Target Locked: The Male Lead

The System wanted me to court the Crown Prince of Manhattan to keep the plot on track.

But because I was terminally lazy, I dragged my feet for ten whole years.

Eventually, the System went from calm and collected to completely unhinged. Cursing me out in a storm of digital rage, it tore itself from my soul, abandoned my body, and bound itself to the Prince instead.

In a desperate bid for survival, it mutated from a "Seduction System" into a "Wife-Spoiling System," forcing him to pamper me, a frumpy, country girl, to high heaven.

Otherwise? He would go bankrupt by tomorrow.

My ears hadn't even been quiet for five minutes before my deadbeat, gambling father sold me to a shady Las Vegas casino to cover his debts.

Clinging to the iron bars of my cage, I screamed in absolute panic: "I was wrong, System! I won't procrastinate anymore! I'll seduce the Prince right now, I swear!"

The next second, the Crown Prince of Manhattan, wearing plastic flip-flops and shouting in a panicked, posh drawl, burst through the doors. "Baby! I'm here to save you!"

I honestly think I must have been a magnet for bad luck in my past life. I probably would have choked on a glass of water if I wasn't careful.

It wasn't until I tripped over a curb, died, and transmigrated into this romance novel as the female lead that my luck finally turned around.

Since then, I had dedicated my life to the glorious, peaceful path of absolute slacking.

On my very first day in this world:

The System announced: Host, your target is the male lead, the Crown Prince of Manhattan, Gideon Crawford. He is cold, aloof, and extremely difficult to seduce. The difficulty level is off the charts.

I nodded agreeably while ordering myself ten giant cups of brown sugar boba tea. In my past life, I would never have dared to be so reckless, considering I once almost choked to death on a single tapioca pearl.

Seeing me nod, the System vibrated with excitement: So, when are we going to begin our pursuit of Gideon Crawford?

"Tomorrow."

On my second day:

The System suggested: Gideons absolute favorite drink is an iced Americano. Do you want to learn how to brew the perfect cup of coffee?

I nodded again.

Satisfied, the System rattled off a massive list of Gideons personal likes and dislikes. I assured it that every single detail was locked in my brain.

On my third day:

The System whispered: So, when are we actually leaving for New York to find the male lead?

I took a massive bite of walnut brittle. "Tomorrow."

On my hundredth day:

The Systems voice had completely lost its calm, professional tone, though it was still trying to keep its temper in check: Rainey, when are you actually leaving this cozy Montana ranch to find Gideon in Manhattan?

I opened my streaming app, entirely unbothered. "Tomorrow, tomorrow. I'm definitely going tomorrow."

I lay back on my wooden rocking chair, watching the warm sunlight filter through the green grape arbor. Beside me sat a plate of perfectly chilled, sweet watermelon. Life was simply too comfortable to ruin with effort.

In my past life, I had to walk like I was stepping on eggshells just to avoid dying of some bizarre accident. I wasnt about to ruin my peace now.

The next morning, I actually got up early to do my hair and makeup, which made the System look considerably happier.

But since the Montana mornings were freezing, I pulled a pair of bright red thermal pants and thick purple wool leggings over my legs before putting on my oversized dress.

The System immediately shrieked: Can you please take off those hideous layers? The colors are absolutely repulsive! Gideon Crawford will run for the hills if he sees you in those!

I lifted my hem to inspect the red-and-purple clash. "They're warm."

The System grumbled, but since I was finally heading out, it chose to stay quiet.

However, I wasn't heading to the airport. I was heading to the local farmers' market. I wanted to buy a few baby chicks to keep as pets.

As I carefully selected three fluffy yellow chicks, the System grew incredibly anxious: Are those... a gift for Gideon?

"Nope, they're for me. Love you, self! See ya!"

The System completely lost its mind.

We transmigrated to this world to seduce the male lead! What on earth are you doing?!

I adjusted my sun hat. "I am seducing him. I never said I wasn't. We're just taking a slow, calculated, long-term approach. Once these chicks grow up, Ill definitely head to New York."

The System took a deep, digital breath. Since we had already waited this long, it figured a few more weeks wouldn't hurt.

Ten years later, the three chickens died of old age.

With tears in my eyes, I buried them beneath the apple tree. "Goldie, Emerald, Ruby... make sure you find me in your next life."

The Systems voice was completely hollow: Can we go now? If you don't go, Gideon is going to get married and have kids with someone else! He's thirty now! He's practically a senior bachelor!

I wiped away a tear. "Let him get married. It just means we weren't destined to be together."

