Sean Parker's first love, Thea Smith, is back. The comments flood in, as everyone is waiting for me to frame her and then get brutally exposed.

But the system I'm bound to is an angst system. So, I can only earn points by suffering. Only with full points can I win ten billion dollars.

I'm scratching my head as to how to rack up points when Thea suddenly cuts her own face with a knife.

She points at me accusingly and cry, "Why did you ruin my face?"

I'm overjoyed.

It's finally here—this is the part where I get tormented!

But Sean points to the corner coldly. "The surveillance camera is on. Do you want me to replay it?"

The air freezes, and I see a line of text appear above her head.

It reads, [Angst Points: +25]

Countless comments pour in like a frenzy.

"Holy crap! Is Thea also bound to a system?"

"No way. Are both the evil supporting character and the scheming female lead players who are farming points?"

I look at the 25 points Thea scored so easily and think about the 15 points I've painfully accumulated over six years.

I clench my fists.

This isn't some tragic romance story. It's clearly a cutthroat competition between players!

In that case, it is time for me to fight back.

In that instant, the comments section went wild.

"Stella can't keep her expression in check anymore!"

"I mean, even without the supporting female lead's move, the female lead will still gain points if she puts the male lead through the original angst-filled plotline. I'm betting on the female lead!"

"It's a pure cutthroat competition!"

I found it completely unfair! It was a clear case of the system abusing its power!

"I need you to take Ms. Smith to the guest room and call Dr. Lewis over."

Sean Parker's voice snapped me back to reality. He then turned to me and said indifferently, "I need you to come with me, Stella."

Those in the comments section were still spamming frantically.

"Thea should be at 30 points now. Stella only has 15 points. She's falling way behind!"

"It's so cutthroat! I bet those working for the system are having it rough!"

"It seems like Mr. Parker isn't sticking to the plotline either—Stella will have a tough time getting points now!"

I was completely frustrated that a rival had suddenly shown up, getting in my way of winning the ten-billion-dollar prize.

Sean turned to look at me once the study door closed, cutting us off from the outside world. "You're acting strange, Stella."

He looked at me sharply. "You were falsely accused, yet you weren't furious. You even seemed… to be looking forward to it."

I instantly felt a shiver run down my spine. Sean's observation skills were too frightening. "D-did I seem like that?"

Sean's gaze remained locked on mine.

I felt uncomfortable under his intense gaze. "I'll take my leave now if there's nothing else, Mr. Parker."

I had to rethink my point-earning scheme. Thea Smith, my rival, was too cutthroat. She'd immediately scored 25 points by pretending to be the victim. Sean, on the other hand, wasn't following the plotline. It was impossible to keep going like this!

Suddenly, Sean said, "You'll be staying in the guest room tonight since Thea is currently occupying your room."

I froze for a moment, though I was secretly ecstatic. After all, I knew that having Thea—Sean's first love—snatch my room was a classic plot point in an angst-filled storyline. I felt that this wave of angst had to be worth at least five points.

Sean shot me a scrutinizing look.

"Got it, Mr. Parker," I replied before I turned to leave in a hurry.

I had just grabbed the door handle when I suddenly heard Sean's voice from behind me. "You and Thea are being really strange. I have no idea what you're up to, but you'd better not take it too far under my watch, Stella."

Those in the comments section went wild again.

"Mr. Parker looks so cool saying that!"

"Stella's eyes suddenly lit up! She is definitely plotting how to exploit the system for extra points!"

"I can't believe that the dual-system player is being warned by the NPC!"

I pulled the door open and said without looking back, "You can rest assured that I'll be very well-behaved, Mr. Parker."

I was walking down the hallway when the system notification sounded.

[Detected: "Room Change" event]

[Origin: Sean's subjective arrangement]

[Emotional Damage Rating: Low]

[Angst Points: +1]

[Current Progress: 16/100]

I was on the verge of protesting when I found out that I had only gained one point, but then I suddenly heard a noise coming from the second floor.

