.

"...3…2…1…"

A blinding bright light flashed before disappearing just as quickly as it came.

What appeared after the light was a cosy single bedroom painted in cooling tones which added to the overall calming effect of the room.

Rows and rows of books stacked at the tableside bookshelf, revealing the owner of the room as being neat and cultured.

"Oh yeah, before I forget, here's a gift to aid you with your missions."

[ Ding! A beginner host package has been given to you by your lovely system. Do you wish to accept it?

{ Yes } { No } ]

Although there was a holographic text box covering his field of vision, Azaiah's eyes were still stuck on Noel.

It was amusing to see Noel's eyes fixated on the bookshelf even while talking to him just as his were fixed on Noel. This image would be imprinted in Azaiah's mind for a long time, proving useful on numerous occasions in the future.

Lovely system, huh?

Truest words to have ever been written down.

If Noel knew what the text wrote, he would be rendered speechless. Lovely? Where's the truth in that? Even handsome or good looking is truer than these lies that have been spouted.

[ Ding! 10,000 SP and a free skill of your choosing are deposited into your account. Thank you for your contribution. Have a nice day! ]

"Here's the background story of the original. The details will be given in the form of the original's memories. Receiving the memories will hurt a little from what I've read, but it'll pass just as quickly."

[ World genre: Modern, Brotherhood

Grade: E

Possessed body: Hayden Thatcher (24)

Hayden's brother, Cayden Thatcher, has always been a mischievous, playful boy since young. He had always loved pulling pranks on his family and servants, even their guests were no exception. It didn't matter who the person was, as long as they could be fooled, Cayden would be there to do the job.

Ever since their parents died in a plane crash, Cayden's playful nature worsened. Instead of gaming like what people his age would normally do, or pranking people like he used to, Cayden would 'play' around with a bad crowd of people he called friends. Due to Hayden's love for his brother, he never tried stopping Cayden from playing around. In order to become a good big brother and parental figure, Hayden had thought that he needed to indulge Cayden and give him the freedom he wanted, only advising him once in while to take care of himself.

However, Cayden had never felt the love and sincerity his brother had for him. The only feelings Cayden had was of neglect. His brother was always too busy with the company to spend time with him. If only there was no company, then they could always play with each other like they used to.

Now, here comes Victoria Leswell. A bombshell beauty that was Cayden's fiancee. However, even though she was Cayden's fiancee, her true love was Hayden.

And thus, a complicated love triangle was born.

No matter how much Victoria loved Hayden, her love would never be fulfilled. She would never escape from the arranged marriage even if she died.

So, one day, Victoria thought, why not kill Cayden instead? Then there would no longer be any obstacle standing between her and Hayden.

Hayden found out about Victoria's schemes, but it was too late by then. Cayden had died under her underhanded tricks resulting in Hayden living a life full of regrets at not having saved his precious little brother in time.

If only I had found out sooner, if only I could turn back time, then Cayden would have never died.

Main mission(s): (0%)

1) Save Cayden.

Side missions: (0%)

1) Cancel the arranged marriage between Cayden and Victoria.

2) Make Victoria regret her actions.

Hidden mission(s):

- NIL -

Failure to complete main missions will result in termination of contract. ]

Azaiah felt a splitting headache tearing through his mind at receiving the memories. The pain was not constant, throbbing at a beat similar to a pulse.

Although the pain Azaiah felt then was simply unbearable, his face did not change once. He still had on an apathetic expression. So convincing was his act that even Noel was fooled into thinking that the pain was insignificant.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Come in."

"Master, dinner is ready."

"Alright, you may be dismissed."

It had been so long since the butler started serving the Thatcher family, so long that he could no longer recall his first day of service.

He had seen and experienced many things in all the years he had worked for the Thatchers, about three generations worth of memories.

The butler had watched his first master grow up, marry and have kids. Watched the kids of his first master also grow up, marry and have kids. He was proud to say that he had taken part in the processes of raising the new generations of the family, one child at a time.

However, no matter how much he wanted to stay serving the Thatchers, God had different plans. He was growing old. He could no longer keep up with the younger people who were healthier and more capable than he was. The only reason he was still allowed to stay and not forced to retire was because of his unyielding loyalty to the household.

The butler's current master had it the hardest among all three generations. His second master died prematurely, resulting in his current master having to take on the huge responsibility of handling and stabilising the company alone. It was tough. There were many sleepless nights, many days of skipping necessary meals. But, the butler could only watch from the sidelines without being able to do much for his master. He could only pray for his master's wellbeing, pray that his master's situation would improve.

Yet, although the butler had been with his master since young, he almost couldn't recognise his master today. The overwhelming aura radiating from his master, representing the pinnacle of power, even seemingly surpassing his grandfather's, was too unrecognisable.

It was rude for servants to blatantly stare at their masters, but the butler couldn't help but take another glance at his master before closing the door. Is this the master he knew?

The butler's second look of his master dispelled all his suspicions of his 'master'. His master still looked the same as always, maybe a little more expressionless than usual, but overall he still looked like the master he knew since his master was but a babe.

"Why was the butler acting so strangely?" Noel asked while frowning, his body casually floating in the air with crossed legs. In his hands was a thick book titled, 'How to business: For Certified Dummies.' and in his mouth was a lollipop that he got from who knows where.

"It's nothing to worry over." Azaiah nonchalantly replied. Soaking up the scene before him, Azaiah enjoyed spending this short but peaceful time with Noel. He had no doubts that he was going to be busy from now on, so he had to etch every single moment he had with Noel in his mind as much as he could.

