"Madeline, he actually showed up."

"Isn't William Jones delusional? He must really think you'd accept his proposal today."

"Look at him in that costume. He looks like a buffoon."

"If you don't have a mirror, at least, you have some urine to check what you look like."

...

In the bustling pub, Madeline Whitman basked in the center of attention.

Her wine glass was swirling elegantly as she shot me a contemptuous glance.

"William, you're so hideous."

I remained silent, pulling the hood of my costume over my head.

I had just sealed a deal when her message arrived tonight.

For five long years, I had shadowed Madeline, nurturing my own strength in the shadows.

I had been her lapdog, but all that was about to change.

I adjusted my doll outfit and began dancing awkwardly in front of them, my movements stiff.

Actually, I was not much of a dancer, but this was Madeline's demand.

I finished the dance under everyone's astonished gaze.

I was nearly suffocating in the heavy costume.

As I removed the hood, a mechanical voice resonated in my mind.

"Your mission is complete.

"Congratulations on completing ninety-nine tasks. One hundred thousand points can be exchanged for a Resurrection Pill.

"Would you like to exchange it?"

Under the system's inquiry, I tossed the hood to the ground.

Nodding resolutely, I answered, "Exchange."

"Points reset to zero. Mission complete. Unbinding.

"Have a pleasant evening."

A sharp pain pierced my head, signaling the end of my five-year humiliation.

Madeline glanced at me sidelong with a chill in her delicate features.

"William, crawl over here."

I furrowed my brow and stood firm.

Her voice turned furiously harsh.

"Are you deaf? I ordered you to crawl over here!"

The room fell silent, all eyes darting between us.

I looked at Madeline coldly, a sneer playing on my lips.

"Madeline, you're quite the shameless one."

Everyone in the room gaped at me in surprise.

For five years, everyone knew Madeline had a lapdog named William Jones.

They all knew me, yet all looked down on me.

Madeline's eyes turned icy, and she hurled her wine glass at me.

I sidestepped, the wine splattering on my trousers.

Countless similar incidents had occurred over the past five years.

But now, I was no longer the obedient William of those days.

I strode forward, glancing at the drinks on the table.

Madeline's taste was always extravagant; a single bottle of wine could cost tens of thousands of dollars.

I grabbed a few of the priciest ones and smashed them at her feet.

The bottles shattered, the crimson wine spilling across the floor.

Everyone was stunned into silence. Their hands were covering their mouths because they were afraid to speak.

Madeline was also startled, but she calmed down quickly.

She glared at her wine-soaked shoes and stained skirt. Her eyes were glistening with unshed tears.

"William, how dare you?

"If you kneel down and lick this all clean, I might forgive you."

Her words eased the tense atmosphere in the room.

She lifted her chin, proud as a swan.

But what I loathed most was her arrogance.

I stepped closer to her with a slight smile.

"Madeline, the five-year game is over."

Next, the moment for my revenge had arrived.

I would repay Madeline for every ounce of suffering she had inflicted upon me until the Whitman family was no more.

Madeline lunged at me and grasped my sleeve, ready to slap me. But I was quicker, catching her wrist before she could land the blow.

With a snap, I stared into her astonished face and returned the favor with a resounding backhand slap.

I had fantasized about this moment for far too long.

"Madeline, now it's your turn to beg for mercy from me," I declared.

Releasing her wrist, I wiped my fingers with disdain.

As I stepped back, the door to the room swung open.

Madeline clutched her face, and her eyes were burning with resentment.

"Drag this madman away! I'm going to end him!" she screamed.

I had put all my strength into that slap, so her face must have been swollen.

I retreated to the manager's side, watching Madeline with a mix of interest and disdain.

She seemed unable to comprehend the situation clearly.

"Madeline, I'll give you a chance," I said.

"Kneel on the ground and lick the wine off my shoes, and I will spare the Whitman family."

Madeline was dumbfounded, and her eyes betrayed her confusion as she looked at me.

A few seconds later, she charged at me like a wild beast.

"William, who do you think you are?" she snarled.

But before she could reach me, she was restrained by the bodyguards who had rushed in.

I slowly removed the cumbersome doll costume, observing her playfully.

"Madeline, you should know yourself well," I said calmly.

"Within three days, repay every penny you've spent at this pub over the past five years, or I will ensure the Whitman family vanishes from Huxton."

The manager bowed respectfully. His face mirrored his inward obsequiousness.

"Mr. Jones, your parents await your return home," he said.

I waved a hand and followed him out.

After settling into the car, I felt the small box in my pocket.

It contained the remnants of the system's redemption: the Resurrection Pill, which was capable of bringing my grandmother, Jennifer Jones, back to life.

Five years ago, I was coerced into binding with this absurd system.

Jennifer had suffered a fatal car accident on her way to see me. The system promised that if I followed Madeline and completed ninety-nine tasks unconditionally, Jennifer would be revived.

