-Chapter 7-
As she said this, Sylvia's middle finger crossed lightly against her index finger.
In the West, this gesture signifies a lie and invalidates the vow.
But Lucas didn't know that. He didn't notice it either.
Right now, he was completely shocked.
"Sylvia, do you even know what you're saying?"
"Of course I know. I'm confessing to you. I like you."
Sylvia smiled with full confidence, a smile of someone determined to win.
Taking something that belonged to someone else was her favorite thing to do.
Especially if it came from a woman he didn't even like. That made it all the easier.
Boom.
Lucas felt as if lightning had struck him.
[Bullshit! She's absolutely talking nonsense. How could she possibly fall in love with me at first sight? If this were real, it wouldn't just be a collapse of my character. It would be the collapse of the entire worldview!]
[No, she's only saying this because she hasn't met the male lead yet. As soon as she sees him, she's bound to be drawn in. It's a law of this world!]
[When do they meet again? That's right, after the engagement banquet, when the male lead takes Rose away, he chases President Kang to the Morgan family to avenge her. That's when he meets Sylvia. They fight, admire each other, and begin their love-hate relationship.]
At this thought, Lucas took a deep breath.
He just had to hang in there.
If he could hold out until she met the male lead, everything would go back on track.
So he gave an awkward smile. "You're the eldest daughter of the Morgan family. Why waste your time on someone like me, a playboy who already has someone in his heart?"
"How about this? I'll take you home first, and we'll talk another time."
Sylvia let out a soft laugh.
Sending her home already?
Wishful thinking.
"You take me out for a drive and won't even treat me to a cup of coffee? Is that how you treat your guests?"
Well, that did sound kind of rude.
Lucas scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed.
It was all this woman's fault for saying such crazy things. She had thrown his mind into chaos. He just wanted to get rid of her as soon as possible.
"Alright then, I'll buy you a coffee."
Seeing a café nearby, Lucas parked the car and walked in with her.
Who would have thought, just as they sat down, his phone would ring?
He looked at it and saw that the caller was Rose.
What the hell? Why would she be calling him?
Lucas was instantly on edge, afraid that something had gone wrong without his knowing. He hurriedly picked up. "Hello? Baby Rose, what's up?"
Rose?
Sylvia was stirring her coffee. When she heard those two words, she immediately lifted her head.
Lucas turned his body slightly to avoid her gaze. From the other end came a cold voice: "Can't I call you if I don't have anything to say?"
"O-of course you can. You calling me is something I dream about. I'm flattered, really!"
Sylvia took a sip of her coffee, expressionless as she listened to his flattering tone. She gave a sneer.
Truly a simp.
At that moment, Rose had just parked her car outside the café.
While talking on the phone, she stepped out and walked toward the entrance.
She didn't know why, but where his sweet talk used to make her feel nothing but disgust, it now gave her a strange sense of satisfaction and superiority.
Still, she was perfectly aware that this little brat was probably cursing her in his heart while buttering her up with his mouth.
"I'll get to the point. David just called me. He asked if I wanted him to get rid of you."
"…"
Lucas took a deep breath. He was so angry he wanted to start swearing.
[Fuck you, David! I've done nothing but simp this whole time. I haven't committed any major crimes. Why do you want to get rid of me? What kind of righteous protagonist are you? You're worse than a villain!]
"But don't worry. I told him I'd handle things myself. He doesn't need to interfere."
[How the hell is that supposed to reassure me? Hearing that probably just made him even more eager to kill me! And if you keep acting like this, your character is going to collapse completely.]
Lucas was on the verge of tears.
"I'm investigating him now. According to reports from my people, he's busy reclaiming the Fox family's assets from his relatives. He shouldn't bother you for now. But you'd better still be careful."
[Why are you even worried about me now? System, hey system, you still alive? Your female lead has fallen apart like this, and you're not going to step in and fix anything?]
Unfortunately, the system was like a robot.
Aside from explaining the rules at the beginning and issuing rewards periodically, it never showed up otherwise.
Suddenly, Rose's voice turned ice-cold. "Lucas."
"Mm?"
"Where are you right now?"
