[{"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-484":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},1410995,1864,"Chapter 484: What’s with The Confusion?","harem-startup-the-demon-billionaire-is-on-vacati-chapter-484",484,"\u003Cp>Chapter 484 – What’s with The Confusion?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t relief. Not exactly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More like... the sigh a lion gives after walking out of a zoo enclosure it never belonged in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lobby was quieter now. Just murmurs. Scattered guests lingered like the aftermath of a performance they didn’t fully understand—some clutching their heels, others whispering to their companions, trying to make sense of the scene they’d just witnessed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few dared to glance Lux’s way. Most looked away immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t even notice them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His stride was smooth. Steady. Not rushed. Like the floor obeyed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next to him, Sira moved like a storm in heels. Controlled chaos in a silk dress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you think?\" he asked softly, not breaking his gaze from the dark marble ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sira didn’t blink. \"I still want to kill him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tilted his head. \"I meant the Lamia.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh.\" She frowned for half a second. \"Right. Her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They walked past a massive dragon-carved pillar. The valet bay shimmered in the distance. Air tasted like city smoke and expensive perfume. The sky was already melting into late afternoon amber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I still don’t trust her,\" Sira muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She didn’t look surprised when we summoned our barriers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sira went silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re right,\" she said. Quietly. \"That’s... unusual.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux’s eyes flicked sideways. \"Do mortals have similar power to us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I mean, it’s just a barrier. Not exactly war crimes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But it wasn’t enchanted glass or tech. That was mana. Old-style.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And the way she didn’t flinch at your aura—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly,\" Lux said. \"Unlike before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stopped near the valet podium, pretending to wait for the car.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In reality, they were thinking the same thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jeremy might’ve been a loudmouthed idiot with decent siren blood and bad fashion sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that Lamia?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too calm. Too poised. Like she’d seen worse and slept through it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that dark ruby circlet she wore something about it pulsed wrong. Not celestial. Not infernal. But something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Corvus,\" Lux said, his voice barely above a hum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shimmer in the air, a flicker near the ceiling lights—then the small black bird materialized on a nearby ledge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What now?\" the familiar croaked, tail feathers twitching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lylith Seravelle,\" Lux said. \"Investigate her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Corvus blinked. \"You already saw her before. What’s with the confusion?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux’s gaze narrowed. \"That’s the problem. I did see her before. And yet—today feels different. Off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rubbed his temple. \"She should’ve been more rattled. Or respectful. Or at least... amused. Not that calm. That wasn’t right. And that ruby—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll check it,\" Corvus sighed, already melting into smoke and feathers. \"Might take a bit. That gem feels layered.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then he was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm.\" Lux adjusted the cuff of his black suit jacket, exhaling slowly again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were just about to approach the valet when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lux Vaelthorn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice wasn’t loud. But it cut through the marble and whispers like a scalpel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three individuals stepped forward. All dressed sharply. One wore a slim earpiece, another had a Lamia house crest ring. The third carried a black envelope—sealed in wax with the sigil of Lylith Seravelle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd fell into curious silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She wishes to speak with you,\" the one with the crest said. \"Her Majesty Lylith requests your presence. Privately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sira smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Talk of us (the devils),\" she murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux opened his mouth to decline, tone already sharpening—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Sira cut in, voice smooth as wine over a dagger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lead the way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to her, brow slightly lifted. \"You serious?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why not?\" she whispered back. Her smirk darkened, voice dropping a notch. \"If something happens, we know what to do...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He almost laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course she wanted chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She always did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux sighed. \"Alright. But if this goes bad, I’m blaming you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She winked. \"That’s fine. You can punish me later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He arched a brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three emissaries pretended not to hear. Which was probably for the best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were led past the velvet cordons, deeper into the private wing of the building—past security checkpoints and into the upper floors reserved for high-tier guests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quieter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cooler.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less public.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux could feel it. The mana here was still. Like deep water. Controlled. Expensive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They passed rows of frosted-glass doors, each with soundproof seals and enchanted privacy runes. Eventually, they stopped in front of a silver-inlaid black door guarded by two tall, silent Lamia warriors in formal robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Her Majesty is inside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sira just walked in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room was a lounge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lavish, but cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long curved windows let in golden hour light. The walls were black velvet and gold filigree. A circular couch in the center. A glass table with untouched wine. A few glass decanters glimmered under soft light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lylith sat alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or at least appeared to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wore a different dress now. Blood red silk, off-shoulder, with a thigh slit that reached sin. The ruby pendant still hung from her throat, gleaming like a threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked like a goddess trying to play mortal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too symmetrical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Vaelthorn,\" she said smoothly. \"Lady Sira. Thank you for coming.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux inclined his head, but didn’t speak. He wanted to see what she’d do first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wanted to thank you,\" she said, rising. \"For your... intervention. That auction was spiraling into something unpleasant. I had no idea the Delmars were so... reckless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But a skilled one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux could feel it in the way she walked. Not just confidence. Not just grace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sira sat down on the edge of the couch like a queen at war. Legs crossed. Arms loose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux remained standing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I find it curious,\" Lylith said after a pause, \"how you both handled yourselves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Handled ourselves?\" Sira asked, one brow cocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\" Lylith’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. \"Barrier magic. That level of precision. It’s... rare.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux tilted his head. \"You sound impressed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a silence then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux finally walked forward. Not far. Just close enough to let the tension stretch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your ruby,\" he said quietly, \"where did you get it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1011,"2026-06-05T23:57:11.779Z",1,"novelbin.me","6988d4a66ef3c3ca0002769689a9478cf416ddf32a85a8cd6364af764a12491f","harem-startup-the-demon-billionaire-is-on-vacati-chapter-485","harem-startup-the-demon-billionaire-is-on-vacati-chapter-483",878,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fharem-startup-the-demon-billionaire-is-on-vacati-cover.jpg"]