Chapter 1

I opened my eyes to the lingering smell of antiseptic.

Voices filled the room.

"I haven't even done anything yet."

"Watching her fawn over you two in the earlier rounds really made me want a turn."

"Now that it's finally my turn, how did she end up like this? I almost feel sorry for her."

The voice carried a teasing edge.

I recognized it. It belonged to my new love interest, Peyton Wyatt.

The system shrieked in my ear.

[No wonder every quest failed! They tampered with their affection scores!

[Good thing you decided to give up. Otherwise, these disgusting men would've put you through a third round of their games...

[Forget it. I'm giving up too. Call me the Death System from now on. Once you die, we'll become NPCs.]

I let out a bitter laugh. Seawater had left my head pounding, and I didn't feel like talking.

The door flew open the next second.

Peyton swaggered in with his childhood sweetheart tucked against him.

She buried her face in his chest and pretended to cry.

"Peyton, I really didn't say anything. I don't know why she suddenly went crazy..."

"Everyone rushed to save her, and somehow I'm the villain. All I wanted was for her to return the limited-edition bracelet she stole..."

She stole a glance at me, her expression smug in a way I knew all too well.

After the first two quests, I was used to accusations and taunts like these.

At first, I argued desperately.

I stood my ground and tried everything I could to prove my innocence.

Eventually, I learned to drop to my knees and beg for mercy while they punished me.

I only wanted to seem obedient enough for a love interest to pat my head and grant me a few points of affection.

And now it turned out those affection scores were fake...

The absurdity of it all overwhelmed me.

I stared at him blankly and couldn't be bothered to respond.

Peyton clearly lost interest. He yanked the blanket off me.

"That bracelet cost $318,000. How are you going to pay for it?"

Our eyes met before I could look away.

"I'm telling you, stop pulling these stunts to get my attention."

"Someone like you should be grateful I keep you around to entertain me. That's already more kindness than you deser—"

His words cut off.

Before his eyes, I found strength I didn't know I had.

I climbed straight over the windowsill, with half my body already out in the wind.

I gave him a carefree smile.

The next second, someone grabbed my arm. Pain shot through my muscles and pulled me back into the room.

"Who are you trying to fool?"

His relaxed expression vanished.

"We're only on the third floor. You wouldn't even die from that fall. Do you really think your worthless life can be used to threaten me?"

That was what he said.

But his fingers gripped my forearm tightly.

"Crazy woman. You'll do anything to get your way..."

Peyton forced the insult out.

"Didn't you want to seduce me? Then do as you're told.

"All these threats to kill yourself won't work on me."

He held his stunned childhood sweetheart a little closer, then turned to his bodyguard.

"Get her changed. I'm taking her out."

I sat on the bed and let people dress me and do my hair.

Then they bundled me into Peyton's car.

The scenery flew past the window.

My brain suddenly kicked back into gear.

Would jumping out of the car kill me faster?

The moment my hand touched the door handle, Peyton grabbed me.

"Shannon Wynn, what are you trying to do now?"

His dark eyes loomed close.

He looked impatient and irritated.

"Why do you keep pulling these stunts with me?"

"I told you I like gentle, considerate women. Behave yourself, and maybe I'll give you what you want."

Oh. He meant affection points.

I used to go to great lengths to find out what each love interest liked.

If they liked bold, adventurous women, I took up extreme sports.

After several parachuting accidents, I once spent a day and a night with one of them at the bottom of a cliff. I was so hungry I even caught a snake.

If they liked gracious, accommodating women, I forced a polite smile and handed over condoms as they went through one kept woman after another.

I even endured having a kidney taken and my blood drawn.

I did it all for a little of their affection.

Today, I finally realized something. What could be better than death?

Whatever happened, I still had that option.

All I had to do was close my eyes, and I wouldn't have to think about any of it again.