Chapter 3

3

Early the next morning, I pretended to head out for a medical checkup.

In reality, I went straight to the bank and the county records office.

The financial audit chilled me to the bone.

The savings account containing my entire fifty-thousand-dollar nest egg had already been drained dry in multiple transfers by Linnea.

Every single transfer was labeled as “personal loan” or “shopping”.

And every single penny had gone straight into Garrett's bank account.

That money was the inheritance left behind by my late parents, meant to be the down payment for a larger house.

Now, it was completely gone.

Just then, Garrett posted a brand-new photo on his Instagram feed.

He was posing proudly in front of a sleek, brand-new BMW 5-Series.

The caption read: 【Hard work always pays off. A new toy to reward myself.】

He bought that car with my parents’ hard-earned legacy.

When I arrived home, Linnea was lounging on the sofa with a face mask on.

Seeing me walk in, she tossed a lab report directly into my lap.

“Read it yourself, Nolan.”

I picked it up and scanned the page.

It was a fabricated report stating that I suffered from severe male infertility and had virtually zero chance of natural conception.

“The doctor said you’re practically incapable of ever becoming a father,” Linnea sneered, her eyes overflowing with utter contempt.

“No wonder nothing happened after three years of marriage.”

“Are you even a real man, Nolan?”

Before I could utter a word, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

It was an iMessage from Garrett.

I tapped the attachment, and a video started playing.

The setting was the private locker room at his gym.

In the footage, Linnea was on her knees, looking up at him with an adoring gaze.

The scenes that followed were utterly humiliating.

Then came a text message:

【Your wife is incredible in bed, but too bad you’re firing blanks. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of making that baby for you.】

Crash!

The glass tumbler in my hand slammed against the hardwood floor, shattering into countless pieces.

【Warning! Warning! If the host acts rashly during the task phase, the system will unbind and the host will be eliminated!】

Flashing crimson system warnings exploded in my vision again.

I gasped for air, my chest heaving violently up and down.

Linnea jumped in fright, then immediately began screaming at the top of her lungs.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Nolan? You’re the one who’s defective, and you have the nerve to throw a tantrum?”

“Sweep up every single shard right now! If I step on glass, I swear I’ll make your life a living hell!”

I crouched down slowly.

One piece at a time, I picked up the sharp fragments of glass.

A jagged edge sliced deep into my index finger, dripping crimson drops onto the floor.

The sharp sting helped anchor my sanity.

That evening, Linnea brought Garrett right into our home.

Her excuse was laughably shameless: “My personal trainer is here for an in-home prenatal yoga session.”

“Since you're useless, I have to get my own body in peak physical condition. Even if we do IVF, I need a strong foundation.”

Linnea spoke as if she were doing me a massive favor.

In the living room, the yoga mats were rolled out.

Right in front of my face, the two of them engaged in intimate couples' yoga routines.

Their poses were wildly provocative.

Linnea let out soft, breathy moans without a single shred of shame.

They treated me like complete thin air.

I sat on the nearby armchair, watching the entire spectacle unfold.

【Extreme Task Activated: Serve water, wipe their sweat with a towel, and compliment Garrett's physique.】

【Reward: Five million dollars in cash. Patience +20%.】

I stood up quietly.

I poured two glasses of warm water.

I grabbed a fresh hand towel.

Then I walked over to the mat.

Garrett was hovering directly over Linnea. Seeing me approach, he let out a smug whistle.

“Look at that, Nolan. You’re learning fast.”

I handed them the glasses, then raised the towel.

Garrett deliberately leaned his sweaty face forward.

“Come on, wipe it off for me, buddy.”

I gently wiped the sweat from his forehead with the towel.

My movements were careful and subservient, like an obedient butler catering to his master.

“You have an incredible build, Coach Garrett. I could train for a lifetime and never look like that,” I praised with a polite smile.

Garrett patted his broad chest proudly.

“That’s because real men stay solid. Unlike you, soft as a jellyfish.”

Linnea lay back on the mat, casting seductive glances his way.

“Alright, ignore that loser. Garrett, let’s keep going.”

As midnight approached, Garrett showed zero intention of leaving.

“Man, it’s so late. I’m too lazy to drive back across town,” he said, stretching his arms while looking at Linnea.

Linnea chimed in immediately: “Just stay over. The guest bedroom is empty anyway.”

She turned to me and barked an order: “Nolan, go make the guest bed for Garrett.”

“Use that brand-new silk duvet we bought. Don’t you dare give him your old, gross blankets.”

I turned around and walked into the guest room.

I pulled the new duvet from the closet.

As I tucked in the sheets, my fingers brushed against something cold beneath the pillow.

A pair of heavy tailoring shears.

I gripped the metal handle firmly.

A bone-chilling sensation spread through my veins.

Just one quick strike.

Just one thrust straight into that scumbag’s throat.

【Patience level at 99%... Threshold almost reached.】

【Please hold on for the final step, Host.】

I closed my eyes.

Slowly, I let go of the shears.