Chapter 2

Archie continued, "I beg you not to blacklist Lesley, please! She was just a little too impulsive, that's all. I'm willing to take all the punishment on her behalf!"

Archie's tone was sorrowful, yet his expression was one of steadfast acceptance, as though he were prepared to die in battle for the one he loved. His actions left the entire hall silent.

Lesley shoved me aside and hurriedly helped Archie to his feet, glaring at me with eyes full of venom.

"Forget it, Archie. Calvin is nothing but a hypocritical scumbag. There's no need to beg for mercy from a jerk like him!"

Looking at Lesley on the verge of tears, I felt my heart shatter—just like the trophy on the floor.

So, this was the stark contrast between how she treated someone she loved and someone she didn't.

I'd sponsored all of her living expenses for seven years, subjecting myself to endless ridicule from high society and willingly turning my back on my family's inheritance.

Yet all I got in return was her labeling me a hypocritical scumbag.

By this point, everyone in attendance seemed deeply moved by the poignant love story between her and Archie.

Lesley's friends, who had come to cheer her on, even began throwing their makeup compacts at me to protest the "injustice" I had allegedly made her suffer.

They seemed to have conveniently forgotten that their daily necessities—even the very cosmetics they were hurling at me—were bought entirely with my money.

In an instant, the venue erupted into a torrent of insults and abuse directed squarely at me.

Facing the hostile glares of the crowd, I couldn't help but smile bitterly. I never imagined my kindness would ultimately be turned into a weapon against me.

Clenching my fists, I tilted my head upward to forcefully hold back my tears.

[Time's up. You have failed your mission, Calvin Gardner.]

The System's cold voice rang out in my head. Only then did I remember today was the final deadline for my mission.

Seven years ago, right after Lesley saved my life from an overpass, I had been bound to this System.

It told me I had 100 chances to win her heart and marry her. If I succeeded, all of her dreams would come true, and her life would undergo a magnificent transformation.

If I failed, however, I would face punishment.

Back then, I had agreed without a moment's hesitation.

I initially thought I would accomplish the mission in no time at all. Never did I imagine that seven years would pass, only for Lesley to drift further and further away from me.

After a long bout of silence, I stared at the engagement ring pressing deep into the palm of my hand and chuckled bitterly once more.

[Fine. I lost. I'll take the punishment.]

Taking a deep breath, I ignored the remaining insults hurled at me, bracing myself for death.

To my surprise, the System's voice echoed again.

[I'll remove your saint's heart. Unbounded kindness is worthless. From now on, you'll live only for yourself.]

I froze. What did it mean to remove my "saint's heart"?

Before I could wrap my head around it, the System executed the punishment.

Instantly, memories of my past with Lesley flooded my mind, carrying me back seven years to the day we first met.

At that time, my family had fallen on hard times, and my phone constantly buzzed with calls from debt collectors. I felt like a stray, battered dog surviving in the concrete jungle of the city.

Just as I was standing on the edge of the overpass, ready to jump after having had enough of it all, Lesley pulled me back from the brink and saved my life.

Seeing how dejected I was, she took me home with her.

That was when I learned she had no parents and had never relied on anyone else.

She worked part-time jobs while studying, struggling single-handedly to support herself and her sick younger sister, Livia Cohen.

Lesley told me the future was filled with infinite possibilities, and if we persevered, the storm would soon pass and everything would fall into place.

The moonlight had shone across her face that night, illuminating my wounded heart.

Her optimism and resilience gave me the courage to keep living.

And from that moment on, only one thought had consumed my mind.