"I…" Lucas glanced guiltily at Sylvia. "I'm at home. Why? You miss me? If you do, I'll come find you right now."
Rose let out a soft, cold laugh. "Home? That's funny. I just happened to be passing by your place."
Huh?
Before Lucas could react to what she meant, the chair next to him was pulled out—and the next second, Rose sat down beside him.
Lucas was stunned.
"Y-you—why are you here?"
Rose's face was cold. She looked Sylvia up and down, then turned back to Lucas. "A café as your home? You really do feel at home anywhere."
"No, Rose, let me explain. I lied because I didn't want you to get jealous. That's all. You're the only one in my heart. I just told her earlier that I would marry no one but you!"
Sylvia leaned back in her chair with a smile. "He did say that."
"See!" Lucas looked at her with gratitude, visibly moved.
"She can vouch for me!"
"But," Sylvia quickly changed her tone, "my answer was: I will marry no one but him."
Lucas was dumbfounded. This woman!
Couldn't she stop fanning the flames?
"Don't listen to her nonsense, Rose. I swear to heaven and earth, my heart belongs only to you. There's no other woman. You have to believe me."
[No way. Why is Rose even here? They weren't supposed to meet again before the engagement banquet. I have to get rid of Sylvia and send Rose home as soon as possible. After that, I'll hide at home and not come out until the banquet.]
[If this keeps going and the plot along with the female leads keep collapsing, I'm going to get killed by David before I even reach the finale.]
Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly felt a chill around his ankle.
He froze, then widened his eyes and looked at Sylvia.
She had her chin resting on her hands and was blinking her enchanting eyes at him with a playful smile.
She had slipped her delicate foot out of her high heel and was lightly tapping his ankle with her toes.
Her foot slid up into his pants leg, slowly stroking and trailing back down again.
It sent wave after wave of tingling electricity up his spine, making his whole body go numb.
Damn it.
She was seducing him—and doing it right in front of Rose.
Lucas hurriedly pulled his leg back, but there wasn't much space under the table. No matter how he tried to shift around, he couldn't really go anywhere.
While twisting and dodging left and right, he accidentally bumped into Rose's leg.
Rose's face was ice-cold, and it was clear she had already noticed the subtle movements happening beneath the table.
Sylvia, was it?
Although she hadn't accepted Lucas's proposal yet, who in the entire Su City didn't know that this man was her loyal simp?
And now this woman had the nerve to steal her man right in front of her?
A cold gleam flashed through her eyes. Rose lifted her leg, blocking in front of Lucas's leg and forcing Sylvia to retreat. Then she spoke, her voice cold.
"And you are?"
"Sylvia."
"Miss Morgan, since you already know how Lucas feels about me, why keep clinging to him? There are so many men in Su City. Must you fight me for this one?"
Sylvia crossed her legs and folded her arms, smiling as she replied, "Fight you? You make it sound like you're actually interested in him."
Rose raised an eyebrow, her tone sharp. "If I wasn't interested, would I have given him my first kiss?"
What?
Sylvia was briefly stunned. She turned to look at Lucas.
So he had already kissed her?
Didn't he say he didn't like her, and that everything was just an act?
Lucas felt like his head was about to explode.
Could someone explain why the two heroines from the male lead's harem were fighting over him?
Suddenly, a hand landed on his leg.
Lucas looked up and was shocked to find that the hand belonged to Rose!
"Lucas, didn't you always want to get engaged to me? I've made up my mind. I'm willing to marry you."
Pfft!
Lucas spit out a mouthful of coffee and looked at Rose in disbelief. "What did you say?"
Rose raised an eyebrow. "I said, I'm willing to marry you. What's wrong? Haven't you always liked me? Aren't you happy?"
"Happy? Haha, of course I'm happy! My biggest wish in this lifetime is to marry you. How could I not be happy? I'm so happy I could die!"
[No, this isn't right. It's true that Rose eventually agrees to his proposal, but that's because the White family goes bankrupt and she needs to rely on the Grey family's power. Right now the White family is still fine, so why would she agree now?]
[Could it be the White family has already gone bankrupt and I just don't know it yet?]
