r/Findfreenovellinks

Chapter 1 3.7 Dollars

'Oh God, if only I could win the lottery,' Luna Jefferson thought, her mind drifting into a desperate daydream. 'If I hit a fifteen-million-dollar jackpot, the first thing I'd do is buy a luxury riverview penthouse downtown.

'Then I'd snap up a few commercial properties and spend the rest of my days as a carefree landlady. No more catching the crack-of-dawn subway.

'I could sleep in until noon, tick off every Michelin-starred restaurant in Ancelens, and just travel the country whenever boredom struck. Well, even 1.5 million would be life-changing.

'Honestly, right now, even 30 thousand, or even 3 thousand dollars, would be enough to rescue me from this nightmare.'

But reality was cruel as Luna stared at her bank account balance. It was exactly 444.7 dollars.

'Well, at least it isn't a flat zero,' she thought.

Her phone vibrated, shattering her daydream. The moment she answered, her adoptive mother, Vivian Chandler, cried out.

"Luna, I can't take it anymore. I work so hard every day taking care of our family, and your dad lost 1,000 dollars playing cards.

"My back hurts so much that I can't even get out of bed, and now I don't even have money for groceries. I really don't want to live anymore," Vivian said.

Luna remained silent for a long moment before she spoke. "Didn't I just send you 300 dollars last week? I really don't have any money left."

Vivian's voice instantly shrieked. "I knew it. Every single one of you is so ungrateful. I should have never brought you home from the streets.

"I just couldn't bear to leave you when it was snowing so hard and you were freezing to death."

Luna had heard this story many times. She used to feel uneasy about it, but her adoptive father, Callum Chandler, had accidentally let the truth slip one night when he was drunk.

She hadn't been pick up from the snow at all; they had adopted her from a children's home.

They had been unable to conceive for years, and a fortune teller told them they were never meant to have children.

The only way to break the curse was to adopt an orphan destined to have siblings.

The fortune teller proved to be right. The year after adopting Luna, Vivian became pregnant, giving birth to a daughter/and she gave birth to a daughter.

However, from that moment on, that home became Luna's living hell.

Once they had their biological daughter, Luna was demoted to a maid. Whenever she dared to push back, her adoptive parents would throw their supposed kindness back in her face.

When she started college, they didn't give a single penny toward her tuition or living expenses, forcing her to work part-time jobs.

While other people in their twenties lived glamorous lives on social media, Luna only had an endless cycle of shifts.

She was so exhausted every day that she could barely crawl into bed. And every time she saved a little, some new bill would come along and wipe it out.

Luna hung up the phone and let out a self-deprecating laugh. Perhaps she was just destined to be poor. Still, she had no intention of always giving money to her adoptive parents.

She did the math. Over the fifteen years from the age of three to eighteen, her adoptive parents had spent 50 thousand dollars on her at most.

Yet ever since she started college, they had demanded money from her, using either their daughter Harper Chandler's illnesses or broken household items as excuses.

Luna opened her ledger and discovered she had transferred 49,300 dollars to them over the past four years.

Adding the 300 dollars she was given last week, she was only 400 dollars short.

Luna compiled the screenshots of her transfer history and sent them to Vivian along with a 400 dollars digital payment. [Fifteen years, 50 thousand dollars. We are even now. Don't contact me again.]

She quickly blocked her adoptive parents' contacts and left all the family group chats.

It felt amazing. She had wanted to do this for a long time. Having paid back the final 400 dollars today, she practically felt independent.

However, looking at the remaining 44.7 dollars in her bank account, Luna can't bring herself to smile anymore.

She shook her head to clear her thoughts since her internship salary would be deposited next Monday anyway.

She was currently a senior intern living in the school dorms, and her biggest expense was food.

She was used to eating discounted food and cheap takeout. Worst case, she'd just skip a few meals over the next couple of days and call it a diet.

The next second, a notification popped up in her dorm group chat.

Dorm Manager: [Under the new university regulations this year, students are strictly prohibited from staying in the dorms during winter and summer breaks. Students who haven't left for home must vacate the premises today. Water and electricity will be cut off starting tomorrow.]

'What the hell? I'm so screwed,' Luna thought. She gasped as she realized she didn't even have a place to live anymore.

Luna forced herself to calm down and quickly think of a solution.

Her internship salary next Monday would be 1,300 dollars. She had worked her butt off doing overtime for the company for an entire month, so asking for an advance on her paycheck shouldn't be unreasonable.

Luna pushed open the breakroom door, gathered her courage, and walked into the HR office.

Adrian Davis was playing a puzzle game, his heavy frame making the chair groan beneath him.

"Well, well, look who it is. If it isn't Luna from the Planning Department," Adrian said, giving her a once-over with his shifty eyes. "What brings you to my office?"

A wave of disgust washed over Luna. Adrian was usually nowhere to be found, yet she wondered why he happened to be at his desk today.

There had always been rumors around the office about him groping many of the young female interns.

Luna had only managed to avoid trouble because she worked in a different department.

She took a deep breath and spoke. "Mr. Davis, I'm here to ask if I can get an advance on this month's salary."

Adrian clicked his tongue and stroked his chin with his right hand.

He said, "Well, it's not that I don't want to help you. The company has strict regulations, and payday is payday. However, I'm hosting a dinner party tonight. If you are willing to join us, Luna..."

He let out a sleazy chuckle. "Giving you a 3,000 bonus won't be a problem at all."

