The System Made a Mistake, and He Regretted Losing Me

The day Lucas Sterling went bankrupt and fled, he abandoned me at the airport. With red-rimmed eyes, he shielded his adopted sister, Ivy Sterling, as he escorted her onto the plane. “Ivy can’t stay here. Gavin Blackwood will drive her to her death. But you’re different. Everyone knows you look just like his late wife. “He could never bring himself to hurt you.” The cabin door slammed shut in front of me. As the engine roared, I cried and asked the system what I was supposed to do now. But the cold mechanical voice suddenly sounded excited: “Host! Go straight to Gavin Blackwood and tell him that you’re the woman who deceived him into marriage three years ago, faked her death, and vanished… “His late wife.” Chapter 1 It had been a year since I became Claire Young and married Lucas Sterling. Today was our wedding anniversary. I took a deep breath as I stared at my perfectly made-up face in the mirror. “System, I’ve successfully married the target for a year. It’s time to end this.” My voice trembled. “Transfer the two billion in cash to my bank account now!” The air fell silent for three seconds. [Ding! The target, Lucas Sterling, currently had an affection rating of only 48%.] [The passing score has not been reached. The bonus payout has been postponed.] The lipstick slipped from my hand and clattered onto the sink. I screamed. “What?! Forty-eight percent?! Are you kidding me? We’ve been married for a whole year!” [The system does not make mistakes.] I sank onto the closed toilet lid. For an entire year, I had approached Lucas under the identity of his sworn rival’s late wife’s aunt. He proposed after knowing me for only three months. I was overjoyed at the time. I thought the target would be so easy to win over! It wasn’t until after our wedding that I learned he had married me purely to spite Gavin Blackwood. He wanted to use our marriage to become Gavin’s uncle-in-law. All for such a childish reason! “Claire, come downstairs and eat.” Lucas called up from downstairs. I touched up my makeup, forced a practiced smile, and went downstairs. In the dining room, Lucas’ foster sister, Ivy Sterling, was already sitting beside him. My seat had been pushed all the way to the end. Ivy gave me a sweet smile. “You look beautiful today, Claire, unlike me. I look so sickly that even makeup can’t hide how pale I am.” Lucas immediately frowned. “Is your heart bothering you again?” “Lucas, I feel a little dizzy. I can’t catch my breath…” Ivy weakly leaned against his shoulder. Lucas dropped his fork, swept her into his arms, and rushed outside. “Get the car! We’re going to the hospital!” When he reached the door, he glanced back at me. “Eat by yourself.” The door slammed shut. I looked at the table full of food and gave a self-mocking smile. I had grown sick of this routine over the past year. Lucas’ parents adopted Ivy from an orphanage, making her his younger sister. But she clearly didn’t see Lucas as her brother. Unfortunately, Lucas was both blind and a hypocrite. The way he looked at Ivy was so tender it could melt a heart. When he looked at me, it was as if I were nothing more than a decoration in his house. I thought back to three years ago, when the system first bonded with me and told me that my target was Gavin Blackwood, a powerful business tycoon. I would receive a two-billion cash reward once I completed the mission. My desperate need for money kicked in. I spent two grueling years winning him over, and I finally made him fall in love with me. The day after I married Gavin, I waited for the two billion to hit my account. [Error alert! Incorrect target binding! Correct target: Gavin Blackwood’s sworn rival, Lucas Sterling!] I nearly dropped dead on the spot. I was already married, and now it was telling me it had chosen the wrong man?! I had no choice but to make the system arrange a car accident and fake my death so I could escape. I changed my identity, made minor adjustments to my appearance, and became Claire Young. Then I started the mission all over again. And now look at me. A whole year had passed, and his affection rating was still at 48%. I was so fucking screwed… [System warning: An abnormal fluctuation has been detected in Sterling Group’s finances.] I blinked. What did that mean? Was something about to happen to Sterling Group? It had to be that bastard Gavin’s doing. If Lucas went bankrupt, how was I supposed to live comfortably? No, no. That wouldn’t do. I had to find a way to keep him stable. At the very least, I had to hold on until I got my money. Chapter 2 After that, I needed to disappear immediately. I absolutely couldn’t let Gavin discover that I was still alive. Otherwise, he would make sure I was truly dead. ... Sterling Group really was in trouble. Gavin suddenly launched an all-out business attack against Sterling Group, and he came at us with overwhelming force. Lucas had been overwhelmed with work these past few days, and he always came home with a grim expression. At the dinner table, I looked at the worry etched between his brows and spoke carefully. “Lucas, Gavin has several methods he always uses to suppress his rivals. Shouldn’t we prepare for them in advance…” “What do you know about business?” Lucas cut me off coldly, his irritation impossible to miss. “Just focus on being Mrs. Sterling. You don’t need to worry about these things.” His words left me speechless, so I silently lowered my head and ate my meal. Fine. I wouldn’t get involved. If he went bankrupt, we could all starve together. Then he wouldn’t have the money to maintain his mansion, support his yacht habit, or keep his precious sister. I wanted to see if he