Blurb：
After twenty years trapped in a System mission, Jacob Carter faces ultimate betrayal. The four women he loved—his wife Evelyn, sister Vivian Carter, childhood friend, and even his own daughter—unite to extract his heart for Xavier, the male lead who stole their affection. As Jacob’s life fades, the System offers one last escape: die by a mission target’s hand to return home. In Vivian Carter’s hospital, Jacob steals her poison, seeking death by her scheme. But Vivian forces an antidote, disgusted by his “victim act.” Can Jacob escape Vivian, Evelyn, and Xavier’s cruel world, or will their hatred chain him forever? A tale of revenge, redemption, and shattered bonds in this intense system novel.
Content：
To save their ex-boyfriend, the four women who once loved me most joined forces to extract my heart.
My wife, who once promised to love me forever, watched me coldly.
This is what you owe Xavier.
My sister, who I relied on for everything, looked at me with disgust.
It’s just your heart. You won’t die.
My childhood friend sneered.
“It’s an honor to offer your heart for Xavier.”
Even my daughter, who once said she wanted to grow up quickly to protect me, stood by and said,
“Papa, if it weren’t for you, Uncle Xavier wouldn’t be suffering like this. This is what you deserve.”
As my heart was removed, the System announced my mission failure.
Just when I thought I could never go home, the System gave me one last chance.
If I died at the hands of any one of my mission targets, I could return to my original world.
After that, I tried every method I could think of, and finally, I died by their hands.
But after seeing my corpse, the women who once despised me completely broke down.
??
With trembling hands, I retrieved a vial of poison I had hidden away for so long and swallowed it in one gulp.
Moments later, excruciating pain spread through my body.
I couldn’t stop myself from vomiting blood, yet a smile of relief touched my lips:
Finally, I can go home.
Twenty years ago, I bound myself to the System and entered this game.
My mission was making four heroines fall in love with me.
If I could get just one of them to reach 100% Affection Level, I could return to my original world, rewarded with a healthy body and a huge cash prize.
Just as I was nearing success, the male lead suddenly appeared.
All the women I’d worked so hard on fell hopelessly in love with him.
Even the daughter I’d raised for years turned against me with cruel words.
The System took pity on me.
“Host, I’ve secured one final chance for you.”
“If you die because of any mission target, the mission will still count as a success.”
After my heart was taken, I was sent to the hospital run by my sister, Vivian Carter.
The Carter family had practiced medicine for generations.
In our generation, since I had no talent for it, the legacy fell solely to Vivian.
Despite her strict surveillance, I managed to steal a vial of poison she had concocted.
Now, if the poison killed me, dying by her hand, I could go home.
As dizziness washed over me, frantic knocking sounded at the door.
A familiar figure burst in.
Vivian gripped my jaw, forcing a bottle of liquid down my throat.
I fought desperately, biting her hand to break free, but she pried my jaw open.
After being forcedly fed the antidote, I gradually regained consciousness.
Half my body leaned against her shoulder.
My vision cleared, revealing my sister’s familiar, icy face.
“Viv?” I whispered.
Vivian was one of my mission targets.
As a child, Vivian, born to a mistress, was bullied relentlessly by other kids.
Only I protected her, chasing away her tormentors.
Back then, she choked out a promise:
“Jacob, when I grow up, I won’t let you worry about me anymore. I will protect you.”
But after growing up, the plot dictated she fall for the male lead, Xavier.
When Xavier accused me of kidnapping him, she believed his lies without hesitation, despising me ever since.
Seeing I was recovering, Vivian shoved me away in disgust.
“How dare you call me ‘Viv’?”
“A scheming worm like you doesn’t deserve to be my brother!”
After pushing me aside, she frowned at her blood-stained hand.
She plunged it into a basin of water held by a servant, scrubbing furiously.
She went through several basins until the blood was entirely gone.
The furious scrubbing left her hand raw and red.
“Go die somewhere else if you want to die!” she snapped. “Do you want to ruin my reputation by dying in my hospital?”
I lowered my eyes and sighed softly.
“Too bad you found out. Let me go.”
Vivian stared at me, her face like frost.
“Just like Evelyn said, you’re good at playing the victim, always scheming for sympathy.”
“Is it because you know Evelyn is getting married with Xavier tomorrow that you want to leave the hospital?”
