Chapter 2: Switching Targets

I scan the room. Logan’s influence here is huge—all the rich kids in here think he’s a god. As his girlfriend, I don’t even know if anyone would dare approach me, let alone be pursued. As I’m worrying, a man in the corner catches my eye. I look at the always cool Carter Foster, think for a second, then say, “Change to him.”

System: “Detecting new target’s initial affection value.”

System: “Detection complete.”

System: “New target’s initial affection value is... 100?”

“?”

I doubt my ears. “What the heck? Did I just win instantly?”

The system sounds flustered: “That was a bug, let me check again.”

I glance suspiciously at Carter in the corner. He’s rubbing an empty whiskey glass with his finger, lounging on the sofa, long legs crossed, black slacks pulled up a bit, his socked ankles looking unexpectedly sexy. Some people just have that presence. Even sitting there, Carter feels like a lion—intimidating, making people think twice before approaching. This man, radiating a subtle pull, makes me wonder: why did I choose to chase Logan instead of him? I can’t find an answer. Maybe because Logan, the cocky playboy, seemed easier to handle than Carter. Or maybe I was just scared.

The system now reports: “New target’s initial affection is 20. That was a bug.”

Not a high number. I try not to groan. I walk over to Carter. It’s quiet around him. After I sit down, it gets even quieter. He looks up and asks why I’m here. I say straight up, “Your sister stole my boyfriend.”

He raises an eyebrow, cool as ever. “Then I’ll apologize for her.” He raises his empty glass slightly, apologizing without much sincerity.

I test the waters: “No need to apologize, just give me her brother instead.” My cheeks burn as soon as I say it.

Carter looks at me, his eyes calm and unreadable. Just as I’m about to sigh that this is going to be tough, the system reports: “Target affection +5.”

I’m shocked: “What the—another glitch? That’s a big jump...”

System: “I’m surprised too. Who knew he’d fall for that?”

I didn’t expect Carter to like cheesy pickup lines. It reminds me of a previous target in another world who loved them too. Hope flickers. Seeing hope, I continue: “Thanks for helping me out earlier. The cake was delicious.”

He nods politely. I’m racking my brain for ways to get closer when he answers a call right in front of me: “Yeah, it’s me... Why is the dance instructor out?... Got it, as soon as possible.” He hangs up.

I sense an opportunity. “You need a dance teacher?”

He hesitates. “Miss Monroe... Did you need something else?”

“I happen to know a little dance. What kind of instructor are you looking for?”

“Waltz.”

“I can teach!”

System asks skeptically: “...You actually can?”

I say confidently, “Of course, waltz is the only dance I ever learned.”

System snorts: “Then why say you know ‘a little’?”

...If I didn’t, how could I hook Carter?

Carter sets another condition: “The gala’s in a week. You’ll need to work around my schedule and be on call.”

“No problem.” More than that—it’s exactly what I want.

Carter looks at me for a moment, then agrees. “My assistant will text you the details.”

With such a smooth start, I’m full of hope for the next phase. Just as I’m getting excited, I feel Logan’s cold, burning stare. Like a bucket of ice water, it brings me back to reality—Logan is still a ticking time bomb. I need to keep away from that danger. I get up to leave, but as I’m about to go, Logan corners me in a deserted hallway.

He asks, “What are you doing with Carter?”

I stay silent.

He grabs my chin. “Answer me!”

“Just talking,” I grit out.

“Who said you could talk to him?” Logan pats my cheek. “Even if I’m marrying Peyton, you stay by my side till the end. Understand?”

I’ve always known how possessive Logan is. When I was chasing him, he wouldn’t let me talk to other guys. Only after becoming his official girlfriend could I hang out with his friends. I say, helpless, “You’re getting married. Why do you care who I talk to?”

Logan instantly goes red with anger. “As long as it’s not him!”

I stay silent. He can’t do anything to me anyway, I think, but my stomach twists. Logan seems to read my mind and sneers, “You think I can’t touch you? Just wait—I won’t let you off easy.”

Logan starts his revenge tour. He publicly announces his engagement to Peyton Foster—a perfect match, everyone says. Scandalous news follows: sports cars, models, clubbing—he lives up to every rumor. Every day, he’s seen with a new woman, like everything’s gone back to how it was before. He’s reckless again, wild and untouchable. I sigh deeply. Logan probably thinks this will ruin my plan. But after switching targets, what he does has no effect on me at all. Now, only Carter can affect my mission.

Luckily, things with Carter are going smoothly. After just a week of waltz lessons, his affection for me has jumped from 20 to 60. That’s a record in my mission history. And since Carter’s feelings have grown, he even invites me to the gala as his date. I gladly accept. The dress and jewelry for that night are sent by Carter’s people. I put on a sparkling off-shoulder mermaid gown, admire myself in the mirror, and bet with the system: “Guess how many points Carter’s affection will rise when he sees me?”

I twirl in front of the vanity, the dress catching the light just so. “I bet five,” the system sighs. “This lead is too easy.”

I press my lips together, smiling. It’s the first time I’ve seen a target’s affection rise so fast. When Carter gets out of the car and sees me, he really freezes for a second. The system chimes: “Male lead affection +5, current affection: 100?”

I’m speechless. “Can you count?”

The system sounds aggrieved. “Not my fault. The number really flashed to 100 just now.” It quickly corrects itself: “Now back to normal. Re-reporting, male lead affection is 65.”

I get in the car with Carter, grumbling, “Is your system glitched? Even a gym teacher could count better.”

The system’s voice is muffled: “I’ll get checked out soon.”

“Mm.”

Logan, of course, is at the gala. As his ex-girlfriend and now Carter’s date, I’m instantly the center of attention. Everyone’s curious if Logan’s ex will become his sister-in-law. Carter shields me from the gossipy stares, whispering in my ear, “Later, I’ll dance the first dance with Mrs. Harper. Can you be alone for a bit?” Mrs. Harper is the hostess. I put on my dance teacher face and look at him: “You haven’t forgotten what I taught you, right?” He smiles gently: “Wouldn’t dare.”

The first dance begins with a slow piano melody. I watch Carter in the center of the floor, graceful and polite. For a moment, I see someone else’s shadow in him. As I try to look closer, a cold voice whispers in my ear: “So, is Carter your new target?”

No need to look—I know it’s Logan. I instinctively try to move away, but he follows me everywhere. Helpless, I stop. “What do you want, Logan?”

He scans me from head to toe, then asks, “Why aren’t you gone yet?”

I’m exhausted. All this drama is draining, and honestly, he scares me. I decide to be straight: “Like you said, I’ve changed targets.” He’s stunned for a second. “So calm down. You’re not the lead now. Nothing you do matters.” I look at him and sincerely suggest, “Since you’re getting married, just live your life. I wish you and Peyton the best.”

Logan suddenly snaps: “Get lost!”

He drags me into a lounge. “This is the love you keep talking about? So cheap?” He fires off, “So what am I now? Your discarded pawn? When I’m useful, you treat me like gold. When I’m not, you toss me aside—is that it?”

“Logan, calm down.”

“Not choking you right now means I’m calm enough.”

Logan grabs my shoulders tightly, demanding, “Madison, answer me!”

“I don’t want to die.”