After everyone signed, Prim's mother collected the documents without another word and prepared to leave. She still had an entire house to arrange.
"Hey, Prim."
Edward suddenly called out.
"How did your mother get that much money? It looks like you two are getting rich. Give your uncle some money."
Before Prim could answer, his grandmother immediately joined in.
"Prim, your favorite is grandpa, isn't it ? Tell your mother to change her mind! Or see who takes care of him"
Prim's grandfather slowly turned his head.
Then, without saying a word, he pressed the emergency button beside his bed.
A loud alarm sounded.
Everyone froze.
"I'm not dead yet," Grandpa Varel said coldly.
"So why are all of you discussing me and and eyeing my things in front of me?"
His eyes swept across the room.
"Get out. Looking at your faces annoys me."
Edward's face darkened.
His mother looked embarrassed.
Before another argument could start,
Cassian quickly stepped forward.
"Let's go see the robot first."
One by one, they left the room.
Soon only Prim and his grandfather remained.
The old man looked at Prim carefully.
"Did your mother punish you?"
Prim blinked.
His grandfather sighed.
"I know she's not the one who paid for that medical robot."
"Does it matter?" Prim asked with a smile.
"And I only got slapped once."
He shrugged casually.
"Besides, I know exactly what to say to reduce my punishment."
Then he stuck out his tongue.
Grandpa Varel's lips twitched.
"Silly boy."
After a moment, he asked,
"Have you found yourself another part-time job again?"
He didn't ask where the money came from.
He already knew Prim wouldn't tell him.
The boy always carried everything himself.
"Mm."
Prim nodded.
"My old part-time job."
Then he paused.
"But I'm a little worried about leaving you alone."
Grandpa Varel rolled his eyes.
"It's fine."
"If they start acting up, I'll just scream and pretend they're bullying me."
"Maybe I can even scam some compensation money out of them."
Prim burst out laughing.
"I forgot my grandpa is a drama queen too."
"Hmph."
The old man looked pleased.
At that moment, a nurse entered the room.
She checked his vitals, adjusted the monitoring equipment, and handed him his medication.
After making sure everything was fine, Prim finally left the hospital.
A short while later, Prim arrived at his new workplace.
It was a high-end restaurant located in the city's commercial district.
The entire building was decorated in a modern luxury style.
Floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooked the city skyline.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, scattering warm golden light across the dining hall.
Elegant piano music drifted softly through the air.
The scent of expensive wine, grilled steak, and fresh pastries lingered throughout the restaurant.
Every table was separated by tasteful partitions that provided privacy without making the space feel closed off.
Most customers arrived dressed in tailored suits, designer dresses, and luxury watches.
Even the waiters looked refined.
As the receptionist, Prim stood at the front desk welcoming guests.
His appearance alone attracted countless glances.
The oversized pastel-blue hoodie somehow looked fashionable on him rather than casual.
Combined with his fair skin, delicate features, soft smile, and naturally gentle eyes, he looked like a ray of sunshine that had accidentally wandered into a luxury restaurant.
"Hey, Prim."
One of his female coworkers suddenly leaned closer.
"I heard an important guest is coming today."
"Really?"
Prim smiled.
"Don't wealthy guests come here every day?"
His coworker immediately covered her face.
"Stop smiling at me."
"It's distracting."
Prim chuckled.
"I'm serious," she continued.
"The manager has been nervous all morning."
"I heard it's some young master from the Quinn family."
"The Quinn family?"
Prim blinked.
His coworker nodded excitedly.
"Apparently he's handsome."
"Rich."
"Popular."
"And he attends the same school as you."
Prim froze.
A student from Elite High School?
His smile brilliantly.
Oh no.
If a schoolmate saw him working here and somehow his mother found out...
He might actually die.
Not metaphorically.
Literally.
"Earth to Prim."
His coworker waved a hand in front of his face.
"What are you thinking about?"
Prim immediately recovered.
"Nothing."
He smiled brightly.
"Just tired."
"I didn't sleep much."
The coworker narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
But before she could continue questioning him
The restaurant doors slid open.
A young man stepped inside.
He wore an oversized white button-down shirt with the collar casually open. The soft fabric draped naturally over loose pleated trousers that nearly covered his sneakers.
A thin silver chain rested against his neck.
A blue diamond watch gleamed faintly on his wrist.
At six-foot-one, his lean athletic frame stood out immediately.
His skin carried a warm golden tone.
Dark brown hair fell carelessly across his forehead.
Deep amber eyes curved slightly upward, like a cat's, carrying a lazy amusement that made it impossible to tell what he was thinking it sparkle like stars.
Long full eyelashes, strong but relaxed eyebrows , straight sharp nose
His lips were naturally red, always seeming to hold a teasing smile.
He looked relaxed.
As if the entire world existed purely for his entertainment.
Tempting, playful, saint-like but naughty addictive,sin and temptationslike a siren
The moment he entered, conversations paused.
Several female employees immediately looked over.
Even some customers glanced twice.