“Too bad I saw through your little act. I won’t allow you to leave.”
Evelyn was one of my mission targets, my ex-wife.
So, she was getting married tomorrow. I only found it out now.
A bitter smile twisted my lips.
Then, my throat itched, and I couldn’t help a dry cough.
“You’re a genius doctor, the heir to the Carter medical legacy.”
“The importance of your hands goes without saying. Yet you knew I might bite you in resistance.”
“Why risk injury to save someone you despise? I truly can’t understand.” I paused.
“Now, I suppose you’re afraid I’ll go out and kill myself, which is why you won’t let me leave this hospital?”
“Vivian, I know very well, you…”
“Shut up!”
Before I could finish, Vivian exploded, her furious shout cutting me off.
Her expression clearly showed I’d hit a nerve, leaving her furious and embarrassed.
“Hmph! Precisely because I’m a renowned genius doctor, I absolutely cannot let you die by my hand and ruin my good name for nothing!” She shuddered.
“Just thinking about saving a malicious, jealous man like you makes me sick to my stomach.”
I watched her furious face calmly.
“If you truly don’t want me dead, let me go now.”
“Otherwise, I can only assume that’s your wish.”
Perhaps surprised by my words, Vivian visibly stiffened.
But in an instant, the chill in her eyes deepened.
“Fine! Once you leave my hospital, whether you live or die is none of my concern!”
She paused, then pulled a wedding invitation from her coat.
She flung it at my feet like trash.
“Since you’re so eager to die, go die at Evelyn’s wedding banquet!”
“Make Evelyn happy with your death!”
She turned on her heel and stormed out.
The invitation lay on the floor.
I glanced at it, intending to leave directly, but after a moment’s thought, I picked it up.
Then I walked out of the hospital.
I staggered down the street, ignoring the strange looks from passersby.
Lost and unsure where to go, a gilded restaurant suddenly came into view.
The building soared into the sky.
On the main entrance plaque were two large words: Lunar Pavilion.
I instantly remembered this was built by my childhood friend Monica Wilson, specifically for Xavier.
Because Xavier liked drinking while admiring the moon, Monica built Lunar Pavilion as the tallest restaurant in the city.
I looked up at the top floor.
If I jump from there, I definitely won’t survive.
And since Monica built this place, dying here would count as dying by her hand. Then I could go home.
Decision made, I hunched over and slipped in through the restaurant’s back door.
Hiding and dodging, I finally made it to the top floor.
Standing at the summit, the wind howled around me.
Without hesitation, I climbed onto the railing and prepared to jump.
But just as I leaned forward, a powerful force yanked me back from behind.
I fell backward uncontrollably, landing heavily in a soft embrace.
Before I could recover, a furious roar sounded in my ear:
“Jacob! Have you lost your mind?!”
Dazed, I turned and saw Monica, who had despised me utterly before.
Now, her hair was disheveled, her face deathly pale. Her eyes blazed with fury as she glared at me.
Smack!
Enraged, Monica slapped me hard across the face.
“Do you think you can put on dramas like you used to? Trying to kill yourself in my restaurant?”
“Who gave you the nerve!”
“You’re a sinner! Dying is too easy for you! You should live in misery and regret!”
Seeing the loathing in her eyes, a bitter smile touched my lips.
Meanwhile, my eyes reddened involuntarily.
Monica hadn’t always been like this.
As a child, being the daughter of a new rich family, she was bullied by the arrogant old rich’s children.
Once, I saw it happen and rushed in, fighting off her attackers.
Back then, she gaped at my bloodied head, eyes red and swollen.
“Why aren’t you disgusted by me? Why did you protect me?”
“Would you… would you be my friend?”
I wiped the blood from my face and took her hand.
“Sure! We can be best friends!”
Tears streaming, she took out a handkerchief and wiped the blood from my face.
We grew up together, and her Affection Level slowly rose to 99%.
But just as success was near, Xavier appeared and captivated Monica.
I lost the little girl who promised to be my best friend forever.
Snapping out of the memory, I saw the sneer on Monica’s lips.
She spotted the wedding invitation that had fallen to the floor, understanding flashing in her eyes.
“No wonder a coward like you suddenly wants to die.”
