Corporate Villainy: Trampling Protagonists as a Business Dad

"G-Goddess?" Aelric stammered as he took a step back. "T-This can't be right? It must be a misunderstanding. I must be missing you too much."

"A-Aelric?" Liora was a bit shocked to see him here but quickly composed herself. Since he was here, she would make it clear to him today.

"Aelric, why are you here? Are you stalking me again?" Looking at the steak scattered on the floor, she already knew why he was here, but to gain the upper hand, she decided to say this.

Aelric, on the other hand, had already started coming back to his senses. "No, how can you do this? How can you do this to me? I am your boyfriend—why are you with another man in—"

Before Aelric could complete his sentence, Liora quickly interrupted, "Aelric, don't talk nonsense. Since when am I your girlfriend?"

She subconsciously looked at Vincent, who was still observing Aelric with indifference, and breathed a sigh of relief.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN I AM NOT YOUR BOYFRIEND?" he shouted, which put the bodyguards on high alert.

Then suddenly, Aelric's eyes lit up, and he pointed at Vincent. "Wait, it must be because of this bastard. Tell me, Liora. Goddess, is he forcing you to do this? Do you owe him money?"

This caused the others to frown as they waited for Vincent's command to pin this guy down already.

"You are so delusional, Aelric."

Without breaking eye contact with Aelric, Liora pressed herself closer against Vincent's chest, her hand trailing along his jaw in an intimate caress. She turned her head to nuzzle against his neck, making sure Aelric could see every deliberate movement.

"How dare you even think Mr. Cornelius would do such a thing? Unlike you he is rich, handsome and mature. Something every woman would dream to be with." she looked at Vincent for a hint of approval but found none.

The light in Aelric's eyes instantly dimmed.

"Then, then what about all the gifts I gave you? What about the expensive dates I took you on? What about the pads I bought you while soaking in the rain? Why did you accept them then? WHY?" Aelric's voice gradually drew louder as shouted again, his eyes red with anger and humiliation.

There was a flicker of guilt in her eyes, but in an instant it was replaced by anger and determination as she argued back.

"Just because I accepted your chocolates, just because I agreed to you treating me for lunch, you think I like you? Are you worthy, delivery boy?"

Vincent blinked once, then twice. The voices of arguments in the background faded as he looked at both figures arguing with an indifferent expression, but his mind was churning with many thoughts.

He of course knew what kind of person the woman sitting on his lap was. There was no shortage of women who lusted after money, but it wasn't like he didn't have money to dislike it. As long as you kept yourself at a distance from them, both parties could get what they wanted. But finding himself in this scenario, he couldn't help but think to himself—why does this feel so... routine? Like I've read this exact scenario play out a hundred times before. Isn't this the favorite routine authors use to have their brainrot protagonist start their brainrot journey to dominance and revenge?

He was 80% sure that this idiot in front of him would also turn out to be such a protagonist. So why is there no system notification?

Then suddenly, the system panel flickered in front of him.

[System Notification]

You have discovered a protagonist about to be born.

Assist Protagonist in being born and you will be rewarded with information about Protagonist's system and its functions.

Fuck? What kind of irony is this? I have to assist a protagonist—my nemesis—in being born? You want to turn me from a villain into a wet nurse?

Vincent's eyes flashed with a ruthless look.

If I just kill him here...

As if reading his thoughts, another system notification chimed in:

[Protagonists about to be born have already been chosen by fate. Taking action against them is the same as taking action against a protagonist with higher luck value than yours.]

Damn it, of course.

Well, whatever. Guess I have no choice.

Vincent's hand moved from her waist to her breast as he gave it a firm squeeze.

"Mmmmn—"

Liora, who was about to say something, moaned while covering her mouth. She looked at Vincent with surprise, delight, and desire.

Aelric, seeing this, was stunned. He had momentarily forgotten about the man she was sitting on, but seeing his goddess moan to another man's touch made his blood boil.

He gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and his eyes were red with fury as he said, "Let her go."

In response, Vincent smiled at Aelric as he pinched Liora's nipple while massaging her breast, which only caused her to moan louder as she leaned back against Vincent's chest, covering her mouth with both hands.

Aelric, seeing this, completely snapped and tried to run towards Vincent like a mad dog, but before he could even take two steps, the bodyguards—who had been tense and angry since the start—quickly sprang into action and pinned Aelric down to the ground.

Aelric struggled violently while glaring at Vincent, but he couldn't break free from their grasp.

