However, she found out that not even the ashes of the letter could calm her nerves down! She still couldn't stop the trembling of her body!

She was that greatly shaken! As she never expected that little guy to know her secrets!

Clarissa was euphemistically called a 'secondary host'. Yet she perfectly knew that what it truly meant and that it was not something glorious.

Why else would that d.a.m.nable teleporter kid tell her to do something as to not become a waste?

She wouldn't believe that he was merely taunting her through that letter! He was also threatening her! If not, why would he mention that body donation thing which she should arrange once she dies?

'd.a.m.n him! Who the heck is he to decide whether I'm wasting my life or not?!'

'Who the h.e.l.l is he to threaten me!? Does he think being higher leveled means being invincible? Huh. Stop kidding me!'

'He just happens to have completed a little more than 5 missions than me! I'll let him see! No official hosts are unkillable!!! And this queen here will be the one to kill him!!!' she viciously declared, hatred filling her eyes.

...

For two consecutive days, Sofony did not see the enemy host. Clarissa did not come to school. She did not see her anywhere. She could not tell as well if Clarissa had already visited her gangmates at the prison.

This, of course, made her relieved. But not to the point that she would loosen up her guard and slack off. In fact, Clarissa's non-appearance gave her the illusion that the woman was planning another move against her!

She could never forget. Clarissa had connections with the government and mafia. Sofony also had no way to know about her whereabouts and actions due to the system's protection. As a hard lesson taught to her by the 'fake Wendy incident', it would be hard to guard against that b.i.t.c.hy woman's attacks, especially since Sofony was like a blind person groping in the dark.

So what should she do?

She asked the same thing to the system and all it advised her was to take many missions in order to level up. Naturally, she understood that points and skill rewards could definitely provide her with great help. Unfortunately, like the loathful t.i.tle of her system, the mission next given was something hard to stomach. At least, for Sofony whose heart seemed to have already decided to not betray her current partner in that aspect.

What aspect, you ask?

**********

[System Prompt: First Official Mission (Towards Level 3)]

System Task: Have a One-Night Stand with A Married Man!

System Introduction: In Short, Become An Adulteress! Find a married man to f*ck. It will be considered completed once you made your adultery partner c.u.m ten times. Hehehehe. Take-note. Ten times. One-Night Stand. So you better find someone young and vigorous. Then drug him to make sure he c.u.ms the required times. Hehehehe. Time limit is one month!

Quest Rewards:

- 30, 000 Pleasure Points

- 3 Shop Tickets (allows you to redeem 3 items from the shop, price range from 0 - 10,000 Pleasure Points)

- A Level Up To Your Anonymity (Hosts two levels higher than you won't be able to see any information you asked to be hidden)

Failure Consequences:

- I'll make you blind again, hahaha

- Minus 30,000 Pleasure Points

********

The panel rendered her sighing in dismay.

The only thing she felt grateful for was being reminded of the previous rewards.

'This Skill Shop Pa.s.s allows me to purchase a skill from the shop, right?'

She once again sighed. When she browsed for items she could redeem, she found stuff like 'Invisibility Powder', 'Software Virus Devourer, Low-Level Invisible Barrier', 'Super Pet', 'Low-Level Apocalypse Virus'... The list goes on, but the last one mentioned, which surprisingly really exists, was priced 500,000 Pleasure Points.

Therefore, she went like, '...Ah, so you system can also be glitchy huh, lumping a hundred thousand points items with ten thousand points items... But d.a.m.n, I hope no host ever think of purchasing that accursed virus! I don't want an end-of-the-world movie to become reality by a host's hand!'

Nursing a headache, Sofony closed her interface after redeeming an item. She planned to give it later to Gio. Then once she ama.s.ses enough points again, she'd buy the same device and hand them over to Wendy and Steffy.

It was already afternoon. 1 pm to be exact. This morning, their cla.s.s had just finished testing four subjects for the first day of finals.

One of the few good things the admin had ever implemented was to allow students to have breaks on the afternoon of every major exam, hence here she was, already on her way home.

She meant not the little condo or apartment. But the Silver family's new home.

"I'm glad that you visited us, dear."

Sofony smiled and greeted the warm-looking madam. The latter led her to the gazebo in the middle of the side garden after hugging her.

"Good day, mom. I'm sorry for not notifying you earlier."

"No problem, dear. We're always glad to have you here. After all, you're now my daughter. Sadly, you're Dad is still at the company."

Sofony stared at her new mother's back as they walked, their destination was the gazebo's round gla.s.s table at the middle of a potted flower encirclement. To be honest, it was not hard to like this still beautiful, young looking, and amiable 48 years old madam. These past two weeks, she's been so kind to her that sometimes she wanted to ask if it ain't too excessive to return the favor this way. Yet Cindy said she was just glad to have a daughter and a likable one at that.

In reality, Sofony was still overwhelmed by the Silver couple's care and confused if it was really alright to just accept their goodwill. There was also her subconscious rejection. Sofony knew she was sometimes acting cautious and distant at their presence and it stemmed from still seemingly not having acclimated to being a rich family's daughter.

Sometimes she wondered if these were all real. It felt more like a dream, the kind which could scarily take her away from reality once she no longer wants to ever wake up.

"Join me for an afternoon tea," suddenly said the madam.

Sofony was woken up from her stupor. She squinted for a while then politely nodded at the woman. Under the shade of the flower-decorated gazebo, she took the seat opposite Cindy and accepted the teacup. Her next movements were practiced. The lessons she'd been taking from time to time from the private teachers contracted by the Silvers showed results today as she elegantly brought the teacup to her lips.

