The Heart System

Chapter 159: Chapter 159

Betrayal cracked across his face like shattering glass—raw, irreversible. He said nothing at first. Just pushed himself up awkwardly with cuffed hands, shuffling to the window on unsteady legs. He stared out at the city, his city, once, for a full, agonizing minute. Shoulders sagged. The view that had been his throne now mocked him. Defeated. Hollow.

Then he turned, voice barely a rasp. “Fine. Not like I only own this home. And have one company.”

“Ms. Anotta,” I said, turning to her with a triumphant grin. “I’m no lawyer. This penthouse is mine now—can your people handle the paperwork? Make it airtight?”

“Of course.” Her smirk widened, eyes gleaming with shared victory. “Consider it done by morning. Titles transferred, NDAs signed. Clean as a whistle.”

Milen holstered her tablet with a satisfied nod, bodycam still rolling. “I guess that’s it, then. Am I done here, Ms. Anotta?”

“Yes, my dear Milen. You may go. Excellent work.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

Guy wouldn’t meet my eyes as the officers hauled him upright, his damp t-shirt clinging pathetically. “You think this ends it?” he muttered, voice hoarse, broken. “You think you’ve won? I’ll bury you. All of you.”

“I already have,” I said, stepping close enough for him to feel it. “And you? You’re buried.”

He spat blood on the marble, a weak red splatter. “Enjoy the bed, Marlowe. Hope it’s comfortable when the nightmares come. When you realize what you’ve unleashed.”

I smiled, unfazed. “I sleep like a baby. Sweet dreams in your new shithole.”

The officers dragged him out, his protests fading down the hall.

Anotta followed, heels clicking a victorious rhythm. “I’ll be in touch, Evan. We have… celebrations to plan. Big ones.”

The door shut with a final thud. Silence rushed in, thick and electric.

Nala and I entered the bedroom again.

She stood frozen for a heartbeat—eyes shining, chest heaving—then launched herself at me. Arms around my neck, body pressed tight against mine, she kissed me hard, desperate, pouring every ounce of relief and fire into it. Surprise hit first, a jolt straight to my core, then instinct took over. I kissed her back fiercely, hands sliding to her waist, pulling her closer until there was no space left. The taste of victory, adrenaline, her—sweet and intoxicating.

She broke it only to breathe, forehead resting against mine, tears streaking her cheeks but a radiant smile breaking through. “It’s over,” she whispered, voice trembling with joy. “It’s really over.”

I grinned, thumb brushing a tear away. “Welcome home, CEO.”

We crashed together again, mouths hungry, hands desperate. The kiss turned feral—teeth clashing, tongues fighting for control. Heat surged through me, adrenaline still crackling from the win. I backed her up until her spine hit the floor-to-ceiling window, the city sprawling thirty stories below.

I dropped to my knees, fingers hooking into the waistband of her pants. One tug—down they went, pooling at her ankles. She stepped out, kicking them aside. I surged up, claiming her mouth again, tasting salt and victory.

Nala sank to her knees in front of me, eyes dark with need. She yanked my belt open, zipper rasping. My cock sprang free, hard and aching. She wrapped her fingers around the base, tongue flicking the tip once, teasing.

Below, on the street, Guy stood frozen between two officers, head tilted up. His eyes locked on the window—on us. On Nala crouched before me, lips parting.

I grinned, threading fingers through her hair. “Look at him,” I murmured. “Watch him break.”

Nala took me deep, throat relaxing, tongue swirling. Wet heat, perfect suction. I rocked my hips, slow at first, then faster, fucking her mouth while staring down at Guy. His face twisted—rage, humiliation, defeat. I shook my head, smirked, and yanked the curtains shut with one hand.

“That’s it, baby,” I growled, guiding her rhythm.

She moaned around me, the vibration shooting straight to my spine.

“Worth every second,” I rasped. “Every risk. Fuck, you’re perfect.”

