Villain of Fate: The Tyrant System

Interrupted Moments

Julian scratched his head awkwardly.

"Oh... that time."

"I remember."

He smiled sheepishly.

Inside his mind—

(I couldn’t stand it anymore. )

(That Crane was so ugly that I just had to teach you a lesson. )

"..."

Gwen Valquin’s mouth twitched slightly.

So that was what he had thought back then?

Her painting had been ugly?

For a second, she felt a faint irritation bubbling in her chest. But the feeling faded almost immediately. Instead, a soft smile appeared on her face.

No matter what the misunderstanding had been back then, that moment had changed her life.

She was still grateful to Julian.

Grateful for the unintentional help.

Grateful for the way he had unknowingly pulled her out of the darkness.

And grateful for how he had saved her brother... and the Valquin household.

She looked at him with gentle expectation.

"Let’s paint together again."

"It’s been a long time."

Julian immediately shook his head.

"You paint."

"I’ll just go for a stroll."

The atmosphere in the room felt strangely intimate, and he didn’t know how to deal with it.

He turned toward the door.

But Gwen’s voice suddenly stopped him.

"Do you hate me that much... for slapping you?"

Her tone was soft, but the emotion inside it was obvious.

Julian froze.

He turned around.

Gwen was looking at him with slightly reddened eyes.

Seeing that expression made Julian feel strangely uncomfortable.

He scratched his head again.

"It’s not that I hate you, it’s just—"

He was still trying to think of an excuse when he suddenly noticed her eyes growing even redder.

Tears were forming.

Julian immediately panicked.

"I just need to use the bathroom!"

Gwen sniffed softly and pointed toward the bathroom in the suite.

"Use the one here."

Her voice was slightly shaky.

Julian stared at her.

The way she looked right now—

With those slightly wet eyes and the faint pout on her lips—

Was dangerously cute.

A dull poke, gentle but sharp inside his chest. The sensation lingered without force, more strange than painful. Softness gave it weight. Not a wound, yet not nothing either.

"Alright, alright, I’ll go."

His arms lifted, palms up, fingers spread wide. A shrug formed without words. Helplessness hung in the air between his fingertips.

"Don’t cry, or people will think I bullied you."

But before leaving -

Forward he moved without thinking.

Softly, his fingers brushed the top of her hair. A quiet touch, slow and warm.

"Hey... it’s okay."

Right away, before pausing to reflect, he drew her close for a quick embrace.

Gwen held her body still, just for an instant.

After a breath, her arms moved to circle his back. Slowly did they close behind him.

Something about their closeness just fit, like it had always been that way. A quiet comfort moved between them without need for words.

Her cheek rested lightly against his chest.

One breath, then another, her hands stayed where they were. Stillness held her there, fingers curled without thought. A quiet second passed, maybe longer. The world waited while she lingered. Not yet, something inside said. Just not yet.

Her gentle shape leaned into Julian, warm and close. A quiet moment settled between them, unspoken but clear.

Faint heat from her skin reached him. A quiet kind of closeness settled between them.

A hint of scent still lingers where she passed. Soft traces float through the air without warning. That quiet smell returns when least expected.

Yet in moments, he pushed away despite the urge to stay.

If this embrace went on more...

Fog crept through the air, sharp like warning signs. Tension built without a sound, heavy on every breath. Silence stretched, then snapped under pressure. A chill settled where warmth once stayed. Danger grew, quiet but certain.

Her lips stuck out a little as he stepped back.

Something caught Julian’s eye, so he chuckled, a bit uneasy. He shifted his weight, then looked away.

"Silly girl, why are you pouting?"

That grin appeared, though it clearly didn’t belong.

"I really need to use the bathroom."

Gwen gave a slow nod before releasing her grip on him.

Footsteps quick on tile, Julian stepped inside the bathroom after one long inhale.

He rested his weight on the edge of the basin after stepping in.

Inside his mind—

(Being alone with a girl in a room... hugging her... that fragrance...)

(What the hell am I doing?)

He washed his hands quickly.

Then sighed.

(If she cried and ran out, my reputation would be finished.)

(And if Mike finds out... that guy will definitely spread it everywhere.)

After calming himself down, Julian walked back into the room.

True to his word, he sat beside Gwen.

"Alright."

"Let’s paint."

Gwen’s face brightened immediately.

Her smile looked almost childlike.

It was as if she had found something she had lost for many years.

She reached for another paintbrush—

But suddenly—

Her foot caught on the leg of the easel.

"Ah!"

The easel wobbled.

Gwen lost her balance and fell forward.

Julian reacted instantly.

He grabbed her arm and helped her up.

"Are you okay?"

"I’m fine... there’s a carpet."

She shook her head.

The soft carpet had cushioned the fall.

But when she tried to stand up—

She suddenly gasped.

A sharp pain shot through her ankle.

"I think... I twisted my ankle."

She looked at Julian with pitiful eyes.

Julian sighed.

"I’ll help you to the sofa."

He gently lifted her.

Gwen instinctively wrapped her arm around his shoulder.

For a brief moment—

Her body was held in his arms.

A princess carry.

Her face turned slightly red.

He carefully placed her on the sofa.

But the moment he stepped away—

Gwen felt a strange sense of loss.

She quickly shook her head and looked down at her ankle.

To check the injury properly, she needed to remove her stocking.

Julian turned away slightly—

But his eyes kept drifting back.

Inside his mind—

(Damn... she’s taking them off right in front of me?)

(I can’t handle this... I really can’t.)

(I’m still a kid, how can I watch this?)

Even while trying to look away—

His gaze kept drifting toward her long legs.

Her stockings sliding slowly down her smooth skin.

Gwen’s cheeks turned pink when she heard his thoughts.

It was just removing stockings...

Meanwhile—

Elsewhere in the hotel.

Mike Valquin was having a terrible time.

Because three women had cornered him.

Selena Aurevale.

Bianca De Dominicis.

And Amara Ravenswood.

"Where’s Julian?"

Bianca crossed her arms and stared at him.

Her crimson eyes were sharp.

They had arrived late.

After greeting Gary D’Aurelius, they learned Julian was already here.

But they couldn’t find him anywhere.

So naturally—

They cornered Mike.

"Big brother said he had something to do and went out."

Mike forced a smile.

"He might come back later."

The three women stared at him.

The pressure was terrifying.

Selena stepped closer.

Her voice was gentle—

But dangerous.

"Mike... you wouldn’t be lying to us, right?"

Amara folded her arms.

"You know we can easily find out."

Bianca leaned forward slightly.

Her voice was cold.

"If you keep hiding him..."

She paused.

"...maybe we should mention that nightclub incident to your father."

Mike’s face turned pale.

"You wouldn’t!"

Amara smiled sweetly.

"Oh, we absolutely would."

Selena nodded calmly.

"Your father still thinks you’re a perfect son."

Bianca added softly—

"I wonder what he’ll think when he hears about the five girls and the hotel suite."

Mike immediately surrendered.

"Alright! Alright!"

He raised both hands.

"Big brother seems to be chatting with my sister!"

The three women immediately turned toward the elevator.

A few minutes later—

They reached the suite door.

They exchanged glances.

But none of them knocked.

Bianca whispered softly.

"Let’s listen."

Selena and Amara nodded.

The three women pressed their ears against the door.

Inside—

They heard soft sounds.

"Mnhh... ahh..."

"???"

The three women looked at each other in confusion.

Without hesitation—

They pushed the door open and walked inside together.