On my way out of the company, utterly drained and mentally checked out, I text Uno. The towering glass structure behind me, all sleek and imposing under the setting sun, feels more like a prison than a workplace. The streets are still buzzing with post-work traffic—cars honking, bikes weaving through, and pedestrians rushing home, the air filled with a mix of exhaust fumes and food smells from the nearby stalls.
I had Uno track the movements of all the key players, just in case something interesting happened. Turns out, the female lead has officially set her sights on Caden. Looks like my arrival in this world has shifted the timeline a bit—she's completely ditched the innocent white lotus act and is now laser-focused on bagging him. The clip Uno sent me last night? Priceless. She was literally trying to take advantage of Caden. Hehe. This is fun. It's not every day you get front-row seats to a scummy female lead chasing after an equally scummy male lead to sleep with him—and the scummy male lead straight-up rejects her. Though, to be fair, if I hadn't... ahem... kicked his family jewels, he probably would've given in, and we'd have the cliche plot of a pregnant female lead after just one night of unprotected sex. A classic.
But the change in the female lead's development with the male lead isn't even the main issue right now. No, the real issue is that Wilde didn't show up at school today. Not that I'm shocked—honestly, I called it. Why else would I have Uno tail him? I mean, you can't exactly be a regular student balancing homework and managing a billion-dollar empire and plotting the world's doom. Unfortunately, the guy Uno put on him lost track of Wilde, so now we're flying blind on Villain Sama's whereabouts. Fantastic.
I finally reach the company's entrance, where the narrow street is dotted with parked scooters and the occasional food cart, vendors shouting out their daily specials to workers trickling out of their offices. The glaring neon lights from the nearby stores reflect off the wet pavement from a recent drizzle, giving the whole scene a kind of grimy city glow. With Wilde MIA, I decide to grab a taxi. There's no way I'm waiting around for him to pick me up. Plus, I've got his apartment's passcode memorized by now. Funny, I never imagined I'd get so cozy in someone else's home, but here we are. First time for everything, right?
Just as I'm scrolling through my phone, waiting for the taxi app to give me a time estimate, a sleek, black Mercedes screeches to a halt in front of me, its polished surface reflecting the faint streetlights. The driver—dressed in a sharp suit, typical chauffeur style—jumps out and quickly opens the back door. And out steps none other than Mrs. Lozero. Ugh. Perfect. Just the person I've been dying to see after a long, soul-sucking day of work and babysitting uncontrollable main characters. Note the sarcasm.
She takes one quick glance at the group of employees still spilling out of the building behind me, her face contorting into a mask of disgust, like the mere sight of them offends her senses. Her gaze snaps back to me, cold and calculating. As she steps toward me, I notice her hand instinctively rest on her stomach—and stay there. Ohhh. So all those late nights with Mr. Lozero finally paid off, huh? Mental note: find out if it's a boy or a girl. There's no way I'm letting them take the original Faye's fortune if it's a boy. As long as I'm in her body, no one's pulling a fast one.
Of course, that's the self-righteous version of the story. In reality, it's just because I'm still obsessed with money—doesn't matter which world I'm in. Some things never change.
"Sup?" I greet her casually, watching her face twist with disdain. Her perfectly groomed brows shoot up, and her lips press into a tight line like she's just smelled something rotten. Oh, she's seething.
"Are you planning to rub the Lozero family's name into the dirt?" she snaps, each word dripping with disgust. "Come home and stop this childish behavior."
I lean back, arms crossed, already bracing for the lecture. "Childish? How so?" I ask, knowing exactly what's coming next.
She huffs, her eyes narrowing like I'm the biggest inconvenience she's dealt with today. "You're an unmarried girl, living with a man—do you even understand how this looks? How damaging this is to our reputation? People are talking, Faye! And not just that, the Lozero family's shares are plummeting because of this scandal you've caused! It's reckless!"
I blink, a mock-shocked expression crossing my face. "Oh no, the shares," I say, tapping my chin in fake concern. "What will people say if the stock market doesn't approve of my living situation?"
She glares at me, clearly not appreciating the sarcasm. "Don't you get it? It's not just about you! It's about the family. Wilde is an unwanted child—a nobody! You think living with him is doing you any favors? He's dragging you down with him! Soon, you'll be known as the girl who threw away her future for an illegitimate man with no real standing in society."
Wow, she's really pulling out all the stops here. I almost admire the effort she's putting into this demeaning monologue. Almost.
"Right," I say, still keeping my tone light, "because an unmarried woman is the ultimate scandal we're dealing with in the world right now." Then, under my breath, I add, "In a world where people are busy making zombie viruses."
Her eyes narrow, but she doesn't catch the whisper. Good. This world's clueless about the chaos brewing beneath their noses, and I'm not about to spill the beans. Yet.