Suppressing her revulsion, Luna replied politely, "If an advance isn't possible, I'll just head back to work."

"Wait a minute." Adrian raised his voice. "Luna, do you not understand your place here? You are just a lowly intern, yet you dare to reject me?

"Let me tell you something. You are coming tonight whether you want to or not. Otherwise, I will fire you."

Luna rolled her eyes inwardly. 'This is the final straw. There is no need to endure this any longer.'

She grabbed the cup from the desk and poured the hot coffee directly over Adrian's balding head.

"Damn. Luna. Are you insane?" Adrian shouted.

Luna dusted off her hands. She had been taking crap all day, and she wasn't going to take it anymore.

"You want to fire me? Go ahead," she said. "If I knew this company was such a dumpster fire, I would have never taken this job anyway. Keep your money and buy yourself a life, you sleazy creep."

Luna grabbed her backpack and walked straight out of the company doors.

Sometimes life just sucked more than she had ever imagined.

The moment she stepped out of the subway station, a sudden downpour drenched the streets.

Since she didn't have an umbrella, Luna had no choice but to duck into a random shop. Only after stepping inside did she realize it was a lottery store.

'Is this a sign? Am I actually going to win the lottery?' she thought.

Luna quickly spoke to the shopkeeper. "Sir, how much is your cheapest scratch-off? I'd like to buy one."

It wasn't that she was being cheap, but she only had 44.7 dollars left. If she didn't win anything, she would have to skip another meal.

The owner casually pulled out a scratch-off ticket and tossed it onto the counter. "3 dollars."

After paying, Luna scratched off line by line. Row after row, none were winning. Only the last line remained. If it won, the prize was 300 thousand dollars.

Luna's heart pounded wildly. 'How will I even spend 300 thousand dollars? I should rent a place first; no, I can buy a house. But is 300 thousand dollars even enough to buy a house?' she wondered.

It was a miss. As expected, luck would never favor a chronically unfortunate person like her.

Once she returned to her dorm room, Luna stared blankly at the balance on her phone.

The subway ride cost 3 dollars, and the scratch-off ticket was 3 dollars, leaving her with 38.7 dollars.

That was still enough to buy some bread to survive the next few days.

With a sharp chime, another notification popped up on her screen.

[Your linked Mango Video membership has been successfully renewed. A payment of 35 dollars has been deducted. Thank you for your support.]

Luna let out a choked sob. It turned out that when a person reached absolute despair, they couldn't even cry.

Her account balance had been double digits a moment ago, but now it was only 3.7 dollars.

She muttered to herself, "Why the hell is this happening to me? Why am I so unlucky? What did I do to deserve this?"

Luna can't give up, especially when she was cornered like this. She had already survived twenty-two years of hardships, and she refused to admit defeat now.

[System initializing. Three. Two. One. Congratulations, Host. You have successfully activated the Wealth Master System.]

Chapter 2 The Wealth Master System

Luna thought she was seeing things from all the bad luck. But soon she realized a glowing screen was actually floating in mid-air right in front of her.

Stumbling backward, Luna stammered, "Wait, you said 'the Wealth Master System'? What exactly is that?"

"Hello, Host. Simply put, the Wealth Master System is a system that provides you with funds for you to spend."

"What's the catch? What do I have to pay?" she asked.

"You only need to allow us to collect the emotional energy generated when you spend. Beyond that, your only task is to spend every penny of the mission allowance, leaving nothing left over."

Luna always knew you had to pay for what you got. Now a system suddenly appeared, promising her money to spend, she couldn't help but be skeptical.

"Why?" she asked again.

'Why does the Wealth Master System exist? Why choose me, of all people?' Luna thought.

"The system has detected that you have many questions. Detailed explanations will now be provided."

The screen filled with text. Luna read carefully, line by line, finally understanding.

The Wealth Master System originated from a Level 11 cosmic civilization. This civilization discovered that when humans spent money, emotional fluctuations generated a mysterious energy.

Humans couldn't harness this energy, and it had no side effects, but it could power the system.

The system also had strict requirements when selecting a host.

First, the host had to be genuinely kind and upright. Second, the host had to have a strong desire for money. Third, the system only activated when the host was at their most desperate.

Luna's eyes widened. "So it appeared because I was at the absolute bottom today," she whispered.

'Luck in disguise, then,' she thought.

"Yes and no. Each system has a fixed activation schedule. Hosts can also interpret this as destiny."

She nodded thoughtfully and flipped to the second page of the system instructions.

[1. Each day at midnight, the system will release a spending allowance, valid for only 24 hours. In other words, if unused by the next midnight, the money expires.

[2. Any spending above the spending allowance must be covered by the host.

[3. The system will automatically rationalize spending, so no one will notice unusual behavior.

[4. Spending allowance can't be used for investments, cash conversion, or charity, only shopping or hiring staff.

[5. Purchased items can't be transferred; they are for the host's use only.]

The rules seemed reasonable and avoided unnecessary trouble.

Even if the system eventually unbound, Luna's previous expenditures were considered profits. Besides, she was dirt poor, with barely 3.7 dollars left.

"Host, do you agree to bind to the Wealth Master System?"

Luna nodded her head hard. "Sure I'd be clueless if I didn't."

A long progress bar appeared on the screen, filling instantly to 100%.

"Binding successful. Please claim your black card."

In an instant, a matte-black bank card appeared in her right hand, sleek and elegant, engraved with her name.