could still remain so calm then! After dinner, I was just about to return to my room when Ivy suddenly cried out, “Oh!” The vase that had been sitting safely in the cabinet somehow fell to the floor and shattered. “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! Claire, I didn’t do it on purpose…” Lucas frowned. “It’s just a vase. Don’t scare Ivy.” I stared at the broken pieces scattered across the floor, and pain twisted through my chest. It was the only thing my mother had left me. “Lucas, that was…” “Enough.” He cut me off. “Ivy didn’t do it on purpose.” Ivy hid behind him and flashed me a victorious smile. I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth. “There are security cameras in the living room. Should we pull up the footage and see whether she did it on purpose?” Lucas’ expression darkened completely. He walked toward me. “Claire Young, don’t think too highly of yourself.” His voice was cold as ice. “I married you because you’re Talia Young’s aunt. That’s all. Stop trying to drive a wedge between Ivy and me.” He bent down to help Ivy to her feet, and his tone immediately softened. “I personally brought Ivy home from an orphanage. She’s in poor health and has a simple, innocent nature. You should be more accommodating toward her.” Ivy leaned against him and shot me a provocative look. I trembled with anger. “Innocent little sister? Did she look at you like a sister was supposed to look at her brother?” Even a blind man could tell that something was wrong! But I couldn’t argue. I couldn’t make a scene. [System notification: Lucas Sterling’s affection rating has dropped. Current rating: 45/100.] [Please raise the host’s affection rating as soon as possible, or the mission may fail!] I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down. For the two-billion bonus, I had to endure this. I lowered my head, digging my nails into my palms. “I’m sorry. I got too emotional.” Lucas’ expression softened slightly. “Good. At least you know you were wrong.” He escorted Ivy upstairs. I stood alone in the living room, so angry that I wanted to cry. [System, I don’t want to do this anymore! If I fail the mission…] [The bonus will be frozen permanently, and all of the host’s assets in this world will be repossessed.] My vision went black. Did that mean I would be even poorer than I had been three years ago? I might even end up drowning in debt? Absolutely not! My phone suddenly vibrated. It was a financial news alert: “Sterling Group Faces Another Devastating Blow. Cash Flow on the Verge of Collapse as Bankruptcy Crisis Looms…” This was bad. If Lucas really went bankrupt… My luxury mansion, designer handbags, and Michelin-starred restaurants… They would all be gone! No, no. I had to find a way to help him get through this. At the very least, I had to hold on until I finished raising his affection rating and collected my money. Then I would make a run for it. I would disappear forever. … Two days later, Ivy’s “heart condition” flared up again. This time, it was even more serious. Lucas stayed at the hospital night after night to watch over Ivy. I was alone at home. Peace and quiet. I turned on my computer and secretly investigated Sterling Group’s financial situation. The more I read, the more helpless I felt. Gavin was going for the kill this time. He had left no room for retreat. This wasn’t like him. Could he have discovered something? Chapter 3 I shuddered. Impossible. My “death” had been flawlessly executed. A car crash. An explosion. Not a trace of my remains. He had personally arranged my funeral. He even mourned me for three months. Lucas came home that evening with a grim expression. I spoke carefully. “Um… Gavin usually relies on a few standard tactics when suppressing his rivals…” Lucas looked up. “How do you know that?” My heart leaped. I quickly came up with an excuse. “I—I studied business abroad. I’ve read about quite a few of his cases.” I then spilled every case I knew about to Lucas. Lucas stared at me for several seconds without saying a word. Then he disappeared for several days. He returned three days later. He was unshaven, with deep shadows beneath his eyes. “Claire. Thank you.” It was the first time he ever addressed me so gently. I stared at him blankly. “What are you thanking me for?” He took my hand. “I had my team investigate the points you mentioned last time, and they really found a breakthrough. Gavin’s attack has slowed down.” My palms began to sweat. “I—I was just making a passing comment…” Lucas studied me for a long moment. Then he smiled. “Either way, thank you.” He actually pulled me into a hug. It was light and brief. But my entire body went rigid. [Ding! Lucas Sterling’s affection rating has increased. Current rating: 55%.] The system notification rang out. But I couldn’t bring myself to celebrate. Lucas’ next words were: “Claire, you understand Gavin so well… Why do you think he suddenly started targeting me?” A chill ran down my spine. “It—it’s probably just business competition…” Lucas shook his head. “It doesn’t seem that simple. This time, he’s using a strategy that hurts him almost as much as it hurts his enemy.” My heart pounded so hard that it felt ready to leap out of my throat. “I—I’ll run you a bath.” I fled into the bathroom. I turned on the faucet. My hands were shaking violently. [System! Did Gavin discover something?] The system replied leisurely. [Don’t worry, host! Absolutely not! I personally planned the fake death, so there isn’t a single flaw!] I breathed a sigh of relief. When Ivy was discharged and returned home, she noticed that Lucas was treating me better. Her face twisted with anger. She began causing even more trouble. But