The Murphy estate was ablaze with lights, a rare sight of chaos in the usually calm household.
Kosdy Murphy, known for his composure, was in a rare state of fury.
"Useless! What are those bodyguards for? How could they let him disappear like this? They're all worthless!"
"Call the police chief! Mobilize Black Dragon Society! I want him found by tonight!"
"Who dares lay a hand on my son? When I find out who's behind this, I'll skin them alive!"
"What are you all standing around for? Get out there and find him! If he's not back, don't bother coming back either!"
The Murphy family's head steward was unceremoniously driven out of the second-floor study by Kosdy's roaring voice. He scurried down the stairs, bowing his head meekly, and mumbled a "Miss Jodie" as he passed her before bolting out the door.
Jodie stood in the hallway, a cold smirk playing on her lips as she listened to the ongoing tirade from above.
Karma's a bitch, isn't it?
The man who had orchestrated her sister's kidnapping was now losing his mind over his missing son.
She walked into the kitchen, pulling a carton of milk from the fridge and pouring two glasses. She handed one to Julia, who sat quietly on the couch, her face pale.
"Drink this. It'll calm your nerves. We'll go upstairs when things quiet down," Jodie said softly, ruffling her sister's hair.
Julia took a sip, her heart heavy. No matter how much she tried to rationalize it, the blatant favoritism hurt.
"Big sister," Julia whispered, her voice trembling, "is being a boy really that important? Are girls not worth loving?"
Jodie's heart ached. She pulled Julia into a hug, resting her chin on the younger girl's head. "Silly girl, don't think like that. I love you, don't I?"
Julia nodded, her mind drifting to Veil. A small smile crept onto her face as she remembered how kind he had been to her.
Big brother Veil loves me too.
The sound of heavy footsteps interrupted their moment. Kosdy Murphy stormed down the stairs, his face twisted with rage.
"Jodie!" he barked, glaring at his eldest daughter. "Did you have anything to do with this? If you did, release him now, and we'll forget this ever happened. But if you've harmed Damon Murphy, don't expect any mercy!"
The accusation hung in the air, sharp and unrelenting.
Jodie's heart sank. Was this her father? The man who had raised her?
"Don't project your own cruelty onto others," Jodie shot back, her voice trembling with anger. "I'm not like you. I don't stoop to such levels."
She stood tall, her eyes blazing. "I'm fighting for Murphy Group not for the money, but because I won't let my mother's hard work go to waste on someone unworthy. If anything happens to Damon Murphy, I won't take a single penny from this family. I don't need your filthy money!"
With that, she grabbed Julia's hand and stormed out of the house, leaving her father standing in the middle of the living room.
The night was far from over.
Back at his villa, Veil was just settling in when his phone rang.
"Damon Murphy's been kidnapped," Saoirse's voice came through the line, blunt and to the point.
Veil chuckled. "So? Why are you telling me?"
"You didn't have anything to do with this, did you?" she asked, suspicion lacing her tone.
Veil laughed. "Are you worried about me? Afraid I'll get caught?"
"Don't flatter yourself," Saoirse snapped. "I'm just covering my bases. Kosdy's offering a five-billion reward for whoever brings his precious son back."
"Five billion? That's half my yearly allowance," Veil teased. "Any leads? We could split the reward—after all, we're practically one and the same now."
Saoirse snorted. "Sure. I've got a list of over a hundred suspects—all of them with a grudge against Damon Murphy. Since you're such a great informant, why don't you help me narrow it down?"
Click.
Veil hung up without another word.
A hundred enemies?
Damon Murphy was even more of a mess than he'd thought.
As Veil pondered his next move, a soft knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in," he called.
The door opened, and Alice stepped in, wearing an outfit Veil didn't recognize. It hugged her figure perfectly, accentuating her youthful charm.
"Alice, where did you get that outfit?" Veil asked, raising an eyebrow.
Alice blushed furiously. "I… I found it in the tea room while cleaning. Do… do you like it, Young Master?"
She wasn't a child anymore. She knew exactly what kind of clothes these were and why Veil had hidden them.
