[{"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-144":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},560732,810,"Chapter 144: Smoke, Signals, and the Hidden Table","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-144",144,"\u003Cp>Smoke, Signals, and the Hidden Table\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After entering the stall, Charlotte Bonds handed Julian D’Aurelius a plastic basket for picking food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warm smoke drifted through the night air from the grills, carrying the rich scent of charcoal, spice, and sizzling meat. The stall was crowded with late-night diners—workers, students, and night owls laughing loudly under flickering neon lights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte casually pointed toward the display counter filled with skewers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take whatever you want to eat. I come here often,\" she said while tying her azure hair loosely behind her head. \"Their smoked honey taro slices and golden dragon dumplings are pretty good. You should try them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian raised an eyebrow, studying the food selection like a man preparing for battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m going to pick the expensive stuff and eat you broke.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine. You look like you have kidney deficiency anyway,\" she said bluntly. \"Take a few more skewers of fire-roasted lamb kidneys.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian paused mid-reach, staring at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wow. You really know how to ruin a man’s appetite.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte simply smiled and continued picking food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon the basket was full.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They ordered plates of charcoal-grilled crystal beef, pepper-salt river shrimp, spicy lotus root skewers, caramelized taro slices, and dragon dumplings dripping with sauce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few bottles of cold beer followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The food arrived quickly, steaming and fragrant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte grabbed a bottle and knocked it lightly against Julian’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without ceremony, she began eating enthusiastically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way she ate had none of the elegance expected from a woman of a powerful political family. She devoured food like someone who had spent years surviving on quick meals during investigations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across the street, however—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A black sedan sat quietly beside the curb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the car, a man leaned forward slightly in the driver’s seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes were fixed on Charlotte and Julian through the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He watched them carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, he raised his phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The camera captured the two laughing over barbecue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The photo was immediately sent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep inside an underground casino.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere was thick with cigarette smoke and the dull clatter of gambling chips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside a luxurious private room, Lucas sat at a gambling table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across from him were two casino dealers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both were professional card manipulators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Experts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet at this moment, sweat ran down their temples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had already lost fifteen consecutive rounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their hands trembled as they dealt the next set of cards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master Lucas,\" a middle-aged man beside him said respectfully, \"your skills are truly impressive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The speaker had only one arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His empty sleeve hung loosely beside his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his disability, the man carried the aura of someone powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the owner of the casino.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A major figure in Valemont’s underground world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under normal circumstances, someone of his status would never speak so politely to a young man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lucas was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Terrifyingly different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Lucas first came to him, he had asked one simple question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Will you become my dog?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The casino boss had refused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas had single-handedly defeated over forty armed subordinates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Effortlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Refusing no longer seemed wise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas lazily tossed the cards in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three cards flew through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>THUNK.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They embedded themselves neatly into the wooden table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men watching inhaled sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, they still could not understand how someone could control cards like blades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas leaned back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s just a trivial skill.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cheating is nothing more than quick hands and a few small tricks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s boring.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, his phone vibrated twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas glanced down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A photo appeared on the screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man in the picture...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was Julian D’Aurelius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn’t that the rich second-generation from the D’Aurelius household?\" Lucas murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumor said that Evan had once lost face because of this useless playboy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas originally dismissed it as gossip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was he with Charlotte Bonds?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas’s gaze darkened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After arriving in Valemont, the first woman who caught his interest had been Charlotte.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her background alone made her valuable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could conquer her early...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would greatly stabilize his influence in the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas thought for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then slowly smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perfect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll lure them in...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...and deal with both at once.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sent a message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back at the barbecue stall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte was chewing a skewer of smoked cumin beef when her phone suddenly vibrated on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glanced down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A text message.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes narrowed as she read it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Night Wing Stay, Basement Level 7... underground casino.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte read the message again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recently, she had been investigating illegal gambling operations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her clues had pointed toward an underground casino...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she had never found the exact location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this address—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her appetite instantly vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stood up abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boss! How much?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stall owner wiped his hands on a towel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly two hundred seventy-seven euros.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte scanned the payment code quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian looked up from the pepper-salt shrimp skewers he was eating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re not eating anymore?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte grabbed her jacket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I need to investigate a casino.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You keep eating. I’m leaving.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned to walk away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian almost choked on a piece of grilled kidney.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene suddenly felt familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the original storyline, Charlotte received a message exactly like this while eating dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It reported an underground casino.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had gone undercover alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That mission had turned into a disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her identity was exposed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was captured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Evan hadn’t appeared to rescue her...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Things would have ended very badly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that incident—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her favorability toward Evan skyrocketed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the problem was obvious now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evan wasn’t here anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Julian didn’t interfere...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte might really end up dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"System,\" he asked in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s going on with this plot?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since the storyline collapsed, the Tyrant System had become far less helpful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to analyze things himself now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Annoying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Helpless, he stood up and jogged after Charlotte.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll go with you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ll go with me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes examined him suspiciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian nodded calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah. I’ll assist you with the investigation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know these places better than you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>( Nonsense. If I don’t go with you, you’ll die. )\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>( The casino is a huge trap. )\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>( The one who originally sent you this message should have been Evan. )\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>( He lures you there, you get into trouble, then he saves you and gains favor. )\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>( But Evan isn’t here anymore... )\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>( So who set the trap this time? )\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte’s heart trembled slightly as she heard his thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking back to the clues he revealed during the Lunar Citadel incident...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But finally nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’ll go together.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian climbed onto the motorcycle behind her again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the plot still moved forward even without Evan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if Evan didn’t send the message—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then who did?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One name immediately appeared in Julian’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man replacing Evan in Valemont.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>( Let’s go there first. )\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>( Just make sure Charlotte comes back safe. )\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>( Once we reach the casino, whoever set the trap will appear. )\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>( Then we’ll know if it’s Evan... )\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>( Or Lucas. )\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte silently listened to his thoughts as she started the motorcycle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her chest felt slightly warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This guy...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He actually cared whether she lived or died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The name Lucas also lodged firmly in her memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Setting a trap for her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He better pray she never confirms it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because if she does—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s finished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The motorcycle roared through the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It took twenty minutes to reach Night Wing Stay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte parked the bike near the hotel entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she hopped off—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And habitually performed her sweeping dismount.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian was still climbing down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>THUMP.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hit the ground again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian sat there silently for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then looked up at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You did that on purpose.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte raised both hands quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This time it really wasn’t on purpose.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian narrowed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So it was on purpose last time?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte coughed awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then helped him up skillfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Together they entered the hotel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elevator doors slid shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And slowly descended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Basement Level 7.\u003C\u002Fp>",1391,"2026-05-30T15:14:55.252Z","2026-06-01T04:31:33.482Z",1,"novelbin.me","cf0824cd82a5625f89078a691106b2ebbca5fe0a3e63e9c75d63ddeaa86aa322","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-145","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-143",232,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fvillain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-cover.jpg"]