Julian entered Adrian's office carrying an essential oil diffuser and a sleek Italian leather briefcase. In his peripheral vision, a translucent screen—visible only to him—flickered with a soft blue glow.
[HEROIC HARMONY SYSTEM][Current Mission: Endure a public humiliation from the Villain to gain "Sister's Sympathy."][Progress: 0%]
Julian smiled. He was an expert. He knew exactly which buttons to press to make Adrian Valmont explode in front of Clara, who watched from the doorway with worry etched across her face.
"Adrian, I've prepared a sandalwood and lavender blend for your light hypnosis session," Julian said, placing the diffuser on the desk. "I know your mind has been clouded with… shadows since the accident. Let me guide you."
Adrian, scrolling through financial reports on his tablet, didn't even glance up. Meilan, standing by the window, arms crossed, stared at the diffuser as if it were a live grenade.
"I don't like sandalwood, Julian," Adrian said, calm as ever. "Meilan, please remove that device. The scent distracts me."
Julian feigned a shudder, lowering his gaze in feigned sadness.
[SYSTEM: "Ding! Attempted rejection detected. Trigger greater conflict to gain +10 Pity."]
"Oh… I'm so sorry, Adrian," Julian whispered, letting his voice tremble just slightly. "I only wanted to help with your anger episodes. Clara said you woke up screaming… I thought this might give you some peace. I didn't mean to be a nuisance."
Clara stepped forward, her face flushed.
"Adrian! Julian is just being kind! Why do you have to be so cold? He only wants you to stop suffering!"
Finally, Adrian looked up.
He looked at Clara. Then at Julian.
And he saw the hidden smile behind the doctor's feigned sadness.
In his previous life, Adrian would have yelled, "Everyone out!"—a perfect victory for Julian.
But this Adrian no longer played that game.
"Clara, you're right," he said.
Julian's system beeped a dull error.
"I was abrupt. Dr. Vane, please accept my apologies. Meilan, do not remove the diffuser. On the contrary, bring the doctor a cup of that special tea we bought yesterday—the one with deep sedative effects."
Julian blinked.
That wasn't in the manual.
[SYSTEM: "WARNING! Target shows no hostility. Victim Points cannot be generated."]
"That's not necessary, Adrian… really…" Julian tried.
"I insist," Adrian said, rising and approaching him with a smile that was not villainous, but dangerously perfect. "If you're going to heal me, you must be relaxed. You yourself said tension blocks the therapeutic process."
He gestured to the chair across from his desk.
"Drink the tea, sit down, and show me how your technique works. If I fall asleep, it's a success… right?"
Julian glanced at the cup Meilan was already serving with lethal efficiency.
If he didn't drink it, he would look ungrateful in front of Clara.If he did, Adrian would have total control of the session.
[SYSTEM: "Ding! Error! Extreme courtesy detected. The Righteousness System cannot process the Villain's kindness."]
Adrian patted him on the shoulder. The pressure was light… but Julian felt it like a chain of iron.
"Drink, Julian," he said softly. "In this house, we all want you to feel… at home."
Meilan didn't take her eyes off the cup.
Adrian's office was dim, lit only by the glow of the monitors and the amber of expensive whiskey.
Astrid wasn't just sitting; she was claiming space. Her pencil skirt had shifted slightly, her hair—always perfect—fell in a calculated mess over her shoulders, and her fingers traced Adrian's jawline with a possessive familiarity.
Adrian felt her warmth and the adrenaline of the moment. He was about to lean her onto the desk when the door suddenly swung wide open.
Julian entered first, smiling like a concerned older brother, carrying a thermos of organic tea. Clara followed, clutching a folder to her chest.
"Adrian, Clara told me you've been working too hard, and I thought a breathing session—"
Julian froze.
The silence was brutal.
A red alert flashed violently in Julian's mind.
[SYSTEM: "WARNING! Cortisol levels rising. User experiencing 'Beta Male Rage.' Danger of White Lotus Mask breaking."]
Julian had spent years abroad convinced that upon his return, Astrid Roche would be the jewel of his crown. Seeing her there—disheveled, lips slightly flushed, gazing at Adrian as if he were her entire universe—made him nauseous with hatred.
Astrid made a reflexive movement to rise.
Adrian rested his hand on her waist, holding her firmly in his lap.
He claimed her in front of everyone.
"Julian. Clara," Adrian said.
His voice was deep and calm, but his eyes burned with frozen fury over the interruption.
