Watching Alice flee upstairs in a panic, Veil couldn't help but smile.
Obedient, thoughtful, and as affectionate as a little kitten—Alice was every bit the real deal.
Step by step. Perhaps today's progress was a bit fast for Alice, but it wasn't a big deal. As long as he gave her a few days to adjust, she would naturally come to terms with it on her own.
"Young Master, there's some movement from the Murphy family," Kai announced as he stepped inside, glancing around the room before asking in confusion, "Miss Alice isn't here?"
Kai had his strengths. The way he treated people was vastly different depending on their status. Ever since seeing Alice's stunning transformation, he had even changed the way he addressed her.
"She's upstairs," Veil gestured toward the maid's quarters. "It's fine, go on. What's the situation?"
Kai nodded and got straight to the point. "There was a heated argument coming from the Murphy residence. Our men investigated and found that it was between Jodie Murphy and her father. Based on snippets of conversation we overheard, it seems that a large amount of company assets is being liquidated."
"I see," Veil murmured, a playful smirk curling at his lips.
Here it comes.
The perfect opportunity to make his move on the Murphy sisters had finally arrived!
Julia Murphy, with her baby-faced charm and exaggerated curves, was a hopeless romantic. But Jodie Murphy—now she was a different breed altogether. A prodigy in the financial world, she wasn't just another overseas returnee looking to pad her résumé. Jodie had genuine talent and an unshakable mental fortitude—a future queen of commerce.
This was already proven in the original storyline.
A woman who was both beautiful and highly capable? How could Veil possibly let her slip through his fingers?
Since he was in this world now, he needed money. He couldn't always rely on the Lancaster family for handouts. A few billion here and there was easy to ask for, but if he did it too often, they might start thinking he was just wasting time. What if they decided to drag him back to Luxhaven to take over the family business?
No way.
He still had plenty of leisurely days to enjoy!
Starting his own company wasn't an option either—he had no intention of working himself to the bone. That would just be reliving his past life all over again.
Jodie was the perfect solution. If he could win her over, given her workaholic nature and utter devotion to her man, Veil could confidently dump all responsibilities on her while he enjoyed life to the fullest.
Decision made.
Without hesitation, Veil personally called the Murphy residence, requesting a visit.
Given his status, there was no way the Murphy family could refuse. After a few polite exchanges over the phone, the meeting was set.
That evening, at dinner, Veil occasionally glanced at Alice as she drank her papaya soup.
Her head remained low the entire time.
She felt utterly shameless. Upstairs, she had sworn to herself a hundred times that she wouldn't drink it. Yet the moment she saw the Young Master's face, all her self-restraint crumbled. She had drunk so much that her small stomach was now round and full.
---
Murphy Estate.
On the second floor, Julia Murphy lay sprawled across her bed, flipping through a brand-new manga. The male leads in the story were all impossibly handsome, radiating an aura of perfection.
As for the plot?
Absolute trash.
But Julia didn't care. She wasn't reading for the story—she just loved looking at ridiculously good-looking guys. Everything else was secondary.
Dressed in a cute, Lolita-style outfit, she was completely absorbed in her reading. Her long, white-stocking-clad legs occasionally kicked at the soft bed, her cheeks puffed out in concentration. The lingering traces of baby fat made her look all the more adorable.
Creak.
The door opened, and in walked Jodie Murphy, clad in a sleek black business suit and stockings—the quintessential image of a corporate powerhouse. Seeing her younger sister sprawled on the bed so innocently, she took a deep breath.
Jodie had a lot on her mind, but in front of this carefree little sister, she could only indulge her.
"Julia, how many times have I told you not to lie like that? It's bad for your posture," Jodie said, approaching the bed. Looking at her sister, who had shared her struggles since childhood, she couldn't help but feel protective.
Julia mumbled an "Oh" and shifted slightly.
Jodie let out a helpless sigh. She was shouldering so much on her own, yet she had no one to confide in. All she could do was endure it alone and force a smile.
"Julia, do you have a boy you like?" she suddenly asked.
"Nope!" Julia answered without hesitation. "The girls at school have such bad taste! They keep saying this guy is handsome or that guy is the school heartthrob, but I checked them out, and they're all so average! Not handsome at all!
"My boyfriend has to be super, super handsome! And he has to treat me really, really well!"
