Villain of Fate: The Tyrant System

Chapter 158: A Smile Framed in Memory

A Smile Framed in Memory

At De Dominicis Group.

Morning light filtered through the tall glass windows, soft and golden, painting long shadows across the polished floor. The office was quiet, almost too quiet—only the faint hum of air conditioning and the distant murmur of activity from outside broke the stillness.

Bianca De Dominicis leaned lightly against her desk, one hand resting near a photo frame, the other lazily tracing its edge.

A soft laugh escaped her lips.

"Heh... look at this idiot," she murmured under her breath, her red eyes gleaming with a warmth she rarely showed in public.

Inside the frame was a youthful couple.

A very handsome boy.

And a very pretty girl.

The kind of photo that didn’t need posing—it carried something real.

"Back then you didn’t even know how to act cool," she said, tilting her head slightly, a faint smile curling at her lips. "Still trying to look serious... but your eyes gave everything away."

Her fingers brushed lightly across the glass.

It was a photo of her and Julian D’Aurelius from when they were dating in college.

Sunlight.

Laughter.

Carefree days that felt like they belonged to someone else now.

"Hmm... I looked pretty good too," she added casually, flipping a strand of her long red hair behind her shoulder. "Actually... I still do."

She chuckled softly.

Then suddenly—

She raised her head.

"Secretary," she called out, her tone bright but carrying an underlying sharpness.

The secretary, who had been quietly reviewing documents nearby, immediately straightened.

"Yes, Miss?"

Bianca rested her chin lightly on her hand, her eyes still lingering on the photo.

"Tell me something," she said, voice playful but probing.

"Why do you think Julian and I are such a good match?"

The secretary blinked.

That question...

It wasn’t random.

But it also wasn’t something you could answer carelessly.

She thought for a moment.

Then spoke with calm confidence.

"It’s destiny," the secretary replied earnestly.

Bianca froze for a second—

Then her eyes lit up.

"Oh?" she straightened slightly, clearly pleased. "Not bad... not bad at all."

A grin spread across her face.

"That’s a perfect answer! Your salary is increased by ten thousand."

She even gave a thumbs-up, completely serious.

The secretary almost choked.

"I... I was just telling the truth," she said quickly, trying to maintain composure. "I don’t deserve such a reward."

Bianca waved her hand dismissively.

"Make it twenty thousand."

"...Miss, please don’t tempt me like this," the secretary said, barely holding back a laugh now.

But she didn’t argue further.

Because when Bianca decided something—

That was it.

She quickly adjusted her expression and got to the point.

"By the way, Miss," she said, flipping to another file, "President Thalia from Starlight Group wants to invite you to discuss a collaboration."

Bianca paused.

Her brows lifted slightly.

"The fat lady?" she asked, recalling instantly.

A well-known wealthy woman from Woodland City.

Infamous.

Not just for her wealth—

But for the rumors.

"Three thousand male companions..." Bianca muttered under her breath, lips twitching. "Honestly, I don’t know if I should admire her or call her insane."

She crossed her arms loosely.

"She’s still alive with that lifestyle... impressive."

The secretary coughed lightly.

"President Thalia has an e-commerce platform," she continued, steering the conversation back. "She wants to merge with one of De Dominicis Group’s platforms to compete for a top-three position in the industry."

Bianca’s expression turned thoughtful.

Her playful mood faded slightly, replaced by calculation.

"Our platform focuses on high-end routes... luxury, imported goods..." she murmured, tapping her finger against the desk.

"That woman’s platform... is more mass-market."

She narrowed her eyes.

"...Merging them could actually work."

After a brief pause, she nodded.

"Sure," she said decisively. "Did she mention a time?"

"President Thalia said anytime is fine."

Bianca snapped her fingers lightly.

"Then schedule it for the afternoon."

Her tone was casual—but firm.

"Understood."

The secretary noted it down immediately.

Meanwhile, Bianca had already picked up her phone.

Her expression softened again—almost unconsciously.

She dialed.

The call connected quickly.

Her voice instantly turned bright.

"Baby," she said cheerfully, leaning back against her desk, "come to my company. Let’s go to Woodland City in the afternoon to discuss business."

On the other end—

Julian’s voice came, calm as always.

"What business?"

Bianca smiled faintly.

"You sound so uninterested," she teased. "At least pretend you’re excited to see me."

Then she got to the point, explaining everything in detail.

"President Thalia... Starlight Group... platform merge..." she said smoothly, her tone shifting into business mode without losing its charm.

"De Dominicis Group’s e-commerce platform is positioned for high-end clients," she continued. "Luxury, foreign goods, exclusive brands."

"And the second-largest shareholder..."

She paused slightly.

"...is your D’Aurelius Group."

There was a brief silence.

Then Julian’s voice came again.

"So I’m getting dragged into work now?"

Bianca laughed softly.

"Don’t say it like that. You’re an important stakeholder."

"And besides..." her tone softened just a little, "...I want you there."

There was a pause.

Then—

"Alright," Julian said simply.

Bianca’s smile deepened.

"Good. Let’s meet directly at the airport."

"Mm."

The call ended.

She stared at the screen for a moment longer, then set the phone down.

"...Still so cold," she muttered, though there was no real complaint in her voice.

—

Not long after—

Julian was already on the road.

His car moved steadily through the city, sunlight reflecting off the windshield.

His expression was calm.

But his mind—

Was active.

"System... how has this plot changed?"

His voice didn’t come out.

It echoed inside his mind.

Because he remembered this clearly.

In the original story—

Bianca would go to discuss business.

Then—

She would be drugged.

A trap.

A setup.

A disgusting, predictable move.

Julian’s fingers tightened slightly on the steering wheel.

"Just when she was about to be violated..." he thought coldly.

The memory was clear.

Obsidian King Evan would appear—

Kill the villain.

Save the beauty.

And then...

Detoxification.

Julian scoffed lightly.

"In feel-good novels... this kind of cliché is everywhere," he muttered under his breath.

"Same script. Same garbage."

The system responded.

"Beep, the plot has been changed to..."

Information poured into his mind instantly.

Clear.

Direct.

No nonsense.

Julian’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"...Of course."

"As expected..."

"Evan’s role... has been replaced."

"Lucas."

He exhaled slowly.

A faint, dangerous smile appeared.

"So you’re the one stepping into the hero role now?"

He tapped the steering wheel lightly.

Thinking.

Calculating.

Lucas wouldn’t act randomly.

If he set this up—

Then it wasn’t just about saving Bianca.

There would be something else behind it.

Something deeper.

Julian’s gaze sharpened.

"...You want control."

"Or leverage."

"Or both."

He chuckled quietly.

"Too bad..."

His fingers moved quickly, sending a message through his phone.

To the Scythe Division.

Short.

Precise.

"Keep eyes on Lucas. Report every movement."

He leaned back slightly.

"This..."

"This is where snitches come in handy."

His lips curved.

Because information—

Was everything.

And this time—

He wasn’t going to play by anyone else’s script.