Chapter 53: A Big Decision
Sarah was undeniably an exceptionally beautiful woman.
Unlike Yerin or Val, who both possessed a younger, fresh, and vibrant charm, Sarah radiated a distinct sophistication born of mature elegance. Standing near the massive desk, her fitted blazer hugging her curves and her sleek dark hair pinned neatly back, she exuded the quiet confidence of a woman who had spent years managing high-stakes corporate chaos.
[Oho? Host!] Paige’s playful voice instantly chimed in my head, practically dripping with teasing delight. [Are you ready to add a gorgeous MILF to your growing harem?! Say the word!]
’Maybe,’ I replied casually.
[Wait, WHAT?!] Paige’s virtual voice screeched in genuine, dramatic shock, her usual cocky banter completely derailed. [Did you just say maybe?! Since when did my reserved, hesitant Host become so open to actively chasing women?! Where’s the guy who spent two days worrying about high-society politics?!]
I couldn’t help an internal chuckle. ’Honestly? Back when I first got this system, I was overwhelmed by how fast everything was changing around me. I was hesitant because I wasn’t sure if I could handle it, or if I even wanted a complicated life.’
I paused, watching Sarah glance over her clipboard before continuing. ’But after being with Yerin, and hearing her explicitly tell me that she doesn’t mind sharing me, that high society is going to push me toward a harem anyway, I’m getting greedy. If I’m going to end up in political marriages or surrounded by amazing women regardless of what I do, why should I sit back and let society pick them for me? I’d rather choose the women I genuinely like and care about.’
I took a quiet breath, my resolve firm. ’I’m not going to lie and pretend I’m some innocent guy anymore. I’m becoming greedy, Paige. But no matter how many women enter my life, I’ll treat every one of them properly and make sure they’re genuinely happy.’
[Aww! Look at you growing into a proper, confident young master!] Paige cheered, her virtual voice swelling with pride. [I’m SO proud of you, Seth! So... do you want me to use my system authority to bend probability and make Sarah fall for you instantly?]
’Nope,’ I replied with a dry smirk. ’We talked about this. I want things to happen naturally. Though... if an opportunity naturally comes up with Sarah? Why the hell not?’
[Hehe~ That’s my boss!]
While Paige and I were having our mental conversation, Yerin pushed open the double doors to the command office, stepped inside, and closed them behind us with a soft click.
The moment we stepped in, Yerin dropped her cool ’Nova’ persona, flashing Sarah a bright smile as she opened her arms for a hug. "Sarah! I missed you—"
Before Yerin could wrap her arms around her, Sarah extended a flat palm, pressing it against Yerin’s forehead and stopping the pop star dead in her tracks.
"Don’t ’Sarah’ me, Yerin," Sarah scolded, her mature voice carrying a stern, disappointed edge. She dropped her hand and crossed her arms as she glared at her star artist. "Do you have any idea how reckless you were? Running off in the middle of a global tour without leaving a single message."
Yerin winced, shrinking back slightly. "I... I apologized, Sarah—"
"I don’t care about the extra workload, Yerin," Sarah interrupted, her tone softening with a genuine trace of worry. "I care about your safety! You vanished out of nowhere. Do you know how worried I was, thinking something terrible had happened to you? If you were running back to your family or handling personal matters, the absolute least you could have done was send me a quick text so I knew you were alive."
Seeing the genuine concern in her manager’s eyes, Yerin’s guilty expression became completely genuine. She lowered her head, staring at her sneakers like a chastised child. "I’m really sorry, Sarah... I promise I won’t do it again."
Sarah let out a tired huff, rolling her eyes. "Save the puppy-dog eyes, Yerin. I’m not buying it. You’ve made that exact same promise at least five times this year, and you’ll probably do it again the second something shiny catches your attention. Just... let me know next time, okay?"
"I will! I swear!" Yerin promised, practically raising three fingers in a scout’s honor.
Eager to shift the spotlight off herself, Yerin quickly grabbed my arm and pulled me forward. "A-Anyway, Sarah! Look who I brought! This is my cousin, Seth!"
Sarah turned her gaze toward me, her sharp eyes scanning my face before a faint, amused smile touched her lips. "It’s nice to meet you, Seth. Honestly, you must be a saint if you can handle someone as chaotic as Yerin."
Both Yerin and I blinked, slightly surprised by her smooth greeting.
Sarah let out a soft sigh, taking off her glasses and cleaning the lenses with a microfiber cloth. "Oh, please. Don’t look at me like that. Did you two really think I was stupid?"
She put her glasses back on, looking at us with a knowing glint in her eyes. "I saw the official announcement, Yerin. I saw the hickey on your collarbone. And given the rather affectionate way you’re clinging to Seth’s arm right now... it doesn’t take an FBI investigator to connect the dots."
Yerin’s face instantly flushed pink as she awkwardly scratched her cheek, letting out an embarrassed giggle.
Seeing that the cat was out of the bag, I didn’t bother making excuses. I wrapped my arm comfortably around Yerin’s waist, pulling her a little closer against my side.
"Guilty as charged," I said with a warm, confident smile. "I’m Seth, Yerin’s boyfriend. But I’d really appreciate it if you could keep this strictly between us for now, Sarah."
Sarah smiled, gesturing toward her massive desk covered in confidential files. "You don’t have to worry about that, Seth. Keeping Yerin’s private antics secret from the media, and occasionally from her overbearing Rothschild family, is basically fifty percent of my job anyway. Your secret is safe with me."
And she was a expert in that. I could see it clearly.