Veil's brows furrowed instinctively. "Black?"
Asean nodded, then shook his head. "Almost like the color of the 'core' inside a betel nut."
Hiss—
Even Veil couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath at the vivid and disturbing comparison—adding his own small contribution to global warming.
Kai, standing nearby, shrank his neck back. "Isn't that even worse than that manager from earlier?"
Veil rolled his eyes in Kai's direction, signaling him to cut the crap.
Then he turned to Asean and asked calmly, "Do you still like her?"
Fanyuan was a bitch—there was no doubt about that. In the original story, she worked as an escort for rich clients.
But judging from Asean's description, chances were, she'd already been a man-killer long before college!
Asean shook his head in horror. "I didn't know... If I'd known what kind of woman she really was, I never would've dated her."
Just thinking about it now made a chill run down his spine.
He used to be jealous of that young master Viwan, but now... he just felt a little sorry for the guy.
Fanyuan was probably so desperate to make money because she was trying to "clean up" her reputation.
Realizing how much he'd been blind to—and that it was all thanks to Veil—Asean looked at him with sincere gratitude. "Young Master Lancaster, I really owe you for this one. I, Asean, might not be able to promise much, but from now on, if you ever need anything, just say the word—I'll do it, no questions asked!"
Ding! The Destiny Child, Caden Voss, has lost 500 luck points. Congratulations, Host! Villain Points +10,000!
Hearing the system notification in his ear, Veil gave Asean a satisfied pat on the shoulder.
That was exactly what he wanted to hear.
Asean might not have many skills, but when it came to loyalty, he was rock solid.
"No big deal. I just need you to cozy up to that new transfer student, Caden Voss, and keep me posted on any shady moves he makes. That's all."
Veil kept his instructions brief. Asean didn't dare question him, but deep down, he had already made a firm decision—
He would do everything in his power to repay Young Master Lancaster!
If not for him, who knows how many more humiliating, ridiculous things he would've done for that bitch Fanyuan?
He might've even ended up a target, with a miserable ending.
…
Half a day flew by.
Veil, to avoid suspicion, took the day off and skipped class.
Asean, meanwhile, returned to the classroom. Between his recent breakup and Caden Voss's naturally outgoing nature, the two hit it off quickly.
They were even walking home together that evening.
But just as they stepped out of campus and reached a more secluded road—before they could even go their separate ways—a group of punks with dyed hair in all shades of the rainbow suddenly blocked their path.
The leader craned his neck, pointing at Caden Voss with a fierce glare. "You'd better stay away from Sierra Davenport! This is just a warning!"
With that, he waved his hand at the gang behind him and barked, "Get them!"
The punks charged forward, full of aggression. But seriously—these clowns? No way they could take on a Destiny Child like Caden Voss.
They were just cannon fodder—stepping stones for his moment of glory.
Within minutes, Caden Voss had flattened the entire group of seven or eight thugs.
Cracked bones, dislocated arms—the ground was littered with groaning bodies.
Hiss—
Asean watched from behind, utterly terrified. This guy was a monster!
His strikes were brutal, precise—like a devil in human form.
No wonder Young Master Lancaster had told him to keep an eye on this guy. Maybe... Veil had been bullied by him before and wanted revenge?
Remembering Lancaster's orders, Asean took advantage of the moment—while Caden Voss was stepping on the gang leader's face and interrogating him—and quickly typed out a message to Veil:
> "Young Master Lancaster, we just got ambushed by a group of punks right outside campus. They tried to beat us up, but Caden Voss... that guy's a beast! Took down all seven or eight of them by himself—some even got their bones broken!"
Veil responded swiftly.
"Location?"
"East of Veyport University, the Mingxia Apartment parking lot."
After sending the message, Asean waited a while but didn't get a reply. Nervously, he tucked his phone away.
In front of him, Caden Voss had a cold expression, his foot grinding into the gang leader's face as he pressed him mercilessly.
"Talk. Who sent you? If you don't, I've got a hundred ways to make you wish you were dead."
With his medical knowledge, torturing a regular guy was child's play.
And after witnessing that devilish glare and terrifying strength, the gang leader swallowed hard. He didn't dare hold back anymore.
"It... it was Victor… Victor told us to!"
Victor?
Caden narrowed his eyes.
Victor was a princeling from the Davenport Group. His father was one of the true veterans of the Chu Corporation—one of the biggest shareholders, second only to Sierra's father.
Naturally, Victor and Sierra had grown up together. He was head-over-heels for her.
Now, seeing someone like Caden Voss getting close to Sierra had probably driven him mad with jealousy—enough to hire thugs to send a message.
In Victor's eyes, Sierra was his woman. How could he let anyone else touch her?
"Hmph… Let's see what other tricks you've got up your sleeve."