The System went entirely silent. Then, a furious, red-hot notification popped up in my mind.

I'm done with you! Host! I am unbinding myself right now! Rot in Montana for all I care!

The static in my head vanished.

I blinked, testing the silence. "System? Bro? You really gone?"

Absolute quiet. No more nagging, no more screaming, no more frantic countdowns.

My heart soared with pure, unadulterated joy. This was amazing! I could keep slacking off forever! Every extra day of peace was a victory.

I was never going to waste my precious energy on some billionaire heir.

I popped a handful of roasted almonds into my mouth. But before I could swallow, a middle-aged man I had never seen before burst into my yard.

The man rubbed his hands together, gesturing to the three beefy, muscle-bound men standing behind him. "That's my daughter. Take her."

Before I could even open my mouth to ask who he was, one of the men lunged forward and knocked me cold.

The speed of it was honestly impressive.

As my vision went black, my only thought was: I really should have practiced my reflexes. This is embarrassing.

When I finally woke up, I was locked inside a heavy iron dog cage.

Clinging to the bars, my face pale with genuine terror, I began to scream at the top of my lungs: "Help! Kidnapping! Someone save an innocent girl!"

The man driving the van glanced back at me. "Shut up. Your deadbeat father sold you to the casino to cover his debts. Your life belongs to Las Vegas now."

Ten years of peaceful country living had made me completely forget that my character's original father was a hopeless, degenerate gambler.

Did the original novel even have this plotline?

My heart sank into my stomach as I desperately tried to recall the details of the book, but my mind was a total blank. If only I had paid attention when the System was lecturing me.

After several grueling days in the back of that van, we finally pulled up to a massive, glittering building.

"Where are we?" I whispered.

"Las Vegas."

I almost passed out. I had spent ten years avoiding New York, only to end up in the casino capital of the world.

I was dragged out of the van and thrown into a dressing room, where a tiny, skimpy piece of fabric was tossed at my face.

"Put the dress on."

The fabric was so minimal it wouldn't even cover the bare essentials. As my mind began to spiral into visions of a dark, miserable future, I broke down.

"I was wrong, System! I'll do it! I'll go seduce the Crown Prince of Manhattan right now! Just save me!"

Without the System's protection, my terrible luck had returned with a vengeance.

The guard outside the door sneered. "Keep screaming, sweetheart. Nobody's coming to save you. Tonight, you're serving Boss Silas."

But the very next second, the sound of heavy thuds and panicked screams echoed from the hallway.

"Mr. Crawford! Mr. Crawford! I'm sorry, I'll let her go right now!"

Before I could process what was happening, the heavy oak door was kicked clean off its hinges.

Gideon Crawford stood there, his face dark with fury, wearing a pair of cheap plastic flip-flops.

"Baby! I'm here to save you!"

He scanned the room, his eyes scanning right past me. He looked utterly bewildered as he muttered in his mind: System, where is my drop-dead gorgeous, angelic destined wife?

The System's response was muffled and incredibly embarrassed.

Look at the floor.

My face was covered in a thick layer of soot and dirt, and I was still wearing my massive, muddy winter coat. Since the room was sweltering, the sweat was running down my cheeks, creating dark, messy streaks of grime.

I looked like a swamp monster that had been dragged through a coal mine.

Which made sense, considering I hadn't washed in a week and had been rolling around the floor of an iron cage.

But none of that mattered. What mattered was that the System had bound itself to Gideon Crawford.

And because of some glitch, I could hear their internal dialogue perfectly.

Gideon's gaze finally landed on me, and his mouth twitched in visible disgust.

Before we could speak, heavy footsteps echoed in the hall.

"Boss Silas, Mr. Crawford is here."

I quickly scrambled off the floor, kicking the skimpy dress into the far corner of the room.

Boss Silas stepped inside, his sharp eyes darting between me and the billionaire heir.

"Mr. Crawford. This girl belongs to my casino. You can't just walk out with her."

The System immediately started shouting in Gideon's mind.

Host! This is your moment! Unleash your dominant, irresistible alpha energy! Seduce her! Make her fall hopelessly in love with you!

The System had even prepared a script.

Say this: 'Hah! Do you have any idea who the hell I am? One phone call and I'll wipe your casino off the face of the earth! Touch my woman again and I'll destroy you!'

Before Gideon could even open his mouth, I let out a loud, snorting laugh.

My laugh threshold is incredibly low, and once I start, I physically cannot stop. I clutched my stomach, bending over as tears of laughter mixed with the grime on my face.