“Too bad you picked the wrong place. Go play the victim at Xavier’s mansion.”
“Don’t come here acting crazy. I won’t be swayed!”
Seeing her disgust, a sudden urge to argue rose within me.
“Xavier isn’t the noble, virtuous gentleman he pretends to be!”
“He didn’t need my heart as medicine! He wasn’t sick at all!”
“And he framed me! I didn’t hire anyone to kidnap him.”
“It was he who hired people to kidnap me!”
Monica froze, then her face darkened with impatience.
“Jacob! Still making excuses? Still lying to slander Xavier?”
“You’re utterly pathetic! Disgusting!”
Unsurprisingly, she didn’t believe me.
I wondered, what magic did Xavier possess that made everyone believe and adore him?
I lowered my gaze, hiding the mockery and helplessness in my eyes.
“Fine. Since you don’t believe me, I won’t say any more.”
Ignoring whatever Monica shouted at me, I turned and left the restaurant.
If I couldn’t die by Vivian or Monica’s hands, I would go to my ex-wife, Evelyn Grant.
Evelyn hated me to the bone.
Not only had she taken abortion to end our child, but she also forcibly took my heart as medicine to save Xavier.
She definitely wouldn’t stop me from dying.
After spending a night in an alley, I got up and headed to Xavier’s mansion.
The mansion was decorated in wedding vibe, bustling with activity.
The guards and servants knew me.
Seeing me, they hesitated about stopping me, but I showed them the wedding invitation. They let me pass.
Inside Xavier’s mansion, I saw my daughter, Selene Grant, whom I had raised with such hardship.
Her face showed no joy, only utter disdain and loathing.
She stormed towards me, shouting:
“What are you doing here?”
“What are you planning to do to Papa Xavier now?”
Once, I truly believed Selene, my own flesh and blood, would naturally be close to me.
Like when she contracted smallpox, I ignored the risk to myself, staying by her bedside day and night to care for her.
It took a full fortnight before she got rid of critical conditions.
When she recovered, she hugged me tightly, choking back sobs.
“Papa, you’ve worked so hard for me.”
“From now on, I’ll be good, I promise. I won’t let my beloved Papa worry about me anymore.”
“When I grow up, I’ll take good care of you!”
But after Xavier appeared, everything changed.
Selene was drawn to him irresistibly.
When Xavier had his ‘accident’, the System coldly informed me that Selene’s Affection Level for me had plummeted to zero.
“I came to offer congratulations,” I replied flatly, unwilling to waste words.
A flicker of confusion crossed Selene’s eyes, but she said nothing more.
Amidst the varied stares of the guests, I walked to a banquet table and sat down.
Scanning the food casually, a plate of peanut brittle caught my eye.
I’d been allergic to peanuts since childhood. Even a tiny piece caused severe reactions.
But now, I reached out directly, grabbed a handful of the brittle, and shoved it into my mouth.
Today was Evelyn’s wedding day.
If I died from the food at her banquet, it would count as dying because of her.
Soon, the allergic reaction hit me like a wave.
My face swelled, large red patches erupted on my neck, and my breathing became labored and difficult.
My vision blurred and doubled.
Afraid someone would notice and save me, ruining my chance to go home, I pinched my arm hard, trying to stay conscious.
Staggering to my feet, I leaned on the chair, carefully avoiding the crowd, and shuffled step by step towards the mansion gates.
Just as I was about to step outside, a strong hand gripped my wrist.
“Jacob, what madness is this now? You know you can’t eat peanuts!”
I knew too well who held me: Evelyn Grant.
Three times. Three chances to die, and each time ruined by one of my former mission targets.
Frustrated and desperate, I managed to rasp with my dry and scratchy throat,
“We’re divorced! Why do you care?”
“Go marry your new Prince Consort!”
Evelyn didn’t budge. Enraged, I shoved her hard.
“Get out of my way!”
Unexpectedly, she dodged and blocked my path again, her expression icy.
“You ate peanuts at my wedding banquet, making yourself swell up like this?”
“What are you trying to pull?”
“Think this will soften my heart? Make me call off the wedding?”
“Dream on! You’ve miscalculated!”
“Jacob, have you no shame? Can’t you see your place?”
Hearing the commotion, a few people gathered.
Among the familiar faces, Xavier, in his wedding robes, glanced at me.