Caden Voss sneered. A spoiled rich boy? He could crush someone like that without even trying.
He kicked the gang leader's face one last time, then turned back to Asean with a grin. "Sorry about that. Got you caught up in something dumb. Just a few punks—hope you're not too shaken?"
"N-not at all!" Asean shook his head furiously, though deep down he was rattled by Caden's unpredictable temper.
He was also growing increasingly anxious.
Why hasn't Young Master Lancaster replied yet?
What now? Do I just let Caden go?
Just as he was spiraling with uncertainty—
WEE-OOO WEE-OOO
The sound of sirens cut through the air. A blue-and-white police car sped toward them.
Harvey, with a team of officers, stepped out with a cold expression, scanning the thugs sprawled on the ground before locking eyes on the two students.
"You two did this?"
Caden wore a smug smile, totally unbothered. "Not we—I did it. Alone."
Arrogant. Overbearing.
Even in front of a female officer like Harvey, he didn't show a hint of weakness.
His attitude immediately rubbed Harvey the wrong way. "Come with me. You're both under investigation."
"No problem!" Caden grinned and hopped into the patrol car like he owned it.
Asean, following Lancaster's orders, forced himself to get in too—his heart thudding in his chest.
He'd imagined all sorts of scenarios—maybe assassins jumping out from the shadows to ambush Caden Voss…
But this?
Young Master Lancaster… called the cops?
Seriously?!
A rich playboy who takes you to high-end lounges and luxury clubs…
And his plan to deal with someone… is calling the police?
What the hell?!
...
"Name?"
Inside a private office, Harvey sat stiffly behind her desk, her face stone-cold as she locked eyes with Caden Voss.
Even Asean, seated quietly behind them, was startled by her stern demeanor, unconsciously straightening his back.
Caden, on the other hand, was entirely unfazed. He leaned back with a smirk, casually shrugging. "Didn't we meet last time? What, forgot me already?"
His eyes roamed over Harvey without a hint of restraint.
The first time he'd been dragged in by the cops, he'd already noticed her—striking looks, killer body. Hell, even when compared to Sierra, she didn't lose out in the slightest.
Now that they'd crossed paths again, he couldn't help but feel it was fate. And of course, like any man with a pulse—and especially one carrying the so-called 'Son of Destiny' title—he couldn't resist laying on the charm.
Harvey let out a cold snort. "Cut the crap."
She was pissed. Seriously pissed.
It was bad enough getting humiliated by Veil, but now even a damn university kid was treating her like she was nothing? The arrogance!
"I don't care what your reasons were. Those thugs were beaten within an inch of their lives. Some of them had bones shattered. That's excessive force, and you're going to pay the price. At the very least, you're staying the night in holding!"
Slamming the clipboard onto the desk, she glared daggers at him.
Caden picked it up leisurely and walked toward her, hand outstretched—not just to return the clipboard, but as if trying to sneak a touch along the curve of her soft, full lips.
"Sit down!"
Smack!
Harvey slapped his hand away with a crack.
She hadn't expected it. This punk actually tried to cop a feel? And with such practiced ease?
If it hadn't been for the strange aftertaste she'd developed recently from drinking that 'special' dairy Veil gave her—which made her hyper-aware of her lips—she might have fallen for it too!
"Relax, don't be so tense." Caden grinned, cocky as ever. "How about a bet?"
He leaned in slightly, voice low and suggestive. "You're convinced I'm staying the night. I disagree. If I really end up locked up, you can interrogate me however you want. But if I walk out of here tonight—you owe me a favor."
It was a classic move.
Get her into a game, open up the door for future contact.
If Veil didn't exist, maybe Harvey, in a moment of irritation, would've taken the bait.
But ever since she'd been burned so many times by Veil, she'd become far more guarded.
"Remember your place," she snapped. "You're a suspect."
Caden shrugged. "What? Afraid to lose?"
Right then, the office door swung open.
In walked the deputy chief, looking less than pleased.
"Harvey, what the hell are you doing?! Why are you making random arrests?!"
Harvey's temper flared. She wasn't the type to back down—not even to her superior.
"Random? He sent seven or eight guys to the hospital! With injuries that serious, you expect me to just turn a blind eye?"
The deputy chief looked visibly annoyed. "We just got a call from Davenport Group's CEO. He explained everything. Mr. Voss acted in self-defense. It doesn't qualify as assault. The medical expenses will be covered by Chairman Chu. Let him go."
Let him go?
Again?
Harvey glared at Caden, who sat there utterly relaxed, almost smug. The scene felt infuriatingly familiar.
She hadn't been able to pin Veil down before—fine, lack of evidence. But now? This brat had practically turned those punks into mashed potatoes, and she still couldn't hold him?