Taste of the riches

Light sniffles echoed in the dim jail cell as Aqua sat curled up in the corner, hugging her knees. Her shoulders trembled with every breath. Amidst her quiet sobs, the sharp clanking of metal filled the silence. 

Her body tensed instantly, fear gripping her. What now? 

"You're free to go." 

"Huh?" She froze, slowly lifting her head to see the officer standing by the open cell door. 

He looked impatient as he said, "Out." 

"Uh..." Aqua flinched slightly, pushing herself up. She meekly stepped out, arms wrapped around herself. The second she crossed the threshold, she hesitated, glancing at the officer. "Um... can I—who—?" 

"Miss Valentine dropped the charges." The officer nearly rolled his eyes, clearly irritated by her stammering. "You're lucky she's being nice, considering you hurt her." 

Aqua pressed her lips into a thin line, feeling no relief in this so-called mercy. She knew her cousin, Gigi. If Gigi didn't press charges, it only meant she had something else planned. 

Aqua sighed heavily, dragging her feet out of the station. She barely had anything with her—after all, the officers had picked her up on her way to check on Gigi in the hospital earlier that day. 

---

Meanwhile, in a parked car outside the station, Gigi sat in the backseat, her eyes locked on the entrance. 

After a moment, she spotted Aqua's small, hunched figure emerging. Aqua was pale and visibly shaken—evidence of how rough her day had been. 

"Miss..." Bubbles, seated beside her, scowled at Aqua through the window. "Why would you let her out of jail? She doesn't deserve your mercy at all." 

Gigi sighed, shifting her gaze to Bubbles. "I might not have my memories, but Bubbles, I can't stomach the thought of putting family in prison." 

"But she's not family!" 

"She is... now." Gigi shook her head, her attention drifting back to the window. 'If I want to live a carefree life in this world, I don't mind worshiping the female lead.' 

Anything to avoid her second death. 

She trailed off when a car pulled up in front of the station. Her brows furrowed as a man hurried out of the driver's seat and rushed toward Aqua. 

"Huh? Who is that?" 

Bubbles stretched her neck to peek. Her frown deepened. "That's your cousin's boyfriend, Troy." 

"Boyfriend?" Gigi slowly turned to Bubbles, confused. It took her a moment to recall that part of the story. 

Since this world followed cliché storylines, the original cheating boyfriend was a staple ingredient. 

It had been a while since Gigi played this game—or any game, for that matter—so she barely remembered the full premise. If not for this moment, she wouldn't have even recalled that Aqua—the heroine—had a boyfriend. 

And, of course, this boyfriend would be stolen by none other than Gigi. 

After all, Gigi was jealous and wanted everything Aqua had. That was the catalyst that turned Aqua into the broken-hearted heroine, which in turn led to four powerful, handsome, rich male leads flocking to her side. 

Gigi's expression twisted as she watched Aqua's boyfriend wrap his arms around her, guiding her to his car. The classic scene of a worried boyfriend comforting his distressed girlfriend. 

'Compared to one of the male leads back in the hospital, this guy is... well... I don't want to judge.' 

Gigi sighed, snapping her gaze back to Bubbles. "Let's go home." 

Whatever schemes she needed to plan, she'd figure them out tomorrow. 

For now, she just wanted to rest... and bask in luxury. 

---

The Next Day 

"HAHAHAHA!" 

Gigi's laughter echoed through the mansion's driveway as she lounged on the bumper of a red sports car. "Hahaha—cough!" 

After laughing so much, her throat went dry, and she coughed. One of the many helpers immediately stepped forward, holding out a tray. 

"Thank you~" Gigi happily took a pina colada, sipping it before placing the glass back with a satisfied sigh. 

Another helper approached, handing her a designer bag and sunglasses. She accepted them, slipping on the shades dramatically as she surveyed the scene before her. 

Maids and butlers stood in neat rows, their pristine uniforms in perfect order. A few held trays with refreshments and essentials, their expressions polite and approving. 

Bubbles, standing nearby, sighed as she observed Gigi's theatrical display, silently questioning the reasoning behind it. 

'After years of mingling with criminals… this is truly a sight to behold!' Gigi smirked, nodding approvingly. "Well, isn't the weather nice today? I think I'll go for a drive—keys?" 

A butler instinctively stepped forward, presenting the car keys with reverence as if offering a sacred relic. Gigi plucked them up with just her thumb and forefinger before standing gracefully. 

"Thaaaank you~" she sang, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Bubbles, let's go, dear." 

With that, she sauntered toward the driver's seat. Another butler opened the door for her, making her grin in satisfaction. She waited for Bubbles to climb into the passenger seat. 

"Make way, people!" she declared, tossing her arms over the open convertible before revving up the engine. 

Even in this world, Gigi refused to only focus on survival. She was entitled to luxury—and she would absolutely indulge. 

"Young Miss, I don't think you should be driving," Bubbles murmured hesitantly as they neared the gates. "You just got discharged from the hospital yesterday, and you're still suffering from memory loss." 

Gigi smirked smugly. "That's exactly why I should drive. Maybe seeing the city will jog my memory." 

"But... what if we get stopped by the police?" 

"Why would we? I'll drive very carefully." 

"You don't even have a driver's license." 

SCREECH! 

The car jolted to a halt just before the gates. Gigi slowly turned her head toward Bubbles. 

"What did you just say?" 

Bubbles pouted. "You don't have a license, Young Miss. Also, you've never driven a car in your life." 

Gigi's eye twitched. "Then why the hell did you get in when you knew I couldn't drive? And why did no one else stop me?!" 

"Well, it's you." Bubbles shrugged. "You told me to come." 

"..." 

Gigi opened and closed her mouth before pinching the bridge of her nose. This lackey might actually die before her at this rate. 

"For Pete's sake," she muttered, resuming the drive. "Fine. I'll get a license first." 

As they rolled through the gates, they slowed when another car approached from the opposite direction. Gigi glanced over, catching sight of Aqua and her boyfriend through the windshield. 

Aqua pressed her lips together while her boyfriend frowned the moment he spotted Gigi looking at them. 

"Aqua, it's okay," he reassured her, reaching for her hand. "If Gigi tries to bully you again, I'll stand up... for you..." 

VROOM! 

Before he could finish, the sports car screeched and shot forward, speeding past them without a second glance. 

Aqua: "???" 

Her boyfriend: "..." 

Gigi: "Bye, Felicias~! Off to get my driver's license!"