Jason Carter lay back against the silk pillows of Moon Island's master suite, the ocean breeze slipping through the half-open balcony doors.
Beside him, Julia slept soundly, her soft breathing steady, her cheek pressed lightly against his chest after their passionate night.
He absentmindedly brushed a strand of hair from her face before shifting his gaze toward the ceiling. For a moment, he simply thought.
The Spirit Gathering Sub-Array had been active for several days now, and the effects were already obvious. The island's vegetation had become noticeably more vibrant—palm leaves glossier, flowers fuller. Even the night air carried a faint, refreshing vitality.
When Jason checked his system panel earlier, he had been pleasantly surprised.
Physical Condition: 22
Strength: 19 → 20
Agility: 20
Spirit: 20
All four core attributes had officially crossed the twenty threshold. One sub-array alone had produced such results. If all eight sub-arrays were activated and combined with the Spirit Gathering Mother Array, the amplification would be terrifying.
Jason had already begun planning. A provincial tour first, then nationwide deployment. He wanted the remaining six sub-arrays established as soon as possible.
Just as he was thinking, his phone vibrated. It was a message from Olivia.
Jason opened it casually, then paused. Olivia had compiled a full report. Every recent public listing tied to Jiuzhou Group subsidiaries—investment flows, capital structuring, institutional backing—and one name appeared repeatedly: Fortune Crest Capital.
They had been quietly assisting Jiuzhou's IPO movements, providing underwriting support, channel facilitation, institutional matchmaking.
Jason frowned slightly. Back when he shorted Yunshang International, Fortune Crest had cooperated. But that was mutual profit. They took risks too—it wasn't a favor.
Afterward, his hostile acquisition of Infinity Media, the Will family financial war, multiple capital offensives—all had already repaid any goodwill. So why were they still helping?
Olivia's next message explained: "Young Master, most of this was coordinated by Shenna. She majored in finance and has been mobilizing family resources to support you quietly. After you posted about Yunzhi, Qiancheng, and Wanxiang on Moments, she wore those brands everywhere—free advertising. You won over this heiress in one meeting. Impressive."
Jason chuckled softly. Shenna really was easy to read. Of course, the fact that he had whisked her away from her grandfather's birthday banquet on their first meeting said enough.
Unlike Julia, who had seen society's darkness yet remained gentle, Shenna was simply too well protected. Untouched by harsh realities. Still carrying her original innocence.
Jason typed back: "Stop teasing. I just remembered her birthday is coming soon. I seriously suspect you reminded me on purpose."
Olivia replied instantly: "Of course I did. She invited you while you were still in Harbor City. You never declined. As your secretary, it's my duty to remind you. Personally, I think you should focus more on Shenna instead of those socialite circles. From a business perspective, winning her over has strategic value. But the final decision is yours."
Jason smiled faintly. She had a point. Shenna had helped him quietly for months, and she had invited him personally. Not attending would be rude.
He opened Shenna's chat and typed: "Shenna, where are you holding your birthday party?"
The typing indicator appeared almost instantly, but it lingered, stopped, resumed—as if she were hesitating.
After a long moment, she finally sent: "I originally wanted to hold it at your Grand Hotel. My family agreed at first, but later they changed it. They want to host it at one of the Brown family's hotels. They said it's to build goodwill. I didn't want to go, but I can't disobey my elders."
Jason could practically picture her expression—pouting slightly, torn between obedience and reluctance.
He smiled and replied: "The Brown family isn't short on money. Holding it at their hotel isn't just goodwill, is it? This birthday banquet has another purpose. That's why you don't want to go?"
The typing indicator appeared again, faster this time—as if he had struck the truth directly.
Moonlight spilled across the bed. Julia slept peacefully. And Jason waited for Shenna's reply, already sensing this birthday party would be far more complicated than a simple celebration.
Shenna's reply came quickly, almost too quickly—like she had been waiting for someone to understand her frustration.
"Yes, yes, you're so smart, Senior. Zane Brown—the Brown family's second son. I don't know if you've met him. We only met once at a family gathering, and he started pestering me ever since. Now our elders are trying to arrange a marriage between our families. It's such an old-fashioned plot. They say there's no coercion, but the constant matchmaking is driving me crazy. I really don't want to go."
Jason chuckled softly after reading it. Shenna was still naive. On the surface, it looked voluntary, but once the elders kept pushing, she would gradually lose the ability to refuse.
Still, her instincts were sharp. She felt uncomfortable. And that alone meant she wasn't foolish—just protected. Too protected.
