The sky over the Cross Estate dimmed into evening, tinged with soft gold. Lily martins stretched again on the couch, humming lightly as she reached for another slice of cake.
Life, as far as she was concerned, was gorgeous.
She'd survived public hate.
She'd been unexpectedly saved by Jason Cross earlier.
And now her popularity was rising without her spending a single coin.
"Bless the ancestors," she whispered, lifting her fork. "I might actually live this life peacefully."
[System: Host, your current survival rate has increased to 32%.]
[Lily: Only 32%?! How low was it before?!]
[System: …Let's focus on the positive.]
[Lily: I'm in danger.]
[System: Technically, yes.]
She slapped a pillow over her face.
But before she could sink into self-pity, the sound of footsteps approached.
Emma walked back into the living room, a hesitant expression on her face. "Lily… the comments… they're getting strange."
Lily peeled the pillow off. "Strange in a good way or a bad way?"
