(it is Adrian not Aiden guys if u see Aiden please know it is Adrian)
The girl smile froze.
Adrian continued casually like he was discussing the weather. "So be a good girl."
His fingers slipped away from her face.
"Go home." "Block my number." "And don't bother trying other numbers either."
His lazy smile curved slightly.
"They won't go through."
Then he dusted his fingers lightly against his clothes like he had touched something dirty.
The girl's face turned pale from disbelief.
"You— how can you do this?" she snapped loudly. "We were having fun!"
People nearby had already started glancing over.
The girl expression twisted angrily.
"Is it because of that Sophia girl she mentioned?" she yelled. "Who the hell is that bitch?!"
"Oh." King immediately muttered under his breath. "She fucked up."
Even Paul silently moved farther away.
Adrian finally looked at the girl properly.
His face remained expressionless.
But his eyes
His eyes carried that dangerous playful look again.
Like someone amused right before causing trouble.
"Say that again," Adrian said softly.
His voice stayed light. Gentle even.
Which somehow made it worse.
The girl however completely missed the warning.
"What?" she shouted angrily. "What are you going to do? Hurt me because of that girl?"
Her voice grew louder from humiliation.
"Are you playing me? Do you think I'm some toy?!"
People nearby had already stopped eating just to watch now.
"I could've had your stepbrother instead!" she continued furiously. "The better one! But I stayed with you and this is your attitude?!"
Adrian stared at her quietly.
Bored.
Almost disappointed.
Then suddenly he laughed softly under his breath.
"Interesting."
The girl instinctively took one step back hearing that laugh.
Adrian tilted his head slightly.
"You know…" he said lazily, "people always become brave after getting dumped."
A smile appeared on his face.
Beautiful. Lazy. Dangerous
"A dog barking really is entertaining," Adrian said softly.
The girl face stiffened.
"As for thinking of you as a toy…" Adrian tilted his head slightly. "Aren't you one?"
"You chased after my stepbrother wanting to date him," Adrian continued lazily. "Willing to do absolutely anything for attention."
His smile widened slightly.
"Even if he told you to seduce me like some desperate slut."
The girl's face went pale instantly he knows he actually knows the reason she approach before she started catching feelings.
"You listened so obediently too." Adrian laughed quietly. "Your parents also treated you like a tool for climbing higher."
He stepped closer slowly.
"Telling you to do anything." "Seduce." "Act dumb." "Act obedient."
"Even acting like a dog if necessary."
The girl entire body trembled now.
"I was curious what kind of toy my brother picked this time," Adrian continued while looking at her from head to toe lazily. "Turns out it was a complete waste of time."
The girl's lips shook. "You—"
"But now," Adrian interrupted softly, "you crossed the line."
The playful smile remained on his face but his eyes turned colder.
"It's funny how people below their class get a little help and suddenly think they're important."
King quietly muttered under his breath. "She's dead."
Paul nodded immediately.
Adrian voice stayed calm while casually destroying her entire world.
"Your father." He counted lazily on his fingers. "Using cheap illegal materials in company products causing multiple deaths."
The girl's breathing stopped.
"Tax fraud for years."
Her eyes widened.
"Using his position for illegal trafficking and brothel connections."
The girl stumbled backward.
"Your mother sleeping around with your teachers was honestly the least interesting thing I found."
The girl's knees nearly gave out.
"And your brother…" Adrian smiled slowly. "My personal favorite."
Paul physically winced hearing that tone anyone who got Adrian attention well should just start praying.
"He really thinks the position he has now belongs to him because of his own ability."
Adrian laughed softly.
"Pathetic but fun really."
The girl's hands shook violently trying to grab her phone.
"But whatever helps him sleep peacefully," Adrian continued lazily. "Because once everything comes to light…"
He leaned slightly closer.
"He'll probably get a death sentence."
The girl's face completely lost color.
"And the funniest part?" Adrian eyes curved beautifully. "His death might actually hurt my stepbrother situation it won't be for nothing as my brother is also connected but it enough for me to..." He stopped as he chuckled
King looked away immediately.
Even he felt cold hearing that.
