Playing the Villainess, He Fell for Me

The housekeeper’s spicy beef was to die for. Joanna Kennedy ate a piece, and though it made her lips burn red, she wanted more. Her mouth slightly agape, she fanned it gently with her hand.

A large, clean, and slender hand appeared before her, holding a glass of clear water.

”............”

”............”

Joanna Kennedy froze.

Habit is the hardest thing to change. It’s like a memory embedded in the muscles; before the brain can even react, habit has already taken over.

Simon Lockwood’s movement paused for just a moment before he, realizing what he’d done, silently placed the glass next to Joanna Kennedy’s plate.

He then went back to eating, his expression cold, as if he wasn’t the one who had just shown concern.

Joanna Kennedy picked up the glass and took a slow sip, feeling the burning sensation in her mouth gradually fade.

After dinner, Simon Lockwood didn’t go to his study to work. Instead, he took out a copy of the *Financial Times* and sat on the living room sofa to read.

Afraid of disturbing him, Joanna Kennedy took Mimi and went to play on the balcony.

might have developed some issues from being cooped up as a system, or perhaps it was just naturally restless. One moment, it was pawing at the pothos on the windowsill; the next, it was leaping for the decorative items on a shelf.

Joanna Kennedy looked away for a second, and with a sharp CRASH, an iridescent glass bottle was knocked over, shattering into a thousand pieces.

Joanna Kennedy: ”...............”

166: ”...............”

If Joanna Kennedy remembered correctly, that glass bottle had once been auctioned for a price of over two hundred thousand.

The girl and the cat froze on the spot.

Hearing the noise, the man in the living room frowned and rose to his feet.

was the first to react. Taking advantage of its small size, it bolted with the preposterous speed of a cat-burglar caught jingling all the way, disappearing in a flash.

This left Joanna Kennedy alone, the corner of her mouth twitching as she stared numbly at the carpet of broken glass.

’Simon Lockwood won’t make me pay for this, will he?’

’That goddamn 166!’

’I don’t have that much money!’

’That goddamn 166!’

As the man drew closer, Joanna Kennedy was so preoccupied with how to hide the scene of the accident that her brain short-circuited. She impulsively reached down to pick up the shards of glass.

Her fingers were just inches from the sharp, reflective edges of the broken glass when a strong force yanked her from behind. A hand gripped her wrist and pulled her straight up.

”Joanna Kennedy, do you have any common sense at all?!” Simon Lockwood’s voice, thick with suppressed rage, boomed from above her.

’He didn’t understand how Joanna Kennedy could be such a magnet for trouble.’

’She was so petite, it seemed the slightest pressure would be enough to bully her to tears, yet she had absolutely no self-awareness.’

’Simon Lockwood couldn’t begin to imagine how Joanna Kennedy had gotten by during the six years she was away from him.’

’She’d probably fight back with teeth and claws when bullied, only to go hide and cry in secret afterward.’

”The glass was pretty thick, so I thought it would be okay...” Joanna Kennedy said, sounding a little guilty.

Simon Lockwood’s face remained grim. He said nothing as he wrapped up the glass shards and threw them in the trash can, then wound several layers of tape around the package for good measure.

Joanna Kennedy, at a loss, tried to help, but Simon Lockwood bluntly dodged her. She hung her head in dismay. ”I’m sorry... I’ve made trouble for you again...”

”That was probably pretty expensive, right?” As Simon Lockwood turned his head slightly, Joanna Kennedy rushed to prove she wasn’t the type to break something and not pay for it. ”My acting fee comes in next week. It should... probably be enough to cover it...”

Her voice trailed off as she grew uncertain under Simon Lockwood’s cold stare.

”No need,” Simon Lockwood said coolly. For some reason, Joanna Kennedy detected a hint of mockery in his tone.

Her pride stung, she scrunched up her face and demanded, ”Do you think I’m trying to get out of paying?”

”Heh,” Simon Lockwood scoffed. ”Yes.”

Joanna Kennedy: ”...............”