Seeing the swelling on my face, the disdain in his eyes was barely concealed.
He coughed lightly and smiled, taking Evelyn’s hand.
“What’s wrong with Jacob? Someone calls 911 already!”
“Jacob why do you hate me so much? Why do you cause trouble at my once-in-a-lifetime wedding?”
“I forgave you for what you did to me before, for everyone’s sake… but… why are you still doing this to me…”
Monica’s eyes instantly turned sharp.
“It’s alright, Xavier. He’ll get treated in the hospital. It won’t delay your wedding.”
Vivian also looked at Xavier with heartache, speaking softly,
“I’m sorry, Xavier. I didn’t know he was still so unrepentant.”
“Otherwise, I would have had him guarded properly, not let him come.”
Evelyn gripped Xavier’s hand tightly, declaring firmly,
“Don’t worry. No one can ruin our wedding!”
My daughter instantly stepped in front of Xavier, shouting at me,
“You villain! Why can’t you just leave Mama and Papa alone? Why do you have to ruin their happiness!”
All of them gathered around Xavier, pitying and comforting him.
A bitter smile involuntarily touched my lips.
Was this the so-called protagonist halo?
Whatever Xavier said or did, these people believed him and defended him.
In their eyes, he was forever pure and kind, and I could only be evil and malicious.
Fine. Then I hoped they remain deceived forever.
The swelling worsened. My face grew paler from labored breathing.
But enduring the agony, I felt a strange sense of relief.
Soon, the ambulance arrived.
Fearing I’d cause more trouble at the wedding, Monica and Vivian jointly restrained me and escorted me to the ambulance to head for hospital.
But just then, a sharp whistling sound cut through the air.
A black-clad assassin, dagger in hand, lunged straight at Selene.
A father’s instinct ignited instantly.
Without thinking, I threw myself in front of Selene.
Thunk!
The sickening sound of a blade piercing flesh rang painfully in my ears.
I looked down. A sharp sword was buried deep in my chest.
Fortunately, the guards reacted quickly and killed the assassin.
I collapsed to the ground.
Excruciating pain radiated from my chest. Blood gushed out in a steady flow.
My gaze grew unfocused as I looked up at the overcast sky.
A faint smile touched my lips.
Good. Finally, no one stopped me from dying.
I can finally go home.
Just before my eyes closed, I vaguely heard several sharp, anguished cries.
Then, consciousness ebbed away like a receding tide.
I was utterly still.
They were frantic, rushing me to the hospital for treatment.
The doctor said I had a death wish.
They saved my life, but there was a high chance I would remain in a coma forever.
I seemed alive, but my soul had left my body, floating in mid-air.
I watched as my bandaged, deathly pale form was carried out of the room by young medical apprentices, feeling a strange sense of melancholy.
My daughter, who always claimed to despise me, now stood pale-faced beside my bed, biting her lip.
Selene had been spoiled since childhood, demanding perfection.
She couldn’t tolerate any dirt and always ordered servants to do everything.
I never expected my pampered daughter to now take a cloth herself and wipe the blood from my hands.
Though biting her lip, tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks.
“Papa… don’t leave me alone, don’t leave me… Please wake up!”
A young apprentice bumped against a jade bracelet and handed it to Vivian.
“Miss Carter, this fell from Master Carter.”
She nodded. “I see.”
She took the bracelet, running her fingers over it, finding a tiny, repaired crack.
This was from when her mother first died. Other officials’ legitimate children looked down on her, snatched her mother’s keepsake bracelet, and smashed it.
Back then, her little brother (me) raged against so many kids, picked up the broken pieces, and took her to a jeweler to have it fixed.
Afterward, she gave the repaired bracelet to her brother, secretly vowing to become strong and protect him forever.
But now, the brother she swore to protect lay pale and unconscious.
Vivian suddenly realized she hadn’t spoken calmly to her brother in a very long time.
Every meeting, he had tried desperately to please her.
Even when together, he was excessively cautious, afraid any move might anger her.
Vivian pressed her lips together, shaking her head slightly.
Her whole body trembled uncontrollably. “Even if his crimes are unforgivable… he’s still my dearest brother…”
“Brother… don’t die…”
Monica, who had been standing by my bed with her head bowed, suddenly looked up, her face etched with grief.
