Chapter 3 LILITH Maybe it was because everything had been laid out so plainly , but I felt more comfortable with the mechanical voice in my head . " By the way , do you have an actual name besides ' system ' ? Calling you that every time feels too impersonal . " " We're stuck together for the foreseeable future , so I'd prefer something ... less formal . " [ I don't have one . It replied matter - of - factly . " Then I'll give you one , " I decided . It made a mechanical hum , as if agreeing . I pursed my lips thoughtfully , brows furrowed . Moments later , my frown smoothed out and I clapped my hands together in delight . " Got it ! I'll call you May . " [ Why May ? ] " Because thanks to you , I was reborn in the month of May . Coincidentally , it also happens to be my birthday month . It feels ... meaningful and significant . " 08.46 Chapter 3 [ Understood . The choice is yours . ] " It's settled then . " : 288 Vouchers With that , I straightened my back , letting my voice take on a sharper edge . " Now , let's get down to business . " [ What business ? ] My eyes glinted with coldness . " The business of stopping my engagement with Brandon , of course . " [ But it's already scheduled for tonight . How do you plan to stop it from happening ? ] May paused , then added thoughtfully , [ Just so you know , revealing my existence or disclosing future events is strictly prohibited . Both actions violate system regulations . ] I chuckled good - naturedly . " Don't worry . None of those were ever within my consideration . " [ Then what's your plan ? Sweet - talking your parents into annulling the engagement ? ] [ Actually , I think it'll be better to go along with it first and then think of countermeasures later on . That'll give you enough time to prepare . ] I couldn't help but smile faintly . It was clear that although May had told me to make different choices , it still thought of me as the same person I used to be - passive , powerless , and prone to compromise . 08:46 Chapter 3 288 Vouchers Although the second part was still very much true , I would never again allow the other two to define me . From now on- My eyes blazed with confidence and determination . I wouldn't compromise . Not even an inch . [ I'm sorry . ] May said suddenly . Confusion flashed in my eyes . " What are you sorry for ? " [ You're right . I still don't understand you . ] In that instant , realization struck me , making a chill crawl up my spine . " Wait ... can you read my thoughts ? " [ Yes . ] May admitted , then quickly added . [ But I don't do it unless necessary . I only heard you just now because your emotions spiked . ] Even with the explanation , I felt unsettled . Uneasy . " Then let's make the first ground rule : in the future , you're not allowed to read or pry into my thoughts without my explicit permission . Do you agree ? " Chapter 3 [ Yes . ] 11 : 288 Poucherd I exhaled in relief . The idea of someone having free access to my mind and thoughts felt absolutely horrifying and suffocating . My voice softened . " Don't hold it against me for reacting this way . I don't think there's a single human alive who would be comfortable knowing their thoughts were laid bare . " [ It's fine . I understand . ] With that , I finally relaxed . " You said you could provide me with helpful information . Does that still stand ? " There was a brief pause . [ Yes . As long as it's within controllable limits . ] My tone turned razor - sharp . " Then tell me when did Brandon and Claire's affair begin ? " I had married Brandon one year after our engagement . Around the same time , I got pregnant . For the baby switch to go unnoticed , Claire's child had to be of similar age . If the baby were older , no matter how dumb I was , I would've sensed something off Which meant those two snakes had been together for far longer than I realized . [ They've been involved for four years now . My fingers curled into tight fists . Four years ? That meant the affair started during our first year of high school . 08:46 Chapter 3 My eyes widened in disbelief . : 728 Noucher " That was just one year after Claire came to live with us . How could I have been so blind ? That for over thirty years , I hadn't suspected a thing ? Something so absurd could only be a side - effect of the corrupted system Claire possessed . I had been manipulated . A new thought struck me . " When did that corrupted system bind with her ? " [ Around the same time she joined your household . That's why I said your family was her starting point . ] " No wonder I never noticed anything . " I muttered . Then my face paled . " So ... she's been stealing my luck for four years ? " [ Yes . ] May's voice sounded heavy . [ Fortunately , her system's absorption rate is slow , so she's only taken a quarter so far . ] [ But as long as you do as I instructed , you'll gradually reclaim everything she's stolen from you . ] My gaze darkened . A quarter might not sound like much to others , but after the life I'd lived ... I knew better . 08.46 Chapter 3 11 288 Vouchers Even a single strand of luck could change everything . This new life of mine - there's no way I'd allow anyone to ruin it again . I thought , my jaw clenched tightly . Perhaps May felt sorry for me , because it chimed in with something unexpected [ Today is one of the days Brandon and Claire meet in private . Do you want to catch them in the act ? ] My eyes sparkled . This was exactly the kind of information I needed . For a second , I was tempted to go personally . To catch them red - handed . But I quickly shook off the thought . In my previous life , I'd learned the hard way : getting directly involved with those two always ended badly - especially when it came to Claire . Better to send someone else . Someone skilled . Someone professional . A private investigator , for example . But ... I frowned . I had no idea how to find one . Whether in my past life or this one , I'd never been exposed to that sort of profession . And asking my family ? No way . 09:16 Chapter 3 Though I'd told myself I didn't blame them for being deceived , pretending I held no resentment would be a lie . I ... couldn't fully trust them anymore . Or anyone else , really , I closed my eyes , heart heavy . When I opened them again , they were calm . Cold . " May , I have a question . Would giving me the contact info of a reliable private investigator fall under ' controllable limits ' ? " [ ... I think so . Probably ? ] A small smile tugged at my lips . It probably never expected to be used as a phone book . Not that I gave it time to reconsider . A moment later , a message appeared on my phone from an unknown number , containing the contact information for a Langston Consulting Services . " Thanks , May . You just saved me a lot of trouble . " I flattered it sweetly . [ You're welcome . It's what I should do . ] The sly smile at the corner of my lips deepened . I didn't waste time . After saving the number , I opened my messaging app and reached out . I forwarded Brandon and Claire's names , along with other relevant details and the meeting place May had revealed . Shortly after , I received a response requesting a million deposit , with the balance due upon delivery of the results . 20.15 Chapter 3 248 Vouchers I wired the money without blinking . { I need the information before 6 PM today . The more detailed , the better . Can you deliver ?; { Don't worry , ma'am . Our agency's reputation is built on discretion and speed . With the details you've provided , this case will be easy . } { Then I look forward to your good news . } { Happy to be of service . } With the chat coming to an end , I leaned back and smiled , satisfaction gleaming in my eyes . " Brandon . Claire ," I whispered . " I'm coming for you . Are you ready ? " Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!