To maintain my gold-digger persona, I’d always purr and ask my benefactor for some new luxury item after we were finished. And every time, he’d just smirk, a cold glint in his eyes, and pin me down all over again. He wouldn't stop until I was sprawled on the sheets, utterly spent, my legs too weak to even stand. Only then would he casually toss a black card onto the pillow beside me. Until one day. After he left, I picked up the card and asked the System in my head, "His new intern... is she waiting for him in his office?" The System's ice-cold voice replied:【Affirmative. They have a candlelight dinner scheduled for this evening. Host, your current objective is complete. Please proceed to the next target.】 1 "Slower—mmph..." My plea was smothered by Caleb Vance's palm, turning it into a helpless whimper. His voice was a low rasp, laced with a cruelty he barely bothered to hide. "Didn't you want a necklace? Let's say... one minute for every one you want." And with that, the soft mattress began to heave beneath us once more. I don't know how much time passed. My vision went white, my body trembling uncontrollably. "Two minutes. You really can't last, can you?" Caleb chuckled, his teeth nipping at my earlobe. "But I'm not finished yet." Finally, I was left boneless on the bed, my energy completely drained. I stared blankly at the ceiling, my lashes still damp with unshed tears. Caleb, looking thoroughly satisfied, took a shower and changed. He glanced at me while adjusting his cufflinks. "What was that necklace you wanted?" My voice was a ragged whisper, but I was determined to milk him for all he was worth. "...The custom haute couture one. A million dollars a piece." He casually tossed a black card onto the pillow next to me. "Buy ten." I blinked. Suddenly, my back didn't ache so much, and my legs felt a little stronger. He said nothing else after that. As he was about to leave, I called out, my voice still hoarse, "Aren't you having dinner with me tonight?" "Something came up at the office," he said dismissively. "If there's a restaurant you want to go to, have my assistant make a reservation for you." I stayed silent. Only when I heard the click of the front door did I manage to push myself up and grab the card. I asked the System, "His intern. Is she waiting for him in his office?" The System's detached voice echoed in my mind: 【Affirmative. They have a candlelight dinner scheduled for this evening. Host, your current objective is complete. Please proceed to the next target.】 A soft breath escaped my lips, and I smiled. "You know, System, this gold-digger persona... it's not so bad, is it? Good food, easy money." The only downside was that no one cared. But I only wanted money, not love. The System ignored my commentary, its tone as flat as ever: 【Target number two is the heroine's stepbrother. You are to complete this objective by the end of today.】 I froze, a flicker of a memory making me hesitate. After a moment of silence, I asked, "Ethan... where is he now?" 【The Sovereign Club.】 2 I squeezed into a short skirt and heels, my legs still feeling like jelly as I made my way to the address the System provided. Dusk was settling over the city. Inside the exclusive club, I stepped into an elevator and pressed the button for the top floor. Nothing happened. A man who had entered with me leaned against the wall, arms crossed, sizing me up with an amused expression. "Going to the penthouse, are we?" he drawled. "Which one of the guys brought you along?" I took a step back, eyeing him warily. His hair was a startling silver, and his playful eyes held a glint of mischief. Seeing me retreat, he leaned in closer. "Or... are you here to land a big fish?" His tone was condescending. I pressed my lips together and said nothing. He gave a lazy smile, reached past me, and swiped a keycard. The button for the top floor lit up. I looked at him, surprised. He let out a low whistle. "Well, if you don't find what you're looking for up there, you know who to call." He looked familiar. I must have seen him with Caleb at some point. But men like them were always surrounded by a rotating cast of beautiful women; it was no surprise he didn't remember me. The elevator doors slid open onto the penthouse floor. The space was crowded. Several people recognized the man beside me and came over to greet him, their eyes flicking to me with knowing smirks. "Look at you, Craig. A new one already?" They all laughed. Craig Croft shrugged. "Don't start rumors. She's