Reborn Before Doomsday: My System Has Infinite Storage

Chapter 7

The thought of going to the auction with Dylan ruined my mood completely. I walked toward the car, my heels clicking sharply against the floor with every step.

I knew I had to devise a plan to attend the auction alone.

Dylan was already in the driver's seat, his hands tightening on the steering wheel as he watched me approach. If this request hadn't come directly from Mr. Valmont, he never would have agreed to drive me.

I opened the passenger door and slid gracefully into the seat without offering a word of greeting. We had been friends once, long ago before my mother died. But his attitude toward me shifted completely the moment Stephanie entered the picture.

We hadn't been on speaking terms since.

"It’s been so long, Serelle," Dylan began, attempting to break the heavy silence between us. "How have you been—"

"You don't need to speak to me," I interrupted, raising a hand. There was no point in pretending. "Just drive."

Dylan pressed his lips together and looked away. How did she become so intimidating? he wondered to himself.

Just as he was about to start the engine, his phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket, checked the screen, and answered. It was my father calling.

"Yes, she’s here... alright... I’ll be there shortly." He ended the call and stepped out of the vehicle without a word.

Left alone, I pulled out my phone and scrolled through recent business news. Tonight's auction would be filled with prominent figures—billionaires, celebrities, and politicians.

If everything aligned, I might even secure my first paying target there. Although I retained memories from my past life, details were fragmented, so I couldn't rely on memory alone.

A phone vibrated nearby. It wasn't mine. I raised an eyebrow. Dylan had walked away with his phone in hand, and mine was silent, which meant there was another device in the car.

I tracked the vibration and spotted a phone lying in the cup holder. I picked it up and stared at the caller ID: 'My Beloved' flanked by three heart emojis. What a ridiculous way to save Stephanie's name.

I held the phone until the ringing stopped. Just as I was about to set it back down, a text preview popped up on the screen.

My Beloved: You promised to spend all your free time with me before Stephanie returns. What event could possibly be more important than us?

I lifted an eyebrow. It didn't take much effort to decode that message.

Fortunately, the device had no passcode. I tapped the notification, opening the chat log between the two cheaters. I cast a quick glance out the window to ensure Dylan wasn't returning yet, then began scrolling.

Every message was concrete proof of an affair. Dylan was cheating on Stephanie with another woman. I didn't care to figure out the woman's identity; I didn't need it.

I felt zero sympathy for Stephanie. As far as I was concerned, they deserved each other—both were petty and despicable. I didn't know the exact nature of their relationship, but I knew how possessive Stephanie was of him. She was obsessed with Dylan and wouldn't tolerate this for a second. There was no way she had agreed to an open relationship.

The fact that Dylan maintained a second, hidden phone specifically for this affair proved he was desperate to keep it secret.

Tsk tsk. The lengths men go to cheat!

I opened my phone's camera app and snapped clear photos of the chat logs on his screen. A cold smile spread across my face as a plan formed in my mind.

It seemed my first payout tonight was coming from Dylan.

I slipped his hidden phone into my purse and resumed reading the news.

When the car door finally opened and Dylan climbed back into the driver's seat, I looked up. I stared at him, genuinely intrigued by how effortlessly he maintained his 'perfect boyfriend' persona while running a secret double life.

"What? Curious about what your dad and I discussed?" Dylan asked, a smug grin on his face. "It was about you. He doesn't seem to trust you at all—I wonder why?" He clicked his seatbelt into place. "Honestly, I'm surprised he even allowed you to represent the family tonight. You don't strike me as trustworthy."

I kept my expression entirely neutral and slowly turned my eyes back toward him. "If anyone between the two of us lacks trustworthiness, Dylan, it’s you," I said coldly.

Dylan chuckled, tugging lightly at his tie. "Why don't we ask Alistair and let him decide that?"

"That sounds like a splendid idea. I'm sure he'd be thrilled to hear what I have to share."

Dylan eyed me suspiciously.

"I wonder if he’d still consider you so reliable if he found out you’re cheating on his beloved daughter with your 'beloved'?" I placed a hand over my mouth in mock surprise as Dylan's eyes widened. "Oh dear, was I too loud?"

My eyes brightened as I watched the color drain completely from his face. His eyes darted nervously around the interior of the car as if someone might be lurking in the back seat.

"Wh... what are you talking about? Do... don't go around spreading lies!" he stammered.

"We both know I’m telling the truth." I pointed my phone toward his face. "It turns out you keep a separate phone dedicated to your little side game, which means Stephanie has no idea. Don't bother denying it—the phone is right here in my purse."

Dylan’s eyes scanned my screen, then snapped to the cup holder where his secondary device had been resting. Cold sweat broke out along his neck. "You searched my car?!"

I ignored his outburst. "What do you think Stephanie will do when she finds out?" I shifted in my seat to face him directly. "What will your grandfather do? You can wave goodbye to inheriting the Chen Corporation." I let out a low, humorless laugh. "The press will tear you to pieces."

Dylan's hands shook as he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, frantically wiping the sweat dripping down his temple. "Please... let's keep this between us. I'll do whatever you want," he begged, pressing his palms together.

I slipped my phone back into my purse. "My silence is extremely expensive," I warned.

"How much? Name your price and I'll pay it!"

"Five million dollars," I said flatly.

Dylan gasped. "Five million?! That's insane! Are you trying to rob me?"

"Fifteen million dollars."

"You've got to be kidding me! I can't give you that much!"

"Twenty-fi—"

"Wait!" Dylan cut in desperately. I turned to look at him. "That's way too much, we can—"

"Thirty-five million dollars." I stared at him with unshakeable resolve. "If you try to bargain again, I add another ten million."

He was the heir to one of the largest corporations in the country. Thirty-five million was pocket change to his family. He was just being cheap.

"Fine!" Dylan surrendered, deflating in his seat. "Thirty-five million dollars. But you delete those photos from your phone and hand my device back right now."

I flashed him a icy smile. "Deal."

Knowing he couldn't transfer the full sum in a single transaction due to standard account limits, I allowed him to transfer an initial five million—the maximum my current personal account could accept.

"I’ll return your phone and delete the remaining evidence once I receive the balance," I added smoothly.

Dylan let out a heavy sigh, visibly distressed. He knew he couldn't trust me, but he had zero leverage. He nodded bitterly.

"One more thing," I said.

Dylan looked entirely defeated. "What else could you possibly want?"

"Drop me off nearby and be on your way. I am attending the auction alone."

"But Alistair—" Dylan started, shutting his mouth instantly when I fixed him with a sharp glare.