"Silly girl," Jodie said, gently flicking her sister's nose.
There was a certain innocence in being a fool. At least this way, Julia wouldn't fall for just any guy. No matter how much time passed, she wouldn't easily agree to their father's arranged marriage plans.
As long as Jodie was around, she would never allow their father to use Julia as a bargaining chip.
No matter what.
No matter who.
"Sis, are you mad again? I heard you arguing with Dad, didn't I?" Julia grabbed Jodie's hand and pouted. "Don't fight with Dad, okay? He's nice to me, and you're even nicer. I don't want you two to fight."
"Nice?" Jodie asked herself.
By normal standards, their father's treatment of them could indeed be considered good.
But Julia was still in the dark.
She was still too young to realize that in their father's eyes, daughters were never truly family.
They were merely tools—sacrifices to be used for profit.
That night, Jodie slept with her sister, holding her tightly from time to time, as if afraid that Julia might slip away from her grasp.
As for Julia?
That silly little girl slept like a rock once she dozed off. Not only that, but she occasionally nuzzled against Jodie's chest in her sleep, smacking her lips as if savoring a sweet dream.
...
By evening, the entire Murphy household was brightly lit, with every corner meticulously arranged. Even the servants had changed into formal attire.
In the living room, Kosdy Murphy leisurely flipped through an outdated newspaper, quietly awaiting the guest's arrival.
The eldest son of the Lancaster family from Luxhaven City was coming. While Kosdy held some influence in Veyport City, he still had to put on a proper display of hospitality.
After all, appearances mattered.
More importantly, these wealthy second-generation heirs cared deeply about status and prestige. If he played his cards right, perhaps he could squeeze some value out of this top-tier young master.
"Dad, are we expecting guests tonight?"
Julia pranced over, dressed in an adorable Lolita outfit, her long, white-stockinged legs appearing particularly smooth and fair.
Since his wife had passed away years ago due to illness, Kosdy had never remarried. Outsiders often praised his devotion and moral character.
Perhaps it was because of this, but the Murphy family rarely hosted guests at home. Most of their dealings took place outside. A formal banquet at the estate was a rare occasion.
Kosdy reached out and patted his youngest daughter's head, smiling. "That's right, we're expecting an important guest."
"Who is it? Do I know them? Is it a man or a woman? Are they handsome?"
Typical Julia—her curiosity wasn't about the guest's status or significance but entirely focused on whether they were good-looking.
"Well... I suppose he should be handsome," Kosdy hesitated for a moment before shaking his head with a wry smile. He had never met Veil before, so he couldn't say for certain.
But logically speaking, those from prestigious families usually had good genes.
After all, wealthy men always married stunning wives—each one more dazzling than the last.
"Is he impressive?" Julia blinked her large, curious eyes.
Kosdy chuckled. "Of course! He's the heir of the Lancaster family from Luxhaven!"
As he spoke, he glanced at his eldest daughter from the corner of his eye.
Jodie stood nearby, watching the exchange between her father and sister. She hadn't planned to interrupt, but when she noticed her father looking at her, she couldn't help but snap, "Why are you looking at me? I don't even know this so-called young master. Don't tell me you're thinking of pushing me in front of him for comparison?"
Kosdy immediately picked up on the underlying argument in her words and deliberately pressed down, his voice turning cold. "Comparison? Do you think too highly of yourself?
With your so-called capabilities, how could you possibly measure up to the heir of the Lancaster family from Luxhaven?
Do you even realize that during the founding ceremony, his grandfather stood in the very front row?"
"So what?" Jodie clenched her teeth. "It's not like he was the one standing there—it was his grandfather!"
Whenever her father belittled her while exalting some man's status, Jodie felt an uncontrollable surge of anger rise within her.
Frustration, defiance, and a deep, unspoken resentment.
Just then, the butler hurried inside. "Sir, the Lancaster young master has arrived."
Kosdy immediately stood up, straightening his clothes and furrowing his brows at Jodie. "Behave yourself in front of our guest. Say whatever you want when we're alone, but keep it together while he's here."
Following the butler's lead, a tall figure dressed in a well-tailored suit stepped through the entrance.
Jodie instinctively turned around.
Their eyes met.
In that instant, the storm of frustration swirling in her chest seemed to be swept away by a summer breeze.
To her surprise, the restless emotions within her gradually calmed.