Everyone in the room turned to stare at me. Realizing how inappropriate my laughter was, I tried to cover my mouth, but a loud snort escaped anyway.

"Pfftsorry! Please, don't mind me, carry on!"

The System let out a furious, digital gasp. Even after abandoning me, I was still managed to ruin its plans.

Ignore her! the System urged. Deliver the line! If you don't pamper her and make her love you, your family goes bankrupt by tomorrow morning!

Gideon grit his teeth, his face flushing a bright, embarrassed red as he forced the ridiculous words out of his mouth.

"My woman... only I can touch her! Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Hahahahaha!"

I lost it again. The System had clearly spent too much time reading cheap romance novels.

Gideon glared at me, his expression twisting with mortification. For a man who had been raised in the highest echelons of New York society, this was the ultimate humiliation.

Boss Silas clapped his hands, a smirk playing on his lips. "Mr. Crawford, I had no idea you preferred such... exotic tastes."

No, I don't! Gideon wanted to scream, but the threat of bankruptcy kept his mouth shut.

"However," Silas continued, leaning against the doorframe. "Her father owes this casino a hundred million dollars. She is here to settle the debt."

Gideon frowned. "Ill pay it."

"This is a casino, Mr. Crawford. Let's play a game instead. For every round you win, I'll knock one million off her debt. For every round you lose, she has to remove one article of clothing. If she runs out of clothes, she stays here forever."

"Sounds fair, doesn't it?"

A hundred million dollars meant we would need to play a hundred rounds.

Even with my thermal layers, I only had about twelve items of clothing on.

The System screamed in Gideon's ear: This is outrageous! Destroy him, Host! Make this degenerate go bankrupt!

Gideon shouted back in his mind: Shut up! This is a casino, how am I supposed to make him go bankrupt in five minutes?!

Ultimately, they played.

And on the very first round, Gideon lost.

The System wailed: You are the male lead! How could you lose the first round?!

Gideon snapped: Being the male lead doesn't make me a master card counter!

But you're the Crown Prince of Manhattan!!!

While they argued in his head, I happily unzipped my stifling, heavy winter coat and threw it aside. The Las Vegas heat was unbearable, and I was practically suffocating.

Gideon proceeded to lose ten rounds in a row.

By the end of it, I was down to my simple t-shirt and shorts. The cool air of the room felt absolutely amazing against my skin.

Boss Silass smirk began to falter as he stared at me. He couldn't comprehend how a woman could have been wearing so many layers of thick winter clothing in the middle of summer.

The System was entirely out of ideas. At this rate, the female lead was going to find the male lead completely incompetent.

Host, screw the rules! Grab her and run!

Gideon slammed his hands on the table, startling Silas. Before anyone could react, he lunged forward, hoisted me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, and bolted for the door.

Silas stared in disbelief. He had never expected a high-society billionaire to pull such a cheap, shameless stunt.

"Get them! Lock the doors! Bring them back!"

Gideon ran with a speed I didn't know he possessed, his plastic flip-flops flying off his feet as he sprinted down the strip. He threw me into the back of his waiting town car and screamed at the driver: "Drive! Go, go, go!"

Only when the casino guards faded into the distance did Gideon finally collapse against the leather seats, gasping for breath.

I sat beside him, quietly observing the legendary, cold, aloof male lead. His bare feet were covered in Las Vegas street grime.

Aloof? Cold? Dominant?

He looked like a runaway convict.

Gideon turned to look at me, and our eyes met. The mutual look of pure, unadulterated disappointment was impossible to hide.

We both looked away, sliding to opposite sides of the spacious back seat.

The System's voice chimed in, bursting with synthetic enthusiasm.

Host, now is the perfect time to introduce yourself! Shes bound to fall for you now. Oh, I know! Why don't you gift her a cock? She will absolutely love it!

Gideons jaw dropped. Are you insane? You want me to show her my cock? Right now? In the back of a car?

Yes! Do it! She will fall head over heels for you!

I sat there, biting my lip to keep from laughing.

My three pet chickens had died of old age, and I was actually looking for a new pet to keep me company. I was highly intrigued to see what kind of rooster Gideon Crawford would buy me.

I already had a name picked out: Barnaby.

Gideons ears turned a deep crimson as he stole a glance at me, his fists clenching in mortification.

Just five days ago, this bizarre entity had forced its way into his mind, telling him he was a character in a book and that he had to pamper a girl named Rainey.

If he didn't, his family's empire would crumble.

He hadn't believed it at first, refusing to play along with such nonsense.

Then, the System had coldly announced: Commencing punishment phase.