Jason Carter had no intention of personally getting involved in the details of the cooperation with Josh.
At most, the project would be worth around ten million dollars. For him, that was a trivial figure—small enough that it didn't even require Olivia's attention. Assigning a single mid-level manager would be more than sufficient.
But for Josh and Hailey, this cooperation was nothing short of life-changing.
It was the kind of opportunity that could completely alter their future trajectory.
Naturally, they treated it with utmost seriousness—and their gratitude toward Jason was sincere and profound.
Hailey was especially tactful.
She didn't add Jason on social media.
Instead, she added Olivia—and Ava Summers.
It wasn't hard to tell who they were.
One was a highly capable secretary, the kind who actually held power.
The other was clearly someone Jason favored.
Women like Emma… Hailey thought. You can't shake them off easily once they latch on.
But this girl is different.
Ava had a calm, scholarly air about her. Gentle manners. Clean temperament. Someone you could interact with comfortably, without tension or calculation.
It's worth getting to know her.
With the cooperation roughly settled and contact information exchanged with the other business owners, there was nothing else to do.
Jason left the banquet early.
On the way back, Ava—who had drunk a little wine—grew sleepy. Before long, she curled up quietly in Jason's arms and fell asleep.
Her breathing was soft and steady.
Jason glanced down at her.
She didn't stir at all.
Clearly, she felt safe.
Bored, Jason took out his phone.
As usual, after just a few hours of silence, his inbox was flooded.
Holly Larson:"It's been more than half a month since New Year's. Why haven't you come back to Riverport yet? I miss you. Come back soon."
Julia:"When are you coming back to campus? My grandma made more Tibetan-style lamb skewers and sent them over."
Megan:"Junior, I miss you so much. Where are you? Should I come find you? Don't worry, I won't interfere with your work. I'll just stay by your side."
Shenna:"Senior Jason, my birthday party is coming up soon. Would you come and support me?"
They hadn't seen him in a long time.
Even through the screen, their longing was obvious.
Grace had already met him at Starlight Models.Mia and Angela had seen him at Infinity Media.
So their messages were comparatively restrained.
Jason couldn't help but feel amused.
Back then, he had been the one constantly checking in on Emma—worrying if she didn't reply, growing anxious and uneasy.
Now?
The roles were completely reversed.
Countless women were reaching out to him.
The one who decided whether to respond… was him.
Still, whenever Jason had time, he replied. Even a simple message was enough to make them happy.
As for Shenna's birthday, Jason replied calmly that he was currently in California and would stop by if time allowed. He didn't commit.
Shenna was actually quite nice.
Her looks scored high, and her personality was innocent and lively.
The problem was that her favorability had already plateaued.
Attending her birthday party probably wouldn't increase it much.
Just then, his phone rang.
Caller ID: Megan.
Jason paused, then gently placed an earbud into Ava's ear to block the sound.
Ava shifted slightly in her sleep, leaning closer against him. Whatever tickled her ear didn't wake her—she simply adjusted, as if instinctively seeking comfort.
Jason answered the call.
Megan's charming voice came through immediately.
"Junior, how long is soon exactly? Have you been seeing too many women outside and forgotten about your senior?"
Jason smiled faintly.
"No, no. I'm just working hard and making money."
Megan laughed softly.
"Alright, alright. Your career comes first. Then I'll fly over and keep you company, okay?"
She continued smoothly, her tone half-teasing, half-serious.
"Olivia is capable, sure—but she's always busy. Daily life isn't really her strength. I can take care of you. Meals, rest, massages when you're tired… and keep you warm at night."
Jason frowned slightly.
Something felt… off.
Megan had never been the impatient type.
Even with her affection for him already extremely high, she usually sent a message and waited quietly back home.
It's been a while since I've seen her… he thought.
Her alluring appearance surfaced in his mind, uninvited.
Having her by his side would be comfortable.
Jason thought for a moment.
Ava would be returning to school tomorrow. She had just won a major piano competition, and this was the perfect time for her to push her career forward.
That meant…
There was a vacancy.
"Alright," Jason said calmly. "Come over."
Megan's voice instantly brightened.
"Really? That's great! I'll book a flight right now and be there tomorrow."
After hanging up, Jason leaned back slightly.
Something about Megan's eagerness still felt unusual.
But he didn't dwell on it.
Some things…
Could wait until she arrived.
With so many women around him, Jason didn't bother trying to guess what each of them was thinking.
There was no need.
The system clearly displayed their affection levels, past relationships, and emotional tendencies. As long as he controlled the overall balance, everything stayed within safe limits.
In the living room of the Lakeview Hills Villa, Megan let out a quiet sigh of relief after ending the call. A soft, genuine smile appeared on her lips.
Sitting beside her, Lily couldn't help teasing.
"Calling him junior so sweetly again? It's only been half a month since you last saw him, and you're already missing him this much?"
Megan smiled without any attempt to hide her feelings.
"What's wrong with wanting my own man?"
Lily laughed.
"Nothing wrong at all. Go on, be lovey-dovey. Don't mind me."
To be honest, when Megan had first started seeing Jason, Lily had been a little worried.
Jason was handsome, wealthy, and charming—but he clearly wasn't exclusive.
Yet after living here for a while, Lily's concerns had completely faded.
A luxury villa worth tens of millions of dollars.A life of comfort and indulgence.And Jason still treated Megan extremely well.
