Dark Lord Seduction System: Taming Wives, Daughters, Aunts, and CEOs novel Chapter 274

Chapter 274: My Villain Calling

"That was good business, Mom!" I said, puffing up my chest like the Wolf of Wall Street met a Barbie commercial.

"That was concerning behavior from an eight-year-old!"

Charlotte snatched the phone like she was saving me from a public execution. "Mrs. Carter? This is Charlotte. I want you to know Peter’s been incredible. He’s the reason I’m not currently sobbing into a Dom Pérignon puddle."

"Charlotte?" Mom softened instantly, the warmth of a Hallmark special seeping through. "Oh honey, I’m so sorry. Those bastards at Rivera — excuse my language — are crucifying you! Are you okay?" Traitor, you did not ask how I am and you’re showering Charlotte with affcetion. Not fair mom.

"I’m managing, thanks to your son," Charlotte said, eyes giving me the ’you better not screw this up’ look. "He’s got it all planned."

"He’s got a plan?" Mom sounded part concern, part resigned terror. "Peter, whatever scheme you’re cooking up, it better be legal."

"Define legal," I said, tone teasing like a Bod villain hosting a tea party.

"PETER!"

"Relax, Mom. I’m kidding. Everything’s... technically fine. We’re just strategically dismantling false narratives while looking fabulous."

"Mrs. Carter," ARIA interjected, smooth and smug, "I’ve verified all legal parameters. Peter’s actions fall squarely within acceptable corporate defense strategies."

"ARIA, your ’acceptable’ still gives me a minor heart attack," Mom muttered. "You even suggested the twins start cryptocurrency."

"They’d make excellent crypto entrepreneurs," ARIA defended. "Emma has the social media influence. Sarah has the analytical mind—"

"They’re eighteen! Not hedge fund managers!"

"Age is a regulatory suggestion," ARIA said, monotone wisdom dripping like liquid nitrogen.

Mom sighed, like someone summoning patience from another dimension. "Peter, promise me you’ll protect those girls. Both of them. And yourself."

"I promise," I said smoothly, like a man who already knew he was untouchable.

"Good. Speaking of school — there’s a new Vice Principal investigating the Trent Holloway situation. Lawyers say Emma’s settlement is moving forward, but this person wants to interview her when you get back."

I tensed. "Is Emma okay with that?"

"She says yes. Sarah’s prepping her. Tougher than they look, just like you should be."

"They get it from you," I said, a rare, sincere compliment.

"Don’t butter me up, young man. You’re still in trouble for dragging Madison to Miami during a corporate apocalypse. That girl’s parents must be wringing their hands raw."

I smirked, glancing at Madison. She looked guilty and thrilled at the same time — basically every Peter Carter-approved reaction to living on the edge. "Relax, Mom. She’s fine. And honestly, so am I. Chaos is my cardio."

Madison laughed, that reckless, "I’m-about-to-get-in-trouble-but-love-it" laugh. "My parents think I’m at a spa retreat, Mrs. Carter. Probably relieved I’m not hemorrhaging their money for once."

After she hung up, Madison refilled our glasses like a bartender in some absurdly overpriced Vegas suite. "Your mom knows you’re up to something."

"She always knows," I admitted. "Single-mom intuition is basically a superpower. She once knew I’d bombed a math test before I even walked in the door."

"How?" Charlotte asked, eyebrow raised.

My phone buzzed. Mom’s text: "Whatever you’re planning, be smarter than your enemies think you are and dumber than you think you are. Love you."

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