"This isn't fair!"
Edward was on the verge of a breakdown. "I didn't do anything! I don't even plan to do anything bad! Why is the protagonist coming after me? Writers need to use their brains—why would the hero come after a villain who hasn't done anything wrong?"
System: "Oh, apologies. So… you're not planning to do anything to Victoria?"
"I have over six hundred million worth of defective medicine at my pharmaceutical plant waiting for me to destroy overnight. What would I do to her? Where would I even find the time?!"
System: "Oh, I see… let me check… ah, Elizabeth is there too… So, you plan to make a move on both female leads simultaneously? Got it. You're trying to increase the difficulty of Davis's rescue mission. Clever move!"
"Move your nonsense! I'm not planning to make a move on anyone. I'm just going there to destroy the medicine—medicine! Defective batches of medicine!"
System: "Hmm, I see… but honestly, this kind of plot isn't very entertaining. We'd really prefer if you could show a bit more questionable intent toward the female leads. It makes the hero's storyline flow better, you know?"
"Listen to me carefully!" Edward struggled to keep his sanity and reason with the system. "I don't care whether Davis's storyline progresses or not. I'm done moving forward. I have zero interest in the female leads. Any of them! By tomorrow, I'll wrap everything up cleanly—no loose ends!"
System: "'Wrap everything up'? You just mentioned the phrase 'wrap everything up.' Understood! So, you plan to make your move on both female leads tomorrow, in an utterly depraved, despicable, and morally bankrupt way, right?"
Edward was on the verge of tears.
"Please… have mercy on me! I've already died six times—each one more miserable than the last. Can't you just let me survive a little longer? I swear, I won't touch either of them. Can you at least make them stop hovering around me? I'm not the protagonist! Shouldn't they be spending their free time having romantic moments with Davis? You know, something sweet… and easy on the eyes? Honestly, the fact that the plot is falling apart on day one is partially your fault!"
System: "You've misunderstood, Host. In reality, everything and everyone here is genuinely happening. We're merely observing and supervising from an external perspective. The only things we can influence are your plot progression, skill improvements, and limited out-of-story communication. What the hero and heroines do, where they go, or who they interact with is entirely out of our control—and frankly, we have no interest in controlling it."
Edward froze for a moment, suddenly calm as he began analyzing the situation.
"Real? Everything is real? So… that means… I must have done something to make them stick around me on purpose… But I didn't do anything!"
"With Victoria, I tried to call off the engagement, but she refused. And tonight, she came looking for me."
"As for Elizabeth… I stopped Davis from sabotaging her. Could she know about that? No, she shouldn't know. At the pharmaceutical plant… she seems pretty confident that I'll destroy the defective medicine…"
The system interrupted, "By the way, a quick reminder: Survive the first day, and you'll receive the First-Day Survival Gift Pack!"
"The First-Day Survival Gift Pack—filled with valuable goodies and benefits! It's your best companion on the road to self-destruction, letting you fully enjoy your clashes with the hero before you meet your inevitable demise. A thrilling experience guaranteed!"
Edward shook his head. "You're such a troll."
…
After settling Victoria into a clean guest room and making sure she was asleep, Edward called Jon and rushed to the pharmaceutical plant.
If death was inevitable, so be it.
When the Grim Reaper demands your soul at midnight, the system certainly wouldn't let you live until dawn.
But if the system's hints were true… then this world was… real?
The system was a higher-level intelligence observing everything from above, unable to interfere with or forcibly alter the world's rules and logic?
It didn't matter. He just needed to make it through today. The First-Day Survival Gift Pack was heavily advertised. Honestly, the pitch was pretty motivating, even if it sounded like they were a bit too eager to see him die.
But only by claiming it could he have the right to keep living.
Davis, bring it on! You want to crush me?
I refuse to believe it. If I don't do anything bad—if I kneel the moment I see you—can you really bring yourself to kill me?
Would you?
Would you really strike down a kneeling villain?
......
The process went smoothly.
Under the supervision of multiple parties, batches of finished medicine were fed into industrial shredders, reduced to waste material, and handed over to a third party for recycling.
Edward personally oversaw the entire process.
Elizabeth stayed up all night as well, keeping a close watch on every detail.
She was meticulous, missing nothing—of course, the other supervisors were just as diligent.
Everyone was tense. They all understood the gravity of the situation.
As the final batch of medicine was destroyed, Edward's lips curved into a calm smile.
[Well, at least I did something good.]
He let out a bitter laugh internally:
[No matter what happens tomorrow, with this batch destroyed, no one will be harmed. If I have to die in this world tomorrow, at least I did something meaningful today.]
[It was worth it.]
Not far away, Elizabeth observed his side profile, her expression one of shock.
[ Is… this guy planning to die?
Is that why he's suddenly turned over a new leaf, acting like a good person?
No way. He's Edward! He has an elite team of private doctors monitoring his entire family's health. If something were seriously wrong, there's no way they'd stay this quiet!
