Harem Investment System: Getting Money And Women-Chapter 215: Gratification Comes In Many Ways (I)

Ethan sat on the edge of the plush hotel bed, his phone still in his hand after sending the text.

The city lights outside the large window painted the room in a dim glow, their neon reflections flickering across the sleek, modern decor.

The hotel was high-end, but not overly extravagant — just enough to provide the comfort and privacy he needed for the night.

He had no intention of staying at Riley's parents' place, no matter how grateful they were. It wasn't about them, really.

He just wasn't the type to settle into someone else's home, not when there were too many unspoken expectations, too many polite formalities to navigate. They needed space, and so did he.

A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. He turned his head, already knowing who it was.

"Come in," he called, slipping his phone onto the nightstand.

The door pushed open, and Riley stepped inside, slightly out of breath, her cheeks flushed.

She leaned against the door for a second before pushing it closed behind her, exhaling deeply.

"You ran here?" Ethan asked, raising an eyebrow.

Riley nodded, still catching her breath. "I — yeah. I didn't want to wait for a cab."

She wiped the light sheen of sweat from her forehead and shot him a small grin. "I figured it'd be faster."

Ethan sighed, shaking his head. "At least you're energetic."

She rolled her eyes but didn't argue.

Instead, she scanned the hotel room. It was spacious, with a king-sized bed, a small seating area near the window, and a sleek, marble-accented bathroom visible through a slightly ajar door.

"You really went all out, huh?" she teased, walking further into the room.

Ethan leaned back on his hands, smirking slightly. "It's just for the night. Figured I'd get something decent instead of a shoebox."

Riley hummed in approval, then stretched her arms over her head. "Okay, I'm jumping in the shower. I probably look like a mess right now."

Without waiting for a response, she made her way to the bathroom, her fingers tugging at the hem of her shirt as she walked.

Ethan watched as she disappeared inside, the door clicking shut behind her.

The faint sound of running water soon filled the room, creating a soft, ambient backdrop to the quiet.

Ethan ran a hand through his hair and exhaled, finally allowing himself to fully relax.

It had been a long day. Between paying for the surgery, navigating the city, and dealing with that Wren girl's entitled attitude, he hadn't had much time to just sit and breathe.

Leaning back against the headboard, he glanced at his phone.

A few unread messages blinked on the screen, most of them from Zack and Melissa, probably checking in on the resort.

He'd deal with those later. For now, he just wanted a moment of peace.

His eyes drifted to the window, where the city stretched out beneath him.

Part of him still thought about expanding his business here, but after everything he'd heard about the Wren family, he wasn't so sure.

If people like them controlled the market, he'd have to be careful about how he moved.

Especially if that girl recognized him.

The bathroom door clicked open, and steam spilled out into the cooler air of the room. Riley stepped out, towel wrapped around her body, her damp hair sticking to her skin.

She looked refreshed, though her eyes held the telltale signs of exhaustion.

"You better have extra clothes or something," Ethan commented, amused.

Riley smirked, walking over to her bag. "I'm not an idiot. I brought some."

She rummaged through her things, pulling out an oversized T-shirt and a pair of shorts before disappearing back into the bathroom.

Read latest chapters at freёweɓnovel.com Only.

When she emerged again, dressed and drying her hair with a smaller towel, she plopped onto the bed beside Ethan.

"Today was a lot," she admitted, her voice softer than usual.

Ethan nodded. "Yeah."

They sat there in silence for a moment, the weight of the day settling in. Riley let out a small sigh and leaned back against the pillows.

"Thank you," she said, turning her head to look at him.

"For what?"

"For everything. For paying for my mom's surgery. For being here." Her voice was steady, but it was shaky as well.

"I don't think I've really processed it yet, but… I just — thank you."

Ethan didn't say anything right away. He simply nodded, accepting her gratitude without making a big deal out of it.

He hadn't done it for thanks.

He'd done it because he knew what it felt like to be powerless in the face of sickness, to watch someone you love suffer and not have the means to help.

If he could spare Riley from that pain, then that was enough for him.

"You should sleep," he said instead, nodding toward her. "Tomorrow's probably gonna be just as hectic."

Riley smiled faintly. "Yeah. I guess so."

Riley's heart pounded in her chest, each beat loud in the quiet room.

She was alone with Ethan again — just like the other times this week — but this time, it wasn't just a day after work.

The dim lighting cast long shadows across the hotel room, and the only sound was the occasional hum of cars passing outside.

Ethan lay beside her, his arm draped lazily over her back.

It wasn't an intentional embrace, just something that had happened naturally, but Riley could feel the warmth of it seeping into her skin.

It sent an involuntary shudder down her spine, and she squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself to relax.

"You're not sleeping, are you?" Ethan's deep voice cut through the silence, low and calm.

Riley groaned softly, not wanting to answer. If she spoke, she feared she might say something she shouldn't.

Ethan shifted slightly, the movement making her even more aware of their proximity.

He exhaled through his nose, almost like he was amused.

"Don't tell me you want to repay me," he said, his voice carrying a teasing edge. "If you really want to do that, then you should focus all your might on building the casino."

Riley finally opened her eyes, turning her head to look at him.

The glow from the city outside illuminated his face in patches of light and shadow, making his features seem even sharper.

She felt her throat tighten.