Desire Investment System

Two months passed after Jace's night with Valentina.

In the first month, episode six of A Dark Destiny aired. It was Jace's debut in the series, and the response was explosive.

Viewers loved him instantly. His charisma, the dark edge, the dangerous romance threaded in his antagonist role captivated everyone.

Everything about him screamed perfection.

The buzz only grew when he appeared as the CEO during the press release for the new miracle face cream. With two million poured into advertisements, the campaign dominated headlines. Returns soared far beyond expectation, with experts calling it a product that would revolutionize the cosmetic industry.

But Jace's momentum didn't end there.

By the eighth episode, the reveal that his character was actually the true protagonist sent audiences wild. The writing leapt to another level, earning critical praise. Even people who rarely watched web series were pulled in. Offers flooded Jace's inbox, studios begging him to write for their projects.

In the second month, through Amelia's connections, he appeared in several shows as cameos and signed endorsement deals. He even launched his own clothing brand, starting with a women's nightgown line. For the first advertisement, he starred opposite Valentina.

Originally, Noelle had been chosen, but guilt kept her avoiding him. Jace didn't press; he was actually unaware of her turmoil.

By two months of growth, he had raised fifty million dollars, capital prepared for his next conquest: Juliana Everen.

But Juliana wasn't just another actress. She was a veteran with decades of acclaim, a household name in television. Her reputation for turning any project into a hit made her untouchable.

She was also married to one of the state's top ten richest men, his company worth over a billion, his personal fortune in the hundreds of millions.

Compared to that, Jace's fame and wealth were shadows. Even with a hundred million, he couldn't simply buy his way into a project with her.

She was the toughest opponent yet.

And the key to her was Elizabeth Kiefer, daughter of the CEO of K.F. Entertainment, the rival company to which Juliana was bound.

The meeting was set in Elizabeth's office. A wide glass window overlooked the city skyline. The table between them gleamed dark wood, flanked by a leather sofa and minimalist décor.

"So, Mr. Jace," Elizabeth said, her tone even but sharpened with steel. She wore a fitted navy dress, heels crossed at the ankle. "What is your plan to crush L.V. Entertainment?"

Jace's black shirt clung neatly to his frame, the top button open, his shoes polished to a mirror shine. His expression was calm, a faint smile resting on his lips as he set the cup down. "Ms. Elizabeth, I don't like circling words. So I'll be direct."

Her brow furrowed. "Please go on."

"You're your father's illegitimate daughter." Jace spoke with quiet precision, every syllable carrying the weight of a knife pressed against her skin.

The air shifted. Elizabeth's eyes widened, her polished poise cracking. "H-How do you…"

Jace's smile deepened. "Please, relax. In business, if one doesn't have intelligence networks of their own, they're nothing more than prey." His voice was smooth, almost mocking.

Elizabeth stiffened, suspicion flashing in her eyes.

He leaned forward slightly. "Your father's legitimate son, your little brother, he's studying abroad, correct?

His tone darkened, words sinking heavy into the silence. "When he returns, do you think your greedy father will keep you around? Or will he erase every trace of you to wipe away any dirt from his reputation?"

Her lips trembled, but she stayed silent, unable to speak.

Jace's voice softened, though it was no comfort. "If you help me, I'll make sure you become the CEO."

Elizabeth's composure broke. Sweat dampened her temples. Her throat worked as she swallowed, speechless.

Jace didn't push further. He sipped his coffee leisurely, letting the silence weigh on her until she cracked.

Finally, her voice came out strained, sharp with both fear and defiance. "W-What do you want from me?"

"It's simple." Jace set his cup down again. His gaze locked onto her, steady and unwavering. "Destroy L.V. Entertainment. And the first step is to fix a meeting with Juliana Everen."

Elizabeth blinked, stunned. "Juliana? The TV Actress Juliana Everen? But she's under exclusive contract with L.V."

Her brows pulled together. "Why would she—"

Jace raised his hand, cutting her off. "Ms. Elizabeth. If arranging a simple meeting is beyond you, then perhaps you should give up your dream of becoming CEO."

Her jaw clenched, anger flashing. "What did you just say?"

Jace rose to his feet, adjusting his black suit. "Farewell, then. I'll find someone else. Perhaps... your father will take up my offer."

Elizabeth shot to her feet. "W-Wait!"

She wanted to call his bluff, to dismiss him as nothing more than the CEO of a fledgling startup. But the way he had uncovered secrets that fewer than ten people knew, the same secrets that had kept her awake at night, left her shaken.

Hope flickered. Hope to take everything from the father who had killed her mother.

Her fists tightened at her sides. Determination burned in her eyes. "I'll do it. I'll try to arrange the meeting. But after that, you'll prove to me you can make me CEO."

Jace's smile returned. "Of course."

He walked out, and Kyra, silent as ever, fell into step beside him.

Even though Lena and Kyra had betrayed him, they were too valuable to discard.

Whether surveillance or some other motive, let them be. He would use them until the very last drop of worth was wrung out. And when the time came, he smirked to himself.

One week later...

Jace sat in a garden veranda of Elizabeth's estate. Greenery wrapped around the marble pillars, and a white table gleamed beneath the afternoon sun. Porcelain cups steamed faintly with tea.

He leaned back, posture composed. "I didn't expect you to arrange the meeting so quickly."

Elizabeth sat beside him, confidence replacing her earlier hesitation. "I had to pull many strings. So you'd better have a foolproof plan."

Jace chuckled. "Sure."

The door opened. Two women stepped into the garden.

The first was Juliana Everen, elegance wrapped into human form.

And the second was Elaria Allen.

The moment Jace saw her, his jaw tightened, a vein throbbing at his temple. Rage burned in his chest.

The woman who had hurt Camila was walking towards him.