"In my company, entering a private office without knocking is usually grounds for immediate dismissal. In my house… it's a breach of manners that makes me question your 'Swiss upbringing.'"
Julian gripped the thermos so tightly his knuckles paled. He tried to activate Victim Mode.
"I… I'm sorry, Adrian," he stammered, voice trembling as he cast a wounded glance at Astrid. "I didn't know you were… busy with 'business matters.' Astrid, I didn't expect to see you in this situation. I've always placed you on a pedestal of elegance."
[SYSTEM: "Ding! Failed moral humiliation attempt. Target shows no shame."]
"Situation?" Astrid let out a crystalline, cruel laugh, settling even more against Adrian's chest. "Julian, darling… pedestals are boring. I prefer this seat."
Clara, red with shame and anger at Julian, exploded:
"This is indecent! Adrian, you're in rehabilitation! Julian says excessive… stimuli… affect your neurological recovery! Astrid, you should show more respect for his health!"
Adrian let out a brief, dry laugh, still holding Astrid.
"My health has never been better, Clara. Julian… why that face? You look like a man who just realized the toy he wanted already has an owner. Where's your holistic peace? You're vibrating at a very… negative frequency."
Julian felt the mask slipping. He wanted to scream. He wanted to overturn the desk. But the System flickered again.
[SYSTEM: "WARNING! If you show aggression now, Clara will lose faith in your goodness. Maintain submission."]
"You're right, Adrian," Julian whispered, lowering his head, forcing a wet shine to his eyes. "It pains me to see you use your power to… influence others. I only came to bring you peace, but I see you prefer chaos. Let's go, Clara. We're not welcome here."
Julian turned and left briskly before the fury on his face could betray him.
Adrian watched the door close. His irritation over the interruption remained, but the satisfaction of destabilizing Julian was greater.
He looked at Astrid.
"Where were we?" he murmured.
Astrid smiled, though her eyes remained fixed on the door.
"You've just created an enemy who won't use medicine to kill you, Adrian. He's going to use your sister."
"Let him try," he replied. "I have more cameras in this hallway than Julian has neurons."
Julian found Élise in the winter garden. A fleeting glint of desire crossed his eyes. She watched the gardeners with the intensity of a general surveying a battlefield.
"Mrs. Élise," Julian said, adopting his best worried-doctor voice. "I need to speak with you about today's session. I'm… deeply concerned about Adrian's progress."
Élise set her tea down without taking her eyes off the freshly pruned roses. When she finally turned to him, her expression had sharpened.
"Is something wrong? Did the scans show anything new?"
"Physically, he's healing. But his environment…" Julian sighed, lowering his gaze with award-worthy acting. "I just witnessed a scene in his office. Astrid Roche was with him. Don't get me wrong: she's brilliant, but her presence is… highly stimulating. Adrian's brain just emerged from severe trauma. The excess dopamine and emotional agitation Astrid provokes could trigger a neurochemical relapse."
Élise narrowed her eyes.
Julian thought he had her.
[SYSTEM: "Ding! Mother's Concern Level: 80%. Continue pressing to obtain 'Restraining Order' item."]
"Are you saying," Élise asked slowly, "that my son maintains an active life with a beautiful, powerful woman who is also his business partner?"
"I'm saying it's dangerous for his intracranial pressure," Julian insisted. "We should limit Astrid's visits to strictly professional matters. For his own well-being."
Élise stood.
She approached Julian, and for a second the Hero System flickered with hope.
Then she let out a brief, elegant laugh, completely devoid of humor.
"Julian, dear… my son spent three days in a coma. I thought I had lost him. If he now has the energy to have the city's most desired woman in his lap, it means my prayers have been answered."
Julian fell silent. The System started emitting irregular beeps.
"But, Mrs. Élise, cardiac stress…"
"The only stress I sense here is yours, doctor," she interrupted with a shark-like smile. "My son is a Valmont. He doesn't recover with lavender tea and isolation. He recovers by taking what he wants. If Astrid keeps him awake, focused, and motivated, I'll personally send silk lingerie to his room. Your job is to make sure he's well."
Julian clenched his fists behind his back.
[SYSTEM: "FAIL! Villain logic immune to 'Medical Concern.' Mother is an S-Class NPC (Uncontrollable)."]
"Of course…" Julian stammered. "I only wanted the best for him."
"The best for him is whatever he decides," Élise declared. "Now plan his recovery according to his preferences."