The receptionist raised an eyebrow. "…You selling that?"
Sophia smiled, the kind that screamed limited-time offer, and tapped the shiny packaging.
"Limited edition. Imported. Triple-layered flavor with slow-brewed miso base. The vending machine doesn't stand a chance."
The receptionist snorted. "You serious?"
Sophia leaned in slightly. "Two bucks."
The woman blinked. "A vending machine sells this stuff for one-fifty."
Sophia countered without missing a beat. "But that one's dusty, old stock. What I have here is fresh. Limited shelf life. Ultra-premium. Plus, I'm cute."
The receptionist looked her up and down, unimpressed but mildly entertained.
"…You're shameless."
"I'm broke," Sophia corrected cheerfully. "There's a difference."
The receptionist laughed and handed over two crumpled dollar bills. "I like your guts."
Sophia handed the noodle packet over with a flourish and added, "Tell your friends. There's a clearance sale going on in Room 102."
And just like that, Sophia's underground snack empire was born.
Thirty Minutes Later…
A few sleepy-eyed guests wandered into the lobby holding loose change and curiosity. Sophia stood near the elevator, her bag open like a street vendor, casually advertising:
"Buy two, get a third for emotional support."
Agent Whiskers, floating beside her in system form, muttered,
[Host… are you seriously turning into a bootleg vending machine?]
"I'm adapting," she said, counting her new stack of cash.
[You're embarrassing me in multiple dimensions.]
"Shush. I'm thriving."
By the time the clock hit 10 a.m., Sophia had earned $10,000. Even though she had reduced the price by 2/3rd.
Realization hit Sophia like a thunderbolt. Maybe she has truly gone overboard... however...
"Who cares?" She shrugged and pocketed the cash. She had changed all the loose change into notes.
With confidence, she strutted to a cab and soon reached the Parker Mansion.
Why?
Of course, to make them suffer and earn some compensation.
As soon as she reached the estate's gate, the guards stopped her,
"Who are you?"
Sophia raised an eyebrow, sensing the disdain in the guard's tone.
"System, is he new here?"
[No.]
Sophia smiled, though her face had an angelic beauty, but for some unknown reason, the guard shivered.
Baron straightened to not show the fear on his face. He was ordered by Mrs. Parker to never let Cecilia enter the Parker Mansion ever again.
As long as he showed an intimidating expression, Cecilia would be scared and run away. With that belief, he ignored Cecilia's fervent gaze.
Cecilia, aka Sophia, wasn't fazed. With a smile plastered on her face, she took out her phone and started to live stream.
"Hello guys, as you all can see, I am right outside the Parker estate. You might ask, why? Well, as many of you know, I am the adopted daughter of the Parker Family." Sophia said with tears in her eyes.
Melancholy and sadness flashed in her eyes as she continued her one-sided show,
"I was kicked out by them. Earlier I didn't want to expose the injuries they had inflicted on me, however just yesterday they hired some hooligans in the Civil Affairs Bureau to act as my husband and my scumbag boyfriend, who is f*cking the real daughter of the Parker Family broke up with me."
Toward the end, Sophia's eyes were filled with tears.
[Host you... Why are you lying?]
'If the real daughter of the Parker Family can lie and frame me, so can I!' Sophia rolled her eyes.
Corporate Rule no. 1200: What to do if you can't prove yourself innocent when you are framed? Throw back the accusation at the person who started everything.
Sophia remembered all the time Ceilia was framed by the real daughter and chuckled mercilessly.
Ceilia was rather unfamous, and the live stream hardly had any audience to watch Sophia's performance.
But was Sophia fazed? No. For the entire setup to work, she needs to continue the act.
'System, are you useful?' She asked.
[I am!]
'Save me some money and post 10,000... no, 50,000 hate comments under the real daughter's ID. Post 10,000 hate comments under all the other family members of the Parker Family.'
[Though it is a wrong thing... but since it's your order, I will arrange something.]
'Thank you, my dear cutiepie.' Sophia chuckled in her heart. If she wanted, she could have hired a water army, but what to do, she didn't want to spend a single penny on those two-faced parasitic family.
'And, if possible, use this guard's phone to comment too.' Sophia said.
[It will only be possible if you spend... some mission points. Even for the comments.]
'Mission points? Do I have none? Or is it too costly?' Sophia asked curiously.
[Mission points are the points you will receive after you complete a sub-mission or an entire mission section. And you have 1,000 mission points. For those comments, you will have to spend just 1 mission point. I have bargained on your behalf. No need to thank me.]
'For each comment or for a total of 100,000 points?' Sophia asked as she felt a pair of eyes on her.