Villain of Fate: The Tyrant System-Chapter 65: Smiles Beneath the Surface

Smiles Beneath the Surface

"Thank you, brother. I won’t let you down."

Ammy D’Aurelius lowered his head slightly as he spoke, gratitude perfectly measured in his tone. Then he turned respectfully toward Patriarch D’Aurelius.

The old man exhaled a thin stream of smoke from his pipe, eyes calm but unreadable.

"As long as your brother agrees," the patriarch said evenly, "do your best and don’t disappoint us again."

The words were not harsh.

But they carried weight.

Ammy bowed quickly. "Thank you, Grandpa. I’ll go to the company now and familiarize myself with the work."

His posture was humble.

His voice obedient.

Only when he passed through the iron gates of the D’Aurelius estate did the mask slip.

His smile vanished.

His jaw tightened.

His eyes darkened with something sharp and resentful.

He was also a member of the D’Aurelius household.

Yet in front of them, he stood like a servant awaiting permission.

Why was that old man so biased toward Julian?

In appearance, Julian was only slightly taller.

In talent—was he really inferior?

Back in the college entrance exams, he had scored only 500 points away from perfection.

He let out a cold snort, started his Porsche, and accelerated toward The Flavor Factory.

One of the core pillars of the D’Aurelius Group.

Julian was foolish enough to hand it over.

He wouldn’t hold back.

Young Master Evan had already agreed to cooperate with him.

Once Julian was dead—

Everything in the D’Aurelius household would belong to him.

Back in the courtyard, Patriarch D’Aurelius watched the gates close.

The morning breeze rustled the trees, carrying with it the faint scent of tobacco.

His eyes grew deeper.

He drew on his old pipe again, then looked at Julian.

"Valemont has been unsettled recently," he said quietly. "Too many new forces. Too many ambitious young men."

Julian met his gaze. "Yes, Grandpa."

The old man’s voice lowered.

"Strength is good. Talent is good. But what keeps a household standing is not brilliance—it is steadiness."

He tapped the pipe against the ashtray.

"You’ve taken charge of the group at a young age. People will smile at you. They will flatter you. They will test you."

He paused.

"Don’t underestimate anyone. Especially those who seem the most harmless."

Julian’s golden eyes flickered faintly.

"I understand."

The patriarch nodded once.

"And remember this—when storms come, don’t always be the first to raise your sword. Sometimes, the best move... is to let others reveal themselves."

Julian bowed slightly.

"I’ll be careful."

He already had a plan.

Ammy D’Aurelius would not get the chance to sink this household a second time.

After leaving the estate, Julian drove back to the D’Aurelius Group headquarters.

The towering glass building reflected the morning sun, polished and imposing.

As he stepped into his executive office, he paused.

Two women in fitted business suits were tidying his desk.

One had short hair and lively eyes—Fira. The other stood slightly behind her.

"Young Master Julian," Fira greeted with a bright smile.

Julian leaned casually against the doorway, golden eyes sweeping over the room.

"Fira," he said lazily, "how did you gain weight again in just a few days?"

"Huh?" Fira’s eyes widened instantly. "Where did I gain weight?"

"I checked the scale last night. It didn’t change!"

Julian placed a hand over his chest and puffed it slightly.

"Here."

Fira blinked—then understood.

A faint blush crept across her cheeks, followed by a playful glare.

"You’re terrible."

Julian laughed softly.

The D’Aurelius Group had no shortage of beautiful women. Office tension was best relieved with harmless teasing—so long as lines were understood.

Fira stepped aside.

"Young Master Julian, this is the new secretary, Liza Voss. She completed her training and starts today."

Liza stepped forward.

"Hello, Young Master Julian."

Her voice was soft, controlled.

His eyes settled on her without distraction.

Down her back flowed thick black hair, smooth like polished stone. Delicate was the shape of her face, rounded gently at the cheeks and jaw. Straight across grew her brows, clean lines above eyes dark as midnight. Those eyes held a quiet openness, hinting at youth untouched by weight. Yet within them moved a glint - sudden, watchful, never still.

A charcoal suit hugged her frame, tailored tight at the waist. From there it opened slightly past the hips, softening the line. Just above the knee the skirt stopped, showing legs that moved with quiet confidence. Toned beneath the surface, her thighs added shape without weight. Petite she was, though curves played against slimness in ways that caught attention. Narrow through the middle, wide where it dipped out - this mix shaped something memorable.

A hint of shape showed through the white blouse, quiet but clear. Not large, yet noticeable enough to catch attention without trying.

Overall -

Nearly everyone, just five short of the full count.

Forward Julian moved, offering his hand.

"Liza Voss, right? Welcome to the D’Aurelius Group family."

A flicker moved through her gaze when their skin met, brief as a breath. The contact lingered just past silence, thin but sharp. A moment opened, then closed without sound.

Disgust?

Or calculation?

She quickly masked it with professionalism.

"Thank you, Young Master Julian."

Up close, she could see him clearly.

Black hair, casually styled. Golden eyes that seemed almost luminous under the office lighting. Broad shoulders beneath a tailored suit. A relaxed confidence that didn’t feel forced.

He was annoyingly handsome.

Liza felt her heartbeat shift ever so slightly—just enough to notice.

Julian held her hand a fraction longer than necessary.

"You seem nervous," he said lightly.

"I’m new," she replied calmly.

"Don’t be," he smiled. "As long as you work hard, the D’Aurelius Group rewards loyalty."

Fira snorted softly. "Young Master Julian rewards pretty secretaries too."

Julian shot her a mock glare. "I reward competence."

Fira crossed her arms. "Is that so? Then maybe I deserve a raise."

"You already gained enough," Julian replied smoothly.

She grabbed a file and lightly smacked his arm.

The atmosphere in the office softened.

A few other female staff passing by peeked in, whispering and giggling.

"Did you see Young Master Julian today?"

"He looks especially handsome in that suit."

"I wouldn’t mind working overtime if he stays late."

Julian caught fragments of their murmurs and raised a brow.

"Focus on work," he said lazily.

"Yes, Young Master Julian~" one of them replied playfully before disappearing down the hallway.

Liza observed quietly.

So this was the heir of the D’Aurelius Group.

Relaxed. Flirtatious. Seemingly careless.

But when he looked at someone directly—

There was calculation behind those golden eyes.

She lowered her gaze.

This assignment would not be simple.

Julian returned to his desk, fingers lightly tapping the surface.

The game board was expanding.

Ammy had moved.

Evan was watching.

And now—

New pieces had entered the field.

He smiled faintly.

Let’s see who survives this round.