[{"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-90":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},560596,810,"Chapter 90: Shoulder Against the Storm","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-90",90,"\u003Cp>Shoulder Against the Storm\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the small garden, Bianca De Dominicis pulled Julian D’Aurelius down beside her on the cold stone bench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shaky glow from the lamp touched the leaves above, spilling warm color into her deep red hair. Smells of night jasmine floated by, yet under that sat a weight - dread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frost lingered under her nails, a leftover chill from what came before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think something’s wrong with my grandpa,\" she said quietly, though her voice tried to stay steady. \"He was perfectly healthy, and suddenly this happened. Do you think he was poisoned?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian glanced at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heiress of the De Dominicis household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confident. Sharp. Ruthless when needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But right now, she looked like a granddaughter who had just realized the world could still take something precious from her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think it’s possible,\" he replied after a beat. \"But we still need to investigate carefully.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded, measured and calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It’s not poison; it’s a Bright Life Sucking Leach.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[That parasite has to be planted at close range. If Evan didn’t come here personally, then it’s probably that idiot Ryan.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Such a brainless fool, colluding with an outsider, thinking he can become head of the De Dominicis household.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[If you let someone else hold your secrets, you’ll be licking their boots for life.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bianca’s eyes changed instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The warmth drained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What remained was steel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So it really was Ryan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last time, she had spared him—not because she lacked evidence, but because she wanted to use him as bait. A foolish pawn was more useful than a cautious enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had planned to pull the string slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he dared touch her grandfather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That crossed a line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers tightened unconsciously in her lap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No more bait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No more patience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She exhaled softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t care much about the household’s wealth,\" she murmured, almost to herself. \"It’s more than enough to spend in this lifetime.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small bend touched her mouth - yet nothing about it felt light. It stayed cold, like a smile that forgot how to warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But not everyone thinks that way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian didn’t respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was unnecessary for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Between them, the quiet felt odd yet right somehow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that moment, suddenly, Bianca tilted a little, placing her head softly against his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strand touched his skin just below the ear. Smelled like roses mixed with a sharp tang of orange peel. Heat lingered where it rested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tiny move came without thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze snapped up at him, irritation flashing across her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you behave,\" she said, narrowing her eyes, \"I’ll wear a bunny girl outfit for you next time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bunny girl outfit? Just don’t get dandruff on my shoulder.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A low mutter came out, even as his lips barely shifted upward at one edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Don’t make promises you can’t keep.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I hate dishonest people the most. If you say it, you better do it.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[A bunny girl costume? I don’t care about that. I’m a righteous man.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[If you’re really sincere, you could wear a blood dropper instead.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bianca froze slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood dropper?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What on earth was that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some weird thing from his brain again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She almost asked—but decided not to. Knowing Julian’s inner thoughts was already dangerous enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, she leaned back onto his shoulder again, slower this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a few quiet seconds, she allowed herself to close her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weight of responsibility. The scheming relatives. The leech on her grandfather’s heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of it felt distant in this small pocket of warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian’s shoulder was firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Solid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Annoyingly reliable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to his chaotic internal monologue was strangely comforting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might think nonsense half the time—but at least he wasn’t pretending.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That honesty... was rare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bamboo rustled gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss! Divine Doctor Amara has finished treating the patriarch. You should come and see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bodyguard’s voice shattered the moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian subtly exhaled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s go, let’s check on Grandpa,\" Bianca said, straightening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Bro, if you came two minutes later, I’d have needed a massage. Shoulder duty isn’t free.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bianca rolled her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unbelievable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They walked quickly back into the residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment they entered the patriarch’s room, a pungent herbal aroma hit them. Smoke lingered faintly in the air—thick, medicinal, almost bitter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cleansing incense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the bed, the patriarch had already woken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A nurse supported him while feeding him a bowl of dark medicinal soup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked thinner somehow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if something had truly drained him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grandpa,\" Bianca said immediately, stepping forward. \"Are you feeling better?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The patriarch gave a faint nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m fine... just weak. I’ll sleep after drinking the medicine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was hoarse, but steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amara stood nearby, calm but alert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bright Life Sucking Leach had already crawled out under the influence of the incense and collapsed into a shriveled golden husk. She had sealed it carefully inside a glass vial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She planned to study it with her grandfather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That man named Evan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disgusting didn’t even begin to describe him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let the patriarch rest for a couple of days,\" Amara said gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relief loosened shoulders around the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After offering a few more words of reassurance, the family members gradually exited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian stepped out last.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he reached the corridor, his phone vibrated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at the screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mike Valquin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bro, didn’t you say to call you when my household deals with Black Magic? Hurry up, a lot of people are already here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mike’s voice sounded half-excited, half-nervous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian glanced back once toward Bianca.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, I’ll be there soon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hung up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the original storyline—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today was the day Evan would make a grand display at the Valquin household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would remove the Black Magic disturbance in spectacular fashion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And earn himself the title of top Black Magic remover—becoming the number one exorcist master in Valemont.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian slipped his phone back into his pocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The game board was shifting again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Bianca.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have to head out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She studied him for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Be careful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t dramatic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave a small nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then walked toward his car.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tonight—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Obsidian Kings would try to shine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Julian intended to watch very, very closely.\u003C\u002Fp>",1048,"2026-05-30T15:14:55.253Z","2026-06-01T04:31:33.482Z",1,"novelbin.me","c2ef216460d4b096920d38258118e72ae8688f02002990ce176208b8ac5fd3e2","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-91","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-89",232,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fvillain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-cover.jpg"]