Chapter 2

Marilyn turned to Lester with an "affectionate" gaze as she spoke to Timothy, "Tim, just look at how pitiful Lester is. If only I could be his mom, I definitely wouldn't treat him the way Sibylla does..."

As Timothy watched the two of them, the anger in his eyes gradually faded and was replaced by an unexpected tenderness.

After that, he turned to me and told me firmly, "It's already late. Marilyn has to stay here tonight. As for you, I've booked a hotel next to the office. Go there yourself. You're not allowed to go anywhere else except that place."

Just then, the doorbell rang. Timothy assumed the hotel's pick-up service was here. "Why are you still standing there? Get lost!"

I turned to open the door. A gentle male voice drifted in. "Sibylla?"

Hugh Lingstroem was dressed casually. Behind his tall, strapping figure, a tiny head popped out. It was his daughter, Cecilia.

The System's prompt popped up at this juncture.

System: [Emotional Hurt Points from Timothy Fullerton: +300. Emotional Hurt Points from Lester Fullerton: +500. Congratulations, Host. You have gained two more months of lifespan.]

System: [System Bonus: Your mild chronic gastritis is now completely cured.]

I responded: [Is this for real?]

The niggling pain in my stomach that had lingered for so long disappeared in an instant, and I felt extremely relieved.

A surge of confidence I had never experienced before rose inside me.

I was looking forward to the task of teaching those jerks a lesson henceforth.

Cecilia's eyes lit up when she saw me. She dashed up to me on her little legs and wrapped her arms around me as she squealed out, "Sibylla!"

I bent down and picked her up. Hugh walked in, and his eyes surveyed the three people who were locked in a confrontation with me. Finally, he turned to me and his gaze softened considerably.

"Ready? Let's go." As he spoke, he very naturally reached out and put his arm around my shoulder.

I leaned into his embrace without any reservations.

Immediately, Timothy's eyes became ablaze with rage.

He lunged at us and brusquely slapped Hugh's hand off me. After that, he yanked me to his side.

He snarled at Hugh like some enraged beast, "Why the hell are you touching her?"

Then he spun around to glare at me. "And you! Why the hell are you behaving so intimately with him?"

I almost lost my balance when Timothy yanked me back. Cecilia was still in my arms, and she looked terrified.

"Timothy, are you nuts?" I steadied myself while holding Cecilia securely. I glared back at him and retorted, "It's just a friendly greeting between friends. What's wrong with you?"

With a frown, Hugh stepped up and promptly positioned himself between us. "Mr. Fullerton, kindly show us some respect. Sibylla and I are just friends and nothing more," he stated in an assertive tone.

As he spoke, he subconsciously adjusted his tie a little.

The dark blue tie with subtle patterns emitted a familiar gleam under the light.

Timothy's attention was drawn to it at once.

That was the limited-edition tie I bought for him last year as a wedding anniversary gift after searching all over the city.

Timothy had never once worn it.

"That tie..." Timothy's voice trembled, and his eyes were wide with disbelief. "Sibylla, did you give something I gave you... to someone else?"

"You gave it to me? I was the one who gave it to you. Since you never wore it, why can't I give it to a friend who actually needs it rather than let it gather dust in the closet?" I rebutted scornfully.

"Take it off!" Timothy glared at the tie as his Adam's apple bobbed rapidly. Suddenly, he made a grab for the necktie.

My hand shot out and slapped his hand away swiftly.

"What the hell are you doing? That's a gift I gave Hugh. You have no right to touch it!"

System: [Emotional Hurt Points from Timothy Fullerton: +1000. Congratulations, Host! You have gained six more months of lifespan.]

I responded to the System: [Wow, that's a windfall.]

The feeling of heaviness caused by my cancer had lessened considerably, allowing my limbs to move more freely.

I replied: [System, this feels great.]

It wasn't until I became sick that I realized how wonderful it was to be healthy.

System: [Keep collecting those high-value Emotional Hurt Points. It will help with your body's complete restoration. Please keep it up, Host.]

I thought the System sounded a little excited.

Meanwhile, my defense of Hugh seemed to add fuel to Timothy's rage.

He stared intently at me, his eyes churning with disbelief and the pain of betrayal. Just as he was about to explode, Marilyn suddenly exclaimed and pulled an exquisite box from her bag.

"Oh, Tim, I almost forgot! This is the birthday present I got for you. I saved up for so long just to buy it."

She then opened the box, and inside was a brand-new Patek Philippe watch, just like the one Timothy was wearing right now.

I gave him the one he was wearing.

Timothy glanced at the new watch and then at me. Following that, a look of gloating satisfaction flashed across his face.

He yanked the watch off his wrist and flung it at the wall without a second thought.

Crash! The watch shattered against the hard wall.

"Marilyn is always so thoughtful," he said smugly as he extended his wrist for Marilyn to put the new watch on his wrist.