Veil gestured for her to come closer. Alice hesitated for a moment before sitting on his lap, her face burning.
"Do you know what you're doing?" Veil asked, his voice low and teasing.
Alice nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "Yes, Young Master."
She knew she was walking into dangerous territory, but she couldn't bring herself to resist.
Veil had always been kind to her, even when she'd wronged him. He'd protected her, cared for her, and even fulfilled her childhood dreams.
In her heart, Alice knew she was already his.
The room was bathed in the soft glow of gentle light. The curtains fluttered as a cool night breeze, carrying the scent of tuberose, slipped into the warm space. Veil sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at Alice, who sat before him. Her eyes were moist and clear, tinged with a hint of nervousness, but there was no retreat in her gaze.
"Are you sure?" he asked softly, his fingertips gently brushing her cheek.
Alice didn't answer with words but nodded slightly, pressing her forehead against his chest. Their heartbeats echoed in unison, as if each could hear the other's rhythm clearly.
Her fingers clutched his shirt, trembling slightly. Yet, that trembling wasn't out of fear—it was more like a small animal that had finally found its home, waiting anxiously for a long-awaited warmth.
Veil lifted her gently, his movements as tender as if he were handling the most fragile treasure, and placed her on the bed. He didn't rush to close the distance but leaned down to kiss her forehead, then her eyelids, and finally the corner of her lips.
"I'll be very careful," he murmured.
Alice looked up at him, her eyes free of shyness, filled only with trust.
Their movements were slow and gentle, each touch as if they were carefully listening to the other's emotions. His fingertips traced the curve of her back, while her hands lightly encircled his neck.
There were no heavy breaths, no sounds to break the silence.
Only the silhouettes of their figures intertwined under the soft light, accompanied by the faint rustling of leaves outside the window, composing a quiet nocturne just for them.
This was their first collision—not wild, not conquering, but a gentle confirmation that from now on, they would no longer be alone.
His lips touched hers, a tentative kiss, as if testing, as if waiting for her response.
Alice closed her eyes softly, tilting her chin up slightly to return the kiss. At first, it was awkward and reserved, but gradually, as their breaths mingled, the kiss deepened and softened.
Her fingers slid over his back, as if searching for something to hold onto. Veil felt her body tremble lightly, but there was no trace of resistance. He lowered his head, planting a series of gentle kisses along her neck, each one like a whispered reassurance.
"Don't be nervous," he whispered in her ear, his voice husky and tender.
Alice nodded slightly, biting her lip, her eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings stirred by the night breeze.
Veil's fingers gently traced her collarbone, slowly unbuttoning her blouse, unhurried and deliberate. Each inch of skin revealed was done with delicate care, without a hint of haste.
When their skin finally touched, the temperature rose quietly. She buried her face in his shoulder, not daring to look at him, yet her arms clung tightly to him.
Veil held her waist with one hand, the other interlacing his fingers with hers. His gaze was soft as he looked at her, as if all restlessness had found peace in her embrace.
They didn't speak, yet their silence spoke volumes. Every movement, every breath, was a conversation of the soul.
When the true union came, it was slow and deliberate. She bit her lip lightly, her brows furrowing slightly, but as she felt the soothing touch of his palm, she quietly relaxed the tension in her shoulders.
The entire process was like a flower blooming slowly in the night—no thunder, no fire, only the intertwining of warmth and an inseparable bond.
Hours later...
"Ding! Host has successfully won over the heroine Alice. Congratulations on gaining +50,000 villain points!"
"Ding! Heroine Alice has experienced intense emotional fluctuations. Congratulations on gaining +1,000 villain points."
Listening to the system notifications in his ear, Veil got up, carefully covering the sleeping Alice with the blanket. He kissed her forehead gently before leaving the room.
The moment the door closed, Alice, who had been pretending to be "asleep," opened her eyes.
Her cheeks were flushed, as if she'd been drinking. She hugged the pillow Veil had just rested on, burying her face in it and taking a deep breath. A soft smile spread across her lips as she was filled with a sense of blissful satisfaction.