SSS Awakening: Conquering Worlds with My Cupid System

The final bell rang.

The sound echoed across Valecrest Collegiate Grounds like the release of a prison sentence. Instantly, classrooms emptied. Students flooded the corridors while teachers gathered their materials, eager to begin the journey home.

”Monday survived.” Alpha stretched until his back cracked.

”Barely,” Silas said as he shut his locker.

”You make school sound like military service.”

”It is.”

”No.”

”It is.”

”You sat through six classes.”

”I suffered through six classes.”

Silas rolled his eyes.

Chloe quietly walked between them.

”You two argue too much.”

”We don’t.”

”We’re bonding.”

”That’s arguing.”

”It builds character.”

”It builds headaches.”

She wasn’t wrong.

The three left the academic building together.

Outside, the afternoon sun painted the campus in warm shades of gold. Students laughed, sports clubs gathered on the fields, and several reporters still lingered outside the academy gates, hoping to catch another glimpse of New Liberty’s newest celebrities.

Silas had almost reached the parking area when his phone vibrated: Unknown Number. He answered anyway.

”Hello?”

A professional female voice greeted him immediately.

”Good afternoon, Mr. Ashard. This is Melissa Howard from Aureline Apparel Group.”

Silas slowed his pace.

”Good afternoon.”

”I hope we aren’t disturbing you.”

”Not at all.”

”I’m calling to inform you that representatives from our executive department have arrived at your residence.”

Silas blinked. ”Already?”

”Yes. We wished to discuss the next phase of your partnership in person, and also deliver some... stuff.”

”I see.”

”We were informed that Miss Anna Miles is still at work, so we decided to arrive a little earlier.”

”That’s fine.”

”We’ll be home shortly.”

”Wonderful.”

”We look forward to meeting you.”

The call ended.

Alpha glanced sideways and asked, ”The fashion people?”

”They’re already at the estate.” Silas nodded.

”They’re efficient.”

”They’re rich.”

”Same difference.”

Nearly an hour later, a taxi slowly rolled toward the enormous black gates of the Ashard Estate. The driver couldn’t help stealing glances at the property through the windshield.

”People actually live here?”

Silas smiled. ”I’ve been asking myself the same question.”

The taxi stopped. Silas paid the fare before stepping out with Chloe and Alpha. The driver watched them walk toward the gates before shaking his head.

”Must be nice...”

The gates opened automatically.

Just outside them stood a sleek black luxury sedan bearing the silver-and-gold Aureline Apparel emblem on both front doors. Two people stood beside it.

One was a man in his early forties, tall, clean-shaven, in a dark navy suit, with a perfect posture. His expression carried the calm confidence of someone accustomed to negotiating contracts worth millions.

Beside him stood a woman who appeared slightly younger. She wore an elegant cream-colored business suit paired with black heels. Her dark hair was tied neatly into a professional bun, while thin glasses rested upon her nose.

The moment they saw Silas approaching, both smiled warmly.

”Mr. Ashard.”

The man extended his hand.

”My name is Victor Hale. Senior Partnership Director at Aureline Apparel Group.”

The woman followed.

”Evelyn Brooks. Corporate Relations Manager. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you properly.”

Silas shook both hands.

”The pleasure’s mine.”

Victor looked toward Chloe and smiled politely.

”Miss Montreal.”

”Good afternoon.” She nodded.

”We appreciate you receiving us on such short notice.”

Silas chuckled.

”I only got the call about an hour ago.”

Victor smiled apologetically.

”Our schedule changed unexpectedly. We hope we haven’t inconvenienced you.”

”Not really.” Silas gestured toward the estate. ”Come in. I’d rather not have business discussions standing outside.”

”Of course.”

The group walked through the gates together. Even though Victor and Evelyn had visited many luxury residences during their careers, both slowed unconsciously.

The estate was magnificent.

The stone driveway curved gently through carefully maintained gardens filled with exotic flowers and sculpted hedges. Elegant fountains shimmered beneath the late-afternoon sun.

Workers could still be seen in the distance putting the finishing touches on several renovation projects, while landscapers trimmed trees lining the pathways.

Farther away, construction crews were busy reinforcing what looked like an enormous gymnasium.

Victor quietly looked around.

”Extraordinary.”

Evelyn nodded. ”The photographs really didn’t do this place justice.”

Silas smiled.

”I’ve only lived here for a short while.”

”It still feels unreal.”

They eventually reached the mansion itself.

Towering pillars supported a grand entrance decorated with polished marble and enormous glass doors.

Inside, everything became even more impressive. The spacious foyer featured crystal chandeliers suspended from a ceiling nearly thirty feet high. Marble floors reflected the afternoon light pouring through enormous windows. Elegant staircases curved upward toward the second floor while expensive artwork decorated the surrounding walls.

Even Victor, who had attended countless meetings with wealthy clients, found himself momentarily speechless.

”Remarkable.”

Evelyn quietly added,

”This feels more like a private palace than a residence.”

Silas laughed.

”I’ve heard that before too.”

A familiar voice suddenly came from deeper inside the mansion.

”Welcome home.”

Raymond emerged from one of the hallways carrying his tablet. He immediately recognized the visitors.

”Representatives from Aureline Apparel.”

Victor smiled. ”Mr. Raymond. It’s good to see you again.”

”The pleasure is mine.”

Raymond turned toward Silas.

”I had refreshments prepared once they informed me they were coming. Hope I didn’t overstep my boundaries.”

Silas nodded appreciatively.

”Not at all. Thanks. I might have to look for workers later, though.”

”That is a good thought. Now, if you’ll follow me...”

Raymond gestured toward the main sitting room.

The guests entered. Comfortable sofas surrounded a polished wooden coffee table while floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the estate grounds.

Moments later, tea, coffee, fruit juice, and an assortment of pastries were brought in by the household staff. Apparently, Raymond had thought of everything beforehand and knew Silas would need household staff, so he employed some.

Silas, of course, didn’t mind. If anything, he was glad. You don’t usually find sensible people these days who think for themselves. He was happy he had found one sensible person.

In some way, Raymond was working as his butler, and he seriously considered employing him as his personal butler. But that was a talk for later.

Victor accepted a cup with a grateful smile.

”I must say...” He looked toward Silas. ”We’ve worked with athletes, celebrities, hunters, and politicians. But... This is the first time we’ve conducted a business meeting inside the residence of an eighteen-year-old billionaire.”

Silas rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

”When you put it that way, it sounds strange.”

Evelyn laughed softly.

”It certainly makes for an interesting first impression.”

Victor placed his cup down.

”Now then...” He opened the leather portfolio he’d been carrying.

”If you’re ready, I believe it’s time we discussed why Aureline’s executive board requested this meeting.”