Chapter 3

He lowered his head and kissed my forehead, then, with the last of my life-saving money in hand, turned and hurried away.

[Detected male lead’s lie: “Working a shift in a restaurant kitchen.”]

[Lie identified. Reward granted: Brain tumor reduced by another one-third.]

No sooner had Landon left than a nurse walked in and removed my pain pump.

Cold sweat broke out across my body as the pain surged. I clutched the sheets tightly. “Why? I already paid for these past few days of medication!”

The nurse replied flatly, “The VIP patient upstairs, Miss Shaw, complained of a headache and said the standard medication had too many side effects.

“Mr. Law ordered all imported painkillers in the hospital to be transferred to the top floor.

“Mr. Law also said patients in the general ward are tougher. They can endure it.”

I stared at the needle mark on the back of my hand, still seeping blood, and let out a cold laugh.

The pain was so intense I wanted to slam my head against the wall, yet it couldn’t compare to Clara’s offhand remark about having “side effects.”

For her, Landon took away the life-saving medication of someone on the brink of death without a second thought.

Just then, a local entertainment livestream notification popped up on my phone:

[Heir to the Law Group spends one million to book out the penthouse restaurant at the Peninsula Hotel for his beloved!]

On the screen, Landon stood in a tailored suit, untouchable as a king, fastening a dazzling pink diamond necklace around Clara’s neck.

“As long as my Clara is happy, what’s one million?”

One million…

Just moments ago, he took my last one thousand—money meant to keep me alive.

I dialed Landon’s number.

From the receiver came his deliberately lowered, breathless voice, laced with exhaustion.

“Stella, the collectors said one thousand wasn’t enough. They beat me again. I’m in the kitchen now, scrubbing dishes nonstop—my hands are already ruined. Once I get paid tomorrow morning, I’ll buy you the best medicine.”

I looked at the screen, at the long fingers now wrapped around a glass of red wine, my voice eerily calm.

“Is that so? If your hands are ruined… does it hurt?”

“It does,” Landon sighed on the other end, his tone tender.

“But when I think about saving your life, it all feels worth it. Stella, I love you.”

[Detected male lead’s lie: “Beaten by debt collectors, hands ruined from washing dishes in the kitchen.”]

[Lie identified. Reward granted: Brain tumor has completely disappeared.]

With the mechanical voice, the searing pain in my head receded like a tide.

For the first time, my mind felt utterly clear. I ended the call without hesitation.

“Landon, the moment I’m fully recovered is the moment you lose me for good.”

…

The next morning was the final deadline to pay for the surgery.

Landon rushed in carrying a thermos, his eyes red as he grabbed my hand.

“Stella, I’m sorry. I went to the black market yesterday and sold 800cc of blood, but it still wasn’t enough. I made your favorite oatmeal. You should at least have a few bites, alright?”

[Detected male lead’s lie: “Sold blood on the black market.”]

[Lie identified. Reward granted: Cancer cells have significantly regressed.]

I had just opened my mouth when the sharp sound of high heels echoed down the hallway.

Clara walked in, dressed in designer clothes, covering her nose.

Landon’s expression changed instantly. He shot to his feet and moved to block her.

“Clara, there are too many germs here. Go back upstairs.”

But Clara leaned around him, her gaze sweeping over me with disdain.

“Landon, is this the poor girl who throws herself at you over scraps of kindness?

“You really went all out training her—even staged that whole ‘playing poor’ act. Must’ve been exhausting for you. But I suppose it makes sense.

“A family like the Laws, where everyone devours each other alive, only someone cheap and disposable like her is fit to go in my place, suffer for me, and serve your parents.”