Jason typed: "If you don't want to go, then don't go. You skipped your grandfather's birthday before—why not your own?"
Shenna replied with a shocked emoji. "You can really run away from your own birthday party?"
Jason: "It's your birthday. You're the host. If you don't show up, who can celebrate?"
Shenna paused, then replied: "When you put it like that, it makes sense. But if I run away, my mom will definitely drag me back. Grandpa's birthday can go on without me. Mine can't."
Jason smiled faintly and typed: "Come find me. I guarantee they won't dare take you back. If you skip that banquet, I'll throw you another birthday party."
The typing bubble appeared instantly. "Really?! You have to keep your word. Where are you? I'll come now."
Jason blinked. "Isn't your birthday tomorrow? Why come today?"
Shenna replied immediately: "We have to run away early. If I wait until tomorrow, I might not escape. And I don't want to let all the guests arrive before disappearing. That would be too rude."
Jason laughed softly. "Alright. Olivia will pick you up."
Normally, he wouldn't send Olivia to pick up women. She was far too busy. But this time, she had set this up by reminding him about Shenna's birthday. So naturally, he returned the favor.
When Olivia received the message, three invisible question marks practically appeared over her head. You're flirting while I run errands? If I knew, I wouldn't have reminded you.
She replied helplessly: "Understood. But where should I take Miss Shenna?"
Jason paused. His villas were occupied. Not suitable.
After a moment, he replied: "Didn't I buy that luxury RV? Drive it to a scenic beach. Let her stay there."
Olivia froze. A heiress, running away from home, to live in an RV?
She couldn't help replying: "why not buy another villa?"
Jason: "Too late tonight. Besides, she's tired of villas. She'll like the motorhome."
Olivia was skeptical, but she still went.
At the rear entrance of the estate, she saw Shenna sneaking out quietly, carrying a small bag. The moment she got into the car, she urged, "Let's go, let's go!"
Then she looked around. "Where's Jason?"
Olivia replied calmly, "He's busy. He'll see you tomorrow."
She obviously couldn't say he was with another woman right now.
Shenna nodded, not doubting at all. In her mind, Jason was a busy tycoon. Of course he had work. Instead of being upset, she looked excited—like a runaway princess on an adventure.
Following Jason's instructions, Olivia drove to a scenic coastal stretch outside the city. The RV had already been delivered. Luxury class. Fully equipped. Sunshade canopy deployed. Rainproof system installed. Soft curtain panels swayed in the sea breeze.
Olivia had even arranged decorative flower pots facing the ocean.
When Shenna stepped out, her eyes lit up instantly. She ran forward excitedly.
"Is this the legendary RV?! I've never slept in one before! And by the ocean too! The night sea view is so beautiful!"
She stood by the shore, wind lifting her hair, city lights far in the distance, waves reflecting moonlight. Pure delight filled her face.
Watching her reaction, Olivia couldn't help but laugh softly. Jason had predicted it perfectly.
A villa, no matter how luxurious, couldn't compare to this kind of freedom. For a sheltered heiress like Shenna, this seaside RV was more magical than any palace.
Shenna turned back toward Olivia, her face glowing with childlike wonder. "Sister Olivia, can I really stay here tonight?"
"Of course," Olivia said warmly. "Mr Carter arranged everything for you. The RV is fully stocked—there's food, drinks, fresh linens, everything you need."
Shenna clapped her hands together. "This is amazing! I feel like I'm in a movie!" She spun around once, arms outstretched toward the ocean. "I can't believe I almost went to that boring banquet instead."
Olivia smiled but said nothing. She understood what Jason was doing. This wasn't just about helping Shenna escape an unwanted event. It was about creating a moment she would remember—something her sheltered world had never given her.
Freedom. Spontaneity. A taste of life outside gilded cages.
"I'll be nearby if you need anything," Olivia said. "he will visit tomorrow."
Shenna nodded enthusiastically, already exploring the RV's interior. "Thank you, Sister Olivia! And thank Senior for me too!"
As Olivia drove away, she glanced in the rearview mirror. Shenna stood on the beach, silhouetted against the moonlit waves, looking more alive than she'd probably felt in years.
Olivia shook her head, a faint smile on her lips. Jason had a gift for this—turning gestures into experiences, and experiences into loyalty.
And whether he realized it or not, every woman he touched this way became another thread in the web he was weaving.
A web that was growing larger, stronger, and more intricate by the day.
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