Chapter 2

Just as I expected, Gabriel held her hand and glared at me.

"When are you going to stop these hysterics, Marceline? Why are you acting like a madwoman over something as trivial as a dress?" he growled. "Look at her. Don't tell me you still haven't realized it. The dress looks better on her than it ever could on you."

Damien finally regained his composure and sneered, "He's right. Unlike you, Bella actually knows how to behave like an heiress from an elite family."

I laughed. Then I laughed harder, until tears streamed down my cheeks.

So this was my family. This was my husband. I had died like a dog in my last life for this den of douchebags.

I grabbed a bottle of red wine. "You love this dress so much, bitch? Then take it."

I slammed the neck of the bottle against the edge of the table and shattered it. Wine cascaded over Bella, soaking the dress and ruining her makeup.

She shrieked, "My eyes! It hurts!"

Magnus and Gabriel rushed to her side to clean her up.

Meanwhile, Damien raised his fist as if he were asserting dominance.

"You're asking for it!" he shouted.

I stepped back and tipped over the champagne tower beside me. The crisp, jaunty crash of expensive glasses shattering across the floor sounded like music.

Damien froze and retreated from the spreading carpet of glass shards, along with several others.

I stood amid the wreckage and pointed at these so-called heroes.

"This is nothing more than a marriage of convenience to you, isn't it, Gabriel? Fine. Have each other as much as you want. Unlike you all, I don't mistake trash for gourmet food. There's no better match than a dog and his bitch."

I turned to my brothers. "As for you two simps, why don't you make Bella your sister and your heiress instead? Then you can lick her heels to your heart's content."

I faced the stunned crowd.

"From this moment on, I am cutting all ties with the Blanc family," I declared. "Fuck this. Fuck this family."

I kicked away what remained of the cake and strode toward the front door as if the place belonged to me.

The crowd stared in stunned silence.

Then my father's voice echoed. "Stand right there, Marceline! If you walk out that door, I swear to God you won't get a single cent from this family. I'll cancel every goddamn card you have. Let's see how long you last living like a peasant."

I halted and turned back, flashing him my brightest smile. "Yes, yes, yes. Freedom from your filthy money? Thank God."

Why would I need their money anyway when I had the Madness Reward System? I could make millions in the blink of an eye, bitches.

[Throwing a fit against the Blancs and severing your ties with them. 5-Star Madness. Reward: 150,000,000 dollars.]

[Your first quest has been completed. Rewards for completing the Newbie Challenge: An ultra-luxury apartment in the heart of the city and a luxury car parked outside the hotel.]

My heels echoed through the silent banquet hall as I walked toward my freedom without sparing anyone a glance.

…

A blazing red sports car waited outside. I reached into my purse and found the keys already inside.

I slid into the driver's seat and slammed my foot down on the pedal. The roar of the exhaust cut through the air and rattled the windows of the doormen's station.

My phone vibrated nonstop. I did not need to check it to know every message came from the den of douchebags I used to call my family. I powered the phone off and tossed it onto the passenger seat.

The MRS had already set the coordinates to my new home. I followed the directions and drove straight toward Paradiso Castle.