Liam's Pov
By midnight, the robe girl had lured Charlie off toward the stairs. But not before he snagged my car keys and tossed them in his pocket. "You're staying here tonight. Malibu air's good for the soul. And I don't trust you driving after Alicia's done with you."
Alicia grinned over her wine glass. "Oh, I'm just making sure he has a good time."
I had a high tolerance, but she was clearly on a mission. Drink after drink, she leaned closer, her voice dropping, her smile lingering. It was… flattering. But I kept my head clear—years of training, both in court prep and in the gym, had made it easy to pace myself. By the time she started to slur her words, I was still steady.
Eventually, Alicia's eyes glazed over and she admitted defeat, setting her glass down with a laugh before leaning back and closing her eyes. Within minutes, she was out.
I stood, scooping her up carefully—she was lighter than I expected—and carried her to the guest room. The one that, in a few years, would have Jake's posters on the wall. I laid her down, pulled the blanket over her, and made sure the door was half-shut.
My own bed for the night was the other guest room—Alan's future territory. I sat on the edge for a moment, the ocean's distant crash filling the silence.
Eve's voice was softer now. "You know, most guys in your position would've gone for it. But not you. You're stubborn in all the right ways."
"I just know what I want," I murmured.
"And what you don't," she added. "Still, you did good tonight. Charlie's proud of you in his… Charlie way. And Alicia? She'll remember you as the one who didn't take advantage. That's rare."
I smiled faintly. "Goodnight, Eve."
"Night, counselor."
The ocean kept rolling, steady and endless, as I finally let sleep take over.
The first light of day was just starting to creep into the Malibu horizon when my eyes opened on their own. No groggy haze. No pounding headache. No sluggish limbs. Just clear, alert consciousness.
Six a.m.
I rolled onto my back, letting the quiet sink in. "Morning, Eve," I muttered, my voice low.
"Good morning, Liam," she replied smoothly in my head. "You appear well-rested. No aftereffects from last night's alcohol consumption."
"Guess those boosted stats are doing their job," I said with a faint grin, running a hand through my hair. "Another win for the system."
"Indeed. Your constitution is significantly above the human average. Alcohol's metabolic breakdown in your body is rapid enough to prevent traditional hangover symptoms."
"Translation—my liver's basically a supercharger now."
"You could put it that way," she replied with a hint of amusement.
I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, pulling on a t-shirt before heading out into the living room.
The place was quiet. Too quiet.
No laughter. No clinking glasses. No sound of Charlie shuffling around like a hungover zombie.
What was there, though, were the remnants of last night—a couple of crystal tumblers sitting on the coffee table, each with a melted crescent of ice still floating in amber liquid, and an empty champagne bottle tilted on its side like it had passed out mid-party.
No Alicia. No Charlie.
The glass doors to the deck drew me in.
I slid one open and stepped outside.
The early morning sun spread across the horizon in a lazy, golden arc, the Pacific stretching endlessly in front of me. A light breeze rolled in off the water, cool against my skin, carrying the faint tang of salt. Down below, waves lapped against the sand with rhythmic persistence, each crash a whisper you could almost fall asleep to.
I leaned on the railing, letting the scene soak in.
"A beautiful view," Eve commented in my mind. "The sunlight reflecting off the water's surface creates a dynamic shimmer pattern. Some would consider this… serene."
"You're not wrong," I said. "Charlie probably sleeps through this every day."
"Perhaps he does not value it the same way you do," she replied. "But you—your heart rate has lowered by 7%, your breathing rhythm has deepened. You are… relaxed."
I smirked faintly. "Guess Malibu mornings aren't bad therapy."
Minutes passed without me even realizing it.
Eventually, I pulled out my phone, thumbing through my notifications. No urgent messages. Nothing that couldn't wait. I started idly scrolling, checking headlines, stock updates, and a few case law summaries out of habit.
Then an idea hit me.
"Eve," I said suddenly, "can you access the internet?"
"I can," she answered instantly, "but with limitations. I can search and retrieve information that is publicly available online. However, I cannot access encrypted or restricted databases unless you obtain the necessary credentials through your own efforts."
"So no 'movie hacker' stuff? No breaking into bank servers, Pentagon firewalls, or billionaire secret vaults?"
"Not without you first creating or acquiring a legitimate point of entry," she clarified. "Think of it as… I can read any open book in a library. But if a book is locked in a safe, you must open the safe yourself."
I chuckled. "So basically, you're Google with an upgrade—until I pick the locks."
"That is an accurate metaphor," she replied calmly.
I leaned back against the railing, the idea lingering in my mind. Information was power, and if Eve could sift through it faster than any human… that was a weapon in itself.
I laid down on the deck recliner, letting the sun soak into my skin while the ocean breeze carried the faint salt of the Pacific.
"Alright, Eve," I said, eyes half-closed, "give me the top five in the corporate world news, then the top five in general news."
Her voice was smooth as always. "Searching now."
Thirty seconds passed, filled only by the hiss of the surf, before her voice returned.
"Corporate world — top five trending stories as of today."
1)Stark Industries Secures Multi-Billion Dollar Defense Contract.
"Stark Industries has successfully renewed its largest government weapons contract for the next four years, securing a deal worth an estimated $45 billion.
The agreement was signed by Chairman and CEO Howard Stark during a closed-door Pentagon meeting yesterday. Analysts say this effectively locks out competitors from several key defense markets until 2026."
HUD clip: Howard Stark shaking hands with a four-star general, flanked by military aides and Stark's security detail.
2)Hammer Industries Stock Plummets.
"Hammer Industries' share value dropped 12% overnight following a catastrophic failure during a live demonstration of their latest combat drone. The drone malfunctioned mid-flight, scattering debris and nearly injuring spectators.
CEO Richard Hammer has refused to comment, fueling speculation of deeper problems. Industry insiders note Hammer remains perpetually in Stark's shadow."
HUD clip: A charred drone carcass lying on a runway, with Richard Hammer in the background looking like he's plotting revenge.
3)Oscorp Launches Genetic Research Division.
"Oscorp Industries has opened its first dedicated genetics research wing, focusing on DNA splicing, regenerative medicine, and human enhancement technology. CEO Norman Osborn called it 'the inevitable next step in human progress.'
Medical regulators are already voicing ethical concerns over the lack of independent oversight."
HUD clip: Osborn speaking before a massive holographic DNA strand, the press crowd buzzing.
4)Fisk Industries Acquires MetroLink Freight & Transit.
"Wilson Fisk's empire just grew. Fisk Industries completed a $6.8 billion acquisition of MetroLink Freight & Transit, securing control over major logistics routes from Boston to New York and down to Philadelphia.
Mr.Fisk claims the move is about 'modernizing urban transport,' though critics point to his growing monopoly on East Coast shipping."
HUD clip: Fisk in his iconic white suit cutting a ribbon at a container port, cranes looming behind him.
5)Wayne Enterprises Metro Expansion Approved.
"Under the leadership of Thomas Wayne, Wayne Enterprises has secured approval from the Gotham City Council for its $12.3 billion metro expansion plan.
The project aims to overhaul Gotham's aging subway system, linking neglected industrial zones to the city's financial heart. Thomas Wayne described it as 'reconnecting Gotham—physically and socially.'"
HUD clip: Thomas Wayne in a tailored charcoal coat, snow swirling as he speaks at a construction site.
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