'So this is the black card?' she thought as she ran her fingers over it. 'High-quality, definitely.'

"Note: The black card is permanently bound to the host, usable only by them, and can't be lost or destroyed.

"Do you wish to daily check-in?"

She decisively pressed the daily check-in button.

"Check-in successful. You have received a 3,000 dollars spending allowance."

'3,000 dollars. My living situation is secured. I don't have to worry about going hungry for the next few days,' she thought.

Luna had earned 3,000 dollars before, but never like this, effortlessly.

She rubbed her hands in excitement. "System, can I spend 3,000 dollars right now?"

"Please wait. The daily random multiplier must first be drawn."

A large prize wheel appeared on the screen. Each slot displayed a different multiplier: 1x, 10x, 100x, 1,000x, up to 100 million times.

'A 3,000 dollars prize multiplied by one hundred million?' Luna gawked.

She had seen rich people flaunt their wealth, but they were usually millionaires or billionaires. Even for most wealthy people, 300 billion was an astronomical figure.

She wiped the corner of her mouth. "System, you're talking about dollars, right?"

"Rest assured, Host. The amount is in Calverian dollar.

"Note: The spending allowance does not change based on geographic location. Even if you travel abroad, the daily check-in amount remains 3,000 Calverian dollars."

'How could I possibly spend 300 billion? And it has to be spent within 24 hours,' she thought.

Of course, winning 300 billion wasn't easy.

The wheel was weighted heavily toward 1x, which occupied over half the wheel. The higher the multiplier, the lower the probability.

300 billion occupied only a tiny, nearly invisible segment; its chance was 0.0068%, or 0.68 in ten thousand.

Even in gacha games, this was ridiculously low.

Luna's hand trembled as she reached out to tap the screen. She closed her eyes immediately.

Chapter 3 An Entire Apple Ecosystem

Luna's heart was about to pound completely out of her chest.

She told herself that the worst case scenario was still 3,000 dollars, so she wouldn't lose out anyway.

She slowly opened her eyes as the pointer gradually came to a halt.

The multiplier was ten times the original amount.

Even though it was the second lowest multiplier on the board, that was still 30 thousand dollars.

Over the years, Luna had worked herself to the bone. She competed fiercely for every scholarship and worked seven jobs a day.

From picking up breakfast and fetching packages to making presentations, cleaning, serving food in the cafeteria, and acting as a sparring partner, she had only earned a total of fifty thousand.

And now, with a casual tap on her screen, she received 30 thousand.

[Host, the daily check-in refreshes at midnight every day. You only have two and a half hours left to spend this allowance. It will expire if time runs out.]

Luna glanced at her phone. It was already nine thirty.

For the first time in her life, she had so much money that she didn't know how to spend it.

Luna asked, "Sys, can I use this money to pay off my student loans?"

When Luna first started college, she only had 2,000 dollars in her pocket from her summer jobs, so she couldn't afford the tuition at all.

Her foster parents told her she was eighteen and should be independent, and they didn't give her a single cent.

She had no choice but to take out a student loan. It cost 2,500 dollars a year, totaling 10 thousand for all four years.

The very first time she managed to save up that 10 thousand by working, Harper suddenly contracted allergic purpura.

Her foster parents couldn't save money at all and even planned to leave Harper to fend for herself.

Looking at Harper's pale face, Luna simply couldn't bear to let that happen.

After that, Luna worked even harder and became the famous working queen of Ancelens University, but her student loan remained completely unpaid.

"Identified as a reasonable spending channel. Repayment is permitted."

Luna breathed a heavy sigh of relief. With this simple confirmation, the last heavy burden weighing her down was finally gone.

She still had over 20 thousand dollars left to spend.

Luna quickly packed her backpack and took a taxi directly to the nearest luxury hotel. It was impossible to rent a new apartment at this late hour.

She passed by this hotel every time she took the subway. People said it offered a breathtaking view overlooking the downtown skyline in Ancelens along with a full panoramic view of the water.

The nightly rate, of course, had always kept her far away.

But things were entirely different now. Luna walked generously up to the front desk. "I need a river view room for three nights, please."

A river view room cost 1,000 dollars a night, and Luna had never imagined she could stay here.

However, now that she actually possessed it, she surprisingly felt it was an absolute steal.

She sat in front of a massive transparent glass window. She overlooked the most luxurious night view of Ancelens. The flickering neon lights added a distinct touch of magic to the bustling city.

Luna took a sip of the complimentary sparkling wine provided by the hotel. She didn't usually like the taste of alcohol, but this glass of champagne was unexpectedly smooth and delicious.

In the past, she could never understand why a single night in a hotel could cost almost as much as her entire monthly internship salary.

But as she lay on the soft bed surrounded by a faint lily of the valley fragrance, Luna finally understood. The wealthy were simply buying pure comfort.

"Host, please do not forget you still have a spending allowance of 17 thousand."

Luna stretched her body lazily. "Don't worry about it. I might forget anything else, but I will never forget to spend money."

She opened the Apple website and quickly added all the top tier products to her shopping cart.

For the iPhone 17 Pro Max, she chose the elegant silver over the classic orange color.

She selected the thirteen inch iPad Pro and completely maxed out the storage to two terabytes.

She also added a Apple Watch, AirPods Pro, and various protective cases, chargers, and data cables.

With a gentle tap to check out, she paid the grand total of 15.7 thousand.

