[{"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-154":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},560642,810,"Chapter 154: Hospital Corridor!!!","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-154",154,"\u003Cp>Hospital Corridor!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hospital Corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene Aurevale hurried towards Julian D’Aurelius’s hospital room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sterile white lights stretched endlessly above her, reflecting faintly against the polished floor as her heels struck in quick, urgent rhythm. Each step carried a quiet tension—controlled, but barely. Nurses moved aside instinctively, patients turned their heads, and conversations softened as she passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of her striking beauty, many people couldn’t help but glance at her as she passed by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her long black hair swayed behind her like a shadow trailing light, her blue eyes sharp and focused, cutting through the chaos of the hospital with a singular purpose. But beneath that composed exterior, something restless stirred—something she wasn’t used to feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the onlookers was a middle-aged man in his forties, wearing a neck brace, sitting stiffly on a bench. He had sprained his neck playing basketball and looked miserable enough already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mister, you need to rest and avoid turning your neck too much in the coming days...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nurse beside him spoke patiently, her tone practiced, steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before she could finish—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden movement caught his eye - Selene gliding past made him twist fast. His gaze snapped toward her like metal pulled to a magnet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah - !\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out of nowhere, a scream ripped loose when fire blazed up his neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A breath caught in her throat before slipping out slow. The pause hung like dust in sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...This is exactly what I meant,\" she muttered under her breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing caught Selene’s eye. She moved past it all without a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out of nowhere, she broke into a near-run, footsteps clashing with the quiet air. Not long before that moment, word came through - Julian got caught in trouble inside some hidden gambling spot, then carried off to this place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right then, when the sound reached her ears, a shift happened deep within. A quiet pull, like thread drawn taut beneath the skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No second thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She came immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why... does this feel so urgent?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t answer that question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She simply kept walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she finally found the room, she didn’t knock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door opened—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte Bonds—was blushing faintly as she helped Julian out of the bathroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian leaned heavily against her, his steps unsteady, his usual relaxed expression replaced by exhaustion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two women locked eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the air...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why were they coming out of the bathroom together?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence hung between them for a brief moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unspoken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte reacted first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"S-Selena, you’re here! Perfect timing, come help me support him, he’s exhausted,\" she said quickly, her tone just a bit too fast, like someone improvising mid-crisis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene blinked once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stepped forward without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Together, they supported Julian—one on each side—and guided him carefully back toward the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian exhaled softly as he sank down, his body finally relaxing against the mattress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment, his eyes flickered between the two women.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he closed them halfway, like he didn’t want to get involved in whatever silent tension was forming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene adjusted his position slightly, making sure he was comfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her movements were gentle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Careful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thought struck her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She froze for just a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze shifted subtly toward the bathroom door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian had just been barely able to walk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So what exactly...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Were they doing in there?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes flickered again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Toward Charlotte.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Charlotte turned to wash her hands, Selene’s expression became... complicated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not angry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not exactly jealous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But something was there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something new.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I had known... I would have come sooner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought slipped through her mind before she could stop it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t dwell on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, she turned back to Julian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you okay?\" she asked softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But her fingers—resting lightly on the edge of the bed—tightened just a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian opened one eye and gave a faint smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing much,\" he chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[How did she get here so fast?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Does she care about me that much? She seems different from before.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That familiar voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lowered her gaze slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint, almost invisible bitterness passed through her expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old her...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wouldn’t have rushed here like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wouldn’t have felt this unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wouldn’t have cared this much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quiet sigh escaped her, though she quickly hid it behind a neutral expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You should rest more,\" she said instead, her voice softening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian watched her for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then nodded lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-----\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You guys chat, I’m going to take a nap. I’m exhausted from last night,\" Charlotte said, stretching slightly as she yawned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She walked over to the other bed in the room, pulling the curtain halfway for privacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before lying down, she glanced once—just once—toward Julian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then at Selene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something flickered in her teal eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unreadable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she lay down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She planned to rest for a bit before going back to the office to handle the casino incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within minutes, her breathing slowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And soon—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint, almost cute snore followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room fell quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>----------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian and Selene remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The distance between them wasn’t large.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it felt... oddly significant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither spoke at first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian shifted slightly, wincing faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene noticed immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still hurts?\" she asked, her tone instinctively softer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just tired.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then added—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You didn’t have to rush here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene looked at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes were steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You got hurt.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A simple answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No decoration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No denial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Fair enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another silence followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This one... heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene glanced at his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then at his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then away again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Next time... don’t do something that reckless,\" she said quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That sounded like concern.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selene didn’t respond immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze dropped slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...It is,\" she admitted, almost reluctantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That answer lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hung between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian looked at her more carefully this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like he was trying to understand something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something new.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>----\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the curtain—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Charlotte shifted slightly in her sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her brows furrowed faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if even in rest, her mind hadn’t fully let go of everything that happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>----------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in the silence—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian cleared his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey... Selene.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Yes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1060,"2026-05-30T15:14:55.253Z","2026-06-01T04:31:33.482Z",1,"novelbin.me","0fac2c5c5e6d3c8ae7f60ff0a07b7d94dddd002eff6a02e6bc0ed915a0f55fbb","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-155","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-153",232,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fvillain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-cover.jpg"]