(Evelina's POV—Aurelis Times Square)
The wind shifted—heavy, electric—like the world itself paused.
Then—D I N G !!!
A new system window snapped open in front of me, glowing blood-red and gold:
[ System: New Episode Activated—"The Witch They Tried to Frame." Reward: +10 Affection Points (All Characters). Reputation: +100. Status: Villainess Route — Dark Branch Unlocked. ]
My jaw tightened.
Affection points. Reputation. New episode.
None of it mattered. All of this—every lie, every smear, every accusation—started because of him.
Kael Valtore.
If I had simply reached home… If the assassins hadn't attacked… If I had given those 10,000 gold coins to the system… I would have unlocked my hidden route by now. I would have been free. I would have been controlled by the destiny I had created.
But instead—HE. TRIED. TO. KILL. ME.
And now frame him.
My fingers curled into a fist so tight my nails bit into my skin.
Fine. If he wanted to play with a witch, I would show him hell.
