Harem Startup : The Demon Billionaire is on Vacation

Out front, the night air was cooler, scented with lilac, sage, and the faint metallic tang of infernal runes etched around the perimeter like invisible bodyguards.

The driveway shimmered with subtle gold lines, magic woven into the stone. A sleek black car pulled up just as Lux stepped onto the top step.

The back door opened.

Ely stepped out.

Her blonde hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders, and her dress was the kind of elegant that screamed 'I'm not trying too hard, I'm just naturally out of your league.'

She held a box in her arms, tied delicately with dark ribbon.

She spotted Lux and nearly dropped the damn thing.

Her heart?

Went from resting to margin-call.

He looked…

Stupidly good.

Charcoal gray, black shirt, undone collar, sleeves rolled just enough to flash those cuffs and hint at his arms. His smile was casual, his eyes sharp, and his entire posture said. 'Yes, I'm rich, dangerous, and I might seduce your entire household just to make a point—but I'll still open the door for you.'

"Ely," he said warmly, walking down the steps.

She gave him a smile that was 70% composed, 30% panic.

"Hi, Lux."

"You brought something?" he said, eyeing the box as he took it gently from her.

"It's, um… sweets. From Kaelthar's Boutique." She bit her lip. "Thought they'd go well with wine or coffee."

He looked at the box, then at her, and smiled in that stupidly soft way that made her legs go a little weak.

"Thank you," he said. "Very thoughtful. Come on in."

As he guided her through the front door, Ely swallowed hard. She was trying to focus, really—but it was difficult when his cologne smelled like dark spice and gold-dipped sin.

She glanced around. The interior of the mansion was even more ridiculous than she remembered since she had attended Carson's party once. Wide halls. Soft music. Perfect lighting. Enough subtle glamor to make even the food trays feel expensive.

Lux slowed beside her. "Anyone come yet?" she asked.

"You're the first guest," he said with a smile. "Don't worry. You're not early."

Ely's cheeks burned.

She was early. On purpose. She'd told herself it was to avoid the awkward crowd. To help, maybe. But truthfully?

She just wanted a little time alone with him.

"So…" she said softly, eyes flicking toward him, "it's just the two of us?"

"Not really," he replied as they passed into the lounge.

Because there—across the room—stood Rava, Naomi, and a woman Ely didn't recognize.

Rava waved enthusiastically, tentacles bouncing like excited accessories. It was weird since Rava usually hid her tentacles. But now… After Lux came into her life, she just showed them.

Naomi offered a polite smile. Calmer, yes—but noticeably brighter than the version Ely knew.

And the third girl…

Ely's heart skipped.

That aura. That face. That look.

She looked prideful.

Not in the haughty "I'm from an elven noble family" way.

No. This woman looked like she invented mirrors and enjoyed being the reflection.

She wore confidence like a second skin.

Radiant. Lethal. Magnetic.

Ely instinctively stood straighter.

Who the hell…?

Lux turned to her, still holding the sweets. "Mind if I open this so we can share it?"

"Oh, yes—of course." She nodded quickly.

He gestured to a nearby servant, who took the box with a bow and moved toward the food table. It would be opened, plated, and arranged into an Instagrame-worthy centerpiece in less than three minutes. Because of course it would.

Lux gently touched her elbow. "Relax. It's a casual party."

Right.

Casual.

In a mansion with goddess-tier women, catered food plated by literal servants, and her own heartbeat doing stock market flips.

Ely moved toward the couch, trying not to stare at Sira, who hadn't stopped watching her since she walked in.

The look wasn't hostile.

Just… assessing.

"Who's she?" Ely asked quietly as Lux began to walk toward the door again.

"Sira," he said. "My woman and my precious connection."

'Wait…' Ely blinked. 'He slept with her too? How many women has this guy slept with?!'

Before her mind could spiral, the intercom buzzed again.

Fenrir's voice. "Miss Xianlong has arrived, sir."

Lux turned toward the door. "I need to welcome her. Sit down, relax. Enjoy it."

And with that, he was gone again, gliding out of the room like he didn't just leave Ely alone with two women she could probably write theses about and still fail to understand.

Ely took a breath.

Then walked toward the others.

Naomi was the first to greet her, hugging her gently. "You look great," she said quietly.

"You too," Ely said back, trying not to look overwhelmed. "You… look happy."

Naomi blinked, then smiled. "I am."

That made Ely feel better.

Warmer.

And then Sira stepped forward.

Her eyes were deep crimson. Her voice velvet. "So, you're the elf."

Ely blinked. "Excuse me?"

Sira smiled—not unkindly. Just sharply. "Lux has mentioned you."

Ely stood a little taller. "Good things, I hope."

"Mostly," Sira said, sipping from her wine glass. "I'm Sira."

"Ely," she replied.

Rava swooped in and tugged her into a seat before the awkward tension could drag.

"Sit, eat. You're one of us now."

Ely blinked. "One of what?"

Rava just smirked. "Welcome to the party."

And suddenly—she wasn't so sure if she meant the event.

Or all of it.

Meanwhile, Lux already stood waiting for Mira.

Welcoming guests was usually a butler's job—or a task delegated to servants with enough class to smile without emotion and open a door with godlike posture. But tonight?

He only had three guests on the list.

So, he decided to handle it himself.

Because sometimes you didn't send staff.

Sometimes, you showed up.

The front lights dimmed slightly as the second car pulled into the curved driveway.

A long, sleek black car with mirrored windows and subtle eastern runes glowing in silver ink along the edges.

The doors opened.

And there she was.

Mira Xianlong.