Chapter 177: Welcome To The Estate

As I stepped back into the back seat of my Maybach, the blue System interface chimed gently in my vision.

[TALENT ACQUISITION SUCCESSFUL]

Target: Mia (Horologist / Micro-Engineer)

Capital Committed: $100,000,000

Cashback: 100x

Unlocked on full Glowup elevating her brand and lifestyle.

I looked at the confirmation text on my phone. A hundred million dollars written on a single check. I leaned back against the headrest, a quiet chuckle escaping my lips. A hundred mil on a whim. It sounded completely insane to anyone else, but in the world of high-end, bespoke horology and rare gemstone engineering, setting up a top-tier lab and acquiring raw tourbillon movements, diamonds, and titanium from scratch cost real money. Let’s see what she actually builds.

My phone rang right on cue. It was Sarah.

"Boss," Sarah’s clear, efficient voice came through the speaker. "I just received a call from a very fast-talking girl named Mia. She claims you gave her a hundred-million-dollar check and told her I’d handle her logistics?"

"You heard right," I said, looking out the tinted window. "Set her up with whatever facility she needs in the industrial park. Get her top-grade equipment, security, and raw materials. No limits."

"Understood," Sarah replied without missing a beat. "Also, Benita has been trying to reach you all morning. Now that the Paris Gala fallout is hitting the news, major luxury brands and rival fashion houses are practically harassing her, throwing non-stop acquisition offers and contracts at UncuT. She’s overwhelmed and needs your call on how to handle them."

I smiled softly. "Tell Benita to come straight to the Hillside Estate. We’ll handle the corporate vultures together."

I paused, remembering Ruby’s dramatic submission from earlier this morning.

"And tell her to bring her measuring tape," I added with a smirk. "She’s fitting Ruby for her Met Gala gown today."

I pulled up to the main gates of the Hillside Estate just as a black sedan came to a smooth stop ahead of me. Benita stepped out, holding her leather design satchel and a rolled-up measuring tape over her shoulder.

She was wearing a surprisingly simple everyday dress, but the moment you looked closer, you could see her touch—custom asymmetrical stitching, structured shoulders, and raw, hand-tailored edges that turned a basic piece into something uniquely UncuT.

She caught me looking at her as I walked up from my car. She immediately smoothed down her dress with a nervous flutter of her hands, her eyes searching mine.

"What?" Benita asked quickly, biting her lip. "You don’t like it?"

I paused, scanning the silhouette. "Is this what you want?"

"I’m trying to find my confidence," she admitted, letting out a soft sigh as she looked at her own outfit. "The whole world is watching UncuT now, but I don’t just want to make impossible runway gowns that sit in glass cases. I want women to wear this stuff every day and feel invincible."

"Then you need a versatile collection," I said, meeting her eyes with a quiet, approving nod. "Everyday luxury. That’s how you build a real empire, Benita."

She beamed, her shoulders relaxing as a genuine smile broke across her face. "Good. That’s... really good to hear."

"Come on," I said, stepping toward the grand double doors of the mansion. "Let’s get you inside."

I reached out to grab the heavy brass handle, but before I could turn it, Benita suddenly reached out and grabbed my forearm, stopping me dead in my tracks.

I looked down at her hand, then up at her face. "What’s wrong?"

Benita took a deep, shaky breath, her chest rising and falling as she stared at the massive wooden doors like they were guarding a dragon’s lair. She squeezed her eyes shut for a second, trying to calm her racing pulse.

"I... I just need a second," she whispered, looking up at me with wide, completely overwhelmed eyes. "Ethan, you have Ruby, May, and Chef Patricia in there right now. A pop legend, a world champion, and a culinary genius. I think I’m actually going to end up starstruck and embarrass myself."

I couldn’t help but chuckle softly, placing my hand over hers on my arm.

"Benita," I said smoothly, leaning in just a fraction. "You just destroyed Oliver Rick and took over Paris in one night. They’re not the only stars in this house anymore."

I opened the door and led Benita into the grand living room, only to be greeted by a sight that completely shattered her nervous, awe-filled expectation.

May was sprawled out sideways across the massive Italian leather sofa in oversized grey sweatpants and a loose hoodie, completely slacking off. The giant wall-mounted TV was playing a random reality show, and scattered across the marble coffee table were open bags of chips, candy wrappers, and a half-eaten tub of chocolate ice cream.

The world-record sprinter, who was supposed to be the picture of elite athletic discipline, froze mid-bite, a spoonful of chocolate right outside her mouth.

She looked up, saw me, and her eyes went wide. She slowly lowered the spoon, letting out a defensive cough.

"Hey! Listen... it’s my designated cheat day, alright? Don’t look at me with those judging eyes, Ethan!" May declared quickly, sitting up and pointing her spoon at me like a weapon. "I ran ten miles at six in the morning!"

Benita stared, her jaw slightly open as she looked at the world champion sitting in a pile of junk food. "Actually... May?"

May blinked, finally realizing someone else was standing right behind me. Her face instantly flushed red. "Wait—oh, crap."

Panicking, May tried to scramble up to tidy herself, frantically grabbing a napkin off the table to wipe her face. "Hold on, let me—"

"Too late, champ," I chuckled, stepping into the room.

She had a dark, obvious smear of chocolate ice cream right on the corner of her upper lip, completely ruining any attempt at looking intimidating.

May stopped mid-wipe, looking back and forth between me and Benita, then let out a defeated groan, dropping back against the sofa cushions. "You know what? Whatever. I’m off the clock. Welcome to the estate, Benita."