Chapter 1

The system, which was usually an insufferable chatterbox, went silent for a brief moment before stumbling over its words to explain.

[W-What do you mean? The target of your mission is obviously the heroine! You and Aria are definitely going to live happily ever after!]

I couldn't help but let out a self-deprecating chuckle.

Ever since I was brought to Langston Manor five years ago, the system had been constantly dangling that carrot in front of me, assuring me that all the cold shoulders and grievances I endured were merely trials of love and that Aria Langston and I were destined for a happy ending.

Too bad I didn't really want that ending anymore.

Ignoring the system, I rose to my feet and walked straight to open the door. The first thing that came into view was Aria's annoyed face.

She shot me a cold look.

"Even if I forgot our promise, there was no need for you to use Nolan to force me to see you. I had no idea you were so scheming, Clement."

I was caught off guard. To get her to spend this one birthday with me, I had worked practically day and night for the past three months, ultimately achieving a breakthrough in Langston Group's chip research and development.

Aria had been thrilled and asked me what I wanted as a reward. I had cautiously asked if she could spare just one evening for me. When she'd readily agreed, I'd been over the moon, believing our relationship was finally taking a step forward.

Little did I know, I'd be stood up and dismissed with a casual "I forgot."

Footsteps sounded behind us as Nolan Kensington dragged himself up to the sixth floor, a massive cake box cradled in his arms, panting heavily.

He planted himself between Aria and me with an odd expression on his face. "So, you didn't ditch Clement to spend time with me... You just forgot it's his birthday today?"

Aria frowned and asked matter-of-factly, "Why should I remember his birthday?"

Nolan turned to look at me again, his expression growing even more complicated.

An awkward silence hung in the air for a while before Aria looked down at me condescendingly. As if she was doing me a huge favor, she said, "Considering how dedicated you've been to Langston Group, I'll grant you a reward. What do you want? Out with it."

I looked up and met her eyes. "Anything at all?"

Aria froze for a moment. Instinctively, she touched the tip of her nose and averted her gaze. "Of course."

The system started screaming in my head.

[Oh Em Gee, she's blushing! Did you see that? Hurry up and tell her you don't want anything; you just want to spend quality time with her for a day. Then, take her to an amusement park and a candlelit dinner… Her favorability level will definitely shoot through the roof!]

I merely looked at her quietly for a couple of seconds before drawing a deep breath. "In that case, give me some money."

The smile on her face stiffened. "Excuse me?"

I languidly lifted my gaze. "Give me some money. My rent is due."

Aria's expression darkened in an instant, and she gritted out, "At long last, your true colors are showing. To think you claimed you weren't after my money."

Her knuckles cracked loudly as she clenched her fists. Then, she sneered, "Too late, Clement. Didn't you want to marry into my family? In that case, you'll be slaving away for Langston Group for the rest of your life!"

Having said her piece, she turned on her heel and stormed off, leaving Nolan to hand me the cake with an unreadable expression. "Um… Happy birthday."

I forced a faint smile. "I know you only came to watch me make a fool of myself, but... thanks."

As soon as the door clicked shut, the system started wailing again.

[Oh lord, what did you just do? Aria clearly felt guilty about forgetting your birthday. Why did you not use the opportunity to take advantage of her feelings and say those things to her instead?]

I lowered my head and looked at the rent collection messages from my landlady. "Well, what else was I supposed to do? I still have to survive, don't I?'

All these years, because Aria loathed me, I earned less than the janitor despite holding the title of Chief Engineer at Langston Group.

The system was taken aback.

[But that's just one of the trials the heroine's putting you through! Aria's in love with you; she just doesn't realize it yet! Once you two tie the knot, won't everything she owns belong to you anyway?]

Just then, the doorbell rang. The delivery man poked his head in, clutching a cake box. "Delivery from Ms. Langston."

The system instantly puffed up.

[I told you she has feelings for you. Look, she even ordered you a cake. You're the one who pushed her away. Hurry up and contact her and coax her back!]

I stared at the cake, which was covered generously with mango slices, in silence. Then, I looked up at the system. "Do you still remember five years ago, the day I first arrived?"