Chapter 3 – Testing the Limits
Liam layed awake that night, staring at the cracked ceiling of his tiny apartment.
The numbers still danced in his head. $10,102.34. From coffee and a handbag.
Every dollar spent on Sophia had returned a hundredfold.
It was insane. Unreal. But real enough that his entire life had already shifted.
[System Tip: Host is encouraged to continue spoiling Sophia Quinn. Building bonds with women of destiny will unlock higher-level rebates.]
Liam turned the mysterious black card over in his hand. Sleek. Heavy. The name embossed in golden letters read: "Morris." It radiated authority, like a key to doors he didn't yet know existed.
But he wasn't a fool.
The system worked—but only if he spent wisely, and only on Sophia.
He had to test the limits.
⸻
The next afternoon, he waited outside Sylthara University. Sophia had mentioned she was taking classes here while doing a part-time job.
She spotted him leaning against a lamp post and blinked in surprise. "Liam? What are you doing here?" Don't tell me you waited here for me, how long have you been waiting?."
He shrugged casually. "Maybe I wanted to walk you home, I haven't been waiting long."
Her cheeks flushed. "You're unbelievable."
They strolled through the busy street, students bustling around them. Liam carried a small bag from a bookstore.
"Here," he said suddenly, pulling out a thick hardcover. 'Modern Business Strategies.'
Sophia stopped short. "Liam… you didn't."
"I did," he said firmly. "Didn't you say you were struggling with that course? Consider this a little help."
She shook her head, frowning. "You already bought me something yesterday. I can't keep accepting things like this."
He chuckled. "Sophia, it's just a book. Don't worry so much."
After a long pause, she sighed and accepted it, hugging the book close. "You've really changed, Liam. The old you would've been too shy to even talk to me much less giving me gifts, thank you."
The system chimed immediately:
[Host has spent $30 on Sophia Rivera.]
[Rebate Activated.]
[Congratulations! You have received $3,000.]
Liam's phone buzzed again. His balance jumped. $13,102.34.
He almost staggered in the middle of the street. Thirty dollars into three thousand? It worked every time.
Sophia noticed his dazed look and tilted her head. "You keep spacing out. Are you sure you're okay?"
Liam grinned widely. "Better than ever."
⸻
But not everyone was smiling happily.
Seeing Sophia walking with him, A sharp voice called from behind. "Sophia! What are you doing with him?"
Liam turned. Standing before them was a tall young man in designer clothes he walked slowly towards them glaring at Liam, flanked by two cronies. His slicked-back hair and smug smirk screamed arrogance.
Sophia stiffened. "Marcus… it's none of your business who I am with leave me alone."
Marcus looked at Sophia angrily, "How can you say it's none of my business I've been chasing you for years."
Without speaking further he turned to look at Liam and sneered at him. "Your still chasing after her, huh? You think buying her cheap trinkets will make her yours? Pathetic."
Liam's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing.
Sophia's grip tightened on the book. "Who I hang out with is none of your business Marcus and I like his gifts, what's it to you?. Leave him alone."
Marcus scoffed, stepping closer. "Gifts? Please. I could buy you a hundred of those books without blinking. Why waste your time with a broke loser?"
Liam's jaw clenched. The old him might've shrunk back. But now, with the system in his corner, he felt a fire rising.
For the first time, he met Marcus's gaze head-on.
"This has nothing to do with you Marcus, my relationship with Sophia is our business stay out of it, do not test me."
Marcus laughed, shaking his head. "We'll see what you can do to me you broke bastard." He said before he turned away, but his glare lingered on Liam like a warning.
Sophia sighed heavily as Marcus disappeared. "I'm sorry about him. He's… persistent. His family owns a few businesses around here, so he feels like he's better than everyone and can bully anyone you should be careful though Liam that guy can be deranged when he doesn't gets his way."
Liam's lips curled into a thin smile. "Let him think and do what he wants I'm not worried about him. He won't matter for long."
His phone buzzed again in his pocket, the balance reminding him of his growing power.
Because soon, he would show Marcus—and the whole city—what it meant to underestimate Liam Morris.