Eliza pushed open the door: "Fyren, are you in there?"
Fyren leaped naked from the pool, grabbing a towel to wrap around his waist.
Eliza's closer inspection instantly sparked envy.
Fyren's enhanced physique far exceeded Eliza's expectations.
His body now displayed powerful yet not exaggerated musculature - long-limbed with sculpted shoulders, defined back muscles, toned arms, and athletic legs.
His abdominal muscles stacked like bricks, the towel clinging to his narrow waist accentuating his impressive frame.
Eliza's face flushed crimson.
Who could have imagined such a ferociously athletic build beneath that refined exterior?
Being dominated by such a powerfully built man would surely...
Eliza's thoughts grew muddled.
Preoccupied, Fyren approached: "Why are you here?"
Behind him, Chloe remained half-submerged behind frosted glass, barely daring to breathe.
"I... I..."
"Let's talk outside."
...
Eliza recounted recent events.
Elton Leng, realizing his shareholding aspirations were doomed, had approached Hakan - only for Hakan to not only refuse selling but demand purchase instead.
Without warning, her father had suddenly agreed to the equity transfer. Tomorrow's shareholder meeting would formalize the deal, after which Hakan would declare himself Qingfeng Group's new chairman.
Fyren sensed something amiss.
Elton Leng cherished Qianfeng more than his own daughter. Selling Qianfeng shares equated to immediate elimination - how could he consent?
Then Fyren remembered Hakan's companion and understood.
Hakan wasn't the threat. Sabrina beside him was.
The image of fifty-something Elton Leng entranced by Sabrina, swindled into surrendering his assets, made Fyren burst out laughing.
"You're laughing!" Eliza fretted. "What do we do? Father holds 31% shares. If sold to Hakan, he becomes Qianfeng's chairman. We're finished."
Fyren smirked. "Your father probably wants to find you a younger stepmother."
"Stop joking!" Eliza complained. "How can you jest at such a time?"
"I'm serious," Fyren said. "Your father must have encountered some beauty he couldn't refuse. Whatever she demanded, he complied. Hahaha."
"Keep this up and I'll get angry!" Eliza pouted. "Father's always had women around - that's no secret."
Fyren nodded.
Elton Leng, Zhi Xu, Bin Chen - which of these old foxes didn't keep young mistresses?
For the wealthy, women came too easily.
Of course, those women didn't discuss feelings. Mutual benefit governed such arrangements.
"I need your money to sustain me, and you need my youth to keep you company."
"Emotions are the least useful things."
Fyren sighed. "This woman is different from the rest."
Fyren rested his chin on his hand, thinking: "Otto must be involved in this too."
"What?!"
Fyren said, "Your father is cornered. His partner, Hakan, wants to take over Qianfeng. The CEO he appointed, Otto, even wants to overthrow Hakan. The woman he's fond of is the most powerful sorceress under Otto's command. Hmph, the only daughter who shares his vision—yet he doesn't trust her at all."
Fyren continued, "Why don't you just sell your shares? We could raise a few hundred billion and start fresh."
"What are you saying?!" Eliza exclaimed, her voice rising. "I've spent years building Qianfeng! Many of the managers were promoted by me, and I've personally trained people in key positions. The client network, the connections—I've spent years cultivating them, years planning every move. If I back down now, everything I've worked for will be wasted!"
"Besides, starting over would mean competing against Qianfeng. A new company going up against a deeply entrenched giant backed by the Dongfang Group? There's no way we'd gain an advantage!"
Fyren nodded. "Then you'll have to make a decision."
"What decision?"
"To take Qianfeng back from your father."
"But Hakan isn't an option?"
Fyren shook his head. "He's out of the question. He doesn't want money, nor does he truly want Qianfeng. What he wants is a foothold in Northlandia. This isn't a business deal for him—it's a stepping stone to entering Crystalpeak City and becoming a regional leader. To do that, he needs to swallow a company whole. Qianfeng is the perfect target, and the plan is already in motion. He won't back out now."
"But..."
"Think carefully," Fyren said. "If you don't decide, your father's shares will be sold to Hakan by tomorrow. It's either let him win… or make your move. Decide, then tell me. I'm going to change."
Fyren changed clothes and returned. Eliza spoke first: "Fyren, I've made my choice. Do it for me."
Fyren grabbed Eliza, pulling her close to whisper in her ear: "Like this... then this... and finally this..."
Eliza's eyes widened. "Will... that even work?"
Fyren smirked. "No idea. Let's find out."
[Scene Break]
Hakan and Otto sat across from each other on plush sofas, drinks in hand.
Hakan's gaze was icy. "Otto, you actually delivered. Elton Leng's shares—you got them for me."
Otto raised his glass slightly. "My commission—don't forget when the time comes."
