Ultimate Tycoon: Building the Richest Empire with System and Heroines Chapter 26: A Reader’s Triumph Begins

Ethan adjusted the sleeves of his tailored navy shirt, a gift box held carefully in one hand as he stood before the grand gates of the Marclaire estate. The sun filtered through the Elowen Crest trees, casting golden patterns on the polished walkway.

He was well-dressed, elegant, calm and excited.

Not just because he was about to see Rhea Marclaire.

But because, back when he was just a reader... She was one of his favorite characters. Her elegance, her wit, her hidden softness, it all captivated him. And now, standing in front of her ho in this new life, holding a gift for her family, one thought burned in his heart:

"If I can truly make her mine, it will be the ultimate triumph as a man and as a reader."

He rang the bell.

A few seconds passed.

The large oak door opened slightly, and a young servant peeked out. His eyes imdiately widened in surprise at the sight of Ethan.

This wasn’t just so random guest. This was soone dangerously handso, impeccably grood, and standing with the posture of a man who belonged in novels.

"Uh... good afternoon, sir. May I... help you?"

Ethan smiled politely. "Good afternoon. I’m Ethan, I’m Rhea’s friend."

The servant was surprised seeing Ethan calling Rhea by her first na.

The servant blinked again before stepping aside. "Y-Yes, of course. Please co in."

As Ethan stepped inside, whispers began to stir among the staff nearby. Two maids passing the hallway glanced toward him and quickly whispered to each other.

"He’s so... wow. Look at his face. Like a movie star."

"He slls expensive. Are you sure he’s not a noble or sothing?"

Ethan ignored it all with casual grace, letting the admiration wash past him like a breeze. He was already scanning the space, rembering how the Marclaires were described in the novel: gracious, proud, but warm to those they trusted.

A pair of soft footsteps echoed down the hallway.

Julia Marclaire, elegant in a pale blue blouse, entered the room alongside her husband, Augustine Marclaire, dressed in a ho robe with an air of careful precision. Their eyes widened upon seeing Ethan.

" Ethan?" Augustine said, surprised but composed.

"Ethan?" Julia echoed, a smile slowly blooming. "What a pleasant surprise."

Ethan bowed slightly and extended the gift. "A small token of gratitude for the Marclaire family."

Julia opened the box slightly, noticing the rare tea blends and the delicately folded scarf. "This is beautiful," she said softly.

Augustine nodded. "Very tasteful. Thank you."

They all took seats in the parlor. A maid brought in light refreshnts, but Ethan only accepted a small porcelain cup of coffee.

Conversation flowed naturally. Julia brought up the recent incident at the restaurant.

"We’re still grateful to you, truly," she said. "Rhea... she’s been in high spirits since that night. Stronger. Like she’s found her footing again."

"That’s good to hear," Ethan replied with a soft smile. "I didn’t see her at university today, though."

Julia looked a bit thoughtful before answering. "Her uncle and aunt arrived yesterday. With everything that’s happened recently, we thought a change of pace might help. They’ve all been resting together."

As they spoke, Ethan caught the stares from the maids walking past the hallway. More giggles. More whispered conversations behind their trays.

"He’s so polite."

"And that voice. I’d pass out if he said my na like that."

"I bet he’s rich. Look at that watch. That smile..."

Ethan’s ears caught all of it, but he stayed focused.

"Is Rhea in her room?" he asked after a pause.

Julia nodded. "Yes, she should be. Upstairs, third door on the right."

Augustine raised his cup slightly. "If you need anything,refreshnts or snacks, feel free."

"Thank you sir" Ethan replied with a warm smile. "I’ll just say hi to her."

Ethan stood and made his way upstairs.

Ethan gently knocked on the door before pushing it open.

Rhea’s room was... exactly what he expected, and sohow even more.

Warm sunlight filtered in through delicate cream curtains, casting soft light across a cozy, well-kept space. The scent of vanilla and lavender lingered in the air. A large white bookshelf stood in one corner, cramd with novels arranged in neat rows many of them fantasy, classics, and a few with embarrassingly colorful covers clearly from the "forbidden" romance section.

A plush reading chair sat by the window, with a half-folded blanket tossed over the side. There were frad pictures of hand-painted flowers on the wall, and a cork board pinned with tiny notes and reminders—so even had stickers.

On the table lay a notebook with little doodles, a few cute pens, and a glass snow globe.

Ethan’s smile deepened.

It was the kind of room you’d expect from Rhea. Gentle, creative, but with that hidden spark under the surface.

He walked over to the bookshelf, casually scanning the spines.

"Two Pace," he murmured, pulling one from the middle row. "Volu 22209."

It is the book they talked about when they first t.

He flipped through it, finding the final two pages still unbent, their edges pristine.

"She never finished it?" he whispered. "But she stopped when they reached crytale, why??"

As he returned the book to its place, his eyes wandered to a different section. The spines here were... bright. Very bright.

’CEO Daddy’s Billionaire Mistress,’

’I Gave Birth to His Secret Twins in Chapter 5?!’

’Reborn as the Villainess but Got Married to the Hero Anyway?!’

"Dominating Dukes and Submissive Sorceresses? Wow. Just as I expected," he whispered.

Ethan raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Rhea, you closet degenerate."

Just then

Creak.

The bathroom door behind him opened.

He turned—instinctively, casually—and froze.

A thin trail of steam flowed out as Rhea stepped into the room, towel wrapped tightly around her figure, long black hair damp and clinging to her shoulders. Her skin glowed from the heat of the shower, her cheeks flushed a delicate pink. Droplets slid down her collarbone, disappearing beneath the towel’s curve.

For a mont, ti froze.

Ethan’s eyes widened slightly.

Sothing inside him clicked.

This was dangerous.

Rhea looked up—then scread.

"AHH!"

She jumped back, almost slipping on the floor, clutching her towel tighter.

"Ethan?! What the hell—?!"

Ethan imdiately raised both hands, turning around but still chuckling. "Relax, I knocked. You weren’t here, so I thought I’d wait. Bla your cute bookshelf."

Her voice was flustered and breathy. "You—you could’ve waited downstairs!"

He smirked, back still turned. "And miss seeing the secret fanfic shelf? Tragedy."

Rhea, now red in the face, scurried to her wardrobe and grabbed clothes. "Just wait—don’t turn around!"

"No promises," he teased.

"ETHAN!"

"Alright, alright!"

A few minutes passed in silence.

Finally, he heard her voice again, calr now. "Okay. I’m dressed."

He turned around to see her in a soft off-shoulder blouse and shorts, damp hair still ssy from the towel.

She looked fresh, real, and for a mont, unreasonably cute.

"You good now?" he asked.

She nodded, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

Then winced.

Ethan narrowed his eyes. "You alright?"

"Just... a headache," she said, rubbing her forehead. "It was light earlier, but now it’s kinda worse. Maybe because of you barging in."

"I cause headaches now?"He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "So you’re saying I’m in your head... constantly?"

She rolled her eyes. "Stupid smooth talker," she whispered.

"If I’m the reason," he said, stepping forward with a teasing smile, "shouldn’t I be the one to fix it?"

Rhea gasped. "W-Wait..."

"Relax," he whispered, voice low. "Let serve you today, my lady."