The door opened and Ethan Cole stepped inside, carrying a small cloth-wrapped package.
His eyes swept the room, landing on Isabelle first, then Mrs. Tian, then Bai Tian who was standing by the bed.
He completely ignored Sebastian's presence in the corner.
"Mr. Tian," Ethan said respectfully, approaching the bedside with a concerned expression. "I heard about your accident. I came as soon as I could. I'm so glad to see you're awake."
"Thank you, young man," Bai Tian said warmly. "You must be one of Isabelle's classmates."
"Yes, sir. I'm Ethan Cole." Ethan held out the cloth package with both hands, like presenting a treasured gift. "I... I know this might seem strange, but I wanted to bring you something to help with your recovery."
He carefully unwrapped the cloth, revealing another wooden box—simpler than Sebastian's, but still elegant.
"This is a 300-year-old ginseng root," Ethan said, his voice filled with sincerity. "It has incredible healing properties. My... my grandfather left it to me before he passed. I want you to have it."
Isabelle's hand flew to her mouth. "Ethan, that's—that's too much. If it was your grandfather's—"
"Please," Ethan insisted, looking at Bai Tian earnestly. "Your health is more important. I want to help."
Bai Tian looked at the box, then at Sebastian standing quietly in the corner, then back at Ethan.
A small smile played on his lips.
"Thank you so much for the gift, young man," Bai Tian said gently. "Your kindness is truly touching. But I really don't need it."
Ethan blinked in confusion. "Sir, I understand it might seem unusual, but ginseng of this age can really help with—"
"I've already been healed," Bai Tian interrupted calmly.
Ethan froze. His eyes darted to Bai Tian's face—the healthy color, the clear eyes, the steady posture.
"Healed?" Ethan's voice was incredulous. "But... how? You were just in a car accident. Your injuries are not light."
"Were treated with a 250-year-old ginseng root," Bai Tian said simply, gesturing toward the ceramic teapot still sitting on the table.
Ethan's eyes widened. He turned, finally looking at Sebastian for the first time since entering the room.
Sebastian met his gaze with a calm, almost pleasant smile.
"You..." Ethan's jaw clenched. "You gave him ginseng?"
"I did," Sebastian replied smoothly. "Is there a problem?"
Ethan's hands tightened around his own wooden box. "But... when did you..."
"I've been here the whole time," Sebastian said casually. "While you were... wherever you were."
The implication hung in the air.
Ethan had gone home to get his grandfather's ginseng. While Sebastian had already been here, already helped, already made the difference.
Ethan had arrived too late.
Again.
[Ding! Major Opportunity Plundered!]
[You have successfully stolen a protagonist opportunity: "Healing the Father to make her my partner." The protagonist intended to use his precious 300-year-old ginseng to heal Isabelle's father and gain significant favour with the heroine's family. You intercepted this opportunity with a weaker treasure, rendering his gesture meaningless.]
[Reward: 250 Villain Points, +50 Villain Halo]
[Additional Note: The protagonist's "Hidden Quest: Win the Father's Approval" has failed. His reputation with the Tian family has stagnated while yours has increased.]
Sebastian kept his expression neutral, but inside he was celebrating.
===Status===
Host: Sebastian Fairfax
Combat Power: 67 (Average human: 100)
Villain Points: 1,000
Villain Halo: 160
Luck: E
Charm: E+
→ Skills: None
→ Inventory: Empty
======
Ethan stood there, holding his now-useless gift, his face cycling through emotions—shock, frustration, and finally... defeat.
Isabelle looked between the two of them, clearly sensing the tension.
"Ethan, it was really thoughtful of you to come. And to bring such a precious gift. I'm sure your grandfather would be proud that you wanted to help. I think you should keep the gift, it's your grandfather's after all."
"Yeah," Ethan said quietly, his voice strained. "I just... I wanted to help."
Bai Tian placed a hand on Ethan's shoulder. "Your heart was in the right place, young man. That matters more than you know. Please, keep your grandfather's treasure. It's precious to you, and you may need it someday."
