System Error: The Hero is a Villain? Chapter 07

System Error: The Hero is a Villain? Chapter 07

Honestly? His abs felt incredible under my sole. Sculpted. Firm. Clearly well-maintained.

“What’s wrong?” I taunted. “You said I could have my revenge.”

“Running away now?”

I basked in dominance, whispering to the system. “Humiliating enough?”

The system crowed. “Absolutely!”

“Relax, host. I researched Lucian’s history. Abused and humiliated as a kid. Hates it more than anything.”

“Everyone who bullied him vanished without a trace.”

My smile died.

Wait.

You useless system!

Did it occur to you I might vanish too?

I wanted thrown out. Not six feet under!

Terrified, I tried to yank my foot back.

It didn’t budge.

I looked at Lucian in dread. His eyes burned. Molten heat.

His voice dropped to a dangerous purr. “If you want revenge… why stop there?”

He caught my ankle. Forced my foot lower.

The heel dug in. Even through leather, my whole foot felt scorched.

Scalp numb, I struggled. He grabbed my leg and flipped me onto the bed.

Positions reversed.

Lucian loomed over me, smirking.

“You call me a freak. But you’re the one with darker tastes, aren’t you?”

“Tell me what else you like. No need to hide.”

“We’ll try it all tonight.”

A week of this. Lucian wasn’t annoyed. My body was failing.

The system was losing it.

“He’s lovesick! We’re insufferable and he’s still hooked! I’m sick of us!”

“One last desperate move.”

I had zero faith in its insanity. But I listened.

“All humans love money. Spend every cent he has.”

Yeah. Terrible idea.

Harder than the rest combined.

Lucian was so rich, burning his cash would take a bonfire three days straight.

But it was the only option.

Couldn’t drain him dry. But maybe hurt him enough to flinch?

A private mansion in Lower Manhattan hosted Sotheby’s exclusive night auction.

Guests included a senator’s chief of staff, Eastern European oligarchs, and families whose names commanded silence up and down the East Coast.

Monet water lilies. Pigeon-blood rubies. A limited-edition Ferrari. All glittered under spotlights.

Two months ago, I wouldn’t have dreamed of an invitation.

Now? I waved a UBS black card. Raised my paddle. Again. And again.

Within half an hour, two-thirds of the items bore “Sold” placards.

Champagne-sipping elites fell silent. Eyes locked on me like searchlights.

“Who the hell is she?”

“Heard she’s a Moretti. Never seen her before.”

“Moretti? Which one?”

“Obvious, isn’t it?”

Whispers rippled through the room.

Behind me, speculation churned. When would I stop?

Even I didn’t know.

I just had to keep going until Lucian snapped.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

My phone buzzed. Caller ID: Lucian.

Could it be…?

Suppressing elation, I answered. “Hey, honey. What’s up?”

“Spending nonstop?”

I hummed. “Worried about the money, babe?”

To my shock, Lucian laughed. Warm amusement colored his tone.

“What are you thinking? I’m worried about your hands. Tired from lifting all that?”

I froze. Confusion bled into my voice. “Didn’t I overspend? Isn’t it… flashy?”

I’d noticed Lucian preferred shadows. Low profile. Tonight was the opposite. Shouldn’t he hate it?

Apparently not. His voice remained steady. Reassuring.

“No.”

“Be as flashy as you want. I’ve got you.”

The system’s last plan failed.

Oddly, disappointment didn’t come.

Instead, my heart raced. Something new boiled under my ribs.

Strange.

After the auction, I headed for the dressing room. Men weren’t permitted. Bodyguards waited outside.

I slipped into a stall. Peeled off the elaborate gown. Changed into my sweater.

Phew.

No matter how stunning, these clothes were torture. Crystal heels. Bonded corsets digging into ribs. A diamond necklace heavy enough to use as a weapon. Freedom never felt so good.

I shed the Valentino couture. Pulled on my cashmere. Sighed in relief.

The door swung open.

A flock of women in Chanel suits and Hermès Kelly bags swept in. Perfume thick enough to choke.

“Saw her? Lucian’s new pet. Bidding like a woman possessed.”

I stilled. Pressed against the stall door.

“Keep it down. She might still be here.”

“So what? Ladies’ room. What’s she gonna do? But Christ, did you tally her haul? Monet. Three gems. A car. Swiping that card like it’s grocery money.”

“First time she shows at a family event, and she’s this loud about it.”

“Craves attention. My husband didn’t glance at the stage once.”

“Couldn’t take his eyes off her. She’s eating it up.”

“Lucian dating trash like that? Beneath him.”

I leaned against the door, a small smile tugging my lips.

Heard worse. People mocked me my whole life. As long as they didn’t confront me, I didn’t care.

I reached for the handle. Ready to walk out. Let it go.

Then a sharper voice cut through.

“Between you and me? Lucian’s no prize either.”

My hand froze on the handle.

The woman was drunk. Voice rising. “Who is she? Some nobody from nowhere. What pull could she have? Tonight’s all Lucian. Using her as a front to show off.”

“Remember that dock deal with our family two years back? Botched the demolition in that old neighborhood. He yanked funding overnight. Cost us millions!”

“Gutter rat playing king. That’s all he’ll ever be.”

My grip tightened on the handle.

So little of Lucian did I actually know.

None of this had the system mentioned.

But weeks by his side painted a different picture.

Last rainy Tuesday, he’d crouched by the manor gates. Wrapped his suit jacket around a soaked stray cat. Bandaged its leg with careful hands.

When the director of the local community home brought children to thank him, he’d acted indifferent. Still bumped fists with every single kid.

Every morning, my coffee arrived at the exact right temperature.

Small things. All of them proving he wasn’t the monster the system claimed.

Nor the villain these women painted.

Insults to me? I let them roll off. Thick skin since childhood.

But hearing them curse Lucian? Confusion. Disbelief.

And a feeling I hadn’t tasted in years. Rage.

The women outside paled, whispering urgently. “Are you insane? You don’t say his name here! Walls have ears!”

The woman scoffed. “What’s he gonna do? Bug the ladies’ room?”

“Hey.”

I shoved the stall door open.

Silence crashed down. The woman turned. Color drained from her face in waves. Foundation couldn’t hide the whiteness. She looked at a ghost.

I tilted my head. Offered my sweetest smile.

“Ladies. Busy chatting? Mind if I join?”

They froze. Seconds ticked by. Then they swarmed me with plastic smiles.

“Oh my God, honey! When did you get here?”

“We were just praising you! That dress was divine!”

One hooked her arm through mine like a long-lost sister.

I let her cling, tone syrupy.

“Not long. Ten minutes, maybe?”

“Resting after all that bidding. You don’t mind, do you?”

Every smile shattered. Expressions worthy of a soap opera.

“Sweetie, we were joking! A few drinks, that’s all! Don’t take it personal! Oh, my husband’s waiting—I must go!”

“Me too! See you!”

They stumbled over heels, fleeing like demons nipped at their heels.

I let my smile fade. Stood motionless.

Then I tapped the system. “Hey. You researched Lucian’s background earlier. Tell me too.”

“Of course. But…” It sounded puzzled. “Why the interest?”

I didn’t know either.

When I first arrived, finishing the mission was all that mattered. I hadn’t cared who these characters truly were. Anyone would do.

Hence mixing up hero and villain.

Now? Everything was different.

I needed to understand Lucian.

His joys. His grief. His past. The man beneath the myth.

The side of him I’d never seen.