not with me." My eyes scanned the crowd, searching for my second target. My mind raced. How was I supposed to complete this mission tonight? Then I saw him. Ethan Sterling. My heart skipped a beat, and an idea sparked. I grabbed Craig's arm, catching him off guard. "You know," I whispered, "I've looked around, and I haven't seen anyone I like. How about I try my luck with you?" He raised a surprised eyebrow. A moment later, he burst out laughing. "Alright, boys," he announced to his friends, "looks like she's mine now." He led me through the crowd, handing me a glass of champagne. "A girl on her own in a place like this... you'll get eaten alive." He said it casually, but we both knew the truth. Women who came here alone weren't afraid of wolves; they were afraid there wouldn't be any. "And what about you?" I smiled sweetly. "Me?" He took a leisurely sip. "What do you think?" I didn't have to think. There were no good men in Caleb Vance's circle. I subtly guided him towards a more secluded corner. He sighed dramatically. "Honey, you're a little eager, aren't you?" Catching sight of my target out of the corner of my eye, I threw my arms around Craig's neck and leaned in. Just as our lips were about to touch, a cool voice cut through the air. "Vivian?" I feigned shock, pushing Craig away. My eyes filled with tears as I scrambled over to Ethan, hiding behind him. My voice trembled as I spoke. "It was him... he was forcing himself on me." I couldn't see Ethan's expression from where I stood. But Craig touched his lips, a slow, dawning comprehension on his face. He let out a humorless laugh. "So that's your game, huh? You set me up." If I had known then that he was my third target, I wouldn't have dared to play with fire like this. But at that moment, all I knew was that I had to cling to Ethan's sleeve and look as helpless as possible. "Please... help me." Any normal man, seeing his first love being harassed and looking so pitiful, would have stepped in. Thank god, Ethan Sterling was a normal man. He shot Craig a cold look. "I'm taking her with me." He paused. "And you should be more careful. Forcing yourself on women is the kind of thing that gets you arrested." With that, he led me away. I heard a curse behind us: "Son of a bitch." I didn't have to look to know the expression on Craig's face must have been priceless. 3 I cried my heart out in front of Ethan. But I carefully controlled the flow of tears, not wanting my eyes to get puffy and ruin the delicate, fragile aesthetic. Ethan handed me a tissue. I looked up at him, my vision blurry. "I've been... I've been really short on money. That man, he said he'd give me money if I came with him..." Ethan's dark eyes were deep and unreadable. "You followed a strange man who offered you money. Did you really not know what would happen?" Tears streamed down my face. "But I really needed the money..." His voice held no judgment, only a calm detachment. "A gambling addict for a father? A sick mother? A younger brother who needs to pay for school?" ...Those were the lies I'd told him back in high school. I just sniffled, looking up at him with a wounded expression, and said nothing. The small lounge was silent except for my soft sobs, but a different kind of tension began to fill the air. Then, Ethan's long fingers reached out and hooked the collar of my dress. A cool draft whispered against my skin. He looked down, his eyes cold despite the smile on his face. "You dare to parade yourself in front of me covered in another man's marks?" I went rigid. I followed his gaze. Caleb never left marks. What the hell happened today? My body trembled, and a fresh wave of tears burst forth. I threw myself against Ethan. "It was... it was that man from today..." That Craig guy looked like a playboy anyway. He could take the blame. Ethan's fingers tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. "Vivian," he said, his smile sharp as ice, "why did you really come looking for me today?" To complete the mission. To conquer you. You're the heroine's brother, after all. As the villainess, it's my duty to take you down. "You helped me," I whispered, lightly tugging on his sleeve. Ethan just looked down at me, his expression unreadable. I gazed back at him, feigning timidity. Ever since I'd gotten involved with him in high school, I'd never been able to figure him out. He possessed the cool arrogance of a wealthy heir, with a cutting wit to match. It had taken all my skill at playing the pitiful damsel in distress to finally earn a sliver of his attention. Ethan wasn't moved by sympathy; he just wanted a pathetic little pet he could control. And then one day, his so-called pet had dumped him... 