She grabbed Vivian by the collar.
“Aren’t you the Carter family’s genius doctor? Why isn’t he waking up!”
Vivian turned her head away, tears falling freely, letting Monica shake her.
“Even if I were the best physician, I can’t wake someone who wantsto die…”
Hearing this, Monica exploded like a cornered animal.
“Impossible!” She shoved Vivian to the floor. “What are you saying?”
Her eyes reddened, her whole body trembling with sorrow, yet she struggled to maintain a shred of composure. “He was so vibrant before! How could he possibly want to die?!”
“If you can’t even heal this injury, what good is your medical skill?”
Vivian’s mask of icy composure finally shattered. Her face contorted as she screamed at Monica, “Before! Before! That’s all you talk about! What did youdo back then? What right do you have to play the friend now? You deserve this!”
The two women let out a mournful cry like wounded beasts and began trading blows.
It didn’t last long. Soon, they slumped by my bedside again, silently weeping.
I blinked, finding it hard to believe.
Yet they wept bitterly.
I couldn’t help but find it somewhat ironic.
The silence didn’t last. Vivian suddenly seemed to remember something, shouting hoarsely.
“Evelyn! Brother cared for Evelyn most! If she comes… maybe Brother will want to wake up!”
Monica’s head snapped up, but the next second, she shrank back. “Yes! But… they’re getting married now… Xavier, he…”
Vivian’s face turned grim. “My brother’s life is worth more than one wedding!”
“Of course it is!”
They scrambled up and stumbled out of the room.
Perhaps driven by urgency to save me, they reached Xavier’s mansion quickly. I floated along.
“What’s wrong with you two? Did it take that long to get him to the hospital? My wedding is almost over…” Evelyn asked, frowning amidst the noisy congratulations.
Monica shook her head. “No. At the gates… there was an assassin. Jacob… he saved Selene, got stabbed… He’s at the hospital now, but he doesn’t want to wake up…”
Before Monica could finish, Evelyn snorted coldly, waving her sleeve dismissively.
“Don’t think I don’t know! You couldn’t stand his begging, so you’re helping him trick me, right?”
“Poison, jumping off a building, eating peanuts… melodramatics weren’t enough? Now you invent an assassin?”
“It’s my wedding day! Security is tight! How could there be an assassin? Even if there was, guards were everywhere! How could someone get stabbed to death?”
As Evelyn spoke, a figure approached and gently took her arm.
Xavier.
“Xavier, is something wrong with Brother Jacob? If it’s truly urgent, you should go. I can handle the officials here, though it might seem odd for only the Consort to be present at the feast…”
“Don’t worry. Though I’m still weak from my illness, I can manage… But… I already forgave Brother Jacob for what he did to me… why can’t he let it go? Why cause trouble at my most important celebration…”
“It’s just so… inconvenient.”
Xavier’s words were effective. Evelyn forgot about everyone else, tenderly holding his hand.
“Xavier, I won’t go. How many times has he pulled these stunts? He never died before. This is just another trick.”
Vivian, her face cold, couldn’t take it anymore. She grabbed Evelyn’s collar, her own eyes red. “Evelyn! My brother was married to you for years! Have you no feeling for him at all? Will you just let him die?”
“What madness is this?” Evelyn slapped Vivian’s hand away, displeased. “Vivian, I considered you a friend! Are you lying for your precious brother? Do you realize this is my wedding day to Xavier? Are you trying to ruin it?”
“This is the celebration Xavier dreamed of for so long!”
They recalled my supposed “evil deeds” and saw Xavier, red-eyed and fragile.
Silence fell instantly.
Even though I knew Evelyn’s coldness well, the pain still pierced my heart.
Then, my daughter, who had been standing silently, wiped her tears and stepped forward, tugging Evelyn’s sleeve.
“Mama, Papa really was covered in blood… I cried and cried, but he wouldn’t wake up…”
“Papa got stabbed saving me… I was so scared.”
“Mama, please go save Papa… I don’t want Papa to leave me!”
Seeing Selene sobbing uncontrollably, Evelyn froze.
She suddenly pushed Xavier away, knocking over cups and plates on the banquet table in her haste, and stumbled out in long strides, leaving Xavier calling after her.
“Xavier! Where are you going?!”
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