He Gave My Wealth to His Stalker

I invited the underprivileged scholarship student I was sponsoring to our home for the holidays. The moment my husband saw her, his face went pale.

He had heard her thoughts: If I fail to conquer you, the system will erase me.

To save the girls life, my husband actually started to play along.

He transferred my company shares to her. He signed over my favorite oceanfront villa to her.

He even planned to throw her a wedding of the century on our anniversary.

When I asked him why, my eyes red with tears, he just looked at me with a face full of guilt.

Honey, shes just a poor kid being controlled by a system. We have to be patient with her.

Besides, money is just an object. What matters is that shes alive.

I nodded slowly and spoke to my own system.

Did you hear that, System?

He said money is just an object. So I suppose it wont be a problem if I revoke the billionaires blessing I bestowed upon him, right?

The systems cold, mechanical voice echoed in my mind:

[Host, once the revocation process begins, it is irreversible. Grant will lose all of his fortune and revert to the penniless nobody he once was.]

[Do you wish to proceed?]

I looked at Grant, who was gazing so tenderly at the girl, Renee. The last shred of hesitation in my heart vanished.

Yes. Begin.

[Executing revocation protocol Progress: 1%. Estimated time to completion: 7 days.]

Grant didnt notice a thing.

He was too busy carefully presenting a haute couture wedding gown, worth millions, to Renee.

When he and I got married, we were so broke we couldnt even afford a proper wedding. Grant promised me that for our tenth anniversary, he would give me the grandest ceremony imaginable. This gown was the one I had custom-ordered from a Parisian master for that very wedding, just seven days from now.

And now, he was about to put it on Renee.

Honey, dont look at Renee like that, Grant said, his brow furrowed in my direction.

Shes just a kid, controlled by that damned system. Her life is on the line. We have the means to help her, so why shouldnt we?

Its just a dress. You have a closet full of clothes; you dont need this one.

Renee huddled in the corner of the sofa, wrapped in a silk pajama set I had bought just last week.

She timidly raised her head, her eyes brimming with tears.

Grant Is Isabelle angry with me?

If she doesnt want me to, I wont wear it even though the system says if I dont wear the Gown of True Love tonight, it will deduct ten years from my life

She clutched her chest as she spoke, her face turning deathly pale as if in agony.

Grants expression changed instantly. He dropped the gown and rushed to her side, pulling her into his arms.

Renee! Dont be afraid, Im here!

He whipped his head around to glare at me, his voice thick with blame.

Isabelle! Will you be happy only when youve pushed her to her death?

Its just a piece of clothing! This is a matter of life and death. Is your vanity really that important?

I sat on the sofa, watching the scene unfold, and found it utterly ridiculous.

As a system user myself, I knew perfectly well that Grant wasnt hearing her thoughts. This was just a poorly-acted drama Renee had concocted, a story of being forced by a system to conquer the male lead.

And he fell for it.

Not only did he fall for it, but he now saw himself as her savior. He believed that by fulfilling Renees every wish, he could rescue this poor, innocent girl from the clutches of an evil system.

What a noble hero.

Except he was playing the hero with my money.

Grant, thats my wedding gown. The size wont fit her.

He paused, then waved his hand impatiently.

So get it altered. Renees so slim, just take in the waist a little.

Besides, he added, you bought this gown with my money. I have the right to decide what happens to it.

I laughed, a humorless sound.

Your money?

Years ago, Grant was a broke kid who couldnt even afford his next meal.

It was I who traveled to this world with my system, who, in order to save him, bound all of my own fortune to him. It was I who stood by him as he built his empire from nothing, sleeping in basements and living on instant noodles, step by step, until he became the richest man in the world.

And now, he was calling it his money.

Fine. If you feel so strongly about saving Renee, then give it to her.

Grant breathed a sigh of relief, a look of gratitude in his eyes.

Thats my girl. Isabelle, I knew you were the kindest, most understanding woman in the world.

Once Renee completes her mission and is free from the system, all of this will be yours again.

In his arms, Renee shot me a triumphant smirk.

I glanced at the system in my mind. The revocation process was at 5%.

I hope youre still feeling this generous in a week, Grant.

2

The next morning, I got a call from the office.

Grant was calling an emergency board meeting.

By the time I arrived, the conference room was already full. Grant was seated at the head of the table, with Renee sitting right beside him.