Luna then opened a shopping app and selected everything she had sitting in her cart.

These were all the little trinkets she had always wanted but couldn't bear to actually buy. Clearing out the entire cart only cost her 1,100 dollars.

She was exactly 196.3 dollars short of her total spending goal.

Luna thought it over carefully. A couple of days ago, she had seen a beautiful Disney collaboration bracelet.

It featured a blue-violet butterfly in the middle, and the sterling silver chain was beautifully decorated with a circle of sparkling zircons.

She searched for the specific keywords and found the bracelet priced at 200 dollars.

She realized she was exactly 3.7 dollars short.

However, the System had clearly mentioned she could cover any excess amount herself, so she didn't need to spend the exact allowance perfectly.

Luna confidently pressed the pay button, and a message from her bank card immediately popped up on screen.

[Your bank card has been deducted 3.7 dollars for your recent purchase. Your current balance is 0.]

"Yes," she let out a happy cheer.

If someone had told Luna that she would jump up in excitement after her bank account hit absolute zero, she would never have believed them.

She would have definitely thought that person was completely out of their mind.

But things were completely different now.

She only spent 3.7 dollars to get almost the entire Apple ecosystem. It felt exactly like a wonderful dream.

"Friendly reminder, Host. You still haven't bought a Mac computer."

Luna playfully wagged her index finger. "Not exactly. I did that entirely on purpose."

She had previously used her best friend Flora Murphy's Mac computer to help her make presentations.

The operating system was quite different from regular computers, and she didn't find it very easy to navigate. Luna preferred to buy a high performance gaming laptop instead.

If she ever drew a spending allowance of over three million one day, she would definitely buy her own house in Ancelens and specifically set up an amazing esports gaming room.

Luna felt incredibly happy just thinking about using her brand new iPhone 17 tomorrow.

She was currently using a cheap phone that Harper had completely discarded in disgust.

There was a strict rule in their family. When Callum bought a new phone, his old one went to Vivian. Vivian's old phone would then go to Harper, and Luna only received what Harper no longer wanted.

In an era where phones already had two terabytes of storage, her device only had a pitiful sixty four gigabytes.

Not only was it as laggy as a brick, but the battery was also severely degraded. It would often die completely after she was out for just a few hours.

She could only download four or five basic apps and had to constantly clean up her files every single day.

Before she knew it, midnight had finally arrived.

Luna, who was previously lounging on the bed, suddenly sat bolt upright.

"System. It's time to daily check-in."

"Daily check-in successful. You have received a spending allowance of 3,000 dollars.

"Congratulations on completing the first day's spending task!

"You successfully spent 30 thousand. It will now be returned to you at a one to one ratio. This cashback is free from any restrictions, and you can use it however you please."

Luna could hardly believe what she was seeing. There was actually a cashback feature.

Luna hurriedly opened her mobile banking app. The balance had turned into 30 thousand.

"System, why didn't you tell me earlier that there was such a wonderful cashback feature?" Luna said.

"The cashback feature is only activated after completing the first day's task.

"This System also possesses other hidden features that you must discover completely on your own."

This System was truly mysterious.

Luna carefully examined the screen in front of her once again.

It seemed a new progress bar had miraculously appeared right below the roulette wheel.

Chapter 4 The Mysterious Hidden Reward

The progress bar had a total of seven slots. One was lit up, while the others remained dark.

"Is there some kind of hidden reward for daily checking in seven days in a row?" Luna asked.

"Yes, Host. This System does indeed include a cumulative daily check-in feature.

"Upon completing seven consecutive daily check-ins, the System will gift you one mystery box draw.

"Furthermore, the System will undergo an upgrade, leveling up from Version 1.0 to Version 2.0.

"Note: You must check in and complete the daily tasks for seven consecutive days to accumulate progress. If the streak is broken at any point, the progress will reset to zero."

"A mystery box draw? What can I get from it? Is it also spending allowance?" Luna asked.

"Apologies, but I can't reveal the specific prizes to you in advance.

"However, I can secretly tell you that the mystery box also contains some physical item rewards."

'What a cheeky System,' she thought.

Luna sat up straight. "Bring it on, let's draw!" She secretly wished to hit the jackpot.

The pointer slowly came to a halt on the largest slot: the 1x multiplier.

Today's spending allowance was 3,000 dollars.

"Don't be discouraged, Host. Your luck might just turn around tomorrow."

Luna felt a warm sensation in her chest. 'In my twenty-two years of life, this is the first time someone, wait, no, the first time a System actually cares about my feelings.'

She had always been completely alone. Perhaps this was the reason destiny had gifted her a System in the first place.

"System," she called out softly.

"What's wrong, Host?"

"If there comes a day when you can't give me money anymore, please don't leave me, okay?"

Even as she said it, Luna knew it was an extravagant hope.

If the System were human, she could support it herself, even without its Wealth Master features.

But the System required energy. Let alone an ordinary person like Luna, even the top scientists on Earth wouldn't know how to obtain that kind of energy.

If the Wealth Master System lost its functions, it meant it would definitely leave her.

"Why would you think that? This System hails from the highest, Level 11 cosmic civilization.

"Even if your current planet is destroyed, I can transfer you to another habitable planet to continue spending money.

"Therefore, you shouldn't worry so much. You should just focus on how to complete today's task."

After her experience of spending 30 thousand in two hours yesterday, today's 3 thousand was indeed a piece of cake.

