Harem Startup : The Demon Billionaire is on Vacation

The hallway lights shimmered off gold-veined marble floors as Lux walked with the same pace he always did—slow, relaxed, like he had nowhere to be and everything to gain. His blazer hung just right. His collar slightly loosened. Not disheveled—just kissed by chaos. And anyone who passed him gave him space, like they felt something they couldn't name.

Because he wasn't rushing.

No one who owned time ever did.

The soft click of his boots echoed with each step toward the exit of the jewelry exhibition. Air-conditioned breeze brushed past, cold and expensive. The scent of amber, leather, and rich ego lingered in the corridor. Somewhere behind him, the camera smoke still hadn't cleared in Lylith's VIP suite. That kiss hadn't cooled yet.

But he wasn't thinking about that.

Not entirely.

He was already looking ahead.

To her.

Mira Xianlong.

Dragon-blooded heiress.

And currently?

Fuming.

She walked like an apex predator in a cheongsam forged from shadow and status. Golden dragon embroidery curled down her collar like it wanted to bite something—preferably someone. Her arms were crossed. Her posture unbothered. But her aura? Her aura was practically sizzling with restrained possessiveness.

Her bodyguards walked beside her—bored, vaguely nervous—but none of them dared look at her directly.

Lux didn't slow as he approached. Just walked right past her guards like he owned them.

Which, arguably, he could.

He stopped beside her.

Didn't look at her yet.

"Sorry I'm late," he said casually, voice rich with amusement. "Never thought she'd go as far as kidnapping me."

Mira didn't move at first. But her eyes turned, sharp and narrowed like she'd just spotted an error in a thousand-page spreadsheet.

"You—"

She stopped.

Turned her head toward him completely now.

Looked around, as if trying to confirm what she saw wasn't some illusion spell or projection trick.

Lux. Standing beside her. Real. Breathing. Smug as ever.

He glanced sideways at her. "You okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Her voice finally found its footing. "Where is she?"

"Who?" Lux blinked. "Lylith? Oh, in the VIP room. She's done with me for today."

"Done?" Mira repeated, her voice flat, skeptical.

Lux's grin widened just enough to be dangerous. "But I'm not. I'll resume… later."

That smug tone made Mira's eye twitch. She muttered something under her breath in ancient draconic that sounded distinctly like "I will set you on fire."

Lux ignored it. "Anyway, I'm hungry. And if I remember right, you said you wanted to treat me to lunch."

"I never said that."

"You invited me here."

"Yes. That's not the same thing."

Lux tilted his head, mock-confused. "So you want my appraisal and only my appraisal? Nothing more?"

Mira inhaled slowly, probably counting to ten.

Then she exhaled through her nose and said, "No. I'll take you to lunch."

Lux beamed. "See? Was that so hard?"

"I'm done here anyway," she muttered, turning on her heel.

He followed as they exited through the grand front atrium, bathed in crystal light and the stares of at least five dozen overly perfumed investors who didn't know whether to envy Lux or report him.

As they stepped into the afternoon air, Mira's heels clicked against the pavement like a countdown clock. Her driver opened the door to a sleek black car—glass tinted, engine silent. The inside smelled like chilled leather, old jade, and Mira's faint perfume—green tea and frost.

Once inside, Mira folded her arms and stared out the window.

Lux leaned back like the seat belonged to him.

"So," she said finally, not looking at him. "What did she want? That lamia."

"She used me," Lux said easily, "to make sure she didn't buy fake jewelry."

Mira turned just enough to arch a brow at him.

"I guess what happened yesterday with the phoenix egg shook her. She didn't trust herself anymore."

"Only that?"

Lux didn't answer.

Not immediately.

She turned her gaze back to the city outside, but she wasn't letting it go.

"Are you okay?" she asked, voice quiet but sharp. "I mean… are you really okay?"

Lux turned his head to look at her.

She wasn't teasing now.

She wasn't smirking.

She looked… annoyed. But under that, there was something else.

Concern?

Maybe.

Or just frustration that he wasn't giving her a straight answer.

"I'm fine," Lux said finally.

"Are you sure?" she asked again, this time more firmly. "Because I know her. Not as a friend, but… her reputation. It's not gentle."

Lux shrugged one shoulder. "I'm not gentle either."

"That's not the point."

"Oh?"

"The point is," Mira said, her voice crisp like a clean audit, "if she could kidnap you… you know what that means, right?"

Lux looked amused. "I'm very kissable?"

Mira gave him a glare sharp enough to impale a lesser man.

He didn't flinch.

She leaned back, arms crossed tighter.

"My reputation," she said slowly, "among males is… well-known."

"Flattering or terrifying?"

"Depends on who you ask," she replied, tone cool. "I don't ruin men for sport. I don't step on them unless they ask. And even then, I make them sign something first."

Lux coughed into his hand, trying not to laugh.

"But her?" Mira continued. "If she went as far as to trap you, it means she's not thinking like a collector anymore."

He raised an eyebrow. "Then what is she thinking like?"

Mira stared straight ahead.

"A buyer."

The car fell into silence.

Lux considered that.

And yeah… it tracked.

The way Lylith touched him. Watched him. She wasn't just playing with value. She was calculating ownership.

Mira's voice broke the silence again.

"You're dangerous, Lux."

He smiled faintly. "Everyone keeps saying that."

"Because it's true."

He glanced at her, curious. "And you? You're still willing to take me to lunch?"

She didn't answer immediately.

"I'm not Lylith."

That wasn't a no.

That wasn't a yes either.

It was something else.

Something heavier.

"I don't buy things I don't understand," she added.

Lux nodded, slowly. "Fair enough."

"But," she said, turning to look at him again, eyes narrowed like she was trying to price his soul, "I am curious."

"Oh?"

"Why did you go with her?"