One‑Click Refund: Bye, Second Male Lead

It was Peter all along.

Back when I first entered this world, the first person I ran into was Charles. I couldn't bear to watch him be abused and bullied, so I saved him.

Later, when I saw him haunted by nightmares every night. He looked so vulnerable and insecure that I softened. I used my points to switch the mission target.

That was how I was able to use my points to unlock his "powers" and help him rise.

However, now, the system was telling me that even without spending extra points, I could continue my original mission with Peter.

All these years, Charles had refused to advance our relationship, which left my energy stagnant. No matter what I did, everything went wrong. It was like some invisible hand was choking me.

Yet today, I only had to hold Peter's hand, and the relentless downpour that always seemed to target me miraculously stopped.

Energy surged back into me, full and alive. I felt reborn.

Charles' gaze burned into my hand that was entwined with Peter's. Fury was visible in his eyes.

I just snorted coldly and turned to leave.

…

Once I was seated in Peter's car, I let go of his hand. Guilt crept into my voice. "Sorry for using you just now to get back at Charles."

Peter shook his head. His eyes were deep and unreadable. "If it's for you, I'm happy to be of service."

A lump rose in my throat as memories from three years ago flooded back.

When Charles became Broxia's richest man, the first thing he did after rising to the top was make Peter's life hell.

He bribed a famous actress, who deliberately approached Peter at a party, then later cried in front of the media, claiming Peter had assaulted her.

Overnight, the golden boy fell from grace and was shunned by everyone.

When I learned what Charles had done, I was consumed with guilt.

I spent my last points to acquire key evidence and rescued Peter from Charles' trap.

However, because of that, Charles, who had destroyed all evidence, noticed something was off.

Under his relentless questioning, I finally admitted the truth. I was a system user who received missions.

Before sending Peter abroad, he looked at me with red eyes. "Can't I stay? I'm worried Charles will hurt you."

However, by then, Charles had become too unpredictable, and even I couldn't control him. So I forced myself to send Peter away.

Three years later, Peter returned.

When he heard I had quit, he called immediately and came to pick me up himself. He even prepared a guest room just for me, with every detail perfectly in place.

My heart was a mess of emotions, but I forced myself to rest. Tomorrow, something even more important awaited.

The next day, at the auction, my makeup was flawless as I faced the valuables before me with complete indifference.

That continued until the final item appeared.

It was a sapphire necklace with carefully cut gems. It sparkled mesmerizingly under the lights. I raised my paddle again and again. I had to have it.

Just as everyone thought I was about to win, a voice rang out from behind. "I'm calling for an Absolute Auction."

Natalia was nestled in Charles' arms. Her voice was soft as she cooed, "Charles, you're so good to me! I just said I liked it, and now you're willing to spend any amount of money on it for me!"

Charles toyed with the necklace. His tone was dripping with disdain. "It's nothing. Don't worry about it. If you ever get tired of it, just throw it away."

Then, he shot me a provocative glance.

I trembled with rage.

He knew exactly what that necklace meant to me!

It was my mother's last creation and the only thing she left behind in this world.

Now I couldn't even raise my bid as the 20 million I had just tried to offer came from Peter.

Charles, with his "powers", was worth billions. Peter and I didn't stand a chance.

My eyes burned red, and my chest felt heavy with helplessness.

Then, something happened that shocked everyone even more.

Charles suddenly dropped to one knee. In full view of the entire crowd, he placed the necklace around Natalia's neck.

"Natalia, will you marry me?"

The hall erupted in gasps.

Natalia's hands flew to her mouth in surprise as tears sparkled in her eyes.

"Yes! I will!"

At that moment, a cold, mechanical voice rang in my head. "Host, your mission has failed."

"Melissa, since you refuse to see reason, your mission will never be completed."

I stood rooted to the spot. As I watched the scene unfold before me, a bitter smile tugged at my lips.

Charles strode over and loomed over me. His voice dropped low, and he spoke in my ear. "You forced me to do this. From now on, you're trapped in this world forever. There's no leaving."

His words dripped with triumph, and his eyes burned with an obsessive light.

"Melissa, you're too unruly. Weren't you always saying you wanted independence and to leave me?"

His lips curved into a cruel smile.

"Fine. I'll make sure no company in the city dares to hire you. Not for work and not for rent. You won't even get to shop or move around. You'll be blocked at every turn."

Then, his tone became even colder. "After this, you'll watch me get engaged, married, and start a family with Natalia. When you're completely cornered, you'll crawl to me, begging to become my mistress."

Charles' face screamed overconfidence, as if he could already see me groveling at his feet.

I almost laughed out loud.

Just moments ago, the system had chimed repeatedly in my head.

"Commercial Insight ability restored."

"Investment Foresight ability restored."

"Fortune Enhancement ability restored."

All the abilities I had spent points on were returned in full and were now boosted inside me.

I was now the true child of fortune and the future richest person in Broxia.

Yet Charles had no idea. He was still trying to bully me with such a clumsy stunt. How laughable.

If he walked out of this auction unscathed, I'd have to admit he had some skill.

I studied him deliberately. A sly smile was playing on my lips. "Oh? Is that so? Then, I'll just have to wait and see."

I naturally looped my arm through Peter's, ready to leave.

"Stop!" Charles roared furiously, trying to chase after us.

However, at that moment, the auction manager approached with a professional smile. "Mr. Sawyer, congratulations! You've won the Tears of Galaxy necklace at a record-breaking price of 100 million. Please proceed with payment."

Charles waved impatiently, then signed the confirmation and immediately called his secretary. "Transfer 100 million from the company account to the auction house now!"

In the next moment, the secretary's panicked voice rang through the speaker across the hall. "Sir! Something bad has happened! Our financial investment has just collapsed. All company accounts are frozen!"

The words hit like a thunderclap. Silence fell over the entire hall.

Then, a flood of phone calls began, ringing like funeral bells.

"Mr. Wright, Sawyer Group just crashed! The stock price is down 50%! Return to the office immediately!"

"Jack, pull your money out of Charles' project! His company's a shell!"

"Leslie, sell all Sawyer Group shares right now!"