Two hours later, it was already seven in the evening.
Dinner ended with both the host and guests equally satisfied.
Sol was rather pleased.
The lobster mapo tofu was spicy, numbing, and fragrant, with a complex depth of flavor—an excellent dish with rice.
The braised sea cucumber with scallions had superb texture and a rich, concentrated taste.
The other dishes also had their own unique characteristics, all of them requiring considerable skill to prepare. Victoria Housekeeping Co. had truly put in the effort.
Though it couldn't quite match the occasional masterpieces Sol drew from the system, this was still the work of a top-tier chef.
Ellen, however, found little joy in the meal.
Not because the food was lacking—the place was one they only came to for annual banquets, and the taste was impeccable.
But her mind lingered on what Von Lycaon had said earlier.
Allowing Sol to request "free service" every two days… it was far too outrageous.
She had a terrible premonition that she was about to accumulate a mountain of overtime.
…
"Mr. Mercer, did you enjoy the meal today?"
"Very much. I could feel all of your sincerity," Sol nodded, then added, "From now on, there's no need for such formality. Just call me Sol."
"Of course, Sol."
Von Lycaon inclined his head. A small sense of relief welled within him—his plan to close the distance seemed to be progressing smoothly.
"By the way, Lycaon, my place has gotten a bit cluttered recently. Would it be possible for Miss Ellen to come by tomorrow and help tidy things up?"
Sol turned to Ellen, smiling warmly.
Ellen pressed her palm against her forehead. She knew this was coming.
"Of course, that's no problem." Von Lycaon accepted without hesitation. "If you'd like, we could send the whole team to help organize and plan things out. Naturally, the first cycle would be free of charge."
"No need for that. I believe Ellen can handle it on her own."
Sol gave an embarrassed smile. After all, his was just a three-bedroom apartment—having all of Victoria Housekeeping Co. descend on it would be a waste.
"Sol, my housekeeping skills are awful. Rina and Corin are far better at it."
Ellen looked at Sol helplessly.
She truly did not want to become his maid.
Not because she feared any untoward behavior—just the unbearable humiliation of it. She would rather take another Hollow commission than have to call Sol "Master." Just the thought made her scalp prickle.
"I see," Sol nodded thoughtfully. "Then let's leave Rina and Corin for next time and the time after that."
Ellen could only look to Von Lycaon, her voice heavy as she asked, "Lycaon… if I'm not mistaken, don't I have a commission tomorrow?"
"No worries. We'll handle that commission ourselves. You just focus on helping Sol," Von Lycaon replied firmly. "Your pay will remain the same, with overtime rates applied."
"…Alright, understood, boss."
Ellen's voice was drained of life. She could already envision tomorrow's social death awaiting her.
…
Soon after, they all left the nameless private restaurant.
Driving Sol back to the Cunning Hares, Victoria's car slowly pulled away into the night.
The moment he stepped inside, Sol found Nekomata in the kitchen, washing dishes. Clearly, Nicole and the others had already eaten.
Sol was beginning to suspect that Nekomata was part Cat Thiren. Only a cat butler of that bloodline could have such high-level domestic skills.
He wasn't surprised they hadn't waited for him—they knew from the message he'd sent Nicole earlier at lunch.
On the sofa, Nicole noticed his return. The corner of her lips curled upward as a bank card just so happened to slip from her fingers onto the floor.
Anby was quick to react, snatching it up and returning it to her. "Did you eat too much? How do you drop something as important as your bank card?"
"Cough, cough!" Nicole faked two coughs, her mind working at lightning speed. "It's because today so much money was deposited onto it that it weighs a thousand pounds! I couldn't hold it steady!"
She shot a sharp glance at Anby. Her chance to show off had almost been ruined.
"How much could possibly weigh a card down like that?"
Sol chuckled, amused—like watching a fisherman whose eagerness gave him away.
The urge to slap down her bluff stirred within him. But considering how generously soft she was, he decided to let her finish the act.
"Five million Dennies!"
"We recovered something extremely important to our client in just one day and were rewarded with five million Dennies!" Nicole declared triumphantly.
She didn't know what use the object had, but the five million payout was real.
