"7 days? Just one week?!" Caleb raised his voice in cold shock.
"What? You suddenly afraid?" Naya asked with a mocking smile, but behind that smile... even though for a mere second, he could see it.
There was a hint of pain. A pang of disappointment.
Caleb could see it.
Her calm and cold façade couldn't hide her fear that her death was coming.
"I will find a way," Caleb said with a sigh.
"Hmph," she snorted, turning her gaze away.
"Very well. I don't know what you'll be able to do... but let's see," she said with a small smile, stretching her hand for a handshake.
Caleb matched her gaze... Daring him?
Hell, she was in for a shock.
"Let's watch and see," Caleb replied, taking the handshake.
{Ding!}
{New Tab unlocked >>>>> Cardholder Tab}
> Name: Naya Lucy
> Age: 21
> Occupation: Model
>Net worth: $3M
>Card power: ------
>Affection meter 💗: 30/100
> Climax level tracker 🔥: nil
>Loyalty meter 🧿: nil
{Side mission received: Save the Empress} {Rewards: Extra perks from system}
Caleb was genuinely shocked by all the hidden features of the system.
It would indeed make things easier for him.
He could keep track of things from this end.
A confident smile appeared on his face as he saw the affection meter.
From the side of his eye, he glanced at Naya.
'Guess forming tough on the outside doesn't hide your internal feelings.'
She was growing affections toward him. That was the first step, and he was acting on it.
"Why you staring at me like that?"
Naya's cold voice cut his thoughts off.
"Oh, sorry. It's nothing," he replied immediately, looking back at the system screen.
> Affection meter 💗: 25/100
'Shit, it dropped. She'll definitely be a difficult one,' Caleb smiled wryly.
He had to be very careful around Naya. He definitely couldn't tell her about the system.
There was no way she would allow him to exploit her to become wealthy.
Caleb knew he had to make his moves, step by step.
"That's all... Here's my personal card. With the number, you can reach me directly. We can discuss more on the person in question. We could even meet," Naya said, pulling up the sleeves of her clothes.
She walked towards the door, the sound of her heels hitting against the tiled floor echoing softly as she walked.
She pulled the doorknob, pausing.
She glanced back at the doorknob thoughtfully.
There was a feeling she had in her chest. Why did she put all this trust into someone she had just recently talked to?
She couldn't shake off the strange feeling.
However, she was happy she finally found someone she could share her thoughts and burden with.
There was this relief that came with talking to him.
Although it looked as though it was only temporary, it was still something worth relishing.
"Thank you," Naya muttered under her breath.
Without waiting for a reply, she immediately left the room, her steps hasty.
Her guards were shocked, but they quickly followed behind her.
Caleb was left staring at her figure through the open door as she disappeared.
{Ding!}
{Charm: +1}
The system chimed, drawing him back to reality.
Caleb quickly stood from the wooden chair.
He straightened his velvet,
A small smile tugging from the side of his lips.
'I guess now I really know what I'm going against... Not just against some business tycoons, but people that might be involved in something deeper... something darker,' Caleb thought, his gaze darkening as he thought of what lay ahead.
He drew a long sigh.
He stepped into the hallway.
The music from the party had dulled out, replaced by an eerie silence.
A few scattered murmurs lingered in the air.
'Looks like the party's winding down... or already ended.'
He walked slowly, his shoes clicking softly on the marble floors.
Dim lights flickered across the hallway, throwing long shadows along the walls.
The once vibrant party atmosphere now felt distant—like a dream already fading.
The people left were merely a handful. Some might have gone to continue with the usual 'after party', as they called it, in the arranged rooms.
Caleb could tell that they had spent quite some time discussing.
But he didn't feel like it was bad either.
'Her story was quite helpful though, and thank the system so much for the very nice first experience,' Caleb thought to himself as he walked down the stairs back to the party downstairs.
Downstairs was almost a graveyard compared to upstairs.
On the front desk, he could find the familiar square-headed man resting his head.
His eyes closed.
Caleb glanced down at his wristwatch.
[2:30]
"I spent quite some time," Caleb muttered as he walked up to Gideon.
His nose wrinkled badly as he drew closer.
The thick stench of alcohol hovered above his friend's head.
Caleb rubbed the bridge of his nose, then spanked Gideon on the head.
Drowsily, he raised his head.
Trying to keep a fight stance with his hands.
"Who the hell is that? Wanna pick a fight? I'm ready for you."
Caleb didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the latter's stupidity.
"At least if you want to fight, face the right direction," Caleb said as he turned Gideon to face him, slapping his two cheeks hard enough to make him jolt.
His eyes widened for a moment, allowing him to catch a better look at his surroundings.
"Oh, Caleb? You're back? Thought you were still talking to Naja?" Gideon opened his eyes groggily, wiping them with the back of his palms.
"Yes, I went to talk to Naya and look what I got," Caleb had a grin on his face as he pulled out the exclusive card from his pocket.
Gideon's eyes immediately shone as he saw it.
"The hell, how did you pull it off?!" He raised his voice, quickly lowering it as he noticed the attention he had drawn.
"She gave it to me. I'll explain better... Let's get out of here first."
Gideon tried standing up straight but almost slumped. Caleb grabbed him right on time, pulling him up with a shoulder.
"How the hell did you get this drunk?" Caleb asked.
"You know my rizz skills are peak when I'm drunk!"
"Tsk, tell that to all the girls you bought free drinks for," Caleb hissed. It was very much the opposite; he could tell from his memories.
He went over to the car. Surprisingly, Herald was still up.
'At least he is quite the reliable type,' Caleb thought as he went over to the car.
Herald helped him open the back door, as he tossed Gideon inside.
Herald went back to the driver's seat.
Caleb entered as well.
'I definitely can't get him involved with all the cardholder stuff.'
"So tell me everything," Gideon demanded.
Caleb drew a long breath. Now he had to lie to his best friend... What would he say?
How would he make him believe?
"Well..."