I had grown wiser. I didn’t take the bait or argue with her. I smiled cheerfully every day and played dumb. Lucas’ gaze grew gentler and gentler. He even began taking me to business banquets. Although he introduced me as “the aunt of Gavin’s late wife” every time, I was already more than satisfied. His affection rating had risen to 55%. I only had to hold on a little longer. The money would soon be mine. [Urgent system notification: Lucas Sterling is secretly transferring his assets! He may be preparing to leave the country!] The cup in my hand nearly slipped and shattered. I decided to take a gamble. Late that night, I slipped into Lucas’ study. I turned on his computer and began drafting a counterattack plan based on everything I had learned about Gavin over the past three years. I knew Gavin’s business habits, thought processes, and favorite tactics all too well. After all, we once spent two years together day and night. At the same time, I quietly began packing my luggage. I had to prepare for both possibilities. If Sterling Group really couldn’t hold on, I would have to flee with Lucas. Early the next morning, before Lucas left the house, I “accidentally” dropped a USB drive by his feet. “What’s this?” He picked it up. I pretended to panic. “It’s nothing… Just—just some documents…” He glanced at me and inserted the USB drive into his computer. Several files appeared on the screen. He stared at them for a long time. His brows drew tighter and tighter. “Did you write this?” he asked. I nodded. Lucas’ expression turned complicated. That night, Lucas stayed in the study to study my plan instead of keeping Ivy company. I felt slightly relieved. Maybe Sterling Group still had a chance. But everything changed the next day. Lucas stormed home early in the morning, his face livid. He was holding my USB drive. Chapter 4 He hurled the USB drive onto the floor. “Claire Young! You’d better explain yourself!” I stared at him blankly. “What happened…” He let out a cold laugh. “At the press conference this morning, Gavin had prepared a countermeasure for every move I made! “It was as if he had seen this plan beforehand!” My mind went blank. “That’s impossible. I didn’t give it to anyone!” Ivy came downstairs with her phone in hand. “Claire, then why did you secretly send an email in the middle of the night?” The screen showed a screenshot of an encrypted email. The sender was listed as my email address. The recipient was Gavin’s private email address. I shook my head desperately. “I didn’t send that! I don’t even know his email address!” Lucas’ eyes were bloodshot. “Then how did you write such a detailed plan?” He grabbed me by the throat and slammed me against the wall. “Tell me! How much did Gavin pay you?!” “I didn’t…” I struggled to breathe. He wouldn’t listen. He ordered the security guards: “Lock her in the basement! Don’t let her out without my permission!” They dragged me into the basement. My phone was confiscated. The windows were sealed shut. The door was locked from the outside. [System! Help me!] [Please remain calm, host.] “Calm down, my ass! I’m going to be locked up until I die!” [Lucas Sterling has left for the airport.] What?! He was going to flee?! [System! Help me escape! Hurry!] [Ten points can be exchanged for one use of “Lock Bypass.”] [Exchange them! Right now!] The lock clicked open. I grabbed my passport and other documents before running outside. I hailed a cab. “To the airport! Hurry!” The driver sped there as fast as he could. I desperately called Lucas again and again. He rejected every call. I finally reached the airport, only to see Lucas escorting Ivy onto the plane. I rushed over. “Lucas! Take me with you!” He turned around, and his expression turned cold when he saw me. “How did you get out?” “None of your business! Take me with you… I can’t stay here…” Ivy spoke gently. “Lucas, we’re running out of time…” I saw the hesitation in Lucas’ eyes. Ivy suddenly snatched my passport away. “Riiip—” She tore the passport in half. “Lucas, she can’t come with us. Gavin is watching us right now. If we all leave, he’ll chase us overseas.” The hesitation in Lucas’ eyes vanished at once. I lost my mind. “Lucas! I’m your wife!” His face was expressionless. “Not for much longer. I’ll send you the divorce papers.” Ivy linked her arm through his. “Lucas, it’s time to board.” Lucas gave me one last look. There was struggle and guilt in his eyes. But in the end, he turned and boarded the plane. I collapsed onto the floor and cried. [System… What do I do now? I’ve lost the money, and Gavin might even capture me!] The system fell silent. [You’re completely useless! Why do you always go silent at the crucial moment?!] Several black cars came speeding from a distance. A group of men in black got out. The leader nodded at me. “Miss Young, Mr. Blackwood would like to see you.” My face turned deathly pale. I was “escorted” into one of the cars. The entire drive passed in silence. The cars stopped at Gavin’s mansion. The men took me into the living room. “Miss Young, please wait here.” The men left. I stood in the familiar hall, trembling all over. I had lived here for two years. Every piece of furniture and painting was so familiar. I couldn’t let Gavin recognize me. I had made minor changes to my appearance, but what if he still did? I rushed into the bathroom. I grabbed some dust from the sink and rubbed it over my face. I messed up my hair. I wrinkled my clothes. Then I curled up in the corner of the sofa, like a frightened quail. Footsteps sounded. They came down the stairs and stopped in front of the sofa. I kept my head lowered. I saw a pair of gleaming leather shoes. “Look up.” A deep voice rang out.