When he saw me enter, he gestured to a chair further down.

Have a seat.

I raised an eyebrow. That was the VPs seat. As co-CEO, my place had always been next to him.

Now, that place belonged to Renee.

Ive called you all here today to announce something important, Grant said, his voice leaving no room for argument as he scanned the room.

I have decided to transfer 5% of the company shares currently under Isabelles name to Ms. Renee, free of charge.

The room erupted.

The board members exchanged bewildered glances, whispering amongst themselves.

Five percent? Thats hundreds of millions!

Who is this girl? On what grounds?

I sat in my chair, spinning a pen in my fingers, saying nothing.

Right on cue, Renee stood up and bowed to the room, her voice trembling.

Im sorry, everyone. I I dont want this either

But but if I dont accept these shares, the system will register it as a mission failure, and it will punish me

As she spoke, a violent tremor ran through her body, and she collapsed weakly into Grants arms.

Grant was beside himself with worry. He patted her back while roaring at the board members.

All of you, shut up! Whats more important, money or a persons life?

Renee is doing this to survive! Are all of you so obsessed with money you cant see that?

His outburst stunned them into silence.

One of them looked to me. Ms. Winslow, this

Grants gaze fell on me too, his eyes demanding my compliance.

Isabelle, say something.

You know what Renee is going through. Think of these shares as a charitable donation.

The company is ours anyway. What does it matter who holds the shares? When Renee completes her mission, shell give them back.

I looked at him.

This was the same man who, in the early days of our startup, would scour the entire city just to save a few dollars on materials. Now, for the sake of a clumsy lie, he was about to throw away hundreds of millions without a second thought.

I smiled and tossed my pen onto the table.

Mr. Vaughn is right.

Since this is a life-or-death matter, we shouldnt delay.

But why stop at shares? If this is a conquest mission, the system must value sincerity above all else.

Grants eyes lit up. Isabelle, what do you suggest?

I spoke slowly, deliberately. Why not remove me as well? Make Ms. Renee the co-CEO. Surely the system would see that as a huge leap in her progress. She might even clear the mission instantly.

The room fell deathly silent.

The smile on Grants face froze.

Isabelle, dont be sarcastic. The shares are an emergency measure. The CEO position is not negotiable.

Since you agree, just sign the papers.

The document slid across the table to me.

I picked up the pen and, without a moments hesitation, signed my name.

[Revocation Progress: 15%.]

The systems voice echoed in my mind.

[Host has proactively severed financial ties with the target. Revocation speed has increased.]

Grant watched me sign, a wave of relief washing over him.

Thats the way. Isabelle, theyre just material possessions. No need to get so attached.

When Renee is better, Ill take you on a trip abroad.

Renee clutched the contract, her voice dripping with false gratitude.

Thank you, Isabelle youre so kind. Ill be sure to repay you one day.

Repay me?

I looked at the greed shining in her eyes.

You wont have to wait. Very soon, youre going to find out just how hot that gift is to hold.

3

When I got home, I found my belongings packed in boxes in the living room.

Several maids were busy moving furniture out of the master bedroom.

Grant stood on the landing, directing the operation.

Get rid of that mattress, Renee doesnt like it. Replace it with something softer.

Change the curtains, too. Renee likes pink.

He saw me and waved me over.

Isabelle, youre just in time.

The feng shui master said the energy in the master bedroom is the most nurturing in the house.

Renees been getting weaker these past few days. She needs to move in there to recuperate.

To protect her, Ill be staying in there with her for the time being.

I looked at the boxes piled haphazardly on the floor.

My books, my clothes, our wedding photo. The glass on the frame was cracked, a jagged line running right between our smiling faces.

So where do I sleep? I asked.

Grant pointed to the ground floor.

The room next to the maids quarters is empty, isnt it? Just clean it up a bit.

Its only temporary. As soon as Renee is better, you can move back.

That room had been intended for storage. It got no sunlight and was filled with junk. Now, for the sake of an outsider, Grant was telling me, the lady of the house, to move into the storeroom.

Renee came running down the stairs, wearing my slippers.

Grant, is Isabelle upset?

Maybe I should take the other room although the system said if I dont sleep in the master bedroom tonight, it will paralyze my legs

She bit her lip, tears appearing on command.

