[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322E1C3D0-256":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},256,42,"Chapter 42: \"You've Really Leveled Up, Haven't You?\"","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As the four of them prepared to leave the venue, a man stepped into their path.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Excuse me, Mr. Alexander. I have a rather presumptuous request—would you be willing to sell this gown to me?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus lifted an eyebrow, his expression languid. \"Reason?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"My daughter is eighteen. She's been struggling with depression for two years. I want to give this to her as a coming-of-age gift, hoping it might help her break through her own darkness and find some light.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus glanced at Evangeline, waiting for her silent nod before responding.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Take it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The man went wide-eyed. \"Really? Thank you so much! What’s your bank account information?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus looked entirely indifferent. \"Don't worry about it. It’s a gift for your daughter.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The man paused, clearly stunned, then added, \"Then, in this young lady’s name, I will donate the funds I had intended to pay to a charity of her choice.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Suit yourself.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline, catching the flow of the moment, had a sudden thought. She turned to the group. \"Making money off these two isn't exactly sporting. Why don't we donate our own share, too? What do you think, Remi?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Absolutely! It’s for a great cause!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The two women struck a deal in an instant.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi looked toward the two men and grinned. \"Sorry, boys. We’re using your wallets to do our good deeds for the day!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline waved a hand dismissively. \"It’s fine. They’ve got deep enough pockets; they won't even feel it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian smoothed back Remi’s hair, his gaze brimming with indulgence. \"What’s mine is yours. Do whatever you want.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline smirked. \"Dr. Spencer, you’ve really leveled up your game, haven't you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian looked a bit bashful. \"Cough—well, I’ve had a very good teacher in Marcellus.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"He’s teaching you?!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline stared, completely incredulous. She hadn't forgotten how Marcellus had hauled her off to the Elysian Estate without a word back then. If he had been this smooth, they wouldn't have spent so much time going in circles.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’m speaking from experience,\" Marcellus drawled. \"Every lesson was paid for in blood.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Ha!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Alright, alright,\" Damian proposed, \"let’s find somewhere to celebrate the two of you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Can I drink to my heart's content tonight?\" Evangeline asked, gazing at Marcellus with wide, pleading eyes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"As long as I’m here, you can drink whatever you like.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yes! Remi, where should we go?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"How about glamping? A bonfire under the stars!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Perfect!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">With the plan set, the group headed toward a high-end retreat in the countryside. The scenery was breathtaking, the air crisp and clean—a true escape into nature that left the mind feeling refreshed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They set up a campsite on the grass beneath a sprawling canopy of stars. The crackle of the charcoal fire provided a cozy rhythm, and the air was thick with the scent of roasting meat. The pressure of the last two weeks seemed to evaporate. They set aside all worries, focusing entirely on the indulgence of the moment, letting the wine flow until their inhibitions began to slip.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Can we stay here tonight?\" Evangeline asked, her eyes hazy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"We can.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Then I want to room with Remi.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Absolutely not!\" Two voices rang out in perfect, possessive unison.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Why?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Because I want to sleep with Evangeline!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The two women clung to each other, giggling. Marcellus grew impatient. He turned to Damian and barked, \"Get your woman out of here!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian sighed, helpless. \"What do you want me to do? I can’t exactly drag her off, can I?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He leaned over to Remi, his voice softening into a coaxing whisper. \"Remi, be a good girl and let go, okay?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"…Listen to me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus looked at him with sheer disdain. \"Damian, are you even capable of handling this?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"If you're so good at it, you do it!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*Watch and learn.* Marcellus stepped toward Evangeline, cupping her flushed face in his hands before leaning down to kiss her. He murmured into her skin, \"Cleo… didn't you miss me?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As expected, Evangeline’s grip on Remi loosened, and her hands drifted up to rest on his chest.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian seized the chance and scooped up the now-limp Remi.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hell! You’re way too slick,\" Damian muttered.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Marcellus shot him a triumphant brow-flick and carried his woman toward the cabin.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian called her name, but she didn't stir. He had no choice but to carry her to their room, kick off her shoes, and tuck her in. He was about to turn away when Remi’s hand shot out, grabbing his wrist.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Big guy! You’re really going to walk away when you’ve got the perfect chance?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi, you…\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi sat up, leaning into his chest, her voice a low murmur. \"Haven't you been waiting for a chance to be alone with me? Why are you running?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’m afraid… I won't be able to control myself.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi wanted to laugh—and cry. The man had kissed her the third time they met, and now that they were actually dating, he was acting like a saint. \"Fine. If that’s how it is, just leave.\" She lay back down.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian froze. He was a complete novice at dating and had no idea how to interpret this. He didn't want to leave, yet he hesitated, whispering, \"Remi?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When she kept her eyes shut, refusing to look at him, his resolve crumbled.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi waited. When no further words came, she felt a flare of annoyance. *Fine. If he won't make a move, I will.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She reached out, grabbed his collar, and yanked him down.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian braced his arms on either side of her, his eyes dark, his throat bobbing as he stared at her glistening gaze. \"Remi, are you sure?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"If you don't kiss me right now, I really am going to kick you out.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Remi, have we got our scripts swapped?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi rolled her eyes. \"Who told you to be so useless?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Useless, am I?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Before she could answer, his lips crashed onto hers—a searing, desperate kiss that brooked no argument. Remi had never kissed like this before; she didn't know how to breathe, her head spinning from the intensity of the contact.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Overwhelmed, she pushed him back, gasping for air.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian looked at her, his eyes clouded with raw, unchecked desire. His voice was a strained rasp. \"What’s wrong?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When Remi saw the intensity in his gaze, she felt a jolt of alarm. She almost regretted the bait she’d set. \"I… I’m tired!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"…Right. Sleep, then.\" He reached out and tenderly wiped the moisture from her lips.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What about you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Where would you like me to sleep, Remi?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I want you to stay with me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Alright. Sleep now, little one. I’m just going to take a quick shower.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi watched him head toward the bathroom, a soft smile playing on her lips. It seemed he had finally learned how to respect her boundaries.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Damian stood under the freezing water for an hour, trying to douse the fire in his blood. When he emerged, Remi was already asleep. He approached the bed with soft, careful footsteps and slid under the covers. Propping himself up on one elbow, he watched her sleep, a sense of profound, blooming happiness filling his chest.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272912648]