Lancaster?"

Lisa's expression darkened, her anger flaring. "What do you mean by that? What does my relationship with Veil have to do with you?"

"Relationship? What relationship?" Jodie sneered. She was naturally competitive, and her feelings for Veil, while perhaps not love, were certainly not something she would let others interfere with.

"If I recall correctly, you were the one who ended your engagement with Mr. Lancaster yesterday, weren't you? He was just respecting your wishes. So where's that charming man you were with? Why isn't he here with you now?"

"Jodie, do you think too highly of yourself?" Lisa snapped, her temper flaring. The mention of Roy struck a nerve. She had cried all night because of him and had spent hours that morning covering up her puffy eyes with makeup.

She had come here to make a good impression on Veil, not to be insulted!

Jodie's expression turned equally cold. "Whether I think highly of myself or not is none of your concern. If you're here to discuss business, then let's talk. If not, there's no need to continue. If you don't want this deal, plenty of others are willing to take it. In fact, we could even set up our own production facility. It's just a matter of time."

As a woman, she couldn't stand Lisa's behavior of asserting dominance the moment they met.

Neither was willing to back down, and the tension between them was palpable.