[{"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-785":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},1411096,1864,"Chapter 785 785: Do You Enjoy Competition? [Part 1]","harem-startup-the-demon-billionaire-is-on-vacati-chapter-785",785,"\u003Cp>He stood there calmly with one hand in his pocket, wine glass in the other, looking exactly like someone who had walked into the situation on purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside his head?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was already mentally trying to exit the competition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the problem was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux did not want the prize.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not because Vira was unattractive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was dangerously attractive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kind of beautiful that made half the room subtly straighten their posture the moment she looked their way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lux wasn't here for that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn't here to flirt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn't here to compete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he definitely wasn't here to win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had come for one reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cyrinne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux scanned the garden again casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three nobles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two near the fountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One leaning by the silk canopy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of them were her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No exiled Envy bloodline trying to stay invisible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux took a slow sip of wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Of course.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no way Vira would bring Cyrinne into this kind of gathering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not when the entire point of the afternoon seemed to be watching powerful demons politely fight over her attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux took another slow sip of wine and let his gaze wander casually across the garden again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Alright. Play along.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Cyrinne was going to steal the ancient Envy treasury tonight, then this little garden theater needed to stay exactly as it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Distracted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Focused on the wrong thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant Lux's job was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keep the spotlight here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Preferably without becoming the prize himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Lux finished that thought…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vira looked directly at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes locked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her smile widened slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had noticed him observing the battlefield instead of participating in it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux held the gaze calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew that expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her smirk deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she lifted her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And crooked her index finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not aggressively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a tiny little motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kind someone used when calling a servant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux stared at the gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eye twitched slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Interesting.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because in that exact moment, a very specific thought crossed his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I should increase Envy House debt interest by three percent.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a small adjustment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Purely financial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Absolutely not emotional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux smiled politely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lobbying mode activated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He began walking toward her through the garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, the nobles watched carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Lux Vaelthorn entering the circle changed the dynamics immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before him…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seven contestants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Except Lux was the only one walking like he didn't care about the outcome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stopped in front of Vira and gave a smooth, controlled bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lady Karess.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was warm and polite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for your invitation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vira leaned slightly forward in her chair, studying him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Up close, the smirk on her lips sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She liked the way he moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not stiff like the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that calm composure also irritated her slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Lux wasn't radiating the usual mixture of admiration and desperation she expected from men standing this close to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But detached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which was unacceptable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vira tilted her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Vaelthorn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice carried lightly across the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm pleased you came.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wouldn't miss the opportunity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That line made two of the nearby nobles stiffen slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vira noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she enjoyed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lifted her glass slowly, letting the lantern light reflect across the emerald silk of her dress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You arrived late.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux shrugged lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I had a meeting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyebrow lifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A meeting?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That answer made her eyes narrow slightly with curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she didn't press it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead she leaned back slightly, letting her gaze drift across the garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nobles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The music.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lanterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then Lux again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a very specific thought in Vira's mind right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Look at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seven powerful demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warriors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Influencers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every one of them standing here hoping for a moment of her attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because that was the reality of Envy House.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn't chase power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Power chased them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Lux Vaelthorn should absolutely be part of that group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because if even the famous CFO of Hell found himself drawn into her orbit?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would make the entire scene even more satisfying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sipped her wine slowly. \"You know,\" she said softly, \"many demons requested invitations today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux nodded politely. \"I imagine they did.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her smile turned slightly smug. \"But I only chose a few.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux glanced around the garden theatrically. \"A very selective gathering.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nobles visibly straightened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vira noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course she did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leaned forward slightly, her voice lowering. \"You understand what that means, Lord Vaelthorn?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux met her gaze calmly. \"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vira's smile widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She expected him to say it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To acknowledge it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To join the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lux didn't say anything else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply took another sip of wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vira stared at him for a second longer than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside her mind, the thoughts were moving quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Why isn't he reacting?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most demons would already be leaning closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Competing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trying to win favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux instead looked like he had walked into a business meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which was… irritating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And intriguing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vira tilted her head slightly. \"You seem calm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux smiled faintly.\"I like gardens.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That answer made her blink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Gardens.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux gestured casually toward the lake beyond the terrace. \"The view is excellent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vira stared at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other nobles looked confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this flirting?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this strategy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he mocking the situation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux continued calmly. \"And the music is pleasant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vira slowly leaned back again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside her mind…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A different kind of interest began forming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Lux wasn't playing the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was observing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that made him… dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vira smiled again, but this time it was a little less smug and a little more curious. \"Tell me, Lord Vaelthorn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux looked at her. \"Yes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She twirled the wine glass slowly between her fingers. \"Do you enjoy competition?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lux considered the question for exactly half a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he answered honestly. \"Only when I'm paid for it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the nobles coughed into his drink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vira blinked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpectedly, she laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because that was the most Lux Vaelthorn answer she could have possibly received.\u003C\u002Fp>",1030,"2026-06-05T23:57:28.825Z",1,"novelbin.me","95ac06aa67c0c2f00e5bd6d21087c7708579dedfab5786f1b35ea89a844cbee6","harem-startup-the-demon-billionaire-is-on-vacati-chapter-786","harem-startup-the-demon-billionaire-is-on-vacati-chapter-784",878,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fharem-startup-the-demon-billionaire-is-on-vacati-cover.jpg"]