"This isn't a joke, Faye!" she snaps, her voice rising. "You have responsibilities. You can't keep playing house with a man who doesn't even have a legitimate claim to his family's name. People are watching! It's shameful!"
I let out a low chuckle, shaking my head. "Right, because that's the real problem here. Thanks for the pep talk, though. I'll, uh, take it under advisement." I flash her a smile, watching her nostrils flare as she tries to keep it together.
Then, as if trying to regain her composure, Mrs. Lozero takes a deep breath, her hand rubbing her stomach absentmindedly—honestly, why is she even bothering to hide the pregnancy at this point? Anyone with eyes could see she's expecting.
"Faye, honey," she starts, her voice now saccharine, dripping with faux concern. "I know you're acting out because Caden hasn't been paying you the attention you're used to, but really, this tantrum has gone on long enough. Your father is willing to transfer five percent of the family shares to you if you agree to get engaged to Caden."
I have to fight the urge to laugh in her face. This woman really thinks she's got me cornered. Five percent? Really? The original Faye barely scraped by with the measly 1.2 percent her grandfather had given her. Through 18 years of her life, Papa Lozero hadn't handed over a single thing more. Now, because their shares are tanking and they're desperate to cling to the Timewell family's influence, they're suddenly oh-so-generous? Ha. Smart move, honestly. I do love money, and the thought of more shares does make my heart waver for a second—but thank God I've read enough web novels to know that anyone who betrays the villain ends up six feet under.
And as for the shares? If I manage to stick around in this world long enough, I'll end up with way more than that pathetic five percent. So, with Mrs. Lozero looking all smug like she's finally cornered me, I turn on the charm.
"Mom," I say, laying it on thick with my best emotional, wide-eyed look, "I don't understand why you think this is about Caden." I pause dramatically, giving her just enough time to feel the ground shifting beneath her feet. I really should get a role in a movie someday—maybe the system will let me transmigrate to a film world after this, I'd be a film queen with acting skills like these.
"I love Wilde," I declare, letting the words linger, though I almost slip and say "Villain Sama." But I catch myself just in time.
She stares at me for a second, like she's trying to decide if I'm joking or if the child she gave birth to could really be this—dumb. If I were her, I'd be just as skeptical. Can't even blame her. But hey, I've got a mission to finish here, and honestly? Waking up to Villain Sama's face is almost as good as waking up to piles of cash these days.
Her expression shifts, like she's finally run out of patience after dangling the carrot, and now, here comes the stick. "I'm not playing around, Faye. If you don't come back with me right now, the Lozero family will publicly announce your disownment." She pauses, her voice sharp and authoritative. "Don't get too comfortable thinking that just because you're an only child, everything will automatically fall into your lap. We'll give away the entire family business before we let it rot in your reckless hands."
Then, as if that wasn't enough of a slap in the face, her tone softens. "Just get in the car." It's like she fully expects me to do it. No question, no argument. Just obediently hop in like a good little girl.
Give away the business? Ha! What a joke. They're in panic mode now. And with that level of desperation to kick me to the curb, I don't even need to check the gender of the incoming heir that's clearly baking away in her belly. It's obviously a boy.
But the fall in the shares can't just be because of me. I mean, sure, these things cause a major stir in the upper class, and yeah, there might be some slight fluctuations in the market cap and shareholder equity, but just this? It shouldn't be enough to tank the value. Someone else is at play here, pulling strings. My money's on either Caden or Wilde. Both of them have their own twisted motives, but this reeks of one of those entitled main leads pulling some plot-armored, halo-glowing stunt.
And that just means I definitely can't betray Villain Sama now. If he ever found out I was plotting against him, I'd be six feet under before I could even blink. I tell myself that's the only reason I'm so loyal—but then that annoying little voice in my head whispers, "You don't want to betray him because he reminds you of him, don't you?"
I shut that voice down real quick.
With the most heartbroken, lovesick tone I can muster, I say, "Then, Mother—this will be the last time I'll ever call you that. I'm sorry I couldn't live up to your expectations." I bite my tongue, forcing tears to gather in my eyes. Why am I so extra sometimes? Anyway, time for the final blow. "But I'm sure you of all people will understand why I can't go with you. You and Dad fought for your love against the world, and now... it's my turn."
For a split second, I catch a flicker of something on her face—regret? Anger? Who knows. But I've had enough for today. Seriously, WHERE TF IS MY TAXI?!
I turn dramatically on my heel, tears still clinging to my gorgeous, glistening eyes—and slam right into a brick wall.
Well, not an actual brick wall. I look up. Oh. What a stunning brick wall.
Before I can even process what's happening, warm arms wrap around me. And I crack. It's been one hell of a day, and I feel like I've been hit by an emotional freight train. So, I let myself cry.
And all I can think about... is him.