After a sip, she exclaimed with a smile, "Mom, you're tea is really amazing!"

"It's not that praiseworthy, dear. Don't worry, probably by next week, your teachers will teach you how to brew tea and coffee." Cindy laughingly said.

She secretly grimaced, feeling conflicted as she was not that fond of these lessons.

Minutes pa.s.sed that they were talking about some light topics like Sofony's friends and her studies. Sometimes the discussion would go to Cindy's side and then the madam would laugh while telling her newly gained daughter about their family and businesses. One time, Lara Abenson got mentioned, but the topic immediately s.h.i.+fted when Cindy frowned, probably reminded of the ruined party.

"Let's not talk about that unruly girl anymore. I honestly feel bad whenever I remember what she did to our party. Your father is also the same that's why he's still pursuing the matter with the mayor and the Hermosos."

Sofony placed down her teacup and the saucer on the round gla.s.s table. She stared at her new mom for a while, having remembered that they were also persecuting those two families for her. She was actually ashamed, knowing her actions caused all of this. There was also some warmth worming into her heart. However, the confusion and embarra.s.sment were more predominant as she could not understand why the Silvers would go all this way for an adopted daughter that they only knew for less than one month.

"Do you have any questions, Sofy?"

Sofony's cheeks lightly reddened at the intimate calling of her nickname, nonetheless, she answered, "Ahm, my apologies. I was just wondering why you're going all this way to oppose them? I can tell I'm somehow part of the reason, and I somehow don't get why."

Cindy studied her expression a bit before saying, "You're wondering why we're also acting good to you?"

The girl honestly nodded.

"Well, this is why we like you. You have the potential to be a good lady or businesswoman someday. You already know not to trust or believe in free lunches. You also know how to conduct yourself. But actually, we just simply like you. Of course, we won't deny we have some ulterior motives. After all, we can see how that Albarez heir care for you." Cindy lightly chuckled in a way that made Sofony wonder how she could look carefree yet cla.s.sy.

Her new mother continued, "Speaking of that young man. Sometimes I can't honestly believe that he fancies a girl way younger than him. He's cold-hearted, and a heartbreaker. Everyone almost betted whether he's gonna end up fathering so many illegitimate children or not. Now, we're all surprised to find you by his side. He's treating you differently. But if it's love then it's understandable."

For a long while, Sofony could only be seen giving Cindy a dumbfounded look. Mrs. Silver's words had that strong effect on her. She could not even speak a word despite her cheeks reddening and her cherry lips parting.

The moment Cindy noticed her embarra.s.sing expression, the madam started laughing heartily, looking like she really enjoyed the sight.

"Oh my! You little girl. It seems you also like him! That's good. I can be at ease, waiting for him to announce an engagement between you two. Frankly, that's what we, your new parents, also hope. But of course, if this won't happen, don't worry, you will always be our daughter. After all, Harry and I are no longer young. When we grow older we want someone who can and will take care of us and our businesses," she once again laughed. "In a sense, it's your lover who gave you to us. It's a favor. Yet because of this favor, we get a beautiful heiress."

It took time for Sofony to recover and the little seriousness at the last part of other's speech helped her a bit. This time, she finally managed to reply. "M-mom, please don't tease me again like that."

She actually wanted to deny being a lover with Gio. But somehow, something within her had been too happy to do that. Of course, the truth would always prevail. One day, they'd surely find out their real relations.h.i.+p.

As of now, she was not really sure what she meant to him. She could feel they're now more than bedmates. But could they be called lovers? Asking Gio would solve this puzzle, however, Sofony was not yet ready to tackle it. At least, not now that she had other things to worry about.

For now, she'd be content staying by his side, seeing him whenever night comes, indulging in his physical warmth.

She cleared her throat and responded to Cindy's latter words, "To be honest. I still can't sometimes believe that a common-born like me can become a rich couple's daughter."

"I'm overwhelmed, and sometimes scared. I don't know if it's alright to just claim this opportunity."

"But since you two accepted me, I will strive to become the most filial and excellent daughter. I will study hard and make you proud."

Sofony received a warm smile from Cindy who replied, "You're really a good girl. Do your best then. Because we're not the only ones you have to think of. You're too young, but since you already have a man, do your best for him too. Even though he's already very successful, you still don't know when he's gonna need your support. It will surely be nice to see you one day standing shoulder to shoulder with him, confidently facing the world together."

Cindy then told her more about how she spent her marriage years with Harry and reiterated how a woman's care and support could always give power and confidence to a man. She said there were many ways to do this. It could be from simple caring words and gestures to bravely shouldering his burdens when things get tough.

"Haha, sorry if I directed our conversation to that. I just want to share my experiences with my daughter."

Sofony gave her a smile coming from the bottom of her heart, "No, it's my pleasure to learn from you, Mom. Thank you." She then stood up and lightly bowed, "I'm leaving now. Thank you again for the tea and the pieces of advice."

In the end, the kind madam only let her go after giving her a hug and a pat on her head. This really warmed Sofony's heart. It made her realize that she'd been missing her parents for a long time.

The heavens must have pitied her, using Gio as an instrument to lead her to this beautiful and lovable woman. There was also the protective father figure Harry. Although the time she had spent with them was short, she'd never forget how they treated her with courtesy and smiles, made her known as their daughter, and defended her against Lara Abenson.

Cindy and Harry might have taken her in as a daughter due to Gio. Nonetheless, they were great people gradually helping her remember the warmth of a real family.

So far, Sofony only had three people she'd vowed to protect forever. But, it would probably not take long for two more people to enter this list.

.......