Thea was standing at the head of the stairs with gauze on her face. She smiled at me subtly, looking gentle and dignified.

Thea then raised her hand and tapped her forehead lightly—a quick, fleeting gesture, but the defiance in it was unmistakable. She was telling me that her points were higher than mine—that the game was already hers.

In that instant, the comments section flashed before my eyes.

"35 points for the female lead for now!"

"You can do this, Stella! You're only 19 points away!"

I clenched my fists. I would show her exactly what real high-stakes point-grinding looked like.

It was 2:00 am when footage of Thea clutching her bleeding face went viral and topped the trending list, with several trending hashtags.

#SeansFianceeDisfiguresHisFirstLove

#StellasTrueColorsRevealed

#StayStrongThea

I was being dragged by the entire online community as a cold-blooded villain. I stared at my phone, feeling thrilled. This massive wave of online harassment probably fell under "medium social harm", which had to be at least worth 15 points.

"Has Stella lost her mind? How could she cyberbully herself?"

"If the male lead blames the female lead for this, isn't Stella gifting the female lead free points?"

"Stella has to have a Plan B. Otherwise, this plan is just plain stupid!"

Of course I had a backup plan. I rubbed my eyes to make them look bloodshot and teary before I acted all guilty and walked toward the study. I noticed Sean sitting there, staring at the trending page filled with malicious posts.

"I'm so sorry, Sean. I'm the one who posted the video using an alternate account registered under my name."

Sean cocked his brow slightly.

I forced out a few tears, adding, "I was just scared you guys would get back together. I wanted to frame Ms. Smith so you'd see her as manipulative and despise her… I didn't expect it to blow up like this. What should I do now, Sean?"

I sneaked a look at him, wanting to see his reaction. I wanted him to blow up and lash out at me. I needed those points.

Sean didn't lose his temper right away. He leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the desk as his gaze swept over me. He then repeated what I said. "You used your alternate account that was registered under your name?"

"Yes, I registered that account using my information."

It was suddenly silent all over—a heavy, unsettling quiet that made my pulse race.

I frantically called out to the system in my mind. "Where are my points? Hurry up and validate it now! He's going to lose it any second!"

Out of nowhere, Sean's laughter broke the silence. He then asked, "You know your right pinky curls up every time you lie, right, Stella?"

I froze instantly.

He closed his laptop and continued, "Did you post that video to set her up, or was it… to make everyone turn on you, Stella?"

I felt a jolt of alarm, wondering how he had seen through my entire plan.

Sean rose from his seat and grabbed his coat. "I'll deal with the social media fallout, and as for your part in this…"

He walked toward the doorway, his voice tinged with a faint, almost imperceptible trace of resignation, while saying, "You shouldn't do something so foolish again, Stella."

I stood there, stunned. I then whispered, "What about my points, System?"

[System Decision: Social harm has occurred, but the target subject didn't exhibit clear anger, blame, or other negative sentiment.]

[Angst Points: +5]

[Current Progress: 21/100]

I nearly stopped breathing from shock when I realized that I had only gained five points.

Those in the comments section burst out laughing.

"Stella went all out with those moves but ended up with that pathetic result!"

"That male lead definitely treats the supporting female lead differently. He didn't even scold her for this."

"Mr. Parker is on another level—Stella doesn't stand a chance!"

"Hold on! Here comes the female lead!"

It was then that the door to the study swung open, and Thea walked in elegantly. She looked smug and satisfied, even with the bandage still covering her injury.

She whispered, "How does it feel to have your plan blow up in your face?"

I pointed at my face and replied, "It's nothing compared to the pain of being disfigured."

Thea's smile faltered. She suddenly furrowed her brow, pressed her hand to her upper abdomen, and turned ghastly pale.

In that instant, the comments section erupted with excitement.

"Here we go! Here comes the major tragic plot point!"

"That female lead was rushed to the hospital after her stomach ailment flared up, and the male lead, caught up in the chaos caused by the supporting female lead, couldn't be there for her. She wept alone all through the night until morning."