Adrian straightened calmly.
"So tell me," he asked softly, "without your family what exactly are you in front of Sophia?"
The girl legs finally gave out.
Fear completely filled her eyes now.
Adrian looked down at her trembling figure with amusement.
"Oh." He smiled lightly. "I'm still not done yet."
The girl looked like she might faint.
"Have a nice day," Adrian finished pleasantly. "Because after today…"
His gaze darkened slightly.
"You'll never dare talk trash about someone above your level again."
Then he turned around and walked away casually like nothing happened.
Not even bothering giving her another glance.
King and Paul exchanged looks before silently following behind him.
Neither spoke.
Meanwhile the girl shakily pulled out her phone trying to warn her family.
But before she could even finish dialing notification of her family downfall so quick.
Her vision blurred.
The phone slipped from her hand.
Then she collapsed.
Nearby people gasped in shock.
"Miss!"
"Someone help!"
Several staff members immediately rushed over professionally and carried her toward the resting area while reassuring the crowd calmly.
Passersby thought the mall staff were simply helping an unconscious guest.
Only Paul glanced back briefly before looking away again.
Those weren't mall staff.
They were Adrian's people.
Ava sipping a iced strawberry milk tea and Matthew sipping the same strawberry milk tea and the group gathered again, Matthew carrying the bags of snacks Ava bought.
Felix was sipping a chilled sugarcane drink while holding a bag of animal-shaped snacks filled with fruit cream.
Jay carried a bucket of grilled chicken for himself and Rick, while Rick held two large cups of soda.
Kai and Derek were eating grilled pepper snails from a box, Big V had a hotdog in hand, and Philip was still eating chicken skewers.
"Time for the underground water tour," Felix announced excitedly before rushing off.
The group followed behind at a far less enthusiastic pace.
Felix had already entered the elevator leading underground by the time the others arrived. He walked straight to the receptionist and paid for the highest-level experience package without even blinking.
Half a million disappeared instantly.
The receptionist's smile became even more respectful after seeing the payment amount.
"This way please, young masters."
She personally led them toward the lounges reserved only for VVIP guests.
Felix proudly took out his phone while walking, posting the pictures he had taken earlier onto his social media page.
"They said this underground tour can rival your family's underwater city," Paul commented as they entered the lounge area.
King glanced around lazily. "I doubt it."
King shoved both hands into his pockets while staring outside the glass walls at the massive underwater city.
"I heard Adrian family even invited top hybrid stars to perform there before," King said.
"Pity it's located between Velmora City and Aleria City. If it was inside Velmora itself and a hybrid appeared publicly there, it would've caused a huge topic."
He sighed dramatically.
"Velmora City doesn't lack technology. It's literally the heart of Aurelion Country. Some of their technology even rivals other countries, yet there are barely any public hybrid appearances here."
Paul snorted softly. "Who told the leaders to turn Velmora into one giant slave and experiment facility against hybrids in the past"
King lowered his voice slightly. "I heard some hybrids can hide their animal parts completely."
Adrian finally entered.
The look alone made King immediately shut up halfway.
"Don't you have a loud mouth?" Adrian said calmly, though the disdain in his eyes was obvious. "Humans and hybrids coexist now. Did you skip biology class?"
King looked awkward.
Adrian continued lazily, "Male hybrids, female hybrids some male hybrids can even have children depending on species compatibility and genetic adaptation."
He looked at King like he was genuinely stupid.
"Being openly disrespectful toward hybrids can get you years behind bars now. So before speaking, try using the little brain you have calling it animals part idiot."
What a dumb idiot, Adrian thought coldly as he entered the lounge.
Then his eyes shifted toward the corner.
Felix was sitting there looking like he wanted to disappear from existence entirely. He focused very hard on his phone pretending not to notice them at all.
Unfortunately for him
The moment Adrian's gaze landed on him, Felix shifted as if he didn't need to look up to know who was looking at him .
Adrian's lips twitched slightly.
Now I feel itchy.
He suddenly wanted to torment Felix.
Adrian calmly walked over and sat down while Paul and King took the seats beside him.
