Ultimate Tycoon: Building the Richest Empire with System and Heroines
Chapter 41: System Rebooted

Chapter 41: System Rebooted

Old Man Hayes, whose full name was Alistair Hayes, sat at the head of the table, his fingers gently tapping on his cane.

To his left sat Damian Hayes.Across from him, Clarissa Hayes sat, Alistair’s only daughter.

Clarissa narrowed her eyes. "Father, are you sure about this?"

Alistair nodded slowly. "Yes."

Damian frowned, swirling the wine in his glass without drinking it. "Father... we’ve grown a lot in recent years. But our power is still new compared to theirs. The Raven family... they’re rooted deep."

He leaned forward, voice low. "I searched for everything about him as you asked. Ethan, he’s the heir to the Raven family. And that makes things dangerous."

Alistair’s expression remained calm. "That explains why someone wanted him dead."

"Exactly," Damian said. "The bus incident wasn’t random. I’m almost certain the attack was orchestrated by someone within the Raven circle. Someone who didn’t want Ethan to ever return to his roots."

Clarissa whistled low. "No wonder the boy’s got enemies before he even stepped on the board."

Alistair tapped his cane twice, signaling calm. "I expected as much. But I’ve already taken steps."

Damian and Clarissa both looked at him.

"I’ve reached out to Old Marclaire and Old Carter," Alistair said. "Turns out, Ethan has a... very close relationship with their granddaughters."

Clarissa blinked. Then smirked. "Heh. This guy’s a real player, huh? Already dipping into two of the oldest families ?"

Alistair smiled faintly. "Intentional or not, it’s working to our advantage."

He leaned back in his chair, folding his hands over his cane. "That’s the reason I insisted on bringing him here. The Ravens will move again,but if he builds relationships with the other founding families before that happens... we’ll be ready."

Damian nodded. "So... that dinner next week?"

"They’re coming," Alistair confirmed. "Both the Carters and the Marclaires."

Before anyone could speak further—

"MINAAAAAA!!!"

The high-pitched yell echoed through the mansion, followed by what sounded like a crash upstairs.

All three Hayes looked toward the ceiling in perfect sync.

Clarissa sighed, a hand over her face. "That little goblin again."

Damian shook his head. "Every time there’s peace in this house, that girl declares war."

Alistair just chuckled softly.

Clarissa stood up. "Let’s go. Before she causes chaos again."

------------------

"Marry her~!" she chirped again, as if that was a totally normal thing to say.

Natalie glared. "You little brat..."

Mina tilted her head. "What? It makes sense! Big brother saw big sister in a towel. That’s, like, NovelFire Law."

What? This little girl read NovelFire. Ethan thought.

"I—WHAT?!" Natalie’s voice shot up an octave.

"Don’t yell at me. Yell at fate." Mina smirked, folding her arms like a wise monk.

Ethan cleared his throat, trying to diffuse the situation. "Okay, okay, let’s just calm down. No need to follow towel logic."

Mina plopped down on the bed next to Ethan and patted his shoulder like a seasoned mentor. "Don’t worry, big bro. You’ve already passed the first trial."

Ethan blinked. "Trial?"

She leaned closer, whispering like she was sharing ancient secrets. "Sister Natalie is super scary to most guys. You’re still alive. That’s, like, true love proof."

Natalie crossed her arms tighter. "I am not scary."

Mina giggled, then reached into her pocket and pulled out... a tiny notepad?

Ethan squinted. "What’s that?"

"My matchmaking checklist," Mina said proudly.

"...Of course it is." Natalie sighed.

She flipped the page.

"Phase one: accidental fanservice. Done."

Natalie gasped. "You planned that?!"

"Not the towel part! That was divine timing!" Mina looked up thoughtfully. "Or maybe fate ships you two..."

Natalie turned pink again.

"Phase two..." Mina continued, tapping her pen, "forced close quarters."

She looked around the room, eyes lighting up.

"Stop it, Mina!" Natalie’s voice cracked like a whip, but it clearly had no effect.

The little devil stood proud in the center of the room, hands on her hips, eyes glittering with mischief.

"What?" Mina blinked innocently, then pointed a small accusing finger. "Big sis, you’re 28 years old. In all those 28 years, not a single boyfriend! Not even a kiss! And you’re still a virgin!"

"WHAT—?!" Natalie’s face turned so red, it looked like steam would shoot from her ears.

Ethan, still on the bed, nearly choked on air.

W-WHAT DID SHE JUST SAY?!

His jaw hung open.

Wait... how does she even know these things?

Then it clicked.

Ah... right. This girl reads NovelFires.

Mina wasn’t done.

She stepped beside the bed, puffing out her chest like a matchmaker from an old drama. "Look at big brother—he’s handsome, caring, and definitely a gentleman! And you’re beautiful too! Don’t you see? You’re a match made in heaven!"

Ethan gave a very confused nod. It went sideways. Then up. Then back sideways.

Basically a human buffering animation.

Natalie stared at him. "...What is that supposed to mean?"

"Big brother already likes you! I can tell!" Mina grinned. "So just marry him, big sis!"

Natalie groaned, rubbing her temples. "Mina... it doesn’t work like that."

Mina pouted. But instead of giving up, she narrowed her eyes.

"Surprise, big brother!" Mina chirped with devilish glee. Then she dashed over to Natalie, put one hand behind her and—

SMACK!

She slapped Natalie’s butt.

Softly. But with full mischief.

"It jiggles," Mina said, nodding with scientific seriousness.

Ethan coughed like he’d swallowed a grenade. His eyes went wide. His brain short-circuited.

YEP. I’M DEAD.

Natalie froze. For exactly one second.

Her face turned tomato red.

Then came the eruption.

"MINAAAAAAAAAA!!!"

Her anger level hit MAXIMUM. Her fists clenched. Her aura practically lit the air on fire.

Just then, the door flew open.

"What happened?!" Damian entered, followed by Clarissa and Alistair.

They’d heard the yelling.

Clarissa’s eyes narrowed. "Don’t tell me..."

Damian took one look at Ethan lying on the floor, Natalie steaming, and Mina looking proud of herself and sighed. "She did it again."

Alistair rubbed his temple. "This little devil..."

Clarissa walked over to Mina, crouched, and tugged her ear softly. "My princess, what have I told you about harassing your sister?"

"But Mom, it jiggled."

Clarissa’s eyes twitched. She fought hard not to laugh.

Natalie looked like she might explode into stardust.

Clarissa stood and carried Mina away. "Enough teasing. Let Natalie breathe."

Mina stuck out her tongue at Natalie, winked at Ethan, and vanished down the hall.

Natalie exhaled, her whole face still glowing red.

Damian cleared his throat. "Come, Ethan. I’ll show you the guest room.

Ethan quickly nodded. "Yes!Very good idea."

Damian led him down the hallway to a room identical to the one before.

Still lavish. Still comfy.

Ethan flopped onto the bed, his mind a whirlwind of chaos.

It did jiggle...

Just then—

DING!

System Reboot Complete.

System Upgraded.

Natalie Hayes - Affinity: 1