Crocodiles, Diamonds, and the Panther Prince

"We don't accept lies as currency, Miss Sinclair." That was the manager's opening line. No other words. No smile.

Just venom wrapped in velvet.

Selene froze. Her diamond waist chain caught the light like it wanted to slash someone.

Around her, glasses clinked a little too hard. A woman in pearls leaned closer to her husband and muttered, "Didn't she fake a livestream last week?"

"Thought she was banned from places like this."

"She probably snuck in on someone else's reservation."

Selene turned slowly, feeling incredibly confused.

"Oh no," she said with wide eyes. "You found out I paid in Monopoly money."

The manager didn't laugh. "We have heard things about you, Miss Sinclair. It would be best if you don't tarnish our hotel's name with your scandalous presence."

Selene's eyes narrowed. 

She wasn't there for petty drama. She had a quest to complete!

"And who made you in charge of deciding my worthiness?" She asked with an annoyed look. "I'm sure kicking out guests without any reason isn't part of your job."

Adrian stepped forward with a cold smile. "Enough, Selene. Don't embarrass yourself. How long can you keep up this fake-rich facade?

Selene let out a deep, troubled breath.

"Alright," she said. "Let's call someone who does trust me."

She pulled out her phone.

One tap. One ring.

And then—

"Selene?"

The voice on the other end was breathless. Old. Dramatic. Italian. The kind of man who probably had a champagne cellar just for emergencies.

Selene tilted her head. "Hello, Mr. Carducci. How's Panther?"

A gasp. "You… You called me?! After all these days! After you vanished like a goddess from my life!"

The crowd around her stiffened. 

The manager narrowed his eyes. 

Adrian scoffed under his breath.

Selene remained calm. "I gave you a diamond-studded heirloom set worth—what, fifty billion?"

"Si, si! You gave it to me for only nineteen billion!" the man wailed. "I tried finding you! I searched Monaco! Prague! My private island in the Maldives! You have no idea how much I love Luminus Collections!!!"

After buying a sickening amount of jewelry because of the quest, Selene had felt so revolted that she decided she must get rid of half her wealth.

But of course, she was never going to throw her things away. 

And so, she gave some generous gift to some very specific people.

Selene laughed, "I heard you named your panther after me."

Carducci laughed louder, "I named my daughter after you!"

Selene smiled. "I need a favor."

"Anything."

"I'm at The Golden Knife. Manager here thinks I'm not worthy."

A pause. Silence.

Then—

"I'll be there in fifteen minutes. Don't move. And tell that manager he's fired."

Selene ended the call and looked back at the manager, dead in the eye.

"He's bringing Panther."

The entire restaurant went still. Even the goldfish in the decorative fountain stopped swimming.

Adrian laughed, but it sounded forced. "You really expect us to believe that garbage?" he snapped.

The manager smirked, louder now. "A mysterious panther man with glittering cats and jewels? What is this, a cartoon?"

Selene said nothing.

Aaron tapped his fingers on the table. "Are we done here?"

"I'm afraid not," the manager said, folding his arms. "You're causing a disturbance. If you could just leave quietly—"

"Crocodiles are here!" a waiter suddenly screamed (because an ant has crawled into his pants).

The doors swung open.

And in came ten steaming glass tanks, each one wheeled in with the elegance of a cursed luxury dish. Inside each tank? A live crocodile.

Swimming in warm, herbal-infused broth.

Jewels glittered in the water. Gold flakes danced on the surface. Lotuses made from ruby flowed on the water. The room gasped. A woman dropped her wine. Somewhere, a man wept.

"What—what is THAT?!" the manager shrieked.

He had only become the manager one week ago, and though he had seen his fair share of weird dishes, it was his first time seeing live crocodiles!

Selene suddenly felt her hunger.

'This place is stupid. Why the hell would we murder a crocodile on our table?!'

Selene stood up slowly, brushing imaginary dust off her diamond waist chain. She looked at Aaron, and asked with a frown.