King finally noticed Felix. "Oh. Felix."
Felix looked up immediately with a bright fake smile so professional it deserved an award. "Hi."
Can't you fucking mind your business? Why did you have to say my name? Now everything feels awkward.
Felix screamed internally while maintaining his friendly expression perfectly.
King leaned back lazily. "Here alone? No date?"
King knew better than to answer Adrian directly.
That ancestor's sarcastic mouth could kill someone's bloodline in under five seconds.
So instead he faced Felix
Felix calmly sipped his drink before replying, "I don't see you with a date either."
Paul immediately looked away trying not to laugh.
Meanwhile Adrian had already taken out his phone completely uninterested in the conversation.
He started texting Sophia casually.
Paul looked toward Felix politely. "Want to join us?"
"No thank you," Felix answered instantly.
Right at that moment
Philip entered the lounge.
The second his eyes landed on Felix his face lit up dramatically.
"Felix!"
Before Felix could react Philip ran over and threw himself toward him.
Felix dodged instantly out of survival instinct.
Philip missed the attack but still successfully wrapped both arms around Felix's waist dramatically.
"I heard you bought VVIP tickets for everyone." Philip looked touched beyond words. "If you're searching for a lover, I can sacrifice myself."
Felix looked horrified already.
"Kiss me love."
"Get lost." Felix looked disgusted. "I'm fucking straight."
Philip gasped. "Love knows no gender."
"I'm not looking for a leech."
Felix tried pushing him away but Philip clung tighter like a parasite.
"If you want," Felix continued coldly, "I don't mind adopting you as my son."
Philip immediately looked emotional. "Father."
Felix almost died on the spot.
"My long lost father."
Philip pushed him dramatically back onto the couch before trying to cuddle against him.
"Security," Felix muttered tiredly toward the ceiling.
Right then Ava, Matthew, Rick, Jay, Big V, Kai and Derek finally entered the lounge too.
Rick saw the scene and immediately burst into laughter.
"Tsk." Rick shook his head sadly. "Philip, does your actual father know you're outside adopting another one?"
Jay calmly sat down beside him while sipping the drink from soda held in Rick hand.
Philip ignored Rick completely while still attached to Felix.
Felix looked deeply traumatized now.
"Philip," Felix said through gritted teeth, "you lack shame."
"I'm an orphan now," Philip replied calmly.
"I'm not sponsoring your school life anymore. You always try tricking me into paying for things. Get lost."
Felix shoved him away in disgust.
Philip finally let go dramatically before sighing sadly. "Money really destroys relationships."
"You never had dignity to begin with," Derek said lazily.
Kai nodded seriously. "True."
Philip looked betrayed by everyone at once.
"Because I love you," Philip said shamelessly before stealing the snack directly from Felix's hand and eating it.
"Hm." Philip chewed thoughtfully. "Tasty."
Felix looked at him in disbelief. "I fucking hate you."
"That's just your love language."
Rick meanwhile finally noticed Adrian sitting nearby.
"...Fuck. Adrian what are you doing here?" Rick asked suspiciously.
Adrian raised one eyebrow lazily. "Shockingly, I can skip practice too unlike some people."
"You have practice though," Jay said calmly.
Paul nodded. " Not a normal practice Other schools are coming in two weeks for the interschool competitions."
"Academic competitions, art exhibitions, basketball, swimming and a bunch of other events so the leader have to go to the meeting," King added while stretching lazily.
Right then several staff members entered the lounge.
"The underwater tour is ready," one of them announced politely.
She glanced at the group quickly. "You are twelve people total, correct? We can divide you into two six-person teams. Each team will experience different tour environments before switching routes later."
"Sure why not," Paul agreed first while glancing toward Matthew's group.
Ava immediately grabbed Matthew's sleeve. "I'm paired with Matthew."
"I choose Matthew too," Rick added instantly while holding Jay's hand like he was afraid someone would steal him.
Kai raised his hand calmly. "Same."
Derek nodded lazily beside him. "Following him."
Felix immediately sensed danger.
He opened his mouth ready to reject whatever cursed team arrangement fate planned for him—
Unfortunately Adrian spoke first.
