Immediately Caleb was done with his bath he laid on the bed, closing his eyes. He wasn't set on leaving quickly. In the past life he would have already gone to meet them, not planning on wasting their time. Even though he'd taken the initiative to meet them, he would only receive frowns at him for coming late. Now it felt like he was truly seeing things clearly.
When he wasn't stuck working in the office, he was constantly dragged to the mansion to serve them. They dragged every single menial task on him to the point that even the servants laughed and sneered at him.
Now he didn't need to worry about that.
He sighed. He couldn't remember the last time he got proper rest on a bed.
"System," he called out, "What do I call you?"
'As stated beforehand, I am known as the RU-'
"No, I mean… don't you have a name?" he asked. Calling the voice in his head 'System' felt so robotic, but RUPIS was also strange.
'I…I have no name. You are free to give me one if you'd like.'
He smiled. The robotic voice he was used to hearing sounded more human now.
"What about…Alan? Alan is a nice name right?" he suggested
'Alan…yes. Thank you for the name, Subject. I will now be identified as Alan.'
"Just call me by my name, Stephan. It sounds strange being known as a Subject."
'Of course Stephan.'
He closed his eyes again. He rested peacefully, his goals set.
He was going to get away from this place and bring consequences, but not immediately. First he needed to sleep then he would find out the capabilities of the System. Now that he knew the truth it was only a matter of revealing their true nature.
For the first time in a long time, he felt free.
…
After getting much needed rest, he set off for the mansion. He didn't bother going to the restaurant this time. What was the point when they would still refuse to eat whatever his 'filthy' hands touched?
He recalled this day well, not having enough money after reaching the restaurant which was several miles away, having to beg the owner and in the end his she hadn't bothered to touch the food, telling the servants to feed it to the dogs.
Why should he even bother anymore then? With a small smile on his face he set out.
The large imposing gates of the mansion faced him once he arrived. Stepping into the place, he smioed even as the security guards huffed at him.
"The Woods family Dog is back again," one of them murmured to the other while snickering.
Stephan heard everything, yet didn't waver, moving away.
The moment he entered the house, all the smiles on the family members drained away into frowns. The Woods family patriarch and grandfather clutched his bony hands.
He was always so disgusted when this man walked into the room. He kept his calm however, revealing his disdain in another way.
"My granddaughter told us that you were coming soon. Now you kept us waiting for hours?"
"Apologies grandfather," he bowed,
Meghan secretly smiled. If there was onre thing that didn't get old, it was seeing her pathetic husband kowtowing to her family. As she noticed him her brows lifted.
"Stephan?" she called out, forming an innocent look while shocked, "Didn't you bring the soup for my mother?"
"Oh, you see I fell asleep and had too rush here since I was running late. I couldn't wait any longer to check on Mother-in-law." he smiled sheepishly,
Meghan clenched her teeth. What kind of excuse was that? She tried to get him to work hard and he had made an excuse?
He had always obeyed her, going above and beyond, so what the hell was this?
"So you don't mind playing with people's health. I understand now." William sneered, stroking his wife's arm, "Darling, look at this excuse of a son-in-law. He heard you were sick and didn't bother to help."
Patricia, who was actually completely fine, frowned "I don't blame him. People like him don't have the luxury to care for anyone other than themselves."
Meghan smirked. That was Stephan's cue to fumble and apologize only to be pulled into a menial task he'd do without hesitation. There was no win for him.
She waited for the moment he would start apologizing, yet he only smiled.
"I'm sure it doesn't matter, mother-in-law. Your complexion looks pretty good right now and no restaurant food I provide you is as valuable as the Chef's food."
Everybody gaped in shock. Never once had he not only not apologized but had even spoken back, calling them out.
Meghan gaped.
There was something different about him today. Was it just her imagination?
She shook her head. It was just her imagination. It had to be.
William was enraged that their lie had been outright fumbled.
"You-!" He was about to attack but a phone call stopped him. He glared at Stephan, angry that he was interrupted before pulling out his phone.
"What is it?" William Woods snapped only to hear heavy breaths.
"Sir! There has been an Emergency!"