Chapter 2

Ian left, and Daniel looked at me with a sympathetic gaze.

After living as a pampered young lady for ten years, I'd developed quite an air of superiority.

Being looked at with such pitying gazes made me wish I could vanish into thin air.

I shot Daniel a sharp glance, and he quickly lowered her eyes.

Ever since Ian and I got married, he became the butler here.

Ian wasn't fond of socializing, so Daniel and I were closer.

Even without this connection, anyone could see how cold-hearted Ian was to abandon me.

"Mrs. Shorts, don't take offense at my bluntness," Daniel said. "You really shouldn't have let Mr. Shorts into your company back then. Now look at the mess..."

His words were filled with frustration at my lack of foresight.

But what she didn't know was that this was a virtual world, and Ian was at its very center.

Ian's rise in the Riley Group was inevitable.

But there was no need for me to explain further to Daniel.

All I had to do now was accept my impending end.

Suddenly, I coughed violently, coughing up blood onto the plate.

It was shockingly vivid.

Daniel rushed over, frantically wiping the blood from my mouth with a tissue.

But I was lost in thought why I would become like this?

Had Ian really couldn't wait to have sex with Zoe again after being away for less than ten minutes?

How could he be so eager?

The pain in my heart was far worse than the physical agony.

But it was alright. In a week, I would be facing an inevitable end and be vanished in this world. Everything would end then.

Ian would better hope I disappear completely, or I wouldn't let him off easily.

In the afternoon, Ian's assistant came to the house as expected.

He collected the signed agreement, and nodded at me.

When his gaze met mine, he seemed visibly startled.

Having vomited earlier that morning, I figured my lips were deathly pale.

I avoided his gaze and went upstairs alone.

Ian promised in the agreement to take care of me for the rest of my life, but my main concern now was how to disappear with dignity.

Reflecting on my initial overconfidence upon entering this world, I realized I was too naive.

I thought for a long time and then figured out the best way to leave was to find a place with beautiful scenery.

Over the past decade, I hadn't had the awareness that I could ever fail this task, so I focused solely on Ian and never traveled properly.

Looking at myself in the mirror, I was lost in thought.

When I first arrived this world, my face was full of youthful vitality.

But now, it was gone all gaunt and hollow.

The system spoke up at this moment. "Host, you have seven days to win back the male lead's heart. If he thinks of you at the moment of your erasure, your task will be considered successful."

Was the system showing me mercy?

I shook my head with a bitter smile. "Even when he looks at me, there's no place for me in his heart."

Let alone when he couldn't see me.

The system was silent for a moment and then asked, "Are you just going to sit and wait for your fate?"

I looked at the mirror with determination.

I'd been banging into this unyielding obstacle for ages. The very sight of how tough it was made me wince.

So I chose to stop.

I vaguely heard the system sigh.

Ian was quick.

After receiving the agreement, he immediately messaged me, "Let's delay announcing the divorce. It wouldn't be good for the company right now."

What a dedicated businessman he was!

But I couldn't wait any longer.

Since our marriage, I hadn't worked.

Ian had also ensured I had no access to money.

If I wanted to travel, I would need a lot of money.

After much thought, I decided to ask Ian for money tomorrow.

This decision might have been selfish from the start.

Consider it my last chance to see Ian.

That night, I coughed up blood again.

I couldn't believe how intimate Ian and Zoe were at that moment.

How ridiculous!

The next morning, I put on a glamorous makeup look for myself.

Unfortunately, no matter how I tried, I still looked a bit worn out.

When I arrived at the company, Ian was in a meeting.

His assistant dutifully led me to his office.

I hadn't been to Ian's office in a long time because he said he didn't like being disturbed while working.

This time, I took a good look around.

His office matched his personality-simple with a hint of coldness.

On the shelf, however, was something that seemed out of place- a chicken plush toy.

Was this appropriate?

I couldn't help but stand up and reach for the toy.

The material was cheap, and the stuffing was uneven, like something won from a claw machine.

Why would Ian keep it?

The image of that woman named Zoe unconsciously popped into my mind.

I even pictured Zoe and Ian having fun together in front of a claw crane machine.

That was what a real couple looked like.

I instinctively squeezed the plush toy.

Just then, the door opened.

Ian walked in, his gaze immediately locking onto the toy in my hand.

He frowned noticeably. "You've squeezed it out of shape."

I glanced down and noticed that due to the shoddy materials inside, the area I'd squeezed stayed indented for a long time.

"Put it back," Ian said, his eyes carrying a hint of reproach, making me uncomfortable.

"What brings you here?" he asked.

"I need money."

Ian had just sat down, and my words made him pause.

He asked, "You want the transfer now? How much?"

I bit my lip and replied, "A million?"

Ian chuckled. "Evelyn, why do you suddenly need so much money?"

His eyes flashed with a hint of confusion.

He said, "Last time, I was a bit harsh with my words. Your health..."

I sensed his probing and quickly avoided it.

"It's not because of my health. I just need the money. If you don't give it to me, I'll go to the media and expose how you rise from poverty and made your fortune now."

As soon as I uttered the last few words, the last trace of warmth vanished from Ian's eyes.

His lips curled coldly, his eyes dark and piercing. "Evelyn, have you been cheating on me?"

I was stunned. I couldn't believe he actually thought that way.

Did he really think everyone was like him?

My silence seemed to confirm his suspicion. He lowered his head, his tone icy. "I'll give you the money. You and your lover better keep it under wraps. Don't get caught before we go public with the divorce."

Well, he might be quite experienced in keeping things under wraps.

My throat felt dry.

Recently, the only person I'd interacted with was a doctor, and he was just concerned about my health.

But I couldn't explain. If I did, he would know about my impending erasure.

I could only said, "Ian, don't assume everyone is like you. I... "

But he interrupted me, "Enough, I don't want to hear your explanation. It's not important."

Hearing this, I turned to leave.

"Evelyn!" Ian suddenly called my name, as if he wanted to say something.

But at that moment, his phone rang.

When I turned back, I caught a glimpse of his gentle expression before he answered.

"Yes. You're at the entrance? Okay, I'll wait for you in the office."

After hanging up, Ian coughed, seeming a bit embarrassed.

And he said to me, "Zoe is coming. You should leave now."

How ridiculous!

This used to be the company my family founded!

Was it right for him to chase me away?

Though I was reluctant in my heart, I knew there was no reason for me to stay here anymore. So, I chose to leave. Just as I left the office, I received the transfer from him.

Fine, then I would let you be arrogant for the time being.