My Scumbag System

Chapter 581: A Harem is a Business Liability

I loaded a plate because refusing food would be an insult and I was genuinely starving. The croissant practically melted in my mouth.

"Let’s skip the pleasantries."

Veronica raised an eyebrow. "Direct. I appreciate that."

"You offered an alliance yesterday. I said I’d think about it. I’ve thought about it. Now I need to know what you actually want."

She leaned back in her chair. Her fingers steepled beneath her chin in a pose that probably cost thousands in executive coaching to perfect.

"What I want is quite simple. I want my sister to be happy. I want Olympus Rising to prosper. I want to identify and cultivate exceptional talent before my competitors do."

"And I fit into that how?"

"You saved Reyna’s life yesterday. In front of fifty thousand spectators and twenty million viewers. You sacrificed a guaranteed first-place finish to pull her from that ceiling. That action told me everything I need to know about your character."

"I’m not as noble as you think."

"Perhaps not. But you made a decision that prioritized another person’s wellbeing over your own victory. That kind of instinct cannot be taught."

I chewed another bite of croissant while my brain processed her words. She was good. Really good. Every sentence designed to make me feel valued. Appreciated. Wanted.

Classic manipulation tactics.

"What does an alliance with Olympus Rising actually look like?"

"Resources. Equipment. Training facilities. Media management. Sponsorship opportunities. Legal protection. Medical support. Everything a rising Hunter needs to reach their full potential."

"And in return?"

"In return, you affiliate yourself with our brand. Not exclusively. I’m not asking you to join the guild. Simply to be associated with our image. To appear at events. To speak favorably about our organization in public."

"You want me to be a walking advertisement."

"I want you to be a partner. Advertisements are disposable. Partners are valuable."

She reached into her jacket and produced a folder. Slid it across the table.

"This is a preliminary offer. Read it at your leisure. Consult with whatever advisors you trust. There is no pressure to sign immediately."

I flipped open the folder. The numbers inside made my eyes widen despite my best efforts to maintain a poker face.

"This is a lot of zeroes."

"You’re worth a lot of zeroes."

"I’m a C-Rank nobody from the slums."

"You were a C-Rank nobody from the slums. After yesterday, you’re the most talked-about prospect in the country. Your social media following increased by eight hundred percent overnight. Three major corporations have already inquired about sponsorship opportunities. Two rival guilds have expressed interest in recruitment."

I closed the folder. Set it aside.

"And Reyna?"

Veronica’s expression flickered. Just for a moment. A crack in the polished facade.

"What about her?"

"She challenged me to dinner on national television. She’s your sister. She’s clearly interested in me for reasons beyond professional respect. Where does she fit into this alliance?"

"Reyna makes her own decisions regarding her personal life. I neither encourage nor discourage her interests."

"But you arranged for her to be placed against me in every possible event. You wanted her to face me. To test herself against me."

Another flicker. This one closer to respect than surprise.

"You’re more observant than I anticipated."

"I pay attention."

"Yes. You do." She leaned forward. The corporate mask slipped slightly. "My sister has never expressed romantic interest in anyone before. Ever. She’s spent her entire life training. Preparing. Becoming the weapon I needed her to be. And then you appeared. A C-Rank nobody who fights like an S-Rank legend. Who absorbs lightning and tanks void damage and carries injured rivals to safety. You confused her. Intrigued her. Made her feel things she doesn’t understand."

"That sounds like a her problem."

"It’s become a me problem. Because whatever happens between you and Reyna will affect Olympus Rising. Will affect our brand. Will affect everything I’ve built."

"So this alliance is really about controlling the narrative around your sister’s love life."

"This alliance is about ensuring that whatever develops between you happens in a controlled environment. Where I can manage the fallout. Where I can protect both of you from the media circus that will inevitably follow."

I sat back. Studied her face. Searched for the lie.

I didn’t find one.

"You’re being surprisingly honest."

"You earned honesty. Most people I deal with require careful management. Flattery. Manipulation. The usual tools of corporate warfare." She smiled. This one felt genuine. "You would see through all of that. So I’m being direct. I want you associated with my brand. I want my sister happy. I believe those two goals are compatible."

"What about Natalia?"

The name hung in the air between us.

"What about her?"

"She’s possessive. Jealous. Territorial. She will not take kindly to your sister pursuing me."

"I’m aware. I’ve done my research on Miss Kuzmina." Veronica’s eyes gleamed with something that might have been amusement. "She’s quite formidable. A-Rank potential. Telekinetic abilities that rival some S-Ranks. A family connection to the VHC through her stepfather. And now a public relationship with the tournament’s champion."

"Your point?"

"My point is that I understand the complexities of your situation. You’ve somehow accumulated the loyalty of several exceptional women. Miss Kuzmina. Miss Aoyama. Miss Amane. Miss Okoye. Miss Vance. Others, I suspect, that I haven’t yet identified."

Nel’s voice whispered through our bond. She knows more than she should.

No kidding.

"I’m not building a harem."

"Call it what you like. The result is the same. You attract powerful women like gravity attracts mass. It’s a remarkable talent."

"It’s not a talent. It’s a curse."

Veronica laughed. A genuine laugh that transformed her face from corporate shark to something almost human.

"Perhaps. But it’s a useful curse. One I would very much like to be associated with."

I reached for the folder again. Flipped through the pages more carefully this time. The contract was surprisingly reasonable. Short-term commitment. Generous compensation. Clear exit clauses.

"You’ve made this easy to accept on purpose."

"I’ve made this easy to accept because I want you to accept it. Complicated contracts breed resentment. Simple contracts breed loyalty."

"And if I say no?"

"Then I walk away. No hard feelings. No retaliation. Olympus Rising continues as it always has. You continue as you always have. We remain cordial acquaintances rather than allies."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that. I don’t believe in burning bridges. They’re too useful for future crossings."

I set the folder down. Looked her directly in the eyes.

"I need time."

"Of course."

"I need to consult with people I trust."

"Naturally."

"And I need to have that dinner with your sister before I make any decisions."