Chapter 1

I was the fake heiress, switched at birth. When the real heiress returned, I became the thorn in the Russo family's side.

In my despair, I got stuck with the "Heartbreaker System," and its first mission was to conquer my adoptive brother, the one who absolutely despised me.

To stay alive, I did everything I could to win him over. I took a knife for him, learned to cook just for him, and humbled myself to the extreme.

When he finally fell for me and confessed in front of everyone, I flashed a smile and said, "I'm done playing with you."

With the mission complete, I walked away coolly, leaving him standing there with his eyes blazing red.

I thought everything was finally over, but I never expected the system's ultimate truth. It wanted me to make them witness their own downfall, step by step.

*****

The day Lexie Russo was brought back to the Russo family, my eighteen years of life shattered like a crystal lamp smashed on the floor.

In the living room, a girl who resembled me was nervously peeking out from behind my parents.

My mom hugged her, crying as if her heart was breaking.

"My Lexie, I'm so sorry. I let you suffer so much out there." Her words choked with tears.

My dad stood nearby, his eyes red, gently trying to soothe her.

And there I was, Celine Russo, their precious daughter for eighteen years, standing by the stairs like some extra piece of furniture. I was completely ignored.

My adoptive brother, Albert Russo, came home from work, only to find this picture-perfect family moment unfolding before his eyes.

He removed his suit jacket and walked directly to Lexie. I had never heard him speak with such a gentle tone before. "Lexie, welcome home. I'm your brother."

Lexie looked up, blushing as she murmured, "You're my brother?"

Albert smiled, pulling a velvet box from his pocket and opening it to reveal a dazzling diamond necklace.

"A little something for you, to welcome you home," he said softly.

I clenched my fists. That necklace was the one he promised me for my eighteenth birthday.

My birthday was just yesterday. But yesterday, everyone was so caught up with Lexie's return. Nobody remembered my birthday.

Albert finally turned his gaze on me, and whatever warmth he'd shown before vanished instantly, replaced by nothing but icy contempt.

He said coldly, "Celine, why are you still standing here? You're a fake who took over someone else's life. Don't you think you're an eyesore?"

His words stabbed straight through my heart.

A fake. An imposter. That was all I was to them.

I turned to run, but suddenly Lexie let out a startled cry. She lost her balance and stumbled right toward me.

Instinctively, I reached out to steady her. However, she grabbed my arm, and we tumbled down the stairs. Everything spun around me.

My forehead hit the cold marble, and pain exploded through me.

The last thing I saw was Albert rushing over, pushing me out of the way, and scooping Lexie into his arms, worry written all over his face.

"Lexie! Are you okay?" Albert shouted, panic in his voice.

He didn't even look at me, just bolted out the door with Lexie in his arms.

My parents ran after them, and nobody even bothered to ask if I was okay.

Blood streamed down my forehead, getting in my eyes and making everything a blur.

What a joke, Celine.

I lay sprawled on the cold floor, shutting my eyes in total despair.

Just as I was about to black out, a robotic voice suddenly rang in my head.

[Ding! Strong survival instinct detected. The Heartbreaker System has been activated.]

[Newbie Mission: Win over Albert Russo's heart and earn 100 affection points.]

[If you succeed, you get a fresh start. Fail, and your soul will be erased.]

I let out a bitter laugh. I had to win over Albert's heart? The adoptive brother who wished I'd just drop dead?'

The system should have just let me die.

In the end, it was Alexia Jenkins, the family's nanny, who took me to the hospital.

I got five stitches on my forehead and a mild concussion.

I lay in the hospital bed, staring up at the white ceiling. Three days had passed, and not a single person from the Russo family had come to see me.

On my phone, there were just a couple of texts from Alexia, asking if I was feeling any better.

I picked up my phone and tapped on Albert's profile picture. It was a shot of him in a racing suit, looking striking and defiant.

Staring at that photo, the system's voice echoed in my mind once more.

[Do you accept the mission? Countdown: 10, 9, 8...]

I didn't want to die. Why should I be the one to die?

Gritting my teeth, I replied in my mind, 'Fine, I accept.'

[Newbie Mission started. Hurry up and rack up affection points from your target. Current affection points: -50.]

Minus fifty? I was pissed and let out a cold laugh. Albert really hated me.