Daphne seemed to not only know her but also called her "sister"—their relationship must not be simple.
At this point, I asked Stein, "Do you know who this woman is?"
Stein whispered, "Of course I know. This woman is Nova, currently the spokesperson for the largest jewelry company."
Nova's family was in the jewelry business, operating nearly a hundred stores. The Nova family enjoyed an illustrious status as a renowned first-class family. However, in recent generations, the family had only produced daughters. By Nova's generation, out of dozens of family members, only one male heir was born—and because he was still too young, Nova took over the family business.
Nova and Daphne were close friends, practically inseparable. The line of men pursuing them could stretch from here to France without exaggeration.
As Stein was explaining, Nova walked in, followed by a female attendant—truly fitting for someone of her status.
Nova appeared two or three years older than Daphne, more mature and voluptuous, with an intellectual beauty about her. Still, Daphne was the more striking of the two, with superior looks and presence.
Both women were stunning in their own ways. Having two such beauties appear in my tattoo parlor at the same time—if word got out, other men might kill me out of sheer envy.
"Are you Roger, the heir of Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts?" Nova asked as she entered, smiling warmly at me—a stark contrast to Daphne's icy demeanor. Her smile was infectious and far more charming. How did such a warm personality become best friends with someone as cold as Daphne? Their personalities couldn't be more different.
I nodded and confirmed, then asked her purpose. If she was here for business, she was more than welcome. If she came to help Daphne cause trouble, then even a pretty face wouldn't earn her any courtesy from me. After all, as Daphne's best friend, it would only make sense for Nova to side with her—especially given my ongoing feud with Daphne.
"Sister Nova, what brings you here?" Daphne called out affectionately before shooting me a glare, clearly assuming Nova had come to back her up.
Nova barely acknowledged Daphne, offering only a faint "Hmm" in response. Then she turned to me and said, "Mr. Roger, may I ask—do you have someone you're romantically interested in?"
The moment this question left her lips, not just me but everyone present was baffled. What kind of opening move was this?
Whether she came for a tattoo or to make trouble, this wasn't the expected starting line.
"Why...why do you ask?" I replied, confused.
Nova laughed lightly. "Nothing complicated. I simply...want to marry you."
What the hell?!
What was this woman playing at? She hadn't even been in the shop five minutes before dropping this bombshell, leaving us all utterly stunned.
"Daphne, I don't suppose you mind? You guys wouldn't have succeeded anyway," Nova asked, turning to Daphne.
Daphne looked even more shocked than I was. She still hadn't recovered, her expression slightly distorted as she stammered, "Why would I...mind? This man has nothing to do with me. But sister, how could you want to marry him? Him? Is he worthy? Did you know each other before?"
Nova shook her head and said they hadn't met, but she'd heard about my abilities.
The Dai family's ancestral tomb had an unbreakable Malevolent Array - until one of my Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts cracked it.
Then there was Mr. Lam of the Lam family. When he heard I'd tattooed a Child-Bestowing Guanyin design, the old man actually regained his virility, with a child soon to be born.
Now many families in Vervecity were trying to recruit me, though none had succeeded yet. The magic of Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts was becoming well-known - a rare form of yin magic.
Actually, many wealthy people were quite superstitious. They deeply revered yin magic and similar arts - things like celebrity ghost-raising, Buddha amulets, or fox spirit worship. Most affluent families had consulted Feng Shui masters. Ironically, the richer people were, the more they believed in these things. And my Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts were even more extraordinary.
I smiled wryly. "If you just want Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts, you can pay me to do them. No need to marry me, right?"
Nova chuckled, her eyes gleaming with that natural business cunning. She explained that if the Nova family could monopolize Tattoos of Gods and Ghosts, they could rise to become Vervecity's top family. But if she just commissioned tattoos, others could too - and what if they got more powerful designs? The Novas would lose their advantage.
Moreover, the tattoos might even solve their family's strange lack of male heirs - killing two birds with one stone!
Nova made her offer: no dowry needed. Instead, she'd give me $10 million. But there were two conditions: first, I'd have to marry into their family as a live-in son-in-law; second, from then on, I could only tattoo the Nova family.
What the hell? Was I cursed or something? First a beautiful woman plus 2milliongetsthrownatme,now10 million plus another beauty? Had I been dreaming since leaving the village without waking up?
While this sounded like a great deal, I wasn't interested. Marrying into a rich family as a glorified househusband, restricted to tattooing only them - what would that make me? A tool?
"Mr. Roger, such tempting conditions - you have no reason to refuse, right?" Nova said confidently, as if she'd already secured me.
Daphne looked somewhat downcast at this moment, her expression showing clear displeasure.
"Daphne, what's wrong? Upset that I'm stealing your man?" Nova asked playfully, then affectionately took Daphne's small hand.
Daphne stiffened her neck. "Tch, what 'my man'? What's it got to do with me? I wouldn't want this dog of a man. If you like him, take him and play with him."
"Haha, wonderful!" Nova said, wrapping an arm around Daphne's shoulders.
"Sorry, I appreciate the offer, but I'm not interested. Find someone else!" I suddenly refused.
My abrupt rejection made Nova's face darken with surprise - she clearly hadn't expected me to refuse. Daphne, meanwhile, seemed relieved, wearing a strange expression as if secretly pleased.
"Mr. Roger, why...why refuse? Ten million dollars - you could squander it freely. Surely better than rotting in this dingy tattoo parlor. And joining our Nova family, we'd never treat you poorly. Or...am I not pretty enough for you?" Nova pressed urgently.
I said neither was the issue - I simply didn't want to be a live-in son-in-law. While I liked money, this kind of wealth would bring no happiness. I'd earn my own money. Arranged marriages? Not my style.
This Nova wanted to marry me upon first meeting - essentially treating herself as a business commodity. She and Daphne were different. Daphne acted out of compulsion; Nova approached this like a transaction.
I dared not play games with these powerful elites - feared I'd get burned.
Beauty and money? Out of my league. Tattoos should be paid for fairly - no monopolies allowed.