Urban Plundering: I Corrupted The System!-Chapter 165: Beginning Of The Endless Chain

As the sleek black Rolls-Royce purred to life, Ere darted toward the car, her tiny paws making soft thuds against the floor. She didn’t hesitate for a second, hopping inside with an air of entitlement. Tessa froze mid-step, her mouth opening in disbelief.

"She just—did you see that?!" Tessa pointed at Ere, now lounging smugly on Parker’s lap like she owned the place.

Parker smirked, running a hand over the cat’s silky fur. "Yeah, I saw it. Guess she likes me better."

Tessa groaned but climbed in anyway, throwing herself dramatically into the plush leather seat. "She’s like, mocking me at this point. You’ve got a little dictator on your hands."

Ere flicked her tail in Tessa’s direction, completely unfazed.

Once they were settled, Parker glanced at her. "So… where to? You said shopping. Big decision here."

Tessa’s face lit up. "Rodeo Drive," she said with a grin, pronouncing it in that faux-snobby tone she thought rich people probably used.

He chuckled, shifting the car into gear. "Rodeo it is."

The slightly chilly night nipped at the windows, but inside the Rolls, the warmth wrapped around them like a cocoon. The soft hum of the engine and the faint scent of leather made the ride feel luxurious and intimate, like the world outside didn’t exist.

When they pulled up to Rodeo Drive, the street glittered with high-end storefronts, their windows glowing with soft lighting that made the displays look like treasures from another world. Sellers greeted them almost immediately, their smiles wide and eager as they guided Tessa toward racks of designer clothes.

She was in her element, running her hands over fabrics that probably cost more than most people’s rent. Meanwhile, Parker trailed behind, Ere cradled in his arms like a spoiled princess.

Other customers moved around them, their outfits a mix of casual wealth and outright decadence. Tessa didn’t seem to notice the way one man—a guy in his mid-thirties wearing a blazer that was trying too hard—kept staring at her. His gaze lingered too long, sliding over her legs and the curve of her waist in a way that wasn’t subtle.

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Parker didn’t see it—he was too busy indulging Ere, who was now batting lazily at his shirt button. But Ere saw. Her sharp amber eyes locked onto the man, her tail flicking in annoyance.

Tessa, oblivious, held up a sleek black dress. "What do you think?"

"Looks good," Parker said absentmindedly, though his eyes were already wandering. Something in the distance had caught his attention—a glint of light from a jewelry display. He handed Ere over to Tessa without a word.

"Hold her for a sec," he said, already walking away.

"What? Hey, where are you going?" she called after him, but he didn’t answer.

Left holding the unimpressed cat, Tessa sighed and shifted her grip. "Guess it’s just us now, huh, Eree?"

Ere didn’t respond—of course—but her tail lashed in the direction of the guy with the wandering eyes, as if marking him as a target.

Across the store, Parker stopped in front of a display case. The light from the chandelier above caught on a delicate necklace—a simple gold chain with a small pendant shaped like a star. It wasn’t flashy or over-the-top, but there was something about it. Something that screamed Tessa, to him at least.

He imagined it against her skin, the way it would shimmer when she smiled or the way it’d rest just above her collarbone when she leaned in close. It was perfect, it glimmered under the showroom lights, the small star-shaped design catching the light just right. The longer he looked at it, the more it seemed made for Tessa.

It wasn’t gaudy or overly showy—it had this quiet elegance that just screamed her.

The salesperson, sensing Parker’s interest, leaned in like they were about to sell him the holy grail. "Ah, an excellent choice, sir. This piece is part of our exclusive collection. Handcrafted with 24-karat gold, the star pendant symbolizes guidance and protection. It’s a statement without being loud—timeless, like love itself."

Parker raised an eyebrow, the guy clearly pulling out every marketing trick in the book. Still, he let the words wash over him, his attention locked on the pendant.

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"How much?" Parker finally asked.

"Twenty-eight thousand dollars," the salesperson said smoothly, like it was pocket change.

He didn’t flinch. Parker nodded, sliding his card across the counter.

As the payment processed, the familiar chime of the system echoed in his mind:

[Ding! Spent $28,000, earned Cashback$280,000!]

He smirked, a mix of satisfaction and amusement tugging at the corner of his mouth. Not bad, he thought, tucking away the mental note of that windfall.

"Wrap it like a gift," Parker instructed, handing the necklace back. His fingers brushed over a silver chain nearby—it was simpler, but it caught his eye. "And add this," he added, sliding it toward the counter.

The salesperson nodded, already moving to fulfill the request.

But before the wrapping was done, a sharp shout tore through the boutique.

"What the hell do you think you’re doing?!"

Parker’s head snapped up, his heart lurching. That was Tessa’s voice. Alarm shot through him like a lightning bolt, and he felt the chaotic rush of Omni Energy flare inside him, coiling and burning like fire.

He turned toward the commotion. Tessa stood rigid, her face pale and furious, as a man in his thirties stepped back from her. The guy had this greasy, smug grin, licking his lips like he’d just gotten away with something. Parker’s eyes locked onto the man’s hand—he’d just pulled it away from Tessa’s back.

Time slowed.

Parker’s jaw clenched, his vision narrowing until all he could see was this lowlife’s face.

He didn’t walk. He stormed. By the time anyone could register what was happening, Parker was standing in front of Tessa, his hand gripping the man’s wrist in a vice.

"What the fuck did you just do to her?" Parker’s voice was venomous, low but sharp enough to cut glass.

Behind him, Tessa was trembling—not just in anger but something deeper, something raw. Parker felt it. This wasn’t just about the man’s disgusting touch. It was a crack in the armor she’d built up after what her uncle had tried to do to her.

That wound hadn’t healed, and now this bastard had dared to lay his hands on her.

{Master,} Ere’s voice hissed in his mind, cold and sharp, {he tried touching her lower than her back.}

The words slammed into Parker like gasoline on a fire. His free hand shot forward, landing squarely on the guy’s collar. In one swift motion, he yanked him closer.

"What the fuck did you do to her?" Parker repeated, his voice trembling with rage.