Having spent an entire century together, Xie Mei and her sisters had long grown completely comfortable with each other. However, that didn't mean that every one of them didn't occasionally want to spend some quality time with Theodore, all alone. Therefore, during such times, the others would deliberately keep away so as to avoid intruding upon those special moments.
Today, it was Han Junqiao's turn to monopolize their beloved. And because they all were not yet properly settled in, they couldn't exactly just relax and cultivate. Whilst Cheong Suhyeon wasn't bothered by this at all, Xie Mei felt a bit restless and bored. As a result, she began to inspect the area around their current residence in detail, losing herself in her observations.
It was during this time that she noticed a certain young woman approach the Grand Tholos' centremost structure. Initially, she didn't give it much thought, merely assuming that another messenger had come around. But because she was already scrutinizing everybody closely, she did the same to this newcomer.
That was when her alarm bells went off. With plentiful life experience under her belt by now, she could instantly tell that this woman was up to no good. The arrogance evident in her features and the barely hidden lust in her gaze couldn't escape her–and neither could the 'stench'.
Well, it wasn't exactly some sort of smell–but rather, an aura which she gave off unceasingly. Just like how a mass murderer would eventually be surrounded by thick killing intent if they didn't do anything about this sort of slow accumulation, the young woman exuded an outright debauched, excessively promiscuous aura.
There was nothing wrong with being more uninhibited in that regard, but she had truly never met anyone whose mere presence made her feel a strong sense of disgust. Even the ladies of the night who she had seen on her travels through the worlds that she and the others had conquered never reached such a level.
'Did she do nothing in her life except for getting ploughed non-stop?! What's this sort of harlot doing here?'
Flabbergasted for a while, as Cadi got closer and closer to where their group was staying at, Xie Mei finally had a sudden realization. What else–or rather who–could bring someone craving for nothing but vain physical intimacy here other than Theodore? After all, it was undeniable that his looks were out of this world–quite literally.
'As if I'd allow such filth to get close to our Theo!'
Narrowing her eyes, she chose to embark on the path of war. On the off chance that her lover would take a liking to this sort of loose woman, wouldn't she have to become sisters with her!? No matter how vanishingly small that risk actually was, it was an unacceptable thought!
Just like this, moments later, she found herself arriving in front of the visitor, uttering the most fiercely combative words that she could come up with. And the stunned expression of disbelief that they were met with certainly caused her lip to curl into a condescending sneer.
"Little bitch, did you seriously just say that!? How dare you speak to me like this! Do you even know who you're talking to?!"
It didn't take long for Cadi to snap back at her, blazing fury overflowing from the core of her very being. But despite the confrontational nature of her tone, she didn't physically lash out against Xie Mei–she was merely blustering.
'Whoever this is, she's clearly stronger than I am. Fighting her wouldn't end well for me. I came here to try to bed her man, so it's natural that she'd greet me like this. Still, I can't simply take all of this lying down. Even if it's useless, I've got to make some noise in response.'
Her outward display was the complete opposite of the inner machinations of her mind. For pretty much as long as she could remember, it had always been like this. To those around her, she tried to appear simple and stupid, as well as prone to being incensed–but deep inside, she fully understood what she was doing. Still, that didn't mean that she was the brightest bulb out there.
"Oh? Might you be a figure of particular renown? My apologies, a courtesan of your unprecedented calibre should more aptly be referred to as a world bicycle. Don't you worry, I'll update my vocabulary as such."
With the fakest, most patronizing smile that she could muster, Xie Mei nodded in understanding. She didn't take the sad, unimaginative insult to heart at all.
"You...!! That's not what I–! Ugh, forget it. I'm done with you. Move aside, I've got a meeting with Mr. Winter to attend."
At first on the verge of blowing her top, Cadi still managed to suppress the overwhelming urge. What use was it to bicker with this lass? She had one sole goal in coming to this place, and she wouldn't allow herself to get held up here for long.
"Do you really?"
Furrowing her brows a little, Xie Mei's mood sank. Although she strongly doubted this claim, whenever it came to her lover, she would at least take things seriously. Who knows if he had agreed to have a chat with this skank for some reason that she simply wasn't aware of?
"What? Do you think I'd come all the way here without my arrival having been announced beforehand? Now screw off and let me go about my business!"
Long having been able to read her grandpa like a book, how could Cadi possibly not understand that he would get someone to deliver a message to Theodore post-haste? Therefore, she hadn't exactly lied just now. Instead, she had exaggerated and bent the truth to her advantage.
Trying to utilize her strong confidence and momentum to make her way past this annoying hindrance, she attempted to bypass Xie Mei, only to find a hand gripping her shoulder and rooting her in place with a power that was impossible for her to resist.
'W-What?! How is she so strong!? Isn't she merely about one stage ahead of me? The difference shouldn't be this incomprehensibly overwhelming!'
Feeling a strong terror in her heart, Cadi didn't let it show on her face. Instead, she glared at the one who had stopped her with powerless yet bold defiance. But before she could voice her displeasure, Xie Mei had already let go of her again.
