Chapter 174: Brooke York Confronts Chloe York About Having a System

Chapter 174: Chapter 174: Brooke York Confronts Chloe York About Having a System

Brooke York thought Alice Cole had understood her, but it turned out Alice hadn’t understood her at all.

When she got home for the weekend, she found Alice Cole plastering talismans everywhere. There were even things like a Peach Wood Sword laid out on the table.

Alice Cole had just finished sticking up a talisman when she turned and saw Brooke York. "Brooke, you’re back! Look, is this enough? I don’t think it is. I need to go buy some more. I’m also planning to hire a master to come over and see if that unclean thing is still in the house."

As Alice Cole spoke, she started organizing the remaining talismans. She had bought all of this after consulting a master.

She’d originally wanted the master to come back with her, but he had refused, saying he had other business to attend to and telling her to buy the talismans first.

"Mom, what are you doing? Why are you putting all this stuff up?" Brooke York was speechless.

Their perfectly fine villa had been turned into a site for some kind of ritual.

"Didn’t you say there was something unclean about Chloe York? So, I put all this stuff up. Now she won’t even be able to set foot inside if she tries to come back."

"That’s not what I meant!"

"Not what you meant? Then what did you mean?" Alice Cole paused her tidying and looked at Brooke York, confused.

Seeing Alice’s clueless expression, Brooke felt exhausted. ’This stuff is for dealing with supernatural phenomena, and that’s not what I was talking about.’

"It’s nothing. I’m going to my room."

Not wanting to say any more, Brooke decided she would just go ask for herself on Monday.

Besides, she had a system of her own, so she could verify whether Chloe York was telling the truth.

Watching Brooke act this way, Alice Cole started to wonder. ’Did I somehow misunderstand what she meant?’

’Is the ’unclean thing’ she mentioned different from what I was thinking? Should I still put these talismans up?’

「The weekend passed, and soon it was Monday again.」

The bell had just rung for the end of class. Chloe York was holding her books, ready to leave the academic building, when Brooke York, who had hurried to catch up, blocked her path on the tree-lined walkway next to the building.

Brooke York stood in front of her, arms spread wide, preventing her from moving an inch.

This sudden, crazy act made Chloe York’s brow furrow instantly, a clear look of annoyance in her eyes.

"Move."

Not only did Brooke not move, she took a step closer. "Chloe York, what’s the rush? I just have a question for you."

"I don’t think there are any questions we need to be asking each other."

"Is that so? Chloe York, are you bound to a system?"

Hearing the word "system," Chloe York’s grip on her books tightened. ’How could she know about systems?’

’No matter how Brooke York found out, I know I can’t admit it.’

"I don’t know what you’re talking about. If you don’t move, don’t blame me for getting physical," Chloe York said, her voice filled with impatience.

Dottie: [Lie detected. Lie detected!]

The system’s prompt rang in Brooke York’s mind. Hearing Dottie’s voice, Brooke smiled.

’I knew it. She really does have a system. I was right.’

’No wonder Chloe York changed so suddenly. So she really does have a system!’

She felt relieved, a sense of satisfaction washing over her. ’I have real talent, while Chloe York is just relying on a system.’

Now that she knew Chloe York had a system, Brooke York looked much more smug. "Don’t know what I’m talking about, huh? Chloe York, stop pretending. I know you have a system. It’s what makes you smarter, right? The system is guiding you, making you smarter step by step!"

"And you bound with this system sometime before the college entrance exams—just a few days before you made that bet with your homeroom teacher, right?"

Brooke York was guessing based on what had happened back then. For Chloe York to have the guts to make a bet like that with her teacher, she must have already bound with a system.

Chloe York was surprised that Brooke York knew all this and could piece it together. She realized she had underestimated her.

’But what can Brooke York do as long as I don’t admit it?’

’Besides, having a system is nothing. I’m not even the original owner of this body!’

"Are you out of your mind? If you’re sick, go get treatment. Don’t act crazy at school."

"I’m not crazy, I’m serious! Chloe York, you don’t have to deny it. I have proof. Just admit it. It’s not shameful."

Chloe York didn’t want to have this conversation with Brooke York on campus. It would attract a crowd and blow things out of proportion.

If other students heard the word "system," or if it made them suspicious and the rumor spread, she might even get dragged into a lab for research.

’And she had no desire to be studied in a lab!’

She turned sideways, planning to walk around Brooke York, but was once again blocked.

"Where do you think you’re going!" Brooke York wouldn’t let Chloe York leave. "Chloe York, why are you in such a hurry to leave? You’ve got a guilty conscience, don’t you?"

Chloe York stopped. "I’ll say this one last time. Move. I don’t have time for this ridiculous nonsense."

"Nonsense? This isn’t nonsense! Chloe York, did you think no one would notice how much you’ve changed? You were famous for getting zeroes on your exams!"

"Someone who gets zeroes turning into the top scorer on the college entrance exam... if you didn’t rely on a system, what did you rely on? Your hard work? What a joke. If two months of hard work were that effective, everyone would be the top scorer."

After speaking, Brooke York reached out and poked Chloe York in the chest with her index finger, enunciating each word. "You. Relied. On. A. System."

Chloe York suddenly grabbed Brooke York’s hand and squeezed. Pain shot through Brooke, completely immobilizing her.

"You talk way too much. And you’re really annoying!"

Brooke York’s face was contorted in pain and deathly pale, but she suddenly smiled, as if she were the victor. "Chloe York, you’re flying into a rage out of humiliation. You’re scared. I was right."

Chloe York squeezed again. The pain made Brooke York’s legs give out, and she slumped to the ground. But she was still as stubborn as ever. "The more you do this to me, the more it proves you’re scared. You’re bound to a system, and you’re terrified, Chloe York! Haha."

At the end, Brooke York burst out laughing, as if she couldn’t feel the pain in her hand at all, letting Chloe York keep her grip.

Passing students saw the scene and stopped in their tracks, looking over curiously to see what was happening.

But they didn’t dare get too close, keeping their distance and whispering among themselves.

Seeing that the students were now watching them, Chloe York’s expression darkened. "This is my business. It has nothing to do with you. I suggest you mind your own."

Chloe York flung Brooke York’s hand away and left.

Brooke York, still on the ground, didn’t seem the least bit embarrassed. She pushed herself up and casually dusted herself off.

"She has a system, haha, she really does! And she tried to lie to me, saying she didn’t. Dottie, you did a great job!"

Dottie: [Thank you for the praise, Host! Rest assured, Host, Dottie will not only be able to detect lies but will also unlock more functions in the future!]