Living As The Villain'S Stepmother

--WSA 2025 ENTRY-- Neraxis saved the people and wiped out the monsters, but instead of cheers, he faced silence and a glowing blue text: [Task Failed Successfully!] [Rating Generated: SSS-Rank] "The hell does that even mean?" he muttered, finding the situation a bit strange. Before he could process, the so-called heroes—who had hidden while he fought—emerged. He waited for gratitude, only to feel a dagger pierce his back. The only girl he loved stood behind him. She betrayed him. The crowd and heroes? They were staring at him with disdain and contempt. "You..." he groaned as a spear and sword headed for him, ending his life. But instead of dying, he was sent back to the past—specifically, to the first day of the academy, year 2367, 8 years before his death. However, many things had changed. One of the most significant was the sudden appearance of a Tower, a mysterious structure that had appeared across all the continents, granting power to those brave enough to contest its challenges. "Not again... With this chance I will end you all" Neraxis vowed to himself, embarking on his path of revenge, while also trying to give his life new meaning. ***** Disclaimer: MC is not instantly going to be a villain, as his background is that of a hero. The switch will be gradual in accordance with the events that happen along the way. Some snippets of such events have already been teased :) *****

Draven is a magic professor in a fantasy world. He is also an earl, notorious for his evil deeds and mistakes since youth. His downfall is due to a curse that hinders his intellectual potential and his talents. Eventually, he becomes a villain, losing everything he holds dear: his siblings, fiancée, house, domain, and more. After a miserable death, he reincarnates in the modern world as Dravis Granger. In his new life, he grows up to be a highly intellectual individual oblivious towards his previous life, becoming a young professor in mechanical engineering and a researcher. However, he harbors a strange obsession with creating a game, fueled by vivid imaginings of another world. This obsession leads him to develop a game that mirrors his previous life. Upon completing his virtual reality world, he regains his past memories. Overwhelmed by intense emotions—rage, sadness, and the realization of his past ugliness—he suffers a fatal heart attack. In his final moments, he hears a voice, seemingly from the world itself, offering him a chance to return to his original fantasy world. However, he would only retain the memories of his modern life, not those of his first life’s mistakes. He agrees and is reincarnated once more, this time with the knowledge of a modern mechanical engineering professor. But one thing about the Dravis Granger, he's not just a mechanical engineer professor. Not just a straight, killer genius professor. He has his ideals, and the world is too full of villains for his great idealism. So he strived, with his great mind, he became a mastermind. But not as a villain, but as a person who has lost hope in police and justice, and decided to help the people by his own hand. Collecting victims and invited those handpicked talents to his side, making several insane stunts, assassinating, trapping, and eradicating the scums from the world. But now in this fantasy world, he has to survive from multiple factions trying to kill him, protect his domain, protect his siblings, protect his fiance, and the most important thing. Protect the world. But he hadn't lost the Dravis from the modern world. As a professor at the morning, an earl at the afternoon, and a dark knight at the night. _____________________________ "You've hurt my student." Draven stands still, no mana seems to emit from him, but just a single frown. A frown that is enough to make the room's heavy. "As a teacher, you think I would leave you unpunished?" "You seem to think that I care about your position, Prince Hermit. But believe me," Draven took a slow step. "Not even your father could protect you from me," _____________________________ Daily Update 2 Chapters = 14 chapters/week Some Friendly Rewards 100 Powerstones = +2 chapters in that day 200 Powerstones = +4 chapters in that day 50 Golden Tickets = +4 chapters in that day 1 Gift = +4 chapters in that day _____________________________ One of the King of Kings Series

The novel is about an author who was reincarnated into his novel. This author thought that he would become a hero, like he always wished, but no, his fate was to become a Villain. His fate was to fight against humanity and against the supreme beings who were planning to invade the world.

He was once the most feared villain in the empire, a master of manipulation who wove chaos from the shadows. Ruthless, untouchable—until the day he was betrayed and executed by the very man he sought to control. But death is not the end. He awakens in the body of Lady Elara Valcrest, a fragile noble girl doomed to be a pawn in political games. Stripped of her former power, she is forced into an arranged marriage with none other than Cairon Everhart—the man who once killed her. He does not recognize her, but she knows him. And she will never forget. To survive, Elara must play a new game. One where deception is her only weapon, and trust is a dangerous illusion. She must outmaneuver her enemies, uncover the truth behind her execution, and reclaim the power she lost. But as she navigates the treacherous world of court intrigue, one question lingers— Was Cairon truly her greatest enemy? Or had she been blind to an even greater threat? Time is running out. The villain has been given one last chance. And this time, she refuses to lose.