A knight can be killed, but not insulted! Joanna Kennedy stomped into the living room, pulled a pen and paper from a drawer, and scribbled down a few lines with a furious SCRITCH-SCRATCH. Then, she shoved the paper in Simon Lockwood’s face.

Simon Lockwood stood as still as a mountain. He took the paper and read what was written on it: [I, Joanna Kennedy, have damaged one (1) precious vase belonging to Mr. Simon Lockwood. I promise to provide full compensation by next weekend and will absolutely not renege on this debt.

This note is written as proof!]

It was written with such righteousness and integrity.

Joanna Kennedy couldn’t help but lift her chin proudly.

Simon Lockwood stared down at it quietly for a few seconds, then looked up at the wide-eyed girl.

After a long moment, he said flatly, ”You didn’t include your ID number. This isn’t legally binding.”

Joanna Kennedy: ”............”

”I... I’ll add it.”

”You also need a signature, a thumbprint, and the specific compensation amount. Let’s not go overboard—three hundred thousand will do,” Simon Lockwood added nonchalantly.

”Three hundred thousand!”

”What, you think that’s too little?”

’Just kill me now. My pay from the last show is completely wiped out. Isn’t life just one pointless effort after another...? Damn it!’

”...No, that’s not too little at all,” Joanna Kennedy said, her heart aching at the thought.

’Three hundred thousand it is. If I just work hard, I can earn it back, can’t I?! Who’s he looking down on!’

Joanna Kennedy gripped the black pen so hard it nearly snapped, saying through gritted teeth, ”Mr. Lockwood, you’re so thorough. A true businessman, indeed.”

’All businessmen are crooks.’

”You flatter me,” Simon Lockwood replied, his tone flat.

Joanna Kennedy: ”..........”

’Shameless.’

Having lost three hundred thousand just like that, Joanna Kennedy was listless for the rest of the afternoon. 166 was hiding somewhere, so she had no one to vent her frustration on. She languidly grabbed a mop and started mopping the floor.

The housekeeper hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping herself, before finally saying, ”Miss Kennedy, this area has already been mopped.”

”Oh, oh, right,” Joanna Kennedy said, embarrassed. ”Then I’ll go mop the hallway.”

”We have a robot vacuum,” the housekeeper said, helplessly taking the mop from her hands. ”Miss Kennedy, why don’t you go watch some TV?”

Joanna Kennedy glanced at the living room sofa. A certain someone was still sitting there, looking elegant and poised, a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose as he leisurely flipped through the financial paper in his hands.

’A perfect, untouchable flower on a high peak.’

”............”

’Crowe the Skinflint. Grandet,’ Joanna Kennedy cursed silently.

’There was no way she was going over there.’

Just then, Simon Lockwood looked up, and his gaze met hers. Joanna Kennedy’s expression changed in a flash, her face breaking into a wide, goofy grin.

Simon Lockwood: ”............”

He pinched the bridge of his nose. When he stood up, his legs had gone numb, so he waited for a moment to recover. Then, he somehow managed to capture the little cat, holding it in a less-than-gentle manner. ”Joanna Kennedy, come here,” he called out.

Joanna Kennedy poked her head out from a corner and walked over reluctantly. ”What do you want...?”

When she saw what was in his arms, Joanna Kennedy’s eyes widened, and her expression turned menacing.

”Give it to me.”

She had an expression on her face that screamed murder.

”MEOW! MEOW! MEOW!” 166 struggled frantically. ’You ungrateful human, what are you doing?! I’m the one who saved your life!’

’Let me see if I can sell you for three hundred thousand,’ Joanna Kennedy retorted sinisterly.

166: ’!!!’

With a yowl, it leaped out of Simon Lockwood’s arms. For some reason, Simon actually let it go.

Joanna Kennedy started to give chase in a huff, but Simon Lockwood pulled her back by the waist. ”Alright, that’s enough...”

A burst of indignant courage surged through Joanna Kennedy. She glared at Simon Lockwood. ”Men and women shouldn’t have direct contact!”

”............”

Simon Lockwood took a deep breath, then said coolly, ”Three hundred thousand.”

Joanna Kennedy: ”.........”