In the following days, Luke completely imrsed himself in a vortex of luxury woven from enormous wealth and Arican passion.
During the day, accompanied by four Arican sweethearts of different styles who competed to outshine one another, he wandered through Los Angeles' most exclusive restaurants, clubs, private parties, and luxury boutiques.
At night, he returned to the Presidential Suite at the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills, or enjoyed the yacht and parties he had chartered, basking in the feeling of being the center of attention.
Money seed to possess a magical power, catalyzing the already passionate and open relationships among the girls into sothing even more subtle and charged with tension.
Elizabeth's "return" added fuel to the already complicated dynamics of the "harem group."
When she saw the luxurious backgrounds and heavily suggestive captions in the photos Alexandra and Jennifer posted on social dia, a sense of being left out, along with jealousy, seized her instantly.
She almost imdiately dumped her "diocre and boring" boyfriend Parker (whom she now suspected of cheating), dressed up carefully, and went straight to the high-end Japanese restaurant where Luke and the others often dined.
"Hey, girls — and Luke! Surprise!"
Elizabeth pushed open the private room door with a dazzling, slightly forced smile.
She was wearing a figure-hugging dress that swayed with every step as she walked in.
Jennifer, who was tasting the bluefin tuna belly, looked up. Seeing her, Jennifer's face instantly darkened. She asked bluntly:
"Elizabeth? What are you doing here? Where's your boyfriend Parker? I thought you two were planning a trip to Hawaii for sun and sand?"
The dissatisfaction and rejection in her tone were obvious.
Elizabeth's smile froze for a second, then quickly switched to a teary, pitiful expression.
She sat down in the empty seat beside Luke, dabbed the corner of her eye with a handkerchief, and spoke with a trembling, aggrieved voice:
"Don't ntion Parker… that bastard! He… he cheated on ! I found proof. He's been lying to the whole ti! He and Tony are exactly the sa!"
As she spoke, her eyes really reddened, glistening with tears as she looked at Luke.
"Luke, I'm so sad right now… It feels like the whole world has betrayed … Only when I'm with you guys do I feel even a little happy."
Mia imdiately scooted closer to Luke, on guard.
Alexandra elegantly sipped her sake nearby, the corner of her mouth twitching almost imperceptibly. She clearly had reservations about Elizabeth's story and acting.
Jennifer frowned, feeling that Elizabeth's sudden appearance was motivated by impure intentions.
"Don't be sad, Elizabeth. Welco back. There's always a place for you here. Let the past stay in the past. The most important thing is to be happy."
Luke was quite open-minded. He smiled and patted Elizabeth's shoulder.
Mia imdiately pinched his thigh under the table.
Luke genuinely didn't mind being surrounded by beautiful won. Elizabeth was a friend too, and having one more person made things livelier. He saw no problem with it.
Elizabeth instantly stopped crying and smiled, scooting even closer to Luke: "Luke, you're so kind!"
She successfully joined the little group, but at the sa ti pushed the already delicate balance into even more complicated territory.
Soon, this complexity erupted when it ca ti to choose a Los Angeles mansion for Luke.
All four girls volunteered eagerly, acting like mistresses of the house as they offered suggestions.
Secretly, each hoped Luke's choice would lean toward her own taste, as if that would prove sothing.
"The beach mansion in Malibu is the best!"
Jennifer held up a real-estate brochure, pointing at a modern villa with an unbeatable ocean view and private beach. Her slender finger traced the picture.
"Imagine, Luke — waking up every morning to the sound of Pacific waves, barbecuing on the beach at sunset while watching the sun go down. That's the ultimate California lifestyle! And Malibu is very private. Lots of celebrities live there."
As she spoke, her body leaned against Luke intentionally or otherwise, her captivating perfu drifting into his nose.
"Co on, Jennifer, Malibu is too far and too humid."
Alexandra elegantly set down her coffee cup and pushed the brochure for the Bel-Air estate she liked in front of Luke.