What more could anyone ask for?
Even if the man were an overweight middle-aged tycoon, plenty of beautiful women would line up willingly—let alone someone as striking as Jason.
Megan's smile gradually faded.
"There's another reason," she said softly. "Mike knows about my relationship with Jason now. He also found out about this villa."
Lily's expression changed.
"He's been coming here repeatedly. Even when I don't open the door, he waits outside."
Megan frowned slightly.
"I'm worried that if this keeps going, Jason might misunderstand."
Mike had once been her most devoted admirer.
Lily hesitated. "But you never let him in. You only spoke to him through the door and told him to give up."
"That's exactly the problem," Megan replied calmly. "I used to keep multiple options open. Mike lingering around means I share some responsibility."
She exhaled quietly.
"If rumors spread and Jason hears about it… suspicion alone is enough. Men value loyalty more than anything."
"Once doubt appears, even without evidence, feelings change."
"And Jason has too many women around him. If my value drops, his attention will naturally shift elsewhere."
Lily listened, stunned.
"…Staying by a tycoon's side really isn't easy."
Megan smiled faintly.
"It's actually simple. Absolute loyalty."
"As long as I'm loyal, Jason won't treat me unfairly."
She didn't say anything more and opened her phone to book a flight.
Before she could select one, a message popped up from Olivia.
First-class ticket confirmed.
Megan's lips curved into a charming smile.
If the ticket had been booked this quickly, it meant Jason wanted to see her just as much.
Lily watched the expression on Megan's face, slightly dazed.
She hadn't expected something as small as a plane ticket to make Megan smile so genuinely.
He really has her completely.
And more than that—Megan's natural smile was far more beautiful than her professional one.
No wonder men adored her.
The next day, Megan had already left for the airport.
Not long after, a handsome young man arrived at the villa entrance.
Lily stepped out and said calmly, "Mike, Megan has already left. Don't come looking for her anymore. It'll only cause misunderstandings."
Mike's expression darkened.
"Misunderstood by Jason, right?" he said bitterly. "That man has more than one woman. Why is he better than me?"
"I've given her everything."
Lily sighed inwardly.
Mike was actually outstanding—rich, good-looking, devoted.
It was just unfortunate that he had met Jason.
Compared to Jason, Mike's wealth barely reached the upper-middle tier.
Jason was a true capital giant.
Only Jason could provide the life Megan truly desired.
"It's over," Lily said gently. "Megan belongs to someone else now. You should let go."
"She asked me to tell you she's sorry for wasting your time. If you want to calculate expenses from past meals, she can reimburse you."
Mike's face flushed.
"Argue about money? Never."
His voice rose.
"I won't give up. Villas? I can buy one. Cruises? I'll book the most luxurious routes. Romance? I'll spend millions creating it every day."
"When she realizes a womanizer can't compare to me, she'll come back."
With that, he turned and got into his car.
Lily watched him leave, unease creeping into her chest.
She could only hope this wouldn't affect Megan and Jason's relationship.
Mike drove straight to the airport.
On the way, he made several calls.
Within an hour, he found out Megan was headed to San Jose.
He immediately booked the earliest flight.
Megan arrived earlier.
A luxury car was already waiting.
Recognizing Jason's bodyguard, she stepped in without hesitation.
The car drove straight to Bayview One Residences.
When Megan saw the building, she paused.
Jason had only been in California for a short time… and he'd already bought a penthouse here?
This place had to be worth at least fifty million dollars.
Then again—considering Jason's wealth, it made perfect sense.
The door opened.
Jason was waiting inside.
Ava had already returned to campus.
The timing—intentionally arranged by Olivia—was perfect.
Megan slipped into Jason's arms naturally, like a cat finding warmth.
"Junior," she whispered softly, eyes glowing. "Did you miss me?"
"Of course," Jason replied with a smile, one arm around her waist. "Very much."
"You're lying," Megan pouted playfully. "I'm always the one messaging you."
Jason chuckled.
"I'll prove it to you."
He lifted her effortlessly and carried her inside.
Megan laughed, lightly blushing.
"You're all talk with your mouth, but honest with your body."
"I think about you everywhere," Jason replied calmly.
Before she could question the meaning behind his words, his lips silenced her thoughts.
A day later, outside Bayview One.
Mike was already waiting nearby.
When he saw Megan leaning against Jason, gentle and relaxed, his eyes burned red.
His fists clenched.
He followed at a distance.
"Sir," the retired special forces bodyguard murmured, "someone's tailing us."
Jason remained calm.
"Find out who."
He continued strolling with Megan, planning to show her around the city and do some shopping.
Soon, the information came back.
Jason skimmed it briefly.
An old admirer.
Megan had handled it properly.
She avoided contact. Came to him immediately.
That was enough.
Jason chose not to mention it.
He didn't care for rivalry.
If Megan stayed loyal, that was all that mattered.
Meanwhile, Mike had hired a private investigator.
Updates poured in.
At first, he focused on their closeness.
Then—on Jason's spending.
The shopping list grew more outrageous by the minute.
Luxury boutiques. Limited editions. Custom orders.
Mike's scalp tingled.
For the first time—
He began to realize just how wide the gap truly was.
There are 200 chapters ahead in my Patreon. If you are interested can check it out.
patreon.com/B_A_3439