Seeing the soon-to-be protagonist writhing like a worm in front of him while his goddess moaned to his touch made Vincent feel a different kind of excitement rise within him, but he quickly composed himself as he said:

"Young man, I think you're misunderstanding the situation here." Vincent's voice was calm and reasonable, carrying the authority of someone used to being listened to. "This beautiful lady works hard every day as a hostess to support herself through college. She sacrifices her time, her energy, sometimes even her dignity to earn an honest living."

He paused, letting his words sink in as murmurs of sympathy rippled through the room. Several hostesses nodded with understanding, their eyes glistening with emotion.

"And what have you done to support her dreams? What have you contributed to her future?" Vincent continued, his tone growing slightly disappointed. "You give her cheap gifts that she probably felt too kind-hearted to refuse, thinking it was help. But did you ever ask what she really needed? Did you ever try to truly understand her struggles?"

The bodyguards holding Aelric loosened their grip slightly, caught up in Vincent's words. The other hostesses were looking at Vincent with undisguised admiration, some wiping away tears.

"A real man," Vincent said, his hand stroking Liora's hair gently, "doesn't just buy trinkets and expect gratitude. He provides security, stability, a future. He doesn't make a woman feel guilty for accepting his help—he makes her feel cherished for allowing him to provide it."

Of course, I don't believe a word of what I'm saying applies to Liora, Vincent thought with internal amusement. This woman is nothing more than a gold-digging opportunist who was essentially cheating on her delusional boyfriend. Under normal circumstances, such behavior would be completely unacceptable. But when that boyfriend happens to be a future protagonist? Well, that changes everything. He was simply ensuring his actions appeared righteous in everyone's eyes.

Liora's eyes shimmered with tears as she gazed up at Vincent with genuine emotion. Even she seemed moved by his words, despite knowing their relationship's true nature.

"So please," Vincent concluded with what seemed like genuine sympathy, "don't blame this hardworking young lady for choosing a path that leads to a better life. Blame yourself for not being the man she needed you to be."

The room fell silent except for soft sniffles from some of the women present. Even a few of the bodyguards nodded respectfully at their boss's wisdom.

Aelric's face had gone completely pale during Vincent's speech. The reasonable tone, the logical arguments, the unanimous agreement of everyone around him all made him question whether he really was the villain in this story. The doubt crept into his mind but before he could process more.

Vincent cupped Liora's face gently and pulled her into a deep, passionate kiss, making sure Aelric had a perfect view. Liora melted into the kiss as soft moans escaped her lips.

"NO! DON'T TOUCH HER!" Aelric screamed, "We were fated to be! You said we have a soul connection!"

Vincent broke the kiss slowly, a satisfied smile playing on his lips as he looked directly at Aelric. "Now. Throw him out."

Under Aelric's dumbfounded expression, he was dragged out by the bodyguards. After taking him outside, they began beating him up.

"Damn it, my steak, my premium steak!" one of them cursed.

"You bastard ruined my most precious meal over your trivial matter," another spat before kicking him one last time.

They then left him lying bruised in the rain, his delivery uniform torn and stained with mud. Aelric groaned as he pushed himself up against the grimy alley wall, every movement sending sharp pains through his body. His left eye was already swelling shut, and his hands trembled—whether from the cold, the pain, or the shock, he couldn't tell.

Aelric shed tears, his eyes brimming with hatred.

Just you wait, I will get my revenge. I swear I will never be a simp in this life.

Suddenly, a blue light flickered in front of him, and a translucent screen appeared, displaying glowing text:

[Integration with the host is complete.]

[Host has awakened a new system.]

[Ultimate Dog Licking System has been activated.]

Aelric stared at the impossible sight, his mouth falling open in shock. "What... what is this?"

- - - - - - - - - - -

Vincent watched as Aelric was taken away. He then noticed Liona on his lap, leaning against his chest, kissing his neck while rubbing herself against his leg. Feeling the wetness soaking through his pants, Vincent furrowed his brows and pushed her aside lightly, causing her to land beside him.

"Dear?" Liona looked at Vincent, confused.

"I don't remember giving you permission to call me that." Vincent said, his brows still furrowed.

"This..." She was stunned. Weren't you just saying such sweet words before?

"I–I am sorry." Her voice was small, her expression aggrieved. She really felt like crying.

The mood of the man in front of her shifted more than a WiFi signal on a moving train.

Seeing the beauty before him on the verge of tears, Vincent didn't feel like he had done anything wrong.

This kind of girl… if you pamper her, she'll cling to you like a leech, demand more, and cry when the sugar runs dry. Give her a little, and she'll ask for your wallet. Give her your wallet, and she'll eye your mansion.

He wasn't running a charity. If she wanted benefits, she'd better understand the terms.

"It's not impossible for me to support your monthly expenses, but I have conditions. If you agree, then we can discuss them now."