Luke never thought his obsession with novels would lead to his death — let alone reincarnation. After a fatal accident, he awakens in the world of Voidstar Chronicles, a novel he’d just finished reading. But there’s a catch: he’s not the hero. He’s Cassian von Luminaire, the doomed crown prince who dies before the story truly begins. Armed with the knowledge of the future, Cassian was determined to change himself and escape the terrifying fate that awaited him. But the world he’s in isn’t exactly the same as the book he read. Hidden truths and unexpected challenges blur the lines between fiction and reality. Can he outsmart fate and forge a new path, or is he destined to remain an expendable extra? — [Ding! Star System awakened successfully…]

Reincarnation in a game as the Main Antagonist. It could be a novel itself, but that was what I dragged myself into. In the famous and successful game [Princess And Dragon] As if my life wasn't shitty enough, a bastard brought me in that hardcore violent Dating Sim Game and in the body of the worst villain and [Major Antagonist Edward Falkrona] If I want to survive, I have to become strong. If I want to be strong, I have to join the Academy and by joining the Academy, I will meet these guys... Yeah, I'm obviously speaking about the Protagonist, the Main Heroines, the Villainess and all the villains. Am I destined to watch that protagonist build his harem in front of me?! =========== For the illustrations and questions: https://discord.gg/47PvntgB3K *English is not my native language so please understand some of my mistakes. Don't hesitate to correct me, if you want!

Shu Lan is an ordinary student who avoids being the center of attention. He lives a quiet life with few friends and no disruptions. One day, a novel titled "Between Three Empires" catches his interest. It’s an omegaverse story that’s soon to be adapted into a game. The novel follows the protagonist, Qing Shan, an omega who captivates the male leads of three empires. Together, they join forces to defeat the devil residing in the cursed land. However, before Shu Lan can find out how the story ends, he accidentally falls from a rooftop and dies. The next thing he knows, he wakes up in the body of Yang Luoya, the older brother of one of the male leads, Yang Wei. Shu Lan is horrified. If he had reincarnated as another sibling of a male lead, he might have been happy. But Yang Luoya? He’s the cruel and merciless villain doomed to a tragic end. "let's keep low profile for now" Moments later.... “…I just killed someone…”

[Delicate Wife VS Tough Guy, Spoiling Wife + Double Virtue + Raising Kids Daily Life] The foodie livestreamer Shen Mingzhu transmigrated into the role of a wicked stepmother from a bygone era's novel, becoming a contrasting figure to the village's Shen Baolan. Shen Baolan was kind and virtuous, treating her stepson as her own, while the original character was harsh and mean, either beating or scolding the stepson. Shen Baolan enjoyed her twilight years thanks to her promising stepson, whereas the original character was burned alive by her twisted and sinister stepson. In order to change the tragic outcome, Shen Mingzhu rolled up her sleeves, prepared to sort things out properly. —— Shen Baolan had a dream. The man she was about to marry would die half a year later, leaving her a widow with nothing, bound to lead a life of misery. Meanwhile, Shen Mingzhu, for having married the right man, became an enviable rich lady. Both from the same village, both becoming stepmothers to someone, why should Shen Mingzhu live a better life than her? She would marry the man Shen Mingzhu was married to, and live Shen Mingzhu's good life! —— Five years passed. Shen Mingzhu had become a college student, Shen Mingzhu's man didn't die but instead became a big boss, and Shen Mingzhu's stepson turned into a child prodigy. Shen Baolan, who pined for her husband to succeed, was still bitterly waiting for the day her man would rise to greatness.

Pueris, a relatively backstreet -A- Rank Villain joins the Villain Group Red 0 in a hope to accomplish something. Things end up for worse as 4 years later they are cornered to battle with the New Era's Hero Association known as Beta. Blood is spread and cities levelled. Thinking it is all to end soon, Pueris looks up at the descending figure of Justice in spite. "If only I could go back." A hand pierces straight through his chest, coated in the tainted blood of Pueris. A feeling of emptiness. A blinding silver moon forms in each of Pueris' eyes. Each rotating wildly and eerily, soon a ,fluorescent silver light emerges from the ground up. It engulfs Pueris like a geiser. Voila. Pueris finds himself just about to join Red 0, a decision he made only 4 years back. He has returned to the past. He only has one goal now. To be the one who stands above even Justice.

