Ultimate Tycoon: Building the Richest Empire with System and Heroines-Chapter 46: Guinea Pig

Inside the study room of the Hayes estate, the atmosphere was unusually solemn.

Alistair Hayes sat at the center, hands folded behind his back, gazing into the fireplace. Beside him, Clarissa leaned against the polished wood desk, arms crossed. Damien stood nearby, sipping from a steaming cup of black tea, his expression unreadable.

"Father," Damien finally said, breaking the silence, "who exactly is this... Master Yun?" freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

Clarissa nodded slowly. "You never told us much. Why would you promise Natalie to someone like Gregory?"

Alistair exhaled deeply, the weight of the past hanging heavy on his shoulders.

"Master Yun is... a mystery," he said, voice quiet but firm. "Many don’t know where he came from. Some say he is some kind of god. Appears and disappears like mist. Others believe he’s mastered a kind of... ancient art. Something far beyond what we can understand."

Clarissa’s eyes widened slightly. Damien’s brows furrowed.

Alistair continued, "They say he can see the threads of destiny. Predict the rise and fall of people, clans, even entire corporations. That’s why so many powerful families are in debt to him. Some even went as far as transferring their entire fortune to him, just for a single word of prophecy."

Damien looked stunned. "You mean... that kind of man saved you and Natalie?"

"Yes," Alistair admitted. "As you know,it was fifteen years ago, during the Mount Gai incident. We were ambushed. I was poisoned. Natalie, only a child, was barely breathing. I thought it was the end... until that old man appeared out of nowhere and carried us to safety. He healed us. Until... the final night."

He paused.

"That’s when he told me what he wanted. He asked for one thing.

Clarissa looked completely taken aback. "And you agreed to that?"

"I did," Alistair said. "It was a time of desperation. Yes, it was my mistake."

A moment of silence passed. Then Alistair straightened his posture, his gaze firm.

"But I will not repeat that mistake," he said. "I’ve seen Natalie’s reaction. She does not want this. And I will not force her, even if it means angering Master Yun and his so-called backers."

Damien gave a short nod. "Good. That’s how it should be."

Clarissa smirked faintly. "And besides... our girl has a boyfriend now."

Alistair chuckled. "No. Ethan lied."

"Huh?" Clarissa blinked.

Alistair smiled knowingly. "Natalie doesn’t want this marriage either, but she respects me too much. She knows I gave my word. So she would’ve eventually agreed to protect the family name. Ethan understood that... and made a move. Called himself her boyfriend before she could be forced into anything."

Damien laughed. "That boy’s got guts."

"Not just guts," Alistair said with a hint of admiration. "He’s clever. Very clever."

Clarissa chuckled. "He pulled one over all of us in front of the whole family. Not bad at all."

Damien looked thoughtful. "Well... to be honest, if this little act turns real, I wouldn’t mind."

Clarissa raised an eyebrow. "What, you want Ethan to marry Natalie?"

Damien shrugged. "From what I’ve seen,just in this small moment,he’s already more likable than Gregory. And let’s be honest... Gregory’s side waited fifteen years and just happened to show up when our family is thriving? Suspicious timing."

Clarissa nodded slowly. "They’re after more than Natalie."

"Exactly," Damien said. "And Ethan... I think he knows that too."

Alistair glanced between them, then added, "You do realize Ethan is also close with Carter’s granddaughter and Marclaire’s granddaughter"

Damien gave a tired smile. "I know. But I’ll leave it to Natalie. Whether she accepts him or not... that’s her choice."

Alistair raised his teacup. "Then we agreed. No more forced decisions. From this point on,no one would decide Natalie’s future but Natalie herself."

Meanwhile, in Ethan’s room, just upstairs, another storm was brewing

Natalie stood by the wall, arms crossed, eyes locked on Ethan. Her voice was low but firm.

"Why did you do it?"

Ethan blinked, leaning casually against the opposite wall, one eyebrow raised. "Do what?"

She took a step forward, hands pressing against the wall beside his head, trapping him lightly in place. Her eyes stared into his.

"That whole ’I’m her boyfriend’ thing. You just... said it like it was real."

Ethan grinned. "You know, you’re actually really cool when you do that. My girlfriend."

"I’m serious," she said, expression unamused.

Ethan sighed and raised both hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. I get it. Look... I knew you’d agree to the engagement eventually. For your grandfather’s reputation. You’re that kind of person."

Natalie’s expression faltered.

"And from your face," he continued, softer now, "you looked... genuinely disgusted by that Gregory guy. That’s why I did it. To stop something you didn’t want,before you would eventually force yourself to accept it."

Natalie blinked slowly, her arms dropping from the wall. Her lips parted, but no words came out at first.

He... understood her?

A chime echoed in Ethan’s mind.

[DING! Natalie’s Affection +20.]

Ethan smirked inwardly. Perfect.

"Thank you," Natalie finally said, voice quiet. "But... Now you’ve made yourself the target. Gregory’s not going to take this lying down. His master... they’re not simple people."

Ethan pushed off the wall and stepped toward her. Slowly. Calmly.

Then, without warning, he pulled her by the wrist, gently bringing her closer. His voice dropped to a near-whisper.

"You know I’ll walk through fire for you."

Natalie’s heart skipped.

Her breath caught in her throat.

She could feel his warmth through his shirt, the steady rhythm of his pulse, the firm grip of his hand holding hers,protective, also possessive. Her chest tightened. Not with fear. With something she didn’t quite know how to name.

She didn’t dislike this. Not at all.

She looked away, quickly masking the flustered look on her face.

"...Just be careful," she said quietly, her voice softer than she intended. "Stay alert."

Ethan chuckled. "You too. But hey, can I ask you something?"

"What?"

"Whenever he asks you to go somewhere... Just call me. We’ll go together."

Natalie raised a brow. "Why?"

A slow grin spread across Ethan’s face. "Because if he’s a student of the so-called Master of Mount Gai..."

He leaned in slightly, eyes twinkling with mischief.

"...Then I’m the Master of Mount Tai."

Natalie blinked, then burst out laughing. "That’s the dumbest thing I’ve heard all week."

"I’m serious!" Ethan said, holding a mock serious face. "Legend says, the Master of Mount Tai can slap con men across timelines."

As they laughed, a sudden click! echoed from the doorway.

Both of them froze and looked sharply in the direction of the sound.

Standing there, holding a small polaroid camera, was none other than—

"Mina?!"

The little troublemaker grinned like a fox who’d just found a full chicken coop.

"Perfect shot!" she declared, waving the photo in the air.

Natalie instantly snapped out of her daze and bolted toward her. "Mina! What are you doing?!"

Mina giggled, already halfway down the hallway. "I’ll show this to my nephews and nieces in the future! The chemistry between their father and mother is too strong!"

"Mina!!"

"I’m running for my life!" Mina shouted dramatically as she sprinted down the hall. "Mom! Dad! Help! A virgin witch is trying to capture me!"

Ethan watched them run off, chuckling to himself.

Main MIssion: 1

Earning $5 Million in 7 days.

Time remaining- 6 days.

Ethan’s smile turned devilish.

"Well..." he murmured, cracking his knuckles. "At first, I thought this mission would be a pain in the ass. But now..."

He looked toward the window, eyes glowing with cunning.

"...I’ve got the perfect guinea pig."

His gaze darkened.

"Gregory Vale."

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