Chapter 43: Oscar-Worthy Performances
Inside the room, the lingering scent of intimacy hadn't completely faded, and the air was filled with a sweet, heady aroma.
Jennifer curled up in Edward's arms, like a well-fed cat, lazy and content.
The [Threads of Desire] she wore still shimmered with a dangerous glow, but at this moment, that glow seemed dimmer, less aggressive.
Her breathing was steady and deep, and a tempting flush still lingered on her pale skin; her blue eyes, which could swallow souls, had regained some clarity, yet with every glance, her allure surpassed what it had been before.
"Master..." she called softly, her voice hoarse with exhaustion, yet filled with clingy affection, "I... I can't take anymore..."
Edward looked down at her, sensing the succubus energy within her that had been awakened and then quickly settled into dormancy.
Just now, he'd experienced what true "energy exchange" meant.
Streams of pure life force had flowed from him to Jennifer, and in return, a more peculiar energy with seductive properties had fed back to him.
This was a win-win transaction: Jennifer gained the nourishment for growth, and Edward felt his mental power had received some subtle enhancement.
It was just... "That's it already?" Edward clicked his tongue, still feeling somewhat unsatisfied.
His life force was vast as an ocean; the little energy that had flowed out just now was merely a drop in the bucket for him.
Jennifer, on the other hand, was like a brand-new phone fresh out of the box, showing "battery full" after only a short charge, even getting a bit overheated.
"Looks like the Succubus Training Program is gonna be a long haul," Edward sighed internally.
He gently stroked Jennifer's silky hair, carefully placing her on the plush couch and thoughtfully covering her with a nearby throw blanket.
The impact and transformation of energy had plunged her into deep sleep, an instinct of biological evolution.
Looking at her defenseless, beautiful sleeping face, Edward felt strangely calm.
After the tide of passion receded, what remained was an odd sense of satisfaction, like owning a priceless treasure.
He didn't linger, turning and leaving Jennifer's house.
Now it was time to go home and check on those three troublesome "sisters"...
When Edward unlocked his front door, he was greeted by an unexpectedly "heartwarming" scene.
In the living room, a brightly colored cartoon was playing on the TV—My Little Pony, by the sound of it—the volume not too loud, just right.
On the soft carpet, a cute strawberry-patterned play mat was spread out.
Lily, Esther, and Emma—three little girls—were sitting in a circle together.
In front of them was a delicate toy tea set, with tiny teapots, miniature cups and saucers, and several plates of actual, delicious-looking Oreos and fresh strawberries.
Lily was holding a small teapot, carefully pouring pink Nesquik strawberry milk into Esther and Emma's cups.
Her movements were focused and serious, and her face wore a gentle, big-sisterly smile.
"Sister Esther, careful, it's hot."
Emma picked up a teddy bear cookie and offered it to Esther's mouth, her face beaming with innocent joy.
"Sister, try this! Mom just bought it today, it's really yummy!"
Esther, being enthusiastically attended to by her two "sisters," seemed somewhat reserved and overwhelmed.
She sat upright, hands on her knees, with a shy, grateful smile on her face.
"Thank you, Lily. Thank you, Emma... You're both so sweet."
This scene—full of sisterly love, warmth, and harmony—was as beautiful as a carefully painted Norman Rockwell illustration.
Any parent seeing this would probably tear up from joy.
But Edward stood in the foyer, looking at this "touching" scene, feeling only his eye twitching.
"..."
He was speechless.
What the hell was this?
Some kind of Disney Channel sitcom?
Or had he opened the door wrong and accidentally walked into a parallel universe?
Just a few hours ago, these three had been at each other's throats, one tormenting the other two to the brink of psychological collapse with illusions, nearly coming to blows.
Now this was... "The Psychos' Tea Party"?
Edward's gaze swept over the three of them.
Lily, the perfect actress.
Her gentle and well-behaved expression was flawless, as if she were naturally such a considerate good kid.
But Edward knew that beneath that cute face lay Marquis's coldness and cruelty.
Her performance at this moment was merely a predator's leisurely entertainment while toying with its prey.
