---- Chapter 1 The life trial system "If You Think You Can Do Better, Prove It" had been live for a week, but no one dared to sign up. The rules were simple, yet terrifying: if you could prove you could live someone else's life better than they did, you would win one million dollars. But the cost? The consciousness of the original person would be obliterated- essentially, a death sentence. On the other hand, if you failed to outperform them under identical circumstances, you would die instead. Nobody wanted to gamble their life or risk becoming the murderer of another. Yet here I was-the first one in the system. A robot escorted me to the front row, where cameras ---- swiveled to capture every angle of my face. My mother, husband, and son sat further back, carefully avoiding my gaze. I stared at their guilty expressions and asked with a bitter smile, "So, all of you think you'd do better in my position?" My mother averted her eyes. "Of course! I gave you the best education money could buy. I wanted you to succeed, to earn a fortune and get into a top university, but you failed miserably." My husband and son exchanged glances before piling on. "Every other wife can keep a household running smoothly, support her husband, and be the perfect homemaker. Why can't you?" my husband sneered. "Yeah!" my son chimed in, his voice full of disdain. " You're a terrible mom! When we go out, people think you're my grandma. Do you know how embarrassing that is?" I laughed, a sound bitter and hollow. Wife, mother, daughter-the three roles that defined my existence. ---- And here they were, my family, lined up to cast judgment. The crowd watching from below murmured. "Tf even her closest family thinks she's worthless, she must be a failure." "Why didn't I think to nominate my wife? She's just as lazy-always complaining about being tired. I could do her job better in my sleep." "Wait, so 3 participants are lining up to challenge the lady. If the first one succeeds, does only the first participant get the reward? Or do all three of them share the prize?" At that, my mother, husband, and son began squabbling, each eager to go first. I could only marvel at their confidence. Finally, the system's neutral voice intervened. [If all three evaluations succeed, the reward will be tripled for each participant.] The arguing ceased instantly, replaced by excited ---- whispers and pats of encouragement. United by greed, they cheered each other on like comrades before a battle. The system turned to me. [Ms. Adeline Carrey, as the defendant, do you have any rebuttal?} The crowd below the stage erupted in irritation. "Just get on with it! Stop wasting time." "Rebuttal? What could she possibly say to defend herself?" "Hey, sign me up next. At least I wouldn't have my mom, husband, and son hate me this much." I memorized the face of the man who said that, smiling faintly. "I have nothing to say. Let's begin." My mother was the first to take the stage. Face flushed with excitement, she greeted the audience. "Hello, everyone. I'm a single mother. I worked three jobs every day to ensure my daughter could focus on her studies. All I ever wanted was for her to succeed." Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!