Harem Startup : The Demon Billionaire is on Vacation-Chapter 754: Two Mermaids

Chapter 754 – Two Mermaids

The time struck 13.04 PM.

The Everwing Spire Venue hummed softly with preparation. Outside the tall arched windows, the sea shimmered in wide silver sheets beneath the afternoon sun. The building itself curved like a glass shell rising from the coastline, its crystalline structure catching light and scattering it across marble floors in shifting waves.

Inside one of the upper preparation suites, Ariel sat at her vanity.

Still.

Almost too still.

The makeup artist adjusted the shimmer along her cheekbones with a careful brush. The hairdresser lifted a section of her long sea-green hair, weaving delicate pearl strands through it with expert fingers.

"You look perfect, Lady Ariel," the makeup artist murmured.

Perfect.

The word echoed strangely in her chest.

Ariel stared at her reflection.

The girl in the mirror looked regal. Poised. Every inch a mermaid heiress.

The gown draped around her like liquid moonlight, pale blue silk layered over translucent fabric that mimicked the surface of water.

She should have been excited.

This was her debut.

Today the world would officially know that the Avariel family had found their long lost daughter.

Her.

And yet...

Her fingers tightened slightly over the edge of the vanity. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Her thoughts kept drifting.

To him.

Would he come?

She hated that the question wouldn’t leave her alone.

Lux.

She swallowed faintly.

Why was she even thinking about him right now?

The hairdresser gently tilted her chin upward. "Relax your shoulders, Lady Ariel."

She hadn’t realized they were tense.

A soft knock came at the door before it opened without waiting.

"Sister."

Ariel blinked.

Sirena entered like a breeze that knew it belonged everywhere. Same sea colored eyes. Same high cheekbones. But Sirena carried herself differently.

Confident.

Sharp.

Unapologetic.

Her dress was darker, a deep ocean blue with silver accents. She looked like a storm wrapped in silk.

Sirena smiled. "You look stunning, sis."

Ariel tried to return the smile. "Thank you."

Sirena stepped closer, studying her carefully through the mirror. "You look like you’re about to be executed."

Ariel stiffened. "I do not."

"You do." Sirena leaned lightly against the vanity, crossing her arms. "Your smile is at forty percent. Your hands are gripping the table like it owes you money."

Ariel glanced down. She hadn’t realized. "I’m just... nervous," she admitted quietly.

Sirena’s expression softened slightly. "Of what?"

Ariel hesitated.

The room felt too small suddenly.

The makeup artist and hairdresser continued working, pretending not to hear.

"This is my first public appearance," Ariel said carefully. "Everyone will look at me."

Sirena snorted lightly.

"Everyone is going to look at you because you’re beautiful and because the family PR machine has been teasing your existence for three weeks."

Ariel pressed her lips together. "That does not help."

Sirena tilted her head. "That’s not what’s bothering you."

Ariel’s eyes flickered in the mirror. She hated how easily Sirena read her.

"Is it the mysterious billionaire? The butler told me a bit about him," Sirena asked casually.

Ariel’s heart skipped. "What?"

Sirena smirked faintly. "The one who saved you?"

Ariel tried very hard to keep her face neutral. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

"Please." Sirena leaned closer. "His name was everywhere in the news this week. Lux something."

Ariel’s breath caught just slightly.

Sirena continued, "Mysterious. Private. Ridiculously wealthy. Apparently invests like he’s allergic to losing."

Ariel swallowed. "I... I’m not really close to him."

Sirena’s brow lifted. "Ah."

"That doesn’t mean anything."

"You’re thinking about him."

Ariel looked down. Her fingers twisted together in her lap. "I just... wondered if he would attend."

There.

She said it.

Sirena watched her for a moment. "Why does it matter?"

Ariel searched for an answer.

Because he looked at me like I was real.

Because when he spoke, it didn’t feel like he was performing.

Because he smiled like he knew something dangerous and still chose to stay polite.

But she didn’t say any of that.

"He is influential," Ariel said instead. "It would be good for the family if he came."

Sirena stared at her. "Right."

Ariel flushed faintly.

Sirena sighed dramatically. "You like him."

Ariel’s eyes widened.

"I... I do not... I-I’m not sure." Lux had a lot of girls. Heiresses. All confident. All powerful. Unlike her. She? She was a burden.

"You do."

"You don’t even know him."

"That has never stopped anyone in this family."

Ariel couldn’t help the small, embarrassed laugh that escaped her.

Sirena’s expression softened again.

"You’re allowed to be anxious," Sirena said quietly. "This is a big day."

Ariel nodded faintly.

"Do you think he’ll come?" she asked before she could stop herself.

Sirena considered it."If he’s smart, yes."

Ariel blinked. "Why?"

"Because this is the debut of the Avriel heiress."

Sirena’s smile turned slightly sharp. "And mysterious billionaires don’t miss opportunities."

Ariel’s stomach fluttered.

She hated that it did.

She adjusted slightly in her chair.

"What if he doesn’t?"

Sirena shrugged. "Then you will still be the center of the room."

Ariel stared at her reflection again.

Her lashes looked darker. Her lips softer.

She barely recognized herself. "I don’t know how to be that," she whispered.

Sirena’s hand came to rest lightly on her shoulder. "You don’t need to."

Ariel looked up.

"Just be you," Sirena said again.

"That’s worse."

Sirena laughed. "No, it’s not."

Ariel’s gaze drifted toward the window.

The sea shimmered beyond the glass.

Somewhere in this city, Lux was moving through his day.

Busy.

Sharp.

Untouchable.

Would he remember this event?

Would he remember her?

The thought made her chest ache slightly.

"Sister." Sirena’s voice pulled her back. "You’re spiraling."

Ariel blinked. "I am not."

"You are."

Sirena leaned closer, lowering her voice. "If he comes, good. If he doesn’t, also good."

Ariel frowned faintly. "How is that good?"

"Because you are not waiting for a man to validate your debut."

Ariel looked down again.

The words stung.

Because part of her knew they were true.

She didn’t want validation.

She just...

Wanted him to see.

To see that she wasn’t just a rumor.

Not just a lost daughter story.

But real.

"Breathe," Sirena said gently.