Chapter 523: Chapter 523 Unbelievable Stupidity
The penthouse was quiet for a few seconds after Lilith walked in.
Liam had just barely recovered from nearly drowning himself with a cup of water. His nose still burned from the water that had somehow found its way up there and his throat felt raw from coughing. Meanwhile Dickson stood awkwardly in the middle of the room, looking like a man whose entire future had just been placed on trial.
Liam wiped the corner of his mouth before immediately walking over to Lilith.
"You know," he said as if he had suddenly realized something profound about life itself, "I never knew your cousin could be so dumb."
Lilith raised an eyebrow at him.
She took the towel draped over one of the chairs and gently reached up to wipe the remaining water from the corner of his lips. "I don’t know," she replied calmly. "You tell me. He’s your best friend."
Liam slowly closed his eyes.
The regret on his face looked genuine.
"A mistake that was," he said heavily.
"Hey," Dickson snapped immediately. "I’m still here, motherfucker."
Liam ignored him so thoroughly that Dickson almost questioned whether he had actually spoken out loud.
Instead, Liam turned back to Lilith.
"You know what this idiot just told me?" Liam asked. "Dickson slept with those two girls and three days later they came back saying they’re pregnant."
He paused before adding with complete disbelief.
"The worst part is that he believed them."
Lilith’s hand froze halfway through folding the towel.
Then slowly...
Very slowly...
She turned her head toward Dickson.
"...What?"
Her expression was pure shock.
Dickson immediately looked away.
For the first time since arriving, even he seemed aware of how ridiculous the entire situation sounded.
Liam wasn’t done.
He moved behind Lilith and gently placed both hands on her shoulders as if positioning her for a better view.
"Take a good look," Liam said solemnly. "Observe him carefully."
"Liam..."
"No, seriously. Observe him."
He turned her slightly.
"See this man? This man possesses lightning powers capable of leveling buildings. He can move faster than bullets."
Lilith blinked.
"He can call down electricity from the sky."
Another blink.
"And yet..."
Liam pointed dramatically at Dickson.
"He thinks women can know they’re pregnant after three days."
Silence.
Then Lilith looked back at Dickson.
Then back at Liam.
Then back at Dickson again.
Dickson wished the floor would split open and swallow him whole.
"...Fine," Dickson muttered defensively. "Let’s say they aren’t pregnant..."
Lilith’s eyes widened.
"’Let’s say they aren’t pregnant’?"
She stared at him as though she had just discovered her cousin had been dropped on his head repeatedly as a child.
"You mean to tell me you’re still not sure?"
Dickson shifted awkwardly.
"I mean..."
Lilith put a hand over her face.
"Oh my God."
Even Liam couldn’t help smiling.
For all the terrifying monsters they had fought recently, nothing had prepared him for this conversation.
"You just got scammed, cuzz," Lilith said finally. "Did you give them any money?"
Dickson hesitated.
"...Yeah."
The room became quiet.
"How much?" Lilith asked.
Dickson scratched the back of his neck.
"Not that much."
"Dickson."
"...A decent amount."
"Dickson."
"...Enough."
Liam sighed.
"How much?"
Dickson looked toward the ceiling.
"About..."
His voice became smaller.
"...a few thousand dollars."
Lilith slowly lowered her hand from her face.
Then immediately raised it again.
"You absolute idiot."
Dickson groaned.
"It wasn’t like that."
"It was exactly like that," Liam replied.
Dickson rubbed his face.
"They said they were scared. They said they didn’t know what to do. They insisted I help them."
Liam could already piece together the entire story without needing to hear another word.
Scamming Dickson for money clearly hadn’t been enough.
The girls had probably realized they had stumbled upon a rich foreigner who wasn’t particularly bright when emotions got involved.
So they escalated.
Pregnancy.
Sympathy.
Urgency.
Then the final move.
"They insisted I bring them with me when I was coming," Dickson admitted quietly.
Liam rolled his eyes.
Of course they had.
He could practically see the whole plot unfolding inside his head.
Scam him for money.
Convince him they’re carrying his children.
Use him as a ticket into another country.
Maybe keep milking him afterwards.
It was so obvious that even his system, with its questionable sense of humor, would probably mock him for it.
Lilith slowly turned toward her cousin.
"You actually brought them here?"
Dickson looked offended.
"They’re the mothers of my children."
"They’re not pregnant!"
"We don’t know that!"
"You don’t know basic biology!"
"I panicked!"
Lilith closed her eyes.
The urge to smack him was becoming overwhelming.
Meanwhile Liam stepped closer from behind and wrapped his arms around Lilith’s waist.
He rested his chin lightly on her shoulder.
She didn’t even react anymore.
She merely leaned back slightly into him while staring at Dickson with the same look someone reserved for a child who had somehow managed to set the kitchen on fire.
"You know what’s funny?" Liam asked.
"What?" Lilith sighed.
"I bet if we ask him right now whether he used protection..."
Dickson suddenly looked everywhere except at them.
"...Dickson."
"..."
"Dickson."
"...It was a party."
Liam burst out laughing.
Lilith stared at her cousin.
Then she pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I don’t know whether to slap you or cry."
Dickson pointed accusingly.
"You two aren’t helping."
"We’re trying," Liam replied immediately.
"No, you’re mocking me."
"You deserve it."
Dickson looked betrayed.
"I came to my best friend for advice."
Liam tightened his hold around Lilith dramatically.
"And I’m advising you."
"How?"
"You’re an idiot."
Dickson nearly exploded.
"You know what? Fine. Let’s assume you’re both right."
Liam smiled.
"Good."
"But..."
Dickson folded his arms stubbornly.
"...I paid for where they’re staying."
The confidence in his voice returned slightly.
"I know where they are."
Liam tilted his head.
Then he smiled.
It wasn’t mocking this time.
It was the smile of someone who already knew exactly how this story ended.
He looked at Dickson.
"Call them."
Dickson blinked.
"Huh?"
"Call them."
"They’re staying at a hotel five blocks away"
"Call them."
Dickson frowned.
"Nah," he said. "I paid for where they’ll stay. I know where they are."
Liam’s smile widened.
He didn’t argue.
He didn’t explain.
He simply rested his head more comfortably against Lilith’s shoulder and looked at Dickson with amused eyes.
"Call them," he repeated softly.
For some reason, the confidence on Dickson’s face began to crack.
He looked between Liam and Lilith.
Neither of them said another word.
Lilith simply watched him with pity.
Liam watched him with amusement.
Dickson swallowed.
Then slowly...
Very slowly...
He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
