Chapter 7: I'm Just Here to Talk Business!

Words : 1896 Updated : Feb 5th, 2026

Watching the color slowly return to Nylah Balam's face, Atreus Lyson finally forced down the urge to keep going. If he pushed any further, she would start to suspect something. Reluctantly, he withdrew his hand and asked softly, "Nylah, how do you feel?" Nylah shifted a little, then pressed a palm to her lower abdomen. A relieved smile spread across her face. "Much better, Atreus. I honestly don't even know how to thank you." Atreus waved it off. "Don't be like that. We're friends. Helping each other is what friends do." Rhea Zimmerman chimed in from the side, "Exactly. Nylah, this kid has a good heart. Don't treat him like an outsider." Atreus's expression turned strange. A kid? Then again, he was the same age as Keenan Warth. If Rhea wanted to call him a kid, it wasn't exactly wrong. Sabrina Tesdal stepped closer and looked him up and down, her eyes brimming with curiosity. "Hey, little brother, what was that just now? How was it so… magical?" Rhea might not have known, but Sabrina did. Nylah's old problem had sent her to countless top hospitals and famous specialists. None of them had been able to do a thing. They could not even find the cause. Every time it flared up, Nylah would be in pain for ages. But this time? How long had it been, ten minutes? Not even ten. Something those so-called miracle doctors could not manage, Atreus had done with a few movements of his hand. Atreus smiled and put on an air of mystery. "That's a little family trick. Not something I can just share with anyone." Sabrina curled her lip. "Tch. Fine. Keep your secrets." Nylah studied him, an unfamiliar feeling rising in her chest. This young man seemed to be carrying more secrets than he let on. "Atreus," she asked, still incredulous, "were you… massaging me just now?" She knew her own condition better than anyone. Earlier, it had felt like a ball of fire burning in her lower belly. As his large hand kneaded and pressed, that heat had spread through her, chasing the pain away. The pain was gone. In its place was a tingling, floating numbness that left her strangely comfortable. "More or less," Atreus said honestly. "But I can only ease it temporarily. Curing it completely will be difficult." Her constitution was special. Forget the fact that he had not even stepped into the Body Refining Stage yet. Even if he had, with his current ability, he still might not be able to cure her. Nylah possessed a Pure Shadow Constitution. If she had lost her virginity at eighteen, the pain might only have been severe during her period. But she was still untouched. The Pure Shadow energy inside her had accumulated into a sickness. If she wanted it truly eradicated, a massage was nowhere near enough. Suddenly, Nylah grabbed his hand, her voice trembling with emotion. "Little brother, if you can cure me, I'll pay whatever you want!" For years, this illness had tormented her until she felt like she was living worse than death. If someone could truly cure her, she would not hesitate even if it meant draining her entire fortune. "This…" Atreus hesitated. Treating her was one thing. The problem was that treatment would inevitably involve intimate contact, and he feared she would misunderstand and think he was taking advantage. Nylah caught the look on his face. "You don't want to?" "Of course I do." Atreus laid out his concern plainly. With Rhea and Sabrina right there, saying it clearly would prevent misunderstandings later. When she heard his explanation, Nylah's cheeks flushed a warm pink. She had thought he simply did not want to treat her. So that was it. Remembering that unbearably embarrassing sensation from earlier, her heartbeat quickened for a few beats before she forced herself to steady. "What if I say I don't mind?" Rhea and Sabrina exchanged a surprised glance. There were countless men chasing after Nylah, including wealthy tycoons and spoiled rich heirs, yet she had never spared any of them a second look. "Alright," Atreus said, pretending to think it over before nodding. "I'll treat you." Of course, he had his own motives. Treating Nylah would benefit his cultivation as well. The Spiritual Power in this world was thin. If he relied on normal cultivation to raise his realm, he probably would not succeed in Foundation Establishment even if he lived to old age. Once he reached Foundation Establishment, he would gain two hundred years of lifespan, enough time to challenge even higher realms. But if he could not reach it, a hundred years would pass and he would still die like anyone else. The moment Atreus agreed, Nylah's face lit up. Her beautiful features bloomed like a lily opening, and for a brief moment, Atreus lost himself staring. "Then when do we start the next treatment?" she asked. "Don't worry, I won't let you do it for nothing. One session, $10,000. Is that enough?" Ten thousand? Atreus was stunned. So this was the world of the rich. Still, sooner or later, he would become rich too. Richer than all of them. "Nylah," he said, "if we're friends, talking money makes it feel… distant." Seeing how firm he was, Nylah did not press the issue. "Then when can we do the next treatment?" Rhea's gaze dropped to Nylah's hand still holding his, and an inexplicable surge of jealousy rose in her. Under the table, she quietly kicked Atreus with the tip of her shoe. Atreus flinched, then awkwardly pulled his hand back. "Nylah, it'll have to wait until my next day off." Nylah realized she had been a little too eager. She turned and rummaged through her purse for her phone. "Then add me on WhatsApp. We'll set it up next time." "Me too." Sabrina pulled out her phone and leaned in, clearly enjoying the chaos. "Little brother, if we ever get a headache or a fever, we're coming straight to you!" Atreus obediently added both Nylah and Sabrina on WhatsApp. He had barely accepted the requests when Rhea's small hand slid to his waist and twisted hard. Atreus sucked in a quiet breath, keeping his face composed. *Is Rhea jealous?* After that, both Nylah and Sabrina looked at him with a touch more warmth. Nylah because she wanted him to treat her, and Sabrina purely out of curiosity. Digging up other people's secrets was Sabrina's greatest hobby. In her eyes, Atreus Lyson definitely had plenty worth digging up. The moment he eased Nylah's pain, Sabrina had already decided she would uncover every last one of his secrets. After a few more drinks, Nylah received a call from her company. Something urgent had come up, and she had to go back. Sabrina wanted to stay longer. But Nylah had only just recovered and still looked a little weak, not fit to drive. So the duty of driver naturally fell onto Sabrina… Atreus and Rhea walked them to the car and watched until it disappeared down the road before turning back. "What, you can't bear to see her go?" Rhea snorted lightly. She took good care of herself, but Nylah was not inferior to her in looks. More importantly, Nylah was a few years younger. For a woman, age was the biggest bargaining chip of all. Atreus cleared his throat. "Rhea, I'm just here to talk business." "Then talk business with me." Rhea boldly hooked an arm around his neck, leaned in close, and breathed into his ear, her voice soft and teasing. "A multi-billion-dollar deal… did you bring your ID?"

Chapter 7: I'm Just Here to Talk Business!

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