System Mission: Seduce the Final Boss [BL]-Chapter 24: Such fancy garbage

’I don’t think I’ve ever seen something this grand before.’

He was barely inside the mansion, yet the sight was truly breathtaking.

Crystal chandeliers hung from vaulted ceilings, scattering a kaleidoscope of light across the polished marble floors.

Golden candelabras lined the walls, each flame flickering like it had been set there just to impress newcomers.

For a moment, Blake almost forgot the tension in his chest, the uneasy knot that had formed ever since stepping into this world that was technically his now, yet felt entirely foreign.

The birthday party was in full swing.

Waiters moved silently among the guests, trays balancing glasses of sparkling juice, champagne, and tiny hors d’oeuvres with delicate precision.

Music played softly, a classical string ensemble that gave the room an air of sophistication Blake had only seen in films.

Children darted about, laughing and playing tag around the furniture, while adults stood in small clusters, conversing in polite, measured tones.

’Woah, everyone’s fully ignoring me.’

He glanced in the direction of his father and saw the entire family moving toward the grand staircase, everyone wanting to be visible, to be admired.

His little half-sister, today’s birthday girl, was practically glowing in her elaborated dress, holding herself with the kind of poise that seemed natural for someone of her standing. She twirled once, giggling, as if aware of the attention.

Blake watched silently from the marble floor below, shoulders tense. His stepmother stepped forward, smoothing the front of her tailored gown, her smile warm.

"Thank you all for coming," she began, her voice carrying effortlessly across the room. "Today, we celebrate someone very special, our sweet, brilliant, and beautiful Lippe." She reached out, touching her daughter’s shoulder lightly. "Lippe, you are twelve today. Twelve! Can you believe it? It seems like only yesterday we were holding you in our arms, and now here you are, full of life, laughter, and curiosity."

The guests clapped politely, some offering small cheers, others lifting glasses in silent tribute.

Blake’s father nodded approvingly, lips curved into a smile that seemed almost as though he were watching a carefully directed performance.

Alexander grinned, clapping along with everyone else, while the stepmother gave one of those perfectly timed, heartwarming smiles parents save for cameras.

Blake’s stomach churned in disgust. He exhaled slowly, trying to tamp down the surge of throwing up.

’Bleh, how can they even be this happy, knowing how they treated Blake...’

The speech concluded with everyone gathering for a family hug. Calliope squealed as her mother enveloped her in an embrace, the father wrapping an arm around both of them, the half-brother leaning in awkwardly but still smiling.

He crossed his arms and sighed, feeling the familiar sting of exclusion.

"I guess that’s family for you," he muttered under his breath. He turned and wandered to a quiet corner of the room, watching the others from afar.

The dancing started soon after.

It was old-fashioned, almost theatrical. Father-daughter dances, mother-son dances, even a few awkward but endearing brother-sister twirls. Blake leaned against the wall, arms crossed, bored.

’She definitely doesn’t want to dance with me. Gosh, look at her face. Has Blake tried to dance with her or something?’

He truly couldn’t stay focused on those strangers for long, since a tray of sweets caught his eye.

He picked a small plate and began sampling delicacies: chocolate truffles, tiny éclairs, and delicate pastries glazed with sugar and cream. He pulled out his phone and typed a message to Myles: Wanna me save you some sweets?

The reply came almost immediately: No.

Blake smirked faintly, shaking his head.

’Figures. From how I see it, he might as well just have no preferences. Or maybe he’s a stereotypical villain that dislikes sweets?’

He returned to his perch, scrolling through his feed while stealing glances at the festivities.

The lunch party continued in a similarly structured fashion, a mix of polite chatter, carefully timed laughter, and a seemingly endless parade of food.

Every so often, he would catch himself studying a guest, noting the way they held themselves, the subtle cues of influence and power.

By the time evening approached, the mood shifted. The dinner party brought with it a new set of faces, more formal and influential. Blake’s eyes scanned the room cautiously, finally landing on a figure he recognized.

’The CEO of AL-TECH! He’s the same dude who owns the SRTT building, and the man who had once served as the main character’s mentor! I never thought I would see him here.’

He stood near a corner, engaged in polite conversation with a group of other executives. He looked approachable, smiling as he listened intently.

’Mh, I don’t really know what is going to happen to him, but I’m most certain about the fact that a person close the main character will die, sooner or later.’

Then, suddenly, their eyes met. The warmth Blake had imagined vanished in an instant, replaced by a sharp, assessing gaze.

The CEO raised a brow slightly, and Blake felt the weight of the look settle on him. He froze for a moment, unsure whether to approach or retreat, feeling the familiar thrill and intimidation of being studied.

’Ah, right, I literally have the blueprints of his building, I should be careful. Besides, he takes advantage of aliens, that’s already too weird.’

He nibbled another sweet, eyes flicking between the dancing pairs and the influential guests, mind racing.

Hero Lab Disaster’s plot was around the beginning right now.

The hero already made his appearance as a hero in front of the whole world, and has been adored for months now.

’What even is the main character’s name? Ack, I completely forgot about him! He’s not useful in the slightest but, of course, I need to recognize him before him and Myles meet face to face!’

And so Blake continued to watch, a silent spectator to the opulent chaos, fully aware of every glance, every smile, and every exclusion, thinking about how he might turn this strange, glittering world to his advantage, one careful move at a time.