Building The Strongest Family-Chapter 95: Mirror, Mirror: Arthur’s Divine Vanity

As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, it painted long golden streaks across the luxurious marble floors of Arthur’s sprawling bedroom.

Fresh from a steamy shower, he stepped out, steam swirling around his sculpted physique like a soft embrace.

The bathroom was nothing short of a modern luxury sanctuary, onyx tiles gleamed under gilded fixtures, and a mirror so vast it seemed to lead to another realm reflected his every move.

He ran a hand through his damp hair, watching as droplets cascaded down his chest in the mirror’s reflection.

"Not bad for a man destined for greatness," he murmured, flexing his shoulders with pride.

Months of rigorous training with Silvester, tailored nutrition plans, therapy sessions, and let’s not forget the Gene Evolution Liquid, had transformed him into a living testament to discipline.

Every muscle was defined; every curve of his abdomen sharp enough to cut glass.

Reaching for an ultra-soft towel that felt like clouds against his skin, he took his time drying off, admiring how each movement made his biceps tense and ripple.

"God, even my arms are works of art," he said with a self-satisfied grin.

Just then, Evolon’s voice sliced through the air with its characteristic dryness. "Biometric scan confirms your muscle density remains at 70.7% of peak human potential. However, I must note that your resting narcissism levels are reaching concerning new highs."

Arthur rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress a smile.

After drying off completely, he sauntered into his walk-in closet, a space larger than most apartments, lined with custom suits and shelves filled with luxurious Obsidian Court leather shoes.

Tonight called for something extraordinary.

His fingers danced over dozens of options before settling on an Orion Sartoria suit in nebula black, a single-breasted masterpiece adorned with a satin lapel sharp enough to draw blood.

The fabric whispered against him as he slipped it on; the jacket hugged his shoulders like it was tailor-made just for him (which it was).

"This is why they invented mirrors," he mused aloud while admiring how perfectly the trousers tapered over his thighs.

Underneath lay a Palladium Weave dress shirt in fresh cream, its mother-of-pearl buttons glinting playfully in the light.

He selected an Eclipse platinum cufflink set engraved with intricate designs and fastened them carefully while catching another glimpse of himself, the sharp jawline and piercing blue eyes were hard to ignore.

"If handsome were a crime," Arthur chuckled to himself as he nodded at his reflection, "I’d be serving multiple life sentences."

A bottle of Eon Cologne perched elegantly on the vanity, its sleek design catching the light just so.

Arthur spritzed it lightly, leaving behind a tantalizing trail of bergamot and musk that lingered in the air like a whisper of luxury.

His Chronos Supreme Grandmaster Chime watch, worth more than most cars glinted as he fastened it around his wrist. Next came his shoes: Obsidian Court, polished to a mirror-like shine.

Leaning against the closet door, he slipped them on while admiring his reflection in the full-length mirror.

"Christ. Even my ankles are aristocratic," he muttered with a self-satisfied grin.

Arthur stood before the mirror, arms crossed, savoring the masterpiece he’d crafted.

"Let’s be honest," he told his reflection, "you’re not just winning at genetics; you’re a generational anomaly."

He tilted his head, observing how his cheekbones cast dramatic shadows across his face.

"That jawline could solve world peace! Just point it at the Panterra World Council and watch them surrender."

*"Gods, it’s unfair,"* he mused aloud. *"How is anyone else supposed to compete with this?"*

Just as he was lost in admiration, the door burst open with a bang.

"Ugh, not again!" Arthur didn’t flinch; he recognized that voice all too well.

Liz stood in the doorway, arms crossed and her small nose scrunched up in mock disgust.

She wore an oversized Aurelian University hoodie, one she’d "borrowed" from him last month, paired with black leggings and mismatched socks: one striped and one dotted.

Her golden hair was thrown into a messy bun held together by what looked like a hastily grabbed hair clip.

