I Need Wives For My Gacha System
Chapter 86 - Dominic’s Betrayal

Chapter 86: Chapter 86 - Dominic’s Betrayal

The pay for student researchers such as himself who even have masters to rely on were not bad. However, there were many things to burn money as a student researcher and Dominic had already burned through his money for this month, leaving him with little to fall back on.

The money he needed now wasn’t for himself but for his family. Just before, his mother had written him letters asking for support as his father started struggling with health issues. He was not from a rich or noble family.

He was just from a normal average household. As much as he wanted to help, his pride and circumstances had led him to refuse the help he needed most.

His fellow disciples and students were indifferent to his situation. He had been so arrogant about his achievements, time and time again praised by other researchers and colleagues, that he had driven his fellow students away. When he reached out for help, there was no one there to offer him a lifeline.

Now how did it end up? Did he regret it?

’Maybe’

The arrogance that had once earned him admiration in the research community had also built walls between him and those around him. And when his failure caused the monetary punishment, it became the final blow. His pay was docked, and with it, his pride was shattered.

Dominic thought of going to his master for help, but the harsh words, the cold eyes, and the constant discipline, he gritted his teeth. Asking for money from Makar for him was out of the question.

That was when she appeared.

Dominic sat on the park bench, his mind in turmoil. His thoughts swirled around the failure that had cost him so much. He also knew that it was his arrogance in trying to make it so that it worked that this happened, but with his ego, he wouldn’t admit it.

As he sat, staring down at his shoes, he heard the soft sound of footsteps approaching. At first, he thought nothing of it, just someone passing by until the footsteps stopped directly in front of him.

The first thing he noticed was the two delicate feet that were in front of him. Dominic couldn’t help but admire the graceful curve of her ankle and the way the black high heels fit her perfectly. To him, even her feet seem to be exuding an air of charm and authority of someone who he couldn’t meet with.

His gaze then drifted upward.

A woman stood there wearing a white researcher coat that fit her impeccably and it wasn’t just that, the way it clung to her form in all the right places was poured straight into Dominic’s eyes. Beneath the coat, he could see a one piece black skirt which added a touch of femininity to her appearance.

Her long, dark hair flowed smoothly around her shoulders, and while the deep black color dominated, there were hints of auburn and dark burgundy that shimmered faintly in the light, as if she had carefully dyed her hair to achieve this rich, multi effect.

Her features were striking and beautiful, especially her full red lips, and eyes that sparkled with kindness. Her expression was soft, and Dominic felt like it was telling that the surrounding person, him, was the most important person in the world.

"Are you alright?" she asked, her voice smooth and charming, like a soft breeze.

Dominic’s breath caught in his throat, his heart raced as he looked up into her black eyes. They were warm, filled with concern, but there was something almost magnetic about them.

He had never talked to someone like her before, a woman so beautiful, a woman who exuded such beauty and grave so effortlessly. He had never been this close to a beautiful woman in his life, let alone one who was speaking to him with such care.

His words stumbled over one another and his voice crackled as he tried to speak. He stuttered out a response, unsure of what to say or how to act.

"Y...Yes, I’m fine"

With her lips curling into a smile,

"You don’t have to hide it," she said in a calm and gentle voice.

"Mind if I sit here?"

Dominic’s head swam. A beautiful woman, a researcher like her who looked to be of higher position, sitting down beside him? It felt unreal. His nerves got the best of him, and he could only manage a faint,

"I don’t mind"

She smiled again, that same reassuring smile, and moved to sit beside him, adjusting her skirt once more as she did. Her movements were deliberate but elegant, each gesture sent ripples over him.

It gave off the impression of a woman who respected herself, someone who knew how to maintain her dignity even in casual moments.

As she sat, her long hair fell forward, cascading over her shoulders like a silken waterfall. She effortlessly tucked a strand behind her ear, exposing her delicate neck, and Dominic’s eyes followed the motion without thinking, mesmerized by how effortless and natural it all seemed.

She turned to him then, her expression softening with a hint of concern.

"Something’s troubling you," she said,

"You don’t have to hide it, you know"

Dominic froze. For the first time in a long while, he felt like someone truly cared about him. His defences started to crumble. He stammered, unsure of what to say, but eventually, the words tumbled out.

Her eyes darkened with sympathy

"I don’t understand how someone like Makar could treat you this way," she said, her voice carrying a sharp edge.

Normally, Dominic would have defended his master, even if he didn’t agree with his methods. But for some reason, he didn’t want to argue with her. He couldn’t.

There was something about her, maybe her beauty, her gentleness. So instead of arguing, he simply stayed silent.

"It’s cruel to punish you like this, especially when you were trying your best"

"And I don’t even think it was your fault"

"Makar’s lab is always is always in complete mess," she said, shaking her head slightly.

"I’ve been there a few times, and it’s honestly a dumpster"

"He never keeps things in order, papers everywhere, equipment piled up, nothing ever where it should be"

"With the kind of chaos in there, I wouldn’t be surprised if something was misplaced or out of place, and you accidentally grabbed the wrong item"

Dominic’s mind raced as he thought and processed her words. He believed that his failure was solely due to his fault. But her words made sense, the lab was as disorganized as she claimed and it was entirely possible that something had been out of place and had led to his mistake during his focus.

She gave him a sympathetic look, her tone softening.

"You didn’t fail because you were careless or incompetent, Dominic"

"You failed because of the environment Makar put you in"

"And yet, instead of helping you, he punishes you? That’s not right."

Her soft voice was like the devil’s words and it hit him like a wave, and for the first time, he found himself questioning everything he had accepted without question.

Could it really have been Makar’s negligence that led to his failure?

Could he have been set up to fail by his master’s own disorganization?

Combined with his arrogance and her words, he thought of it as the truth and his ego, which had been wounded, started to revitalize.

Her words lingered in his mind, planting seeds of doubt. The doubt was powerful, but it wasn’t the only thing growing inside him.

For the first time, he was starting to see the cracks in the pedestal he had placed his master on.

"Poor thing," she murmured, her voice soft with sympathy.

She leaned in, her arms wrapping around him in a comforting embrace. Before he could react, her soft body pressed against his, burying him in the warmth of her chest.

Her curves pressed against him, and Dominic’s mind raced. The overwhelming sensation of being buried in these two voluptuous breasts made his mind in disarray and he couldn’t think. His entire face looked flushed, and he felt like he was in heaven.

However, he didn’t notice the smirk that was present on her face as she looked at him at this moment. She pulled away just slightly, her hands gently patting his back as she leaned back.

"Oh me, I even forgot to introduce myself, my name’s Samantha," she said, pointing to the badge on her coat near her chest.

Dominic’s gaze unintentionally followed her hand, and his eyes found the spot where he had just been buried in her embrace. His throat tightened as he swallowed, suddenly feeling awkward and self conscious.

"Samantha..."

"I’m Dominic"

Her eyes sparkled with recognition as she smiled.

"Dominic? Of course. I’ve heard so much about you," she said, her tone now one of mild surprise.

"You know, Makar speaks highly of you. But..."

She paused for a moment.

"You know, your talent is far greater than your him"

"I don’t understand why someone like him is teaching you"

"His methods seem so limited"

"You could be doing so much more"

Her words sent a surge of pride through Dominic, mixed with a strange sense of doubt. Here, for the first time, was someone acknowledging his true potential. He had always been a loyal disciple to Makar, but now, with her words, he began to question everything he had been told.