Love That Never Fades

The day Jimmy Slade fully seized control of the Slade family, Portside burned with fireworks all night. Everyone speculated he was finally going to marry me. But I waited from dusk till dawn.

What I got instead was the news of Thorne Group's assets being frozen, accusations of my own alleged misdeeds about to land me in prison. I got Jimmy Slades hard-won triumph, and the announcement of his engagement to the novels heroine.

The systems cold voice chimed: Congratulations, Host. Mission successfully completed. Would you like to depart this world?

I nodded without hesitation.

Later, when Jimmy learned I had died, he panicked. Didnt he want me ruined and dead? Why was he crying?

Host, detaching from the body will take three days. Please wait quietly. The systems voice continued, and I watched a video on my tablet, completely unfazed.

Just then, the doorbell of Thorne Manor rang, as I expected it would. The maid rushed over. Miss Thorne, its the police.

Let them in. I set down the tablet.

Last night, when everyone thought I would become the mistress of the Slade family, news broke that Thorne Group was involved in illicit activities. Right below it, pinned at number two, was a trending topic about me, Iris Thorne, organizing illegal operations and selling prohibited products.

The accuser: Jimmy Slade.

Public opinion swiftly turned. Everyone praised Jimmy Slade for his righteousness. He smoothly ascended to the position of Slade family patriarch. He also smoothly canceled his engagement to me and announced his wedding date with his childhood sweetheart, Charlotte Summers.

Miss Thorne. I recognized the lead officer, a man named Officer Wells. He was famously stubborn, unwilling to wrongly accuse the innocent, and equally unwilling to let the guilty escape. He looked at me with an unreadable emotion in his eyes.

Hello, Officer Wells. I smiled and greeted him, then extended my wrists, waiting for him to cuff me. He hesitated, not moving. It wasnt until the young female officer beside him prompted him, Wells, this isnt the time for personal feelings.

Oh? Personal feelings?

The systems voice came: Just pulled a clip. After the accusations against you came out, even with evidence, Wells refused to believe it. He insisted on investigating the truth to clear your name.

Hearing that, I couldnt help but laugh aloud. Officer Wells and the young officer both looked at me. The young officer indignantly said, Beauty doesnt automatically mean a kind heart. Wells, I will report your behavior to the Chief.

In the end, it was the young officer who put the handcuffs on me. They were cold and metallic, a first for me. I was about to walk out.

Officer Wells raised a hand to stop me. Did Miss Thorne do all those good deeds just to cover her tracks? I met his questioning gaze. I knew what he was about to say next. He was going to say, I dont believe it.

But whether he believed it or not didnt matter.

I was merely the villainess in this novel. My mission was to clear all obstacles for Jimmy Slade, help him become the Slade family patriarch, and complete the romantic subplot. Thorne Group and my own existence were the last hurdles for Jimmy Slade to overcome. To complete the mission, I could play the fool and offer everything on a silver platter.

The system had warned me two weeks ago: After Jimmy Slade takes the shares from your hands, Thorne Group will be shut down, and you will go to prison. Are you just going to watch him frame you step by step for the next two weeks?

I merely smiled. I even reminded it: This is just a mission.

In the novel, the Slade and Thorne families were always rivals, their previous generations constantly vying for supremacy in Portside. Later, they were manipulated by a villain. The two families were involved in a transaction that led to Portsides most severe explosion. That was when I transmigrated, becoming the sole survivor of the explosion. Five-year-old Jimmy Slade became the sole heir to the Slade family. His uncles all tried to seize the opportunity to eliminate Jimmy and take power themselves. Jimmys grandmother wanted to use Thorne Group to protect Jimmy, so she gave me 10% of the shares.

Thus, defying the opposition of Thorne Groups shareholders, I chose to put aside the family feuds and proactively proposed a marriage alliance with Jimmy.

Yes, Officer Wells, I was indeed covering up my crimes. I am a truly wicked person. You misjudged and misplaced your trust.

I smiled sweetly at him, then followed the young officer out of Thorne Manor. The mansion was surrounded by reporters, undoubtedly arranged by Jimmy. Their gloating faces were truly quite unbearable.

Did you ever imagine this day, after all the atrocious things youve done?

Justice is served. You will pay the price for your actions!

Jimmy stood outside the mansion, watching my humiliation with cold detachment, Charlotte clinging to his arm. From afar, they truly looked like a match made in heaven.

I suddenly remembered Jimmy in his youth, crying, his eyes red, burying his face in my embrace. Iris, wait for me. I will definitely marry you. The day I become the Slade family patriarch, I will set off fireworks all night for you. All the billboards in Portside will display our photos. I will tell the whole world how much I love you.

