[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-harem-startup-the-demon-billionaire-is-on-vacati":3,"chapter-harem-startup-the-demon-billionaire-is-on-vacati-harem-startup-the-demon-billionaire-is-on-vacati-chapter-317":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Harem Startup : The Demon Billionaire is on Vacation",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1410678,1864,"Chapter 317: Cold","harem-startup-the-demon-billionaire-is-on-vacati-chapter-317",317,"\u003Cp>Chapter 317 – Cold\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She reached for her lipstick again, checking her reflection. Perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice crackled from the intercom as they stopped in front of the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who is this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The driver stepped out and bowed slightly toward the speaker. \"Miss Ninevyn. She’s here for Mr. Vaelthorn’s invitation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a beat of silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Click!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gates parted without further commentary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The car crept up the smooth stone driveway, past a sculpture garden and an actual koi fountain that was either extremely enchanted or had the most emotionally stable fish she’d ever seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mansion came into view—tall, modern, absurdly elegant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stepped out of the car and the night kissed her skin with the soft, perfumed breeze of rich gardens and even richer spells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lights glowed behind the tall windows. Shadows moved. Voices. Laughter. A party—but not the loud, chaotic kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was private. Controlled. Dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aelitha clutched the sleek gift box in her hand, tied with gold ribbon. Inside? Her masterpiece. The new season’s first prototype. Worth more than a few hearts—and perhaps one CFO’s loyalty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the door opened, she prepared her best soft smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Play it smooth. Not desperate. Coy, not thirsty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then he appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux Vaelthorn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Casual black shirt. Crisp white cuffs. Open collar. A hint of cologne—dark, sinful, and expensive enough to bankrupt an influencer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped into view like a god descending from a quarterly report—every movement fluid, every blink calculated, every smile sharpened like a tax audit. His aura didn’t just enter the room—it acquired it. The porch lights dimmed like they were adjusting to his net worth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aelitha’s breath hitched. For a moment—just a moment—her fox senses short-circuited. Her tail fluffed. Her pupils dilated. Her brain tried to process the sheer ROI of the man in front of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Vaelthorn,\" she purred, stepping out of the car like a red-carpet diva with too much ambition and not enough shame. \"Good evening~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lux didn’t speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood there, eyes locked on her, perfectly still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Expression unreadable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Posture neutral.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mind? Racing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of all the people Fiera could’ve sent. Of all the designers in the realm. Of all the walking lawsuits in fox-shaped dresses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fiera sent her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aelitha Ninevyn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux recognized her scent the moment the car pulled up. Citrus and expensive desperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered their first meeting. The hotel. The fake compliments. The predatory grin. The moment she realized he was the jackpot—and he promptly shut the elevator door in her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, she saw him as leverage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Same damn play. Just dressed better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Lux being Lux—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That warm, courteous, perfectly-executed \"I’m about to eat you alive in a fiscal merger\" smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss Ninevyn,\" he said smoothly. \"Good evening.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aelitha tilted her head, all charming innocence. \"Fiera sends her regards. She asked me to welcome you on her behalf.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux didn’t let it show.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see,\" he replied, voice calm and clean as polished obsidian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I brought a gift,\" she added, holding out a sleek box wrapped in navy silk. \"A suit. Fiera hopes you’ll wear it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux took it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingers brushed the box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tailored. Handmade. High-quality fabric. But it didn’t feel like Fiera’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How thoughtful,\" he said. \"Please, come in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She walked forward—and with one smooth movement—linked her arm with his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dead in his tracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A subtle shift in his posture, like a shark flicking its fin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You aren’t my girlfriend, Miss Ninevyn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice dropped slightly. Just a degree. Enough to remind a fox where the forest ends and the cliff begins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aelitha giggled. \"Why not? Don’t be a party-pooper, Mr. Vaelthorn. You’re too handsome to look so serious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His smile didn’t fade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it didn’t reach his eyes either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m very serious when it comes to asset management,\" Lux said softly. \"And physical proximity—without a signed contract—counts as a risk. You don’t want to be marked as a hostile acquisition, do you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aelitha blinked, feigning confusion. \"You make it sound so... cold.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s not cold,\" Lux replied. \"It’s just liquidity protection.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She let go—reluctantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They walked. Slowly. Through the marble entrance, past glowing rune-lamps and polished obsidian tiles. Her heels clicked like an attempt to echo relevance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux didn’t rush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He let her feel the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let her hear her own heartbeat against the echo of his mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air inside was cool. Fragrant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blend of sandalwood, chilled bloodwine, and something faintly demonic—an undernote of sulfur-kissed cinnamon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And still...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t confront her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let her perform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She took her steps lightly, hips swaying, tail swishing like a stock ticker on caffeine. \"You’ve renovated,\" she said, glancing around with a practiced air of interest. \"Wasn’t this Carson’s old place?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was,\" Lux said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t elaborate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Quite the flip,\" she murmured. \"I always knew you had taste.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not enough to wear pink snakeskin heels, apparently,\" Lux replied smoothly, nodding toward her very... brave choice in footwear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t falter. Just laughed. \"Fashion is about risk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So is walking into a lion’s den with an unverified contract,\" he countered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aelitha tilted her head. \"Are you always this sharp, Mr. Vaelthorn?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Only when I detect fraudulent investments.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused. Just slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eyes narrowing before the charm returned. \"That’s not fair. I’m here to celebrate you. Fiera’s design did well, didn’t it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It did,\" Lux said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then added, \"Because I wore it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ouch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He motioned for a servant. \"Please take Miss Ninevyn’s gift to the side room. I’ll examine it later. For enchantments.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She blinked. \"I—sorry?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux turned back to her, smiling kindly. \"Standard protocol. Threats, surveillance, and designer curses are quite common these days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aelitha stared at him. \"Designer... curses?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m kidding,\" he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She took a breath. Steeled herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time to switch gears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flirtation Level 2: Physical Tease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stepped forward, brushing imaginary dust from his collar. \"You’re tense tonight. Let me help loosen that up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux raised a brow. \"You’re offering financial advice now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No. But I’m very good with my hands,\" she whispered, letting her fingertips linger. \"Let me prove I’m worth more than you think.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1030,"2026-06-05T23:57:11.778Z",1,"novelbin.me","d37e4ef63e19c059853e703aaa9cb44acd56a69cbf52f9a601e6a708e25744a6","harem-startup-the-demon-billionaire-is-on-vacati-chapter-318","harem-startup-the-demon-billionaire-is-on-vacati-chapter-316",878,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fharem-startup-the-demon-billionaire-is-on-vacati-cover.jpg"]