Grant immediately rushed to her side, his voice full of concern.

Dont be ridiculous! As long as Im here, no one is going to paralyze you.

He turned to me, his tone severe.

Isabelle, can you please be more considerate? Do you want to see Renee become a cripple?

Its just for a few nights! Why are you being so petty?

We have such a good life now, we should be grateful for our blessings. Isnt it good to do some charity work and build up some good karma?

Blessings?

I almost laughed out loud.

There were no blessings. There was only me, giving my life force to you.

I looked at Grants self-righteous face, and the last flicker of emotion in my heart died.

Fine.

I nodded.

If shes that fragile, let her have the room.

But remember this, Grant.

Some positions, once you give them up, you can never get them back.

He frowned, sensing a hidden meaning in my words, but his attention was quickly diverted by Renees whining.

Grant, I want a big jacuzzi tub in the bedroom, the kind with massage jets

Done! Well buy it all!

I dragged my boxes into the dark, damp storeroom.

I closed the door, shutting out the sounds of their laughter.

[Revocation Progress: 40%.]

[Grants fortune is rapidly depleting. Host, starting tonight, his sleep quality will plummet, and he will be plagued by nightmares.]

I made my bed on the hard floorboards and lay down.

Good.

Let him have some nightmares. He needs to get used to his new life.

In the middle of the night, I was woken by a bloodcurdling scream from upstairs.

I ignored it, rolled over, and went back to sleep.

4

The next few days were chaos.

One minute, Renee was claiming the system was going to drain her blood; the next, it was going to make her go blind. Each time, her symptoms could only be alleviated by a sacrifice from me.

Transferring my oceanfront villa to her name.

Giving her all my jewelry to wear as a protective ward.

Grant agreed to every demand.

Until our tenth wedding anniversary.

The day Grant had promised to throw Renee her wedding of the century.

To build up the hype, he booked the most luxurious hotel in the city and even chartered a private jet to fly in fresh flowers. The guest list was a whos who of the citys elite. He even invited dozens of media outlets to livestream the event.

In the dressing room, Renee sat before the mirror, wearing my altered wedding gown. She admired her reflection, her eyes gleaming with greed and triumph.

See, Isabelle? Grant is so good to me.

He said hed be willing to lose everything just to save me.

Dont you think hes fallen in love with me?

I leaned against the wall, checking the time on my phone.

Thirty minutes until the revocation was complete.

Maybe, I said flatly. After all, he was willing to lose his mind for you.

Her face fell. She was about to snap back when Grant walked in, dressed in a dashing white suit, looking radiant.

He paused when he saw me, his eyes darting away for a second before he squared his shoulders with renewed self-importance.

Isabelle, when the ceremony starts, I want you to go up on stage as the the witness, and say a few words.

He wanted me to officiate my own husbands wedding to his mistress?

No.

Grants face darkened.

Isabelle! The entire media is out there. Dont you dare embarrass me!

If Renee fails this mission, the system will erase her! Just do it to save a life, cant you?

After today, Ill throw you an even bigger wedding, how about that?

Renee walked over and clung to his arm, her voice a pathetic whimper.

Grant, does Isabelle hate me? If shes not willing, then I might as well just die

The system said if I dont receive her blessing, Ill start bleeding from all seven orifices and die a horrible death

That did it. Grant panicked.

He grabbed my wrist, his grip shockingly strong.

Isabelle! Do you have any humanity? Are you going to force her to die?

I am ordering you to get on that stage! And you will smile while you bless us!

If you dont, you can get out of my house and out of my company!

A sharp pain shot up my arm.

I looked at the contorted, monstrous face of the man before me.

Ten years of love, ten years of sacrifice, all turned to ash in this single moment.

[Revocation Progress: 99%.]

The countdown in my mind ticked into its final minute.

Suddenly, I stopped struggling. I looked at him and smiled, the brightest smile I had given in days.

Alright.

If you want my blessing so badly, then you shall have it.

I yanked my hand free and smoothed out my clothes.

Lets go. Its time.

Grant was taken aback, clearly not expecting me to agree so easily. He probably thought I was scared. He gave a cold snort and, taking Renees arm, walked out.

The grand hall was a breathtaking spectacle of lights and flowers. Grant led Renee down the aisle to the sound of applause and envious murmurs.

I stood in the wings, watching.