Jimmy had done it. Only the object of his affection wasnt me. The promises of youth ultimately became lies. In this mission, the romantic subplot wasnt particularly important. The system even said that if I wished, I could choose to stay and build an empire with Jimmy.

But the first time Jimmy chose Charlotte and left me forgotten in the rain, I understood. Some plotlines, even if altered, cant fake genuine affection. Besides, I didnt love him.

Jimmy approached, his bodyguards clearing a path. He drew close, still wearing the suit, tie, and even cufflinks I had personally designed and meticulously selected for him. He leaned in slightly. Iris Thorne, you could beg me.

If you just soften your stance, I can get you out.

I scoffed internally. No, I wouldnt. Im not one to be strong-armed.

I looked back at Officer Wells. Officer Wells, someone is challenging authority.

Jimmys face instantly turned to ice. Officer Wells quickly stepped forward, placing himself between Jimmy and me. Mr. Slade, please do not obstruct the police.

Jimmy laughed in exasperation, clenching his fist and warning me, Iris Thorne, the Thorne family caused the death of my parents. Blood for blood. This is what you owe me.

I pursed my lips. So, he was blaming the explosion on the Thorne family. Suddenly, the symptoms of departing the world began to manifest. A metallic taste welled in my throat, which I desperately swallowed down.

Then how about I pay with my life?

The crimes youve committed are enough to execute you hundreds of times over! Jimmy roared.

My face was pale, but I smiled at him, my eyes curving. Then I wish Mr. Slade a prosperous future and boundless success.

After the last word, I got into the backseat of the police car. I didnt look back.

The systems voice carried a hint of indignation: Youre the most cold-blooded, ruthless, and formidable host Ive ever guided. Youre the first one to deliberately set herself up for death.

I looked out the window, ignoring the system, clenching my fists, enduring the sharp pain as my fingernails dug into my flesh. Jimmy was my masterpiece, ruthless, decisive, and efficient. This was good.

The moment I stepped out of the police car, I completely collapsed. I violently vomited a large mouthful of blood, which, by sheer coincidence, splattered all over Officer Wellss uniform. My stomach pain was so intense I could barely stand upright, and cold sweat soaked the back of my clothes.

Whats wrong with you?! Officer Wells immediately rushed to support me. My hand gripped his arm, my whole body weak and lifeless. When I looked up, my face was utterly bloodless, as pale as if I were already dead.

Someone nearby quickly called for an ambulance, but before it arrived, my vision went black, and I passed out. In a haze, I heard the doctor speaking to Officer Wells. She has late-stage stomach cancer. She wont live for more than two weeks.

Officer Wells said nothing.

When I opened my eyes, I met his gaze, which was filled with complex emotions. Officer Wells, are you feeling sad for me? He still said nothing, merely pouring me a glass of water. One of my wrists was handcuffed to the bedframe. Will my illness cause trouble for your case? If not, you can fast-track the judgment. I plead guilty. I added.

Officer Wellss grip tightened on the cup. He stared at me with an indignant intensity. Iris Thorne, do you think that because youre dying, you can take responsibility for anything and everything? Guilty is guilty, innocent is innocent. Dont try to disrespect the law.

I smiled faintly, then took the cup from Officer Wellss hand and took a sip. Officer Wells is right to admonish me. I trust Officer Wells.

Officer Wells left. It was the young officers turn to watch me. She didnt seem to like me, always wearing a stern expression, but I quite liked her. In the novel, her character was very well-writtenclear in her loves and hates, brave in pursuing what she believed in.

The system suddenly spoke in my mind: Ive used points to block your pain. You will complete your death in three days. Ive already chosen your next mission: how about pursuing Officer Wells? A bit of a romance subplot.

Uh I refuse.

Refusal invalid. You truly are my wonderful system.

Officer Wells and I are different. Hes a star in the sky; Im dust on the ground. Were destined never to truly intersect.

The hospital room television was showing Portsides auction. Jimmy and Charlotte were attending together. She intimately linked her arm through Jimmys, a wedding ring on her middle finger. I designed it myself. Unfortunately, it wasnt my size.

Our wedding is set for the eighth of next month. Everyone is welcome to attend. Charlotte handled the reporters with composure, but Jimmy his expression was terrible, his thoughts seemingly far away. He didnt even react when Charlotte called him.

Until someone suddenly asked, Mr. Slade, how much do you know about Miss Thornes situation? Did you hesitate at all to expose her and sacrifice your own? Many in the industry believed you would marry Miss Thorne.

