Chapter 2

Lulu’s POV

The blue screen floated in front of my face, glowing. 

PUNISHMENT MODE ACTIVATED.

Plot Compliance: 12%.

Financial Penalty: ACTIVE.

I stared at it tilting my head to the left. “Explain.”

A mechanical voice answered inside my head. “Host deviated from the original storyline by accepting the divorce settlement without any emotional resistance. Unauthorized plot changes have triggered the financial punishment.”

“So I’m being punished for having common sense?” I frowned, my brows crinkling.

“Correct.” The mechanical voice confirmed. “Earn 500 Rebellion Points by confronting main characters. Rebellion Points reaching zero will result in the immediate elimination of the host.”

The color left my face as I gulped. “Elimination as in death?”

“Affirmative.”

The screen disappeared. I immediately checked my bank account to confirm my liquid assets were almost depleted. I had exhausted most of my money buying the abandoned resort.

The worst part was that the drilling crew needed the second payment before the end of the day. If they left now then my oil discovery would become an expensive piece of useless land.

I had four hours to find the money. I tore through my suitcase until I found a jewelry box. Inside was a massive rare diamond necklace Jasver had given to Ivelle years ago.

“This is definitely worth a fortune.”

A quick search showed me there was a charity auction at the Grand Aurelia Hotel that evening. It was perfect.

I showered, wore the backless red dress I’d bought the previous day and put on fierce red lipstick. I looked like a woman who owned several companies instead of someone whose financial future was being controlled by a supernatural bully

.

I tucked the necklace into my purse. The auction hall glinted with chandeliers, polished marble, and people wearing enough diamonds to fund a small country.

Heads turned on every table as I walked past and wives stared at me with malice. Good. Let them look.

Then I spotted Jasver at a VIP table with Liora glued to his side. Liora noticed me and immediately her pretty face brightened. She gathered several socialites and walked to where I was with a smile so sweet it should have come with a diabetes warning.

“Ivelle! What a surprise.” She said, raising her voice. 

I kept walking without slowing down. She jumped into my path forcing me to stop.

“You left Jasver’s mansion. I was worried about you. After all, you’ve depended on him for so long. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to find somewhere to live. You’re practically homeless at this point.”

Her friends looked at me like their pity was the only hope I had of making it through the night. Liora lowered her voice, which somehow made it louder.

“Security should probably keep an eye on her. She’s going through a difficult time, and we wouldn’t want anything to go missing.”

One woman gasped. Another pointed at my purse whispering to her friend.

Liora gave me a pitying smile. “Please leave before you embarrass yourself, darling.”

I stared at her for a moment then I burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?” She asked, her voice unsteady. 

“You. Do you practice being this unbearable, or is it a natural talent?”

Her cheeks turned red. “I’m trying to help you!”

“Then allow me to return the favor.” I smiled, looking her up and down. I made sure to take my time. “That dress is certainly a horror. The cut is outdated and that color makes you look like an expensive curtain.”

Someone behind her choked on their champagne.

I continued, “It’s impressive, really. You have access to a billionaire’s money, yet you’ve dressed like his grandmother’s sofa.”

One of her friends covered her mouth stifling a laugh. Another turned away, her shoulders shaking.

Liora’s face turned scarlet and she looked like she was about to explode. “How dare you!”

I ignored her, walked around her and met the auctioneer. Liora stood frozen, unable to decide whether to cry or chase me. She just watched along with her friends. 

I handed over the velvet box. The auctioneer opened it and nearly forgot how to breathe.

“This is an exceptional diamond, Miss Armani.”

“How exceptional?” I smiled.

“Approximately ten million dollars, perhaps more.”

“Wonderful. Let’s see how much your guests enjoy competition.”

The bidding began at ten million dollars but the diamond sold for thirty million. I smiled, imagining the drilling crew returning to work and my future fortune crawling back from the grave.

A blue notification appeared in front of me with texts. REBELLION SUCCESSFUL. FINANCIAL PENALTY HAS BEEN LIFTED.

I nearly hugged the auctioneer.

“Thank you. You’ve been wonderful.” I said, shaking his hand instead. 

He handed me the payment confirmation and arranged for the funds to be transferred. I immediately made arrangements to pay the drilling crew.

Everything had gone better than I expected. The drilling crew could go back to work, I had gotten my first rebellion points, and most of all, Liora had just learned that humiliating me in public was a no no.

I started walking to the exit when a hand grabbed my arm and pulled me into a dark hallway. My back pressed against the wall and I looked up, staring into Jasver’s furious face.

“Have you lost your mind?” I snapped at him, trying to free my arm.

He released me but stood close enough to block my escape route. His eyes burned and there was a look in his face I couldn’t completely understand.

“You’re not Ivelle, are you?”