Reborn Before Doomsday: My System Has Infinite Storage

Chapter 6

I focused on the information floating on the translucent screen in front of me, my eyes scanning the text quickly.

Name: Alistair Valmont

Current Emotion: Irritated

Deepest Desire: Expand the Valmont Group.

Greatest Fear: Losing the Valmont family’s reputation.

Weakness: Ambition.

Fatal Flaw: Pride.

Resistance: 2/5

Mind Push Available.

Daily Uses Remaining: 3/3

My eyes stopped at the mind push option. Was there an increase? I wondered.

Just as I expected, my father always placed the family name over everything—including me.

The panel shifted once more, another inscription forming across its glowing surface.

Suggestion: Mind Push may now be activated.

I read the two steps and followed the instructions precisely. Slowly, I lifted my head. Alistair wore a scowl, his patience thinning with each passing second.

"If you’ve finished wasting my time, you can leave," he said. At that exact moment, our eyes met.

The instant our gazes locked, a familiar pressure built behind my eyes and everything around me seemed to slow to a crawl. I inhaled softly, keeping my expression entirely serene.

Alistair’s expression froze for the briefest moment. His pupils dilated.

I spoke slowly, making every single word clear and deliberate. "Let me represent the Valmont family tonight."

Alistair stared at me, a flash of genuine hesitation crossing his face. His fingers drummed lightly against the wooden surface of the table.

I felt my heart pounding against my ribs. Is the system about to fail? I panicked internally.

Then, Alistair finally spoke. "...Fine."

The pressure behind my eyes vanished, and Alistair’s harsh frown returned. He drew his brows together as though trying to comprehend why he had just agreed.

"Thank you, Dad," I said, trying but failing to suppress the subtle smile forming on my lips.

Alistair studied me, his frown deepening by the second. "I don’t know what nonsense you’re planning," he muttered coldly. "But since you’re so eager to attend, you can go in my place."

He swiftly opened one of the desk drawers and pulled out a sleek black invitation card trimmed with gold. The metallic edges caught the light, glinting sharply in my vision.

Without another glance at me, Alistair tossed it across the desk. It slid toward me, and I caught it under my fingertip.

"Don’t embarrass the Valmont family," Alistair warned.

"I won’t," I responded, nodding as I examined the card. I couldn't believe how easy it had been to get my hands on it.

"The only item you are to purchase is the three-hundred-year-old vase," Alistair instructed. When he opened the drawer again, I looked up. He brought out a checkbook this time and tore a page from it.

He picked up his pen, scribbled his signature at the bottom, and handed it over to me. "After the auction, write whatever amount is necessary on this, and pass it to Mr. Shawn. He’ll process the required payment."

"Definitely," I said with a straight face, neatly suppressing the desperate urge to scream with joy.

I stood up, preparing to leave, when my father stopped me cold. "Dylan will go with you."

Dylan was Stephanie’s fiancé. Given our history, he was the absolute last person I wanted to see.

I paused. This wasn't part of the original arrangement. "There won’t be any need for that. Why bother him when Stephanie is away?" I needed to be there alone.

Mainly because I had zero intention of buying that vase. I was going to the auction for one thing only: the jade necklace.

"That’s not negotiable," Alistair said flatly.

I dug my fingernails into my palm. I contemplated using another Mind Push on him, but decided against it. I didn't want to waste my remaining daily uses in case I encountered a better target at the event.

I would simply find a way to shake Dylan off my back later.

"Tell Nancy to give you a new dress. I can’t have you going to the auction in that rag." Alistair returned his gaze to his laptop screen and added, "And please, do not embarrass this family."

I paused for a fraction of a second, a dark flicker passing through my eyes. I didn't bother answering. I simply turned and walked out of the office, holding the invitation firmly as I shut the door behind me. The first step toward acquiring my storage space was complete.

Ding!

Mind Push successfully executed.

Daily Uses Remaining: 2/3

I blinked, and the floating prompt vanished. I made my way down the grand staircase.

At the foot of the stairs stood a woman. She bowed slightly and introduced herself as Nancy.

"I’ll take you to the guest room. Mr. Valmont has instructed that you remain there until Mr. Chen arrives. I will also bring you a proper outfit," Nancy said respectfully.

"Okay," I replied, keeping my face devoid of emotion as I followed her.

The guest room was spacious and plain, furnished with a large bed, a wide window, and a desk neatly set in the corner. The moment the door clicked shut behind Nancy, I walked over to the bed and sat down.

Once I settled in, I summoned my system.

The blue panel materialized in midair, and I reviewed the interface. After my conversation with my dad, I realized there was still much I didn't understand about its mechanics.

For instance, even though I had directly controlled my father's decision, his emotional attitude toward me hadn't changed at all.

Why? I wondered.

System cannot utter the emotion the target holds toward the host, the electronic voice responded.

My lips parted slightly. "What about the daily uses? Has the limit increased?"

No. Unused Mind Push uses during the Trial Period will automatically carry over to the next day.

Another notification followed immediately.

Beginner Target Identification has ended. Host is now responsible for selecting all Mind Push targets.

I watched the screen fade away. I threw myself back onto the bed, stretching my arms out across the soft mattress. It was plush and comfortable—nothing like the thin mattress in my cramped apartment.

A few minutes later, a soft knock sounded at the door.

It pushed open, and Nancy stepped inside holding a box. I sat up straight, watching as she placed it on the table in the middle of the room.

"This dress was selected and approved by Mr. Valmont as suitable for tonight’s event," she said, standing straight with her hands folded. "Would you like me to bring you something to eat?"

"No." Having been poisoned once before, I was far too cautious to consume anything from this mansion. Even if I was famished, I wasn't risking my life.

"Very well. If you need anything else, please let me know."

Once Nancy left, I stood up and opened the box. Inside lay a black dress, accompanied by red heels and silver jewelry.

Hmm, not bad, I thought.

Still, if I had the choice, I'd change out of it immediately. The mere thought of wearing clothes chosen from Stephanie's influence made my skin crawl.

I rubbed my flat stomach as I walked back to the bed. If everything went according to plan, I might actually treat myself to a proper feast tonight.

I desperately hoped I wouldn't end up returning to my miserable apartment.

Five hours later, Nancy informed me that Dylan had arrived. It was time to leave.