Chapter 1 - The Offer

📖 Chapter 1: The Offer

Lin Xia sat on the cold dressing room floor, her back against the mirror, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. Her cheek stung. Her pride stung worse.

A slap from her co-star had gone "accidentally" off-script during filming. The media already had the story: Villainous actress attacks innocent A-list star. Another scandal. Another lie.

Her phone buzzed.

Agent: "You're finished. Every brand dropped you. No more gigs. Don't call me again."

She let out a breathless laugh. "Perfect."

Then, everything stopped.

A strange voice echoed inside her head.

❝ Villainess Domination System Activated. ❞

❝ Mission: Rise to top-tier actress status. ❞

❝ First task: Secure a marriage contract with Han Shen, CEO of LUX Group. ❞

❝ Time limit: 24 hours. ❞

"What the hell?" she muttered.

A glowing interface appeared in front of her eyes, visible only to her. A countdown began: 23:59:59…

System? Marriage? She wasn't hallucinating.

She tapped the side of her head. Still there.

❝ Bonus: Completing the task grants Fame Points, Acting Skill +3, and Legal Protection from Scandals. ❞

Legal protection sounded nice.

By nightfall, Lin Xia stood at the entrance of the grand LUX Gala. She wasn't invited, but that didn't matter. She wore a gown she borrowed from an old stylist friend, heels half a size too big, and confidence stitched from desperation.

She stepped into the ballroom like she owned it.

Crystal chandeliers. Gold trim. Cameras flashing. Everyone who once smiled at her now turned away.

Then the room went quiet.

He had arrived.

Han Shen.

CEO of LUX Group. Cold, untouchable, heartless.

And the ex-fiancé who left her three years ago with nothing but silence.

He was even more dangerous-looking now. Tall, sharp in a black suit, eyes darker than midnight.

He walked straight past the crowd. Straight past her.

Lin Xia blocked his path.

He stopped.

His eyes slowly moved to her face. Blank. Unreadable.

She forced a smile. "We need to talk."

He looked at her like she was a stain on his carpet. "I don't talk to scandals."

"I can help you," she said, not blinking. "You need a wife. I need protection. Let's help each other."

People around them turned to stare.

He tilted his head. "And why would I marry a walking PR disaster?"

"Because I'm desperate enough to sign anything. No love. No drama. Just public peace. You gain sympathy points. I gain survival."

He studied her face for a long, cold second.

Then he stepped closer.

"Publicly married. That's it. You don't touch me. You don't speak unless spoken to. You don't fall in love."

She smiled without warmth. "Perfect. I'm not here to fall in love."

The system dinged again.

❝ Task progress: 80% complete. Final condition: Stay emotionally detached. ❞

❝ Warning: Falling in love will result in automatic erasure of host. ❞

Her stomach twisted.

Erase…?

She looked up at Han Shen. His face was stone, but something in his eyes—pain, maybe?—flickered.

She shoved the thought away.

This was just a contract. Just survival.

Right?

❝ Side Quest Unlocked: Make Han Shen fall in love with you without falling in love yourself. Reward: Hidden Memory Fragment. ❞

Lin Xia blinked.

Memory? What memory?

The system went silent.

Han Shen turned away. "My assistant will send you the terms tomorrow."

He walked off like she meant nothing.

And yet—this was how everything would begin.

Not love. Not revenge.

Just a contract… and a deadly game.

She straightened her back and whispered to herself, "Game on."