However, Luna decided to stop overthinking. She decided to get some sleep first. Staying alive was the priority.

*****

Luna woke up feeling completely refreshed.

She rubbed her eyes and took a moment to fully wake up before remembering.

The unfamiliar room in front of her wasn't her cramped dorm, but a river-view hotel room that cost one thousand a night.

She wasn't dreaming. The Wealth Master System was real.

"Host, good morning. Hurry up and get out of bed to spend money."

'Well, what a beautiful urging sound,' she thought.

Before going to bed yesterday, Luna had already figured out exactly how she wanted to spend her money today.

After changing her clothes, she headed straight for the Michelin-starred restaurant at Grand Galleria.

She had always heard others raving about Michelin and Black Pearl guide restaurants, and today she absolutely had to try one for herself.

Choosing this particular location at Grand Galleria wasn't because Luna had a special preference for it.

It was because she only learned today that Michelin-starred restaurants actually required reservations, and the extremely popular ones needed to be booked months in advance.

In all of Ancelens, this was the only one where she could secure a table on the same day.

The moment Luna stepped into the restaurant, it felt like she was surrounded by a romantic sea of flowers. Both sides of every walkway were lined with freshly picked blooms, their petals still dotted with crystal-clear dewdrops.

Numerous uniquely styled paintings hung on the walls, clearly showcasing the owner's highly elegant taste.

A server led Luna to her seat. She noticed that every guest's table had a completely different arrangement.

In addition to a nameplate with her name on it, there was a mixed bouquet of Meravon blue orchids and lilies of the valley.

"This bouquet was specially designed based on your name. After your meal, you are welcome to take it with you," the server explained.

It was too elegant.

The 1,900 dollars set menu included a total of 14 chef's signature dishes.

The first to arrive were the aperitifs and sweet starters.

Luna took a light sip. The sweet, refreshing fruity aroma of lychee spread through her mouth, instantly awakening her taste buds.

The three starters were exquisite and bite-sized. The duck liver pâté was sweet, sour, and perfectly smooth, while the caviar tart was savory, fresh, and crispy.

What surprised her the most was her first time trying melon paired with mackerel; it was unexpectedly delicious.

"She's back. Let's get a divorce on Monday. Name a price." Her husband suddenly asked for a divorce, but she didn't argue or make a scene. She chose to go along with it and took his money, car, and house. The man was glad to get rid of such a greedy woman in time, but he didn't expect that she was the one who controlled their wealth!

=====

"We'll divorce on Monday. Aside from the compensation in the agreement, you may request anything else you need."

Kristian Shaw, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, exuded an air of cold detachment. His voice firm and emotionless.

His piercing gaze settled on the silent woman opposite him, his eyes inscrutable.

"Why so sudden?" Freya Briggs asked, her voice quieter than usual.

Kristian's answer was blunt. "Ashley is back."

Freya knew exactly who Ashley was. After a brief pause, she replied, "Okay."

Kristian hesitated, caught off guard by her immediate acceptance.

Freya opened the divorce papers, her thoughts drifting to the past.

Two years ago, they had met at a n**htclub. She had been weighed down by worries; he had been nursing a broken heart.

A few drinks later, they found solace in each other's company, talking late into the night.

There had been no impulsive o*e-n**ht st*nd--just a quiet parting afterward.

Three days later, he had returned with his assistant to propose marriage. And she had agreed.

After getting married, he had treated her well--tending to her needs, drying her hair with gentle hands, and solving her problems before she even voiced them.

Their relationship had been perfect--until six months ago, when a single phone call changed everything.

Overnight, he grew distant, his warmth replaced by icy indifference.

That was when she learned the truth: Kristian had married her because she bore a faint resemblance to his lost love, Ashley Bradley.

The memory made Freya press her lips together before she asked lightly, "You said I could ask for compensation, right?"

"Yes," Kristian replied flatly.

"Anything I want?" She lifted her gaze to him, her delicate face devoid of its usual brightness.

For a fleeting moment, guilt flickered in his ch*st. "Yes."

He had already resolved to grant her reasonable demands.

After all, she had been good to him all the time.

Freya's voice was steady. "Then I want the most expensive car in your garage."

"Fine," Kristian agreed.

"A villa in the suburbs," she added.

"Done," he said.

Freya smiled. "And a share of the money you've earned in the last two years."

For the first time, Kristian's composure cracked. His eyes narrowed slightly, as if questioning whether he'd heard correctly. "What did you say?"

Freya, unfazed, repeated her demand.

"Our earnings during the marriage count as marital property, don't they? Based on my calculations--excluding investments--your salary and dividends over the last two years amount to several billion. I don't want much--just 40%."

A heavy silence settled between them.

Then, she added, as if casually mentioning the weather, "Of course, you're welcome to take 40% of my income too."

Kristian's patience finally snapped. "Freya!" His voice carried an edge of disbelief.

Had he really felt guilty earlier? How had he never noticed her greed?

Freya met his gaze evenly. "Is that not acceptable?"

Absolutely not.

Kristian dismissed the idea instantly.

"Then forget it." Freya set down her pen. "Next time I see your family, I'll bring up your emotional infidelity. I'm sure they'll take my side."

Kristian's expression darkened, his stare turning glacial. He hadn't anticipated this side of her--realizing now that her past docility had been an act.

"Do you really want to negotiate with me like this?" he demanded.

"Yes." Freya held his gaze without flinching. She knew he despised threats--but she despised infidelity more.

