Saving Lead Two, Then Lead Three

After successfully redeeming the second male lead, I took him away from Kingswood.

Far from the accident-prone, destined-to-ruin-his-family, and castrated female lead.

Yet, later, he abandoned me, laid up in the hospital after a miscarriage, and returned to Kingswood at her single phone call.

He didnt know that this time, I wouldnt save him again.

After all, the mission was complete, and Id received the systems billion-dollar reward.

To earn more billions, I immediately rushed off to redeem the tragic third male lead.

What can I say? Im bound to a Redemption System.

The system rules: redeem one tragic male supporting character, and I get a billion dollars.

A person shouldnt, at least, shouldn't ignore a billion dollars, right?

On the fourth year of redeeming Luke Thompson, he personally held me down on an operating table.

He forced me to abort the child I was carrying, nearly five months along.

I watched him in silence.

Luke awkwardly averted his gaze, too guilty to meet my eyes, yet his words were unyielding:

Darling, Clara miscarried

If she knew you were carrying my child, shed be heartbroken.

Dont worry, were still young. We can have children later.

When I get back from Kingswood, well start fresh, okay?

I swear, this is the last time! Just let me help Clara teach James Carter a lesson, help her secure her standing in the Carter family, and Ill be right back

With that, Luke released my hand and left without a backward glance.

The operating room door slammed shut, bringing with it a chill wind that made me shiver.

I sighed deeply, closing my reddened eyes. Go on, clean it all out!

Dont delay my next redemption mission.

After all, redeeming one tragic male supporting character earned me a billion-dollar reward from the system.

A person shouldnt, at least, shouldn't ignore a billion dollars, right?

My name is Iris Mulligan. After binge-reading a hundred melodramatic novels online, I was forcibly bound by a system to this particular redemption drama.

In the original story, Luke Thompson, as Clara Albrights number one devotee, poured all his familys wealth into a business war against the male lead, James Carter, to protect Clara.

But to his shock, at the last moment, Clara and James reconciled. To help James win the business war, Clara secretly stole Lukes companys tender documents!

After Lukes bid failed and his company went bankrupt, he still silently stayed by Claras side.

James, in turn, became jealous and broke up with Clara again.

Clara, heartbroken, blamed everything on Luke.

Finally, for Claras happiness, Luke, the tragic second male lead, resigned himself to being castrated by James so he could forever remain by Claras side to protect her.

At the end of the story, Clara and James lived happily ever after.

And Luke, after his family went bankrupt and he became a eunuch, watched Clara happily marry James, then contentedly jumped into the sea to his death

Reading that, I furiously left a comment:

My first half of life wasn't too wicked, but reading this has balanced the scales. From now on, may I prosper and accumulate wealth, may even fate owe me three parts of good fortune, witnessed by the heavens, let this covenant be sealed!

The next second, my vision went black, and I dropped dead in my rented apartment.

When I reopened my eyes, I was Clara Albright and Luke Thompsons high school classmate.

Eighteen-year-old Luke, wanting to avenge Clara, got into a massive fight with James Carter.

The result, of course, was that he couldnt beat James and ended up beaten black and blue.

As the system-designated redeemer, I appeared by Lukes side as a transfer student.

Initially, I was extremely reluctant. Who in their right mind would try to redeem a tragic second male lead these days?

Until the system said: Successfully redeem the second male lead, saving him from his tragic fate of family ruin and castration by the male lead, and you will receive a billion-dollar reward from the system

My expression changed in a second, a wide smile spreading across my face:

Mr. Thompson, your humble servant has arrived late!

From then on, I became Luke Thompsons number one devotee.

Every student in school knew that I, the transfer student, had fallen in love with Luke at first sight, to the point of losing all dignity.

The breakfast Luke sent to Clara? I made it myself.

The tent Luke used to gaze at the stars and moon with Clara after her breakup? I set it up.