"Bel-Air is the real top-tier community — historic, tree-lined, with a level of manor-style luxury and tranquility that nowhere else can match. The neighbors here are all rich and powerful; the social circle is completely different."
"Look at this one — it has a full tennis court, two swimming pools, and a huge lawn that can host parties for over a hundred people. This is the kind of residence that matches your status, Luke."
Her blue eyes carried confidence and a hint of superiority as she glanced at Jennifer.
Elizabeth refused to be outdone. She leaned over and pointed at photos on her phone of a classic French-style estate in Water Mill:
"I think 'old money' style best reflects taste and heritage. The mansions in Water Mill have that elegant, ti-honored grandeur that those modern glass boxes can't compare with."
"Look at this stone façade, the ticulously trimd French gardens, and those antique furnishings. Living there, you'd feel like an old European aristocrat!"
She tried to create an atmosphere of classical refinent.
Mia had been sitting quietly beside Luke the whole ti, listening to their debate with her lips slightly pursed.
Only when everyone looked at her did she speak softly but firmly: "I think… the modern mansion on the hilltop in Beverly Hills is great. The view is open, you can see the entire Los Angeles night skyline, and it's close to the city. Plus… the design is really cool and matches Luke's young, energetic image."
She actually didn't have much knowledge about real estate; she simply felt that living with Luke in a place overlooking the city would be romantic, and Beverly Hills itself was the ultimate symbol of status.
The four girls each held their ground and none could convince the others. The atmosphere gradually grew tense.
Jennifer mocked Alexandra's Bel-Air choice as "old-fashioned, like sothing retired officials live in."
Alexandra shot back that Jennifer's Malibu was "only liked by nouveau-riche surfers and washed-up celebrities."
Elizabeth subtly implied that Mia's taste was "simple and shallow, only caring about night views."
Mia's face flushed red with anger, but she couldn't out-argue the sharp-tongued Elizabeth.
Luke's head was pounding from their bickering. Finally, he slapped the table: "Enough! Stop arguing!"
Everyone imdiately fell silent and looked at him.
Luke picked up the brochure for the modern hilltop Beverly Hills mansion that Mia had recomnded and glanced at the price — twenty-five million dollars.
They had personally inspected every property.
A familiar, slightly roguish smile appeared on his face: "This one! Beverly Hills hilltop, modern style — I like it. Twenty-five million? Hmm, 'ten tis two hundred and fifty' — that number's auspicious!"
Mia's face instantly lit up with surprise and triumph. Like a happy little bird, she threw herself at Luke and kissed him on the cheek.
Alexandra, Jennifer, and Elizabeth showed varied expressions. Alexandra shrugged, accepting it; Jennifer pouted, a little unconvinced; Elizabeth imdiately switched to "Luke has such good taste, I think this one is great too."
And so, with lightning speed, Luke bought the Beverly Hills hilltop modern mansion — 2.5 acres of land and over 11,000 square feet of living space.
It had seven bedrooms, twelve bathrooms, sweeping views, an infinity pool, top-tier security, a private cinema, wine cellar, sauna, gym — everything.
On moving day, the four girls were as excited as if it were a holiday. They ran around the spacious new mansion in beautiful dresses… and sotis wearing nothing at all, choosing their favorite rooms, taking photos by the infinity pool, and gasping in awe at the Los Angeles scenery from the wide terrace.
In the middle of the excitent, Jennifer — whether intentionally or not — took Luke's hand beside the pool. She looked up at him, her captivating eyes full of temptation and sincerity:
"Luke, I think I've really fallen in love with you. Marry . I'll give you several beautiful mixed-race babies. We'll be the happiest, most enviable family in the world."
Her voice wasn't loud, but in the relatively quiet mont it clearly reached Mia's ears nearby.
Mia's suppressed jealousy and anger instantly ignited.
Blood rushed to her head. Without thinking, she rushed forward and kicked Jennifer's perky backside.
"Ah!"
Jennifer cried out in surprise and fell into the cool pool with a splash.
