Elena Bennett sat cross-legged on the bed, tapping her knee absentmindedly as she sank into deep thought.
Continuing to play the weak, pitiful victim? It might work in the short term, but over time, she feared it would only annoy him.
Worse, it would cement the original owner's image as a useless, whimpering doormat.
She needed to build a new persona—fast.
One that could both carry the initial impression of a "victim" and subtly reverse his disgust, even piquing his curiosity.
What would it be?
Her gaze drifted out the window, where the sunset gilded the courtyard in warm gold.
A flash of inspiration struck her: maybe a "detached sobriety" after waking up!
No longer the love-obsessed sister who only had eyes for her brother and clung to him madly.
Instead, a Elena Bennett who, after suffering a devastating blow, had seemingly seen through everything overnight—polite, quiet, and almost distant.
She would no longer orbit him, no longer chase him with that annoying gaze, and would even start avoiding him.
This sudden shift would surprise and unsettle Julian Ford, who was used to her neediness, far more than her endless tears.
It was like a buzzing bee suddenly vanishing from around him. At first, he might feel relieved, but over time, a strange sense of concern might creep in.
Especially now, after he'd just felt a twinge of guilt toward her.
This "indifference" and "distance" could become the most alluring bait.
The more Elena Bennett thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. A sly smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
Fine, that's the plan.
From today onward, she would be the Elena Bennett who, after a "social death," had decided to turn over a new leaf and keep Julian Ford at arm's length.
Just then, a soft knock came at the door, followed by the maid's cautious voice:
"Miss, are you awake? Young Master has sent you some light porridge and side dishes."
Elena Bennett immediately masked all her emotions, quickly lying back down, pulling the quilt over her, and putting on a look of exhaustion and fragility. Her voice was adjusted to be weak and hoarse:
"Come in."
The maid set the tray on the bedside table with light steps, glancing warily at the pale Elena Bennett in bed, and whispered softly:
"Miss, please eat while it's warm. Young Master specifically asked the kitchen to make it light."
"Thank you," Elena Bennett's voice was faint and tired, barely audible.
She didn't even lift her head to look at the maid, her gaze fixed on a pattern on the quilt, as if something there held an irresistible fascination.
Seeing this, the maid didn't dare to say more. She could sense that Miss Bennett, who'd always chased after the Young Master, had been deeply hurt, radiating a cold despair.
She silently placed the items down and slipped out quietly.
The door closed again.
Elena Bennett reached out and picked up the white porcelain bowl.
As she ate the porridge, she calmly planned her next moves.
Her "sober and distant" persona had to be established immediately. From their next meeting onward, she needed to make Julian Ford feel this "earth-shaking" change firsthand.
Her mind raced, refining every possible scenario and corresponding detail.
She set down the spoon after finishing more than half the bowl.
She was supposed to be a patient who'd suffered both physical and mental trauma—she couldn't appear to have much of an appetite.
Elena Bennett lay back on the bed, and the mechanical voice of the system suddenly rang in her mind:
[Ding! — Host has successfully triggered and completed the "Weak and Pitiable" scenario. Reward: Newbie Gift Pack. Open immediately?]
Newbie Gift Pack?
Elena Bennett's spirits lifted. She'd started in hell—she desperately needed some cheat code support.
"Open," she commanded silently in her heart.
[Opening Newbie Gift Pack...]
[Congratulations, Host! You've obtained:]
[1. Empathy Resonance Amplifier (Primary): Limited to 3 uses. After activation, it temporarily (for 5 minutes) amplifies the target's perception and resonance with the emotions the host is currently expressing.]
[2. Instant Teleportation Tool: 3 uses only. When activated, it instantly transports the host to any previously visited location. (Note: May cause mild dizziness as a side effect.)]
[3. Information Fragment ×1 (A crucial piece of information about strategy target Julian Ford).]
The first two rewards made Elena Bennett's eyes light up, especially the "Empathy Resonance Amplifier"—a perfect tool for farming Affection!
And the teleportation tool might work wonders in critical situations.
Her gaze finally settled on the third reward.
What could this crucial piece of information about Julian Ford be?
"View information fragment," she ordered immediately.
[Loading information fragment...]
[Julian Ford's "White Moonlight" "relic" — an ordinary silver iris necklace, for which he holds deep obsession. The necklace was lost during his teenage years and is suspected to be linked to a major regret.]
Elena Bennett's eyes glinted, quickly analyzing this information in her mind.
An iris necklace? A relic of his White Moonlight? And tied to a teenage regret? This was unexpected information.
A long-lost necklace could make Julian Ford linger on it—its story and emotional weight must be far greater than it seemed.
This was definitely a critical breakthrough!
But Julian Ford had a White Moonlight? That was information completely absent from the original owner's memories.
Curiosity got the better of her, and she pressed the system in her mind:
"System, who is Julian Ford's White Moonlight? Since it's a relic… does that mean she's no longer alive?"
[Host, the specific identity of the 'White Moonlight' is encrypted. You must explore it yourself or unlock it with payment!]
The system's voice remained mechanical, but carried a hint of a shrewd merchant's tone.
Elena Bennett froze. "Pay what? Cash?"
She instinctively thought of real-world currency.
[Of course not, Host. The currency in this system is Mission Points. Unlocking the full identity of the 'White Moonlight' costs only 200 points! A real bargain!]
Elena Bennett asked weakly, "…Then how many points do I have right now?"
[Querying… Host's current total points: 0. Friendly reminder: You are a complete pauper~]
"..." Elena Bennett was choked by this blunt mockery, rolling her eyes inwardly. "Fine, stop talking. I get it, I'm a pauper. You may leave, System."