Emma, the most transparent one.
She was smiling happily—genuine happiness, straight from the heart.
But that happiness wasn't from "sisterly bonding," it was because she found this "game" fascinating.
She looked at Lily, then at Esther, and in her blue pupils flickered an excitement and fervor of finding a kindred spirit and joining in the fun.
She was getting off on this fake performance.
Esther, also known as Leena Klammer, the only "real victim."
Her smile was the stiffest, and beneath that shyness and gratitude was undisguised fear and submission.
She was like a rabbit kept as a pet by wolves, forced to play house with the wolves, needing to appear happy while constantly worrying she'd be eaten alive.
Jesus Christ.
One deserved an Oscar for Best Actress, one was a complete psycho, one was a hostage trying to survive.
The Academy owes each of you a goddamn golden statue!
Edward ranted internally, but his face remained impassive.
"Ahem."
He cleared his throat, breaking the eerily harmonious atmosphere in the living room.
The three little girls simultaneously froze their actions, then in perfect unison turned their heads to look at him.
In that instant, the expressions on their faces switched seamlessly.
"Big brother!" Lily was the first to exclaim, her smile becoming even brighter, carrying a hint of dependence and joy at seeing family.
"Big brother, you're back!" Emma also called out sweetly, waving at him.
Esther also stood up, timidly saying: "Big brother."
Edward kicked off his boots and walked in, looking at the mess on the carpet... no wait, the wholesome tea party scene.
"What are you guys up to?" he asked, playing dumb.
"We're having a getting-to-know-you party with our new sister!" Lily tilted her small face, answering perfectly, "Mom said we should get along and become a real family."
As she spoke, she affectionately took Esther's hand.
Esther's body visibly tensed for a moment, but she still forced a smile and nodded.
"Yeah... Lily and Emma are both really great sisters."
Edward looked at her expression—like she was about to cry—and felt exhausted for her.
"Really?" Edward's mouth twitched. He walked to the couch and dropped down, leaning back, letting himself sink into the cushions.
He didn't want to get involved.
Seriously.
As long as these three little monsters didn't burn down the house, didn't create any bodies, and didn't get him into massive trouble, they could play their "Game of Thrones" however they wanted behind closed doors.
In a way, this was ecological balance.
Having Lily—this top-tier demon—keep the other two in check was way easier to manage than having all three running around independently causing chaos.
"Big brother, want some milk?" Emma, holding her tiny cup, trotted over to Edward on her short legs, looking up at him with an expectant face.
Edward looked down at the toy cup, barely bigger than a shot glass, containing maybe a tablespoon of strawberry milk.
He extended two fingers, picking up the cup like a chess piece, then downed it in one gulp.
"Mm, delicious," he commented flatly.
"Yay!" Emma, having received praise, happily skipped back.
Edward watched the three of them sit back down and continue their completely insincere tea party, feeling a headache coming on.
So exhausting.
Jennifer was way less trouble; sure, she was a succubus who needed "charging," but at least she was obedient and... easy on the eyes.
Unlike these three in front of him—each one a better actress than the last, each one more dangerous than the next.
"Alright, you guys have fun." Edward stood up, feeling that staying in this "wholesome" atmosphere another second was torture.
"I'm beat. Gonna crash."
He dropped that line and headed for the stairs.
"Bye, big brother!"
"Sleep well, big brother!"
Lily and Emma's sweet goodbyes came from behind him, and Esther also quietly added, "Goodnight, big brother."
Edward didn't look back, just waved dismissively and headed straight upstairs.
He casually called over his shoulder, "Don't stay up too late, and don't trash the place."
With that, he entered his room and shut the door with a decisive click.
As the sound of the door closing echoed, the cartoon noise in the living room seemed to quiet down.
Lily's smile vanished instantly. She picked up her cup, drained the strawberry milk inside in one gulp, and her pure black pupils were filled with cold indifference.
Emma's smile became even more twisted. She looked at Esther and whispered, "Sister, the game's not over yet."
Esther trembled, her hand holding the small cup shaking violently.
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