[{"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-160":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},560648,810,"Chapter 160: Beneath Velvet Poison","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-160",160,"\u003Cp>Beneath Velvet Poison\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pearl, Starlight Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The presidential suite on the top floor—was soaked in amber light and quiet decadence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crystal lamps shimmered above imported carpets. A city of neon stretched beyond the floor-to-ceiling glass, Woodland’s midnight skyline glittering like cold jewels scattered across black silk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the center of that luxurious silence, Lucas sat alone beside the window, gently swirling a glass of red wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wine moved in slow crimson circles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So did his thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face still had a hint of pallor, but his body had recovered quite a bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recovered... but not forgotten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His blue eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That impossible punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, when his fingers tightened around the stem of the glass, phantom pain stirred in his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The injury from that punch a few days ago was indeed severe, leaving him with lingering fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The word irritated him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas did not like admitting such emotions even to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet every time he remembered Julian D’Aurelius’ final strike—that absurd Chaotic Punch that had torn through his defenses and rattled his organs—his nerves tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had not merely hurt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had shaken certainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How...\" he muttered to himself, voice barely above a whisper. \"How does a wastrel keep pulling monsters out of thin air?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wine burned pleasantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not enough to erase memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a syrupy voice drifted across the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lucas, I heard you’re good at medicine. My shoulder feels uncomfortable, could you give me a massage?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, a woman sitting across from him coquettishly called out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And nearly lost his appetite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman wasn’t exactly a beauty, but she was at least humanoid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body was layered with fat, resembling a Michelin tire person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jewelry gleamed on nearly every finger. Gold bracelets clinked when she moved. Perfume heavy enough to suffocate a horse lingered in the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was President Thalia, owner of Starlight Group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just hearing her name would easily make one think she was a stunning beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, the difference between her name and her appearance was too great.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still—power had its own form of attractiveness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Lucas admired utility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A trace of disgust flashed in Lucas’s eyes, but he hid it well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His smile returned in a breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cultured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost tender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rose and walked behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hands settled onto her shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He began kneading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And instantly regretted existing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt like he was squeezing a piece of breathing fat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The greasy sensation from his fingertips made him want to vomit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his face remained serene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even elegant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice lowered gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does the pressure feel right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalia gave a shiver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh... that’s nice... a bit harder.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas increased the force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, his soul screamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it weren’t for needing to use this woman, he wouldn’t bother getting close to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The biggest difference between him and Obsidan King Evan was that he wouldn’t hold himself aloof like Evan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pride was expensive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adaptability made kings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the sake of advantage, he would even flirt with a seventy-year-old woman with a facial tumor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was survival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was ambition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why he believed he would win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalia half-turned and placed her plump hand over his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your hands are magic, Lucas.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice dripped honey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whatever you ask of me... mm... I’ll do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suppressing the urge to vomit, Lucas asked casually, as if discussing weather,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is everything arranged for today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalia smiled, eyes narrowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All set, Lucas, don’t worry. Whatever you like, I’ll give it to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers caressed Lucas’s hand tenderly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas resisted the instinct to wrench away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he leaned slightly closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even Bianca De Dominicis?\" he asked softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalia chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Especially her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas nodded, feeling a bit better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now the true game surfaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was not seduction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a hunt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last time, he planned to gain favor with Charlotte Bonds, but unexpectedly, it backfired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered Charlotte’s fierce teal eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remembered Julian appearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remembered humiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His jaw tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, he simply adjusted his target to Bianca De Dominicis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A more strategic move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More profitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And far more dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She’s proud,\" Thalia said, sipping wine. \"Proud women fall hardest when drugged with trust.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas’s lips curled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Careful,\" he murmured. \"I prefer willing surrender over crude force.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalia laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You men always lie prettily.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ignored it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Bianca was not merely a woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was close to the D’Aurelius household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Close to Julian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Close to power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she could become his woman, it would be a great help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And unlike Evan—who conquered women through heroics and fate—Lucas preferred infiltration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slow corruption.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dependency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then ownership.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued massaging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalia practically melted into the sofa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lucas,\" she purred, \"once this works... stay in Woodland longer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lowered his voice with crafted warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If destiny permits.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Endure.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Just endure until the prey enters the snare.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced toward the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There rested two wine bottles prepared for the afternoon meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One altered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calculating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet somewhere beneath that calculation lingered another thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would he interfere?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would fate twist once more?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingers paused unconsciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalia noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What happened?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas smiled again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thinking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"About me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"About success.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That answer pleased her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She laughed so hard her bracelets rattled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the glass, thunder rolled faintly over Woodland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rain threatened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The city lights shimmered beneath gathering clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Storm before intrigue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very fitting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas moved back around to face her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted his wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To our cooperation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalia lifted hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To our future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glasses touched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small crystal sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a blade being drawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas drank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But behind that smile, venom breathed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already lost one opening in Valemont.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would not lose another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian had wounded him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humiliated him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forced him to adapt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he would strike through what Julian valued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not through fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through desire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at the two prepared wine bottles again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His blue eyes hardened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Julian...\" he whispered inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s see if your luck protects you forever.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thalia leaned closer again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My shoulder still aches.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas resumed kneading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling once more like he was pressing animated lard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he smiled as though touching silk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because ambition often wore perfume.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And sometimes... smelled like grease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, he simply adjusted his target to Bianca De Dominicis.\u003C\u002Fp>",1059,"2026-05-30T15:14:55.253Z","2026-06-01T04:31:33.482Z",1,"novelbin.me","dd9a71e7a689f03ba4fee69dee2ab331fd6cdc7f34a6bff457988dcf518264bf","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-161","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-159",232,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fvillain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-cover.jpg"]