The sun had barely begun its slow ascent over the city when Ethan checked the time.
[7:30 AM.]
He exhaled through his nose, pocketing his phone after sending a quick message to Zack.
[Ethan|: Not coming to the resort today. Handle things on your end.]
Zack’s reply was almost immediate.
[Figured. Don’t let me catch you slacking, boss.]
Ethan smirked at that but didn’t bother responding.
Zack was sharp — he probably suspected that Ethan’s change of plans had something to do with a new idea. But, to his credit, he didn’t pry.
He leaned back against the kitchen counter, watching as Lila rinsed out her cup in the sink.
The apartment was still filled with the lingering scent of breakfast, warm and familiar. He’d spent the night here.
Not something he had originally planned.
But when Lila had grabbed his hand last night, looking up at him with those soft eyes and asked him to stay the night, he hadn’t thought twice before agreeing.
Ethan wasn’t the kind of man to ignore his responsibilities, though. While she had been asleep, he’d kept busy with the System.
He had planned to finalize the schematics for the construction team he was hiring today.
The casino project was already coming together, but there were some final touches he wanted to adjust.
Additions, removals — minor details, but important ones.
The System’s holographic interface had made it easy to modify the blueprints in real-time.
A sleek, glowing projection had hovered in his vision as he made precise adjustments.
He had adjusted the VIP lounge spacing, ensured the security layout was optimized, and even tweaked the structural design for aesthetic appeal.
Once everything was finalized, he had saved the updated schematics and sent a file directly to his phone.
And now, it was time to make things official.
Ethan straightened, rolling his shoulders as he grabbed his keys.
He had already found a competent construction team through the System, and now he was heading to their headquarters to seal the deal.
Lila dried her hands and turned toward him. "You’re leaving now?"
He nodded. "Got a meeting."
There was a flicker of disappointment in her expression, but she quickly masked it with a small smile. "You barely got any sleep."
"I’ll manage."
She hesitated, stepping closer until she was right in front of him. The apartment’s soft morning light framed her face, her hair still slightly messy from sleep.
"…Drive safe, okay?"
Ethan tilted his head, amused. "Worried about me?"
Lila rolled her eyes but stepped onto her toes, pressing a soft kiss against his lips. "Just be careful."
Ethan let out a low chuckle, resting a hand on the small of her back as he returned the kiss.
Then, he was gone.
Ethan slid into his Porsche, the familiar scent of leather and cologne settling around him as he started the engine.
The car purred to life, the dashboard lighting up as he navigated through his phone to pull up the location.
The company he was meeting today wasn’t just any construction firm. They were one of the best in the city, specializing in high-end commercial projects.
And Ethan had no intention of settling for anything less than perfection.
The streets were still relatively quiet, the morning rush just beginning as he merged onto the main road.
His mind replayed everything from last night.
Lila.
The way she had curled up against him in her sleep, completely at ease in his presence.
The way she had looked this morning, lips slightly pouted when she realized he was leaving.
It was cute, that much he knew.
Soon Ethan pulled into the parking lot of the company’s headquarters, shutting off the engine before stepping out.
The building was sleek and modern, glass panels reflecting the morning sun. He adjusted his jacket, locking the car as he strode toward the entrance.
As soon as he walked in, the receptionist’s eyes widened slightly.
"Good morning, sir. Do you have an appointment?"
"Yes," Ethan said smoothly. "Ethan Grey. Here to discuss a project."
The woman nodded quickly, typing something into her system before standing. "Of course. Right this way."
She led him through the pristine office, where employees were already hard at work.
The meeting room was spacious, and as soon as he stepped in, three men in suits were already waiting for him.
One of them — a broad-shouldered man in his late 40s with salt-and-pepper hair — stood and extended his hand.
"Mr. Grey," he said, a firm grip meeting Ethan’s. "Pleasure to finally meet you. I’m Mark Delacroix, head of operations."
Ethan nodded, taking a seat. "Likewise."
They wasted no time.
The discussion was efficient and straight to the point.
Ethan pulled up the blueprints on his phone, sliding them across the table.
"I need this project done flawlessly. No delays, no shortcuts."
Mark and his team examined the schematics, occasionally exchanging glances.
After a few moments, Mark let out a low whistle. "Impressive design. But this level of customization… it’s not going to be cheap."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Do I look like someone who cares about cost?"
Mark leaned back in his chair, a hint of amusement flickering in his sharp, calculating gaze.
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"Fair point," he admitted, setting the phone with the blueprints down on the table. "You don’t seem like the type to cut corners, Mr. Grey. But even with an unlimited budget, a project like this requires more than just money. You need precision, patience, and the right people for the job."
Ethan gave a short nod. "That’s why I’m here."
Mark exchanged a glance with his colleagues — two senior architects, one of whom, a woman in her mid-thirties with dark-rimmed glasses, adjusted her seat before speaking.
"Your design is ambitious," she said, folding her hands. "Most clients either go for efficiency or extravagance, but you want both. A high-end casino with a seamless security system, soundproofed VIP rooms, multi-level dining and entertainment spaces, and an underground private suite floor for exclusive guests."
Ethan met her gaze without hesitation. "If I wanted something ordinary, I’d have gone to a lesser firm."
She let out a small chuckle, shaking her head. "I can respect that."