Jimmy frowned, glanced at the reporters press pass, then suddenly let out a cold laugh. You used to work for Thorne Group, didnt you?

The reporter instantly fell silent, his microphone held awkwardly, unable to raise or lower it. He could only force a yes. Jimmy gave a mocking smile. Speaking into the microphone, he was also, in essence, speaking to me. Never hesitated for a second. Iris Thorne broke the law. She deserves whats coming to her. I never even considered marrying her.

Suddenly, the young officer switched off the television. She looked at me. You have terrible taste in men.

I raised an eyebrow playfully. But he wasnt wrong, was he? I committed a crime, he reported me, and Im facing punishment.

She snorted. Youre right. I just dont like his face. Ive heard plenty about you and Jimmy. You helped him so much, and he stabbed you in the back. Arent you angry? she asked, looking at me curiously.

I merely smiled. Of course I am. I almost burned down the Slade family estate.

You wouldnt dare! she snapped, instantly standing up.

I couldnt help but laugh aloud. She was the same age as Charlotte. But far more innocent. Charlotte was Jimmys childhood sweetheart, his white moonlight, the heroine of this world. After the Slade familys troubles, she was sent abroad; the Summers family didnt want to get involved. Later, when Jimmy began to succeed, Charlotte returned and started rekindling their old flames. I used to mock Charlotte endlessly back then. A five-year-old child. How much profound love could there be?

I wouldnt dare.

You better behave! the young officer glared at me.

I nodded.

By the third day, my bodys functions began to fail. I coughed up large mouthfuls of blood, ceaselessly. My heart stopped several times. My entire body was bloodless, sweat and blood mingling on my forehead. The doctors and nurses were frantic.

I called out to the system in my mind: Cant you let me die quickly? Its too much trouble for the doctors, and it weighs on my conscience.

The system remained silent, giving me a six-dot ellipsis of exasperation.

Officer Wells rushed in, drenched, as a torrential downpour raged outside. The sky was gloomy, which only added to my own disquiet.

The doctor said she wont make it through the night, the young officer said, her eyes red.

Officer Wells looked at me, lying unconscious in the hospital bed, his expression grave. How can this be so sudden? Didnt they say she had another two weeks?

Shes been depressed every day, the young officer explained. The doctor said maybe its because she has no will to live.

I wanted to object. I felt Id been quite content these past three days. No work to deal with, no social gatherings to attend, no need to keep my nerves on edge.

The system asked, Do you want to say goodbye to them? Wells has been tirelessly working on your behalf these past few days.

No, I refused coldly. He wasnt doing it for me, but for justice. If I hadnt been the one reported today, he would still have acted the same way.

Officer Wells leaned close. Iris Thorne, Im trying to find evidence. I will clear your name. You wouldnt want to die with a bad reputation, would you?

What a foolish person. I really wanted to open my eyes and tell him. Theres no need to insist. This is the destined ending.

Suddenly, the monitor blared, beepingthen a long, flat line. My blood pressure plummeted.

Officer Wells froze for a few seconds, his face full of shock, until a nurse pulled him away. Only then did he react. Prepare for CPR! Defibrillate! The doctors began resuscitation again, continuously pressing on my chest, shocking me.

Ultimately, my heart stopped. A flat line on the monitor. Officer Wellss pained voice and the systems cold voice sounded simultaneously.

Iris Thorne!

Congratulations, Host, on successful detachment!

I floated in the air, the system a white wisp on my shoulder. I was a bit exasperated. Couldnt you wait until Wells was further away before I died?

Uh Because time was up, the system replied innocently.

The doctor reluctantly announced my death. Wells clenched his fists, seemingly unable to comprehend my passing. If I hadnt said those things to her, would she still be alive? he muttered, rigid.

No! the young officer cried, her eyes red. Wells, she was already dying! Even if not from cancer, she would have died by execution!

He shook his head. Ive found clues. What if she was innocent?

The young officer slapped him, turning Wellss head to the side. Wells, youve never been so irrational on a case before. Why is it that with Iris Thorne, you cant control your emotions? If she was innocent, we will clear her name. She didnt die unjustly; she died of illness. Birth, aging, sickness, deaththese are things we cannot control!

Wells looked like all the strength had left his body, sinking weakly onto a chair in the corridor, consumed by deep self-reproach.

I felt even guiltier. System, can you give him a dream? I dont want to owe anyone favors.

The system twitched its lips. I asked if you wanted to say goodbye earlier. You refused. I cant interfere now.

Fine.