Harem Investment System: Getting Money And Women

Ethan smirked. "You mean because it's about war and betrayal?"

"Exactly," she said, grinning. "I know what you like."

He chuckled but kept his eyes on the screen.

As time passed, he realized, The movie wasn't bad.

Vanessa, however, seemed less interested in the plot and more interested in eating.

She kept reaching for the chips, her fingers brushing against his every so often.

At one point, Ethan grabbed a chip at the same time she did.

They both froze.

Vanessa slowly turned to look at him, their fingers still touching.

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "You're seriously going to fight me over a chip?"

Vanessa narrowed her eyes. "I got here first."

He smirked. "I beg to differ."

Without warning, she yanked the chip out of his grasp and popped it into her mouth, chewing victoriously.

Ethan stared at her, unimpressed. "Really?"

She grinned. "Really."

Shaking his head, he leaned back into the couch, returning his attention to the movie.

Vanessa eventually settled down as well, though every now and then, she'd glance at him with a playful smirk, as if waiting for him to retaliate.

As the film reached its climax, Vanessa stretched her legs out, sighing in contentment. "This is nice," she murmured.

Ethan glanced at her. "Stealing Mirianne's dessert and fighting over chips?"

She snorted. "No, dumbass. Just… being here. Watching a movie. Relaxing for once."

Ethan hummed in agreement.

Vanessa shifted, her head still against his shoulder, and Ethan felt her breathing slow slightly.

"Hey," he said, nudging her lightly. "You're not falling asleep, are you?"

She yawned, mumbling something incoherent.

Ethan smirked. "Guess that means I get the rest of the chips, then."

Vanessa's eyes snapped open. "Don't you dare."

He chuckled but said nothing, letting her drift off again.

The soft glow of the television flickered across the living room, casting long shadows as the movie played on.

Ethan remained comfortably slouched on the couch, his arm draped lazily over the backrest, while Vanessa nestled against his side, her eyes growing heavy with sleep.

A satisfied smirk played on his lips as he reached for the last chip in the bowl, lifting it toward his mouth.

It had been a good night — relaxing, peaceful, just how he liked it.

Then he heard it.

A creaking sound.

Then a soft yawn.

And finally… a stretch followed by a long sigh.

Ethan's fingers froze mid-motion.

His instincts prickled. He turned his head slightly, just in time to see Mirianne stepping out of her room, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

She was dressed in her usual loose nightwear, her dark hair tousled from sleep.

She stretched once more, exhaling before she lazily padded toward the kitchen, likely intending to call them for dinner.

That was when it happened.

Mirianne's gaze fell upon the counter.

The empty counter.

The exact spot where she had placed the bowl of freshly fried potato chips hours ago.

Ethan swore he could hear something snap inside her brain.

A moment of eerie silence stretched through the mansion.

The air itself seemed to still. The soft hum of the TV was the only thing breaking the tension.

Then —

"WHAT THE HELL?!"

The sound of an explosion might have been quieter.

Vanessa jolted awake against Ethan's chest, startled by the outburst.

Ethan, on the other hand, simply sighed, already bracing himself.

Footsteps.

Furious. Stomping. Each step louder than the last.

Ethan didn't need to turn his head to know what was coming, but he did anyway.

Mirianne stormed into the living room, and for a moment, Ethan swore her eyes were glowing crimson.

Steam might as well have been rising from her ears, her rage radiating off her in waves.

"Who ate my damn chips?" she demanded, voice sharp and accusatory.

Vanessa, still groggy, blinked up at her in confusion. "Huh?"

Mirianne's narrowed eyes darted to the coffee table, where the empty bowl lay like a crime scene.

Her gaze then locked onto Ethan, who was still holding the last chip in his fingers, halfway to his mouth.

There was a long, dangerous pause.

Ethan, finally sensing the full weight of the moment, slowly lowered his hand.

Mirianne inhaled sharply through her nose. "You — "

"— technically, it was Vanessa's idea," Ethan interjected smoothly, ever the diplomat.

Vanessa, now fully awake, gasped in betrayal. "Oh, hell no! You ate them too, don't you pin this on me!"

"It was meant to be his dessert!" Mirianne nearly shrieked, pointing an accusatory finger at Vanessa. "His!"

"Relax, woman, it's just chips," Vanessa scoffed.

"Just chips?!" Mirianne looked genuinely offended. "I seasoned them! I made them with love! Love, Vanessa!"

Vanessa rolled her eyes. "It's not like I spat on them."

"You might as well have!"

Ethan sighed, rubbing his temple. "Mirianne, if it makes you feel better, they were good."

That did not make her feel better.

If anything, it only made her seethe harder. "Of course, they were good! That's not the point!"

Ethan knew that no matter what he said, Mirianne was not going to let this go easily. She was a chef, after all.

Her pride was tied to every dish she made, and the idea that they had stolen her food while she was peacefully sleeping only fueled her fury.

Vanessa, however, had no sense of self-preservation. "C'mon, we left the crumbs for you. That's gotta count for something, right?"

Ethan closed his eyes briefly. She really said that.

Mirianne's nostrils flared. "I hope you choke on air, Vanessa."

Ethan decided it was best to intervene before things escalated into physical violence.

"Mirianne, I'll make it up to you," he said smoothly, sitting forward. "Tomorrow, I'll take you to that fancy restaurant in town. You know, the one you've been wanting to try."

Mirianne's glare didn't waver. "You think you can bribe me?"

"Yes," Ethan said without hesitation.

A beat of silence.

Mirianne narrowed her eyes. "...It better be a good meal."

Ethan smirked. "Only the best."

She crossed her arms but huffed, as if considering his offer.

Vanessa, on the other hand, pouted. "Hey, why does she get a fancy meal?"

"Because you are the one who stole my chips!" Mirianne snapped.

Vanessa threw her hands up. "Oh my God, let it go already!"

Mirianne shot her one final glare before flipping her hair over her shoulder and marching back toward the kitchen.

"Dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes. And you —" she pointed at Vanessa, "— you don't get seconds."

Vanessa gasped. "You wouldn't."

Mirianne smirked. "Watch me."

And with that, she disappeared into the kitchen.

Ethan sighed in relief, leaning back into the couch. "Well, that went better than expected."

Vanessa gave him a deadpan look. "Better? She literally cursed me."

"You kind of deserved it," Ethan said, finally eating the last chip.