"Do you like ramen?" 

Aaron glanced at the nearest tank.

The crocodile blinked at him.

"I love it," he said gruffly.

They both turned and walked away, as if they hadn't just caused psychic damage to an entire restaurant of billionaires.

Adrian's face was twitching. The manager looked like he wanted to sue the air.

"Leaving already?" Adrian called after her, smug and loud. "Guess the show's over, huh? You can't fool the real elites forever!"

Selene paused at the door.

Without a word, she turned.

Grabbed the closest glass of ant water.

And threw it in Aaron's face.

The room gasped again.

Water sparkled across his jawline. He blinked, water dripping off his hair, and ants clung to his lashes.

Selene smiled sweetly. "You looked thirsty."

Aaron calmly wiped his face with the corner of the pristine tablecloth and said quietly.

"You looked unhinged, Selene."

She gave a mock bow, turned, and walked out.

Three seconds later, a black limousine screeched into the driveway. It looked like it cost more than the GDP of several small nations.

Out stepped Mr. Carducci, in a white velvet suit, clutching a platinum leash.

On the other end? A massive black panther. Wearing a diamond choker.

"Where is she?!" he roared, storming into the restaurant. "Where's Miss Sinclair?!"

Adrian blinked. "What the hell—?"

"She was here," the manager said quickly. "But I escorted her out. Don't worry—"

"You what?" Carducci turned to him slowly. "You… removed Selene Sinclair from MY restaurant?!"

The manager trembled.

His face turned seven shades paler as he struggled to find his words. His thoughts ran wild, 'What's happening? Didn't I do the right thing??? Why is the owner hating me for no reason?!"

Adrian stepped forward, smug as ever. "You don't have to apologize. I did the right thing. Honestly, I'm the one who made her leave. You can thank me."

Carducci stared at him.

Turned to his assistant.

"Fire this man," he said, pointing to the manager.

"What?!" the manager yelped.

"You insulted a woman who gave me the most priceless gift in the history of fashion. You insulted Panther's mother."

"But—!"

"Don't speak. You're not worthy to speak!!"

Then Carducci's eyes landed on the giant crocodile tanks now sitting, steaming, untouched.

His nostrils flared.

"Someone wasted food."

Adrian threw his hands in exasperation, "Yeah! That was also Selene! And she didn't even pay for it!"

Carducci suddenly fell silent and looked at Adrian intently. After receiving the generous gift from Selene Sinclair, Carducci had been obsessed with her.

He stalked her everywhere on social media.

Kept updated with the news.

Carducci pointed at Adrian. "You. Her ex, yes?"

Adrian narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "Yeah, so what?"

Carducci clapped his hands. "Make this man pay. What's the total? Whatever it is, add a seventy percent tip!"

Adrian sputtered.

Carducci took a long breath.

"I hate waste. Panther hates it more. Charge him. With interest."

. . . . .

At the House of Flying Noodles.

Tucked between a hair salon and a psychic named "Tanya the Real One," the ramen shop didn't look like much. The sign above it buzzed like a mosquito caught in debt.

But to Selene, it was sacred ground.

"You actually eat here?" Aaron asked, glancing at the plastic chairs, cracked floor tiles, and one very questionable ceiling fan spinning like it was itching to fall.

"They are the best," Selene shrugged. 

There were no other customers there, and the chef lady was snoring in the corner. 

Behind the counter stood Mr. Ryo, a grumpy old man with the vibe of someone who'd survived three wars and one awkward marriage.

His eyes narrowed.

"You," he said flatly.

"Me," Selene said cheerfully.

He didn't move. "I told you last time not to bring strange men in here pretending they're your husband." 

"He's not my husband. I; 'm CEO of his company!"

Aaron looked at her with a sour expression.

Selene winced. "Look, I came to pay—"

"You came to eat," he corrected. "And I know you didn't pay your last three bills. Don't think I forgot."

