Tuesday night continued on... After Owen drove Clara home and they parted ways to rest, the young man returned to his private bedroom, throwing himself onto his favorite gaming chair in front of his computer desk.
The atmosphere inside the room was now dimly lit and incredibly quiet. Only the faint hum of the air conditioner blowing a steady stream of cold air could be heard, mingling with the rhythmic Click... Click... of the mouse and the rapid tapping of the keyboard.
The bluish-white light from the three monitors illuminated his handsome face, revealing a smirk that was both cunning and cold. His genius-level brain was dissecting and analyzing 'Ryan Goldwin's' data in meticulous detail.
This boy was the Awakened Association's hidden gem, possessing the potential to proudly step up as a full-fledged S-Rank Awakened. However... his mental state and maturity had failed to keep up with his power. Ryan still had shallow thoughts and lacked proper social experience, especially... experience with women.
Being ruthlessly rejected and thoroughly humiliated by Clara, who was both his idol and his first love, had caused the boy who had never known disappointment to completely lose his balance.
'Right now, that guy must be confused, or perhaps furious. But one thing is for sure: he is at his most vulnerable...' Owen thought to himself, his golden eyes flashing dangerously in the shadows.
And that... was the "Golden Minute" to infiltrate this boy's mind.
Because there was no better time to plant a new idea in someone's head than when their entire world was crumbling down.
Owen's smile widened. He opened his email program. His long, slender fingers danced across the keyboard fluidly. Every word was carefully filtered and calculated to act as a 'scalpel' that would dissect and reconstruct Ryan's ego exactly how he wanted.
He began to draft the letter...
Starting with introducing his identity to catch the other party's attention.
[ To Mr. Ryan Goldwin,
Allow me to introduce myself directly. I am 'Owen Marlowe', the manager of Clara's OnlyStar account, as well as her private photographer, content creator, and the video editor for all the clips you've seen... And most importantly, I am the 'bodyguard' who stood quietly behind Clara in the VIP room tonight.
And you don't need to feel bad or alarmed. I didn't write this letter to rub salt in your wounds or mock what you went through... ]
Owen knew full well that this opening sentence would make Ryan's heart drop. The boy would instantly realize that he was the one who had witnessed his 'pathetic state' up close and clearer than 4K resolution.
Next was writing to show an understanding of the boy without judgment.
[ I observed you all night. I saw everything that happened, and I understand your intentions perfectly. I know you just wanted to be a good guy, wanting to reach out and pull your goddess from the hell of debt. You didn't make any grave mistakes, Ryan...
It's just that your methods were 'too direct' and 'too hasty'. Women are complex creatures. Shoving a massive amount of money and power in her face with an ultimatum to leave her family made her feel threatened and devalued... That's why she exploded at you. ]
Employing this psychological tactic of "blaming the method, not the person" would help preserve Ryan's bruised ego, making the boy feel 'I'm not a bad person, I just made a slight misstep', which would lower his defensive walls and make him willing to keep reading.
Next was writing to establish common ground.
[ Ryan, would you believe me if I told you that when I first saw you, it was like looking at a reflection of my past self...
Because I used to be a rigid man, clueless about approaching women, thinking that raw sincerity could conquer anything. And the result was facing painful rejections countless times. I understand the feeling of your entire world collapsing very well, just as you might be feeling right now. ]
And finally, reaching out to help as a senior figure.
[ I don't want to dwell on this, Ryan, but it's necessary. It's a reality you must face and overcome. You might possess immense power, have the potential to become an S-Rank Awakened, and have a bright future ahead... but unfortunately, on the 'Battlefield of Love', you are still just a lost rookie.
If you want to improve yourself, want to learn how to approach, read minds, and talk to women properly and artfully... I have quite a bit of experience in this area. And as a 'senior', I don't want to see a junior with your potential be rejected by the woman he loves a second time.
Think about it, Ryan. If you're ready to learn, I am ready to teach. ]
Owen stopped typing. He reviewed all the text. It looked sincere, warm, and reliable. However... empty words on the internet couldn't easily sway someone with high pride like an Awakened.
He needed a "knockout punch" to cement his credibility.
Owen smirked. He connected his smartphone to the computer and clicked open the photo folder. His index finger clicked the mouse, dragging three image files to attach to the email, one by one...
