Seeing the hesitation in Chase Jennings’ eyes, Azura Loomis immediately pushed further,
"Brother Chase, we grew up together. Don’t you know what kind of person I am? No matter the circumstances, I would never do something like that to you or Grandma. I don’t even have the ability to do such a thing."
"What you’ve suffered... it’s only fair for you to blame me. This is indeed my fault. The system targeted you first because it knew you’re the person I care about the most...
It was punishing me because I refused to obey it, refused to help it harm the Jennings Family... It’s all my fault, Brother Chase. I truly know I was wrong. I’m so, so sorry... sob... sob..."
Azura’s face was covered in tears. She spoke between choking sobs, and even as she cried hysterically, though she no longer looked as beautiful or sounded as graceful as before, it still stirred a faint emotion in Chase Jennings’ heart.
He still remembered when Azura Loomis first came to the Jennings Family. She was just a small, rosy-cheeked little thing.
Back then, Lucas Jennings didn’t like her and would bully her.
She didn’t dare get angry; she only dared to hide in corners, hugging her knees and crying quietly. It was seeing her like that back then that made Chase feel pity for her.
Over time, that resolve to protect her only grew stronger in his heart.
When he was imprisoned in the doll, he had even wondered if she might have her own reasons for what she had done.
And today, she was giving him an answer.
Should he believe her?
Chase Jennings closed his eyes briefly and asked her, "How am I supposed to believe that everything you’re saying is true?"
Azura’s heart leapt with joy, and she quickly stood up,
"Brother Chase, the way I look right now is proof!"
She pointed to her face. "That system knew I wouldn’t follow its orders to harm people, so it drained all my fortune from me. It’s because it took away all my fortune and vitality that I’ve become ..."
Chase Jennings froze. "You look because the system drained your fortune?"
He had thought it was some kind of backlash from using an evil technique.
It really did look exactly like backlash from an evil technique.
Unaware of the thoughts running through his mind, Azura’s eyes reddened. "I’m nowhere near the person I used to be now. Brother Chase, do you despise me for how I am?"
Chase didn’t respond, but his expression visibly softened.
Seeing this, Azura lowered her head in self-mockery. "I know... Coming to you is shameless of me. But I truly don’t know where else to go. You know my family doesn’t care about me at all..."
As she spoke, a bitter smile flickered across her face before she feigned strength,
"Brother Chase, I won’t trouble you anymore. I—I’ll leave now. Just pretend I never showed up today, and you never saw me..."
With these words, her tears streamed down again. As if afraid of embarrassing herself in front of him, Azura quickly turned her head to wipe her face before turning to leave.
She managed only two steps before, as if remembering something, she turned back and worriedly reminded him,
"By the way, the system might not have completely disappeared yet. It’s particularly obsessed with the Jennings Family’s fortune. It might come back again. Please... please remind Scarlett to be careful."
Chase’s face darkened at this. "Is everything you’ve said true?!"
Azura wasn’t entirely sure herself.
On her way to the Jennings Family once, the system had split off a trace of energy. At the time, she hadn’t thought much of it. Later, when Scarlett Jennings scattered the system, Azura had a faint suspicion that it might not have completely dissipated.
But she didn’t plan to reveal the specifics.
Bringing this up was merely to make the Jennings Family think she still had value.
Forcing a bitter smile on her face,
"Do I have any need to lie to you now? In any case, just be careful. I really don’t want to see any harm come to the Jennings Family again... I... I’ll go now."
She spoke with reluctant determination, but her steps were resolute as she turned and walked back the way she came.
Under the dim streetlights, Azura’s figure looked even lonelier and frail.
Though the stretch of road was short, she stumbled several times.
Watching her retreating figure, Chase’s eyes revealed his internal torment and struggle. Finally, as she was about to reach the end of the street corner, he couldn’t stop himself and called out to her,
Azura froze mid-step and slowly turned her head.
She saw Chase with a tense expression, striding toward his car. He opened the door, then turned to her, his face conflicted yet resigned,
Azura looked at him, utterly surprised, unshed tears gleaming in her eyes.
Although her face was filled with gratitude, inwardly, she was brimming with satisfaction.
No one understood Chase Jennings better than she did.
As long as she could give him a reasonable explanation, he would surely be willing to take her back.
Though Nicholas Woods had offered to help her,
Azura still felt uneasy deep down.
After all, her connection with Nicholas wasn’t deep. His willingness to help her was merely out of a fleeting fondness.
And most of that fondness stemmed from her looks and circumstances.
Even though he hadn’t recognized her at first, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t figure it out later.
Azura didn’t dare to take that gamble.
Because once Nicholas realized the current dull and rugged version of her was indeed Azura Loomis, there was no way he would continue helping her.
Let alone the fact that his so-called help was merely offering her a temporary place to stay, along with a measly ten thousand dollars.
Ten thousand? What’s that worth?
She could casually sell a used bracelet and make way more than that.
Azura dared not rely on him.
Though finding Chase involved a certain level of risk, as long as she could persuade him, Azura was confident she could manipulate him again like she used to.
After all, he was different from Nicholas Woods.
He had deeper feelings for her.
Azura had already made up her mind.
Given how she looked now, it was impossible for her to return to the Jennings Family.
Once she delivered the item that Master Ge had entrusted her with, she could stay by Chase’s side.
Chase had liked her since they were young—she was well aware of this.
As long as he was willing to pamper her the way he used to, she would gladly be with him.
As for how she currently appeared, it was only temporary.
With money, she could find other skilled masters to restore her vitality.
Once she regained her former appearance, she would start over.
As for recovering the escaped system, Azura hadn’t even considered it.
She wasn’t foolish; she knew that when the system drained her fortunes entirely, it was already prepared to abandon her.
It had abandoned her once and could do so again.
Besides, a useless system that even Scarlett Jennings had managed to defeat wasn’t worth her trouble.
For now, her priority lay in securing control over Chase Jennings.
With these thoughts in mind, Azura moved step by step toward the car, looking at Chase with eyes full of gratitude and dependence.
She opened the car door and sat down in the front passenger seat, where she was accustomed to sitting.
Chase watched her close the door and settle in before letting out a deep breath, raising his hand, and slamming the driver’s seat door shut.
At the same time, without hesitation, he pressed the lock button on his car key.
With a sharp "click," all four doors were instantly locked.
Sitting inside the car, Azura froze in confusion and instinctively raised her head to look outside.
She saw Chase already retreating several steps away from the vehicle. Standing in front of it, he pointed at her and roared,
"Azura Loomis, do you really think I’m such a gullible idiot?! Believe you? Believe you, my ass!"