Chapter 5

[Recalculating... Accessing favorability data for target 'Nadia York'...]

[Current favorability toward Molly Hart: 70/100.]

[Reevaluating mission pathway... If the target is switched from 'Steven Cooper' to 'Nadia York,' current progress can be transferred automatically. Based on current calculations, approximately 63% of the original mission progress will be retained.]

[System assessment: Target switch is viable. Does the host wish to confirm?]

Molly's mouth fell open.

It stayed that way for several seconds.

Then she threw her arms around me and let out an ear-piercing squeal.

"So that works too?! Tell me, what do I need to do to make you like me even more?

"Barbecue ribs? I can make fried chicken too! I can make soup! I can cook anything!"

She shook me so hard that my head started spinning.

I laughed and caught her hands.

"You only need to do one thing."

Molly immediately straightened up, looking as though she were prepared to charge into battle.

"Just say the word! I'd do anything. If I so much as hesitate—"

"Take down a jerk."

Molly's speech came to an abrupt halt.

I looked at her and said seriously, "Doesn't Steven want to satisfy his ego? Then let's turn him into the laughingstock of the entire city."

The corners of Molly's lips slowly curled upward.

The nervousness in her eyes gradually gave way to excitement.

"You mean..."

I raised an eyebrow with a smile.

Over the following days, Molly and I took turns playing our parts.

Whenever I stirred up trouble, she played the gentle peacemaker.

Whenever she threw a tantrum, I acted understanding and reasonable.

Each time, Steven would reward the one he thought had behaved best.

With rewards on the line, we both competed to please him.

Before long, he was floating on air.

The rumors spread quickly.

Within days, everyone in their social circle was talking.

"Steven's impressive. He's really mastered the art of keeping two women happy."

"No kidding. One doesn't care about the title, and the other doesn't care about making it official. They're both perfectly willing to stay by his side."

"That's a level of charm the rest of us could never hope to match."

Every time we heard those comments, Molly and I exchanged a glance.

We saw the same thing reflected in each other's eyes.

“Just a little longer. We're almost there.”

Behind the scenes, Molly and I were busier than ever.

Molly was responsible for liquidating the properties and jewelry we'd acquired during that time.

As for me, I sold every share of the company I'd received while helping Steven build his business to his biggest competitor.

There was one more thing I did, and it was the most important of all.

Soon, the wedding day arrived.

I looked at the countless messages on my phone.

"Nadia, where are you? The guests are already here."

"Stop throwing a tantrum at a time like this. Haven't you always wanted to marry me? Whatever it is, we can talk about it after the wedding."

In the last message, Steven's voice was strained with anger.

"Nadia York, this is your last chance. Show up right now. Otherwise, someone else will be taking your place as the bride today."

At that moment, Molly's phone started ringing as well.

She declined the call without hesitation.

"That's hilarious. Do I look like a backup bride to you?"

We exchanged a smile and walked toward the boarding gate together.

At the same time, at the lavish wedding being livestreamed across the internet, Steven stood beneath the floral arch with a thunderous expression.

His assistant hurried over nervously.

"Mr. Cooper, there's a problem. Everyone in the core technology division has resigned..."

Steven's face went from pale to purple.

"What did you just say?!"