[{"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-754":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},1411065,1864,"Chapter 754: Two Mermaids","harem-startup-the-demon-billionaire-is-on-vacati-chapter-754",754,"\u003Cp>Chapter 754 – Two Mermaids\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The time struck 13.04 PM.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Everwing Spire Venue hummed softly with preparation. Outside the tall arched windows, the sea shimmered in wide silver sheets beneath the afternoon sun. The building itself curved like a glass shell rising from the coastline, its crystalline structure catching light and scattering it across marble floors in shifting waves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside one of the upper preparation suites, Ariel sat at her vanity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost too still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The makeup artist adjusted the shimmer along her cheekbones with a careful brush. The hairdresser lifted a section of her long sea-green hair, weaving delicate pearl strands through it with expert fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You look perfect, Lady Ariel,\" the makeup artist murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The word echoed strangely in her chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel stared at her reflection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl in the mirror looked regal. Poised. Every inch a mermaid heiress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gown draped around her like liquid moonlight, pale blue silk layered over translucent fabric that mimicked the surface of water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She should have been excited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was her debut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today the world would officially know that the Avariel family had found their long lost daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers tightened slightly over the edge of the vanity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her thoughts kept drifting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would he come?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hated that the question wouldn’t leave her alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She swallowed faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was she even thinking about him right now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hairdresser gently tilted her chin upward. \"Relax your shoulders, Lady Ariel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hadn’t realized they were tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft knock came at the door before it opened without waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sister.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sirena entered like a breeze that knew it belonged everywhere. Same sea colored eyes. Same high cheekbones. But Sirena carried herself differently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unapologetic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her dress was darker, a deep ocean blue with silver accents. She looked like a storm wrapped in silk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sirena smiled. \"You look stunning, sis.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel tried to return the smile. \"Thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sirena stepped closer, studying her carefully through the mirror. \"You look like you’re about to be executed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel stiffened. \"I do not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You do.\" Sirena leaned lightly against the vanity, crossing her arms. \"Your smile is at forty percent. Your hands are gripping the table like it owes you money.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel glanced down. She hadn’t realized. \"I’m just... nervous,\" she admitted quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sirena’s expression softened slightly. \"Of what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room felt too small suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The makeup artist and hairdresser continued working, pretending not to hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is my first public appearance,\" Ariel said carefully. \"Everyone will look at me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sirena snorted lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone is going to look at you because you’re beautiful and because the family PR machine has been teasing your existence for three weeks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel pressed her lips together. \"That does not help.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sirena tilted her head. \"That’s not what’s bothering you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel’s eyes flickered in the mirror. She hated how easily Sirena read her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it the mysterious billionaire? The butler told me a bit about him,\" Sirena asked casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel’s heart skipped. \"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sirena smirked faintly. \"The one who saved you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel tried very hard to keep her face neutral. \"I don’t know what you’re talking about.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please.\" Sirena leaned closer. \"His name was everywhere in the news this week. Lux something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel’s breath caught just slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sirena continued, \"Mysterious. Private. Ridiculously wealthy. Apparently invests like he’s allergic to losing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel swallowed. \"I... I’m not really close to him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sirena’s brow lifted. \"Ah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That doesn’t mean anything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re thinking about him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel looked down. Her fingers twisted together in her lap. \"I just... wondered if he would attend.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sirena watched her for a moment. \"Why does it matter?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel searched for an answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he looked at me like I was real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because when he spoke, it didn’t feel like he was performing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he smiled like he knew something dangerous and still chose to stay polite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she didn’t say any of that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He is influential,\" Ariel said instead. \"It would be good for the family if he came.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sirena stared at her. \"Right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel flushed faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sirena sighed dramatically. \"You like him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel’s eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I... I do not... I-I’m not sure.\" Lux had a lot of girls. Heiresses. All confident. All powerful. Unlike her. She? She was a burden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don’t even know him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That has never stopped anyone in this family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel couldn’t help the small, embarrassed laugh that escaped her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sirena’s expression softened again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re allowed to be anxious,\" Sirena said quietly. \"This is a big day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel nodded faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you think he’ll come?\" she asked before she could stop herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sirena considered it.\"If he’s smart, yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel blinked. \"Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because this is the debut of the Avriel heiress.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sirena’s smile turned slightly sharp. \"And mysterious billionaires don’t miss opportunities.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel’s stomach fluttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hated that it did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She adjusted slightly in her chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What if he doesn’t?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sirena shrugged. \"Then you will still be the center of the room.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel stared at her reflection again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lashes looked darker. Her lips softer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She barely recognized herself. \"I don’t know how to be that,\" she whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sirena’s hand came to rest lightly on her shoulder. \"You don’t need to.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just be you,\" Sirena said again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s worse.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sirena laughed. \"No, it’s not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel’s gaze drifted toward the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sea shimmered beyond the glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Somewhere in this city, Lux was moving through his day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Busy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Untouchable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would he remember this event?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would he remember her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought made her chest ache slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sister.\" Sirena’s voice pulled her back. \"You’re spiraling.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel blinked. \"I am not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sirena leaned closer, lowering her voice. \"If he comes, good. If he doesn’t, also good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel frowned faintly. \"How is that good?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because you are not waiting for a man to validate your debut.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ariel looked down again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words stung.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because part of her knew they were true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t want validation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She just...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wanted him to see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To see that she wasn’t just a rumor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just a lost daughter story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Breathe,\" Sirena said gently.\u003C\u002Fp>",1022,"2026-06-05T23:57:28.825Z",1,"novelbin.me","0645a9859a2f09c43f66569d5b37258610998b6681669cb7347d8afeb148baf8","harem-startup-the-demon-billionaire-is-on-vacati-chapter-755","harem-startup-the-demon-billionaire-is-on-vacati-chapter-753",878,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fharem-startup-the-demon-billionaire-is-on-vacati-cover.jpg"]