Tsundere Men Have the Best Luck Chapter 2

I walked out of that room clutching a check for thirty-five million dollars, my mind reeling.

Money had never come this easily. I was half-convinced I was dreaming.

Just as I was about to pinch myself, a voice echoed in my head:

[Tim Thorne Affection: 5%.]

I froze. "What was that?"

The voice, which I now recognized as a System, chirped excitedly: [Once Tim Thorne's affection for you reaches 100%, you can return to your original world!]

"No! I don't want to go back!" I protested.

I was dirt poor in my old world. Here, I just made thirty-five million dollars in five minutes. It was a no-brainer. Besides, I was kind of looking forward to the romance part of this novel. A whole cast of handsome men falling all over me? That sounded way better than any power fantasy.

The System hesitated. [Well, um...]

An idea struck me. "I just won't try to win him over. If his affection stays at 5% forever, then I can't ever go back, right?"

The System stammered again. [Well, I, uh...]

I mentally high-fived myself for my genius.

[Ding! Rules have been updated!]

The System's voice was suddenly cheerful. [When Tim Thorne's affection reaches 100%, you will be able to stay in this world forever!]

I was silent for a full five seconds before I found my voice. "Are you kidding me?"

The System replied mischievously, [The rules are the rules! The mission timer is one month. Good luck!~]

“…”

Sensing my despair, the System added: [Thirty-five million dollars, though.]

That snapped me out of it.

There was nothing more terrifying than being poor. I had to conquer Tim Thorne within a month.

But as I thought about the original plot, my head started to ache. Tim was an arrogant, self-obsessed narcissist. How the hell was I supposed to make him fall in love with me in thirty days?

"Wait, how did his affection go up by 5% just now?"

[He was watching the security footage.]

“…”

I pleaded carefully, "Is there any way we can make him watch it for, say, three days straight?"

[That would depend on his personal willingness.]

Apparently, Tim's personal willingness was quite strong.

By the time I went to the bank the next day to cash the check, his affection level had already climbed to 13%.

According to the System, he'd spent the entire night watching the footage.

I remembered the look of disdain on his face in the club and couldn't help but scoff.

Heh. Men.

The check cleared, and my bank account swelled by thirty-five million. I was just wondering where to go on a massive shopping spree when my phone rang. It was Tim.

His tone was as arrogant and condescending as ever. "I hear our dear Miss Monroe is a little short on cash?"

"Get to the point," I said, my patience already thin.

He was silent for a beat. "Pretend to be my girlfriend for a month. Name your price."

I was shocked. I checked with the System. "I don't remember this happening in the book."

[Correct. The original plot is now completely off the rails. You are free to improvise.]

“…”

Was this not a golden opportunity falling right into my lap? I was just worrying about how to get close to him.

Tim, impatient with my silence, snapped, "What? Not interested?"

"I am," I purred, switching to a soft, gentle tone. "I'm just curious why, that's all."

"You don't need to know why," he said, his voice cold. "All you need to know is that for the next month, you're my girlfriend."

I played along. "Okay, darling~"

He hung up instantly.

A moment later, the System's cool, metallic voice chimed in: [Tim Thorne Affection increased by 2%. Current Affection: 15%.]

I scoffed again.

Heh. Men.