"Prim, I take it back," one of the receptionists whispered.
"I used to say I was your fan."
She stared shamelessly at the newcomer.
"Now I'm his fan."
Prim laughed softly.
"You're very loyal."
The girl didn't even look at him.
"Not today."
Prim shook his head in amusement.
Yet his eyes unconsciously drifted back toward the newcomer.
Prim smiled, amused, though he couldn't quite put it into words. It wasn't a clean feeling—more like a disturbance beneath the surface.
He just didn't like that guy.
His instincts weren't wrong. They rarely were.
Still… maybe it was because the attention had shifted. Taken away from him. And he wasn't used to that. Being "perfect" meant being the center—being number one, untouched, unmatched. Not sharing that space with anyone.
And yet… this reaction was different.
He hadn't felt anything like it toward a human since he was young.
To everyone else prim was perfect rarely got angry and if he did it doesn't take it out on you and quickly forgive, but Prim understood himself clearly.
He could read them, classify people feeling emotions reduce them into something almost… faceless. Not worth emotional weight
. Feelings like hate, anger, warmth, even affection—he knew them well. They weren't foreign. He could imitate them perfectly too, just enough so he didn't look like something inhuman.
Because he had to. People expected expression.
Even his grandfather who he likes rarely touch that emotion boundaries.
He could turn emotions on like a switch when needed.
But that didn't mean he cared.
Feeling something didn't equal attachment. He knew that better than anyone.
So why this?
This quiet dislike… this slight irritation toward someone he hadn't even properly met.
Prim's smile stayed in place—warm, effortless, practiced. As for the guy that entered was no other than Luis.
Luis felt like snapping he hate new he love drama but pointless drama is boring.
If he had to put on one more fake smile during this holiday, he was going to kill someone with that sweet smile still on.
His sister ava who he thought would cause chaos.
Instead, she had become even better at acting than him playing the saints role well.
Well... saint was stretching it.
Ava simply knew how to smile while making their relatives cough blood in anger.
Luis leaned back lazily in his seat.
"I seriously can't wait for this stupid holiday to end."
"Seeing those people's faces every day is disgusting."
He tapped his phone against the table absentmindedly.
A waitress approached nervously.
"M-May I take your order?.
Her face was completely red.
She looked seconds away from fainting.
Luis crossed one leg over the other and rested his chin on one hand.
A lazy smile appeared on his lips.
"Just a drink."
"Your favorite drink will do."
The waitress froze.
Then immediately covered half her face with the menu before half-running away.
Luis watched her leave.
It had been a while since he had messed around for fun.
Then his gaze casually drifted toward the reception area
His eyebrows lifted slightly.
Interesting
What was the student council president doing here?
As a receptionist?
Luis stared for another moment poking his inner cheek with his tongue.
He only knew Prim cause one of his friends had once been dumped because the girl fell for Prim instead.
Prim was a grade above him.
A Grade 12 student.
The school's perfect senior.
Luis had only paid attention because the incident had been hilarious.
Now seeing that same person working in a restaurant during holiday break was unexpected.
Especially someone like Prim.
And he had rarely been to school as he is preparing for the grade 12 exam too he wants to skip grade 12 to University.
High school was boring enough already.
Just as he was about to look away
Prim suddenly turned.
Their eyes met.
Luis paused.
Then chuckled softly.
He felt it immediately.
That smile was fake.
Completely fake.
Interesting.
This guy doesn't like me.
For some reason, that realization amused him.
Across the restaurant, Prim looked away first.
Annoyed.
Not at Luis.
At himself.
Even he could tell that smile had been fake.
Painfully fake.
Since when did he let his emotions affect his expression?
Since when?
Ever since his father left, Prim had become an expert at controlling himself.
Smiles.
Anger.
Sadness.
Warmth.
Kindness.
Dislike.
He understood every emotion.
Could imitate every emotion.
Could display them perfectly whenever needed.
Most of the time, if he felt something intense feelings which appeared for only a second before disappearing completely.
That was why this was strange.
The dislike remained.
It didn't disappear.
It stayed.
A small ripple in his heart that refused to settle.
And honestly?
Prim was too lazy to overthink it.
So he simply ignored Luis.
And went back to work.
Meanwhile, Luis watched him for another few seconds before laughing quietly to himself.
The waitress returned a few minutes later carrying the drink.
It was served in an elegant V-shaped martini glass.
The liquid inside was a translucent blush pink.
The rim was coated with white sugar and tiny heart-shaped sprinkles.
Luis took a sip.
Sweet strawberry.
A hint of cranberry.
Refreshing without being overwhelming.
His eyebrows rose slightly.
Not bad.
"You have good taste fit for a beauty."Luis filrt
The waitress nearly melted on the spot.
"T-Thank you, sir."
Luis chuckled softly and took another sip.
At that moment, the restaurant doors opened again.
Three young men entered.
The moment the one in the middle spotted Luis, his eyes lit up.
"Brother Luis!"
He practically ran over.
"It's so hard seeing you these days."
Luis didn't even look up.
