The Heart System Chapter 517

Rising to my feet, I brushed past her without awaiting a reply. I flung open the door to her office and marched directly inside. Halting before the window, I folded my arms and gazed outward, fighting to rein in my rising fury.

She'd concealed a massive secret from me. Jack Kuinn wasn't merely some obscure figure. He orchestrated all the chaos we'd faced, and she'd been aware of him right from the outset. That implied everything—her pleas for aid, the bewilderment, the frantic hunts—could have been less genuine than I'd believed.

The door clicked shut in my wake. Her footsteps echoed as she entered, yet I refused to pivot.

"You lied," I declared.

"Hold on..." she began. "I—"

"Not. One. More. Lie." I spun to confront her. "Who the hell is he?"

She massaged her features and exhaled deeply before sinking onto the sofa. I advanced nearer but remained upright, towering over her as she scrambled to organize her words.

"He was my ex," she admitted at last. "My brother set us up. He's loaded. He finances numerous ventures up in Uptown."

"And you kept that from me?"

"It lasted two days," she blurted. "Then I ended it. We never even touched. He was... wrong. His kinks were twisted. I wanted no part of him."

"So he's behind the cameras?" I pressed. "I scoured his name online, Nala. Zilch turned up. If he's so wealthy, why's he a ghost?"

"Nothing's in his name officially," she explained. "He bankrolls operations and skims profits. Likely washing cash too. Beats me."

A sharp, irritated huff escaped me as I closed the distance.

"Let me clarify this. You knew Jack's identity from day one, chose to bury it while he held OUR FUCKING VIDEOS?"

She recoiled a bit at my bellow.

"Why keep it hidden?" I demanded.

"I struck a bargain with him," she revealed. "Relax."

"What bargain?"

"He craves my nudes," she forced out. "Send them over, and he wipes the videos."

"WHAT?"

"That's precisely why I stayed silent!" she fired back, leaping up and jabbing a finger at my chest. "You'd never get it!"

"Are you for real?" I retorted. "You believe he'll erase them post-send?"

"He will."

"Nala," I muttered, shaking my head, "I never pegged you as this naive."

She stiffened momentarily, then slammed into me. "Naive? You labeling me a damn slut?"

"You get my drift," I replied. "You're handing him his prize on a platter."

"I'VE GOT NO OTHER OPTIONS!" she roared. "He threatened to dump it all. Imagine the fallout for the company?"

"YOU COULD'VE CONFIDED IN ME!" I thundered. "WHY THE SECRECY?"

"Cause I predicted your meltdown!"

"NATURALLY I'D FLIP!" I barked. "YOU'RE NOT SENDING SHIT!"

"And your plan?" she countered. "Snatch my phone?"

"YOU—"

"This is my empire, Evan," she stated icily. "I decide. Now leave. I never want your face here again. You're done."

Before she could retreat, I lunged forward, seizing her face in my grip, compelling her gaze to mine.

"Remember your station," I whispered. "I elevated you here. I crushed Guy. Obliterated Chase. Dismantled that bitch tormenting Delilah. You truly believe you can defy me?"

Her eyes bulged, brimming with tears, yet silence held her.

"The penthouse is off-limits now," I pressed on. "Pack your crap and scram. Do as you please afterward. Ship your pics, peddle your flesh, whatever. It's over."

Releasing her, I shoved her head away and retreated.

Pivoting, I exited the office and snatched my coat from the desk.

She was dead set on it. Deliver his demands and pray he honored the pact. That wasn't mere desperation—it was sheer idiocy.

And I had transformed beyond my former self.

Submission wasn't on the table.

Absolutely not.

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WOMEN - INTERACTIONS

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Jasmine: Interest: 40 / 60 ★★

Kayla: Interest: 38 / 40 ★

Tessa: Interest: 40 / 60 ★★

Kim: Interest: 100 / 100 ★★★★★

Delilah: Interest: 75 / 80 ★★★

Cora: Interest: 100 / 100 ★★★★★

Mendy: Interest: 20 / 40 ★

Nala: Interest: -99 / 100 ★★★★★

Penelope: Interest: 5 / 20

Minne: Interest: 38 / 40 ★

Ivy: Interest: 40 / 60 ★★

Eleanor: Interest: 25 / 40 ★

Amelia: Interest: 12 / 20

Esme: Interest: 60 / 80 ★★

══════════════════

⟁ ⟁ ⟁

Damn.

Post-blowout, my standing had plummeted to rock bottom. That mess alone stung, but shedding this label demanded hoarding Good Boy points from the store—enough to bankrupt me outright.

══════════════════

REPUTATION SYSTEM

MONSTER████████░░░░░░░░ VILLAIN

──────────────────

Current Reputation: Sadist

- More EXP gain when cheating

- Using degrading words during sex

boosts EXP gain.

- Pleasure boost.

- Magic Ability (Hypnotize)

- Control your partner’s orgasm.

- Double EXP gains

──────────────────

Earning good points will result in

various punishments.

══════════════════

Nevertheless, graver issues loomed. Despite my words to Nala, I couldn't idle while she dispatched nudes to Jack Kuinn. No chance.

Yet, her motive made sense. Safeguarding the company's prospects was key, and I comprehended that. But withholding such a critical detail? Unforgivable.

"What the hell's happening?" Tessa inquired, entering and pocketing her keycard. "Why summon us all?"

"For real," Kim chimed in upon arrival. "You hauled us to the penthouse without a word. Spill it."

"You're freaking me out, Evan," Jasmine voiced, dropping her bag. "Speak up."

"Master?" Minne queried from the kitchen. "Oh... I'd have readied dinner sooner had I known you'd return early. Apologies."

Alright... this chat would prove tricky.