Chapter 2

"Madison. Get back here."

Sophie's frantic yell echoed behind me, but I strode out without a backward glance.

Sliding into my red Ferrari, I immediately sent Ryan a text. [Got the money. Half's already in your account. Nice acting, especially when you bent down. Almost had me fooled.]

He replied almost instantly. [I'll always bow to you, no questions asked.]

Ryan: [But next time, can we switch it up? Maybe hit me with the money on my chest, not my face. I make money with my face, you know.]

I couldn't help but laugh. [Dream on. The system eats this stuff up.]

Three years ago, the Grant family brought me back from the poor village, and that was when I found out I was the real heiress who'd been switched at birth. And Sophie, who'd lived my life for eighteen years, was the female lead in this story.

My parents, my brother, and everyone doted on her instead of me.

The very first day I came home, I got stuck with this "Evil Female Side Character System".

The system told me my job was to play the villain, constantly putting down and humiliating Ryan, so he and Sophie would get closer.

Once they finally got together, I could make my exit, get run over, and start a new life with 30 million in prize money from the system.

To hell with the new life. I'd live and spend that money myself.

After Ryan's company went under and I dumped him, he suddenly woke up to the fact that he was a character in the story.

So, instead of being enemies, we teamed up without a second thought.

The system wanted us to act out some angsty, dramatic romance? Fine, we'd play your game.

We started milking the system for cash, turning the whole tragic love plot into a couple's scam operation.

Every time I humiliated him, it was us splitting the loot.

Every time I put him down, it was a wild celebration.

Right as I was thinking, the system's cold prompt popped up in my mind again.

"Ding. New mission triggered: Slap him in public.

"Mission description: Right in front of Sophie, give Ryan a hard slap. Show him who's the boss.

"Mission reward: 3 million in cash."

Damn. Three million.

My eyes lit up instantly.

This was huge.

I immediately dialed Ryan's number.

"Hey, where are you right now?" I asked.

"Just stepped out of the restaurant," he replied, amusement clear in his voice. "Anything else you want, Princess?"

"Cut the crap. Don't move. Wait for me right there," I said.

I slammed on the gas, my Ferrari roaring as I spun it around in a perfect drift and tore back to the restaurant.

Just like I expected, Ryan was still waiting outside the restaurant.

Sophie was right there with him, pleading and trying desperately to get through to him.

The moment she saw my car pull up again, the color drained from Sophie's face.

I pushed open the car door and stepped out, my heels clicking sharply on the pavement.

"W-What are you up to now?" Sophie asked, eyeing me warily.

I ignored her and walked straight up to Ryan, looked him up and down.

Three million... Which side should I slap?

Left or right? Should I give him a heads-up so he could get ready?

Ryan glanced at me, his eyes questioning.

I tilted her head, shooting him a look that meant big money.

He caught on instantly, a glint of excitement in his eyes. He even subtly offered his left cheek a little closer.

This jerk really knew the drill.

"Ryan." I cleared my throat, putting on my best dramatic act. "Did you forget what I told you?"

He lowered his eyes, looking all meek and submissive. "No, I didn't."

"No?" I sneered. "I told you to stay away from this woman. Did you ignore me?"

My hand went up, slow and deliberate.

Sophie's eyes went wide. "Madison, are you really going to hit him? How dare you!"

"Try me," I shot back.

I raised my hand. Air whooshed as my hand moved.

Ryan closed his eyes, his long lashes trembling. He looked fragile, like he was ready to take whatever I dished out.

Keep it up. Keep acting.

Sophie screamed, trying to rush over, but one cold look from me stopped her dead in her tracks.

A sharp, crisp sound echoed through the air.

I swung with all my might, but let up at the last second, so it barely landed.

All bark, no bite.

But the sound was totally convincing.

Ryan's head jerked to the side from the slap, a few messy strands of hair falling over his eyes.

Five distinct finger marks streaked across his cheek almost instantly.

Wait, I didn't hit him that hard.

My heart skipped a beat as I glanced down at my own hand.

But right then, Ryan turned his head back, his lip split open at the corner, a thin line of blood slowly trickling out.

He stared at me, his gaze shadowed and unreadable, then pressed his tongue against the inside of his cheek where I'd slapped him.

Seriously? He bit his own lip.

This guy was so dramatic.

"Ding. Mission complete. Three million hit your account." The system chimed, and I could finally breathe easy.

"Ryan. Are you okay?" Sophie finally snapped out of it, throwing herself at him, sobbing. When she saw the blood at the corner of his mouth, her heart shattered with pain.

She glared at me, eyes blazing with fury. "Madison. You psycho. You're a monster."

I crossed my arms, giving them a cold look. "If I see you two together again, it won't be a slap."

With that, I turned around with a swagger, ready to hop in my car and take off.

But out of nowhere, someone grabbed my wrist. hard.

It was Ryan. His grip was way stronger than I expected.

Sophie froze. "Ryan, you..."

I frowned, giving him a look, as if asking, "Seriously? The money's already in. Why are you still putting on a show?"

But he ignored everything, pulling me right up to him, his hand gripping the back of my head.

And right there, with Sophie and everyone else gawking, he kissed me hard.