Chapter 2

If I hated someone, I made sure they didn't have it easy.

But ten years ago, I was just a timid little girl.

Back then, right after my eighth birthday, I got into a terrible car accident with my biological father, Gordon Slater.

In that critical moment, he shielded me with his body, and that was how I survived.

It was just that, from that day on, I no longer had a father.

My mother, Sheila Plummer, was a career-driven powerhouse. After the accident, she sat silently by my father's grave for three days. Then, she single-handedly took on the entire family business.

My stepfather, Bernard, came into our lives shortly after.

In front of Mom, he acted gentle and patient with me. He'd pat my head and buy me the stuffed toys I liked.

"Lucille, how about I become your father from now on and protect you?"

But once, when Mom was away on a business trip and I had a high fever with convulsions in the middle of the night, I overheard him talking on the phone with someone by the door.

"Can you find out how to make someone get brain damage from a fever?"

In that instant, a chill seized my heart.

And it was also then that I suddenly regained my memories of being a villainess.

I realized that everything I'd suffered was just the backstory the author had set up to make me turn evil.

The real female lead was Gwen, the biological daughter of Bernard and his first love.

When I turned 18, Gwen would move into my home and win over other male leads to become the darling of Clamdale's elite circle.

In the end, she'd scheme to kill me and Mom, allowing Bernard to become the true head of the Slater family. And she'd take my place as the real heiress, enjoying a happy life as everyone's sweetheart.

But why?

Why did I have to play second fiddle to someone?

Why did Dad have to die just so Bernard could join my family?

Why did Mom and I have to meet our ends just to pave the way for Gwen?

I refused to accept it!

Thus, I changed completely after that day.

Since the book said I was a villainess, I'd be vicious to the very end.

Take now, for example—I swung my hand back and slapped Bernard right across the face.

I smiled as I looked at the terrified duo and said, "Sorry, my hand was itching. I'm heading upstairs now, Gwen."

Perhaps the slap from our first meeting was too harsh because I barely saw them around the house over the next few days.

One day, I received a phone call.

The moment I answered, a man's amused voice came from the other end.

"Ms. Slater, what's going on with you? Your stepfather and his adopted daughter have been attending all sorts of banquets these past few days. Aren't you worried she'll start building connections with others?"

I examined the lovely, striking face staring back at me in the mirror. Only after confirming that my makeup was flawless for the occasion did I smile.

"Why should I be worried? If she can land those connections, more power to her. You, on the other hand—don't forget what you're supposed to do at Mrs. Strickland's charity gala tonight."

The man on the other end chuckled lightly.

"If you're so worried about me, why not come and see for yourself? Come downstairs. You can't miss tonight's show."

Sure enough, the moment I went downstairs, I saw Logan Kennedy waiting for me on the couch. His features were sharp, with deep-set eyes, and his impeccably tailored black suit only accentuated his tall, graceful frame.

When he saw me, a bright smile spread across his face.

"It's been a while, my master."

After awakening to my memories of being a villainess, the first person I sought out was Logan Kennedy, the novel's primary antagonist. Back then, he was just a scrawny boy covered in bruises.

Even though he was only 12 years old, he was forced to peddle hot dogs outside the school gates by his adoptive father, Melvin Cohen. Each hot dog sold for three dollars, and if he didn't make 300 dollars a day, he'd be viciously beaten in the street.