The System told me to babysit the gloomy male lead. After the female lead left, everyone steered clear of the lunatic, Ethan Blackwood, but I stepped up to the challenge. Ethan was afraid of the dark and demanded I sleep next to him. Yet, he would brutally shove me off the bed, fracturing my hip. For over a thousand nights, he only allowed me to curl up on the cold floor beside his bed, leaving me with chronic pain. He craved classic dumplings from an old shop. I brought them back at 3 a.m., and in his haste, the boiling soup spilled, searing the back of my hand. He barely glanced at it: "The soup is ruined. Feed it to the dog." In our circle, they all laughed, calling me Ethan Blackwood’s collared dog—the one he couldn't chase away. I never denied it. Finally, the female lead returned. They laughed, saying I was a 'simp' who got nothing in the end. But they didn't know that on this day, the System was about to grant my wish. 1 Ethan’s ‘one that got away,’ Clara Hayes, was back in the country. Everyone was waiting to see the downfall of the 'simp,' me. I, however, was celebrating that the mission was finally complete. Hearing the news, I immediately typed up my resignation letter. Just as I raised my hand to knock, I heard Ethan talking to his assistant. "Mr. Blackwood, I've confirmed. Ms. Hayes lands at Southfield Airport at 7 p.m. tonight." "Good. Pack that aquamarine necklace for me." "But didn't you order that for Miss Alexa? " Ethan’s knuckles rapped against the desk, the sound sharp in the empty office. "Order her something else. I decide what happens to things in my possession." "Don't forget to put 99 yellow roses in the car." I knocked and walked straight in. The two men snapped their heads up. Ethan’s deep eyes focused on me. His perfectly tailored suit outlined his powerful physique. Assistant Carl looked at me with pity and sympathy. I smiled and nodded at him. I had personally hired him. He was one of the few who understood my situation. I placed the resignation letter on the desk. The document went directly under Ethan's gaze. "Mr. Blackwood, I need your signature on this file." Ethan scoffed, giving Carl a look. Carl wisely retreated. "Don't play games, Alexa. Don't try the 'hard to get' routine." "I don't have time for your drama today." He stood up. His imposing figure created a strong pressure as he closed the distance between us. He leaned in, his breath hitting my cheek, sending a chill through me. "Know your place. Where else can you go if you leave Blackwood Corp? You clawed your way up and cling to me for a reason you know well." My face remained expressionless. I kept up my professional smile. Ethan suddenly gripped my chin, forcing my eyes to meet his scrutinizing gaze, his tone laced with mockery and certainty. "You've been doing a great job for the past three years, haven't you?" "You've always been rational. Don't do anything foolish. It won't benefit a person like you." With that, he released my chin, leaving immediate red marks on my pale skin. He tore up my resignation letter. The shredded pieces landed behind me. "Mr. Blackwood, I have only professional respect, not affection, for you. Besides, employee turnover is normal." My voice was swallowed by the sound of his door slamming shut. ________________________________________ 2 Back at the Blackwood mansion, I immediately started packing my suitcase and checking flights out of the country. In three years, I hadn't accumulated much. One suitcase held everything. A knock sounded. I opened the door to see Ethan's sister, Layla. She saw the suitcase, her eyes widening. She spoke hesitantly. "Alexa, did you find out Clara Hayes is back...?" Three years ago, Ethan crashed his car while chasing Clara. He was in a coma for three months. The company fell into chaos. Clara never looked back, disappearing overseas, leaving Ethan to wake up and rage domestically. Layla was only fifteen then. She couldn't handle the external pressure and hid in her room, covering her ears to escape Ethan's hysterical shouts. Just as she was about to break, I appeared. As per the System’s arrangement, I became the granddaughter of Mr. Blackwood Sr.’s late mentor. I presented Mr. Blackwood Sr.'s last will, appointing me as his business consultant, and parachuted into Blackwood Corp. Everyone thought I was an incompetent outsider, waiting for me to fail. But I calmed Layla, stabilized the company’s shareholders, and personally oversaw Ethan’s recovery. I made everything appear to be back on track. Layla was looking at me, breathing heavily, terrified that I might show any sign of anger. Realizing this, Layla frantically called her brother. "Ethan! Where are you? Come home now!" "What is it?" Ethan’s cold voice betrayed slight impatience, mixed with the sound of airport announcements on the other end. "It's..." Layla glanced at me, then continued, "It's Alexa's birthday today! We promised to celebrate with her! The day isn't over yet, there's still time!" Ethan paused briefly. He had clearly forgotten. "Tell her I'll make it up to her with a gift." "If you don't come back now, Alexa is going to leave!" Layla's voice became tearful. "Did she brainwash you too? Layla, are you helping her lie to me? Don't forget whose sister you are." Layla called again, but the line was busy. She turned to me, frustrated. "Sister Alexa, I'm sorry... my brother doesn't mean it." "Layla, you should listen to your brother. Your brother and I just have an employer-employee relationship. Ms. Hayes is the one meant to be with Mr. Blackwood." I smiled faintly and advised her. "No way! You're as stubborn as my brother." Layla gave me a look of exasperation, her cheeks puffed out. She was genuinely frustrated on my behalf. I guided Layla back to her room. "It's late. You need to sleep." Finally, Layla was settled. I heard the System broadcast. $$Host, Clara Hayes has returned. Congratulations on completing the mission. Your wish is about to be granted.