The Girl They Ignored Returned as the Woman Seven Men Would Die For novel Chapter 163

Mika hadn't expected one little implied sob story to drop Lucas's enchantment below the passing grade.

The enchantment value was essentially a filter of absolute loyalty.

The system had explained that once it dropped to 60, he would view Seraphina like a normal human being.

Did that mean the lower the score, the more he would eventually detest her?

Suppressing a triumphant smile, Mika pulled the car door handle.

"Alright, I'm heading in. Drive safe!"

"Yeah. Get inside safely."

Mika climbed out of Lucas's red sports car and grabbed her shopping bags from the trunk.

She stood at the gates, giving him a sickeningly sweet wave before turning and disappearing into the dimly lit complex.

Lucas didn't speed off immediately.

He watched her fading silhouette, his fingers absentmindedly rolling a peppermint Maggie had tossed him at the register.

He waited until Mika was completely swallowed by the shadows.

Only then did the engine roar to life, the red chassis merging seamlessly into the night traffic.

Back at the townhouse.

As Mika stepped into the courtyard, a warm, golden light suddenly flickered on in the darkness.

It illuminated the lush vegetable patch and cast a soft glow over Mika's solitary figure.

Her heart melted.

Mrs. Remington usually went to bed early, sometimes by nine, but Mika often stayed out much later.

Whenever that happened, Mrs. Remington would leave the living room light on so Mika wouldn't be scared walking in.

But Mika knew older folks were fiercely frugal.

Leaving a light on all night wasted electricity, so she always reminded the old woman over breakfast not to bother.

Seeing the living room dark from afar, Mika had been thrilled, thinking Mrs. Remington had finally listened.

Clawing her way into college had already drained every ounce of her willpower.

Every step she took was out of pure survival instinct. She was just doing the best she could with zero options.

Damaris was horribly narrow-minded, entirely incapable of offering a shred of useful career advice.

Mika only knew she had to grind her way through college.

If she didn't, she would end up trapped in the exact same miserable cycle as Damaris.

Right now, her only goal was to conquer the male leads, upgrade herself to a Succubus, and dodge the horrific, scripted death waiting for her in three years.

If Mrs. Remington knew the truth, she would probably view her as a manipulative, shallow gold-digger.

But she had no choice.

She appreciated the kindness, but she refused to be shackled by it and forced down a dead-end path.

The best way to ease her crushing guilt was to conquer Julian Jace as quickly as possible so he could stand up again.

That was the absolute best way she could ever repay Mrs. Remington.