"That's hard to say. After all, there are all kinds of people out there," Lyra said with a gentle smile. "But we should always look at the world with kindness. Otherwise, everything we see will seem filthy and bleak, and wouldn't that only make us feel worse?"
Veil nodded in agreement. "You're absolutely right, Professor Lyra."
As expected from a literature professor at Veyport City University.
Not only was her figure and appearance stunning beyond comparison, but even her mindset and temperament were in a league of their own—far beyond what ordinary people could hope to match.
"You, huh!" Lyra laughed softly, graceful like a blooming iris. She reached out as if to tap Veil lightly on the forehead, but her hand stopped midair. Feeling it was a bit inappropriate, she withdrew it with a wry smile.
"If I had truly been the one to raise a student as exceptional as you, then I suppose I would be considered a decent teacher. But in truth, I'm just reaping the benefits of someone else's hard work. I was simply lucky enough to be called your teacher."
Their conversation was polite, casual—like old friends who hadn't seen each other in years.
But women were not all the same.
With them, it was always about applying the right medicine to the right condition.
Women like Harvey, who deliberately stirred up trouble, had to be taught a lesson. Otherwise, she'd keep pushing boundaries until she stepped all over you. People like her had to be disciplined.
But Lyra—elegant, intelligent, and gentle—even if you made a mistake, she'd comfort you, guide you, and make you want to come clean of your own volition. A woman like her was a flawless goddess of a professor.
One simply couldn't treat her with force. That would only backfire—maybe even destroy both sides in the process.
Veil made a point to maintain his distance, avoiding any brash behavior. He knew where the line was. His relationship with Lyra was simple—measured and respectful, progressing slowly but steadily, always staying within a healthy dynamic.
Relationship-building was a gradual process. It needed the right moment.
And that moment was tied to Caden Voss.
The trap was already set. Once Caden stepped on it, the opportunity would come.
—
As dusk approached, Veil helped himself to a generous portion of beef noodle soup—though, amusingly, there were no noodles, only beef.
Only after that did he return to the villa, under the gaze of the happy family of three and Lyra.
Seated in the back of the Bentley, Veil lit a cigarette while Kai drove steadily. The man gave him a thumbs-up in the rearview mirror.
"Young Master, you're incredible!"
"You want to learn? I'll teach you."
Veil figured Kai was probably just amazed by the fact that he'd charmed two beautiful women today.
But Kai shook his head. That wasn't it at all. He said with an almost solemn tone, "Listening to your advice is better than reading ten years' worth of books! I've finally gotten it!"
"The stuff you told me about applying the right medicine to the right person—absolute genius!"
Veil frowned slightly. "Wait, did you mess up? Did you drug the manager?"
Seriously?
Was Kai's darker nature being drawn out by hanging around him?
They were already that close, and he still went so far?
"No, no!" Kai shook his head quickly. "I'm not seeing that manager anymore. We weren't compatible."
Veil gave him a suspicious look. "Really? I thought that was your type."
Kai let out a long sigh. "That manager... really wasn't a good person.
She had a boyfriend the whole time and kept it from me. I didn't plan to hold it against her. I figured, whatever, I wasn't losing anything. It was mutual.
But recently, she started acting weird.
She actually came clean and said she was going to break up with her boyfriend... and that she wanted to be with me officially!"
Veil raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like good news, no?"
Kai gave a bitter smile. "Good news? No way, Young Master.
Before, I was the side piece. That guy was the boyfriend. I didn't care.
But if I become the boyfriend now, what happens when she finds another guy on the side? What am I supposed to do—die of humiliation?"
Classic case of being the cheater or being cheated on.
Kai, realizing how that sounded, quickly tried to explain himself. He scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed.
"Actually, uh, to tell you the truth, Young Master... I've kinda been taken recently too."
"Oh?" Veil became intrigued and handed him a cigarette, lighting it for him.
Kai took a drag and guided the Bentley onto the main road, one hand on the wheel. "I met this girl online. We've been chatting now and then. Nothing serious."
Veil puffed on his own cigarette and blew a smoke ring. "Knowing you, is it really chatting? Or flirting?"
Pffff...
Kai rolled the window down and exhaled a cloud of smoke. He looked at Veil through the mirror, then grinned. "Bit of both, I guess…
Honestly, I just send her some little gifts when I'm bored. You know—throw her a plane or a tank or two in the chatroom. And in return... she sends me some thoughtful gifts every day."
Veil smirked. "Thoughtful, huh?"
Kai took another drag and hurried to correct himself, "Wrong word—sexy! Sexy little gifts, that's what I meant."
Oh damn.
Kai really went there?
He's even messing with livestream girls now?
And they're talking every day?
"I've been talking to her for a while now," Kai continued. "She came to Veyport City last time, and we met up. The moment I saw her—bam! Sparks flew. Way better than that manager!"
Kai looked almost moved. "And then I remembered your advice, Young Master. So I handed her a glass of water with something extra in it."
Veil raised an eyebrow. "You actually drugged her? You slept with her?"
That couldn't be right.
Kai might be a bit ridiculous sometimes, but he was still educated. He couldn't have gone that far, right?
Was his own advice really that easy to misinterpret?
Kai turned serious. "I told her upfront. Said there was something in the water. She still drank it."
What?
Even Veil was momentarily thrown off. "If it was mutual, why the hell did you have to make it a drugged drink? That's not what I meant when I said 'tailored approach'!"
Kai let out an awkward laugh. "Well... I served the water on a tray. Next to it was the cup with the drug... and a stack of twenty grand in cash."
Hissss…
Veil took in a sharp breath, making a small contribution to global warming.
This...
This—what could he even say?
He never expected that.
He'd just been played by Kai.
Thinking back to how Kai tricked his old war buddy that time... it clearly wasn't a fluke.
Kai had really turned over a new leaf.
He'd not only learned the principles—he'd mastered the art of seduction!
The guy had serious scumbag potential!
Even Veil couldn't help but feel a strange sense of admiration.
Under Kai's smooth and steady driving, Veil returned to the villa.
He had performed acupuncture treatments twice in a single day. Even for someone like him, it had taken a toll. Feeling drained, he headed straight upstairs and collapsed onto the bed, intending to rest.
But just as he was about to close his eyes, Kai came jogging up the stairs with a report.
"Young Master, that female officer—Harvey—is outside again. She insists on seeing you. We've already stopped her at the gate. Should we send her away, or...?"
It had to be said, Kai had become exceptionally good at reading Veil's moods.
He could tell that the Young Master had expended a great deal of energy today at the beef noodle place.
If it had been a man asking to see Veil, Kai wouldn't have even bothered reporting it—he'd have sent him packing without a second thought.
But this was Harvey. Stunning looks, an incredible figure, and that added bonus of being a uniformed officer.
Even as Veil's most trusted aide, Kai didn't dare make this call on his own.