Hello! Readers! Is your brain tired of all the plot twists? Is your soul tired from all the abuse of the characters having lovers and you don't? What a coincidence, me too! Treat this novel as a break from all those because to me it may as well be! Synopsis: Aria, a workaholic CEO of a top tech company, meets an untimely end after a legendary race between Car-kun and Truck-kun—unfortunately for her, Car-kun wins. But death isn’t the end! Aria wakes up reincarnated as an ogre… and with an unexpected surprise. Determined to live a fulfilling life this time, Aria embarks on a ridiculous, comedic, and lighthearted journey to survival. Join her as she navigates her new life, bonds with her fellow tribesmen, Romance with her heroines and evolve into something greater—a powerful Oni! A fun-filled story of second chances, survival, and self-discovery awaits! Author's Note: This is my first novel, and I’m learning as I write(mostly from yt though). I hope you enjoy this lighthearted tale as much as I enjoy creating it. Happy reading! Friendly reminder from Author: This is late romance. Although the love between mc and the heroines will be faster. And yeah this is more or less about Aria's shenanigans rather than full on serious story, nope. Don't expect seriousness here, especially first few chapters, I just basically made those for fun (≧∇≦)/ Started On: December 15, 2024 @All Rights Reserved

When I was twenty years old, I accepted an antique that I shouldn't have accepted because of greed. Since then, in order to stay alive, I have had to go in and out of those forbidden places where there is a risk of death.

He doesn’t understand his own emotions—he feels too much, yet comprehends too little. Pity weighs on his soul like an iron chain, binding him to a world he despises. He sympathizes with everyone, even those who wrong him, yet he hates himself most of all. Love? That’s a concept far beyond his grasp, an illusion he has never been able to understand. Then, one day, his ordinary walk home is interrupted by an act of divine will. The road vanishes, replaced by an endless hall that radiates an overwhelming presence. A celestial being of unimaginable beauty greets him, claiming that he has been "chosen." But not as a hero, not as a savior—he is to become the villain of another world. His only objective? Survive. If he does, he will gain the right to participate in the Gods' Game, a challenge that could grant him anything—even omnipotence itself. But how can one play the role of a villain when their heart refuses to be cruel? When pity overrides logic, when self-hatred clouds judgment, and when love remains an enigma? As he navigates a world that sees him as an enemy, he must decide—will he embrace the darkness assigned to him, or will he defy fate itself? In a game watched by gods, every choice is entertainment. And in the end, even a villain can rewrite their story.

Three Souls lay in one body, One soul belonging to a man who had reached the peak, the strongest there ever was, the one who had the talent to do so. Yet he suffered because of his talent. His soul shone as bright as a galaxy once, but now is but a sun. His talents made him the envy of all. And He lost it all, tricked and manipulated from the time he was a child. The Second soul belonged to a man soon to be the richest in the world in his own universe. A man who had his face charred, a man who seemingly had every odd placed against him from the very beginning. He went against the family that abused him and triumphed over them. Yet he was left broken inside, He craved a release, and the first soul brought him that release. And he became a psychopath that scared the manifestation of evil itself. And the Third? The child born from their souls was anything but ordinary. Cursed with a fate no one wanted. Cursed with the fact that the Universe wanted him dead. He was born from Chaos And Ice and a fraction of light, yet he manipulated space. His abilities were so powerful they were harmful to his body. His talent is as infinite as the boundless cosmos. His enemies were greater than one could count. His luck is worse than shit. And yet, he continued to fight. Despite whatever was thrown at him, he would brute force through it or outsmart it, befitting the other two above. He continued to fight, not believing in the bullshit that was destiny. ---------------------------------------- Discord: https://discord.gg/Sgxw6QEsgE

[Regressed successfully!] Zick lifted his eyelids, revealing two dull eyes. A grand room filled with medical appliances was reflected on his pupil. The piercing pain originating from the abdomen made Zick slowly accept the reality. He had returned 10 years back in the past! The very moment from when Zick began to lose everything. [Destiny system has been activated. Get closer to people with strong destiny and strengthen your own destiny!] [Sub-function: shall be unlocked soon!] After taking a look at the interface, Zick closed his eyes. “First…I should repay that chick for this wonderful gift.” Zick looked at the bandages on his waist. ...... {Additional tags: Age regression, Evil protagonist, cold female leads, Academy, evil organizations, conquering, war.} ..... (Note 1: I have not decided whether to make it a harem or not, so please tell me your opinion in the comment.) (Note 2: I hate lesbian, GL or NTR. But I love action and dark genre. Please give a round of applause to this wonderful me.) (Note 3: The front cover doesn't belong to me, if the owner wants me to take it down, just comment on this novel and I will remove it.)