【Host, Target Number One and the heroine have arrived at the restaurant,】 the System announced. I flinched. The pressure on my chin increased, the pain making me gasp. "Your mind is wandering? In front of me?" Ethan's smile didn't reach his eyes. He sat down across from me, crossing his long legs and pulling out his phone. "How much do you need?" I hesitated, then said weakly, "What if that man harasses me again?" "Stop playing games with me," he said, tapping a finger on the table. "Vivian, don't be so confident in yourself. Did you really think you could win me back just by crying and acting cute?" Just then, my phone rang. It was the custom ringtone I'd set for Caleb. I immediately silenced the call. The air grew heavy. Ethan glanced at me but didn't ask. The excuse I'd prepared died on my lips. ... "I have a cat," Ethan said, a lazy smile playing at the corners of his eyes, though his tone remained cool. "It's beautiful, soft fur. But it's ungrateful. It follows whoever feeds it." I didn't know if he was talking about me, but I fell silent. 【Host, please complete the mission as soon as possible,】 the System urged. That was all the push I needed. I leaned over, placed a hand on his shoulder, and aimed for his lips. His hand tangled in my hair, yanking me forward and erasing my last bit of hesitation. Our lips met in a hungry, bruising kiss. Just as I was running out of air, he pulled back. His gaze lingered on the tip of my nose and the corners of my eyes, both now flushed red. Ethan's phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket, his knuckles sharp and defined. "What is it, Elara?" My eyes widened. The heroine? Wasn't she supposed to be having dinner with Caleb? Why was she calling Ethan? Ethan stood up, walking out of the room as he spoke to his stepsister. At that moment, Caleb called me a second time. I answered, holding the phone to my ear. "What were you doing? Why didn't you pick up?" he demanded, his voice laced with impatience. I softened my tone. "I didn't hear it before. What's up?" He paused. "That bracelet you wanted... pick a different one." It was a blue diamond bracelet, the centerpiece of tomorrow's auction. I didn't have to guess. He was getting it for Elara. "Okay," I said calmly. Caleb seemed taken aback. "You're not angry?" I frowned. I got the money, and I'd completed my mission with him. What was there to be angry about? It was over between us. I just couldn't tell him that right now. "You don't have to get me anything, you know," I said vaguely. "Don't be difficult," he grumbled, a rare, offhand attempt at comfort, before hanging up. I rolled my eyes. Just then, Ethan returned. I quickly composed my expression. "I'll take you home," he said. I looked at him. "I'm not going home." "Then where are you going?" A faint smile touched his lips, his tone neutral. "Your place." Ethan slowly rolled up his sleeves, saying nothing. "...It's not like I haven't been there before," I added, blinking up at him. After a long moment, he reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "Fine. But not tonight." My heart sank. "Why?" "My sister's drunk," he said, his expression closing off. "I have to go get her." I was stunned. Why are you getting her? Caleb is with her! The System chimed in at the perfect moment: 【Tonight is not the scheduled confrontation between Caleb and Ethan. Host, you must delay Ethan at all costs.】 I was silent for a moment, then asked in a small voice, "Can't you just... not go?" "Tell me if there's anything you want to buy." With that, he turned and left. Ever since high school, Ethan had always put Elara first. I always told myself she was his sister. Even if they weren't related by blood, she was his stepsister, his family. So when he abandoned me with a broken bone to deliver a paintbrush to Elara, I didn't dare complain. It wasn't until the System appeared that I finally understood. Elara was the heroine of this world. Everyone was destined to revolve around her. And I was just the villainess—her brother's toxic first love, her future boyfriend's kept woman. No wonder. "System," I said calmly. "The mission is a failure." I had two objectives tonight. One: Keep Ethan occupied so he wouldn't interrupt the heroine's date with Caleb. Two: Sleep with Ethan. For the first time, the System seemed at a loss: 【...Well.】 "If the world is going to collapse, so be it," I said, my voice flat. "Shouldn't the main characters be the ones worrying about that? What does it have to do with a villainess like me?" 【...Agreed.】 I sat in the lounge for a while, lost in thought, before pushing the door open. And ran right into him. The man from before. He was laughing and chatting with a group of people, but his smile vanished the moment he saw me. I tried to walk past him, but he grabbed my wrist. His friends tactfully dispersed. His playful eyes bored into me. "Ethan's gone." I didn't respond. "You change your tune pretty fast, don't you, Ms. Vivian?" he sighed. "You had me investigated?" I snapped, pulling my arm away. He paused, then shrugged. "I was just curious about you." When I remained silent, he leaned in, his voice a low, magnetic whisper. "I also know you're sleeping with Caleb Vance." I scoffed. "So what? I'm about to take the money he gave me and disappear to Hawaii." Might as well enjoy it before the world ends. He was speechless for a moment. "Are you aware," he asked, his curiosity piqued, "that Caleb has been getting very close to Ethan's sister?" "I'm going to Hawaii," I said, my patience wearing thin. "Why would I care about his sister?" I pulled out my phone, ready to book a flight right in front of him. That's when I saw the string of messages from Caleb: 【Were you just with Ethan Sterling?】 【You've got some nerve. Still have the energy to chase after other men?】 【And here I was, actually taking the time to pick out a necklace and a bag for you.】 【Answer me, Vivian!】 I fell silent. The last message was: 【You're something else. The Sovereign Club, right? Just you wait.】 It had been sent five minutes ago. Damn this phone! Why didn't I get a notification for the message? I gritted my teeth, my eyes darting around for the nearest exit. The man beside me smiled, a knowing look in his eyes. "There's no escape for you now." I looked up at him, then followed his gaze. I saw three figures. Caleb Vance, his face a thundercloud, striding towards me. Ethan Sterling, a chilling smile in his eyes. And the long-haired, beautiful Elara. Wait... where did they have their candlelight dinner? Was it that close to the club? Right. Same commercial district. I instinctively turned away, trying to hide my face with my hair. I tried to duck behind the man beside me, to disappear from their line of sight. Security began to clear the area, ushering the gawking onlookers away. When the room was empty, Caleb's voice was a low growl. "You're really asking for it. Where do you think you can hide?" "You lied to me again, Vivian," Ethan's voice was so cold it sent a shiver down my spine. "You were with Caleb today. So who was Craig?" The man beside me, hearing his own name, froze. "What?" he said, turning to look at me. "So I was just your decoy the entire time?" Without his tall frame to shield me, I was completely exposed. I looked desperately at Elara. Come on! Do your heroine thing! Start a fight with Caleb and Ethan! Take them away! But Elara, with her innocent-looking face, simply pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. She lit one, took a long drag, and slowly exhaled a plume of smoke. I was speechless. The three men, however, seemed completely unfazed. Fine. If you can't beat them, join them. I tossed my hair back. "So what if I did?" With that, I turned and headed for the elevator. "I've booked a flight to Hawaii for tomorrow. I need to go pack." A jolt of static crackled in my mind, and the System's voice announced: 【Host. Considering the extreme difficulty of your current objectives, the stability team has revised your mission. 【You need only successfully conquer Target Number Three. Upon completion, you will be rewarded with three hundred million in cash, a lifetime of perfect health, and you will be permanently stripped of your 'villainess' designation.】 Caleb hadn't even had a chance to stop me, but my feet were already rooted to the spot. My eyes lit up. I didn't care about the last reward, but the first two— 【Who's Target Number Three?】 I asked internally. 【The man beside you. Craig Croft.】 I was speechless. I tried to force a smile, but my face felt stiff. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Then, in one smooth motion, I spun around. I linked my arm through Craig's, my face a perfect picture of radiant charm. "Hey handsome, you busy tonight?"
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