Ethan nodded, rewrapping the ginseng with hands that trembled slightly.
Sebastian remained where he was, silent and observant.
--
In the end, Sebastian decided to bid farewell to the family. Staying with them constantly was not something he should do—he would become an eyesore, especially with her father still needing to rest despite his miraculous recovery.
The family had decided to keep Bai Tian in the hospital for at least one more day so the doctors could run proper tests and ensure he was truly stable before releasing him.
Ethan had long since departed after realizing he'd failed, his expression dark and defeated as he mumbled a quick goodbye and practically fled the room.
Sebastian gathered his things and turned to the family. "I should be going. Mr. Tian, I hope the doctors confirm what we already know—that you're well on your way to recovery."
"Thank you again, Sebastian," Bai Tian said warmly, genuine gratitude in his eyes. "For everything. You've done more than we could ever repay."
Mrs. Tian nodded in agreement. "You're welcome in our home anytime. I will make sure Isabelle invites you over when Tian is well."
Sebastian smiled. "I would be honoured."
Isabelle stepped forward quickly, shy from the conversation. "Let me escort you out."
Sebastian nodded, and they left the room together, walking down the hospital corridor in comfortable silence.
The elevator ride down was quiet. Isabelle kept glancing at him from the corner of her eye, as if trying to figure out what to say.
When they stepped outside into the evening air, the temperature had dropped significantly. The sun had set while they were inside, and a cold breeze swept across the hospital parking lot.
Isabelle wrapped her arms around herself, standing near the entrance.
"Sebastian, I don't know how to thank you properly. What you did today, bringing me here, waiting with us, the ginseng, everything."
"You don't need to thank me," Sebastian interrupted gently.
"But I do," Isabelle insisted, her eyes meeting his. "Today could have been so much worse. But because of you, my father is okay. Better than okay. I'll never forget this."
A stronger gust of wind blew through, and Isabelle shivered visibly, her thin school uniform providing little protection.
Without a word, Sebastian removed his long coat, a designer piece worth more than most people's monthly salary, and stepped closer to her.
He draped it over her shoulders carefully, his hands lingering for just a moment to adjust it properly.
Isabelle's breath caught.
He was so close now that she could smell his cologne, something expensive and masculine, woody with hints of citrus. The scent seemed to envelop her as completely as the coat's warmth.
Her heart began beating faster, the rhythm almost painful in her chest.
"Go inside, It's cold out here." Sebastian said quietly, his voice low.
Isabelle looked up at him, her pupils shrinking. In the dim lighting of the parking lot, his features seemed even more striking, the sharp jawline, the intelligent eyes, the hint of a smile on his lips.
"I'll... I'll see you tomorrow at school," she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Tomorrow," Sebastian confirmed.
He held her gaze for another moment, then turned and walked toward the waiting limousine.
Isabelle stood there, wrapped in his coat that still carried his body heat, watching him go.
The driver opened the door, and Sebastian slid inside. The door closed, and the limousine pulled away smoothly.
Inside, Sebastian leaned back against the leather seat, and a wide smirk spread across his face.
He'd plundered multiple opportunities from Ethan today. The lunch date, the rush to the hospital, the healing of Isabelle's father—all moments that should have been the protagonist's chances to shine.
Instead, Sebastian had claimed them all.
A notification appeared in his vision:
[Ding! Heroine Status Update]
[Isabelle Tian's Affection: 60/100]
[Status: Friend]
[Note: The heroine's perception of you has significantly improved. Continue building rapport to advance the relationship.]
Sebastian's smirk widened.
60 points. From what was probably barely 50 this morning.
The protagonist's romantic interest was falling for the villain.
"Sir?" the driver's voice came from the front. "Where to?"
"Home," Sebastian replied, still staring at the status screen only he could see.
As the limousine merged into evening traffic, Sebastian's mind was already working on his next moves.
With 1,000 Villain Points and 160 Villain Halo, he was making real progress. Just 140 more Villain Halo points until the Exchange Mall unlocked.
And with Isabelle's affection rising this quickly...It only due time until he claimed her as his.