Chapter 3

After being discharged, I returned to the villa.

Blake was in the living room, on a FaceTime call with Serena, smiling dotingly.

Seeing me return, he didn't even end the call. He just lifted his chin, giving me an order:

"Since you're so free, find something to do."

"Starting tomorrow, you'll make lunch for Serena every day and personally deliver it to her office."

Serena, on the other end of the FaceTime, let out a sweet giggle: "Blake, don't be like that, it's too much trouble for Cassidy."

Blake's face held a smirk, his tone dismissive.

"She’s just lounging around anyway. It’s her honor to serve you."

My hands clenched silently at my sides.

But the system was having a party in my head.

【Host! Amazing news! He’s telling you to deliver food to the 'white moonlight'! This is creating an opportunity for you!】

【Think about it, appearing in front of Serena every day is practically you staking your claim, isn't it?】

【You're telling everyone that the only one who gets to lovingly prepare meals for Blake's woman is you, Cassidy!】

What else could I say?

I could only accept.

The next day, I received a menu from Serena.

Only one item: Mango Mousse.

My heart plummeted.

The system asked, puzzled: 【What’s wrong, Host? That’s so simple.】

My voice was hoarse. "I... I'm allergic to mangoes."

It wasn’t just that I couldn't eat them. Even smelling the scent or handling the fruit would trigger a severe allergic reaction.

【Allergic?】

The system fell silent for a few seconds, then shrieked.

【Fantastic! Host, this is a heaven-sent opportunity!】

【Think about it, you’re risking an allergic reaction to make cake for his woman! What kind of spirit is that?】

【This is true, heroic devotion! How much heartache will he feel when he finds out? This is more effective than delivering a hundred meals!】

So, I put on double gloves and a mask and went into the kitchen.

But the scent of mangoes still crept in.

My skin started itching, my throat felt blocked, and I coughed uncontrollably, my chest aching.

But I endured, carefully slicing the fruit, whipping the cream, and layering the crust.

Then, I delivered the finished cake to Serena’s company.

It was a high-end fashion company with luxurious decor. My simple clothes made me feel completely out of place.

All the way there, I endured the receptionist’s disdainful looks and the employees’ whispered mockery.

When I reached Serena’s office, Blake was there too.

He seemed to always be there.

I placed the cake on the table. Serena didn't even glance at me.

She just opened the box and exclaimed exaggeratedly, "Wow, it's beautiful! Cassidy, your hands are so skilled."

But she dug out a large piece of cake with her fork, then didn't eat it.

Seeing this, Blake assumed she didn't like it, and his face instantly darkened.

He sharply turned and glared at me, his eyes filled with disgust and impatience.

"Cassidy, what kind of garbage did you make? You can't even make a simple cake!"

"And you look disgusting with that coughing fit and your face all blotchy. Don't stand there grossing out Serena!"

My heart felt like it had been violently stabbed by him.

Only then did Serena smile, satisfied.

"Blake, don't be so harsh on Cassidy. I just suddenly lost my appetite."

"But this cake is Cassidy's effort, don't waste it."

She bent down and offered the spoon to a Pomeranian dog at her feet.

"Pippin, sweetie, try this. That auntie made it especially for you."

My heart instantly turned to ice.

The little dog happily stuck out its tongue, licking the cake I'd poured my literal blood, sweat, and tears into, nearly coughing myself to death.

"Aww, Pippin is so good! You're eating so well."

Serena stroked the dog's head, not even looking at me.

I stiffly turned my head to Blake, my eyes pleading slightly.

I thought he would at least say something for me.

But he didn't. He just leaned lazily on the couch, watching dotingly.

He said, "As long as you're happy."

Suppressed snickers erupted around the room.

The system was frantically scrolling across my mind.

【Host, did you see that?! He yelled at you! He yelled at you in front of his 'white moonlight'! This is called 'reverse favoritism'!】

【He’s deliberately belittling you to lower Serena's guard! In reality, his heart is bleeding for you!】

【He called you disgusting, but he was actually heartbroken by your allergic reaction! Men are just so contradictory!】

My voice was trembling. "He… they fed the cake I made to a dog…"

【The point isn't that it was fed to a dog, the point is Serena is happy! Did you hear what the male lead said? 'As long as you're happy!'】

【This means that as long as you can make Serena happy, the male lead will be happy!】

【Once the male lead is happy, won't that affection meter just come flooding in?】

【Host, this is a shortcut to his heart! You’re not trying to please Serena now, you’re directly conquering the male lead by pleasing Serena!】

I was speechless.

Seeing me stare blankly, Blake’s eyes started to show impatience.

"Why are you still here? Waiting to be laughed to death?"

I numbly stood up and left the office.

I don’t know how I walked out of that building.

I only remember on the way back, I clawed at my arms, leaving bloody scratches, but the itching was still excruciating.

Passing a mirror, I saw large red rashes all over my face and neck, looking utterly miserable.

I remembered Blake’s words, "looking disgusting," and his doting kiss, Serena’s triumphant smile, and the dog eating my hard work.

It started raining again on the road.

The heavy sound of the rain finally drowned out my uncontrollable sobs.

And on the system panel, that 5% affection meter remained stubbornly fixed, completely unchanged.