The Nature of Prey

July in New York was finally heating up.

Bruce wasn't surprised by Nasstya and Alexondra's surrender. From the moment they had been left alone, a tiny crack had formed in their resolve. All he had to do was amplify their inner desires and create the perfect opportunity.

These two ordinary girls had countless dreams of a better life—so many that they weren't even aware of them. This hidden vulnerability wasn't within their control; it was determined by the very nature of being prey.

Deception and manipulation, for a demon lord who had lived countless ages, were as routine as eating and drinking. And with Alexondra, a girl full of ambition and a sense of urgency assisting him, he couldn't help but feel a warmth in his belly recalling how she sensually kissed Nasstya's enticing chest the previous night.

Desire is the root of all weakness.

Currently, he was lying on a beach chair, clad only in shorts, basking in the sun's relentless heat. In his hands, he held a thick stack of documents, given to him by Archibald—all about the bio-tech companies they were scouting.

After looking for a while, Bruce seemed to sense something. He reached out and pressed a few buttons on the smart screen set up on a small table next to him. In a luxurious residence like the one at 432 Park Avenue, the building's smart features were advanced and user-friendly.

With Bruce's touch, the floor beneath him emitted a faint sound and slowly parted to reveal thick, specially-made glass below. The deep blue sea and countless aquatic creatures were clearly visible. Looking through the glass, one could faintly see the scene inside the bedroom below—opulent beds, displays, and the silhouettes of two beautiful women—simply breathtaking.

Nasstya felt as if she was waking from an endless, dark slumber. Trying to open her eyes, fragments of the previous night's passionate moments, unfamiliar yet crystal clear, flashed through her mind.

Blushing, Nasstya was astonished by her own impulsiveness and wildness. Had she, always shy and quiet, really made love with Alexondra and him?

She gathered her courage and stealthily opened her eyes a bit, only to see a slender figure lying not far from her—it was Alexondra. Adjusting her view several times to confirm that they were alone, she hurriedly picked up one of the neatly placed pajama sets from a bedside table and put it on.

Had he left? Nasstya rose, feeling an inexplicable sense of loss. Only then did she notice the brilliant play of light in the room. Sunlight, penetrating the deep blue from above, cast enchanting rays and halos around the room. It was an even more magical sight than the previous night. She gasped quietly, greedily admiring this dreamlike scene, unable to tear her gaze away.

Soon, Alexondra awoke. This young woman, despite her appearance, was passionate and had given her all the previous night. She was still groggy and it took her a while to yawn and start dressing.

"Are you two awake?" The door opened slowly, revealing a neatly dressed Bruce. He leaned against the doorframe, smiling, appreciating the exquisite sight before him—the beauty of the newly awakened women complemented by the mesmerizing play of light—a sight surpassing any natural beauty in the world.

After freshening up, the trio finally sat down at the dining table. Gazing at the exquisite utensils and lavish food, the sunlight streaming in through the windows and the gentle breeze made Nasstya and Alexondra feel as if they were in a dream. Yet everything around them served as a constant reminder: this was real.

The breakfast atmosphere seemed a tad too quiet. Bruce put down his newspaper and took a sip of his coffee.

Nasstya, with her mind in a whirl, had been battling with her plate of food for quite some time. The shy girl sneaked a peek at the newspaper and immediately recognized the large photo—it was the very skyscraper she was currently in. The headline read: "Bruce Lee Acquires New York's Premier Mansion!"

"When I was a child, if I spoke at the dinner table, the elders would hit the back of my hand with a wooden stick," Bruce said, wiping his mouth with a napkin and looking at the two with a playful smile. "It seems that the two beautiful ladies here shared similar childhood traumas with me."

"Pfft!"

Both Nasstya and Alexondra burst into laughter, caught off guard by his teasing remark. They hurriedly reached for their napkins to cover their laughter and composure.

"I was beginning to think you both decided to give me the silent treatment. I get it from shy Nassy, but why is our fiery Alex ignoring me?" Bruce said, feigning distress.

"Will you be in touch with us again?" Alexondra hesitated for a moment before asking.

Bruce, seemingly seeing through her thoughts, replied with a sly grin, "Why wouldn't I? Or are you planning to forget about me once you're dressed?"

"Oh, come off it," Alexondra retorted, feeling a strange sense of belonging. She playfully glared at him.

"You both have my number, you can contact me anytime. If you want to stay here, that's fine too. There are plenty of rooms, so suit yourselves. However, I might be quite busy lately and may not always be around," Bruce enjoyed interacting with astute individuals.

As he headed upstairs, he paused and turned back, "Oh, and if Nassy forgets to call me, make sure to remind her, Alex."

"I knew you were closer to Nassy," Alexondra feigned jealousy.

"I'm not any closer to him..." Nasstya, who had been silent all this while, couldn't resist Bruce's teasing anymore. She burst out, paused, then curiously asked, "Bruce, did your family really hit you for speaking during meals when you were young?"

Bruce paused, looked at the serious expression on her pretty face, and a grin slowly spread across his face until he burst into unrestrained laughter. Waving, he headed upstairs amidst Nasstya's playful protests.

After breakfast, the two women, having work to attend to, decided to return to their rooms to change into their clothes. But upon entering the dining room, they found a middle-aged man in impeccable formal attire. His meticulous appearance and attention to detail indicated his profession.

"Good morning, esteemed ladies. I am the butler, Elliott Valen. Your old clothes have been sent for cleaning. As per the gentleman's request, we've prepared suitable attire for you both. Please follow me."

Guided by Elliott, they were soon in another room where two young maids in uniforms were already waiting. They opened two massive closets that occupied an entire wall, revealing an array of women's clothing, neatly arranged shoes, and accessories.

"As I am unfamiliar with your preferences, you may choose for yourselves. Do you require the maids' assistance to change?" Elliott inquired with a smile.

"No, thank you, Elliott. We can manage," Alexondra quickly responded.

With a respectful nod, Butler Elliott ushered the two maids out of the room.