The ride back to the Vane Estate was quiet. Too quiet.
Chloe Han sat next to Blake in the back of the limousine. She wasn't looking at her phone or checking stock prices for the first time in her life. She was looking at him.
She stared at his hands—the same hands that had just snapped a man's limbs like dry twigs.
"You're staring," Blake said, not opening his eyes. He was leaning back against the leather seat, enjoying the hum of the engine.
Chloe flinched slightly but didn't look away. "Who are you, really? The Blake Vane I knew... he couldn't fight. He cried when he got a papercut."
Blake opened one eye, a gray iris gleaming in the dim cabin light. "People change, Chloe. Especially when they realize being nice gets them killed."
He reached out, his hand hovering over hers. She didn't pull away. He covered her hand, his palm warm and calloused.
"Are you afraid of me?"
"No," Chloe whispered. She surprised herself with the answer. She should be terrified. He was violent. Ruthless. But when she looked at him, she didn't feel fear. She felt... safe. For the first time since her diagnosis, she believed she might actually live.
"Good." Blake squeezed her hand. "Because the world is going to get a lot uglier. I need a Queen by my side, not a damsel."
[Ding!][Heroine Chloe Han's Submission Level: 35%.][Status: Intrigued / Dependent.]
Blake smirked internally. 'Slowly but surely.'
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Vane Estate. Master Bedroom.
Once they arrived, Blake sent Chloe to the guest wing to rest—he claimed she needed to "stabilize her Qi" after the excitement. In reality, he needed privacy.
He sat on the edge of his bed and summoned the System.
"System, tally the harvest."
[Calculating Rewards from the Engagement Party Arc...]
[1. Plot Disruption:] You successfully prevented the Protagonist from kidnapping the Heroine. (+500 Villain Points) [2. Face Slapping:] You publicly humiliated the Protagonist in front of the city's elite. (+300 Villain Points) [3. Physical Damage:] You permanently crippled the Protagonist's right arm and leg. (+1000 Villain Points) [4. Reputation Destruction:] Lin Feng is now labeled a "Violent lunatic" by Zenith City society. (+200 Villain Points)
[Total Villain Points: 2,500][Current Luck: 45 (Rising)]
Blake let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. 2,500 points. That was a massive haul.
"Open the System Shop," he commanded.
A holographic menu appeared, filled with items that would make any government kill to possess.
Pill of Ten Thousand Poisons (500 VP)Intermediate Stock Market Manipulation Card (1000 VP)Loyalty Serum (2000 VP)Advanced Combat Mastery: Muay Thai (1500 VP)
Blake scanned the list. He was strong enough to beat a crippled Lin Feng, but the Protagonist had plot armor. Lin Feng would retreat, heal, and come back stronger. That was the rule of webnovels.
He needed to hit Lin Feng where it hurt most: his wallet and his support network.
"System, purchase the [Intermediate Business Management Halo] upgrade."
[Error. You already possess this skill from the previous reward. Do you wish to upgrade to 'Advanced'? Cost: 2000 VP.]
"Do it."
[Ding! Points Deducted.][Skill Upgraded: God-Level Business Intuition.][Effect: You can see the 'Profit Potential' and 'Hidden Risks' of any investment at a glance. Your employees will feel a natural suppression and loyalty toward you.]
A rush of information flooded Blake's brain. Balance sheets, stock trends, offshore accounts—concepts that used to give him a headache now made perfect sense. He felt like he could look at a company and see its skeleton.
He walked over to his desk and pulled out a file. It was the dossier on the Han Group, Chloe's company.
Previously, it just looked like a mess of numbers. Now? He saw the cracks.
"Someone is embezzling from the R&D department," Blake muttered, tracing a line on the financial report. "And they're funneling it to... a shell company in the Cayman Islands."
He narrowed his eyes. In the original novel, Lin Feng used this information to save the Han Group from bankruptcy, earning Chloe's trust.
"Sorry, Lin Feng," Blake picked up a pen and circled the name of the traitorous executive. "I'm taking this plot point too."
He checked the time. Midnight.
The Lunar Frost Poison in Chloe's body would be flaring up right about now.
Blake stood up, buttoning his shirt. He wasn't going to sleep. A villain doesn't sleep when there are hearts to steal and enemies to crush.
He grabbed the dossier and headed for the door.
Tonight, he would solidify his hold on Chloe. Tomorrow, he would start the acquisition of the city's underworld.
If Lin Feng wanted to play the "Underdog Hero," Blake would make sure he stayed a dog forever.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile, in a dirty alleyway...
Rain poured down, mixing with the blood pooling on the asphalt.
Lin Feng dragged his shattered leg across the wet ground, gritting his teeth to keep from screaming. His right arm hung uselessly at his side.
"Blake... Vane..."
Hatred. Pure, unadulterated hatred burned in his chest. He was the Dragon King! He was supposed to rule this city! How did a rich trash like Blake defeat him?
Cough.
He spat out a mouthful of blood. He needed to heal. He needed herbs. But he had no money. Blake had blacklisted him.
Suddenly, a pair of high heels clicked on the pavement.
Lin Feng looked up, his vision blurry.
A woman in a red trench coat stood over him, holding an umbrella. She was beautiful, but her eyes were cold, filled with a dangerous ambition.
"You look like you need help," she said, her voice smoky.
Lin Feng squinted. "Who... are you?"
"An enemy of the Vane family," the woman smiled, revealing teeth that looked a little too sharp. "I heard what happened. If you want revenge... I can give you the power to take it."
Lin Feng's eyes lit up with a desperate, sinister light.
"I'll do anything," he hissed. "Anything to kill him."