Chapter 4: My System Sent Me Clubbing.

“Wow. Just wow.”

I stared at the system notification hovering in front of me.

“I took out my own little piece of trash, only to discover that humanity has an even bigger piece of trash waiting for me.”

I sighed.

“And apparently, he's supposed to be my teammate?”

Who the hell was this jerk?

Before I could ask RESS another question, the driver pulled into the compound.

The moment I stepped out of the car, I called my financial accountant.

“Good afternoon. I need Jake's access to all my accounts revoked immediately. Cancel his cards, remove his access to the company accounts, and make sure he can't withdraw a single dollar from anything belonging to me.”

There was a brief silence on the other end.

“Ma'am, are you sure?”

“Very.”

“Consider it done.”

I ended the call and turned toward Marcus, my head of security.

“Pack Jake's things.”

Marcus glanced toward the house.

“All of them?”

I laughed.

“He didn't bring much. Most of what he owns is clothing. The only designer item I can allow him to have is the suit he's wearing today.”

Marcus tried not to smile. “Understood.”

While he handled that, I went upstairs to search for something else.

The divorce papers.

I remembered Jake threatening me with them earlier, but I hadn't expected to find the originals so easily.

They were sitting neatly inside his section of the wardrobe.

I stared at them.

“You've got to be kidding me.”

I picked them up and started reading.

My eyes widened.

Jake wasn't simply trying to divorce me, he was trying to destroy me.

The papers accused me of infidelity and included clauses that could cost me a huge portion of my inheritance and property.

I laughed bitterly.

“So this was the plan.”

In my previous life, I had been too blind to notice not anymore.

I immediately called my lawyer.

“Mr. Brian, I need new divorce papers prepared. And I need you here as soon as possible.”

“Is everything all right?”

“Everything is perfect.”

I smiled.

“I'm finally getting rid of my husband.”

Less than an hour later, Marcus was almost finished packing when loud banging shook the front gate.

“VALERIE!”

I closed my eyes.

Of course… Jake would never give up easily.

My phone began ringing repeatedly.

Jake’s number rang again and again.

I finally answered.

“What?”

“Open this damn gate!”

His voice was loud enough that I could hear him without the phone.

“You've lost your mind! You can't throw me out of my own home!”

“It's not your home.”

“Valerie!”

I hung up.

Then I called the police.

By the time I walked outside, Mr. Brian and two police officers had arrived.

Jake was still shouting from behind the gate.

I gestured toward the bags Marcus had placed near the entrance.

“Here are your things.”

Jake stared at the luggage.

Then at me.

“You're serious?”

“Very.”

Mr. Brian stepped forward and handed me the documents.

“Here are the divorce papers you prepared earlier but we won't be signing that since the tables have turned.” I laughed.

“Here! These are the revised papers based on the new circumstances.” I handed the new papers to Jake.

But he hesitated.

“I'm feeling generous today, so I won't press charges over the attempt to frame me and steal my inheritance.”

Jake's face changed.

“Val, I didn't mean any of this.”

He waved his old divorce papers.

“I was only giving Jasmine false hope. She was blackmailing me.”

I almost laughed.

“Good for both of you. But unfortunately, I don't have time for that ”

I held out a pen.

He stared at me. “You're making the wrong decision. I'm the only person who can stay with you the way you are.”

My expression hardened.

“Don't.”

He went silent.

“Don't make this difficult, Jake. Sign the papers. Otherwise, I'll sue both you and Jasmine, and I'll make sure you both answer for everything you've done.”

He looked at me for a long moment.

Then he took the pen.

His hand shook slightly as he signed.

One page, then another.

Finally, he dropped the pen. He grabbed his suitcase and walked toward the gate.

Just before leaving, he stopped.

“You'll regret this. I will make sure you do.”

I smiled. “Try it sweetie.”

He glared at me. “You'll come running back to me.”

“In your dreams, Jake.”

The gate closed behind him.

Marcus locked it.

I stood there for a few seconds, watching Jake disappear from my life.

Then I smiled. “Good riddance.”

---

After a long shower, I stepped out of the bathroom feeling lighter than I had in years.

The blue screen appeared.

[Well done, Host.]

I grinned.

“The pleasure is all mine.”

[Objective successfully completed.]

[Reward: 1000 points]

[Total points: 2000]

Another notification appeared.

[Next Assignment: Find a suitable teammate within seventy-two hours.]

I groaned.

“Seventy-two hours?”

[Correct.]

“Can't I rest first?”

[Host: sure, you can.. what do you think about celebrating your first victory?]

I smiled. “I would love to, sir.”

[You're welcome. You may call me RESS.]

“RESS?”

[Reset Survival System.]

I nodded. “Okay, RESS.”

A new notification appeared.

[12:00 A.M. — Velvet Lounge.]

I frowned.

“The club?”

[Correct.]

I'd never been to a nightclub in my life.

I'd always been buried in my studies, research, and family responsibilities.

But if RESS wanted me, then it will definitely be fun.

That night, RESS even selected my outfit.

I stared at the dress, It was definitely more revealing than anything I had ever worn.

“Are you sure about this?”

[Survival requires adaptation.]

I sighed. “Fine.”

I put it on.

When I walked into the living room, Zeph nearly dropped his phone. His jaw fell open.

“Oh my God.”

He whistled.

“Where have you been hiding this woman all your life?”

I laughed.

“Why are you here?”

“I came to console my best friend after discovering her husband is a cheating idiot.”

He looked me up and down.

“But apparently, you don't need comforting.”

I grabbed my handbag.

“Yeah! Jake bit more than he can chew… you need to see what they did to me during the a… I stopped immediately before Zeph would also think I'm crazy.”

Zeph laughed. “Yes. I saw it online.. they went overboard.”

RESS chimed in my head.

[Host is wasting time.]

I rolled my eyes.

“Zeph, I'm late for an appointment.”

“An appointment at midnight?”

I smiled. “Don't ask questions.” I hurriedly left and drove by myself.

Immediately I walked in, I saw them.

Jake and Jasmine.

My stomach tightened and I almost regretted coming here tonight.

As I turned to leave, a hand gripped me roughly. “Where do you think you are going?”

Jake's voice echoed