[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system":3,"chapter-villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-117":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Villain of Fate: The Tyrant System",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},560705,810,"Chapter 117: Colors That Refuse to Fade","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-117",117,"\u003Cp>Colors That Refuse to Fade\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mike Valquin smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sis.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I brought him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without another word—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door closed behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving Julian alone with Gwen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soft click of the door locking echoed through the quiet suite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment, Julian just stood there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then realization struck him like a slap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His shoulders stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He muttered under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Damn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rubbed his forehead slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn, I let my guard down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian hadn’t expected Mike to trick him like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had thought the guy wanted to discuss business matters or the Chamber of Commerce meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been delivered straight into a private meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Gwen Valquin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian sighed quietly and walked further into the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across from him, Gwen had already noticed his reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft, elegant smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kind that made people forget their surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that smile—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A memory surfaced in Julian’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One from over ten years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A very awkward memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then they had still been children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had fallen asleep during an afternoon visit to the Valquin residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And somehow—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had woken up holding someone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young Gwen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both of them tangled awkwardly under a blanket after a childish nap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had woken up first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face turning red instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>SLAP.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That small palm had struck his face without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian still remembered the sting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And her furious expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That memory was impossible to forget.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in the present—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen calmly placed her paintbrush down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stood gracefully and walked toward the sofa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her movements were elegant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her long blonde hair shimmered under the sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today she wore a fitted white blouse and a short black skirt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fabric hugged her slender waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black stockings wrapped around her long legs, the silk catching the light with every step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her curves were subtle but captivating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her D-cup chest gently lifted the soft fabric of her blouse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she sat down, she crossed her legs naturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stockings stretched slightly over her thighs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked at Julian calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have a seat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian hesitated for a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then nodded stiffly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Okay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked over and sat across from her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His back straight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His movements slightly awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen noticed immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lips curved faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Want some tea?\" she asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you do, I’ll brew it for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Water is fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian waved his hand and casually opened a bottle of mineral water from the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Gwen didn’t look away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She kept staring at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her blue eyes calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Observant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian eventually noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you staring at me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being stared at like this made him uncomfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mostly because Gwen had never treated him kindly before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since the incident years ago—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her attitude toward him had been cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Distant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But recently...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had suddenly added him on Hello Messenger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they had awkwardly exchanged messages a few times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Short conversations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strange conversations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing like their childhood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen smiled softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leaned slightly forward and picked up another bottle of water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she walked toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can you open one for me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice carried a playful tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something about her behavior felt strange today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside his mind—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(It’s not like you can’t open it yourself.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(If you got mad, you could probably twist my head off.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen nearly laughed out loud hearing his thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That childhood slap had clearly left a psychological shadow on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She handed him the bottle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian twisted the cap open and passed it back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen took a sip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she looked at him seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Today, I called you over to apologize.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen continued softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I misunderstood you about that incident.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn’t know Mike tricked you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice carried genuine sincerity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking about that memory still embarrassed her slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had never let any man see her like that before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian immediately waved his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What incident?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve forgotten about it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He deliberately acted clueless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen lightly bit her lip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Forget it then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment the room became quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian glanced around the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes eventually landed on the easel beside the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The painting displayed there was a white crane standing beside a quiet lake, its wings half-spread as golden sunlight reflected on the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brushwork was elegant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The colors delicate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked almost alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you still paint?\" Gwen asked softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian walked over and studied the painting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haven’t painted in a long time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shrugged casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When you used to come over, the three of us often painted together.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen’s voice softened with nostalgia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze drifted slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>School had never been easy for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her identity as the eldest daughter of the Valquin household made things complicated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her classmates flattered her openly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But secretly avoided her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t like pretending.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she withdrew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly becoming lonely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only people who treated her normally were Mike—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Julian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three of them would sit together quietly painting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No politics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No masks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just colors and silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian looked at the painting again and smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve gotten much better.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The crane looks real.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen’s eyes warmed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have to thank you for that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian looked confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you remember the painting you helped me finish?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gwen asked gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze softened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had been deeply depressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She only painted in dark colors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold colors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black cranes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gray skies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One day she had left halfway through a painting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she returned—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dark sky had been replaced by warm sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black crane had been given soft white feathers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the lake behind it shimmered with color.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew immediately who had done it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It couldn’t have been Mike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Julian painted like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That burst of color had changed something inside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She began stepping out of the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian scratched his head awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh... that time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I remember.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled sheepishly.\u003C\u002Fp>",1005,"2026-05-30T15:14:55.252Z","2026-06-01T04:31:33.482Z",1,"novelbin.me","a30114c4ae5ed8ba76ed861832666416816faba9cf94025cf783071bfc4f6ec4","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-118","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-116",232,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fvillain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-cover.jpg"]