What's going on?
But… this guy, when he's melancholic, kind of looks like a brooding prince. ]
"Director Lewis."
"Huh?" Elizabeth snapped back to reality.
The supervising engineer nodded with satisfaction. "Everything's done."
"Got it."
A senior official from the Drug Administration approached Edward and shook his hand.
"Boss Astor, I know making such a decision takes immense courage and moral conviction. No one knows what kind of storm Ninth Pharmaceutical might face tomorrow. But as someone in the medical industry, I want to express my deepest respect and gratitude on behalf of all of us."
Edward smiled. "It's not as serious as you think. At worst, the factory shuts down, and I get torn apart by the media. Big deal."
The official chuckled, patting his shoulder. "Well, we'll wrap things up here. If you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out."
"Thank you, everyone. You've worked hard."
Dawn was breaking.
The distant horizon began to glow with the soft hues of sunrise.
Edward was utterly exhausted.
On his first day after crossing into this world, he'd successfully avoided two direct confrontations with the protagonist Davis. He'd interacted with two major female leads, maintaining a cautious distance both times and doing his best to sever any narrative ties.
It hadn't been entirely successful, but he was still alive, with both legs intact. That counted as good news.
The night-shift workers gradually started their cars and headed home to rest.
As Edward walked wearily toward his car, Director Johnson approached him.
"Boss Astor."
"Oh, Director Johnson… I'm so tired. Can we talk tomorrow, please?"
Director Johnson smiled bitterly. "I just have one thing to say."
Edward was too mentally drained to deal with this.
"Alright, alright, go ahead. I'm exhausted."
"Thank you." Director Johnson gave him a deep bow, his eyes moist, his smile filled with relief.
"I'll be resigning tomorrow. You don't need to worry about me."
He turned to leave, but Edward called after him. "Wait. Why are you resigning?"
"I…"
Edward understood immediately. This man felt responsible for causing billions in losses tonight.
Edward chuckled. "Director Johnson, you're the anchor of Ninth Pharmaceutical. If it weren't for you, I don't even dare imagine the consequences of tonight's batch. You can't resign. If you leave, who'll warn me next time? Who'll help me correct my mistakes? Even if you hate me, even if you think I'm a terrible person, you still care about Ninth Pharmaceutical, don't you? The patients, the ones who need real, effective medicine—they need you to stay here and watch over them."
Director Johnson was stunned. He couldn't believe these words came from Edward.
Shocked, deeply moved, he said, "Boss Astor, I'll admit it—before today, I misunderstood you. I owe you an apology. Today… you've truly opened my eyes. From now on—"
"Enough, enough…" Edward interrupted. "Director Johnson, I genuinely don't have the energy to handle your apology or gratitude. Get some rest. Tomorrow we'll keep working. Today was just too much for me."
"Alright… you get some rest too."
Edward exhaled deeply. Jon gave him a thumbs-up. "Young Master, you were amazing! That performance was flawless."
Edward's face was expressionless. "Really?"
"Absolutely Oscar-worthy! Director Johnson was practically in tears!"
"Shut up. Drive."
"Yes, sir!"
Just then, a familiar voice spoke from nearby. "Edward, leaving already?"
Edward had already opened his car door. He turned to see Elizabeth standing nearby. She must have been standing there for a while—she'd seen the entire exchange with Director Johnson.
"Quite the charmer, aren't you?" Elizabeth said. "I bet Director Johnson is thoroughly impressed with you now."
Edward rested his forehead on the car door frame for five seconds before raising his head. "Whatever you want to do, let's talk tomorrow. I'm done for today. If you've got the guts, bring Davis here right now and let him kill me!"
"Why do you keep bringing him up?" Elizabeth yawned. "It's morning already. Buy me breakfast."
Edward shook his head, his voice calm. "Tomorrow, after the press conference. Either you transfer all your shares to me, or I'll transfer all my shares to you. After that, we'll go our separate ways, as if we never knew each other. Deal?"
Elizabeth stared at him, bewildered.
What's wrong with this guy? What did I do to offend him?
She felt hurt.
All her life, boys had adored her, complimenting her beauty and intelligence. Why did this guy look at her like she was a pile of garbage?
"Why are you suddenly so annoyed by me?"
Edward opened the car door. "Don't know. Don't care. Goodbye."
He got in, closed his eyes, and said, "Jon, take me home."
Elizabeth watched the car drive away, feeling deeply wronged.
Something's definitely wrong with him!
When we were kids, he promised to become my doctor. How can he treat me like this now?
If you want to avoid me… fine. I'll just cling to you until you can't stand it!
Back home, Edward tossed his coat on the floor, collapsed onto his bed, and fell asleep instantly.
By midday, he started to stir. His arm instinctively reached out and grabbed something soft.
Hmm?
He squeezed it twice—it felt quite plush.
What is this?
He opened his eyes.
Oh well, my God.
I might actually die this time.