"Fine." Kristian's eyes turned stormy, his voice glacial. "You'll get what you want. But if the divorce hits complications, you'll regret it."

Freya leaned back in her chair, her tone razor-sharp. "Kristian Shaw, is that a threat?"

This version of her was foreign to Kristian. For two years, she'd been the picture of compliance--gentle, accommodating, never defiant. Now, she met his anger with unshakable calm.

"No." Already calculating countermeasures, he bit out, "You'll have the assets. We divorce on Monday."

Freya's lashes lowered briefly before she added, "One more condition."

"Speak." His patience frayed.

"Take me shopping tomorrow." She ignored the frost radiating from him. "Afterward, we'll tell your family together that I ended things."

"Deal," Kristian conceded.

With that, he strode toward the door, unable to stomach another second in her presence.

Earlier, he'd even considered granting her a grace period to process the divorce.

How laughable. She couldn't wait to carve up his fortune and be rid of him.

Had Freya been able to read his thoughts, she might have laughed and said, "That little money? Do you really think I care?"

Kristian reached the door and halted. Without turning around, he said, "I won't be back tonight. I'll pick you up at nine tomorrow morning. Make a list of the stores you want to visit."

Freya's voice followed him, calm but laced with something sharp. "Are you going to see Ashley Bradley?"

Kristian's jaw tightened. "That's none of your business."

Freya let out a quiet breath, as if she had already expected that answer. "I don't tolerate cheating," she said plainly. "So before the divorce is finalized, you'd better not end up in b*d with her."

Kristian whirled back, looming over her.

Freya didn't blink. "What? Can't endure two more days?"

"I understand your bitterness," he said, eerily composed, "but lashing out won't help. This is a divorce, not war."

Freya blinked at him. For a moment, she was at a loss for words. This man was truly shameless.

Kristian didn't wait for a response. "Good night." And with that, he turned and left.

The door clicked shut behind him.

Freya's gaze drifted down to the divorce papers still lying on the table. She stood there for a long time, unmoving.

To say she felt nothing would have been a lie. She wasn't made of stone.

The moment she discovered she was nothing more than a stand-in, the hurt had settled deep in her bones.

Kristian had been her first love. In twenty-four years, no one else had breached her defenses.

Before the betrayal, he'd been perfection itself--attentive, steady, silencing every doubt with his quiet devotion.

So when she learned of Ashley, she'd offered to leave. To free him. But he'd refused.

Chapter 2 Kristian Was Pure S**mbag

The reason behind Kristian's refusal was simple. Before Ashley returned, he needed someone to manage his elders at home--and Freya, adored by his parents and grandpa, was the obvious choice.

But sometimes, Freya couldn't help but wonder--did he really think she was a f*ol? Otherwise, why would he assume she'd play along in hiding his a**air?

Now, with his sudden demand for divorce, frustration simmered inside her.

Even after six months of steeling herself, a stubborn flicker of emotion remained.

She let out a slow breath, crossed to the sofa, and grabbed her phone.

She tapped the contact labeled "Fred"--untouched for two years--and typed, "Check if Shaw Group's facing any issues. And find out if Kristian's terminally ill."

Fred's replies exploded onto the screen instantly.

"Holy--Freya?!"

"Never thought I'd hear from you again!"

"Two years, Freya. TWO."

"Where've you been?!"

She didn't bother explaining.

Mood sour, she fired back a single word, "Check."

Fred caved. "On it!"

She tossed the phone aside and waited.

If Kristian was divorcing her to spare her some tragedy, she'd forgive him--maybe even help.

But if he was just an unfaithful j**k? She'd drop him without a second thought.

Thirty minutes later, her phone buzzed with Fred's verdict.

"Zero troubles. No illness, no crisis. Why the h*ll are you asking? Kristian's loaded, hot, and sharp--you two are a match. Don't you like pretty boys? Give it a shot!"

She ignored the jab and shot back, "You are so blind."

Then she silenced her phone.

No external factors meant only one thing--Kristian was pure s*um.

Fred stared at his screen, baffled. Did Freya wake up in a mood today?

Freya's gaze landed on the divorce papers. After a pause, she snatched a pen, scrawled her name, and shoved them into a drawer. Then she headed for the shower.

When she emerged, her phone was a disaster--dozens of unread messages and 32 missed calls.

No guessing needed. Frederick Price--aka Fred--had clearly blabbed about her resurrection to the entire world.

Towel draped over her damp hair, she reached for her phone--only for it to ring again.

The caller ID flashed; it was her father.

Her ch*st tightened. Two years of silence, and now he called?

She'd left Alerith City due to a situation involving her mother, and neither had she reached out to her father nor had he contacted her--until now.

After a pause, she answered coolly. "Hello."

Silence.

Freya, never one for patience, was about to hang up when Hugh Briggs' raspy voice cut through. "Mina."

That name clawed at buried memories.

"What do you want?" she asked flatly.

Hugh hesitated, guilt threading his words. "Frederick told me you reached out. Said you were digging into Kristian. Need help?"

"No." Freya had no interest in his involvement.

A beat passed before Hugh ventured, "What's your relationship with him?"

"A couple." She let the word hang. "About to divorce."

Hugh's

breath hitched. She was married?

"You--" he started.

"If that's all, I'm done." Freya didn't want to waste any more breath on him.

"Wait!" he rushed.

She held her tongue.

The line crackled with tension.

Finally, he muttered, "When are you coming back? That woman's gone."

