Chapter 76

Lip wasn't sure how long he had slept, but he felt rejuvenated. His body had recovered to its peak condition, a testament to his remarkable ability to adjust and recharge. The sense of deep rest left him feeling refreshed and alive.

As he opened his eyes, the warm glow of sunlight filtered through the curtains. It was a rare sunny day in winter, yet something felt off. Why was the sun already in the west?

Lip blinked, then instinctively reached to his left and right, searching the bed. The other side was empty.

"Where did those three girls go?" he muttered groggily, scanning the room. He pulled the blanket aside, but no one was there.

"Seriously? Did they just up and leave after everything?" He frowned in confusion. Grabbing his phone, he glanced at the time—3:00 PM.

Lip scratched his head, trying to piece things together. As he was about to shout for them, a faint sizzling noise caught his attention. It was followed by the rhythmic thud thud thud of chopping.

The sound was coming from the suite's small kitchen.

Curious, Lip shuffled to the glass partition between the bedroom and kitchen. The transparent glass revealed the scene clearly: the three girls were busy cooking breakfast.

Jessica, clad in a sleek black silk nightgown, stood by the stove, frying something in a pan. Karen, wearing a striking red bikini, was washing vegetables at the sink, her hips swaying in time with her movements. Meanwhile, Mandy, dressed in a matching nightgown, was slicing fruit at the counter, her long legs elegantly poised.

The three girls were chatting and laughing, their voices blending harmoniously as they worked.

Lip leaned back on the bed, his arms crossed behind his head, watching the scene with a lazy smile. This was truly a feast for the eyes.

After a while, he reached for his pants, searching for his Marlboros, but remembered he'd smoked the last one yesterday while studying hacking techniques.

"It'd be perfect if I had a cigarette right now," he sighed, before muttering mischievously, "The view from the back is nice… but I wonder how the front looks."

At that moment, Mandy seemed to sense his gaze. She turned around, catching Lip admiring them unabashedly. A knowing smile spread across her face as she whispered to the other two. Jessica and Karen turned in unison, their eyes locking onto Lip.

"The view from the front is better," Lip thought smugly, grinning at their surprised expressions.

The three girls laughed, clearly unbothered by his boldness. Lip couldn't help but feel blessed. Waking up to such a scene was pure bliss.

After a while, the girls brought out breakfast, setting the table with a variety of dishes. Lip joined them, stretching casually as he sat down.

"Lip, why didn't you sleep a bit more?" Mandy asked gently.

"And why didn't you call us when you woke up?" Karen added.

Jessica smirked, leaning closer. "So, Lip, do we look good?"

"You're all stunning," Lip replied with a wink. "So gorgeous, it makes my heart flutter."

Their cheeks flushed red, and they giggled.

The group chatted happily while eating, the atmosphere warm and lighthearted. Suddenly, Jessica's eyes lit up with a mischievous glint. She asked in Chinese, "Lip, do you know what day men fear the most?"

Lip raised an eyebrow. He knew she was testing him, but he wouldn't back down. Pretending to ponder deeply, he caught her smirk and answered confidently, "January 30th."

Jessica's eyes widened in surprise. "Wow, you actually know that!"

But Lip wasn't done. He grinned slyly and asked, "Do you know what day women fear the most?"

Jessica frowned, thinking hard, but eventually shook her head.

"December 1st," Lip said, emphasizing the pronunciation of a certain word in Chinese.

Jessica's face turned scarlet as she realized the innuendo. Karen and Mandy, clueless, turned to her for an explanation. When Jessica whispered the meaning, they blushed even harder, covering their faces in embarrassment.

After breakfast, the group left the suite, ready to head home. However, as they walked through the hotel lobby, Lip froze.

There, sitting casually at a nearby table, was a man in a black mask. Lip recognized him immediately.

It was none other than Bill Gates.

Lip couldn't believe his eyes. The billionaire who had topped Forbes' wealth lists for decades was right here in Chicago, chatting animatedly with a stunning woman in a mask.

Jessica noticed his astonished expression. "What are you staring at so intensely?" she asked.

Lip motioned subtly toward the man. Jessica glanced over, then gasped. "Oh my God! It's Bill Gates!"

She covered her mouth in surprise, then leaned closer to Lip, whispering, "Wow, he's uglier in person. And isn't he known for being a playboy? Who's that gorgeous woman with him?"

Lip studied the woman for a moment. "If I'm not mistaken, that's Charlize Theron."

Jessica's jaw dropped. "The South African goddess? Why on earth would she hang out with him?"

Lip chuckled. "Think about it. Do you think she's drawn to his looks, or his money and connections?"

Jessica rolled her eyes. "Ugh, money really does buy everything."

As Lip watched the interaction, he couldn't help but feel a pang of realization. In the eyes of ordinary people, someone like Charlize Theron was an untouchable goddess. But to the ultra-rich, she was just another option.

"Jessica," Lip asked suddenly, "does Microsoft have a presence in Chicago?"

Jessica thought for a moment. "Yeah, they have a data center here."

A sly grin spread across Lip's face. "Perfect."

He'd just gotten an idea for his next move.