Chapter 9. Jeoulous

Bruce fell silent, then stood up and left the room with even greater determination to destroy Ace Dai.

Everyone looked at Bruce and then turned to Ace. Aileen, who had been a little pale, breathed a sigh of relief because the tension was over. Casey immediately approached Ace and looked closely at the handsome man. Casey held Ace's hand to give him indirect strength. It was no wonder Ace was shocked earlier. However, he quickly regained control of the situation.

"I didn't think Bruce would use Miana as a weapon. I think we need to be prepared with maximum security for my family, Casey!" Ace instructed Casey and Aileen.

"I have confirmed that Miss Miana is safe at your house, sir!" Aileen said, taking the initiative to check on Mianna's situation.

"Ya... I know it's all just a small bluff out of desperation. That's why I've prepared the same thing," Ace said. Of course, he was referring to the edited photo of Bruce's father with a woman. Bruce even believed it without question.

"But we have to be wary of his crazy actions. We may be safe now, but we might not be later. I want you all to watch out for Bruce's actions. And Casey, monitor the acceleration of the hospital acquisition. Deploy the best financial experts to help you make the decision!" Ace ordered.

Casey nodded obediently and followed Ace and Aileen out. They still had a long way to go.

***

Ace and Casey walked to their apartment in silence. There was a lot on Ace's mind, and it was clearly visible on his face. Casey knew that the only way to calm his still-burning anger was to cook.

"Go take a shower. I'll cook dinner for us!" Casey ordered.

Ace just nodded and went straight to the bathroom.

[Point: 120]

[Skill: You gain 60 points to increase your vitality and muscle strength by 70%. The remaining 60 points are not yet enough to acquire a new skill.]

Ace smiled as he read the system report and began to understand how to earn points to improve his skills.

[Congratulations! You have earned 90 points for your efforts to make Miss Casey and Miss Aileen two of the most respected women in Brooklyn with their respective skills.]

"I think we make a great team, don't we?"

[Your team will grow bigger with the cooperation between Miss Casey and Miss Aileen. These two great women will help DAI Technology reach the top faster.]

"You're right."

After a refreshing shower, Ace noticed a significant change in his body. His muscles were growing and shaping his body even better. His face, which was once dull, now had a brighter complexion. Like magic, everything could happen very quickly.

"Is the food ready?" Ace asked when he returned to the kitchen and saw Casey still wearing her apron.

"Okay, let's eat!" Casey invited, who had apparently prepared the food on their small dining table.

"Thanks for the food. You're the best cook," praised Ace as he took some food and put it on his plate.

Casey didn't answer Ace's question because he was busy observing Ace's different appearance. With that plain white t-shirt, it was evident that Ace's arm muscles had also undergone changes, and Casey was fully aware of it.

"Aren't you eating?" Ace asked casually.

Meanwhile, Casey continued to look at Ace with confusion.

"What's wrong, Casey? Why do you keep staring at me?" Ace asked, looking back at Casey.

"I'm confused... it seems like you've changed, but I don't know what it is. Did I just not notice that your arm muscles are that big, Ace?" Casey asked, focusing.

"It's no big deal! I've just been working out. Don't you know how my body has been for a while?" Ace asked nonchalantly.

"I do, and that's what's confusing me." Casey immediately rolled up his sleeves and looked at his own arm muscles, which were not as big as Ace's.

Ace just smiled at Casey's absurd behavior. The woman he loved seemed more adorable every day.

"You should eat first before the food gets cold!" ordered Ace.

"So, what's wrong? My eyes or did you actually change?" Casey asked curiously.

"Nothing's changed. And Casey, do you think we should meet with Prof. Andy again to solve the unfinished algorithm?"

"I think we should. I plan to add 3 software engineers to the development program division. I'm still curious about the unsynchronized parameter," Casey said with a furrowed brow.

"Why that face?" Ace asked, drawing a circle in front of Casey's face.

Casey only pouted further as a form of protest.

"We'll be parting ways after graduation. I'm sure once this hospital transfer issue is resolved, you'll just toss me aside," Casey said.

Dealing with women was just as difficult for Ace. Since Megan's betrayal, Ace had closed himself off even more to avoid heartache again. Now Casey, who doesn't like smart and adorable women like Casey? Although not as sexy as Megan, Casey is still a woman, and Ace greatly values women.

"You want to part ways with me?"

"No. But I feel like I'll be kicked out... especially with Aileen around?"

"Jealous?"

"Maybe!"

Ace just smiled upon hearing Casey's words and ruffled his hair before getting up.

"Casey... we have to work!" shouted Ace, dispelling Casey's daydreams.

"Yeah... you're so annoying!"

Ace smiled again at Casey's complaint and said, "I hear you! Do you want me to cut your pay, huh?" pretending to threaten Casey.

"You're so temperamental..." muttered Casey again.

Casey got up from the dining chair, but instead of going to where Ace was sitting, he headed towards the door.

"Where are you going?"

"I want to go to the market across the street. Do you want to send something?" Casey asked the DAI Technology CEO casually.

"I'll just come with you!"

Ace's answer certainly made Casey furrow his brow. It's not usual for Ace to want to go shopping with him. Usually, Ace just sits in front of his laptop for hours on end without paying any attention to Casey, except when he's stuck and needs the bespectacled woman's help.

They walked down the apartment to look for instant food as Casey's shortcut to get snacks. They passed a small bridge that connected the apartment area to the main road.

Once they arrived at the market, Casey immediately grabbed some small foods to accompany him while working.

"You'll get fat if you keep eating ice cream!" mocked Ace.

"Let it be. You're the only one who complains," Casey replied fiercely.

"Then, I'll be the one who's bothered because you'll keep asking, 'Ace, am I fat?' And when I answer honestly, you'll hit me. Typical!" Ace was known for being economical with words, but when he was with Casey, he could talk more than usual.

Casey just stuck his tongue out and ignored whatever Ace said until they heard someone shouting, "Someone! Please help that woman!" A mother was yelling while looking up.

Suddenly, Ace looked up and saw a woman standing on the edge of a wall. It could be confirmed that she was planning to end her life.

“I will help that woman!” Ace said.

"Don't you dare joke around."