"Don't worry, Long," Hakan said, grinning. "My greatest virtue is that I'm always wealthy."
"Good enough."
Just then, Hakan's secretary entered and murmured something in his ear.
A flicker of tension crossed Hakan's face, but he smoothed it over instantly. "Excuse me, Mr. Long. I need to take this call."
"By all means."
Otto smiled.
In truth, the secretary had told him everything.
Eliza had actually acquired twenty percent of the shares held by Fyren!
And now she planned to bundle them with her original twenty percent and sell the entire stake to Hakan!
This news was explosive.
It shouldn't be happening!
Fyren was the kind of man who never backed down until he caught his prey. He would do anything for money!
And he liked Eliza—no, he adored her. He should be scheming to swallow Qianfeng whole with those shares! How could he sell them to Eliza so quickly?
Unless…
He had struck a deal with her!?
My goddess… Did she sleep with Fyren for money!?
The thought sent a surge of fury through Otto. His stomach churned. He wanted to call Eliza immediately, to demand an explanation.
Just then, Sabrina entered. "Young Lord, the Silver King has arrived."
Otto nodded and started to rise, then paused. "Is he here to attack me or to meet me?"
Sabrina's lip twitched. "He is waiting outside for your audience."
Otto exhaled in relief. "Damn. At least he's sane."
He strode out. The Silver King and his assistant immediately dropped to one knee. "This subordinate greets the Young Lord!"
Otto's expression remained stern. "So, you're the Silver King?"
"This subordinate is indeed the Silver King."
"Make sure you're not mistaken for the wrong man."
The Silver King lifted his head with a smile. "The Young Lord jests. This subordinate is no fool like the Copper or Iron Kings."
"Good. At least you're not an idiot."
Otto crossed his arms. "Did you bring the money?"
"Yes, Young Lord."
"Transfer it. Now."
"Ah…"
"What?"
The Silver King hesitated. "This time, as a precaution, I only have the account number—not the password. For an official transfer, the branch's finance department must oversee it remotely."
Otto's eyes narrowed. "Then contact them."
"This subordinate arrived late today. The finance department has already closed for the day."
Otto glared. "Then order them to get up and work overtime!"
The Silver King shifted awkwardly. "Our finance department is… particular. They shut down their systems the moment work ends. They never work overtime. However, they resume early tomorrow morning. This subordinate can complete the transfer at any time then."
Otto considered it. A few hours between tonight and tomorrow morning was far better than the Copper and Iron Kings, who'd wired funds straight into the wrong accounts.
"Fine."
[Scene Break]
Fyren lay in bed, Chloe nestled in his arms.
For men—especially young men who'd been single before—there was a phase of exhilaration after gaining a girlfriend.
Calling it a nightly feast wasn't an exaggeration. Their minds drowned in those thoughts, relentlessly.
Fyren had shattered that barrier with Chloe. And Chloe? She hadn't cared for formalities. Where else could such perfection be found?
A beautiful, sexy secretary having sex with him - it was every man's fantasy.
Fyren's dream had come true. He found himself unwilling to be apart from Chloe for even a moment.
Chloe had just endured her boss's passionate onslaught. Her hair was damp, clinging to her face and chest as she lay in Fyren's arms, still savoring the experience. "Fyren..." she murmured, "You're really good at this."
Fyren flashed a roguish grin. "Take a short break. I'm still full of energy!"
Chloe looked distressed. "No, I really can't anymore. I mean it, I can't."
"That's not acceptable! You started this game - too late to back out now!"
Chloe pleaded quickly, "Please, find someone else. I've got nothing left. One more round and I won't be able to walk tomorrow..."
Fyren was about to respond when the doorbell rang.
He checked his phone screen and saw Xena standing nervously at the door, holding a bag.
"Why is she here again?"
Fyren felt thoroughly disappointed.
His intimate moments always got interrupted. This should have been his wild night, but now this young woman had come calling again.
Fyren steadied his breathing and answered the intercom: "Xena, what is it?"
Xena immediately sounded displeased: "Open the door!"
"Hey, it's really late!"
"I don't care. Open up!"
"Can't this wait until tomorrow?"
"Fyren! Open this door right now or I'm calling the police!"
Fyren thought to himself, "Are you serious? You're the one barging in here and threatening to call the police?"
With no other choice, Fyren gave Chloe's bottom a pat. "Rest up. I'll go send her away."
Chloe smiled sleepily. "You know, if she finds out about your golden villa, she might lose it completely."
Fyren pulled on a T-shirt. "Why should she care? Who does she think she is?"
Chloe added, "Tomorrow's her mother's scheduled surgery day. Maybe we should..."
Fyren slapped his forehead. "Right! That too!"
Just then, the intercom buzzed again. On screen, Xena looked absolutely livid:
"Fyren! Are you hiding some woman from me in there?"