Photo 1: Owen dragged the image file of 'Sahara', the queen of the high-end fashion industry. It wasn't a candid shot in front of her boutique, but a selfie taken in her 'private villa'. Sahara, in a silk bathrobe holding a glass of wine, was leaning intimately against Owen with a relaxed, unguarded smile... to show that he could deeply approach a woman with sky-high social status.
Photo 2: An image of 'Rosy', the ultra-hot teen streamer currently trending on streaming platforms. This photo was taken in her streaming room. Rosy was flashing a peace sign, winking cutely at the camera while clinging to Owen's arm intimately... to prove his charm could captivate even a vibrant teenage girl.
And Photo 3: The ultimate trump card... An intimate photo with 'Nova', the sole S-Rank Awakened of Titan City! This photo was taken at her private gym. Nova, in a sweat-drenched sports bra, was patting Owen's shoulder while laughing cheerfully. The atmosphere in the photo was incredibly intimate, trusting, and friendly...
This photo would hit Ryan hard! It would force the boy to question until his head nearly exploded: 'How could this ordinary man make the strongest S-Rank woman lower her guard and welcome him into her private space?!'
With all the files attached, Owen moved his mouse to the 'Send' button.
Whoosh...
The system sound effect of the sent message echoed softly in the silent room.
Owen let go of the mouse and keyboard. He leaned back in his chair comfortably, raising both arms to clasp his hands behind his head. His sharp gaze looked out the glass window, staring at the glittering lights of Titan City in the distance.
He could roughly predict the target's reaction... Tonight, there would be no reply whatsoever. Because Ryan was probably lying in a stupor, drowning in a pool of tears and self-pity, without the heart to check his email or care about his surroundings.
But as time passed... when the boy woke up tomorrow with a sense of emptiness and a desperate need for a way out, when it was time for him to routinely check his email...
"By then... this big fish will willingly swallow my bait."
Owen murmured to himself softly, a cold smile still adorning his face. Although there was a chance the boy might ignore him and reject help right now, how many days could our hero endure? The annoyance, curiosity, and the desire to be a perfect man would slowly eat away at the boy's mind until he had no choice but to contact him.
And even if this plan failed, even if a week passed and Ryan still didn't care to reply, he would just have to devise another plan and use a different approach. He hadn't lost anything to begin with anyway. As for now, he should go to sleep because he had an appointment tomorrow, letting the entire room sink into the darkness of the night.
…
Wednesday afternoon, with the sun shining brightly, Owen's white SUV cruised along the quiet suburban roads, heading toward the house of Rosy, the rising cosplay streamer.
The atmosphere inside the car was lively. Julian sat in the front passenger seat, clutching his high-spec gaming laptop bag tightly as if it were his precious treasure. The bespectacled boy was chatting away with sparkling eyes.
"Owen! Did you see the new MMORPG that just launched last night? People are hyping it up right now!" Julian recounted excitedly, his hands gesturing animatedly. "We have to download it and play together! Everyone says the PVP system is super realistic and incredibly balanced. It's not some garbage pay-to-win game where rich people can just buy gear and stomp everyone else. This game is pure skill! If the three of us party up, we'll definitely be invincible!"
Owen drove with a relaxed demeanor, one hand on the steering wheel and the other resting on the window sill. He listened to Julian's outpouring of words with an easy smile, nodding along periodically. The vibe between them felt like a 'gang of best bros' heading out for a weekend gaming session.
"Sounds interesting," Owen replied with a chuckle. "Once Rosy's stream is over today, let's form a party and test the system a bit."
"Awesome, boss!" Julian smiled broadly. Before long, the boy's eyes took on a slightly cunning gleam. He adjusted his glasses and brought up the topic he secretly hoped for. "Oh... speaking of Rosy's stream today, we're playing that zombie game the sponsor paid for, right? I have an idea... When the horror scenes come up, you should slide closer to Rosy. You two should act more intimate, maybe a little physical contact, like a 'protective older brother' vibe... I guarantee the views will skyrocket! The chat loves seeing shipping moments like that!"
Julian tried to beat around the bush, citing 'view count' and 'engagement' logically. But how could someone of Owen's level not see through it?
Owen's golden eyes glanced at Julian from the corner of his eye. The smirk on his lips lifted knowingly. The twisted desire and expectation forming in this boy's heart were not hard to read at all...
"Hmm... for the 'view count', huh?" Owen playfully emphasized the words. "Sure, if you, as the assistant producer, recommend it, I'll make sure to find a moment to get especially 'intimate' with Rosy."
