Chapter 3
After a good meal, I glanced at myself in the mirror.
My face looked pale and dull, with heavy dark circles under my eyes, and my hair was dry and full of split ends.
For the past three years, just so I could save up for Jonas's pricey camera lenses, I couldn't even bring myself to use more than a dab of the cheapest lotion.
"Butler," I called out, then pressed the service bell.
"Get me the best beauty salon and styling studio in Aurelia.
"I'm getting a total makeover today."
For the next week, I spent money on SPA treatments, skincare, hair styling, clothes, bags.
Those luxury stores I used to only dream of walking into? Now I just strolled in and pointed at the latest styles on the mannequins.
"Wrap up everything in this row, except for that green one," I said.
The salesgirl was grinning from ear to ear, practically treating me like royalty.
When I stood in front of the mirror again, I could hardly recognize myself.
My skin was flawless and radiant, my long hair styled into soft, voluminous waves, and the couture gown hugged my figure perfectly, giving me an icy, noble aura.
Just then, the system notification chimed in.
[Host's charm +10. You snatched 5 points of the male lead's luck.]
[Male lead's current luck: 95.]
So all I had to do was live my best life, and Jonas got unlucky.
I could really get used to this rule.
Just as I was admiring how gorgeous I looked, my phone rang.
It was my old landlord.
She said, "Hey Leona, you need to come back and check things out.
"That bastard tossed all your stuff into the hallway. It's a disaster, and the neighbors are complaining.
"If you don't come deal with it soon, I'll just call the junk guys to haul it all away."
My gaze turned icy.
Jonas really had no shame.
"Don't worry, I'll be right there," I said.
I grabbed my brand-new limited-edition Hermès bag and stepped out in my eight-centimeter heels.
Instead of taking a cap, I told the hotel to send a Rolls-Royce for me.
The car pulled up outside the rundown neighborhood, attracting a crowd of curious elderly residents.
The driver got out and opened the door for me.
I stepped out, sunglasses on, carrying myself with effortless grace like a celebrity.
"Who's that? Some big star?"
"She looks kind of familiar."
"Wait, isn't that Leona, the girl who used to live in the basement?"
Ignoring the gossip, I strode straight to the building entrance.
Sure enough, a pile of stuff was scattered all over the ground.
There were old clothes, shampoo, and a few ripped-up books.
Those were my textbooks, covered in notes I'd scribbled everywhere.
Jonas was standing off to the side, still holding Donna close in his arms.
He was wearing a gaudy floral shirt, cigarette between his fingers, looking impatient and irritated.
When he saw me step out of the Rolls-Royce, his hand with the cigarette shook, and ash dropped onto his limited-edition sneakers.
Donna's jaw dropped, her face full of disbelief.
"L-Leona?" Jonas stammered.
Jonas took off his sunglasses, squinting as he sized me up.
He snarked, "Hey, gone for a few days and already landed yourself a sugar daddy?
"I was wondering why you suddenly got so tough. Turns out you found yourself a new sponsor.
"So, that old man bought you some knockoff designer clothes and now you think you're hot stuff?"
His jealousy was so obvious.
I walked over to the mess and picked up the torn books.
I patted the dust off them.
"Jonas, is this your idea of decency?" I said.
Jonas let out a cold laugh, flicked his cigarette butt to the ground, and crushed it under his foot.
He snapped, "This is my place. I can throw out whatever I want.
"Since you've landed yourself a sugar daddy, you probably don't even want this junk anymore, right?
"Just grab your trash and get lost. Don't mess up my floor."
I handed the books to the driver behind me and told him to put them back in the car.
Then I took off my sunglasses and gave Jonas a cold, hard look.
I said, my tone flat, "Your house?
"Pretty sure I've been the one covering the rent this whole time.
"Even the deposit's under my name."
Jonas's expression froze.
He really hadn't paid a single dime in the past three years.
But he went right back to acting like a shameless jerk.
He sneered, "So what? You wanted to be a simp. Did I ever stop you?
"Now you wanna settle things? Too late.
"Donna, let's go. Just seeing this woman totally ruins my mood."
He grabbed Donna and dragged her upstairs without another word.
I pulled out a wet wipe and unhurriedly cleaned my hands, making sure Jonas saw every move.
I said, "Wait.
"Since I'm the one who rented this place, and the lease is still active.
"You illegally entered my apartment and threw out my belongings.
"So, Director Reed, are you hoping to make the legal news, or would you rather be splashed across the entertainment headlines?"
Jonas froze, then whipped around and glared at me with pure malice.
"You got the guts to threaten me?" he spat.