Ultimate Tycoon: Building the Richest Empire with System and Heroines-Chapter 44: The First Main Character

At the towering black gates of the Hayes estate, a sleek luxury car arrived..

Inside the vehicle, a man lounged lazily behind the wheel. Gregory Vale. Sunglasses, designer shirt, gold chain peeking through the collar, every inch of him radiated arrogance. A smug smirk curled across his lips as he glanced at the guard approaching his window.

"State your name and business," the guard asked, polite but firm.

Gregory leaned his head back against the seat and lazily replied, "Natalie. Is she home?"

The guard raised a brow. "Do you have an appointment with Madam Natalie?"

Gregory scoffed. "Tell her... her fiancé has arrived."

The guard blinked. "Fiancé...?"

Behind him, the second guard exchanged a confused glance. Natalie Hayes? Fiancé? No one had ever mentioned such a thing.

Gregory leaned forward, his voice sharp now. "What, never seen a confident man before? Open the damn gate."

The first guard frowned. "Sir, please wait here. We’ll inform the family."

"Yeah, yeah. Run along," Gregory said, reclining again like he owned the place already. "Tell them Prince Charming’s at the gate."

Inside the estate, in the massive garden behind the mansion, the Hayes family was mid-routine. Clarissa, the ever-intense matriarch, was tossing guards like ragdolls in a combat drill. Damian jogged laps at a steady pace, wiping sweat from his brow. Natalie was cooling off near the side, toweling her arms after having destroyed yet another punching bag.

Mina sat cross-legged beside the juice table, sipping pineapple juice after causing all the chaos.

The calm was broken when a security guard sprinted toward Alistair.

"Master Hayes!" he called, breathless. "There’s a man at the gate... says he’s Madam Natalie’s fiancé."

The entire garden went quiet.

Clarissa froze mid-motion, eyebrow twitching.

Damian slowed his jog, eyes narrowing.

Mina blinked and dropped her dumbbell. "Eh?! Someone dared to insert themselves into my big bro and big sis’s love story?! How scandalous!"

Natalie herself looked baffled. Her brow furrowed, lips parting slightly. "Fiancé? I... don’t have any fiance ."

She was used to admirers. Men from elite families trying to curry favor. Creeps from business circles trying to offer "alliances." But this? Someone showing up at her home, claiming a formal relationship?

Alistair’s face, normally calm like ancient stone, took on a rare edge of seriousness.

"Let him in," he said coldly.

The gates creaked open.

Gregory drove in like he owned the estate. His eyes swept across the mansion, garden, and the training field.

"Wow!! What a wonderful place. This will all be mine in the end," he thought smugly. "Natalie Hayes. The infamous goddess of this city. Let’s see if reality matches the fantasy."

He stepped out of the car.

Sharp suit. Impeccable shoes. Every step he took screamed entitlement. He didn’t bow. He didn’t greet anyone. Not even a nod.

And then he saw her.

Natalie. freewebnøvel_com

His sunglasses slid down the bridge of his nose.

His heart stuttered for a beat and then his grin widened like a wolf spotting prey.

"Damn... the photos didn’t do her justice."

"She’s a walking sin. Look at that body... and that face? It will be my best score and I’ll enjoy this one thoroughly."

Natalie stood tall, unfazed.

Gregory approached, spreading his arms like an old friend. "Natalie Hayes. My beautiful bride-to-be. Finally, we finally met."

She narrowed her eyes. "I don’t know who you are."

His expression didn’t crack.

He chuckled, turning to Alistair.

Gregory’s footsteps echoed softly against the polished stone tiles as he strode across the Hayes family garden like it was already his. The air buzzed with tension. Clarissa’s arms were crossed, Damian’s gaze sharp, and Natalie stood stiff as a pole, eyes locked on the man claiming to be her fiancé.

Gregory stopped a few steps before Alistair and placed a hand over his chest in mock courtesy. "Sir Alistair," he said with a sly grin. "Surely you remember the Mount Gai incident? Fifteen years ago. You and young Natalie... both poisoned, wounded, barely hanging on to life."

Alistair’s face hardened slightly, but he said nothing.

"My master," Gregory continued, "saved you both. Took care of your wounds. Nursed you down the mountainside." His tone lowered. "You asked how to repay him... and he said—’I don’t know how long I’ll live, but if you truly wish to return the favor, let your granddaughter marry my student. Gregory Vale.’ That was me."

Natalie’s mouth parted slightly in disbelief.

"You were unconscious at the time, of course," Gregory said, eyes flicking to her with a smug glint. "But Alistair here,he gave his word. He said, ’If my granddaughter agrees in the future... then I will make it happen.’"

He reached into his coat and pulled out a sealed letter. The wax bore a unique crest,a serpent circling a mountain, the sign of the reclusive martial healer Signsania, also known as Master Yun.

Alistair took the letter carefully. His eyes scanned the contents in silence. His hand trembled slightly before he folded it again.

"...It’s genuine," Alistair admitted. "Master Yun’s seal. His handwriting. There’s no doubt."

Clarissa frowned, taking a step forward. "Father, you never told any of us about this."

Damian’s voice joined in, calm but edged. "You promised Natalie’s hand to a stranger? Without consulting anyone?"

Alistair sighed deeply, bowing his head slightly. "It was my mistake. I thought... they had forgotten. So much time passed."

"Grandfather!" Natalie snapped. Her face flushed with anger. "I don’t remember any of this. And I don’t agree with it!"

Alistair’s expression turned stern. "As I said previously, I stand by that. I will not force her. If my granddaughter does not wish for it, the agreement is void."

Gregory’s smile didn’t falter. "Of course, sir. I expected no less from a man of honor. Don’t worry,I’m quite confident in my charm."

He turned to Natalie, stepping close enough to make her tense.

"Sweetheart," he said, voice smooth like oiled silk. "Why don’t we go on a date? Get to know each other. I’m sure... you’ll fall for me eventually."

Natalie clenched her jaw, feeling disgusted.

But she didn’t have to.

A hand gently grabbed hers.

Gregory blinked, turning to see a young man step between them. Calm. Confident. Dressed in casual clothes, bandages all over the body.

Ethan.

He held Natalie’s hand, fingers firm but not forceful.

"She can’t," Ethan said calmly.

Gregory’s smirk dropped a few degrees. "And who might you be?"

"I’m her boyfriend," Ethan replied, eyes steady.

DING!

[MAJOR CHARACTER ENCOUNTER]

Name: Gregory Vale

Age: 27

Title: First Main Character

Special Skill: Treasure Finder – Able to instinctively sense the value of people, items, and opportunities. His instincts lead him to rare treasures... including women with ’hidden potential.’

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