"Bitch!" Mia stood at the edge of the pool, chest heaving with rage, pointing at Jennifer in the water and cursing, "Don't you dare seduce Luke anymore! He's my boyfriend!"
Jennifer surfaced, shook her wet long hair, and instead of getting angry, her own temper flared.
She wiped the water from her face and shot back without backing down: "Bitch! Who Luke likes is his choice! Has he ever officially said you're his girlfriend? Even if he did, so what? Love is fair competition! If you're so capable, make him only have eyes for you!"
"You…!"
Mia was so choked she couldn't speak. She looked ready to jump into the pool for a "duel" with Jennifer.
Seeing this, Luke stepped forward quickly and wrapped his arms around Mia's waist from behind.
Mia's feet left the ground, limbs flailing in the air like an angry little cat.
"Let go! Luke, let go! I'm going to teach this shaless bitch a lesson!"
Luke smiled helplessly. While holding her tightly, he said to the equally angry Jennifer in the pool:
"Jennifer, stop it! Mia is my girlfriend, and I'm serious about her."
Then he lowered his head and spoke gently to the furious Mia in his arms: "Mia, calm down. Don't be like this."
Alexandra and Elizabeth watched the farce from the side — one facepalming and shaking her head, the other covering her mouth and giggling — neither intending to intervene.
In the end, under Luke's diation, the storm subsided, but the undercurrents between the girls beca even more obvious.
With a permanent residence secured, Luke began handling so practical matters.
With Mia's help, Luke smoothly passed the written and road tests and obtained his California driver's license.
Soon after, he passed the background check and firearm safety course and received his California concealed-carry permit.
For the next week, Luke practically lived at a top private shooting range near Los Angeles.
It was as if he wanted to satisfy all the gun enthusiasm he had only seen in movies and gas in his previous life.
From classic Colt M1911s and Glock pistols to AR-15s, AKMs, Remington 870 pump shotguns, and even experiencing the recoil and muzzle flash of a Barrett M82A1 anti-materiel rifle and a Gatling gun spitting blue fire.
Tens of thousands of rounds were fired. The expensive tuition bought him rapid progress and familiarity with the weapons in his hands.
His powerful physique and coordination allowed him to control recoil well, and he soon achieved respectable results.
The feeling of mastering tools of violence gave him, even on Blue Star, a trace of the sense of control over his own safety that he only felt in the Westeros world.
Buy guns, buy guns, he had to buy guns!
At this point, his personal space already contained a small "armory" — pistols, submachine guns, rifles, shotguns, Barrett… everything was there.
Tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition!
Once you had money, you could get whatever you wanted. Citibank would simply set up an "armory" for Luke. They just assud it was a nouveau-riche Dragon Kingdom tycoon's whim…
He finally had a driver's license, so buying cars was next on the agenda.
Luke didn't choose overly flashy supercars. Based on his preferences and practicality, he went straight to the dealerships and bought five vehicles like he was picking out vegetables:
A Range Rover for comfort and off-road capability.
A Rolls-Royce Dawn convertible to show off top-tier luxury and taste.
A Dodge Challenger Hellcat and a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 for raw Arican muscle-car violence.
And, for a touch of nostalgia and retro charm, a Chevrolet Camaro (Bumblebee).
The five cars filled more than half of the mansion's ten-car garage. The keys laid out together made for an impressive sight.
That day, Luke decided to temporarily step away from the slightly complicated "harem group" atmosphere and give himself and Mia so private ti.
He drove the black Range Rover with Mia beside him and set off on a road trip to Lake Tahoe.
Alexandra, Jennifer, and Elizabeth were considerate enough to "bow out" this ti.
Although they loved fun and luxury, they also had their own lives and studies.
UCLA club activities, sumr internships, and even so part-ti jobs required their attention.
The previous craziness had mostly been driven by excitent over Luke's sudden wealth and the chance to enjoy themselves. Deep down, they knew they couldn't revolve around Luke forever.