Then, hastily, he added, "Your mom's belongings are untouched."

Her fingers tightened around the phone. For a flicker, emotion crossed her face--then vanished. "Noted."

She hung up before he could protest.

Hugh stared at the dead line, frustration curdling in his ch*st. He hadn't even asked about her marriage.

Freya didn't spare him another thought. She flicked her phone to airplane mode, towel-dried her hair, and collapsed into b*d.

The night passed without dreams.

By eight the next morning, she was up--dressed and breakfasted.

Today, she'd taken care with her makeup. Her skin glowed; her lips, naturally full, needed no enhancement. But her eyes--sharp, luminous--were the real weapon.

Her smile was bright, bringing a warmth that could instantly lift anyone's spirits.

When Kristian arrived, she was already waiting on the sofa. Her shoulder-length hair was pinned back, bangs swept up under a black beret.

At the sight of him, she rose gracefully, reaching for a coat and draping it over her shoulder.

"Let's go." She grabbed her purse, her tone composed and unbothered.

Kristian didn't move. His tailored suit emphasized his height as he said, "Not today."

Freya stilled.

"I have other commitments." His voice was indifferent. His gaze lingered--too long--on her face. "Tomorrow."

"Kristian Shaw." Her tone was a warning.

He disliked it instantly.

"I put on makeup today," she said, her voice deceptively calm but carrying an unmistakable edge.

"If you want our divorce to go smoothly on Monday, push aside whatever plans you have. I don't deal with people who break their promises."

Kristian's eyes narrowed.

After a silent calculation, he stepped out to make a call. Fragments floated back--Ashley... hospital... follow-up.

Freya's grip on her purse turned white-knuckled. Inside, she seethed. Even now, Ashley occupied his thoughts completely.

Kristian missed Freya's fury. All he saw was how she shone today--vibrant, untamed. Nothing like the subdued woman he knew.

After hanging up, he inquired where she wanted to shop. Freya mentioned the largest luxury mall in town.

This wasn't shopping. This was a spree. By 10 AM, the four bodyguards trailed behind her like pack mules--arms stacked with watches, jewels, designer bags.

Kristian's phone chimed nonstop with alerts.

As Freya strode into yet another jewelry boutique, his jaw hardened. This wasn't retail therapy; she was intentionally trying to irritate him.

Chapter 3 Why Hurt Ashley?

Gerard Todd, Kristian's ever-dutiful assistant, hesitated for a moment before asking, "Sir, should I go ahead and book a restaurant?"

Kristian massaged his temples, irritation flashing across his face. "No need."

He knew Freya was venting her frustration. If splurging eased her temper, so be it--he'd let her spend freely.

The moment the words left his mouth, his phone vibrated. Another alert flashed--over thirty million had just vanished from his account.

Gerard averted his eyes, while the four bodyguards stood stiffly, arms laden with shopping bags like silent, overburdened mules.

Freya strode out of the jewelry boutique and casually handed her latest purchase to Gerard, whose hands were conspicuously empty.

Just as she turned to continue her spree, Kristian's phone rang.

His posture shifted instantly. The tension in his shoulders eased, his frown softening as he glanced at the caller ID.

Long fingers cradled the phone, his voice uncharacteristically tender as he answered. "Hello, Ashley."

Gerard and the bodyguards exchanged startled glances. Had their boss forgotten Freya was standing right there?

"Ashley was in a car accident on her way to a hospital follow-up. She's unconscious--still in surgery," the voice on the line blurted, frantic.

"Please come. She kept calling your name before they took her in."

"Send the address. I'm on my way." Kristian's ch*st constricted, the words sharp with urgency.

He ended the call, his gaze flickering to Freya.

An explanation hovered on his lips, but he swallowed it. Instead, he turned to Gerard and the bodyguards.

"Stay with her. Buy whatever she wants. If it doesn't fit in the car, have it delivered by this afternoon."

"Yes, sir," the five men chorused.

Without another word, Kristian strode off, leaving Freya and the others in his wake.

An uncomfortable silence settled over the group.

Gerard adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, forcing a polished smile. "Mrs. Shaw, don't worry. Mr. Shaw will return once he handles matters."

"What a loyal employee," Freya murmured, her tone laced with something unreadable.

Gerard blinked, thrown by her response.

Freya studied the mall's glittering chandeliers, her voice deliberate.

"Being his assistant is one thing. But cleaning up his messes? Tell me, Gerard--have you ever seen a man ditch his wife mid-date to run to his mi**ress?"

The bodyguards stiffened; Gerard's smile froze.

For a heartbeat, all five men stared at her with something dangerously close to pity.

This might be the price of marrying into wealth--knowing her husband had left her for another woman while she was expected to swallow the insult.

"Save the sympathy." Freya scoffed, amused by their expressions. She gestured to the bags weighing them down.

"A single one of those could cover your salary for a year. Maybe ten."

The blow landed perfectly.

She pressed, "Well, anything you'd like?"

Five pairs of eyes widened in unison.

Freya's mind worked in ways they couldn't follow.

"Since he's off playing hero for his darling, let's put his money to better use." She twirled the black card between her fingers, her voice quieter now.

The sting surprised her. She hadn't realized Kristian's departure would still claw at her.

Right now, all she wanted was to drain his account dry.

Gerard and the bodyguards gaped.

Delighted by their shock, Freya resumed shopping, the card clutched like a weapon.

