Chapter 3

Leo was a moderately famous finance influencer.

With millions of followers, his public persona was "woke, independent, and respectful of women."

He started a live stream, the theme being "Discussing independent partnerships in the new era."

Tiffany Vance, as a special guest, sat beside him.

Today, she looked especially innocent, in a white dress, long hair flowing over her shoulders.

On her wrist, she wore a watch.

It was a limited edition couple's watch from a certain brand, a gift I'd given Leo last Valentine's Day.

My matching one was still in my jewelry box.

In the live stream, Leo spoke eloquently: "A good marriage must be about mutual independence, not reliance."

"Especially financially, the AA system is the best way."

"It filters out material impurities and allows feelings to return to their purest form."

Tiffany nodded vigorously, her eyes full of admiration. "Brother Leo is absolutely right."

"Like Brother Leo and me, we're the best of friends, with the purest sibling bond."

As she spoke, she casually brushed her hair back, revealing the watch on her wrist.

"Just like this watch, Brother gave it to me, representing our indestructible friendship."

Comments instantly flooded in:

[Wow, is that a couple's watch?]

[He spoils his 'sister' too much!]

[Is that the same watch as the streamer's wife?]

[Don't talk nonsense, up there! It's a sibling bond! The streamer said so!]

[Where's the original wife? Why isn't she doing anything?]

[She probably can't control her man, otherwise why would the streamer be looking for other women.]

[Exactly, independent women understand boundaries, only nitpicky women push their men away.]

I sat in front of my computer, my fingers icy cold.

Leo glanced at the comments. Instead of explaining, he draped his arm over Tiffany's chair back, a gesture of intimate closeness.

"Tiffany and my relationship doesn't need to be explained to anyone."

"Those who understand, understand."

Tiffany shyly lowered her head, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up.

Open provocation and humiliation.

They were using the token of our love to stage a show of "deep kinship."

Then they stood on moral high ground, implying I was "too petty" and "didn't understand."

At that moment, my phone suddenly emitted a loud alert.

The sound was so loud that it passed through my computer microphone and clearly echoed into the live stream.

[Ding! Detected partner Leo Sterling unilaterally gifted marital property (couple's watch, purchase price $32,000) to third party Tiffany Vance. This action constitutes an infringement of host's property. Account has been automatically balanced for you, transferring $16,000 from Leo Sterling's account to your account.]

A mechanical, emotionless electronic voice reverberated through the live stream, heard by tens of thousands.

Leo and Tiffany's smiles froze.

The live chat, silent for three seconds, absolutely exploded!

[Marital property? Sixteen thousand? The wife bought the watch?!]

[An epic public humiliation! One second pure sibling love, the next their true colors are instantly exposed!]

[What is this System? It's too smart! "Perfectly Fair System"?! LOL!]

[So Leo's persona was all fake? Using his wife's money to buy things for a female friend, then calling his wife stingy?!]

[Tiffany's face just changed, hahahaha, is that stolen watch comfortable to wear?]

Leo's face flushed from red to white.

He fumbled to shut down the live stream but couldn't hit the button.

Tiffany shifted uneasily, the watch on her wrist now burning like a hot iron.

Eventually, the live stream was forcibly interrupted by the platform.

On the black screen, the last few comments still lingered.

[Original wife is a legend! Link to the System!]

[This is a true independent woman of the new era! No arguing, just money transfers!]

[Leo, apologize!]

I closed my laptop and leaned back in my chair.

On my phone screen, the bank deposit message and System notification lay side by side.

Outside the window, night deepened.

I knew Leo wouldn't let this go.

His war with me had just begun.

Sure enough, not long after, my phone rang.

It was Leo.

I didn't answer.

He called again and again.

Finally, a text message popped up: "Aurora Blackwood, you just wait."