Morning came, and when I opened my eyes, Alice was no longer by my side. She must’ve slipped away, afraid that the head maid might come looking for her.
Raising my right hand to my nose, her addicting scent still lingered faintly there. Hard to believe I actually made her mine last night.
Being able to experienced her made me addicted to the sensation, and more faces came to mind—Alice, Claire, Ellie, and even that brat, Ella.
No, I was thinking too small. With the abilities I possess, every beautiful and interesting woman that catch my attention could be mine. There’s no doubt I’ll encounter far greater pleasures ahead.
As much as I hate to admit it... the Degenerate System fits me perfectly.
After last night’s indulgence, it was time to focus on the mission, and getting stronger.
Rising from the bed, I headed to the bathroom and took a quick bath. Afterwards, I put on a pair of pajamas, though only the bottoms; performing my breathing exercises was more efficient when naked.
"Inhale... Exhale..." Right away, I noticed the air here was thinner, less concentrated than back in the hospital—probably because this area was farther from the towers.
Slowly, I drew in air through my nose, feeling the faint currents of energy drift along my veins. I guided it through my body, letting it circulate before releasing it through an big exhale.
A knock interrupted me.
That must be the breakfast I asked to have brought here. I had no desire to face those twins—or my father—this early in the morning.
After eating my food, I returned to my spot and resumed my routine.
Time passed quietly. Outside, the morning light shifted, brushing through the window and casting gentle patterns on the floor. For once, there was no one to rush me, no interruptions—just the rhythm of my own breathing and the flow of Qi.
By 9:00 a.m., I opened my eyes, drawn by the faint clamor from outside. My cultivation practice had sharpened my hearing.
Looking down from the balcony, I spotted Ella. She was dressed casually... at least by billionaire’s nepokid standards.
A pristine white jacket trimmed with real white tiger fur, a skirt woven from the finest fabric, jewelry sparkling with diamonds, and a bag emblazoned with the LX logo. Every detail was meant to show off wealth.
She might have a terrible personality, but even I had to admit... Ella was on a completely different level than Alice.
I should stick close to her—get in her circle somehow. After all, my "awakening" apparently hinged on making her fall for me. Great. Nothing complicated about that... right?
Wasting no time, I decided to get dressed. I went with a black coat—not one of those stiff, formal types, but the kind I could wear over a white undershirt and leave all the buttons open. I paired it with gray pants and white-and-black shoes.
There were a bunch of expensive watches in my wardrobe, so I picked a stainless-steel one. Simple in style, at least—it probably still cost a fortune just because of the brand.
In the lobby, I wandered until I spotted Alice near the grand staircase. The chandelier light caught her hair just right, making it shine like silk, but she barely looked at me at first.
When our eyes met, she offered a small, awkward smile, trying not to act too familiar.
"Uh... good morning... young master," she said, her voice a little higher than usual, like she was forcing it out carefully.
I smirked. "Morning. Don’t worry, our secret is safe."
Her cheeks tinged pink, and she shifted her weight nervously. Rumors here traveled faster than wildfire, and one wrong move could make things... complicated.
"Where is mother?" I inquired.
"I’ll guide you to Lady Ellie’s study," she replied quickly, glancing around as if to make sure no one was listening. "But... please, act normal."
I nodded, pretending to adjust my coat while following her. "Normal. Got it. Though, I’m not sure that’s really in my skill set."
She couldn’t help but let out a small laugh, the sound light and fleeting, but it eased the tension between us just a little.
As we walked down the hallway toward Ellie’s study, I noticed her cheeks turning progressively redder, like someone had painted them with embarrassed brushstrokes. She kept fidgeting with the hem of her skirt and avoiding my gaze.
"Hey," I said, slowing my pace to match hers. "Calm down, or you’ll be redder than a cherry."
She gave a cute nod. "Y-yes, young master,"
I had to stop myself from patting her hair. She was just too darn adorable.
"Where is father and Ethan?"
"Master Daniel usually leaves the house early; around six in the morning. Young master Ethan goes with him whenever he doesn’t have class."
I nodded, storing the information away. "And Ella?"
Alice’s lips twitched. "She... attends an academy that focused on arts. She wants to be a celebrity someday."
That goal was well within reach. Daniel’s connections could easily get her into the industry. Yet the fact that she was actually putting in the effort, learning and improving on her own, was impressive.
Soon, we reached Ellie’s study, and when I opened it , instead of books, what I found were a bunch of paintings. She did not had to work so she end up getting a hobby like this to kill time.
"Aunt Ellie, I came by to talk. Do you have a moment?"
She set her brush aside and turned to me with a warm smile.
"I was just thinking of calling you over. Come, let’s have some tea—or would you prefer coffee?"
"Coffee."
Hearing my answer, Alice quietly prepared the drink and then leave the room.