"I had amnesia," Selene lied. "Very fashionable, very tragic. You wouldn't understand."

Ryo grunted. "You ordered six bowls last time. And left with all the pork slices in your purse."

Selene looked at Aaron. "He's dramatic."

Aaron looked at her purse. "Was it a large purse?"

"Medium."

Ryo finally looked at Aaron.

Eyes narrowed. Eyebrows twitching.

Then he shrugged. "At least this one's taller."

"Stop comparing my disasters," Selene muttered, sliding onto the nearest stool.

Aaron sat next to her, shoulders too broad for the narrow booth. He looked like someone who didn't belong in this tax-evading establishment, and the shop knew it.

Selene sighed. "It's not fancy, but it has soul."

Aaron stared at the bowl in front of him. "Did it die?"

She laughed—genuine this time.

"You're not as cold as you pretend."

He said nothing.

But his gaze dimmed as he looked around at the place. There was a large wooden menu on the wall, and the cheapest item was listed at a dollar. 'How could someone not even afford to eat here?'

'Wasn't Selene's poor past… supposed to be just a lie?'

Many had believed it was a publicity stunt.

Bianca was so kind, after all. She had publicly stated multiple times that she couldn't wait to see Selene at home. And Selene? She would just pull some random stunt.

Pretend to be broke.

All to try and ruin her family name.

'What if the truth is different?'

Two bowls of steaming hot ramen arrived soon. The broth sizzled with mouth-watering aroma. The noodles were perfectly cooked, topped with boiled eggs, tender pork slices, green onions, and two narutomaki fishcakes.

Selene dug in.

She slurped the soup like it was elixir.

The flavours melted into her mouth, the slow-cooked garlic, miso, whispers of soy, and just enough chili oil to threaten violence

Ding!

[Character Trust Level Increased! 19% → 36%]

[Character Affinity Increased! 9% → 16%]

[Aaron Wolf has begun reassessing the Player!]

Selene paused.

She glanced at Aaron.

There was no change in his expression. He still looked cold, grumpy, and as if he was being forced to spend time with her. 

Selene smiled slightly, returning to her ramen.

'Definitely a Tsundere. This can be interesting.

They ate in silence. Peaceful. Warm.

Until Selene dropped her spoon.

Because outside the window—just beyond the flickering neon light—someone was watching her. It was not a paparazzi. For sure. Just a silhouette.

Still. Motionless. Half-hidden in the shadow of a vending machine. Face unseen.

Selene's stomach twisted. Her heart thudded. 'What if it's him?' 

Aaron frowned. "What's wrong?"

Selene stood slowly. Eyes locked on the figure. The man turned—just slightly.

And walked away.

She followed.

"Selene, don't," Aaron said behind her.

But her feet were already moving.

The door chimed behind her as she stepped out. Into the street. Into the night. She chased the figure around the corner—

Only to find… nothing.

Gone.

But her system didn't miss a beat.

"That…" She whispered, taking one step back. "It was him—wasn't it? That man from the wedding… the one who…"

[DING!]

[The Iron Widow Class is Currently Active!]

[Side Quest Activated: Seduce Three Men in Thirty Minutes!] 

[Currently Active Buffs: Charisma: +400% | Mood: Flammable | Pheromones: Enhanced to Problematic Levels]

"What?" she blinked. "No, no, NO. Not now—"

Behind her, Aaron caught up.

He grabbed her wrist—firm but not rough. "Are you seriously following random strangers in the dark now?"

Selene turned to him—flushed, off-balance, confused, breathless.

And that's when it hit.

The Iron Widow Buff.

Their eyes locked.

Aaron's expression twitched. His jaw clenched. His pupils dilated—just a little too much.

[Aaron Wolf: Attraction Spiked. Emotional Repression Overloaded.]

[Error: Feelings Detected. Panic Mode Initiated.]

Selene's brain screamed. She stepped back instinctively.

She'd just accidentally seduced her co-founder.

And possibly a murderer.

On the same night.