"Housekeeper Clara!" She immediately trotted downstairs, calling out loudly.
Housekeeper Clara, who had been waiting nearby, quickly appeared in the living room and asked respectfully, "Miss Bennett, what are your orders?"
"Help me prepare a top-tier set of gaming equipment. Can it be done today?" Elena Bennett spoke quickly, her eyes shining with eagerness.
"No problem, Miss Bennett. The villa has existing equipment inventory. I'll have someone set up a gaming room for you right away." Housekeeper Clara was highly efficient, asking no more questions and bowing in response.
"Great, thank you!" Elena Bennett was in high spirits. She turned and ran lightly upstairs, planning to take a nice bath in her room.
After a long day of chaos, she needed to relax to face the upcoming "online strategy" in her best condition.
By the time she finished a comfortable bath, dried her hair, and changed into a comfortable set of home clothes, Housekeeper Clara was already waiting quietly at her bedroom door.
"Miss Bennett, the gaming room is ready for you. It's the first door on the left at the end of the hallway. Would you like to take a look and see if it meets your satisfaction?"
Elena Bennett praised sincerely, "Housekeeper Clara, your efficiency is truly amazing!"
She followed Housekeeper Clara to the newly decorated gaming room and pushed the door open—
A professional gaming desk, an ergonomic chair, the top-of-the-line monitor on the market, a mechanical keyboard, a gaming mouse...
There were even ambient lights and professional headphones, everything a professional player would need, fully equipped.
"Very satisfied, thank you for your hard work." Elena Bennett glanced around, smiled and dismissed Housekeeper Clara, "I don't need anything else for now. You may go about your business."
"Very well, Miss Bennett." Housekeeper Clara closed the door considerately behind her.
As soon as the door shut, Elena Bennett couldn't wait to pounce on the equipment, skillfully turning it on, entering her account and password, and logging into the game interface of *Apocalypse: End of Days*.
Though the original owner was a love-obsessed fool, she had unexpected talent in gaming. Her account was equipped with luxurious gear and had a high rank, saving Elena Bennett the trouble of starting from scratch.
She was just about to search for Damon Vega's game ID [Damon] when her phone on the desk rang abruptly.
She glanced at the caller ID and her movements froze.
It was Julian Ford's father, Howard Ford—her nominal stepfather.
Instead of answering immediately, she quickly sorted through the original owner's memories and the information about this stepfather provided by the system.
Elena Bennett had come to the Ford family with her mother at the age of eight. Howard Ford had loved her dearly because of his love for her mother.
At first, Julian Ford hated her, but she had softened him little by little with her little sun-like personality.
When her mother, Clara Bennett, passed away at the age of twelve, she was terrified of being sent to an orphanage, but Howard Ford and Julian Ford continued to treat her as before.
Howard Ford even told her clearly that she was the Ford family's daughter and could stay in the Ford family for as long as she wanted.
She was moved and changed her address to "Dad". Even after she turned eighteen and her infatuation with Julian Ford became public knowledge, Howard Ford never scolded her, only tried to persuade her, and when that failed, let her be.
Over the past three years, watching Julian Ford's affection for her turn to disgust, Howard Ford had only sighed, but never said a harsh word to her.
This call was probably because he had heard from Arthur Coleman that she had moved out, and was asking about the reason.
After sorting through her memories and preparing her response, Elena Bennett picked up her phone.
Just as she was about to answer, the call was hung up on the other end.
She called back immediately.
The call was answered almost instantly.
Sure enough, Howard Ford's concerned voice came from the other end:
"Chloe, why did you suddenly move out? Are you not happy living at home? Or... did that boy Julian give you a hard time?"
Elena Bennett took a deep breath and used the same excuse she had given Arthur Coleman:
"Dad, it's nothing. Brother didn't mistreat me. I just feel like I've grown up and want to try living on my own. Besides... I only moved to another property under Brother's name. It's nearby and very safe. Don't worry about me."
She paused, her voice taking on a hint of dejection and apology:
"I was ignorant before and caused a lot of trouble for Brother and for you... I'm sorry, Dad. From now on... I won't pester Brother anymore."
Howard Ford on the other end of the phone paused noticeably, as if shocked by her words, his concern deepening:
"Chloe, why are you saying this all of a sudden? Did something happen? Tell Dad the truth. Did Julian bully you? Don't be afraid, tell Dad, and I'll stand up for you!"
"Really nothing, Dad." Elena Bennett denied firmly.
She tried to make her voice sound like she had truly come to her senses:
"I just suddenly grew up and realized. Feelings really can't be forced. I was wrong before, being stubborn. I've really let go now. I just want to change my environment and start a new life properly."
Howard Ford fell silent for a few seconds, as if judging the truth of her words, and finally seemed to believe her "sudden awakening".
His voice carried some relief and emotion:
"Good, good... I'm glad you've thought it through. Dad was just worried you wouldn't adapt to being outside alone. If anything happens, you must call Dad right away. If Julian bullies you, tell me too, and I'll teach him a lesson!"
"Mm, I know, thank you, Dad." Elena Bennett replied obediently.
After a few more comforting instructions, Howard Ford hung up the phone with peace of mind.
Putting down her phone, Elena Bennett let out a long sigh of relief.
Having dealt with this stepfather who truly cared for the original owner, she refocused her attention on the computer screen.
She quickly searched for [Damon]'s ID and opened his match history—sure enough, a shocking string of red consecutive losses stared back at her.
"Tough luck, this hot-tempered young master is clearly tilted. The more he loses, the angrier he gets, and the angrier he gets, the more he loses."
Elena Bennett rested her chin on her hand and analyzed: "At a time like this, what he needs most isn't a sycophant singing his praises, but a 'god-tier teammate' who can carry him to victory and stop his losing streak."
She took a deep breath, stretched her fingers, and her eyes sharpened.
Next, it was time to wait patiently... Or rather, to watch the friend request list, waiting for the fish to take the bait.
Of course she couldn't take the initiative to add Damon Vega—that would be too obvious. She needed to create a "coincidental" encounter.
Elena Bennett quickly started solo queuing. She played with extreme focus, specifically choosing the lanes and heroes Damon Vega often used, and in every game, she strove to achieve a crushing performance and score.
Finally, after a game of outright massacre, she appeared on the results screen with an unbelievably high score.
Almost simultaneously, a crisp system notification sounded—
[Player [Damon] has requested to add you as a friend.]
The fish has taken the bait!
Elena Bennett suppressed her excitement, deliberately waiting a few dozen seconds before slowly clicking "Accept".
A message popped up in the friend channel immediately.
[Damon]: Finally got through? Your skills are not bad. Which team are you on? You played well with the Butcher just now. Queue up with me a few times, carry me to some wins, and you'll be well rewarded.
Sure enough, that was the style of the young master of the Vega family—even begging someone was done so domineeringly.
A triumphant smile tugged at the corner of Elena Bennett's lips. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, but her reply was deliberately cold and aloof.
[Stray]: No.
[Damon]: ??? Do you know who I am? Carrying me is giving you face!