Harem Investment System: Getting Money And Women - Chapter 73

Chapter 73: Goodbyes Chapter 73: Goodbyes The morning light filtered through the vast windows of the mansion, casting long streaks of gold across the sleek marble floors.  It was early – earlier than Ethan usually woke up after such a long day, but something about the stillness of the house pulled him from sleep before the others.

With a quiet yawn, he ran a hand through his hair and threw on a shirt before heading downstairs.  As he stepped into the kitchen, he was met with the sight of Zack rummaging through the fridge, his upper body halfway inside as he searched for something.

Ethan leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching in silent amusement as Zack finally emerged, victorious, with a can of Coke in hand.  Without hesitation, Zack cracked it open, poured the fizzy liquid into a glass, and downed the whole thing in one go.

Only after he finished did he realize Ethan was watching him.

Zack let out a nervous chuckle, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

“What?

It’s refreshing.” Ethan shook his head.

“It’s way too early for that.” “You sound like my mother,” Zack muttered, tossing the empty glass in the sink.

“Besides, I needed something cold after all the screaming last night.

I swear, your sisters have the energy of a thousand suns.

I’m too old for that.” Ethan snorted.

“You’re twenty-two.” “And feeling fifty.” Zack stretched exaggeratedly before slumping into a chair.  “Man, I should’ve never let Julie convince me to play all those games.

I think she nearly cracked my spine with that pillow.” Ethan smirked but didn’t comment.

Instead, he moved past Zack and toward the kitchen counter, rolling up his sleeves.  “Might as well get breakfast started before they wake up.” Zack groaned but stood up anyway.

“Fine, but I’m making the eggs.

You always overcook them.” Ethan gave him a look.

“I do not.” “I don’t want to find out,” Ethan huffed but didn’t argue further.

Instead, they fell into a natural rhythm – Zack handling the eggs while Ethan worked on the toast and coffee.  The scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the kitchen, mixing with the light sizzle of eggs on the pan.  Zack, for all his complaining, was actually good at cooking when he wanted to be.

“Think Vanessa’s up?” Zack asked as he flipped the eggs.

Ethan glanced toward the hallway leading to the guest rooms.

“Probably not.

She seemed exhausted last night.” Zack smirked.

“I still can’t believe she agreed to stay over.

That’s a first.” Ethan shrugged.

“It was late.

The storm didn’t help.” “Right, right.

And totally not because she was having fun?” Ethan rolled his eyes, ignoring the teasing tone in Zack’s voice.

They continued cooking, filling plates with food – scrambled eggs, toast, fresh fruit, and some bacon on the side.  Ethan poured himself a cup of coffee while Zack settled for another Coke, ignoring Ethan’s disapproving look “If I can’t have alcohol, I’d rather settle with coke instead.” It wasn’t long before the sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway.

Claire was the first to walk in, dressed in an oversized hoodie, rubbing her eyes sleepily.  She yawned as she slid into a chair, barely acknowledging them.

“Morning,” Ethan greeted.

She made a vague noise of acknowledgment before reaching for a plate.

Julie, on the other hand, was far more awake.  The ten-year-old practically bounced into the kitchen, her braids swaying as she hopped onto a chair.

“Is Vanessa still sleeping?” she asked excitedly, looking around as if expecting the racer to appear any moment.

Ethan chuckled.

“I’d guess so.

Why?” Julie grinned.

“Because I wanna show her my model cars!” Zack snorted.

“You mean the ones you almost threw at me last night?” Julie stuck her tongue out.

“That was an accident.” Ethan hid his smirk behind his coffee cup.

“Sure it was.” As if summoned, Vanessa finally made her appearance, walking into the kitchen with a lazy stretch.  She had pulled her hair up into a loose ponytail, and despite her casual look, she still carried herself with an effortless confidence.

She raised an eyebrow at the sight of everyone already seated.

“Wow, you guys wake up early.” Zack smirked.

“Some of us had to recover from your pillow war yesterday.” Vanessa chuckled as she slid into a chair, stealing a piece of toast from Ethan’s plate before he could react.  “You mean my perfect victory?” “Sure, let’s go with that.” Ethan simply shook his head, letting their banter play out as he took another sip of coffee.  Claire was still eating quietly, while Julie practically vibrated with excitement at having Vanessa at the table.

“So,” Vanessa said, leaning on her elbow.

“What’s the plan for today?” Zack shrugged.

“That depends.

You sticking around?” She tilted her head, considering it.

“I don’t know.

What’s in it for me?” Julie clapped her hands.

“I have cars!

We can race them!” Vanessa stretched as she got up from her seat, rolling her shoulders as if shaking off the lingering comfort of a slow morning.

“Well,” she said, brushing a few crumbs off her shirt.

“As much as I’d love to stick around and destroy Julie in a race – ” Julie gasped.

“Hey!

I could totally win!” Vanessa smirked.

“I guess we’ll never know.

I gotta head out.” Ethan leaned back against the counter, arms crossed.

“Race?” “Yeah.” She grabbed her jacket off the back of a chair.

“Got an invite for one in another city.

Pretty high-stakes.

Figured I’d check it out.” Ethan wasn’t surprised.

Vanessa wasn’t the type to turn down a challenge, especially when it involved racing.

It was in her blood, woven into the very way she carried herself – fast, unrelenting, always moving forward and he had to admit it made her tough.

Zack whistled.

“Another one already?

Didn’t you just humble half the street racers sometime ago ?” Vanessa shrugged, flashing that signature smirk of hers.

“The thrill never stops, Zack.” Julie pouted.

“I wanted to hang out more.” Vanessa ruffled the younger girl’s hair.

“Don’t worry, squirt.

I’ll swing by another time.

We’ll have a proper rematch then.”