"I'll allow you to meet my Theo, but I definitely won't be 'screwing off'. Instead, I'll be keeping an eye on you the entire time."
Having noticed that her lover had sent her a message telling her to let the visitor through, she naturally wouldn't go against his decision without a good reason. Yet of course, she would use this opportunity to intimidate the slut a little.
"Hmph! Suit yourself."
Snorting derisively, Cadi 'ignored' the beauteous but scary girl and ventured onward. With the necessary intel in her possession, she quickly found her way to the hall in which Theodore was awaiting her.
She was not too surprised to see another gorgeous lady clinging to him and eyeing her with displeasure. As a professional homewrecker, she had seen those same expressions far too many times to count.
"It's an honour to meet you, Mr. Winter! And you too, respected Missus."
Bowing courteously, she put on the kindest, gentlest smile that she had in store, feeling her heart almost beat out of her chest. The recordings that she had seen simply couldn't do this man any justice! Although she had dabbled in debauchery for many years, she now felt like an innocent maiden falling for someone for the first time.
"How can I help you, Ms. Owain?"
Neither too friendly nor too distant, Theodore showed a calm smile. Just like Xie Mei, how could he not tell that Cadi had been around... a hell of a lot? With that as well as Nye's letter in mind, her intentions were obvious. Still, at the very least, he would give her a chance to explain herself.
"I see, you prefer a more direct approach. Then I won't beat around the bush either! I'm absolute love-struck with you, and now that I'm seeing you in person, my infatuation is only growing stronger. I'm normally not really one for committed relationships, but I'm very proficient when it comes to intimacy. I can promise you the best time you've ever had, so how about we enjoy ourselves together?"
Both Xie Mei and Han Junqiao's eyes widened a little in shock at how shamelessly Cadi stated all of this, but Theodore barely even raised an eyebrow. Although he had never encountered someone like her outside of his illusory lives, he nonetheless knew precisely how to deal with her. Still, depending on the exact situation, there were a few options.
"... I'll meet your truthfulness with honesty of my own: I'm not really interested. I don't exactly discriminate against those with prior experience, but you seem to have... gone above and beyond. It's genuinely to the extent of being off-putting. A pretty face alone might capture the body, but not the heart. And unfortunately for you, the latter does still have a say when it comes to my decision-making."
His eloquent rejection was simultaneously soothing and scornful, especially when combined with his undisturbed smile. Cadi truly didn't know how exactly she should feel about it, but she was very reluctant to give up that easily. At the thought of never being with him, a fathomless, panic-inducing sense of loss began to settle in–something that she had not once encountered before. So, stepping forward a little, she put on her best tried and tested, pitiful expression.
"I know well about my past, and I do understand that to many, it's not exactly desirable. Before laying my eyes upon you, I never would have imagined that I'd want to bid it a permanent farewell, but you've changed my mind. For you, I'd cleanse myself completely, becoming fresh and anew. I'll devote myself solely to you, for all of time! And yes, I'm serious."
Whether or not she truly was, outwardly, she definitely appeared as such. Having fallen to her knees towards the end of her speech and bowing pleadingly, she certainly knew how to tug at others' heartstrings.
'Did I perhaps judge her too harshly? She appears quite serious about this...'
With a hint of uncertainty in her eyes, Xie Mei carefully examined Cadi once more, trying to find any signs of deceit–yet she couldn't detect any at all. Although she still felt repulsed by her, she at the very least respected this sort of commitment.
"Look, I feel flattered. But if I accepted every woman who thirsts after me, there would be an unending number of them crowding me extremely quickly. I don't know you, and at least in your current state, I feel no attraction towards you. If you truly intend to do as you've just claimed, then I'll await your return and give you a chance to let your personality and the hopefully resulting charm do the talking. That's the best offer that I can make you."
Although this was what he said, he highly doubted that Cadi would be surviving the coming cleansing. If she somehow didn't end up on Cristyn's list, then he would have to revise his opinion of her a little, though. Anyway, in general, his offer was genuine. If she truly could become an entirely new person completely separated from her depraved past, then her goal wasn't impossible to achieve any longer. However, it was still extremely unlikely.
It was at this point that a vague sensation made itself known. A part of him seemed to tell him that her death would somehow put him at a disadvantage.
'Strange... I can't yet put my finger on it, but something about her also feels... off. I'll have to pay more attention to her while I can. Seems like I'll have to exempt her from being eliminated.'
Not letting any of his extremely minute suspicions show at all, he awaited her response with the same unchanging smile that had been on his lips the entire time. His intuition had never misled him, therefore he chose to stay his hand for now. Else, she would have become one of his Attribute Point donors not too long in the future.
"... I'll accept it! Just you wait, next time we see each other, I'll take your breath away!"
Blushing a little after this confident statement, Cadi hastily said her goodbyes. Whether she was eager to begin her 'transformation', or to escape, that was impossible to ascertain.