Chapter 6
“There’s nothing I can do. My monthly allowance is 500,000 dollars. I have plenty of money. I can spend it however I want, change styles whenever I feel like it. If I don’t use it up, I get anxious all over.”
Scarlet, furious, snapped without thinking,
“Why change it? You’re just flaunting your wealth! You’re wasting money–spending thousands on manicures, constantly changing your hairstyle. Why don’t you donate some of that money to those in need? You’re a textbook narcissist. Honestly, I’m ashamed of you.”
“If I were you, I’d be too embarrassed to live! And your parents are just as disgraceful- spending your allowance instead of donating it—”
Slap!
At the mention of my parents, I raised my hand and struck her hard across the face.
Still not satisfied, I slapped her again on the right cheek.
I grabbed her chin, shoved her toward the door, and warned her with cold fury:
“Our company has its own charity foundation. We help countless people every year. Who are you to judge them? You don’t get to feel entitled to other people’s money, understand?”
“If I ever hear you insult my parents again, I will rip your tongue out.”
Scarlet was startled by my glare and mumbled,
“I–I was just thinking of what’s best for you… I didn’t mean anything by it…”
My roommates, overhearing everything, sneered and jumped in to defend me.
“How someone spends their money is none of your damn business!”
“You’re unbelievable–perming your hair and getting manicures yourself, then guilt–tripping others for doing the same. Hypocrite.”
After I let her go, Scarlet had the audacity to act tough:
“If you dare lay a hand on me again, I’ll make sure Brother Ethan never speaks to you again!”
“Great. I’d prefer that,” I said flatly.
I ignored her after that, packed up my things, and moved into an apartment near campus.
Tessa and Lydia couldn’t stand her either and said they wanted to come with me.
Before, I’d still sleep in the dorm sometimes because I wanted to gossip with them or needed to be close for early classes.
But now, I couldn’t bear to stay in the same room as that lunatic–not even for a second. Before I left, I planted a tiny listening device behind the cabinet.
Not long after I stepped out, I heard Scarlet kick a chair and scream:
“Damn it! My imitation index was at 20, and even the system said the resemblance was
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high. Now it’s down to 10! If it drops to zero, not only will I fail this strategy–I’ll be penalized!”
She called Ethan.
“Brother Ethan, you have to help me. Please talk to Celeste and convince her to come back to the dorm. I need to keep observing what she wears and buys–I have to mimic her precisely.”
“Alright, but Scarlet… how will you reward me?” he asked.
I immediately shut off the monitor–I didn’t need to hear their pathetic flirting.
But I understood what she meant now.
If I wanted to break free from that cursed system and reclaim control over my life, I had to make sure Scarlet’s mission failed.
But how? What would make her system register the imitation as a failure?
An idea sparked in my mind.
While I was ironing out the plan with my roommates, a strange number popped up on my phone.
To my surprise, Ethan was on the line.
His tone had completely changed–soft, sweet, coaxing.
He said all the things I used to melt for… but now they just made my skin crawl.
Still, for the sake of the plan, I played along.
After returning to the dorm, Scarlet’s attitude had taken a 180. She even apologized.
“Celeste, I was wrong before. You know, I come from a poor background, and I didn’t know any better. I shouldn’t have guilt–tripped you. I’ll work on myself, really. Can you forgive me?”
Chapter 6