Lucas's mind was in chaos. He had to process this sudden twist while staying in character and pretending to be the thrilled simp. He was ready to break down.
Sylvia's expression darkened as she glared fiercely at Rose.
She was certain this woman didn't look at Lucas with love.
Suddenly accepting his proposal could only mean she had another motive.
If Lucas really married Rose, then it would be much harder for her to approach him later.
Her father's illness, and everything he had mentioned, still hadn't been sorted out. How could she let Lucas leave with another woman just like that?
With this in mind, she suddenly flashed a seductive smile.
"Lucas, go ahead and marry her. I don't mind at all. I'll keep clinging to you for the rest of my life. She can be your wife, and I'll be your secret lover. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, stay home with her. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, pretend to be on a business trip and come see me. I promise, I'll make you feel how truly wonderful a woman can be."
As she spoke, she deliberately licked her lips.
Her charm was overwhelming, seductive in every way.
The air around Rose seemed to freeze. Her icy gaze was like a winter night, sharp and piercing.
"So Miss Morgan insists on being the other woman?"
Sylvia smiled sweetly. "That's one way to put it."
"Heh." Rose grabbed Lucas's hand and intertwined her fingers with his. "Then you'd better make sure you're even qualified."
Sylvia stood up, completely unwilling to lose. She sat on the armrest of his chair, leaned over, and breathed into his ear.
"You won't know if I'm qualified until you try, Lucas. I…"
The rest of her words were whispered straight into Lucas's ear. Rose couldn't hear a thing.
But she could clearly see that Lucas's face turned red. His ears were red too, and even his neck flushed.
"Enough!"
At that moment, Lucas suddenly stood up.
He pushed Sylvia away and walked behind Rose, speaking with emotion.
"Miss Morgan, I'm truly sorry. I already have Rose. I've told you before, she's the only one for me in this life. I won't even glance at another woman. Please stop harassing me."
[Damn it! A stunning and seductive heiress throws herself into my arms, and I can't even touch her. This villain system is such a piece of crap.]
[She only whispered those things in my ear, and I already felt like I was burning up. If it actually happened, I can't even imagine how amazing it would be.]
[Unfortunately, to keep my character intact, I have to keep simping for the cold Rose. This is too hard!]
Hearing this inner monologue, Rose's face grew even colder, while Sylvia's smile became more triumphant.
"Lucas, it's fine if you reject me. I won't be discouraged. If you ever get lonely, or if this ice block hurts you, you can come find me anytime."
After saying that, Sylvia picked up her purse, blew Lucas a sultry kiss, and walked out of the café smiling.
She had wanted to stay and keep fighting Rose.
But she was even more worried about her father's health.
Lucas had said her father had heart disease. She had to take him for a checkup immediately.
If what he said was true, then forget Rose. Even if she had to compete with the entire world, she was determined to win this man.
As he watched Sylvia leave, Lucas slumped into his chair, completely drained.
Finally got rid of that living goddess.
Rose observed his expression. Deep inside, she felt an unexpected wave of bitterness.
She hadn't expected Lucas to really be swayed by Sylvia.
She wasn't as good at pleasing men as Sylvia. She wasn't as seductive or charming either.
But could anyone blame her for that?
She had lost her mother at a young age. Her father was strict and harsh, only raising her as a tool to inherit the family business.
If she performed even slightly below expectations, she'd be locked in a dark room for twelve hours to reflect.
Gradually, she lost all emotion. All she knew was studying and self-improvement.
All she knew was how to inherit the White family business and grow it into something greater.
...
Lucas was silently frustrated that the plot was spiraling out of control. Then he suddenly noticed that Rose's eyes were filled with tears.
No way!
Lucas was stunned. The icy queen looked like she was about to cry, as if she had been deeply wronged.
"Rose, baby, what's wrong? Was it something Sylvia said that upset you? Don't be mad. If you don't like her, I'll teach her a lesson for you. I'll stand up for you. Don't take it to heart. No matter what happens, I've got your back."
Rose took a deep breath, looked up at Lucas, and took his hand again.
"Then tell me the truth. Do you really want to marry me?"
-End of Chapter 7-