The Heart System

Chapter 395: Chapter 395

Dierella emerged from one of the rooms, her form nothing like the one she usually wore. Her wings were fully extended now, larger, darker, the membranes veined and powerful. Two twisted horns curved from her head, sharp and unmistakably real. Her skin had taken on an ashen hue, veins standing out vividly beneath the surface. She wore nothing at all, her body raw and terrifying in its divinity.

In her arms was Minne.

Minne’s hands were bound in heavy chains, the links trailing back into her bedroom. Dierella walked forward in silence until the chains reached their limit. She stopped, lifted her gaze to Mana, and stared at her with pure rage.

Then, one by one, Dierella grabbed the chains and crushed them in her fists. Metal groaned and snapped apart like brittle wire.

She carried Minne the rest of the way into the living room and gently laid her unconscious body on the table.

"Mana," Dierella sneered, locking eyes with her, her voice low and sharp. "Stop butting yourself into my business, alright?"

"Dierella," Mana replied, clapping her hands together once, amused. "You have me all wrong, honey."

"Stop."

"Dierella, Dierella..." Mana said again, almost fondly.

She stepped closer and reached out, fingers brushing along Dierella’s left horn, then flicked the other one lightly, like she was teasing a pet instead of provoking a predator. Dierella’s jaw tightened immediately. Her teeth ground together as she shoved past Mana with her shoulder, forcing her aside without even slowing down.

Dierella stopped in front of me and lifted her hands, placing them firmly over my eyes. I didn’t fight it. I just let my eyelids close under her palms.

When I opened them again, I was gripping my steering wheel.

I was back in my car.

The seatbelt was already on, my door closed, the familiar company parking lot stretched out in front of me. Employees walked by, phones in hand, laughing, smoking, complaining about work like nothing supernatural had just happened. The sky was normal. Time was moving. Everything was exactly where it should have been.

My breath came out shaky.

"What the fuck," I muttered. "What even happened?"

My hand stayed on the steering wheel as I stared through the windshield, trying to piece it together. One moment I was standing in my penthouse with a Goddess threatening me and chaining Minne, the next I was back here like none of it existed. Except it did. I knew it did. The fear was still sitting heavy in my chest, my skin still prickling like I’d brushed against something lethal.

Was Minne safe now?

I wasn’t willing to assume anything. I needed to see her. With my own eyes.

My phone buzzed in my hand before I could even unlock the car.

I nearly dropped it when I saw the name on the screen.

Minne.

I answered instantly.

"Minne?"

"M-Master..." she said, her voice soft and rushed. "I’m sorry I missed your calls. I... I fell asleep. This isn’t like me, I swear. I’m usually really energetic, but I don’t know what happened. I just felt really tired and—"

"It’s okay," I said quickly, forcing a smile into my voice even though my heart was still pounding. "It’s okay, honey."

"Oh." She hesitated. "Are you... upset, Master?"

"No, not at all." I exhaled slowly. "Actually, take the day off."

There was a brief pause. "Oh. Are you sure, Master?"

"Yeah. I’m sure." I leaned back against the seat. "Just... tell me something. Are you okay?"

"Um... I think so?" she replied, unsure. "I feel normal now."

"Good," I said, relief finally starting to sink in. "That’s good."

I glanced at the building one last time before starting the engine. "I’m coming to the penthouse. I’ll pick you up and drop you off at your mom’s place, alright?"

"I can take the bus, Master," she said quickly.

"No," I replied without hesitation. "Be ready in fifteen."

"Oh." She sounded surprised. "Um... yes, Master."

I ended the call and sat there for a moment longer, my grip tightening on the steering wheel.

Mana had been real. The threat had been real. And whatever game the Goddesses were playing, I was very clearly in the middle of it now.

I put the car in drive and pulled out of the parking lot.

❤︎‬‪‪❤︎‬‪‪❤︎

The café inside the hotel was busy in that quiet, work-obsessed way. Almost every table was taken, people hunched over laptops, earbuds in, fingers moving nonstop. Some looked productive. Others looked like they’d been staring at the same screen for an hour. Soft music played in the background, barely noticeable unless you focused on it, and the smell of coffee and sugar hung in the air. Floor-to-ceiling windows let daylight spill in, warming the stone walls and the hanging plants scattered around the place.

I sat near the window with a banana-flavored milkshake in front of me.

I took a sip and let out a slow breath, then rubbed the bridge of my nose before dragging my hands down my face. Even now, my head was still full of Mana. The way she talked about killing someone like it was routine. The way everything around her bent and obeyed. No matter how many times I replayed it, it didn’t sit right.

A shadow fell over my table.

