The Charismatic Zane with System

Chapter 5

The Next Day.

“How the hell did you get my number? Who gave it to you?!” Zeeva snapped, her voice sharp with irritation.

She and Zane were standing in a narrow, moss-covered alleyway—deserted and grimy.

“And why did you drag me to this disgusting place? Are you planning to hurt me?! I even offered you money yesterday!”

“I don’t want your money.” Zane’s voice was cold, serious.

“Then what?” Zeeva shot him a suspicious glare.

“I want to propose a deal.”

“Are you insane? Do you think you can afford me?!”

“Keep your voice down. Do you want someone to see us and start spreading rumors?” Zane warned, his eyes darting around nervously. He had chosen this place for her protection.

“I don’t have time for your nonsense,” Zeeva hissed, her voice low but cutting. “Say what you need to say, and make it quick.”

“I want you to marry me.”

SLAP!

“Ow!” Zane rubbed his stinging cheek, glaring at her. “Why the hell did you hit me?”

“Are you out of your mind?! I already have a fiancé! Just because I let you stay at my apartment, you think you can act like this?!” Her face burned with rage.

“I wasn’t fini—”

“If I’d known you wanted to waste my time with garbage like this, I wouldn’t have come! You’re trash!” Zeeva spat at his feet and spun on her heel to leave, only for Zane to grab her wrist.

“Wait! I’m not done! If you marry me, I’ll pay for all your mother’s treatment until she’s fully recovered!”

Zeeva froze. Her entire body went rigid.

Zane smirked in triumph. He knew this was the one thing that could make her listen.

She slowly turned around, and then kicked him right between the legs.

“ARGH!” Zane doubled over, groaning in pain.

“Don’t you dare drag my mother into this, you bastard! That’s not funny!” She slammed her bag against his head repeatedly before storming off.

“I love you, Zeeva!” Zane’s desperate shout made her halt again. “Please… marry me! I’ll do anything you want! I can cook, clean, do your laundry, be your personal assistant, anything! I’ll even keep the marriage a secret! You don’t have to acknowledge me in public!” His voice cracked with frustration and raw emotion.

If he lost her, he would lose his only chance for revenge, and the billions on the line.

“Do you want me to kill you?! Stop talking nonsense!” Zeeva glared daggers at him, but her flushed cheeks betrayed her emotions.

Zane stumbled toward her on unsteady legs and fell to his knees. “I’m begging you…”

Zeeva instinctively stepped back, startled by his behavior. “I’m not some cheap woman you can win over by begging.”

“Then what do I have to do?”

She paused, then smirked. “I want a luxury mansion, a sports car, a lavish wedding, and a $100 million savings account. If you can give me that, I’ll marry you.” Her tone dripped with arrogance. She already knew Zane was just a lowly waiter at a small restaurant, she’d done her homework after the accident.

That’s it. I’m finished. Zane cursed his rotten luck.

“I can give you all that if you agree to marry me first.”

“Ha! I’m not stupid enough to fall for a broke loser like you. You’re just a waiter.”

Her words pierced deeper than any blade. Zane’s shoulders slumped as bitterness consumed him. “You’re just like my ex. Do all celebrities enjoy looking down on others? Am I so unworthy of love because I’m poor?” His voice trembled with rage and humiliation, years of pent-up pain spilling out.

Zeeva’s lips parted slightly. Guilt flickered in her eyes, her words had been harsh, but her pride wouldn’t let her apologize.

“Enough. I don’t have time for this. If you can’t meet my demands, I can’t marry you. Find someone else.”

Zeeva walked away without looking back.

However, deep down, regret gnawed at her. She didn’t know why, but something about Zane felt… different. He had never blackmailed her, never threatened her reputation for money.

And for a fleeting moment, he had filled the emptiness in her heart.

***

Later that night, Zane sat alone, chugging cheap beer and drowning in frustration.

“Damn it! Why did I beg like some pathetic loser? Where’s your pride, Zane?!” he growled, slamming the can down.

His obsession with revenge had blinded him, made him forget the one rule he swore never to break, never lower himself for anyone.

But who wouldn’t be tempted by the promise of billions, when the only condition was marrying a celebrity?

Still… for a broke, unattractive guy like him, it felt impossible.

“Should I just tell Zeeva about the system and split the reward with her?” Zane muttered, then immediately shook his head. “No! She’s not stupid. She’ll never believe me.”

He let out a long sigh, taking another swig of beer.

“Maybe I should forget about revenge. Forget the money. Focus on reality. There’s no way I can finish this mission.”

Morning came. After a sleepless night, Zane dragged himself out of bed, showered, and headed to the small city-side restaurant where he worked.

“Where the hell have you been, Zane?! You disappear without a word and leave a mountain of dirty dishes?! Are you trying to get fired?!” Jonas, the bald, overweight supervisor, bellowed.

“S-sorry, Boss. I got into an accident… I was paralyzed for days…”

“Bullshit! You think I’ll fall for that? You’re fired!”

Zane’s stomach dropped. “But I’m not lying! Please, don’t fire me!”

“Nobody goes from paralyzed to walking in a few days! Get out of my sight!”

“But—”

“Or should I call the cops to throw you out?!”

Zane clenched his fists, aching to punch Jonas’s smug face. But he swallowed his pride and walked away.

He wandered aimlessly down the sidewalk, his mind drowning in despair. Rent was due soon, and he had no job, no plan, no hope.

“All because of Lucy… my life is ruined.”

He didn’t know whether to be grateful or bitter that he’d recovered from paralysis. Because of it, he’d lost everything—Zeeva, his job, his stability.

“I’m pathetic.”

SPLASH!

Freezing water soaked his clothes as a luxury car sped past.

“Son of a—!” Zane stormed toward the car, pounding on the window. “What’s wrong with you?! Can’t you see where you’re going? If you can’t drive, ride a damn horse!”

His rage froze when he saw who was inside—Danzel and Lucy.

“Sorry about that,” Danzel said casually, smirking as he pulled out a wad of cash. “Just bought this beauty for my fiancée and made a rookie mistake. Here... keep the change.” He tossed the bills at Zane like trash. “That enough for you?”

“You—!” Zane trembled with fury, remembering how this man stole Lucy from him.

“Stop, babe,” Lucy cooed, clutching Danzel’s arm and shooting Zane a smug look. “Don’t waste time on him. We’ve got to go, because Mary’s waiting for my dress fitting.”

The wound Lucy had carved into his heart ripped open again, her words like salt rubbed into raw flesh.

“You’re right, babe. Let’s not waste time on your useless ex.” Danzel revved the engine and sped off, splashing him again.

Zane didn’t care about their public display of affection. What enraged him was the bitter truth, he couldn’t do a damn thing to fight back.

To crush people like them… he needed power. And power required money.

“I have to make Zeeva marry me,” he muttered through gritted teeth. “No matter what it takes.”