"You say that like you saw me every day before."
The young man laughed awkwardly.
"My distant cousin introduced us."
"He'll be here soon."
"If he knew you arrived early, he would've rushed over already."
The waitress hurried away before she embarrassed herself further.
Luis hummed.
The three men took their seats.
The second man immediately smiled.
"I've heard many things about the Quinn family's young master."
"But after meeting you, I realize the rumors don't do you justice."
"It is an honor to work with you."
Luis slowly placed his glass on the table.
The sound made all three men tense.
Then he finally looked at them.
"Working with me?"
His lips curved slightly.
A smile.
Yet none of them felt relaxed.
"When did I ever say we were working together?"
The atmosphere froze.
The second man's face stiffened.
The middle one immediately reacted.
"Brother Luis is right."
He laughed dryly.
"Someone capable of owning an A-Tier Virtual World wouldn't decide anything before seeing results."
Luis leaned back lazily.
"Not exactly."
He swirled the pink drink in his glass.
"My Virtual World isn't being built for entertainment companies."
"Nor is it being built for hologram celebrities."
The three men immediately straightened.
Luis continued casually.
"The only reason you're sitting here is because I liked a few songs from your new songwriter."
"I was considering opening a private club."
"If the music is good enough, I might hire a singer."
"That's all."
The table became silent.
Luis looked genuinely puzzled.
"As for partnership..."
He laughed.
The sound wasn't loud.
But it made the three men uncomfortable.
"Do you know how ridiculous that sounds?"
"If I wanted my first business partner, why would I choose someone whose entire net worth is measured in Zen?"
The three men's expressions turned ugly.
Luis ignored them.
"Without the Quinn family."
"Without my mother's connections."
"Without my father's connections."
"I built my first hundred million CU dollars myself."
His voice remained calm.
Almost lazy.
But every word hit harder than a slap.
"Why would I choose a nobody as my first partner?"
"What exactly would you contribute?"
No one answered.
Because they couldn't.
Luis picked up his drink again.
The sweet strawberry flavor suddenly tasted better.
"The only people I would even consider partnering with are a handful of families on the same level."
"Large-scale businesses."
"Global businesses."
"People who can actually create value."
He pointed lightly toward them with the glass.
"So don't use the word partnership again."
"I'm saying this for your own good."
"You cannot afford the trouble that word would bring."
The three men immediately nodded.
Cold sweat had already formed on their backs.
Luis smiled.
Satisfied.
"Good."
"Now."
He took another sip.
"If I like the song, your artist might earn a part-time position performing at my club to show yor cousin face."
"That's the extent of our relationship."
The three men exchanged bitter looks.
After all the effort they had spent arranging this meeting...
They had been reduced to auditioning.
Yet none of them dared complain.
Because sitting before them wasn't simply the Quinn family's young master.
It was Luis.
A man who had already built an empire before most people his age had graduated.
Not because they felt insulted.
But because everything Luis said was true.
They might be considered wealthy elsewhere
Multi-millionaires.
Even billionaires in Zen.
Yet compared to families like the Quinns, Hayes, Moores, Knights, Vosses, Nyxes, Kaids, and Foxes, they were insignificant.
The gap was simply too large.
It wasn't that other powerful families didn't exist.
There were countless wealthy dynasties spread across the Six Nations and one hundred and twenty countries
But some names stood above the rest.
Especially the Quinn Family.
The Hayes Family.
The Moore Family.
The Knight Family.
And the Voss Family.
Those families existed on an entirely different level.
When people discussed the world's Top Fifteen Families and Individuals, these names always appeared.
Luis's mother alone had pushed the Hayes Family into that ranking through her own abilities.
As for Luis's father, Nathan Quinn—
he had entered the list through his own achievements
Not through the Quinn name.
Not through his wife's influence.
But through the empire he built himself: Nathan Enterprises.
The Quinn Family was even more terrifying.
Every son, daughter, and grandchild was required to build a successful business before being allowed near the core family enterprise.
Success wasn't optional.
Even if you were born a Quinn, you couldn't simply walk into a management position.
You started at the bottom.
As an intern.
Only after proving yourself by creating a company worth millions of CU dollars would the family even consider giving you a real position.
That was why the Quinn Family remained among the strongest families in the world generation after generation.
There were no useless heirs.
No spoiled successors.
Only people who could survive.
And among that terrifying family, Luis was considered one of the most talented.
At seventeen years old, he was already following the same path as his father.
Building his own empire instead of relying on family wealth.
Which was exactly why the three men sitting across from him couldn't feel angry.
Only helpless.
Because the young man lazily sipping a pink cocktail in front of them had already achieved more than they had in their entire lives.
Luis wasn't mocking them
He was simply stating facts.
And somehow that made it even harder to accept.
Luis swirled the drink inside his glass and glanced at their stiff expressions.
A lazy smile appeared on his lips.
"Good."
"At least you understand now."
"That saves me the trouble of explaining it twice."
The three men forced awkward smiles.
None of them dared mention the word "partnership" again.