There were many guests in the decorated hall. Some were clicking photographs to post on their socials, while others were chatting while sipping wine. The party seemed lively, yet there was no noise. Everyone was enjoying in their small cliques.
It wasn't anything like the noise room he had imagined after learning they were all influencers. It seemed not everyone of them went to other countries to cause a ruckus.
But that wasn't what Jack was there for.
Without wasting time, he began scanning the crowds for potential targets. The place was like a buffet for him. Despite the dislike for influencers and business people, he hoped to find some gold, platinum, or even diamond maidens hiding in the midst of the undesirable crowd.
Cindy held on to his arm tightly, not out of love, but out of nerves. It seemed the strange reception earlier had put her on the edge.
That's not good. How am I supposed to flirt with other women if you keep holding on to me like this?
Meanwhile, Barco returned to Jack's side and nodded, signaling the troublemaker had been dealt with. As curious as Jack was about how Barco dealt with the man, he didn't pry. Besides, he had something else to deal with.
"Is everything alright, Cindy?"
"Y-Yes…"
All this time, Cindy had kept her eyes on him when talking, but this time she kept looking sideways. Jack followed her gaze and realized why she was so nervous.
It was the usual group of troublemakers, her former crew. They surrounded a redhead, broad-shouldered man, who kept eyeing Cindy.
"Who is he?" Jack asked.
"CEO of the talent company I worked at…"
"Do you want to greet them—?"
"I'd rather not."
Jack nodded, but not before wrapping his hand around her waist and pulling her in. Cindy was flustered by the sudden move, but Jack wasn't looking at her. His eyes were on the great CEO.
As expected, the moment he pulled Cindy close, the man's face darkened, and Jack's smile widened. He was partially doing it for Cindy, but most of his reason was selfish and downright retarded.
He was touching Cindy, because he could and also for some drama.
[Side Quest: Drama Ultra Pro Max]
[Task: Cause a ruckus with a high-profile man, at a high-profile venue]
[Time: --]
[Reward: 100 EP, $10,000]
[Punishment: None.]
Jack didn't know when he'll get the chance to attend a high-profile event like the Gala, so he wanted to complete as many related side quests as he could. Besides, after completing the quest, he'll have 300 EP, enough to buy another item from the shop.
However, his selfish actions were predicted as something else by Cindy.
He's… so dependable. I have never felt like this before…
In Cindy's mind, Jack was protecting her by pulling her close. His action was akin to someone marking their territory. She had told him all about the hostility with her former employer, so Jack must have wanted to protect her from them.
Her brain had been irreversibly damaged from reading too many lust-filled CEO stories. So much so that every action Jack took was viewed by her as a declaration of love.
Either way, she felt comfortable in his embrace and even leaned in slightly, holding on to him. But then a strange thought entered her head.
In all those CEO novels, after the protagonist attended such a grand event, the female lead and male lead did… the tango. Just like that, her booktok mind went into overdrive.
Weird images of Jack laying shirtless in her bed, holding a rose in his mouth, filled her head. Her face got even redder as she subconsciously felt Jack's body.
The more she didn't want to think about it, the more vivid such mental images became.
In one scene, Jack was pinning her on the bed, his fingers intertwined with hers as his tongue traced her face before kissing her neck. In another, it was the opposite. But every variation ended exactly the same… with her in his arms, content with her life.
[Target: Cindy Myer's affection +25%]
[Current Affection: 86%]
[$2,500 was added to the card.]
[Current Balance: $937,599]
Jack looked at her with his eyebrow raised. It seemed even the smallest things he did made her affection go up like crazy. Little did he know, it wasn't his actions that raised her affection, but her own wild thoughts.
"Cindy, we can leave if they are making you uncomfortable."
Jack kept acting his part of the caring companion. It was the best persona for him to win over timid women like Cindy.
Caring in public, but controlling in bed. Isn't that every woman's choice of a dream man?
"It's fine, Jack," Cindy said, clearing her throat. "It would be a waste to leave now."
"As you wish—"
Jack had just said that when a familiar man approached them.
"Mr. Mills! What a pleasant surprise to see you here!"
Mr. Oshineda approached them, wearing a pristine white suit. Mira was behind him, wearing a green gown with a plunging neckline. There was another young man next to Mira, one whom Jack didn't recognize.
"Mr. Oshineda, I'm surprised you recognized me," Jack said, returning the smile.
"I didn't," Oshineda replied. "But I recognized your bodyguards."
Jack shot Barco and Takeshi a look, but they didn't react, staying stoic as usual. Just then, another notification appeared before him.
[Target: Mira Oshineda's affection -1%]
[Current Affection: 12%]
[$100 was deducted from the card.]
[Current Balance: $937,499]
Eh? What happened?
He looked at Mira and saw her staring at his hand around Cindy's waist. Jack was surprised because he didn't think he and Mira shared a relationship where she would be angry or uncomfortable with him being around other girls. But that was the case here.
[The host flaunted another girl before the target.]
…Isn't this system too realistic?
[I didn't register the host's bickering when the system benefited them earlier.]
…
"Mr. Mills, this is James Fenris, my personal assistant," Oshineda said, quickly introducing the young man.
They shook hands before Jack introduced Cindy.
"This is Cindy Myers, a talented model, and a close friend of mine. You can say I wouldn't be here if not for her," he said. "Cindy, Ms. Oshineda and Mr. Oshineda are my business associates."
"Oh, I see. Pleased to meet you."
Cindy put on a smile, acting like it was the first time she had heard about the Oshineda family. Everyone knew about them, and Cindy was no exception. The Oshineda family had multiple businesses, including a talent agency.
Just like everything before, Cindy automatically assumed Jack had staged everything so she could get hired in their company. She predicted Mr. Oshineda would offer her a job after Jack introduced them. She thought it was his way of helping her without being overbearing or possessive.
Jack truly cares for me. I must do anything and everything to stay in his good graces.
"A model? Isn't that wonderful?" Mr. Oshineda exclaimed. "We were just talking about hiring some talents for our agency. We would love to hire Ms. Myers if she's interested."
Mother of all coincidences. Fortuna, this has to be your doing!
Cindy looked at Jack before agreeing. Oshineda's talent agency showed highly favorable terms for their talents. It was a big opportunity for her, one she couldn't pass up. But she couldn't just express herself freely.
After all, it all could be an elaborate test for her. Maybe Jack wanted to see if she desired him more or his resources. Cindy decided right then and there that she would act like she was hesitant until Jack okay-ed her to join them.
"Ms. Myers, we can discuss the terms of cooperation right now, if you don't mind?" James asked, putting on a charming smile akin to a salesman's.
"I…"
Cindy looked at Jack, wondering if he would dislike if she left his side.
"Go ahead," Jack smiled. "You don't need to ask me for permission. It's your life."
"I'll be right back!"
As they left, Jack gestured Barco to follow them. He was worried that her former colleagues might pull a stunt if he wasn't close. Barco nodded and left.
A second later, Mr. Oshineda turned to Jack to talk about their own interests.
"Mr. Mills, I know a few people here," he said. "I would like to introduce them if you're interested."
Jack didn't have to think twice before nodding. Since it was an event to form connections, it wouldn't hurt if he found more money-making opportunities.
It would be even better if I find some women there as well.
Jack smiled at the thought of hitting two birds with one stone.