’I can get these two women exactly where I want them, right here, right now....can’t I?’

Denzel’s thoughts churned as his gaze remained fixed ahead.

’I only have a few minutes left before this skill hits cool down. After that, I’ll have to wait through the cooldown, if I’m going to make my move, it’s now or never.’

A faint smirk curled at the corner of his lips.

Then he turned his full attention to Antonia.

"Of course." he said smoothly, his voice laced with confidence.

"If you’re ready, I can start right now."

Antonia remained silent for a moment, her eyes narrowing as she carefully studied him as inwardly, her thoughts raced.

’He’s far too confident. He truly believes he can affect me the same way he affected Karen.’

Her gaze drifted toward Sophia, taking in her flushed cheeks, lowered eyes, and trembling form.

The evidence before her was impossible to ignore.

’He must be exceptionally skilled to have reduced her to this state.’

Antonia paused, weighing her thoughts carefully.

Then she turned back to Denzel and offered him a faint smile.

"No need," she said calmly.

"You’ve already got the job."

For a brief moment, Denzel froze.

Confusion flickered across his face.

’She’s backing out?...don’t tell me this bitch is a pussy too... I can’t let that happen.’

He was about to object, but Antonia continued.

"I only wanted proof that you could deliver on your claims."

Her eyes shifted back toward Sophia for a fleeting moment.

"And from what I’ve seen..."

A knowing smile tugged at her lips.

"You’ve proven yourself more than adequately."

She folded her arms across her chest.

"Karen isn’t someone who is easily affected, yet somehow you managed to move her this much."

Her sharp eyes locked onto his.

"You must possess some rather unusual skill with your hands."

Then she straightened and gestured toward the door.

"I’ll let you finish here. Afterward, come with me, and we’ll discuss your position properly."

She paused, then added with a slight tilt of her head,

"Unless, of course, you’ve changed your mind."

Denzel narrowed his eyes.

’She’s in a hurry... Perhaps she doesn’t want to risk ending up in the same state as Sophia.’

But then another thought crossed his mind.

’No, that’s not it.’

’She trusts what she’s seen.’

A quiet chuckle echoed in his thoughts.

’What a shame.’

’I would’ve loved to test both of them right here.’ 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

’Why does Antonia have to be so cautious?’

The faintest smile sharpened across his lips.

’Perhaps I should add that to the list of things I’ll deal with later.’

Outwardly, however, he remained perfectly composed.

"Alright," he said with effortless ease.

"I’ll be right behind you."

Without wasting another moment, Antonia turned and walked out of the room.

Denzel followed her toward the doorway, but before stepping through, he stopped.

Slowly, he turned back toward Sophia.

His eyes locked onto her trembling figure.

"Get dressed."

His voice was calm, yet carried an unmistakable weight of authority.

"It seems we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other....Karen."

Then he stepped out, leaving her alone in the room.

Sophia remained frozen in place.

Her mind reeled, struggling to process everything that had just happened.

Her cheeks burned crimson as her thoughts spiraled uncontrollably.

’What are you...?What have you done to me, Denzel?’

***

In due time, all the arrangements were finalized, and Denzel was officially assigned the job.

He had chosen to work part-time, taking only two to three shifts each day while earning a moderate fee from the massage parlor.

But securing employment had never been his only objective.

During his conversation with Antonia, he had done far more than negotiate his wages.

He had carefully extracted valuable information and details about the parlor’s financial condition, the worth of its assets, and how profitable the business truly was.

And he had gathered all of it for one reason.

Denzel had a much deeper purpose for involving himself with the establishment.

It was never just about the women, rather it was about opportunity and opportunity.

He had already decided that, sooner or later, the entire massage parlor would belong to him.

Stepping out of the building, Denzel rubbed the back of his head as he strolled down the street.

’Yeah... this is a far better investment than aimlessly wandering around. All I need to do is gather enough gold coins to buy the entire place.’

His lips slowly curled into a cold smirk.

’And when that happens...’

His eyes flickered back toward the massage parlor.

’Antonia, the staff, every customer who walks through those doors will fall under my control. Everything is unfolding exactly as it should.’

Sliding one hand into his pocket, he continued down the dimly lit street as night steadily settled over the city.

After a while, his thoughts shifted.

’It’s still early. So what now? What should I do next?’

He walked several more meters, passing rows of tightly packed buildings that cast long shadows across the pavement.

Then...

Pow!

A dull impact echoed from somewhere nearby. It was followed almost immediately by a low, pained groan.

Denzel stopped mid-step, his expression immediately sharpened.

Slowly, he turned his head, his gaze shifting toward a narrow alley wedged between two buildings.

The darkness partially obscured whoever was inside, but he could still make out a figure standing there.

Then recognition struck him instantly.

His eyes narrowed.

The figure was none other than Patrick.

As he stood there watching, Denzel treated the scene almost as if it were ordinary.

From his first encounter with Patrick, one thing had already been clear.

’He’s nothing but a bully.’

The type who relied on numbers, who preyed on those weaker than himself.

Now, under the faint glow spilling into the alley, that impression only solidified.

Patrick stood over a young man curled on the ground, clutching his stomach and coughing weakly, his body folded in on itself in pain.

Patrick said nothing at first. He simply looked down at him.

A brief pause lingered in the air.

’I knew things were changing around here... but I didn’t expect it to be this bad. I should probably leave, right?’

The thought came and went as hesitation flickered in Denzel’s mind.

Then another followed immediately after.

’...Or maybe not. Maybe I’ve already leveled up.’

He lowered his gaze to his own hand.

’Strength... senses... agility. It should be enough.’

Slowly, the hesitation faded.

’Should I step in? Not just for that kid... but to make sure that that bastard learns not to disrespect me.’

His expression darkened slightly.

’I’m going to be the harem god... everyone should understand their place.’

His eyes sharpened as the thought settled deeper.

’Maybe this is where I deal with him...Maybe this is where I make sure he understands exactly who he’s dealing with.’

For a brief moment, doubt flickered again.

’Is this really the best move?’

Then, a finality came, along with his gaze instantly hardening.

’Yes. This is the perfect time to make him crawl and beg. It’ss time to put this bastard in his place.’