Chapter 3: One Billion Insults

[Ding!]

[Physical Trauma Compensation: 500,000 THB has been deposited into your secure wallet.]

[Current Balance: 640,002.50 THB.]

"Lieutenant, you saw that, right?" Pim asked, her hand still hovering over her throbbing cheek. "That was unprovoked."

Vee’s chair screeched against the concrete floor as he stood. "I saw it. Miss Chalida, move to the other side of the room. Now."

"I don't care what you saw!" Chalida screamed, her voice cracking. "She’s a liar! She’s trying to destroy my life because she’s nothing but a parasite! Officer, look at her! Look at that stupid, blank look on her face!"

Pim lowered her hand. Her cheek was a deep, angry red, a stark contrast to her pale, calm features. "Is this the 'loyalty' you were talking about, Chalida? Hitting me in front of a police officer because I won't go to prison for your mistake?"

"You owe me!" Chalida lunged again, but Vee moved with a speed that blurred the air between them, his heavy leather watch glinting as he caught her wrist.

"That’s enough," Vee barked. His voice was cold, authoritative. "Miss Chalida, if you move toward her again, I will have you processed for assault before the traffic division even looks at your case file."

"Do you know who my mother is?" Chalida hissed, struggling against his grip. "Do you know whose campaign I’m heading tomorrow?"

Vee looked down at her with a flat, clinical stare. "I know who you are. I also know what the traffic cameras show. And right now, they show a silver Mercedes hitting a scooter and then a very angry woman hitting a civilian inside my station."

Pim took a deep breath, her eyes flicking to the blue screen only she could see.

[System Feature: Ghost Protocol.]

[Instruction: Transfer funds to 'Titan Legal Group' retainer account to bypass Minister surveillance.]

Pim’s fingers danced across her cracked phone screen as if she were merely checking the time. "Officer, since it seems things are getting complicated, I’d like to call my representative."

"Representative?" Chalida let out a hysterical laugh, finally pulling her wrist free. "Pim, you can't even afford a bus ticket. Who are you calling? The public defender who smells like old lunch meat?"

"I’m calling Preecha at Titan Legal," Pim said, her voice steady.

The room went quiet. Even Vee’s expression flickered with a hint of surprise.

"Titan?" Chalida stammered. "You... you can't even get their receptionist to pick up for less than fifty thousand Baht."

"Already done," Pim said, tilting her phone screen toward them.

The screen showed a high-priority call in progress. A deep, gravelly voice answered over the speaker. "Titan Legal Group. This is Preecha. I have received the alert and the retainer. Who am I speaking with?"

"This is Pimchanok," Pim said, looking directly into Chalida’s widening eyes. "I’m at Thong Lor station. There’s a discrepancy regarding a hit-and-run on Soi 55. And I believe I have a battery charge to file against a woman named Chalida."

"We’re ten minutes away," Preecha said. "Don't say another word until we arrive."

Pim tapped 'End Call' and leaned back into the cold metal chair. The adrenaline was a fire in her chest, but her outward demeanor remained chillingly still.

"Where did you get that money?" Chalida whispered, her face losing its plum-colored flush. "Pim, where did you get fifty thousand Baht for a retainer?"

"I have my ways, sister," Pim replied. "Maybe if you spent less time insulting me, you’d have noticed I’ve been busy."

Vee crossed his arms, leaning back against the desk. He looked at Pim, his eyes lingering on the sharp edge of her jawline. "You’re full of surprises, aren't you?"

"I’m just tired of being invisible, Lieutenant," Pim said. "People tend to forget that things in the shadows can bite."

"Pimchanok, listen to me," Chalida said, her tone shifting into a frantic, high-pitched sweetness. "We can talk about this. You don't need lawyers. If Mom finds out you hired Titan to go against me, she’ll... she’ll..."