Noel tilted his head. He was clueless as to what Azaiah meant. He only saw what he saw and questioned what he saw. He did not think too deeply of the few-second interaction between the butler and the master, nor did he have any reason to, so he could not follow Azaiah's train of thought even if he wanted to.

"Mmkay. Anyways, we can contact each other through telepathy. You just need to think really hard to do so."

'Like this.'

'Okay. Thank you.'

Leaving the room, Azaiah went down the stairs and navigated to the dining room using his newly obtained memories.

On the dining table already sat Cayden, 'his' younger brother.

Cayden was in loose casual clothing, his hair unkempt and his whole being appearing listless. He was completely engrossed in whatever game he was playing on his phone, not even the presence of his older brother could break his concentration.

"Hello, Cayden."

Only a hum of acknowledgement was given as a response. It was no wonder both brothers' relationship 'soured'. One was too busy with work and the other was too busy ignoring his older brother. With both parties pulling away from their previous close bonds, it was expected that they only had conversations like this left.

Five days later was the due date. Five days later, Victoria's plan would succeed and Cayden would die.

"Brother Hayden!"

A beautiful caucasian woman appeared in the doorway of the room. Blonde hair as brilliant as the sun's shine, and sparkling blue eyes resembling the ocean's surface in the day, the woman's appearance resembled your typical western beauty.

A single glance was enough for Azaiah to determine what kind of person the woman was. No matter how good her acting was, Azaiah had seen enough people like her to be able to guess how she thought accurately. Although pure looking outwardly, the woman was dark and dirty inside. Filled with calculations after calculations, Azaiah could never understand how these types of people never tire from their scheming.

The woman, Victoria Leswell, ran to Azaiah. Grabbing onto Azaiah's arm, Victoria stuck her body to Azaiah's, stood on tip-toes, and whispered breathily into Azaiah's ear with a smile hanging on her lips, "I'm here today too big brother. Just as I promised."

"Tsk, two-faced b***h. If someone were less knowledgeable, they would have thought you were a slut trying to hook up with my brother."

Indeed, the scene between Azaiah and Victoria was too inappropriate for a relationship that was merely one of brother and sister in-laws. At this point, Victoria wasn't even trying to hide her seducing anymore. She was confident that her plans would succeed, and the sooner Hayden fell for her charms, the better.

"Well, it's embarrassing to acknowledge someone dressed like a hobo living off the streets as their fiance. If you had dressed better, maybe girls would actually start running towards you instead of away."

"Enough."

Hayden stopped the childish squabbling of his younger brother and sister in-law.

"Victoria, how many times do I have to tell you to dress decently when you go out. You are a proper lady, so act like one."

"Heh."

"Big Brother! Why are you taking his side? He started it first."

"I'm not taking anyone's side. Cayden, you too. Victoria is your fiancee. Respect is a must between both parties of such relationship."

"Tsk."

"Now, Victoria, why are you here? Even though I allowed you to enter the Thatcher grounds anytime you wish, I would've appreciated it if you do give prior notice before coming."

"But I come here every day."

Hayden gently smiled and patted Victoria's head.

"Be a good girl and listen to your big brother alright?"

It wasn't that Hayden was ignorant and unaware of Victoria's thoughts towards him. He knew. Since a long time ago, even before Victoria started acting up, he knew. But he only thinks of Victoria as his younger sister. Whatever Victoria was doing was just a phase to Hayden. A phase that would pass when Victoria marries Cayden.

Since he thought of Victoria as another of his younger sibling, Hayden doted and loved her as he would with Cayden. The only feelings of love Hayden had and will ever have for Victoria were only ones between siblings.

—

"What are you reading?"

It was out of the blue, Azaiah's question. So sudden was his question, that one had to wonder what was going through his mind for him to ask it.

I looked up from the computer screen, "Something interesting."

My face was probably scrunched up when I answered. Just remembering the bookshelf filled with rows and rows of books containing only topics about business makes me shudder even now. How can there exist a person who only owns such boring books? I read a few out of curiosity but it was so uninteresting that I couldn't continue even if I tried.

"It's a novel about the main character's journey to godhood. It's a little cliche, but overall it's a satisfying read. Want to try reading it?"

"Maybe after I'm done with my work."

After replying, Azaiah went back to finishing up Hayden's paperwork. As I was using Hayden's computer for my own personal use, Azaiah had no choice but to work on the hardcopy documents Hayden had on hand.

Well, Azaiah had a choice, but he was kind enough to temporarily lend me the computer for my own usage.

Maybe I've misjudged him after all.

Someone once said to me, "Never judge a book by its first page." That person might have been very dear to me since I still remembered what they said even after having forgotten many things regarding my first life.

The meaning was clear. Even if the first page of a book is dull and boring, the subsequent pages and chapters may excite you more than you have ever been excited in your life. And, even if the first page of a book is intriguing and instantly captured your interest, ridiculous plots may occur in the subsequent chapters, making you feel furious, absurd and disappointed.

Similar to humans. The first meeting doesn't always dictate what a person is truly like. Maybe you've met someone who, at first, doesn't talk well, only to find out that they are the most talkative and enthusiastic person you know. Or maybe you've met someone who, on your first meeting, seems nice and comforting, only to find out they are the worst human being to ever exist.

Ahh, damn.

How should I make it up to Azaiah then?

But it's not like he even knows what I did wrong. I can just leave this lapse in judgment as a mistake of the past and move on from there. It's not as if someone, or something, would come after me and condemn me for it.

…

This goddamn guilty conscience. You just can't ****ing let me have my way, can you?