"That scene was utterly heart-wrenching. It's easily worth a minimum of 20 points!"

I felt a sharp pang in my chest after hearing that Thea would obtain 20 points. I wasn't about to just stand by and let her swoop in and take it all.

Thea was rushed to the hospital, while Sean was still at the office, cleaning up the mess I had created.

I watched the ambulance's tail lights fade into the distance and made a snap decision. I pulled on a mask and a hat, then made a beeline for Parker Group. I pushed open the door once I noticed that the lights in the CEO's office were still on. "You should go check on Thea—she's in the hospital right now for her stomach ailment."

Sean looked up from the pile of documents with dark circles under his eyes. "There are doctors at the hospital."

"Thea needs you by her side," I said, refusing to back down.

Sean set his pen aside and fixed me with a sharp look. "What are you playing at, Stella? You're the one who was worried about us getting back together, weren't you?"

I faltered, then scrambled to cover my tracks. "I just think that if the press catches us visiting her at the hospital together, those rumors about us being at odds will disappear on their own. It's a smart PR move for both you and Parker Group."

Sean watched me in silence, his eyes searching as if to strip away my every pretense. "Do you really mean that, Stella?"

…

In the hospital ward, Thea nearly lost her composure at the sight of Sean and me. She quickly forced herself back into character, resting weakly against the bed. "You guys didn't have to come over. I'm doing fine. It's just a recurring ailment."

"You should stay here with Ms. Smith, Sean," I thoughtfully suggested.

Sean's gaze turned probing as he looked at me once more.

I explained, "I'm sure Ms. Smith must be feeling miserable being all alone in the hospital."

Thea gently refused the suggestion, saying, "I don't think that's a good idea. I mean, the public hasn't calmed down yet, and if you are caught staying here with me, the netizens will only be more certain that Ms. Stewart's jealousy led to my injury. You two should head back together. I'll be fine on my own, Mr. Parker."

It was a brilliant reverse-psychology play. If I actually took her advice and left, her "lonely hospital stay" would have sent the emotional damage through the roof.

Those in the comments section had already reached a fever pitch.

"That female lead is playing 4D chess while everyone else is playing checkers!"

"Stella actually assisted her rival!"

"Does Mr. Parker trust anyone at all? He seems to be suspicious of everyone right now."

Sean was swayed by Thea's reasoning. He told Thea to get some rest before turning to me, saying, "Let's go, Stella."

I suddenly said, "Hold on."

I wracked my brain as they turned their attention to me. I had to stop things from playing out like this. "I agree with you, Ms. Smith. It would look terrible if Sean were caught here by himself, especially with the rumors still going around."

I added softly, "Ms. Smith just returned from abroad, and now she's even hospitalized. It wouldn't be right to leave her here without anyone to look after her, Sean. Those stomach pains can be absolutely agonizing."

I hesitated briefly before continuing, "Why don't both of us stay with her tonight, Sean?"

There was a momentary lull in the hospital ward. Sean cocked his brow, obviously caught off guard by my suggestion.

Thea's expression nearly faltered. "I wouldn't want to impose on you both like this. I—"

I cut her off, saying, "It's no trouble at all. I'm partly responsible for the drama on the trending list, so the least I can do is stay here and look after you tonight."

In that instant, the comments section blew up.

"Is this Stella's latest move? A sleepover for three in the hospital ward?"

"Is this some kind of twisted comedy? Thea is about to lose her composure!"

"Stella knows exactly how to shake things up!"

Sean suddenly grabbed my wrist with enough force to nearly snap my wrist, dragging me out of the hospital ward before I could say a word. He towered over me in the sterile glow of the hallway, his shadow engulfing me.

He growled, his voice carrying suppressed rage, "Stella…"

"Yes?"

He hovered over me, his presence cold and overbearing. "You were so keen to have me come to the hospital tonight. Was it truly for Parker Group's reputation or merely to make her miserable?"

I felt a shiver run down my spine, along with a heavy, stifling weight in my chest.