I looked up and saw Eleanor standing there, a small, tired smile on her face, coat draped over one arm. She looked worn in an honest way, like someone who’d lived long enough to stop pretending she wasn’t.

I gestured to the empty chair. "Hey. Come, sit."

She lowered herself into it with a soft sigh. "God, thank you. I’m so tired. I forgot what an off-day even feels like."

"You getting used to working at Stingy Ladies?" I asked.

She chuckled faintly. "Trying to. I’m getting better, I think. Still, a woman my age learning new things..." She tilted her head. "You know that saying? You can’t teach an old dog new tricks."

"You’re anything but old," I said.

She raised an eyebrow. "Beautifully matured?"

"That might be the word I’m looking for," I said with a small smile. "You want something to drink, by the way?"

"What are you having?" she asked, glancing at my glass.

"Milkshake. Banana flavored."

She hummed. "I’ll get one too. Strawberry."

I caught the waiter’s eye and lifted my hand slightly. He walked over, polite smile already on his face.

"Another milkshake," I said. "Strawberry."

"Coming right up."

"Thanks."

He nodded and walked off.

I leaned back in my chair. "So. How’s Charlotte treating you?"

"She tolerates me thanks to you," Eleanor said. "I don’t think she likes that I got the job because of your recommendation."

"She bullying you or something?"

"Oh, no. Nothing like that," she said quickly. "She’s actually sweet. Just... difficult sometimes. Same with her friend Emilia." She lowered her voice. "That woman is a sadist. Did you know that? I saw her putting her whole foot in a man’s mouth in the restroom."

"Yeah," I said.

She arched an eyebrow. "You didn’t sound surprised."

"I had a feeling."

"You didn’t buy her services, did you?"

"What?" I laughed. "No. God, no. I’m not a masochist."

"Just asking," she said calmly. "No kink-shaming here."

"Yeah, yeah," I said, chuckling.

Silence settled between us, comfortable this time. I took another sip of my milkshake and looked out the window.

"So," I said. "Did your brother leave?"

"Yes," she replied. "And honestly, that whole thing must’ve been incredibly awkward for you. You knock on the bathroom door expecting me, and instead my brother opens it while I’m in the shower."

I cleared my throat and forced a smile. "I won’t lie. That was one of the most uncomfortable moments of my life."

The waiter returned and set the strawberry milkshake in front of her. "Enjoy."

"Thank you," she said, taking a sip immediately. Her eyes widened. "Wow. This is actually really good."

She glanced around the café. "I didn’t even know this place existed until three days ago. I’ve been coming here ever since."

"They make good coffee too," I said. "But if you really want the best coffee, Burney’s is your place."

"I know it," she said. "Been there a couple of times."

"Trust me," I said. "Best coffee you’ll ever drink."

She smiled faintly. "We should go sometime. I’ve never tried their mocha."

"Sure," I said. "It’ll be on me."

Eleanor hummed softly, clearly amused, then checked her phone again before setting it face-down on the table like she didn’t want it interrupting the moment.

"My brother was surprised to see me living in a hotel," she said, smiling to herself. "You should’ve seen his face."

I nodded, resting my elbow on the table. "Yeah. I still can’t believe I’m living in a penthouse myself."

"I never thought you would," she said, eyes on me now. "Take Guy down. Put Nala in the CEO position. Take over the hotel. All of it."

"Well," I replied, shrugging lightly, "now you know me a bit better, huh?"

She tilted her head. "The weird part is..." She paused, choosing her words. "You know that woman who was taken into custody not long ago? Venessa. Her... video. The one that was exposed at the gala Anotta attended."

"Yeah?" I said carefully.

"When I watched the news footage of that moment," she continued, lifting her milkshake, "I saw you. Standing off to the side. Watching her."

I let out a quiet breath. "Coincidence?"

She studied my face. "Was it you?"

I shrugged. "No comment."

Her lips parted slightly, then curved into a slow smile. "Wow. You’re a dangerous person, Mr. Marlowe. Not gonna lie. I think I’ll try very hard to stay on your good side."

I chuckled. "Better stay sharp, Eleanor. You could be my next target any moment."

She took another sip and shook her head. "Like I said. I’ll do my very best."

My phone buzzed against the table, cutting through the moment. I glanced at the screen and felt a small jolt of guilt. Nala. Right. I completely forgot to update her.

I picked up the call and brought the phone to my ear. "Hey, Nala. Sorry. I forgot to call. Minne’s safe. She just fell asleep."

"Jeez, Evan," she muttered. "You should’ve told me sooner. Wait—did you say she fell asleep?"

"Yep."

"That’s... not like her."

"Yeah. She said the same thing," I replied. "When are you guys coming back to the penthouse?"

"In about an hour."

"Alright. See you then."

"Yeah. Bye."