She kept going—eager, sloppy, grateful. My balls tightened, pressure building fast.

“Close—”

I came hard, pulsing into her mouth. That was fast, yeah, but the whole situation just… pushed me to the edge, I suppose. She gagged, tried to swallow, but most spilled down her chin, dripping to the marble in thick ropes. She pulled back, gasping, wiping her lips with the back of her hand.

I chuckled, breathless. “Sorry. Couldn’t help myself.”

She grinned, cheeks flushed. “It’s okay. I’ll get better.”

I helped her up, buckling my pants. She tugged her own clothes back on, shy now that the heat was fading.

“So…” she said, biting her lip. “Can I stay here? Since it’s yours now?”

“Of course.” I pulled her close. “But fair warning—I’m calling some friends over. Jasmine, Kim, Tessa. They’ll be staying here as well.”

She laughed, eyes wide. “All girls, huh?”

I rubbed the back of my neck, sheepish. “You’ll get used to them.”

I smiled down at her, thumb brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. She held my gaze for a moment, then her lips trembled. Without warning, she sank onto the edge of the bed, shoulders hitching. Tears spilled, silent at first, then in soft, shuddering waves.

My heart lurched. “Hey, hey, hey, did I do something wrong? I’m sorry—”

“No,” she choked out, shaking her head. She wiped at her cheeks, but the tears kept coming. “No, Evan. You didn’t. I just… I can breathe again. For the first time in years, I’m free.” Her voice cracked on the last word. “I thought I’d be trapped forever. That he’d always own me. But you… you gave me my life back.”

I knelt in front of her, taking her hands in mine. “You were never his to own. You’re you. And now the world knows it.”

╭───────────╮

EVENT

===============

Nala’s Interest +50

╰───────────╯

She laughed through the tears, a watery, beautiful sound. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

“You already did,” I said softly, nodding toward the window where the curtains still swayed. “And you will again, every day you wake up in this place without fear. Every day when I wake up and see you here—it’s more than enough for me. So, no. Thank you, Nala. For everything.”

She leaned forward, resting her forehead against mine. “I… I love you.”

“I love you too.”

The city hummed beyond the glass. The penthouse was ours.

The war was over.

❤︎‬‪‪❤︎‬‪‪❤︎

╭───────────╮

WOMEN – INTERACTIONS

===============

Jasmine: Interest: 40 / 60★★

Kayla: Interest: 5 / 20

Tessa: Interest: 27 / 40★★

Kim: Interest: 30 / 40★★

Delilah: Interest: 37 / 40★★

Cora: Interest: 100 / 100★★★★★

Mendy: Interest: 6/20

Nala: Interest: 66/80

Penelope: Interest: 3/20

===============

Progress:

★☆☆☆☆ – 20 Interest: Milestone reward

★★☆☆☆ – 40 Interest: Milestone reward

★★★☆☆ – 60 Interest: Milestone reward

★★★★☆ – 80 Interest: Milestone reward

★★★★★ -100 Interest: Milestone reward

===============

Select a woman to track progress.

╰───────────╯

I knocked on the door and waited, leaning against the frame with my backpack slung over one shoulder. I’d told Tessa to rally everyone at Jasmine’s place, pack their essentials, because we were moving out tonight. They’d pushed back at first, demanding answers, but I kept it cryptic. The surprise would be worth it.

While the lock clicked and shuffled inside, I pulled up the UI. I’d almost forgotten the milestone ping from Nala.

╭────────────────────╮

Milestone Reached!

Partner: Nala

==========================

Reward: 50 EXP, 7 Ability Points

╰────────────────────╯

Seven points. Seven. My pulse quickened. With the three I’d been hoarding, that was ten total. I could finally reset Libido or Pleasure and push the cap to twenty. Old Evan would’ve nutted at the sight of a bra strap. New Evan? I was holding my own. Libido could wait. Pleasure, though… that one had teeth.