The 5000-word essay Luke was forced to write by the dean for fighting James over Clara? I stayed up all night to write it for him.

Luke was hospitalized after getting injured protecting Clara. Clara cried dramatically by his bedside while I bustled around, getting his medicine, changing his bandages, bringing water, and fetching meals.

Clara became jealous, and Luke angrily told me to get lost.

I shook my head, crying profusely. My desk-mate, Leo Vance, looked at me with an expression of utter exasperation.

Have all the men in the world died? Are you so desperate for him?

I nodded tearfully. Yes! Only him! No one but Luke.

Thats a billion dollars walking around!

I ask you all, who can refuse a billion dollars?

And so, I redeemed Luke for three whole years. Finally, Clara decided to get engaged to James.

The night before the engagement, Clara looked at Luke, her eyes brimming with tears: Luke, Im going to find my own happiness. Promise me, youll find yours too, okay?

To reassure the kind Clara, the next day, Luke took my hand and led me to her.

Clara, go chase your happiness. Ive already found mine.

I was forced to be a part of their little game

My toes curled the entire time.

For a billion dollars, I endured it!!!

After we married, to save Lukes manhood, I sweet-talked and coaxed him into moving his company to Lakeshore.

Away from Kingswood, away from Claras aura, Luke suddenly seemed to become normal.

He actually wanted to seriously date me, with marriage in mind!

I was scared to death and quickly contacted the system. Do I have to marry Luke to get the billion dollars?

System: Marriage is a must! Preferably a child too. Men, when theyre young, will live and die for love. But once they marry and become fathers, they settle down.

I suspected this system was actually my electronic mother-in-law.

But I had no proof.

To prevent the system from getting stuck at 99.99% like some online cash-out schemes, I seized the opportunity to force the system to agree: as long as Luke and I were married and I was pregnant with his child, the redemption mission would be considered a success.

After reaching an agreement with the system, I quickly eloped with Luke.

The night before the wedding, I saw Luke holding a box full of candy wrappers, sitting in his study all night.

Having read the original novel, I knew those were the wrappers from the fruit candies Clara had given him since childhood. Luke couldn't bear to throw away a single one, washing them all clean and hiding them in that tin box.

I couldnt help but roll my eyes.

Actually, those free fruit candies were just taken by Clara from the cash register whenever she and James went out to eat.

I dont know what Luke was so touched by.

Honestly, I did once wonder if Luke and I could actually make it work.

After all, Luke, away from Clara and the original plot, was genuinely a good husband prospect.

Young, handsome, wealthy, and he was good to me.

But then, the moment the bridesmaids opened the door and Luke walked in, carrying a pair of crystal heels,

I felt as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over my head, snapping me back to reality.

My forefoot is naturally wide; I cant wear high heels. Before the wedding, I had specifically told Luke about this.

Luke had laughed then, saying that if I couldnt wear heels, then on our wedding day, he wouldnt wear dress shoes either. Hed wear sneakers with me.

But in just a few days, he had forgotten everything hed promised me.

It wasn't me who loved crystal heels; it was Clara Albright.

Luke held those crystal heels, kneeling on one knee before me.

His gaze, looking at me, seemed to be seeing another girl he once deeply loved.

I suppressed the last flicker of emotion in my heart and coldly pushed away the crystal heels Luke offered.

Luke, my feet cant wear high heels. Before the wedding, I remember telling you this.

Luke froze, a flicker of annoyance in his eyes.

Im sorry, I forgot Anyway, the wedding is only for a short while, Darling. Can you just bear with it?

I looked at him, then suddenly let out a laugh. Luke, if the bride sitting before you today were Clara Albright, would you let her walk through the entire wedding in ill-fitting shoes?

At the mention of Clara Albright, Lukes face changed. He silently picked up the crystal heels and left.

When he returned, he was holding a pair of sneakers hed casually grabbed from the shoe rack.

Unfortunately, they were my old, worn ones.

The bridesmaids faces immediately darkened.

