Chapter 3

The days dragged by in a blur of numbness and humiliation.

Before long, a date deeply significant to me arrived—the anniversary of Grandma's death, which also happened to be the exact day I had been mysteriously dragged into this novel world.

Grandma had been my only family. It was only after she passed away that the System chose me and dumped me into this living hell.

The only possession I had managed to bring with me was a simple vintage cherrywood side comb she had left behind.

For the past three years, it had been my greatest source of comfort.

Every year on this day, I would take it out and talk to it, pretending she was still here with me.

But this year, I couldn't even protect this final piece of her memory.

Kendrick wanted to throw a massive birthday party for Audrey, and on a whim, he decided to organize a scavenger hunt throughout the villa.

He ordered the house manager to scour the entire place for interesting trinkets to use as prizes.

Then he spotted the small wooden box sitting on my nightstand.

He flipped it open, pulled out Grandma's side comb, and twirled it carelessly between his fingers, blatant disgust written all over his face. "What the hell is this junk? Some cheap piece of scrap wood?"

I lunged forward, trying to snatch it back from him.

"Give it back! That was my grandma's!" I snapped.

Kendrick was momentarily caught off guard, but his shock immediately twisted into a dark scowl.

In three long years, this was the first time I had ever raised my voice at him.

Feeling his authority challenged, he shoved me to the floor. Then he pinched the side comb between two fingers and held it up to the light.

"An heirloom? Perfect. Since it's so precious, it'll make the ideal thing to hunt for."

He smirked and announced loudly to the room, "Whoever finds it first during the hunt gets a favor from me."

"No! Please! You can't do this!"

I fell to my knees, breaking down in tears in front of him for the first time as I begged him desperately.

But he ignored me completely, turning to hand the side comb to the assistant standing behind him.

I watched the last remaining piece of Grandma being reduced to nothing more than a party prop for strangers—a bargaining chip for their personal gain.

In that exact moment, the dam I had built to hold back all the humiliation, resentment, and helpless agony of the past three years completely collapsed.

My mind went blank.

Yet the System was still shrieking in my head.

"Layla, this is a golden opportunity to break into Kendrick's inner social circle. It's just an old side comb. Trading it for a chance to debut in front of his friends is an absolute bargain. Hurry up and tell him you're okay with it!"

I tuned it out completely. Scrambling to my feet, I fixed my glare on Kendrick.

The moment he turned to hand the side comb to his assistant, I slapped him across the face with all my strength.

The sharp crack of the slap echoed through the cavernous living room.

The entire room fell deathly silent.

Kendrick's head snapped to the side, a vivid red handprint rapidly blooming across his cheek.

He had been pampered like royalty his whole life and had never faced a single setback. This was the first time anyone had ever laid a hand on him.

In utter disbelief, he slowly turned back to look at me.

"Layla, how dare you hit me?"

The next second, his hand clamped around my throat. He slammed me violently against the wall, his eyes bloodshot with fury.

"I've been far too lenient with you!" he barked.

Stars exploded across my vision from the impact. His grip cut off my air, and tears spilled uncontrollably down my cheeks.

The System completely broke down inside my head, triggering a frantic alarm unlike anything before.

"WARNING! WARNING! S-CLASS VIOLATION DETECTED! LAYLA HAS ATTACKED THE PRIMARY TARGET! TERMINATION PROTOCOL INITIATED!"

I closed my eyes and waited for death to take me.

Three years of torture were more than enough.

Whether I never made it home or simply vanished from existence altogether, anything was better than continuing to live in this hell.

Yet the agonizing end I had braced myself for never came. Instead, a completely unfamiliar notification rang out.

"Ding! Unprecedented emotional volatility detected from the primary target!

"Congratulations, Layla! You have successfully triggered the hidden main storyline—'The Groveling Ex'.

"Kendrick's affection level has increased by 20%. His current affection level is 25%."