Chapter 1

On my wedding night, I caught my husband, Charles Landon, cheating with my best friend, Emily Lane.

He sneered and pushed me down the stairs, all so he could be with the woman he truly loved.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on our engagement day.

A robotic voice echoed in my head, "Strong hatred detected. Revenge system activated.

"Mission 1: Break off the engagement in public, and kiss your fiancé's uncle."

I looked down at that ruthless, all-powerful man, Richard Landon, gathered my skirt, and walked over.

If I were going to play, I'd make it big.

*****

"Natalie, why are you spacing out? It's your turn to put the engagement ring on Charles," my mom said, giving me a shove that almost sent me tumbling.

I jerked back to my senses and stared at Charles, standing there in his white suit, looking all gentle and loving. My stomach twisted in knots.

In my previous life, it was these hands holding the ring that shoved me, hard, down that endless spiral staircase.

I hit the ground, blood pouring from my head, while Charles wrapped his arm around Emily and looked down at me as I died.

"Natalie, if you don't die, how is Emily supposed to rightfully become part of the Landon family?" His cold words still echoed in my ears.

But now, Charles was looking at me with all the affection in the world.

He said, "Natalie, put this ring on, and you'll be my fiancée."

Beside us, Emily, dressed in her bridesmaid gown, covered her mouth and giggled.

"Natalie, you're so lucky. Charles is so good to you," Emily said.

But I could see the jealousy and triumph flickering in her eyes. How could I have been so blind in my previous life?

"Thirty seconds remaining. Failure to complete the mission will result in the host's termination," the mechanical voice in my head urged me on.

I pulled my hand away from Charles.

The ring hit the floor with a crisp, metallic sound and rolled far across the room.

Everyone gasped in disbelief.

Charles froze, his gentle mask suddenly cracking.

"Natalie, what are you doing?" he demanded.

I stared at him coldly.

"Charles, I'm calling off this engagement," I said.

The crowd erupted in chaos.

My dad shot up from his seat, pointing at me and yelling, "Natalie, are you crazy? Do you know what day it is? How dare you make a scene!"

My mom hurried over, grabbing Charles's arm and offering an apologetic smile.

"Charles, Natalie must be nervous. Please don't blame her," she said.

Emily stepped forward, linking her arm with mine, pretending to be the caring confidante.

"Natalie, don't act childish. Charles has spent ages planning this engagement party. You're embarrassing him in front of everyone," she said as her grip on my arm secretly tightened.

With a swift backhand, I slapped Emily hard across the face.

The sharp sound of the slap made the whole ballroom fall into stunned silence.

Emily clutched her face, and tears welled up instantly.

"Natalie, why did you hit me?" she asked.

Charles pulled Emily behind him, his eyes blazing with anger as he glared at me.

"Natalie, are you done making a scene? Emily was trying to help you; what gives you the right to hit her?" he shouted.

Seeing him shield Emily like that, I let out a cold, mocking laugh.

In my previous life, they were sneaking around behind my back, and I foolishly believed Emily was my closest friend.

"I didn't just hit her. I'm dumping you, too," I said.

I gathered up my ornate dress and turned to walk off the stage.

My eyes locked onto the man sitting right in the middle of the front row.

It was Richard, the true head of the Landon family, and Charles's uncle.

Richard sat there in a perfectly tailored all-black suit, legs crossed, idly twirling a ring in his hand.

With all the chaos erupting around him, he didn't even bat an eye.

Rumor had it he was ruthless, showed no mercy even to his own family—a living devil who'd eat one alive and not even leave the bones behind.

"Ten seconds remaining," the system reminded.

I hurried straight up to Richard.

He finally looked up, fixing me with a gaze so deep it felt suffocating.

"Ms. Shaw, do you need something?" Richard asked, his voice was low and rough.

"Five, four, three..." the system counted down.

I took a deep breath, bent down, grabbed his face with both hands, closed my eyes, and kissed him.

Everyone in the room sucked in a breath, stunned.

I felt Richard tense up instantly as soon as my lips touched his.

His lips felt icy.

I was sure he'd push me away and have someone kick me out.

But he didn't.

Richard just stared at me, letting me linger there, my lips pressed against his.

"Mission complete. Reward unlocked: Pain Immunity Card," the system announced.

I released his face and stood up straight.

My legs felt a little shaky.

Charles stormed down from the stage, his eyes bloodshot, pointing at me and yelling, "Natalie, you shameless bitch! How dare you make a move on my uncle right in front of me?"

I turned to look at him, savoring the sight of him so furious and flustered; it was honestly satisfying.

"Charles, we're over. Who I kiss is none of your damn business," I snapped.

My dad rushed over, hand raised, ready to hit me.

"I'll beat you to death, you shameless, ungrateful daughter!" he shouted.

I didn't move an inch.

The slap cracked against my face, the sound ringing out across the room.

But I already used the Pain Immunity Card. I didn't feel a thing.

I shot my dad a cold look.

"Are you done? If you're finished, I'm out of here," I said.

My mom was bawling, grabbing onto my dad.

"Honey, stop! You're embarrassing us," she said.

Then she whipped around and shot me a vicious glare. "Natalie, if you walk out that door today, don't ever call us your parents again. We'll act like we never had a daughter like you."

Emily hid behind Charles, wiping away fake tears.

"Mr. and Mrs. Shaw, please don't blame Natalie. She probably got confused for a second," Emily said.

Charles was practically grinding his teeth in rage.

"Natalie, apologize and beg me to forgive you, and I'll let it slide," he said.

He really believed I couldn't live without him.

After all, I had spent three years chasing after him, throwing away every shred of dignity I had.

I looked at this bunch and felt ridiculous.

"Charles, you're not even worth my apology," I sneered.

I turned to Richard, who had stayed silent through the whole scene.

He was calmly wiping his lips with a spotless white handkerchief, every movement slow and deliberate.

"Mr. Landon, sorry for the trouble," I said coolly.

With that, I strode out without looking back.

"Stop," Richard said.

His voice wasn't loud, but it made everyone fall silent.

Richard stood up and walked right up to me.

His tall frame blocked my way.

"You think you can kiss me and walk away?" Richard asked.

My heart skipped a beat.

Was the devil himself really going to finish me off right here?

"So, what now, Mr. Landon?" I said, forcing myself to sound steady.

Richard stared at me for a long moment, then let out a soft chuckle.

"Ms. Shaw, you've got guts. I won't forget you," he said.

Richard turned and strode out of the ballroom.

His bodyguards immediately followed, forming a formidable procession as they cleared the way.

I finally felt like I could breathe again and rushed out of the hotel.

The chilly wind stung my cheeks, and only then did I realize my skin was clammy with cold sweat.

The system said, "Main Quest: Destroy Charles and Emily, utterly."

"Current Progress: 0%."

I stared up at the pitch-black sky, my fists clenched tight.

Charles, Emily, every debt you owed me, I would make you pay back, bit by bit.