Chapter 2

Watching the basement door close in front of me, I broke down and pounded on it, shouting until my voice went hoarse.

But no one came down.

I don't know how much time passed before someone kicked the basement door hard from outside.

"Shut up already! Miss Fiona has a terrible headache right now. If you make another sound and disturb her rest, you'll regret it."

The basement's confined environment already made it hard to breathe.

The loud noise startled me.

The servants' low voices drifted from the doorway, their words full of contempt.

"I really don't know what the boss sees in her. She's not as beautiful as Miss Fiona, and her personality isn't as likable either."

"If Miss Fiona were our mistress, who knows how wonderful this household would be."

"Such a shame. I really like Miss Fiona."

I numbly withdrew my blood-stained hands, my heart filled with bitterness.

This Heartthrob System's effects were truly astonishing—even the servants had fallen for her.

Countless bugs crawled around my feet, and many started climbing up my body.

My consciousness gradually faded.

Just as I was about to slip into unconsciousness, the basement door suddenly pushed open from outside.

Liam's panicked voice sounded in my ears.

"Sarah! She's burning up. Get her upstairs first."

When I woke up again, I'd been settled in bed.

Liam sat by the bedside with a complicated expression.

Seeing me awake, he sighed deeply.

Perhaps because Fiona wasn't here, he could temporarily break free from the Heartthrob System's restrictions and regain some clarity.

Seeing this, I quickly seized the opportunity and pleaded.

"The baby just finished nursing. He's never been away from me. I'm begging you—please give him back to me."

His gaze fell on my red, swollen palms, and emotion flickered in his eyes.

Just as he was about to speak, a female voice from the doorway interrupted.

"Liam, look at our son! He's so attached to me!"

The child in her arms clutched her hand tightly, grinning and giggling.

My heart ached at the sight.

I hadn't expected even my son to be deceived by this system.

The moment Liam saw her again, it was like he'd become a different person.

His face full of adoration as he gathered them both into his arms affectionately.

"This little guy is usually so mischievous, but he's so well-behaved with you. Clearly, you two are meant to be."

Then Fiona seemed to just notice me.

Her eyes shifted as she smiled and said:

"Oh, Sarah's been let out?"

"Perfect timing. This child smells terrible—I think he soiled himself. Hurry up and clean him."

Hearing this, I immediately panicked and snatched the child from her arms.

When I felt the bulging diaper between his legs, I was instantly furious.

"The baby soiled himself and you didn't change his diaper? Leaving him like this will give him a rash!"

Fiona rolled her eyes dramatically and covered her nose in disgust.

"So dirty. You expect me to change it? Wouldn't want to dirty my hands."

Then she turned to Liam, acting coy.

"This child is too filthy. He got dirt all over me. I don't want to change him."

As her words fell, confusion flashed in Liam's eyes.

The next second he glared at me furiously.

"Fiona's hands aren't meant for changing your son's diapers. Your own son—you don't care for him and expect others to? What kind of mother are you?"

I ignored him.

My gaze locked on Fiona's face.

Several small, barely noticeable pimples had appeared on her previously flawless face.

At first glance, they seriously affected her appearance.

I understood immediately—this must be the side effects the system mentioned.

Each time she used the Heartthrob System, it damaged her looks.

I just wondered what her face would look like in the end.