Harem Startup : The Demon Billionaire is on Vacation

Chapter 755 – Where Are You?

Ariel inhaled slowly.

The scent of sea salt drifted faintly through the open balcony doors.

Ariel’s heart thudded once.

The makeup artist stepped back. ”All done.”

Ariel looked at herself again.

The girl in the mirror still looked perfect.

But now, beneath the polish, she could see it.

The nervousness.

The hope.

The quiet longing she didn’t know how to control.

Sirena straightened. ”You look like a storm about to break hearts,” she declared.

Ariel laughed softly. ”That is not comforting.”

”It’s not supposed to be.”

Sirena extended her hand. ”Come on. The world is waiting.”

Ariel stood slowly.

The fabric of her gown whispered against the floor.

Her reflection followed.

Elegant.

Shy.

Trying to be brave.

The corridor outside the preparation suite was already alive with movement. Staff adjusted lighting panels. Assistants carried trays of champagne flutes. Somewhere below, a string quartet rehearsed the same ascending phrase again and again, the notes spiraling upward like something waiting to bloom.

Her heels clicked softly against the polished marble as she walked beside Sirena.

The doors to the main hall opened.

Light flooded in.

The Everwing Spire main venue looked like the inside of a cathedral carved from sea glass. Arched ceilings. Cascading crystal chandeliers shaped like inverted coral reefs. Massive panels of transparent wall revealing the ocean beyond, the horizon painted in afternoon gold.

And people.

So many people.

Heads turned.

Whispers rose like a tide.

”That’s her.”

”The lost daughter.”

”She looks just like her mother.”

Ariel felt it immediately.

The weight of attention.

It pressed against her skin like invisible hands.

Her breath tightened.

Sirena stepped slightly closer, their arms brushing.

”Smile,” Sirena murmured softly, not looking at her.

Ariel tried.

She felt it. The stretch of her lips. The careful tilt of her chin.

Some guests approached immediately.

Ariel’s mother was speaking to investors near the stage. Her father stood by the grand staircase, posture calm, eyes scanning the room like a king pretending not to worry.

Ariel moved carefully.

Every step felt calculated.

A middle aged woman with diamond earrings approached.

”You must be Ariel.”

Her voice was sweet but assessing.

Ariel dipped her head politely. ”Yes. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Her voice didn’t shake.

That was a victory.

Sirena carried the rest of the conversation smoothly, sliding in with confidence, answering questions, redirecting attention when Ariel’s silence stretched a second too long.

Ariel nodded when appropriate. Smiled when expected.

But her eyes...

Her eyes searched.

Across the hall.

Near the balcony.

By the champagne tower.

Near the staircase.

Every tall silhouette made her heart jump for half a second.

’Not him. Not him. Not him.’

She hated herself for it.

Why did it matter this much?

The crowd shifted.

Music swelled slightly.

More guests arrived.

Flashbulbs from discreet media cameras flickered near the entrance.

Ariel tried to focus on the woman in front of her talking about marine conservation funding.

But her pulse had a rhythm of its own.

’Where are you?’

Sirena leaned closer at one point. ”You’re not listening,” she whispered under her breath.

”I am,” Ariel replied too quickly.

”You’re scanning the room.”

Ariel swallowed. ”I’m greeting guests.”

Sirena’s lips twitched faintly. ”Sure.”

Another round of introductions.

Another handshake.

Another polite smile.

Ariel’s social energy felt like sand slipping through her fingers.

She needed...

Air.

Excuse yourself.

Just for a moment.

She stepped away from a conversation with careful grace.

Sirena gave her a knowing look but didn’t stop her.

Ariel drifted toward one of the side balconies overlooking the ocean.

The doors were open.

The air outside was cooler.

Salted.

Real.

She inhaled deeply.

Her shoulders lowered slightly.

Inside, laughter and music blended into a muffled hum.

Out here, it was just waves and wind.

For a moment, she allowed herself to feel it.

The nerves.

The hope.

The embarrassment of wanting someone to show up.

’You are ridiculous,’ she told herself. ’He is a businessman. He has no reason to prioritize you.’

She placed her hands on the stone railing.

The ocean stretched endless and indifferent.

”Are you looking for me, Lady Ariel?”

Her heart stopped.

The voice came from behind her.

Low.

Smooth.

Calm like he’d been standing there all along.

She gasped softly and turned.

Lux stood a few steps away.

Black suit. Perfectly tailored. Not flashy. Just expensive in the quiet way that didn’t need to prove anything.

His posture relaxed.

His gaze direct.

Amused.

”Lux,” she breathed. ”You startled me.”

He laughed softly.

”I apologize. I didn’t realize I had that effect.”

He did.

Of course he did.

Her pulse was racing again.

Sirena appeared moments later, having noticed the shift in Ariel’s expression.

She stopped in front of Lux.

And stared.

Not subtly.

Head to toe.

Once.

Then circled him slowly.

Lux didn’t move.

Didn’t react.

Just let her inspect him like an artifact.

”Not bad,” Sirena said finally.

Ariel wanted to sink into the ocean.

”You look handsome. Neat. Kinda intimidating.”

Lux’s brow lifted faintly.

”But not mysterious,” Sirena continued. ”At least wear a mask if you want to keep the brand.”

Ariel froze.

’Brand?’

Lux smiled slightly. ”I never meant to be mysterious. The news called me mysterious.”

Sirena folded her arms. ”Convenient.”

Ariel watched the exchange.

There was something about him here that felt different than their first meeting.

More contained.

Like the air around him carried weight.

Not arrogance.

Control.

He looked at Ariel again.

And this time, his gaze lingered.

Not polite.

Not distant.

Direct.

”You look stunning,” he said simply.

Her throat tightened. ”Thank you.”

Sirena narrowed her eyes slightly, studying the way Lux looked at her sister.

”You came quickly,” Sirena noted.

”I was invited,” Lux replied calmly.

”And you prioritize every invitation?”

”No.”

That answer hung there.

Ariel felt heat rise to her cheeks.

Sirena noticed.

Of course she did.

”Well,” Sirena said, clapping her hands lightly. ”I’ll leave you two to... discuss marine biodiversity or whatever it is billionaires and heiresses talk about.”

She walked back inside, but not before giving Ariel a look that said ’I will interrogate you later’.

The balcony felt smaller now.

Lux stepped slightly closer.

Not touching.

Just enough that she felt his presence.