After a brief, dazzling period, life had to return to so kind of normal track.
Driving along the famous CA-395 highway, the Sierra Nevada's eastern foothills rose majestically and desolately on one side, while open valleys stretched on the other.
The Range Rover cruised smoothly. The "British Treasure" audio system played llow jazz.
In the passenger seat, Mia wore a cool white camisole and denim hot pants, revealing large patches of smooth skin and straight legs. Her golden hair was tied in a loose ponytail, and her face wore a lazy, content smile.
The scenery rolled past outside the windows. Inside the car, there was only soft music and the steady breathing of the two of them.
Mia leaned back in her seat, looking at Luke's focused profile as he drove. Suddenly she spoke softly: "Luke… when you chose as your girlfriend, was it for real?"
Luke didn't hesitate. His eyes stayed on the road ahead, but his tone was completely certain:
"Of course it's real. Otherwise, why would I only take you on this road trip? Mia, this is our first official date."
Hearing the confirmation, Mia felt a sweet warmth in her heart, but a trace of unease quickly followed.
She turned her head, letting the airflow from the open window lift a few strands of her hair. Her sapphire-blue eyes held confusion and self-doubt:
"Why , Luke? I… I don't think I'm as pretty or charming as Alexandra, my legs aren't as long and straight as Jennifer's, and my… chest isn't as big as Elizabeth's."
"I even feel a bit plain. My luck has never been good either — my friends used to call 'Unlucky Mia'… You're so outstanding, and now you're so rich. Why would you choose ?"
Listening to her self-deprecating question, Luke's heart softened.
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he signaled, smoothly pulled the car into a scenic overlook with an excellent view, and parked.
He set the parking brake.
He turned to face Mia, his gaze gentle and focused.
He reached out, not to touch her face, but to gently grasp her slender ankle resting on her leg — the foot wearing a sandal.
Mia's feet were beautiful — fair and delicate, with no nail polish.
Luke held her ankle, his thumb gently stroking the smooth skin. This intimate yet slightly possessive gesture made Mia's cheeks flush faintly.
"Mia," Luke said, his voice low and serious.
"In my eyes, you are the most beautiful. They each have their own charm — Alexandra is mature and alluring, Jennifer is sexy and fiery, Elizabeth is graceful and charming… but none of them can compare to you."
He paused, watching the light gradually brighten in Mia's eyes, and continued:
"You are the one and only. Your passion is as direct and warm as California sunshine. Your simplicity and sincerity are as clear as the waters of Lake Tahoe."
"You don't understand those roundabout gas. When you like sothing, you like it. When you're angry, you're angry. Being with you feels relaxing and real."
Mia's breathing quickened. Her sapphire-blue eyes grew misty.
Luke smiled, released her ankle, and instead cupped her face. His thumb gently brushed the corner of her lips:
"And who says you're not beautiful? Your bone structure has both Western depth and Eastern softness — that damn high-class face is exactly my favorite type. Your figure… is perfect to . Not one bit too much or too little. As for luck?"
He winked. "eting — isn't that your greatest piece of luck?"
"Really?" Mia's voice was choked with joy.
"Truer than pearls." Luke leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
This kiss was different from their previous passionate ones — it carried tenderness and a promise.
Mia closed her eyes, lashes trembling, savoring the sweetness of the mont.
She knew Luke was speaking from the heart.
She also rembered the most important point.
On the night she had gone from girl to woman, she had given her most precious first ti to the man beside her without reservation.
This unique bond and trust was sothing Alexandra, Jennifer, and Elizabeth could never replace.
She knew Luke had a strong preference for purity!
Her "bad luck" had actually beco the key to winning!
The wind continued blowing outside the car windows. Snow-capped mountains stood majestic in the distance, while the wilderness stretched wide nearby.
On this highway leading to Lake Tahoe, inside this small car, the two hearts seed to draw a little closer.
The road ahead was still long, and challenges and temptations would not be few, but at least in this mont, they were each other's only one.
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