Leo stepped in front of me, blocking Luke, who was about to help me put on the shoes.

His tone was sarcastic: No way? The esteemed heir of Thompson Group isnt going to let his bride walk down the aisle in a pair of secondhand sneakers, is he?

Luke looked impatient. Then what do you want me to do? She said she cant wear the crystal heels that were ordered in advance, and the procession is waiting downstairs. Where am I supposed to buy new sneakers on such short notice?

Leo stood his ground. So, youre saying its our brides fault? Luke, weve been classmates for years; you didnt just find out today that Iris cant wear high heels!

And if I recall correctly, when we were preparing for the wedding, Iris told you she couldnt wear high heels. What did you say then?

You promised youd wear sneakers with Iris today, but what happened?

You could at least have bought a cheap pair of white sneakers! Who gets married wearing old shoes?

Wearing old shoes on your wedding day for the bride was practically calling her a discarded woman!

The bridesmaids were furious, chastising Luke with a flurry of accusations.

Lukes face slowly paled. He looked at me, pleading, Darling, it was my mistake to buy the wrong shoes, but the wedding is about to start. Where can I get you sneakers right now?

Cant you just bear with it? The sneakers will be hidden under your dress anyway. No one will see if theyre new or not

Leo firmly blocked my way. No! On her wedding day, the bride is paramount! If she has to suffer on her first day of marriage, will she have to suffer for the rest of her life?

Then, he glared at me, exasperated. Iris Mulligan, can you stand up for yourself for once?

If you dare walk down that aisle in those wretched shoes today, were done!

I tugged on Leos sleeve, then pushed away the old shoes Luke offered.

Since the groom didnt get any shoes, then I wont wear any.

Saying that, I lifted the hem of my wedding dress and stood up barefoot.

In the complete silence of the room, a surprised voice stood out prominently:

Well, its true, the barefoot arent afraid of those with shoes

That day, I insisted on walking the entire wedding ceremony barefoot.

After the ceremony, back in the hotel lounge, my feet were chafed and swollen, a terrible sight.

Leo, his eyes red, threw a pair of hotel-branded slippers at me.

Iris Mulligan, just be a love-struck fool for the rest of your life!

I leaned in, affectionately hugging and swaying him. Alright, my dear Leo, I promise, this is the last time!

I secretly vowed that once I got the systems billion-dollar reward, Leo, my best friend, I would buy him a room full of his favorite limited-edition sneakers!

But unfortunately, I broke my promise.

That days humiliation was not the last.

Clara Albright, far away in Kingswood, miscarried.

She cried and called Luke, but after learning I was also pregnant, she slammed the phone down.

Luke, frantic, made inquiries and found out that James Carters mistress was pregnant and had come to confront Clara, who, in shock and rage, miscarried.

Luke rushed back to Kingswood overnight.

Watching him leave without a backward glance, I knew my redemption mission was probably nearing its finale.

Sure enough, two days later, Luke returned, looking utterly exhausted.

I was watering the bougainvillea on the balcony, my back slightly arched, the loose maternity dress stretched taut, faintly revealing the curve of my pregnant belly.

Lukes gaze at me was complex, carrying a hint of guilt, which ultimately transformed into immense courage and determination.

Darling, you should terminate the pregnancy.

What?! I looked at him in disbelief.

Luke lowered his head, avoiding my gaze, his voice pained yet unusually resolute. Clara miscarried.

So?

Clara miscarried, its not my fault. What does that have to do with me?

Luke suddenly looked up, his gaze fixed on my slightly protruding belly, his tone almost manic. James Carters mistress is pregnant, and youre pregnant too. You both have children. Why is Clara the only one who lost hers?

Iris Mulligan, you have to abort your child!

Clara is in a lot of pain right now. Im planning to bring her here. She just lost her child; if she sees you heavily pregnant, she wont be able to bear it.

Darling, terminate the pregnancy. Were still young. Well have many, many more children later