Playing the Villainess, He Fell for Me

’Is it because of my gender?’

’Is this powder compact specifically for women’s skin?’

Joanna was still lost in thought as she was pulled into the villa. The sudden sound of a suitcase opening snapped her back to her senses.

Seeing the open suitcase on the floor, Joanna asked, ”Are you going on a business trip?”

”Mhm.” Simon Lockwood nodded.

The weather was cold now, and the temperature in Oakhaven was nearly in the single digits. Simon packed a few thick outfits, and after he finished his simple packing, his gaze met the girl’s pleading eyes. He sighed. ”I can’t take you with me. You still have work.”

”Oh...” Joanna’s head drooped in disappointment.

’The brand promo video hasn’t been shot yet, so I really can’t go with him.’ Simon remembered her schedule even more clearly than she did.

Joanna asked again, ”Then when will you be back?”

This time, Simon didn’t answer directly. He thought for a moment in silence before raising his eyes to meet Joanna’s, which were filled with anticipation. His tone was serious. ”A week at most.”

Joanna breathed a sigh of relief. ”That’s not too bad.”

Simon had often traveled for business before, but he rarely packed a suitcase himself. Seeing him pack this time made her a little flustered. When she heard it wouldn’t be for long, a hint of a smile appeared on her face. ”So when are you leaving?”

”Now.”

”Now?” Joanna was a bit surprised. ”So soon?”

”Mhm.”

Her reluctance to see him go was infectious. Simon moved closer, his eyes lowered slightly as he pressed a kiss to the corner of her lips. His voice was very soft. ”Be good. I’ll be back soon...”

”You have to take good care of yourself while you’re alone. Don’t sleep in too late, remember to eat breakfast, don’t get hurt at work, and text me in the morning and at night, got it?” Simon instructed.

This kind of meticulous nagging felt a bit familiar, but Joanna couldn’t immediately recall where she had heard it before. She could only attribute it to being used to Simon’s fussing. She nodded obediently. ”I know, Butler Lockwood...”

From President Lockwood to Mr. Lockwood, and now to Butler Lockwood. Simon laughed in exasperation and pinched the girl’s soft cheek. He used a bit of force, and when he let go, her face was red, and she winced in pain.

Satisfied, Simon released her. ”Alright, go on inside.”

”I’ll watch you leave,” Joanna said sullenly while rubbing her cheek, looking incredibly well-behaved.

There was nothing Simon could do. He got into the car, but just as he was about to close the door, a hand suddenly stopped him.

Joanna opened her mouth. She didn’t know why she’d done that; in that instant, a thick wave of panic had just washed over her.

Meeting the man’s calm, indulgent dark eyes, she slowly released her hand. Mimicking Simon’s earlier words, she said stiffly, ”Drive safe. Text me when you get there.”

Simon just thought she couldn’t bear to see him go. He pressed his lips together, his expression softening even more. ”Okay...”

The black Maybach drove out of sight, but Joanna continued to stare blankly after it. A gust of cold wind blew past, and only then did she pull her cardigan tighter and slowly return to the villa.

「On the day of the photoshoot for the mimniu promotional video, it rained.」

The temperature dropped suddenly. When Joanna got in the car, she sneezed upon feeling the warm air.

”Jojo, why aren’t you wearing a thicker coat?” Julie quickly turned up the heat in the car.

Joanna took the thermos and had a sip of hot water, then sighed. ”Who would have thought the temperature would drop so fast...”

’Yesterday it was still in the high fifties, and now it’s barely in the forties. It caught me completely off guard the moment I stepped outside. I just hope the studio is a little warmer for the shoot.’

When they arrived at the studio, Walter Young had already finished speaking with the person in charge. Joanna had just arrived when she was whisked away by the stylist to change.

mimniu’s new winter and spring collection leaned toward a gentle and charming style. The piece was a long, dusty pink trench coat—a color that could easily look drab or tacky if not worn well.

But Joanna’s fair skin made her face look as fresh as a spring blossom, with bright eyes and pearly teeth. Even without makeup, she was a stunning sight.

Plus, she had grown two centimeters in recent years, successfully evolving from 163 cm to 165 cm. The trench coat reached her mid-calf, a perfect, standard length.

The clothing designer was very satisfied and paired it with a long purple dress underneath, nailing the color aesthetic. Once changed, Joanna was led by the designer to another room for makeup.

The makeup artist was a renowned A-lister in the industry, responsible for the looks of many brand ambassadors.

Different styles called for different makeup. Joanna’s outfit was gentle and artistic, so the makeup didn’t need to be too heavy or dramatic; a simple, clean look would suffice.

After applying the primer, the makeup artist took one look and selected a pinkish-white foundation shade. As she applied it, she remarked, ”Joanna, your skin is amazing. It’s so fair. What’s your secret?”

She had done makeup for so many female celebrities, but she had rarely seen anyone with skin as fair and delicate as Joanna’s. Aside from faint dark circles under her eyes, she was practically flawless.

Joanna, her eyes closed, gave a small smile at the comment and spouted some nonsense. ”Consistent exercise, a healthy lifestyle, no electronic devices, early to bed, early to rise. Yep, that’s how I do it.”

’My disciplined persona is holding up.’ Joanna was secretly pleased.

The makeup artist glanced at the faint dark circles under the girl’s eyes and couldn’t help but smile. Being tactful, she didn’t call her out on the lie, but the girl’s response made her feel even more fond of her.

’Such an interesting soul.’

Once her makeup and styling were done, Director Lawson arrived. He looked Joanna over from head to toe, then clapped his hands in amazement. ”It seems we’ve really chosen the right ambassador. Joanna is a perfect fit for mimniu. Absolutely perfect.”

”Yes, the moment she put it on, she was a stunning sight,” the clothing designer chimed in with a smile.

The other staff members joined in with praise. Joanna smiled, a bit embarrassed. ”It’s because the clothes are so beautifully designed. I’m just helping to showcase mimniu’s beauty.”

”Hahahaha, don’t be so modest, Joanna. I’ve seen plenty of ambassadors, so I’m qualified to judge. You’re beautiful, so you look good in anything. The clothes are just the icing on the cake.”

As Director Lawson spoke, he reached out and patted Joanna’s shoulder, his hand lingering for a subtle moment.

”You’re too kind, Director Lawson.” Joanna subtly shifted away. Another refusal would likely lead to another round of compliments, so she steered the conversation toward the shoot with a sincere attitude. ”I hope the photographer will give me plenty of guidance later, so we don’t waste any film.”

”Of course. Don’t worry, Ms. Joanna, that’s my job,” the photographer said with a smile.

The shoot began. The only sounds were the CLICK, CLICK, CLICK of the camera and the occasional instruction to change poses.

Everyone watched in silence. No one noticed the man standing in the doorway.

Liam Valentine had been there for a while. He had arrived just as the girl finished with her makeup and styling and was chatting with the others.

The memory of the hand that had landed on her shoulder flashed through his mind. He gave a soft chuckle, finding it both hard to understand and somewhat expected.

’How can she be so likable? Attracting men is one thing, but to also attract... women.’