Chapter 40: Unconventional Therapy
The air in Vanessa's living room shifted. It was no longer just comfortable. It was charged. Genevieve's gaze held Ryan's like a lioness measuring her prey. Her smile was warm, but her eyes were clinical, peeling back his defenses.
Vanessa sat with arms folded, clearly entertained by the new dynamic.
"Tell me, Ryan," Genevieve said as she swirled her wine. "Do you find yourself constantly in need of validation? Or are you simply fulfilling a system-driven fantasy?"
Ryan chuckled. "Bit of both. Though the system's not exactly giving me emotional therapy."
[System Notification: Subject Genevieve prefers intellectual dominance. Engage accordingly.]
He leaned forward slightly. "You think you have me figured out already, huh?"
Genevieve raised an eyebrow. "I know the type. Young man, surrounded by women, each one more powerful than the last. You get high off breaking their walls down — but you never stop to ask what it says about you."
"What does it say?"
She smiled. "That you're running. From expectations. From real connection. From choosing."
Ryan sat back, genuinely stunned. Her words hit somewhere deeper. Vanessa's expression had shifted as well — no longer playful, but thoughtful.
Genevieve stood, setting her wine aside. "I could strip you down mentally in less than ten minutes, Ryan. But what I want… is for you to let me."
She stepped closer, circling the sofa like a shark. Her voice dropped. "No sex. Not yet. Not until you let me in your head. Undress there, and maybe, just maybe, I'll consider letting you touch me."
Vanessa whistled low. "She's good."
[System Challenge: Genevieve's Game Initiated Objective: Submit to Mental Dissection without Losing Control]
Ryan stood. "You want honesty? Fine. I don't know where this is going. I have women showing up at my door, I have a system pushing me like I'm a contestant in some perverted game show, and I'm trying to feel something through all the pleasure."
Genevieve's gaze softened. "There it is. Now… let's see how much more you're hiding."
She stepped close enough to touch, but didn't. Her fingers hovered near his jaw.
"You want me? You work for it. No easy wins. No seduction games. I want words. Stories. Confessions."
Vanessa grinned. "I'm gonna get popcorn."
Ryan nodded slowly. "Okay. I'll play. But if I win…?"
Genevieve's lips curled. "Then you get to see what a real counselor does when she decides you're the one worth keeping."
[System Update: Genevieve's Trust – 10% → 22% Skill Unlocked: "Mental Strip" – Gain +15% effectiveness in emotional dialogue with dominant women]
The game had changed. Ryan wasn't just chasing desire anymore — he was being hunted too. And somewhere inside, he kind of liked it.