The rain hadn’t let up by the time Ethan reached his apartment.His clothes clung to him, and his hair dripped as he fumbled with the key. The building was quiet, the dim hallway lit by a single flickering bulb above his door.Inside, he tossed his jacket over a chair and went straight for the fridge. The cold air felt good against his face as he pulled out a bottle of water.That’s when his phone buzzed.---Olivia: You home?Ethan: Just got in.Olivia: Good. Open your door.---Before he could reply, there was a knock.Ethan opened the door to find Olivia standing there, hood pulled up against the rain, mascara just slightly smudged at the corners. She didn’t wait for an invitation she slipped past him into the apartment, pulling her hood back to shake out her damp hair.“You walk home in this weather?” Ethan asked.“I had… business nearby.” Her tone was casual, but the way her eyes swept over his apartment said she was here for more than small talk.---The system pinged.[Secondar

The afterparty wasn’t in the same tower.It was across the city, high above the streets in a penthouse suite with glass walls that made the skyline seem like a living mural.By the time Ethan arrived chauffeured in the same sleek car the air inside was already warm with low jazz and the scent of expensive perfume.Here, there were no grand speeches or stiff business handshakes.The lighting was dimmer, the crowd smaller, twenty people at most, scattered in clusters on velvet couches and along the balcony. It was the kind of setting where whispers carried more weight than deals.And in the center of it all, Olivia moved like she owned the oxygen in the room.Her gown shimmered under the low lights, and her smile was softer now but dangerous, like a blade wrapped in silk. She spotted him from across the room and crooked her finger.---[Objective: Maintain Affection of Olivia, Isabella, Natalia ≥ 40% by end of night.][Bonus: Initiate Physical Contact with at least two leads without ale

The lounge’s dim golden light wrapped the room in a soft glow, casting shadows along the velvet-lined booths. The low hum of a saxophone slipped through the air like smoke, and every movement seemed slower, heavier, deliberate. Ethan could feel the pressure building even before Natalia stepped in and when she did, it was like the air itself grew denser.Olivia’s perfectly sculpted lips curved in a slow, knowing smile. She was lounging beside Ethan, one leg crossed over the other, the slit in her dress framing just enough thigh to pull his attention. Isabella, on the other hand, sat across from them, her elbow resting on the table, eyes sharp yet playful like a predator trying to decide whether to pounce or tease.Natalia’s entrance was unhurried, confident. She didn’t walk into the room; she claimed it. Her emerald-green gown shimmered under the light, hugging her frame like it was made just for her. She didn’t greet either of the other two, her eyes locked on Ethan, and she made her

The morning sun crept through the blinds, stabbing golden lines across Ethan’s face. He stirred awake in the luxury suite the system had somehow secured for him, sheets tangled around his body. For a moment, there was silence peace.Then the system’s cold voice shattered it.[Quest Reminder: Balance the Flames.][Time Remaining: 23:12:44]The glowing timer hovered in his vision, digits ticking down mercilessly.Ethan sat up, running a hand through his hair. “Twenty-four hours to keep three women happy. Perfect.”The system chimed again.[Failure Consequence: -15 Affection across all.][Warning: Consequences may cascade. A harem collapse is possible.]That last line knifed through him. The women weren’t just trophies; each was dangerous in her own right. If their affection plummeted simultaneously, it wouldn’t just be rejection. It could be sabotage. Betrayal. Maybe worse.He dressed quickly, checked his phone three unread messages.Natalia: Breakfast. Private. Don’t be late.Olivia: M

The night ended with polite smiles and lingering gazes, but Ethan felt the tension humming beneath every step as he walked each woman to the lounge doors. Natalia’s hand brushed his sleeve when she said goodbye, her grip faintly possessive. Olivia leaned closer than necessary, whispering something teasing in his ear that made his skin prickle. Isabella simply smiled, unreadable, her eyes holding his as if she knew a secret no one else did.When the last of them vanished down the hall, Ethan exhaled, shoulders sinking against the doorframe. He had survived. Barely. The system’s interface blinked in his vision:[Trial by Fire: Progress 85% → 92%. Remaining Objective: Avoid Betrayal for 24 Hours.]His chest tightened. Avoid betrayal. That wasn’t a goal, it was a warning.He retreated to his suite, pulling off his jacket, but the tension clung to him. The city stretched beyond the window, neon and restless, but it felt hollow. What echoed louder was the image of their faces, three flames