"Y-Yeah! Purely for the views!" Julian nodded vigorously, swallowing a large gulp of air. His face flushed bright red with pent-up excitement.
Not long after, the SUV pulled up in front of Rosy's cozy house. Owen turned off the engine and stepped out with Julian. The doorbell rang for only a few seconds before the wooden door opened.
"You're here, Owen-?"
Alicia, the young mother who was still blooming with beauty and looked warm in a comfortable house dress, stepped out to welcome them with a bright smile. However... the moment her eyes met the bespectacled boy standing next to Owen, the smile on her face froze for a split second.
'Julian...?'
As a mother, Alicia knew full well that Julian was her daughter Rosy's 'ex-boyfriend'. Even though the two had broken up, Julian showing up here with Owen... the man she currently trusted (and secretly admired) so much, made her maternal instincts flare up with sudden anxiety.
'Will it be awkward? Will they not be able to look at each other? Are they going to get jealous and fight in my house?' Countless questions popped into Alicia's head.
However, the scene before her shattered her worries in the blink of an eye.
"Hello, Ms. Alicia! Long time no see. You're still as beautiful as ever!" Julian bowed politely with a cheerful, bright voice. There was no trace of an ex-boyfriend wallowing in sadness whatsoever.
Most importantly, it was Julian's attitude toward Owen. The boy laughed and patted Owen's shoulder lightly with easy familiarity. It was a genuine action, devoid of any walls of jealousy or hints of resentment.
Alicia blinked in surprise before the heavy feeling in her chest was lifted, replaced by a wave of relief. She turned to look at Owen with eyes sparkling with even more admiration and trust.
'This man... Just the fact that he can handle my rebellious Rosy so perfectly is already incredible. He can even manage this complex relationship with Julian? He truly is a dependable man... Unlike a certain someone who ran away with his tail between his legs just from a threat. Hmph!' Every time she inadvertently thought of her ex-husband, Alicia couldn't help but feel annoyed.
"Oh my~ You're a sweet talker as always, Julian," Alicia quickly shook off the annoyance in her head and smiled broadly, welcoming them both warmly before stepping aside to open the door. "Come on in, boys! Rosy's waiting upstairs. She's been excitedly bustling around rearranging her room since morning. She really has boundless energy... I've prepared some snacks and cold juice for you guys too."
The moment Owen and Julian stepped over the threshold into the house...
Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!
The sound of light but hurried footsteps running down the wooden stairs interrupted, accompanied by a clear voice full of excitement.
"Owen!!"
Rosy jumped down the last two steps. Today, she was still in her usual gothic-punk teen style. She wore an oversized black t-shirt, short denim cutoffs over black fishnet stockings, and importantly, a thin leather choker around her neck, making her look cool, rebellious, yet playfully sexy for her age.
And the moment she saw Owen, she couldn't resist darting straight toward him, hugging his strong arm affectionately like a clingy younger sister, carelessly or perhaps intentionally pressing her large breasts against his solid arm.
"You're so late! I've been waiting forever!" Rosy looked up, pouting at Owen, before turning to the person behind him and greeting him naturally. "Oh, hey Julian! Brought your god-tier laptop? We have a ton of work to do today!"
"Of course, I wouldn't miss it!" Julian replied with a knowing smile. His eyes watched his ex-girlfriend hugging Owen's arm tightly... Instead of feeling pain, his heart raced with a strange, thrilling excitement.
There was no wall of awkwardness... no love triangle drama... only a group of close friends (hiding secrets) about to start fun activities together.
"Let's hurry upstairs!" Wasting no time, Rosy pulled Owen's arm, leading him forcefully. "I'm dying to show off my masterpiece. I designed the streaming room myself, and it just got finished yesterday! I've been spinning around setting things up all morning!"
Owen chuckled in his throat, letting the young girl drag him up the stairs obediently, with Julian following closely behind, smiling from ear to ear while carrying his laptop bag. They left Alicia watching the backs of the three teenagers with a faint motherly smile, completely relieved of any worries about them fighting.
From the author: I hope you all enjoy the new chapter! 📖💙
Though… I've been wondering lately… why is nobody commenting anymore? 😭
Did all my readers disappear into another dimension or something? 😂
It honestly makes me wonder if I'm doing something wrong with the story, if there's something I should improve, or what kind of chapters you guys actually want to see more of 👀
Feel free to chat with me in the comments!
I don't bite, you know 😌✨
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