Her Regret Turns to Despair

The glaring crystal chandeliers made it impossible to keep my eyes open, while the air was thick with the mixed scent of champagne and roses. I stood at the entrance of the Banquet Hall in the seven-star Y Hotel. The fabric of my custom suit was so fine it slightly chafed—this wasn't my body. Suddenly, a mechanical voice burst into my mind: "Host Chris Jones, bound to the 'Regret Value Harvester' system." I froze as a flood of memories that weren't mine poured in. I am the sole heir of the Jones Group, and right after transmigrating, I ran into the original's "goddess," Stella Scott, who was celebrating the birthday of her first love, Hugo Clark. Stella Scott wore a light blue evening gown, her smile blooming like a flower as she raised her glass: "Hugo Clark, happy birthday. May all your wishes come true." Hugo Clark wrapped his arm around her waist, but his gaze flicked towards the lavish decorations in the Banquet Hall, his tone flippant: "Having Stella with me beats everything else." The system's voice rang out again: "Main Quest: Maintain the original owner's sycophant persona and induce 100% Regret Value in Stella Scott. Success rewards a return to the original world and billions in wealth." I nearly burst out laughing. The original guy bled for Stella, only for her and his first love to gang up and screw him over, snatching company shares and leaving him to die under mysterious circumstances. "Well, well, if it isn't Mr. Jones himself. Standing guard at the door like some doorman?" Stella's bestie, Nicole Lee, sharp-eyed as always, was the first to call out to me. Stella turned around with just the right amount of surprise on her face: "Chris Jones, what are you doing here? I thought you had an important meeting today." I stared at her fake expression and remembered how the original owner had handed her a Black Card Supplementary Card. A cold smirk tugged at my lips: "Just came to check if my money's been spent wisely." I pulled out my phone and dialed the bank's customer service directly: "Freeze the Black Card Supplementary Card ending in 3721. Yes, make it effective immediately." Stella's face instantly changed. She quickly walked over to me, her voice urgent: "Chris Jones, what do you mean? You gave me this card yourself!" "I gave it to you for emergencies, not so you could use my money to celebrate some other guy's birthday." I slipped my phone back into my pocket, speaking quietly but clearly enough for everyone nearby to hear. Nicole sneered and rolled her eyes: "Is Mr. Jones suddenly worried about money? It's just a meal, no need to be so petty." "My money didn't come easily." I turned to the banquet manager who had just arrived. "Manager Wilson, please charge the table inside at face value. Whoever ordered pays." Manager Wilson quickly nodded, bowing. "Yes, Mr. Jones, I'll take care of it right away." "Chris Jones, you're way too much!" Stella Scott's eyes reddened with anger, her voice cracking with tears. "We've been together so long, and you treat me like this?" "Together?" I raised an eyebrow, pretending to be confused. "Ms. Scott, I don't think we ever actually confirmed that we're together, did we?" System notification sounded just in time: "Stella Scott Regret Value +5%. Current Regret Value: 5%." I sneered inwardly; this was just the beginning.