NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: Delivered Papers
[Location: Lilly's Apartment – Midday]
Lilly Li stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of her apartment, the city sprawled beneath her like a glittering maze. A manila envelope sat on the glass table behind her, untouched except for the bold black ink spelling out "Chan" across the front.
Her reflection gazed back at her, calm and unreadable.
The same could not be said for the small red meter hovering in the corner of her vision.
[Rocky Chan: -100 (Hatred)]
She wasn't surprised.
Divorce papers weren't the sort of gift that raised affection.
Lilly exhaled slowly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear before turning toward the envelope. Daniel Wu, her lawyer, had dropped it off earlier with his usual efficiency.
"It's clean. He won't contest it. He isn't the type."
Daniel's confidence hadn't reassured her. Rocky was many things, but predictable wasn't one of them.
Lilly's fingers hovered over the envelope.
He'll sign it.
He had no reason not to.
Their marriage had been transactional from the start—a six-month courtship followed by eight months of cold, efficient partnership. They rarely fought, rarely even existed in the same space for long.
There wasn't much to mourn.
Still…
Lilly's eyes flicked toward the small silver-framed photograph resting on the bookshelf.
It was the only one she hadn't packed away yet.
In it, she stood beside Rocky at a company gala, his arm draped lightly around her waist. To anyone else, they looked like the perfect power couple—polished, poised, and enviable.
But Lilly remembered the exact moment that photo was taken.
He didn't look at me once that night.
The meter above Rocky's head back then had been a comfortable +75.
"Like" territory.
Now it burned red.
Lilly picked up the envelope, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor as she crossed the room. She stopped by the front door, lifting her phone to call Daniel.
The line clicked almost instantly.
"Lilly."
"I'm sending the papers over." She kept her voice smooth, detached. "Have them delivered to Rocky's office by noon."
There was a slight pause on the other end.
"Are you sure you don't want to—"
"Daniel."
He sighed. "Right. I'll make sure it's done."
Lilly ended the call and slipped the papers into a sleek black courier bag. A notification flickered faintly at the edge of her vision as she opened the door.
[System Alert: Objective Updated – Deliver Divorce Papers to Rocky Chan]
[Location: Skybound Interactive – CEO's Office]
Rocky Chan's office overlooked Victoria Harbour, the expansive windows framing the bustling skyline.
Lilly had been here countless times before—board meetings, project launches, quiet evenings spent waiting for him to finish work.
But today, she wasn't here to wait.
The receptionist glanced up as she stepped inside, recognition flickering across his face.
"Mrs. Chan," he greeted carefully.
[-1]
Lilly smiled faintly. "Not for much longer."
The man's eyes darted nervously to the envelope in her hand. "Mr. Chan is in a meeting, but I can—"
"That won't be necessary."
Lilly's heels moved smoothly across the polished floor, the elevator doors sliding open before the receptionist could stop her.
The system meter flickered again as she ascended to the top floor.
[Rocky Chan: -95]
Oh?
The five-point rise wasn't much, but it was something.
When the elevator opened, Rocky's assistant—Grace Liu—stood waiting.
[Grace Liu: +55 (Favor)]
Grace's gaze flickered to the envelope, her expression tightening briefly.
Lilly didn't bother with pleasantries.
"Is he free?"
Grace hesitated. "He's finishing up with investors. I can—"
Lilly stepped past her.
"Lilly—"
"It'll only take a minute."
Grace didn't follow, but Lilly could feel her watching closely as she pushed open the heavy oak doors to Rocky's office.
Rocky stood by the window, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a glass of whiskey despite the early hour.
The -95 hovered faintly over his head.
He didn't turn when she entered.
"I assume you're not here for pleasantries," Rocky said, his voice cool.
Lilly set the envelope down on his desk with quiet precision.
"Divorce papers," she replied simply.
Rocky's gaze finally shifted to her, his dark eyes narrowing slightly as if searching for something in her expression.
He took the envelope, but didn't open it immediately.
Instead, he leaned against the desk, letting the silence stretch between them.
"I didn't expect you to handle it this quickly," Rocky remarked, sliding his thumb over the corner of the envelope.
Lilly crossed her arms, watching him carefully. "I told you I wouldn't fight for this marriage."
His eyes flicked to hers briefly.
[-90]
"You're calm," Rocky said quietly, as if it was an unfamiliar sight.
Lilly didn't respond.
The game's original script had Lilly unraveling by this point—jealousy, accusations, desperate attempts to make him stay.
But this time?
She felt nothing but relief.
Rocky's gaze lingered on her for a beat longer than necessary.
"If you're expecting me to chase after you," he said lightly, "you'll be disappointed."
Lilly smiled faintly. "I wouldn't hold my breath."
His meter ticked down again.
[-92]
Good.
She turned toward the door, pausing briefly when Rocky's voice followed.
"…You know this won't stop Anna."
Lilly glanced over her shoulder.
"She isn't my problem," Lilly replied, her voice soft but deliberate.
Rocky's grip on the envelope tightened.
Lilly walked out without looking back.
[Objective Complete – Divorce Papers Delivered]