Compared to my dignity, Jennifer's life was paramount.

Even if given the chance, I would make the same choice.

The first thing I did upon returning home was to visit Jennifer's room.

The Jones family had hired the best doctors and cared for her diligently.

Yet, the results were minimal.

I pushed the door open, my fingertips trembling as I gazed upon her familiar face.

"Grandma, I'm sorry," I whispered.

If not for me, she wouldn't have been trapped in this unending slumber.

I opened the box and fed her the pill.

The lines on the monitoring instruments began to shift, and Jennifer's fingers twitched slightly.

"Doctor, my grandma is moving!" I called out.

The doctors by the door flooded in, and I was pushed aside.

With a livid expression, my father, Leo Jones, yanked me out by the collar.

"William, are you looking for a fight?

"Have you had your fill of fun?"

When I first bound with the system, I had forsaken the family business.

Leo had shouldered the burden alone for five years, so he looked much older and wearier.

I pulled at the corners of my mouth, offering a bitter smile.

"Dad, I've made up my mind. I'll take over my responsibility as the heir," I said.

Though I had never before taken charge of the Jones family's business, I had made private preparations.

Moreover, these five years were not entirely wasted.

The small company I owned was thriving.

Leo released his grip, snorting coldly.

"What about that Madeline you were so infatuated with? Do you truly not care for her anymore?" he asked.

Leo understood my entanglement with Madeline with an intimacy that bordered on prophetic, so his every utterance dripped with skepticism.

I extended my hand, presenting the phone to Leo.

I declared, "Her extravagant spending at WakingUp Pub over the past five years must be settled within three days; otherwise, I will dismantle the Whitman family."

Compared to the Jones family, the Whitman family was as insignificant as an ant before an elephant.

Leo eyed me suspiciously, scrutinizing the surveillance footage on the phone.

"Are you sure?"

I adjusted my collar and nodded resolutely.

"It's been five years. Continuing like this would tarnish the Jones family's reputation."

I couldn't remain willful forever.

Those within the Jones family were already eyeing me covetously. I couldn't let Jennifer wake up to a world of mess.

I spoke calmly, but at that moment, my cell phone rang.

Leo snorted as he gleefully watched my phone.

I retrieved it, glancing at the caller ID.

It was Madeline.

Under Leo's watchful gaze, I removed the SIM card and snapped it in two.

"Get me a new card. I'm not someone just anyone can reach."

After stowing the card away, I glanced at my phone and tossed it into the trash.

From now on, my identity as the heir of the Jones family would be more advantageous to navigate than ever.

Seeing my serious demeanor, Leo prepared the necessary arrangements.

The doctor emerged swiftly, and Leo and I entered the room together.

Jennifer was propped up at the head of the bed. Her face turned stern when she saw me.

"Young man, have you found a girlfriend yet? How old are you now? I'm still waiting to cradle your child."

I rubbed my nose, feeling a slight headache coming on.

The doctor's eyes grew increasingly peculiar as he looked at me.

For five years, they had tried every conceivable method to rouse Jennifer, yet it was only when I arrived that she awakened.

It was nothing short of a medical marvel.

But I had no way to explain the intricacies of that dreadful system.

Leo and I exchanged glances, both unable to suppress our laughter.

Jennifer's temperament remained unchanged, just as it had been before.

After handling Jennifer's affairs, I turned and followed Leo to the company.

But I hadn't expected to encounter Madeline downstairs.

She leaned against her pink sports car, gazing at us arrogantly.

"William, I'll give you a chance to apologize to me, and I might forgive you."

Leo raised an eyebrow slightly, halting to observe her.

I was also waiting for her next move.

Seeing that I ignored her, Madeline looked somewhat flustered.

She strode towards me in her high heels, hurling the handbag in her hand towards my face.

I looked down at her and raised my hand, pushing her to the ground.

The security guard at the entrance promptly stepped forward, and I gazed at her with disdain.

"Madeline, this is Jones Group, not your playground."

Before leaving, I had changed into the suit Leo had tailored for me.

After all, this was the official takeover of the company, and we needed to take it seriously.

I had been anticipating this moment for a long time.

Madeline thrashed about, punching and kicking the security guard. Her hair was in disarray.

The bag in her hand fell to the ground, and its contents were scattered across the floor.

I stared at the familiar card and bent down to pick it up.

"I've confiscated your VIP card. Remember to repay me. Do you understand?"

I had given her this card when she wanted to treat her friends at WakingUp Pub. It had unlimited spending.

But now, she was no longer worthy of using it.

Madeline stared at me with reddened eyes, her resolve unyielding.

"William, I know you're furious with me for humiliating you that day. At worst, I can let you have your moment at the banquet."

Leo playfully nudged my arm. He was chuckling at me.