Anby hesitated, then added, "But… it just looked like a recently scrapped sawblade."
Nicole waved dismissively. "What scrapped sawblade? As long as it carries a client's feelings, it's priceless! Five million priceless!"
"If not for my brilliant leadership, the Cunning Hares would never have landed such a lucrative job!"
As she spoke, Nicole puffed out her chest, awaiting Sol's awe and praise.
"Alright, alright, Boss Nicole, well done."
Sol only walked behind her, smiling as he kneaded her shoulders.
Five million? That impressive?
Meanwhile, a bank card containing one-point-two billionDennies rested quietly in his coat pocket.
But since Nicole had worked so hard to strut, he wouldn't ruin her fun.
"Mmm~ that feels nice!"
Despite the slightly perfunctory words, Sol's flattery and masterful massage technique still left Nicole with half-closed, blissful eyes.
Ever since their relationship had grown closer, she had become entirely used to this kind of contact.
From the side, Anby, Nekomata, and Billy could only watch with discomfort. In this moment, they felt like outsiders—while Sol and Nicole seemed like a family of their own.
…
Suddenly, as she enjoyed Sol's massage, Nicole remembered something.
Earlier that morning, Sol had messaged that he too had accepted a commission.
She wondered how much he'd made.
Since he hadn't boasted about it, it must not have been much—certainly not more than her five million.
She had to ask, reassert her dignity as boss, and put Sol firmly beneath her heel.
Her eyes lit up as she turned to him. "Didn't you also take on a commission today, Sol? How much did you make?"
"If it wasn't much, then maybe you shouldn't be inviting other girls to hang out. I'd hate for you to overextend yourself."
As she spoke, Nicole put on an expression of sisterly concern.
She knew well what kind of womanizer Sol was. Now that he'd somehow taken her down, she had to cut off all the little foxes circling around him.
"One-point-two billion."
Sol let out a sigh, his voice flat.
Honestly, he'd wanted her to enjoy her performance. But she just had to hand him her face like this.
"Pfft—what!? How much!?" Nicole jerked upright on the sofa, eyes wide. "You seriously expect me to believe that!?"
One-point-two billion Dennies? Impossible! That much could buy an apartment in the city center.
Thud!
Sol shifted slightly, letting the weight of his body pull. From his pocket, a brand-new bank card slipped out and fell to the ground.
"Ah… this card contains one-point-two billion Dennies. Heavier than a mountain. My little pocket couldn't bear it anymore."
Sol bent to pick it up, his face showing exaggerated strain.
"…"
Nicole's expression froze. Her cheeks burned.
Bank cards didn't display balances, but just one look at Sol's card revealed its exquisite craftsmanship. Clearly not ordinary.
Damn it! Sol, if you made such a fortune, why didn't you flaunt it earlier? Why wait until now—just to slap me in the face?!
Unforgivable.
Nicole glared at him, grinding her teeth.
Then she pounced, clutching his arm tightly, pressing her cheek against it, and—
Squish!
"Let me absorb your luck! I'm going to earn one-point-two billion Dennies too!"
Nicole's eyes sparkled like coins, as though fortune itself was already wrapping around her.
"You'll get there too, someday."
Sol patted her head with his other hand, like a merciful priest offering blessings.
"…"
Nekomata and Billy stood frozen, gutted.
They'd expected a car crash of embarrassment—yet it ended like this.
Anby, on the other hand, looked determined. She would train her luck as well… so Nicole could come and absorb hers.
…
In what felt like no time at all, two hours passed, and it was time to sleep.
Sol was just about to return to his own room with Baal in his arms when Nicole tugged him back.
Her face was flushed as she whispered in his ear, "Come, to my room. I want to absorb your luck."
"…"
Naturally, Sol tossed Baal aside and spent the night with Nicole.
With Big Nicole in his arms, who needed to hug a little Bangboo?
"Tch. Men."
Baal folded her arms, already seeing through it all.
Later that night, Sol finally returned to his own bed and wrapped his arms around Baal as he lay down.
"Tch. Men."
Baal snorted coldly. She had foreseen this outcome long ago.