Chapter 4Our Beautiful Terrible Lie

A good villain never rests. As the primary catalyst for the plot, even though I was an heiress, my life now revolved around stalking the protagonist and finding new ways to make his life miserable.

At six p.m., Liam started his shift at Cornerstone Coffee.

Outside the large, clean windows, the sky was ablaze with a spectacular sunset. The black apron he wore was tied neatly, accentuating his lean waist. The warm, golden light of the setting sun fell across his sculpted features, softening the perpetual chill in his expression. He was beautiful, like a figure in a painting.

I, however, was a nervous wreck, picking at my perfect manicure.

"You're telling me," I whispered to the air, "that I have to throw this coffee in his face?"

Across the cafe, Liam, who had been expertly crafting a latte, suddenly went still, his expression turning icy.

I shivered, frantically blowing on the surface of my coffee to cool it down.

"Doesn't my character have anything better to do than follow him around and bully him all day?" I complained to the System.

No.

I wanted to scream.

But it was useless. Steeling myself, I called him over.

When Liam stood beside my table, his presence quiet and watchful, I put on my mask of contempt.

"What is this?" I sneered, gesturing at the cup. "It tastes like plastic."

I closed my eyes, forcing out the last line. "Just like you. Cheap. And worthless."

The words hung in the air. I felt hollowed out, a ghost in my own body.

Liam was silent. His lashes were lowered, and his gaze on me was complicated, unreadable. He just watched me, and the intensity of it made my skin crawl.

Finally, a bitter, self-mocking smile touched his lips.

He looked directly at me, his eyes cold. "Is this the new torture you came up with for today, Genevieve?" His voice was a low, rough murmur. "Are you having fun?"

I sat up straighter, meeting his gaze. "Is this how you treat your customers?"

Throw it. You have to throw it.

My hand, wrapped around the mug, was shaking.

Damn you, System! I screamed internally. How am I supposed to do this? This is the face I fell in love with!

The System remained silent, offering no reprieve.

In the next moment, Liam calmly took the cup from my hand, and before I could react, he splashed its contents onto his own face.

Brown liquid dripped from his sharp jawline. The air seemed to freeze.

His dark eyes, full of a deep and profound weariness, locked onto mine.

"Satisfied?" he asked.

I could only stare.

He was doing it again. He was following the script by himself.

System, is this right?

The only answer was the cold, mechanical voice.

Liam Walsh: Corruption Level 50%.