Chapter 1 – Betrayal

Los Angeles.

"She'll be happy with my gift." Steve, a 27-year-old young man, smiled happily while staring at the red velvet box he was holding. Today is the fourth anniversary of his relationship with his girlfriend, Emmy.

The diamond sparkles in the sunlight, making Steve can't stop imagining his girlfriend's happy expression when she receives it.

After walking to the Felix entertainment building for a few minutes, he approached the receptionist and mentioned Emmy's name.

"Right now, Ms. Emmy is busy. If you want to deliver the food, you can leave it with me," the pretty woman said ignorantly when she saw Steve wearing a waiter's uniform.

"I don't want to deliver food, but I have something to give her. It's very important, and I need to see her. Just for a minute." Steve was a little urgent.

"You're so stubborn! Besides, Miss Emmy wouldn't want to meet a poor man like you! Hurry up and go! Do you think I'm stupid?! I know you're Miss Emmy's fan who's trying to sneak in! I'm sick of seeing you!"

Steve sighed disappointedly, then went to the car park to call Emmy. He tapped nervously on the receiver.

'Sorry, the number you've dialled can't answer the call. Try again in a few moments.'

Steve grunted rudely as he stared disappointedly at his phone screen. In the past few weeks, Emmy never picked up his calls.

Steve knew he would be disappointed if he came, but the man had no choice. He couldn't resist the longing that almost killed him since he hadn't seen Emmy for nearly three months due to her busy work schedule.

Sometimes, Steve regretted his decision to pay for all of Emmy's courses to become a famous artist. Because of that, they lost many moments together.

Steve looked back at the red velvet box. Reluctantly, he left the place to return to his apartment, but his steps stopped when he heard someone's voice.

"I love you, My Honey."

Steve stiffened at the sound of that familiar voice.

"Isn't that Emmy's voice?" He looked around him for the source of the voice. It turned out to be coming from a car parked near him.

Steve approached the car and vaguely saw the shadow of a woman as if she was clinging to a man's arm. Even though he only saw a shadow, he knew the woman was Emmy.

The young man was in shock. His chest was burning. "What is she doing with that man? Is she cheating on me?"

Steve shook his head quickly. "That's not possible. Emmy loves me very much. She must be acting with her partner for her latest movie."

Steve moved closer to the car to get a better look at them. Unfortunately, the glass of the luxury car was dark, so Steve could barely see anything but shadows.

"You are so handsome, darling. I'm so grateful to have a boyfriend like you." Emmy's voice was seductive.

Steve tried to think positively but always failed. His heart hurt whenever he heard the 22-year-old woman's advances or compliments.

"Is she cheating on me?" His chest tightened like someone was strangling him every time he imagined that something terrible might happen.

With quick movements, Steve opened the car door. He was wide-eyed, making the velvet box fall from his hands. His heart seemed to stop beating, "Emmy...!"

Steve's jaw hardened, and his hands clenched into tight fists.

"St-steve!" Emmy was shocked. The girl spontaneously exited Jacob's lap and hurriedly smoothed her slightly revealing red dress. "S-since when have you been here!?"

Emmy hurriedly exited the car and closed the door, trying to hide Jacob.

"Who is he?! What are you doing with him, huh?!"  Steve's anger exploded.

"I'm his boyfriend!" Jacob exclaimed loudly. He wrapped his arms around Emmy's waist and pulled her close, looking at Steve haughty. "No reason to hide our relationship from you anymore. Now, you know about it,  so you don't meet her again because you'll only ruin her career."

"You...!" Steve clenched his fists tightly, raising them to punch the annoying face.

"Stop it! You can't be mean to him!"

"Why are you defending that asshole?!" Steve's chest was torn to shreds.

"Because he's my lover now!" Emmy said firmly.

Steve froze, incredulous. "You lie to me!"

"No! That's true! I love him!"

"Have you forgotten that your success results from my hard work? But why would you betray me?"

"I've been using you and never loved you. Besides, who would want to date a poor, useless man like you!"

Steve didn't expect those words to come from the woman he loved more than him because she was his only reason for living. Emmy was all he had in the world, as Steve had no parents or siblings. Since childhood, he lived in a rundown orphanage and lived in poverty.

"Life has to be realistic, Steve. You were too stupid to believe in my fake love. With Jacob, my future is secured." Emmy added while she hugged Jacob's arm.

Jacob grinned with satisfaction. "You chose the right decision, sweetheart." He kissed Emmy on the lips in front of Steve.

"FUCK!" Steve reflexively punched Jacob, sending him flying into the car.

Emmy shoved Steve, then slapped his face. "How dare you hurt my boyfriend! Get out of here, or I'll call the police!"

"I'm your boyfriend, not him!" Steve yelled angrily. The frustration that he was about to lose Emmy gripped him.

Jacob chuckled sarcastically as he wiped the blood from the corner of his lips. "I'm the one who made her famous, not you. I can't imagine how Emmy's life and career would be ruined by dating a trashy guy like you. Do you want the whole of Los Angeles to know that Emmy has an ugly, poor lover like you?"

"Fuck you! "Steve went to punch Jacob, but Emmy pushed him.

"Stop it! Jacob is true! You're poor and useless! I'm nothing without him! Therefore, I want us to end our relationship! Get out of here! I never want to see you again!" 

Steve froze like a bolt of lightning. "Don't talk nonsense!"

"I'm serious! I want you to get out of my life forever!"

"NO! I won't go without you!" Steve insisted.

"Are you deaf?! Get out of here, or I'll have my guards throw you out!" Jacob was exasperated.

"Whatever you say! But I'm not leaving without Emmy!"

"Tsk! You're so annoying!" Jacob immediately called his head guard, and several burly, fierce-looking men arrived. They immediately beat Steve to death, then dumped him near the trash can.

'They're such assholes!'

After they left, Steve got up and hobbled through the rain, leaving him soaking wet.

Steve walked along the road feeling empty, not knowing where else to go after this, as if he had lost his motivation. Along the way, he just contemplated his life of constant misery.

"I swear I'll get my revenge!"

[Congratulations! You got the Instant Wealth System]

[First Mission: Kiss an Actress]

[Reward: Mystery]

"What is this?"