"You." Adrian pointed directly at Felix.
Felix froze.
"Paul, King, Philip and V too."
Felix looked devastated instantly.
Meanwhile Rick nearly burst into laughter seeing Felix's expression.
The staff member politely guided both groups toward separate entrances.
Large silver gates slowly opened.
The moment they stepped inside
Everyone subconsciously slowed down.
The underground world before them looked unreal.
Massive glass walls surrounded the pathways completely, stretching from floor to ceiling while dark blue ocean water pressed against the transparent barriers.
Schools of glowing fish swam slowly around the structure while giant rays drifted overhead like shadows moving through the sea.
Soft holographic projections floated through the water creating the illusion that bubbles and glowing jellyfish drifted directly around the visitors themselves.
Some virtual sea creatures even swam through the glass projections into the air temporarily before dissolving into glowing particles when touched.
The entire structure looked like an ancient underwater museum merged together with futuristic technology.
Old stone ruins could still be seen beneath certain sections of the floor preserved carefully under glass.
Ancient underwater statues covered in artificial coral stood between modern silver pathways while glowing blue plants wrapped around pillars carved with symbols from old ocean civilizations.
The deeper they walked The darker and more beautiful everything became.
Transparent tunnels curved through the ocean itself while massive sea creatures swam overhead.
Some rooms displayed giant skeletons of extinct sea monsters floating inside enormous water chambers.
Other sections held interactive projections showing ancient underwater kingdoms, lost ships, and deep-sea creatures from forbidden zones normal people could never access.
Soft piano music echoed gently through hidden speakers blending with the sound of moving water around them.
Even Adrian paused slightly looking around.
"It is okay ," Paul admitted quietly.
Meanwhile Philip was too busy clinging dramatically onto Felix again.
"Father I'm scared."
"Then drown."
Felix tried shoving him away while walking.
Big V walked calmly beside them taking photos occasionally.
King meanwhile touched one of the floating holographic jellyfish projections.
The creature reacted instantly wrapping glowing tentacles around his wrist playfully before disappearing into blue particles.
"...Okay that's actually cool," King admitted.
Ahead of them a massive circular glass elevator slowly descended deeper into the ocean.
Outside the elevator
Something huge moved through the dark water.
Felix immediately stopped smiling.
"...Tell me that's fake."
The staff member smiled professionally. "They are are projections."
The woman smiled wider.
"Enjoy the experience."
"Hey Philip is that a siren?" Felix said excitedly as he pointed toward the glowing creature swimming behind the massive glass wall.
He grabbed the nearest person's hand without thinking, pulling them slightly closer as he pointed.
Then he froze.
Because the wrist under his grip was too firm.
Slender, delicate nice to the hand and took familiar.
He looked down praying it was Philip hand.
His fingers were holding Adrian's hand.
Silence.
Felix immediately let go like he had been burned.
He turned sharply.
"…Oh."
Adrian looked down at his own hand, then back at Felix with mild amusement.
"Should I be hurt?" Adrian said calmly. "You held my hand without permission… then let go like it was dirty."
Adrian tilted his head slightly.
"Or should I be amazed that you could tell it wasn't Philip just from touch?"
Felix cleared his throat awkwardly.
"It was a mistake I thought it was Philip but his hand doesn't...." he stop noticing Adrian smirks
A pause.
Felix glanced around.
"…Where are they?"
"They went ahead," Adrian replied casually. "Left me here to watch you take photos."
Felix exhaled softly.
"I see."
Adrian's gaze stayed on him.
A little too steady.
"Do I look like a monster?" he asked lazily. "Why are you so awkward around me?"
"I'm not," Felix replied quickly. "I just don't know you that well. Am I supposed to be excited or something?"
Adrian raised a brow slightly, then gave a short amused chuckle.
"So you're not over it," he said lightly.
Felix froze slightly.
"…Is it because of the hotel accident when you—"
Felix moved instantly.
His hand shot up and covered Adrian's mouth mid-sentence.
He looked around quickly, tense
"Stop it," Felix hissed quietly while looking around again nervously. "Do you want the whole world hearing you?"