"I wasn’t the villain of a story. Rather, I became the villain of the real world." Oryn Kalven made a vow to his little sister. He swore he would do anything for power. Anything. No price was too high. "Even if you had to sacrifice me?" she asked. Oryn's answer was simple. "Yes." His evil ambition creates chaos, earning him a bounty large enough to make him a prime target for the world’s strongest Defenders. How far can Oryn go before his enemies finally bring him down? Or will he be the last one standing in the end?

She is the daughter of an Alpha whose family had conquered the last demon wolf in Illyria. Esmeray is born into the prestigious Alpha family, known as the Montague. But after her father's untimely death, her life becomes a nightmare of abuse at the hands of her cruel stepmother and stepbrother, who torment her for lacking a wolf. Desperate for salvation, she dreams of a mate who would come and rescue her from the cruelty of her pack. When he finally arrived, her hopes were shattered, for he had only come to reject her. Her only connection to her family's proud heritage is her striking blue hair, a sacred legacy from her ancestors. But in a desperate bid for freedom, Esmeray cuts her hair to escape being sold to a rogue. Her daring action pushes her to the precipice of death, unwittingly awakening a powerful demon wolf, imprisoned for 15 long years. This Alpha demon, who has yearned revenge and bloodthirst, is instantly drawn to Esmeray the moment he senses her, and he is determined to keep her at his side at all cost. In the world of wolves, the hunt is everything — and he has found a prey worth chasing.

Ren, an ordinary young man, had spent his entire life working tirelessly just to survive. Finally, after years of endless grind, he was granted a long-awaited vacation from his demanding company. Excited to embark on a trip with his coworkers, Ren felt for the first time that he was about to enjoy life. But fate had other plans. The night before his vacation, a tragic accident involving a truck cut his life short. Or so he thought. Instead of meeting his end, Ren awakens in a new world, reincarnated as the villain in his favorite novel—a story he once enjoyed reading but abandoned midway. The reason? The villain, despite committing no true evil, met a tragic and unjust end at the hands of the hero and heroine. Now thrust into the role of this doomed villain, Ren must navigate the dangerous world of the novel. With the weight of his new identity and the knowledge of his grim fate, Ren is faced with a choice: follow the villain’s original path to destruction or carve out a new destiny for himself. In this second chance at life, Ren is determined to break free from the chains of the narrative and forge a future on his own terms. Will he outsmart the plot that seeks to end him, or will he find a way to change the story entirely? Only time will tell in this tale of defiance, redemption, and self-discovery.

A naive fox and a cunning tiger, tangled in a dangerous game of secrets—Sohwa and Dohwi’s thrillingly seductive cohabitation! Sohwa, a red fox half-beast born with rare white fur, was shunned by her pack and forced to live a lonely, solitary life. Her days were filled with quiet isolation until one fateful day, while wandering the mountains, she stumbled upon Dohwi, an abandoned wildcat cub on the brink of death. Moved by compassion, she decided to take him in. “We’re different species, so we won’t go into heat with each other. You’re gentle and kind, so living together should be fine. What do you think?” And so begins their life together. But the “wildcat” Sohwa rescued turns out to be anything but ordinary. Dohwi is no mere feline—he’s a tiger reborn after a thousand years, hiding a ferocious side that Sohwa never saw coming. Terrified that Sohwa might abandon him if she learns the truth, Dohwi does everything in his power to conceal his identity. Yet, as time passes, Sohwa begins to sense that Dohwi is hiding something. When she starts showing signs of fear and attempts to flee, Dohwi begins scheming to keep her by his side. “You’re all I have, Sohwa. You know that.” Who will win this battle of wills—Dohwi, determined to keep Sohwa close, or Sohwa, desperate to escape the tiger’s grasp? #Romance #Sexual #Fantasy #Comedy #Romanticcomedy #Anthropomorph #Obsessive Text copyright ⓒ 2024 by MaCherie All right reserved. The Korean edition was originally written by 마셰리, Korea Translated and Published by We’ve Lab.