$$ I let out a breath of relief. I pulled my suitcase out of the Blackwood mansion. Taking one last look at the place I’d endured for three years. ________________________________________ 3 It was late. I arrived at a two-story house in the suburbs. I had purchased this property a year ago. The former owner was a kind, honest middle-aged woman. It was raining heavily that day, a cold, damp winter evening. Ethan had thrown me out onto a muddy street. "Go home yourself if you dare." The cold seeped into my bones, giving me chronic pain. When the weather changed, I couldn't even stand straight. Ethan, however, believed it was just a ploy for his sympathy. He sat in his car, enjoying my miserable, desperate state, then drove away as I pleaded. My phone was dead. I had to walk back, holding my aching hip, in the pouring rain. I collapsed on the roadside shortly after and was found by the homeowner. Learning her son was sick, and she needed to sell the house quickly for his treatment. I bought the house for twenty thousand dollars above the market price. Thinking back, I didn't even have a room of my own at the Blackwood mansion. After purchasing it, I renovated the house to match the simple, elegant style of Liam Chen, with plenty of green plants. The rightmost room was filled with gifts I had prepared for Liam. Three years ago, Liam fell into a coma after an attack, becoming vegetative. After running across the country for doctors proved futile, the System found me. It promised to grant me one wish upon completion of the mission. It gave me hope. Sleeping in a soft bed, I had my first good dream in three years. In the dream, Liam woke up, and we were just as happy as before. I checked my phone. People who enjoyed my misery had texted me. $$Alexa, Ethan posted on his social media. Stop dreaming of replacing Clara Hayes as Mrs. Blackwood. When are you finally going to leave?$$ Ethan had posted his first social media update in three years. The content was just one picture. In the photo, Clara was sitting sideways. Ethan was gazing at her pale profile, his eyes possessive, filled with overwhelming love. Below were rows of congratulations, and naturally, people publicly mocking me. Half the messages in my phone were pity, half were glee. I ignored them all. I didn't care before, and I certainly didn't care now. There was only one person I cared about from the beginning to the end. Thinking of the elegant, gentle, and refined Liam Chen, my eyes felt hot and moist. I clutched the clothes over my chest, suppressing the turbulent, bittersweet emotions. I couldn't rush back to him just yet. I had to ensure the mission reward was successfully granted. ________________________________________ 4 I showed up at the company as usual to handle the handover procedures. Most of the current Blackwood Corp management were people I had promoted, so they naturally didn't make things difficult for me. But I didn't expect Clara Hayes to show up at the company. I smiled and nodded at her, ready to leave. But she quickly walked over to me. Onlookers quietly gathered to watch the drama. "Hilarious! The white moonlight is back. The schemer needs to step aside! Look at her aura; Alexa can't compete with that!" "She simped for three years and got nothing in the end. Why bother?" "Why bother? If she had succeeded, she would have been the owner of Blackwood Corp. I would have simped too!" Clara looked surprised, her eyes twinkling. "You must be Miss Alexa? I've heard about you from many friends. You're so beautiful. Thank you for taking care of Ethan for me all these years. I don't know how to repay you." I put on a polite smile. "You're too kind, Ms. Hayes. It was just part of my job. Mr. Blackwood paid generously." "I heard it was your birthday yesterday, Miss Alexa? I'm so sorry, but I felt sick after traveling, and I had to keep Ethan busy all night." With that, she lightly touched the aquamarine necklace on her neck, a provocative glint in her eyes. "Not at all. Mr. Blackwood's care for you is expected. I have to go now." She stopped me. "Miss Alexa, since you're leaving, make a clean break, alright?" The onlookers' eyes widened. They didn't expect the first confrontation between these two to be so dramatic. I smiled faintly at her. "Ms. Hayes, are you that insecure? Don't worry, I have no interest in a man like him." But as soon as I got downstairs, Ethan sent me a few texts. One was a photo of Clara and me standing together. In the picture, she stood with red-rimmed eyes, facing me, while I had my back to the camera. It made me look arrogant, perfectly framing me as the bully. "Can your tactics be any more despicable? Get out of the mansion tonight. Don't stay in the Blackwood house." I didn't reply, simply turning off the screen. My pleasure. 5 Things quieted down around me for a while. Until late one night, just as I finished organizing and sending out all my files. As I was getting ready for bed, I received a call from an unknown number. Ethan's voice was tired and hoarse. He said, "Alexa, come here. I can't sleep." "Mr. Blackwood, I have already resigned." His voice held a hint of anger. "I won't say it a second time. Get over here." I hung up. The phone rang again instantly. I blocked the number. After sleeping for less than two hours, a knocking sound came from downstairs. I peered through the peephole and saw Ethan. His face was dark, emitting a cold aura. He looked furious. As if sensing my presence, he leaned into the peephole, a mocking smile on his lips. "Open the door." I silently opened the door, the usual gentle look replaced by indifference and disgust. "Can I help you?" Seeing this, Ethan irritably tugged at his tie. His eyes were shadowed with sleeplessness. He tried to walk past me, but I blocked him. He scanned the room and scoffed. "You can only live in a place like this after leaving me? Come back with me now." "Don't make me say it a second time, Alexa. My patience is wearing thin." Seeing I was still unmoved, anger flared in Ethan's dark eyes. He forcefully grabbed my arm, trying to drag me to his car. I pulled out the paring knife I had hidden in my sleeve and slashed the back of his hand. He yelped in pain and let go, looking shocked and disbelieving. "You stabbed me?"
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