"Are you seriously talking to yourself in the mirror again?" she groaned dramatically as she flopped onto his bed like she owned it.

Arthur sighed theatrically. "Liz, if you’re going to barge in here unannounced, at least knock first! Some of us are busy maintaining divine perfection."

Liz rolled her eyes so hard that Arthur was surprised they didn’t get stuck that way. "Oh please! You spend more time preening than I do studying!"

"And yet somehow," Arthur shot back while flexing his wrist nonchalantly, "I still have better grades than you."

Liz rolled onto her stomach and propped her chin on her hands with feigned curiosity. "Sooooo... where are you off to all dressed up? Another super important business meeting or another date again?"

Arthur adjusted his cuffs casually while avoiding her knowing smirk. "Maybe."

"Oh my stars! You are!" Liz cackled gleefully as she pointed at him. "You’re going on another date? Who is this mystery person? This has been going on for months!"

Arthur leaned against the doorframe with a self-satisfied grin. "It’s a networking event," he declared, puffing out his chest like a proud peacock.

"With one person?" Liz shot him a look that could curdle milk.

"Networking can be intimate with just one person, okay?" Arthur retorted, his voice rising defensively.

Liz rolled her eyes dramatically, fake-gagging for effect. "Gross! You’re gross!"

Finally tearing himself away from the mirror, Arthur crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow at her. "Says the girl who still sleeps with a robot plushie."

Liz gasped in mock horror, clutching her chest as if he’d just delivered a fatal blow. "Mr. Bleep-Bloop is a classic! At least he doesn’t spend hours staring at himself like some kind of mirror demon!"

Arthur chuckled, clearly amused. "Mirror what?"

"You know! You’re so obsessed with your reflection that one day it might come alive and drag you into the mirror dimension!"

With a smirk, Arthur shot back, "If my reflection were sentient, it would probably thank me for being such a perfect vessel."

Liz groaned and flopped back onto her bed dramatically. "I can’t believe we’re related."

"Neither can I," Arthur replied playfully as he ruffled her hair while walking past. "You’re clearly the defective one."

Liz kicked at him half-heartedly in protest. "Shut up! And don’t mess up my hair!"

"Too late," Arthur said with a grin as he dodged her foot effortlessly. "Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a very important meeting to attend."

"A date!" Liz called after him teasingly.

"Goodbye, Liz!" he responded over his shoulder.

"Tell this date of yours I said hi!" she shouted back.

As the door clicked shut behind him, Arthur sighed and muttered to himself, "Evolon, remind me to lock my door next time."

Evolon’s voice hummed through the speakers with dripping sarcasm: "Ah, but then you’d miss these precious sibling moments."

Arthur rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "I’d survive."

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Stepping out of his room and down the stairs, Arthur made his way to the garage where an impressive lineup of luxurious cars awaited him like eager suitors at a ball.

He approached the gleaming Hyperion GT20 adorned with the Osborn Family crest on its hood, a true masterpiece of engineering.

As he slid into the driver’s seat, the car’s doors opened automatically and welcomed him inside; it was like stepping into another world where technology met comfort seamlessly, the dashboard curved gracefully around him like an embrace of holographic displays ready for action.

"Welcome back, Mr. Osborn," the car’s AI voice ranged out in the car that sent shivers down his spine. "Shall we awaken the beast?"

Arthur couldn’t help but smirk. "Let’s not keep the city waiting."

With a swift motion, his thumb brushed the ignition pad on the steering wheel.

Suddenly, a deep, resonant growl erupted from the Hyperion’s engine,a sound so powerful it vibrated through the garage like a dragon stirring from slumber.

In an instant, Arthur slammed his foot down, and the Hyperion lunged forward with such ferocity that it pinned him to his seat.

The world outside blurred as he rocketed toward the exit ramp; just in time, the reinforced gates slid open.

The car was unleashed onto the streets, leaving a trail of red lights in its wake!