[{"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-720":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},1411131,1864,"Chapter 720 720: I Mind Being Reduced","harem-startup-the-demon-billionaire-is-on-vacati-chapter-720",720,"\u003Cp>\"It's not a crime,\" Lux said. \"It's inefficient.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fiera rolled her eyes. \"There it is. The CFO logic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smirked faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I thought,\" he admitted after a pause, \"that getting a lap dancer might reduce my stress. Physical stimulus. Environmental distraction. Money removes tension from the equation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And?\" she asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And it worked about four percent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She choked slightly on her drink. \"Four percent?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"System estimate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stared at him. \"…You measured it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I measure everything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leaned back, tail flicking lazily behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swirled his wine, watching the deep red catch the dim lighting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But the part where they were only there for the money?\" he added quietly. \"That's the turn off. I don't mind being desired. I mind being reduced.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fiera's expression softened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're a billionaire,\" she said flatly. \"People are going to reduce you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not the ones I keep,\" he replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That hung in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn't argue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, she shifted slightly closer on the couch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That female fox earlier…\" Lux said after a moment. \"Is Aelitha, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fiera's jaw tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Yeah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised a brow. \"Making problems again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She exhaled sharply through her nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I saw it…\" she said. \"The live stream.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux took a sip of wine. \"Did she go to Vincent Albrecht?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fiera snorted. \"Oh, she tried.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at her more directly now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She demanded compensation from the Albrecht family for her pregnancy,\" Fiera continued. \"Claimed it was his.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And she got turned down too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux hummed. \"The Albrechts are facing bankruptcy. Can't blame them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yep. Vincent's scandal tanked their last liquidity buffer. Investors pulled out. The family's scrambling.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux's eyes gleamed faintly. A smirk bloomed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fiera leaned forward, elbows resting on her knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our family investigated her claim,\" she continued. \"Because honestly? Her testimony sounded like garbage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Too convenient,\" Lux said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Too fast,\" Fiera corrected. \"The pregnancy timeline didn't add up. We ran tests.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She faked it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux's lips curved faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I assumed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fiera gave him a sideways look. \"You assumed?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The acceleration in her story was sloppy,\" he replied calmly. \"Emotionally dramatic but structurally weak.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She bought a fake scan,\" Fiera said. \"Paid some back-alley medic to fabricate it. When we confronted her…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She ran.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux leaned back again, exhaling slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And now she's here,\" he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fiera nodded. \"I just got the alert. She maxed out her card. Drinking like crazy. Refusing to go home.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So those men—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Family bodyguards,\" Fiera confirmed. \"We weren't going to let her spiral publicly again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux glanced toward the hallway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She looked mess up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She always does when consequences show up,\" Fiera replied dryly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He studied her profile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You care.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She shot him a look. \"She's an idiot. But she's still family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fiera hadn't meant for her voice to soften at the end, but it did anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux studied her for a moment. Not in that detached, analytical way he looked at dancers. This was different. Slower. Almost thoughtful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I guess,\" he said quietly, \"you have a kind heart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fiera blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Excuse me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned back casually. \"You came personally. You didn't delegate it to a manager or a lawyer. That's not efficient.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She rolled her eyes, trying to hide the small flutter in her chest. \"Not everything has to be efficient.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave her that faint, dangerous little smile. \"It usually does.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She ignored how warm her face suddenly felt and took a sip of champagne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Thanks,\" she muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she straightened slightly, expression turning more serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lux,\" she said, clearing her throat. \"I'm sorry. For all the mess Aelitha caused.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tilted his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She dragged your name everywhere. Media. Streams. That ridiculous pregnancy stunt.\" Fiera's ears dipped briefly. \"Our family will clear your name properly. We'll make an official statement.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux stared at her for two seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a polite chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An actual laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fiera frowned. \"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I already bought the media,\" he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Your PR team?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You bribed them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He laughed again, shaking his head. \"Bribe?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She narrowed her eyes. \"Don't tell me you intimidated them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I bought the companies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Companies?\" she repeated slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Three of them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her brain stalled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Three,\" she echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He emptied his wine glass and set it down casually, like he'd just said he bought coffee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you need some narration,\" he added lightly, \"I could create it for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fiera stared at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her brain replayed the sentence several times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You bought… three media companies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I thought you only did your family's funeral business,\" she said weakly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because that was what everyone thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux Vaelthorn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Funeral conglomerate CFO.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quietly rich.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slightly intimidating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But still… niche.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nah. I have a bank now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…A bank.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And three media companies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her ears twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, and a small VR game development studio.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her champagne almost slipped from her fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W-What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shrugged. \"I was bored.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stared at him like he'd just told her he owned the moon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You were bored.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I had money,\" he said simply. \"So… why not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her entire mental framework about this man cracked in half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She'd known he was rich.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You just… buy industries when you're bored?\" she asked faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Diversification,\" he corrected calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leaned back into the couch, tail twitching erratically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lux,\" she said slowly, \"do you realize how insane that sounds?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He poured himself another drink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Completely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you're just casually sitting here in a strip club.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Like now,\" he said, lifting the glass. \"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stared at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're bored?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No,\" he replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then why are you here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swirled the wine once, thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because if I go home in this condition,\" he said calmly, \"they'll tie me up again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fiera blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a sip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"On the bed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her brain short-circuited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W-Wait,\" she sputtered. \"You got tied up?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For a week.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her entire body went rigid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her imagination, traitor that it was, filled in the blanks immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mira.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naomi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rava.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of them surrounding him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux tied to a bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face burned instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shame no one rode me though,\" he added with complete seriousness.\u003C\u002Fp>",1026,"2026-06-05T23:57:27.963Z",1,"novelbin.me","22477d0879f85eb11ceeda4db8f6e2e5e8707741f9a6748997579c757ff8484d","harem-startup-the-demon-billionaire-is-on-vacati-chapter-721","harem-startup-the-demon-billionaire-is-on-vacati-chapter-719",878,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fharem-startup-the-demon-billionaire-is-on-vacati-cover.jpg"]