[WARNING: MATURE CONTENT] Reborn into the world of her favorite novel, 'Auberon's Edge', as the maid of an unimportant side character - the doomed princess who would be married off to the villain and then killed in a fit of anger some time after they were married - Rache is faced with a moral dilemma: does she use her knowledge to flee the to-be-conquered nation and live somewhere she knows will be safe, or risk upturning the fate of the book by warning Princess Airie about her impending doom? Before Rache can decide, she's ambushed in her bedroom by the princess' guard. Knowing how dangerous the black hearted prince of Sidera is, the princess declares she's forcing her maid to go in her place due to the maid bearing a striking resemblance to her own rare features, while the real princess goes into hiding until her parents can find a way to get untangled from Sidera's web. "Remember, if the prince finds out the truth, he'll kill you first." Trapped in a marriage to a cold-hearted sadist who only loves violence, railroaded into a pointless ending before the story even begins. There is no escape to this twisted romance but death. Rache - the new Princess Airie - will not go so quietly into the night. "Let's break up!"

Alex, an 18-year-old high schooler, lives a seemingly ordinary life with his loving mother, Monica, and his bubbly 7-year-old sister, Maria. His father, John, a dedicated soldier, visits them once every two months, bringing joy and stability to their home. Life feels normal, even predictable—until one fateful day changes everything. A chilling message from the army headquarters announces that John has survived a devastating plane crash but is gravely injured. Rushing to his side, the family finds him confined to a wheelchair. As Monica speaks with the doctor about taking John home, her composure remains unusually calm, even… happy. Back home, the day winds down. After dinner, Alex retreats to his room, hoping to distract himself with a chat among friends. But when Monica steps into his room, something shifts. She moves closer, her arms enveloping him in an unexpected embrace. Silent tears stream from her eyes, falling onto Alex’s cheeks, carrying a weight of unspoken emotions and an unshakable mystery. What lies behind Monica’s strange reaction? What secrets are buried in their seemingly perfect family? Each page unravels a story of love, loss, and a truth that could change Alex’s life forever.

“If it's abnormal for a living being to be with a corpse then can that living being be with a living nightmare?” ~ Being a half cast and an alluring beauty in the whole of Weenfield, Frances Franklin's story of her boyfriend dying because of her spread like wildfire and she had no other option but to leave town for a while. Years later, she returns and makes several friends as well as a new boyfriend. Together, they became a bond of seven friends who secretly believed in night creatures and celebrated Halloween behind closed doors in their own way which was strictly forbidden in Weenfield. One fateful day, as they celebrated their usual Halloween by playing a game, they came across a strange question saying; “I gave up my life for you, Frances. How could you just move on like that?” That question didn't just reopen Frances' past trauma but it also brought her dead boyfriend of many years ago back. However, the most horrifying thing was that her dead boyfriend wasn't the only person to come back to life but other night creatures were brought in as well…

【WARNING -SEX SCENES- R18+ CONTENT】 【Villain + the mastermind behind the scenes + building power】 After traveling through time and becoming the villain in the novel, Zhu Liang panicked when faced with the prospect of his family being destroyed. Fortunately, The Villain’s Dominion Harem System is activated and the family becomes stronger as it develops. He fought many protagonists and fucked many women on his domination journey. So...before the plot started, Zhu Liang made arrangements in advance to start the hunting moment... When the plot begins, he is already invincible... 【 Additional Tags: Harem, System, R-18, Mature, Transmigration, Anti-Hero, Shameless Protagonist, Overpowered Protagonist, Dual Cultivation, Face-smacking, Milfs】 【 Author's note: You can expect a lot of smut. If any of this bothers you, this is not for you. 】 【 50 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter 】 【 5 Golden Tickets = 2 Bonus Chapters 】 【 Magic Castle = 20 Bonus Chapters [Release within next 30 days] 】

Draven Noctaris, Lord Of The Vampires, wakes from a thousand-year sleep, ready to rebuild his harem and save his bloodline from a new threat, but the world is not as he remembers. His estate is filled with a bunch of new women, but the world is filled with a bunch of new enemies, some stronger than he could have ever expected. Still, he swears to fix everything and reclaim his spot as strongest in Velhalla. The Noctaris Vampires will rise again, and all will bend to his will. No matter the cost.