"She’ll what?" Pim interrupted. "Kick me out? Threaten my future? You’ve already done that for me. There’s nothing left to hold over my head, Chalida. You played your last card when you swung your hand at my face."

"I was stressed!" Chalida shouted. "I’m sorry! Okay? I’m sorry I hit you! Just call off the lawyers. Please. If word gets out that Titan is representing you against me, the donors will drop the campaign by sunset."

"The 'sorry' is a little late," Pim said. "And honestly, it’s not worth what I’m paying Preecha."

A sharp knock at the door interrupted them. Two men in charcoal-grey suits entered, carrying leather briefcases that cost more than a year of Pim’s former rent. One was Preecha—older, with silver hair and a gaze like a hawk.

"Miss Pimchanok," Preecha nodded. "I’m here. Lieutenant, I assume my client is not under arrest?"

Vee straightened his uniform. "Not at the moment. She’s currently the victim of an assault we were just discussing."

"Excellent," Preecha said, turning to Chalida. "And you must be the sister. I strongly suggest you remain silent. My associate has already requested the holding of your vehicle for forensic DNA matching. If you try to leave this building, it will be considered flight."

Chalida backed into the wall, her hands shaking so hard her designer clutch clattered to the floor. "You can't do this. I have friends in the government! My mother... the Minister..."

"The Minister values results," Preecha said calmly. "And results look very poor for you today. Lieutenant Vee, we’d like to take my client to a private hospital for a medical check on that facial injury. We will return to sign the formal statement."

"Go ahead," Vee said. His eyes followed Pim as she stood up. "We have what we need for now."

Pim walked toward the door, her sneakers silent on the floor. As she passed Chalida, she paused. The smell of Chalida’s expensive perfume, something usually so intimidating, now felt sickly sweet and cheap.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, Chalida," Pim said softly, leaning closer.

"What?" Chalida asked, her voice a broken reed.

"You know that boutique you love on Sukhumvit? 'L’Aura'?"

Chalida blinked, confused by the sudden change in topic. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"The property owner is looking to sell the entire building," Pim smiled, a thin, predatory curve of her lips. "I think I’m going to buy it tomorrow. Which means you’re going to need a new place to shop. I don't serve people who have ongoing legal issues in my establishments."

"You... buy it?" Chalida gasped. "You’re crazy. You’re literally losing your mind from the stress."

"We'll see," Pim said. "I’ll send you a copy of the eviction notice if you ever dare to step inside."

Pim walked out, flanked by her high-priced legal team. The air outside the station felt different—crisp, electric, and full of possibility.

[Ding!]

[Quest Update: The Retaliation Phase.]

[Bonus Reward: 100,000 THB for 'Mental Domination' of the Antagonist.]

[Current Balance: 740,002.50 THB.]

As she stepped into the black sedan Preecha had waiting, she saw Vee through the glass doors of the station. He was watching her, his phone to his ear, his expression unreadable but intense.

"Miss Pimchanok," Preecha said as the car pulled away. "Where to next?"

"Drive me to the CBD," Pim said, looking at the city lights beginning to shimmer in the late afternoon sun. "I have a building to look at. And Preecha?"

"Yes, Miss?"

"Make sure Chalida’s lawyers stay busy tonight. I want her to know that every time she closes her eyes, I’m the one signing the checks."

The sedan sped off into the traffic of Bangkok. Pim looked at her reflection in the tinted window. The bruise was starting to show, but for the first time in two lives, it didn't look like a mark of shame. It looked like the first receipt of a debt finally being paid in full.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated again. But it wasn't a bank notification.

It was a private message from a restricted number.

You're move was bold. But do you know how to hold what you take? Meet me at the 'Midnight Terrace' in an hour if you want to keep that bank account alive.

Pim stared at the text. It was from Vee.

"Driver," Pim said. "Change of plans. Head to the 'Midnight Terrace'."

She gripped her phone, her thumb tracing the screen. The game wasn't just about money anymore. It was about who else knew about the System.