Ultimate Tycoon: Building the Richest Empire with System and Heroines-Chapter 45: She’s My Girlfriend

Ethan’s jaw clenched.

Gregory Vale.

The so-called first main character of the original novel. The guy who scammed nobles, flipped clans, and called himself a genius.

In Ethan’s eyes, he was just a glorified con man with good looks and a system-buffed ability.

Gregory stood tall in his designer shirt, one hand lazily tucked into his pocket, sunglasses perched atop his head like some budget movie star. His casual grin, his confident stride.

He is just like i

But seeing him here? That was unexpected.

What the hell is this bastard doing in the Hayes estate?

Ethan’s mind raced.

Gregory was originally an orphan, abandoned by his parents and left to rot in the streets. But fate had other plans. Master Yun found him,an infamous old fox and raised him like his personal successor.

Together, they traveled the world, pretending to be sages, monks, and wandering miracle doctors. Gregory’s special skill, Treasure Eye, allowed him to see the hidden worth of anything. Be it any object or a person with a bright future, Gregory could use it to tell which object or which person can bring fortune or profit to him .

With that ability, they gained allies, looted treasures, overthrew entire families, ruled them and most importantly, scammed countless people.

For both of them, women were nothing more than "tools for pleasure." Gregory had no concept of love, only convenience.

Ethan clicked his tongue.

And that senile old fool Alistair is trying to give Natalie to this scum just because Master Yun once saved his life?

He gritted his teeth.

What kind of dumb grandfather sells his own granddaughter like she’s a thank-you basket?

Then, silently, he commanded, "System, show me Gregory’s stats."

STATUS PANEL

Name: Gregory Vale

Age: 27

Skill: Treasure Eye

Luck: 35

Wealth: $10,000

Assets: Nil

Ethan scoffed. freewēbnoveℓ.com

Still the same luck, as he had in the novel. Luck stat at 35—barely above average. And no assets. Just $10000. That means...

"He just got here," Ethan murmured to himself. "He hasn’t built his empire yet."

That brought him some relief. Gregory was still weak. No connections here. No power. Not yet.

But something else didn’t add up.

Why Natalie? She’s not even part of the original characters. She never appeared in the novel, never even mentioned once in the novel.

[Just as goddesses said, main characters may deviate from the original route.]

Ethan sighed.

Yeah... I figured that much. The world has gone off-script.

But then another thought came to him.

...It must be his skill. Natalie must be bringing some fortune for both them and I’m sure both master students plan to take over Hayes’ family.

[ Correct]

Ethan’s eyes sharpened.

So that’s it. She’s like a walking four-leaf clover. She brings him luck. Fortune.

As Gregory leaned slightly toward Natalie, flashing a rehearsed, charming smile, Ethan recognized the look in his eyes. That calculating gaze. That smirk that appeared every time he spotted someone "useful."

He’d read it a hundred times in the original story.

It wasn’t an attraction. It was hunger.

Gregory didn’t see Natalie as a person. He saw her as a glowing profit token.

But then something darker crept into Ethan’s thoughts.

The Mountain Gai incident and the convenient timing. Could it all have been... a setup?

His heart sank slightly.

Master Yun. That old bastard’s probably involved.He’s already begun his schemes... That bastard must have been 15 years ago that Natalie will bring fortune to them, but why did he send Gregory now?

Ethan’s expression turned unreadable.But deep down, one thing was clear.

This time, the story wouldn’t go Gregory’s way.

Just as Gregory extended his hand toward Natalie, that familiar fake-gentle smile on his face, " Natalie, why don’t we go for a date—"

A hand casually grabbed Natalie.

"I’m afraid she can’t," Ethan said with a grin. "She’s my girlfriend."

Natalie froze.

Gregory blinked.

Ethan, completely relaxed, winked at Natalie. "Right, babe?"

Natalie’s eyes widened. "W-What—"

Before she could say anything, Ethan smoothly slid his hand around her waist, pulling her a little closer. Her body tensed, clearly caught off guard, cheeks already glowing red. She didn’t even try to push him away.

Clarissa’s jaw dropped. Damian looked like he just saw a UFO. Mina’s eyes sparkled like stars.

Gregory tilted his head, still smiling, but there was a flicker of coldness behind his sunglasses. "A boyfriend, huh?" He chuckled. "I like competition."

He stepped forward slightly, voice casual but full of hidden sharpness. "But just so you know,I’m better than you. Stronger, richer. She might fall for me sooner or later. I will steal her away."

Ethan burst out laughing.

"Steal?" he said, tightening his arm around Natalie’s waist. She let out a tiny squeak, her body brushing against his.

His eyes locked with Gregory’s. "I don’t think you can."

The air grew tense for a second.

Eventually, Gregory straightened his clothes and turned to Alistair. "Sir, as your honored guest, perhaps you could offer a room? I’m new to this city. Can’t find anything."

Alistair raised a brow. "Just for a day. You’ll have to find your own place after that."

"Sure, sure," Gregory replied, brushing it off like it was nothing.

As Gregory left, Mina suddenly clapped her hands and cheered, "Big bro! I knew it! I know you love my sister! You’re too cool!"

Natalie’s eyes widened. "Mina!"

"You tsundere! You didn’t tell us anything!" Mina grinned.

Clarissa leaned in with interest. "When did this start? I had no idea. Natalie, you kept it so quiet."

Natalie’s entire face turned red. "It’s not—it’s not like that!"

Mina looked at her dad, who was oddly silent... and crying.

"Dad?" Mina asked, concerned. "Why are you crying?"

Damian wiped his eyes with a tissue. "I’m not crying... okay I am... These are happy tears!I was afraid she’d end up alone forever, but fate has blessed us! My daughter finally found love!"

"I haven’t!" Natalie yelled.

Meanwhile, Ethan still hadn’t let go of her. She looked down at his hand, then up at him, blushing furiously.

"Can you stop holding me?" she muttered.

"Of course," Ethan replied with a cheeky grin. "Anything for my girlfriend."

Natalie: "..."

Clarissa clapped her hands. "We need to celebrate!"

Damian nodded. "A party is in order."

Mina jumped up and down. "Yay! Party! I’ll decorate!"

No! No party! Natalie ran toward them, trying to explain. "Mom, Dad! Wait—it’s not like that!"

But Ethan’s voice came softly behind her, warm and teasing.

"Well... not yet. But you will be."

Natalie’s steps faltered.

Behind her, Ethan just smiled.

A/n- Thanks for reading. Shower some golden tickets and ps( gifts would be good too, author is greedy)

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