"When fantasy becomes reality; does it promise freedom—or more pain than the harshest truth?" Trapped in a suffocating world, Kizu Kiyoshi finally encounters the impossible: reality transforming into a fantasy. Desperate to escape the weight of his "truth," he dives into this new world seeking liberation. Yet, his journey unveils more than an escape—it forces him to confront deeper truths and challenges him to find meaning in a realm where illusion and reality intertwine.

James Allan grew up as the sole heir to one of the most powerful duke houses in the kingdom of Solene, with a kind heart that set him apart from his overbearing father. But when his father perished under suspicious circumstances, James’s world unravelled. Betrayed by his beloved wife and closest friends, he watched helplessly as they tore apart his inheritance, leaving him destitute and broken. As he drifted through the depths of despair, a dark alter ego emerged within him—a relentless, shadowed version of himself, driven by hatred and vengeance. This sinister self, whispering at his moments of hesitation, became both a curse and a source of newfound strength, pushing James to embrace his darkest instincts. ................ "They took everything from you," the voice hissed. "And you’re just going to let them walk away?" “I’m not… I can’t.” "Can’t? Or won’t?" The voice sneered. "You’re weak. They need to bleed, James. Take back what’s yours, and let them suffer for every betrayal.” ............. In a world where power and cruelty reign, follow James Allan's descent from a man betrayed to a villain forged by vengeance—a tale of inner darkness, lost kindness, and a battle for control that will change the world forever.

A global catastrophe breaks out, leaving the world helpless and determined to survive. The world is now surrounded by apocalyptic threats and there's no way to escape; no one's certain the government would come to their rescue. Emily is locked up in the world's famous restaurant with her insufferable colleague-miserably weak and slow. Her only chance of survival is to cooperate with him. Even if she want to swallow her pride, she isn't sure if her suffering is indeed safer than all the living dead outside. Ted Oliver, the most arrogant and obnoxious human. He goes out of his way to survive which implies killing everyone he found as a threat or easy target. When his secrets is on the verge of being exposed, Ted kills Mr. Christopher, one of the shareholders of Prestige Restaurant. He thinks of a way to survive with an helpless Emily crawling up behind him for protection. In a quest to survive new relationships are formed, trust are restored and unbroken homes are being repaired. Everyone must learn to watch their backs and stab their best friend when the time for survival suffice. Emily must learn to put up with the one man she vowed to never see again after her boyfriend betrayed her and let her to die.

Ji Rong died suddenly after staying up all night playing an online game, only to wake up as the evil villainess who meets her demise at the hands of the heroine in the game’s ending. Determined to change her fate, she resolved to fight against the heroine until the bitter end. But then, the sweet and naive heroine unexpectedly… awakened. A certain “mad dog” pounced on her, whispering teasingly into her ear: “Senior Sister, isn’t this fun?” Expressionless, Ji Rong replied, “Not at all.” Now, facing the heroine who radiates dark energy and wears “I’m no good” on her face, Ji Rong could only weep internally and curse the game developers for ruining her youth. From a near-death awakening: “I can’t believe it—the NPC… is me!” Having reincarnated as the villainous Senior Sister, Ji Rong initially thought she was handed the script for The Villain’s Redemption Story—or at least I Became a Light at the End of the Game. Instructions: 1. The realm levels in the text are: Beginning Realm, Spiritual Communication, Heart-Seeking, Riding the Wind, Stepping on the Moon, Chasing the Clouds, Infinite, Desperate, Returning to the Dust. -------------------------------------------------------- Click to join my Patreon for free and get a sneak peek at upcoming chapters and exclusive content! https://patreon.com/Crimson_Lore?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

When she woke up as Lady Claudia Barberini—the tragic cannon fodder villainess fated to die at the hands of a manipulative villain—she vowed to avoid the plot at all costs. Her new goal? Live the high life, bask in endless luxury, and steer clear of danger. But who knew escaping one villain would draw the attention of a whole host of others—each more dangerous and complicated than the last? To make matters worse, her mind-reading ability isn’t as helpful as it sounds. Sure, she can hear everyone's thoughts—but when it comes to matters of the heart, one mind remains frustratingly silent. As sinister schemes pile up like unpaid debts and powerful figures start vying for her attention like she’s the last cupcake at a royal banquet, Claudia wonders if her so-called "new life" is secretly a cosmic joke. She’s just trying to avoid getting killed—and keep her closet stocked with the finest silks while she's at it. Can she outwit the plot, flip it and save the one person she actually cares about? Or will she end up as the tragic side villainess of a story she was supposed to dodge, all while wearing an admittedly fabulous gown?