Playing the Villainess, He Fell for Me

The Sinclair Family of Jornheim was a true dynasty, a great clan with deep roots in politics, business, and the military. Though their influence had waned slightly in the current generation, their status as Jornheim’s number one family remained unshakable.

Joanna Kennedy was surprised. ”So you didn’t jump ship,” she concluded. ”Your entire magazine did?”

”Then why do you look so unhappy?”

This wasn’t just a new job; it was a major step up. Shouldn’t she be happy? Joanna Kennedy tried to comfort her. ”Once the official announcement is made, the rumors will die down on their own. If that doesn’t work, just have your boss explain things.”

Joanna Kennedy had a point, but Nina Kim’s expression was just miserable. ”You don’t get it...”

”If it were just new ownership, I wouldn’t be worried, but...” Nina Kim’s tone was complex. ”Do you know which member of the Sinclair Family is taking over our magazine?”

”It’s the illegitimate son the Sinclair patriarch just recently acknowledged.”

Nina Kim deliberately emphasized the words ”illegitimate son.” Joanna Kennedy froze for a moment as understanding dawned.

’The Sinclair Family had legitimate heirs; the family fortune would never pass to an illegitimate son. They probably just bought him a magazine as a toy and wouldn’t provide any real support.’

No wonder Nina Kim was so worried. It was like being a handmaiden assigned to an unfavored young master in the old days. Not only would she get no perks, she’d have to suffer right alongside him.

”I heard this illegitimate son is also disabled,” Nina Kim said, sharing the rumor she’d picked up. Seeing that no one nearby was paying attention, she continued in a hushed voice, ”He’s deaf.”

”...”

It felt as if something had pricked her heart, not too hard and not too soft. Joanna Kennedy opened her mouth, but she couldn’t bring herself to say the word.

She forced a smile. ”That’s a private matter, isn’t it? Who did you hear that from? How could you know something like that...”

Fearing Joanna Kennedy didn’t believe her, Nina Kim frowned and presented more compelling proof. ”I didn’t need to hear it from anyone else. A couple of days ago, that illegitimate son came to our office to sign the contract. I saw with my own eyes that he was wearing a hearing aid.”

”I don’t know if he was born that way or if it’s from an injury, but he’s so young. I heard he hasn’t even graduated from college yet,” Nina Kim said, her voice full of pity.

Then a thought seemed to strike her. ”And you have no idea—he’s unbelievably handsome. Tall, long legs, great presence, and his features are just stunningly sharp. You couldn’t find anyone that good-looking in the entire entertainment industry. And he was wearing this silver, behind-the-ear hearing aid... it was so cyberpunk!”

”Tsk, tsk. A total ten, and still in college. What a shame...”

Listening to Nina Kim’s praise, half pity and half joke, Joanna Kennedy suddenly felt a tightness in her chest. She took a deep breath and stood up. ”Kim, you go ahead and mingle. I’m just going to the restroom.”

”Alright, you go on ahead. I’m going to say hi to a few people,” Nina Kim said, getting up as well.

She hadn’t come here just for Joanna Kennedy; in the entertainment world, you had to keep up appearances on all fronts.

”Let’s catch up again when we have time. I look forward to working with you again,” Nina Kim said with a wink.

”Looking forward to it.”

Joanna Kennedy smiled as she saw Nina Kim off, but instead of heading to the restroom, she pulled her phone from her purse. She sent a quick text to Howard Thorne, then another to Mindy Morgan, letting them know something had come up and she had to leave early, but that she’d already cleared it with the big boss.

Mindy Morgan seemed about to object, but hearing that Joanna had already cleared it with the big boss, she didn’t press the issue, only telling her to be careful on her way home.

Her assistant was already waiting outside. Joanna Kennedy got into the car and subconsciously pinched the bridge of her nose, a gesture that seemed to be a habit she herself hadn’t noticed.

The assistant parked the car downstairs. Joanna Kennedy went up to the top floor, and the elevator doors opened with a DING. The moment she stepped out, she sensed something was off.

The door to the apartment across the hall, which had always been vacant, was uncharacteristically open. From where she stood, she could see newly delivered furniture and large boxes.

’I’m getting a neighbor?’

Joanna Kennedy frowned, annoyed. The whole reason she’d bought the penthouse was to avoid having neighbors. It seemed she couldn’t escape them after all.

’I just hope they’re normal.’

Joanna Kennedy had her reasons for being wary. She used to live in a mid-range apartment complex, not here.

An obsessive fan, terrifyingly resourceful, had actually bought the apartment right below hers. One night, the fan nearly followed her into her home. Luckily, Howard Thorne had been there, dropping something off for her.

After that incident, she’d spent a fortune on this place. It was in a wealthy district, prime real estate where only the rich and powerful could afford to live. Security was tight; obsessive fans and paparazzi couldn’t get in.

The new owner was nowhere in sight, yet the door was wide open. Joanna Kennedy averted her eyes and looked away.

Joanna Kennedy closed her front door, shutting out the view. She didn’t see the man who slowly emerged in the entryway of the apartment opposite hers.

The man stared at the closed door for an unknown length of time before slowly lowering his eyes. He raised a hand and deliberately adjusted the silver hearing aid behind his ear.

Even turned up to the maximum volume, he couldn’t hear the girl’s voice. He pressed his lips together, and after a long moment, dropped his hand in resignation.

’Permanent damage. He was sentenced to a lifetime of wearing a hearing aid. Without it, he couldn’t hear a single sound. He was so broken... even he despised himself.’

*

The little kitten was still asleep, curled into an adorable ball in its cozy bed. Joanna Kennedy resisted the impulsive urge to poke it.

She took out the pink cat bowl and, following instructions she’d found online, mixed a small bowl of goat milk formula. She soaked some kibble in it, and once it had softened, she reached out and gently poked the kitten’s head.

”Poor little thing, time to get up and eat...” Joanna Kennedy murmured to herself.

The kitten seemed to understand, letting out a soft ”MEW...” before burying its head in the bowl to eat.

The bowl was so big the kitten’s entire head disappeared inside it. Startled, Joanna Kennedy carefully lifted the tiny creature by the scruff of its neck.

’Keeping a living thing alive is exhausting.’ Joanna Kennedy sighed. She had no idea what impulse had possessed her to bring the kitten home.

But now that she had, she was obligated to care for it.

After the difficult task of supervising the kitten’s meal, Joanna Kennedy was hungry herself. She flexed her sore wrist, went to the kitchen, and opened a cabinet.

There was one cup of instant noodles left—pickled vegetable flavor. Given the recent news exposé about unsanitary food production, Joanna Kennedy decided to pass on it.

The fridge held noodles, some leafy greens, and eggs. In the freezer, there were some large prawns left over from her last grocery trip.

Joanna Kennedy, in a rare bout of cooking, turned on the stove. She boiled some noodles, whisked in an egg, and finally topped it with the greens and cooked prawns. The flavors were all very light and simple.

’It wasn’t exactly delicious, but it was healthy and good for staying slim. Two birds with one stone,’ Joanna Kennedy consoled herself.

As she was eating, she suddenly heard a noise from outside her door—what sounded like something hitting the floor. A moment of silence followed, and then a steady, rhythmic knock.

The man was very tall; through the smart lock’s camera, she could only see him from the chin down. He had a tall, slender build, and the large hands hanging at his sides had prominent, well-defined knuckles.