She assumed Kristian would linger at the hospital all day. But as she sat down to eat, he appeared like a storm, his presence slicing through the restaurant's warmth.

Before anyone could react, he seized Freya's wrist and hauled her toward the parking area, his grip ironclad.

Her back slammed against the car door, pain radiating through her. She winced. What the hell was his problem?

His accusation came like a whip crack, "Why hurt Ashley?"

Kristian trembled with suppressed rage.

"You hired that hit-and-run driver, didn't you? I gave you everything you wanted, the house, the car, the money. What more do you want? Why did you still hurt her?"

He looked like vengeance personified, his eyes glacial.

"When did I--" Freya's confusion was genuine.

"Still lying?" His voice could've frosted glass.

"You planned this. Picked today so I'd be distracted while your hired man ran her down. You know I'd die before letting her suffer."

His voice was Arctic frost, the kind that seeped into bones and made spines stiffen.

Freya's initial fury dissolved into something colder, sharper. His absurd accusation had an ironic effect--it drained her rage, leaving only icy clarity.

She met his gaze, lips curling in derision. "How poetic. Turning betrayal into some grand romance."

"Freya Briggs!" Kristian's control frayed, his shout raw with warning.

"You're delusional." She didn't flinch, status be damned. "Think. Why would I trash my fresh start--my freedom--over someone like her?"

"You know exactly why." His voice dropped lower, a bl**e pressed to her throat.

A realization flickered. "Ah. You think I'm still obsessed with you?"

Kristian said nothing, but his clenched jaw and the fire in his eyes were answer enough.

"Why should I still want you?" Freya laughed, the sound brittle. "After being treated as a stand-in? After your infidelity? After watching you fawn over another woman?"

The words landed like sl*ps.

Kristian stiffened. "I didn't cheat," he ground out.

"You handed her your heart while wearing my ring." Her smile was lethal. "That's cheating."

"Enough deflection," he snapped.

"You're the one hallucinating conspiracies!"

Silence. Kristian studied her, as if peeling back layers for the first time. The weight of his scrutiny was suffocating.

Freya refused to wilt. "So she claimed I hired a man to k*ll her, and you just... believed her?"

"Yes." His anger faltered under her unwavering stare, but the frost remained. "Ashley didn't lie. And she has proof."

Freya's brows arched.

Her fingers dug into her bag strap, knuckles whitening. "Perfect. Let's go to the hospital. Right now."

Kristian blinked. Her immediate agreement threw him.

Guilty people didn't invite confrontation.

Doubt slithered in. Was the evidence fabricated?

"Move." Her command shattered his thoughts.

He released her wrist, disconcerted by her detachment. Something ugly twisted in his ch*st--annoyance? Guilt?

Before he could name it, he yanked out his keys and wrenched the car door open.

Chapter 4 Are You Threatening Me?

Gerard stepped forward swiftly to take the keys, assuming the role of driver without hesitation.

Freya yanked the passenger door open and slid inside, her gaze fixed straight ahead--ignoring Kristian entirely.

A knot of dread tightened in Gerard's ch*st. What if Freya said something outrageous? The thought made his fingers clench around the wheel.

After a weighted pause, he ventured, "Mrs. Shaw, you--"

"Drive." Her reply was a bl**e, sharp and final.

Gerard flicked a glance at the rearview mirror. Kristian's expression gave nothing away. Swallowing hard, he pulled out of the parking area.

Silence smothered the car like a thick fog.

The tension was unbearable. Gerard's shoulders tensed, his grip on the steering wheel turning his knuckles white.

Neither Kristian nor Freya spoke. Both radiated a frost so deep it could've cracked the windows.

Gerard knew Kristian's moods well--but Freya? She'd been almost cheerful earlier. What the hell happened?

He bit back a sigh. Questions wouldn't help now.

In the back seat, Kristian's gaze drifted unbidden to Freya's profile. Something unfamiliar twisted in his ch*st--an emotion he refused to name.

Thirty minutes later, the car halted at the hospital entrance.

Kristian seized Freya's wrist, dragging her toward the VIP ward. His grip was iron, unyielding.

She winced, her voice dripping with mockery. "At this rate, I won't be the one charged--you'll be arrested for assault first."

He dropped her arm like it burned him. Angry red marks circled her skin.

Freya shot him a look so scathing it could've melted steel.

Guilt flickered in Kristian's ch*st--brief, unwelcome. It vanished the moment Ashley's bruised face flashed in his mind.

"Follow me," he muttered, turning on his heel. He didn't wait to see if Freya obeyed.

The door swung open. Ashley lay propped up in b*d, her face lighting up at the sight of Kristian. "Kristian," she breathed, voice sweet with devotion.

He was at her side in an instant, fingers brushing hers in silent reassurance.

Freya strode in, took one look at them, and smirked. "Should I leave? Give you two some privacy?"

"Freya. Enough." Kristian's voice was winter itself. He didn't look at Freya, his hand still resting on Ashley's back. "You're here to apologize."

Freya closed the distance to the b*d, studying Ashley properly for the first time--soft features, delicate frame, eyes wide with practiced innocence.

Ah. Now she understood. This was the woman Kristian loved.

"Miss Bradley." Freya laced her fingers together.

"My darling tells me you've accused me of hiring your attacker--with evidence." She stressed the word, gaze locked on Kristian. "Care to share?"

"Kristian..." Ashley's fingers tightened around his, her lower lip trembling...