I resetted Pleasure—five points refunded, fifteen total. All in.

╭────────────────────╮

– CURRENT STATS

==========================

– Strength: 3

– Charm : 12

– Manipulative Charm

⤷ Honeyed Words (⏹⏹☐☐☐)

⤷ Gaslight (⏹☐☐☐☐)

– Emotional Charisma

– Seductive Allure

– Libido : 10

– Pleasure: 15

╰────────────────────╯

The door swung open.

“Evan?” Jasmine stood there in a loose tank and cutoffs, hair twisted up in a messy knot. Behind her, Kim hovered in the hallway, arms folded, biting her lip. Tessa lounged on the couch, phone glowing in her hand.

“Hey, ladies.” I flashed a grin. “Ready to roll?”

Kim stepped closer, suitcase dragging behind her. “We’re packed, but… why? What’s the plan?”

“You’ll see.” I winked. “Tessa, you good?”

“Yup.” She pocketed her phone and stood, slinging a duffel over her shoulder. “No clue what evil genius shit you’ve cooked up, but I trust you.”

“Love to hear it.” I chuckled. “Let’s move.”

They wheeled their bags to the door. I grabbed two—heavy, but Strength 3 handled it. Jasmine and Kim tag-teamed the third, Tessa holding the handles like a relay baton. We shuffled to the elevator, a chaotic parade of luggage and anticipation.

I elbowed the lobby button. The girls exchanged glances—nervous, excited, suspicious.

“Evan,” Kim said, voice low. “You’re kinda freaking us out.”

“Chill.”

“If this is a prank,” Tessa warned, “I swear to God—”

“It’s not.” I laughed. “Jesus, relax.”

The elevator dinged. We spilled into the lobby, then out onto the sidewalk. The sun was brutal—high and white, turning the pavement into a skillet. One step and I was already sweating. This city’s weather, I swear…

There it was: Jeopride’s signature town car, sleek black, idling curbside. A driver in crisp white gloves leaned against the trunk. He straightened the second he saw us, striding over to take the bags one by one.

Jasmine’s jaw dropped. “Evan… what the hell?”

I walked to the rear door, opened it with a flourish, and bowed theatrically. “Ladies.”

They climbed in, reluctant, wide-eyed, buzzing. I slid in last, exhaling as the AC hit. One final glance at the old building, peeling paint, buzzing intercom, rat-scratched hallway. Goodbye.

Kim arched a brow, pointing at me, then the road, then me again. “Wait. You were muttering about taking Guy Nolin’s penthouse. Don’t tell me—”

“No more mold in the shower,” I said, grinning. “No more shoebox bedrooms. No more rat symphonies in the walls.”

Three pairs of eyes went saucer-wide. Ten seconds of stunned silence.

Then Kim launched across the seat, landing in my lap, legs straddling mine. She kissed me hard—victory, relief, hunger. Jasmine let out a delighted squeal. Tessa whooped, high-fiving her across the console.

“Holy shit,” Jasmine breathed.

“I’m serious,” I said, still tasting Kim.

Jasmine leaned in next, kissing me deep, slow. Tessa followed, hand fisting my hair, claiming her turn.

“Moving up in the world, magic fingers?” Tessa smirked, breathless.

“You can’t even imagine,” I said. “Two live-in maids. Eight bedrooms. Top floor’s ours. Nala’s staying too—she’s the new CEO, the girl I talked to you about. If anyone wants space, there’s a separate three-room wing downstairs. No pressure.”

“Uncomfortable?” Kim laughed, still perched on me, kissing my neck. “Evan, how the hell did you kick Guy’s ass?”

“Little luck,” I said, grinning. “Little planning.”

The driver slid into the front, engine purring to life. Kim hopped back to her seat, buzzing with energy. The car pulled away from the curb, old life shrinking in the rearview.

New life ahead—sky-high, marble-floored, and ours.

❤︎‬‪‪❤︎‬‪‪❤︎