Playing the Villainess, He Fell for Me

With four photos posted at once, featuring major stars Brian Lynch and Shirley Shepherd, the group picture shot straight to the trending topics. Fans marveled at the great atmosphere on set, with handsome men and beautiful women.

In the world of shipping, Brian Lynch was paired with Shirley Shepherd, so Todd Crowe was naturally paired with her.

The comments section was absolutely wild:

[Does anyone get it? Does ANYONE get it?! I get to ship two couples at once!! The main couple and the secondary couple! They’re so perfect for each other!]

[Needless to say, Brian Lynch and Shirley Shepherd are a match made in heaven. But how are the second male lead and second female lead also such a good match? Does anyone else see it? It’s not about their looks, it’s their vibe!]

Todd Crowe was decent-looking, though not exceptionally handsome. He gave off a steady, gentle impression, earning him the nickname ”the industry’s beta.”

Joanna Kennedy, on the other hand, was flawlessly beautiful. When she smiled, she was bright and dazzling.

Someone immediately got it: [I get you, I totally get you. The gentle husband × the dazzling rose. This ship is divine...]

The comment thread went on for pages.

In the top-floor CEO’s office, a man stared at his phone. His well-defined fingers swiped down the screen, his gaze finally settling on the group photo.

The girl was wearing eye makeup. Her normally clear and beautiful almond-shaped eyes now held a shimmering, coquettish charm. She was smiling happily, her eyes curving into crescents and her rosy lips curled up, revealing the pearly white, neat teeth within.

She was standing very close to the man beside her.

Simon Lockwood’s eyes locked onto the backs of their hands in the photo. They were only centimeters away from touching.

Simon Lockwood pressed his lips together, his expression darkening. His lowered eyelashes hid the flash of malice in his eyes.

A message suddenly appeared on his phone. He tapped it open. The content was simple: ”I can’t make it back tomorrow. Can I owe you a day?”

Followed by a sticker of a little rabbit begging.

............

’How disobedient. There are punishments for owing me...’

Simon Lockwood narrowed his eyes, which held not a trace of a smile.

「On Set.」

After sending the message, Joanna Kennedy waited for a reply, feeling inexplicably nervous.

There was no helping it. Her scenes had been heavy these past few days, and it wasn’t a good idea to ask for time off. People would accuse her of being a diva.

’He’ll agree, right? After all, Simon Lockwood was the one who suggested it. If I really don’t have time, I’ll just owe him.’

Her phone lit up. Joanna Kennedy immediately opened it. Seeing the message, she breathed a sigh of relief. He had agreed.

After a week of filming, Joanna Kennedy’s scenes were finally done for the time being. The next few days would mostly feature the male and female leads.

At the same time, her previous historical idol drama began to air, and Joanna Kennedy’s fanbase grew significantly overnight.

Joanna Kennedy asked Walter Young for a day off and rushed back to Aethelburg without delay.

She didn’t even go back to her apartment, heading straight for the villa. Just as she reached the perimeter, a crackling CRACKLE-POP sound erupted in her mind.

Then, 166’s voice rang out: [Damn you! So you did remember to come back!]

Joanna Kennedy: [......]

”Hey, don’t run, don’t run.” The housekeeper had been feeding Mimi a treat, but for some reason, the cat suddenly bolted outside.

As she chased after it, she saw Joanna Kennedy.

”Miss Kennedy, you’re back.”

”Yes.” Joanna Kennedy crouched down and picked up the MEOWING kitten. If one looked closely, her movements were a bit stiff.

Joanna Kennedy adjusted her hold on the cat and said sheepishly, ”Ma’am, thank you for taking care of everything.”

”No trouble at all,” the housekeeper replied with a smile.

She was supposedly there to clean, but the food bowl was full, the cat bed was clean and fluffy, and even the litter box had been freshly changed.

Joanna Kennedy couldn’t find a single thing to clean. In the end, despite the housekeeper’s repeated refusals, she insisted on helping with lunch.

As it turned out, her help was more of a hindrance. The housekeeper, smiling sweetly, sent her out to play with Mimi.

Joanna Kennedy: ”.........”

She left awkwardly.

was contentedly munching on cat food when it was suddenly lifted by the scruff of its neck. It meowed angrily, ”MEOW! MEOW! MEOW!”

[Joanna Kennedy, what are you doing?! Put me down right now!]

[We have plenty of time now. You’re going to explain exactly what’s going on,] Joanna Kennedy said through gritted teeth.

[...Honestly, why are you so damn curious?] 166 grumbled.

Joanna Kennedy: [Spit it out!]

166: [......]

166’s voice was calm and relaxed, as if it were recounting some trivial matter.

Plot points are missions. Completing them earns you rewards, like being able to return to the real world. Failing, of course, comes with punishments.

A light punishment might be the host’s accidental death; a heavy one, direct obliteration by the world’s consciousness.

Joanna Kennedy was originally supposed to die in an accident, but 166, as her system, took the blow for her. The price was being obliterated in her place.

had prepared in advance, transforming into a kitten. But it doesn’t belong to this world and can’t survive for long on its own. Only by relying on the energy of this world’s male lead can it evade the world’s consciousness and continue to live.

That was why it had to stay in the villa.

After listening, Joanna Kennedy was silent for a long time. Then, a corner of her mouth lifted in a smirk. [You’d be that kind?]

166, who had been worried she’d get sentimental: [??!!]

’Are you kidding me?!’

[A cat’s life is very short,] Joanna Kennedy said.

She remembered 166 saying it had guided many hosts, which proved that a system’s life could be eternal.

fell silent. A moment later, it sounded like it was about to burst into tears. [Don’t say anymore. If you keep talking, I’m going to regret it, waaah...]

Joanna Kennedy: [.........]

She took a deep breath, suppressing the bittersweet feeling in her heart, and said solemnly, [Thank you.]

Joanna Kennedy truly hadn’t expected that 166, which had looked down on her so much at the beginning, would actually go this far for her.

Before she could fully process her feelings, 166 declared solemnly: [You have to get together with the male lead! Otherwise, all my efforts will be for nothing!]

Joanna Kennedy: [......]

The corner of her mouth twitched.

The change in topic was so abrupt it caught her completely off guard.

Before she could say anything, she heard the housekeeper’s voice. ”Mr. Lockwood, you’re back. Lunch is ready.”

Simon Lockwood must not have gone to the office today; he was dressed casually in a pure black shirt, its cuffs slightly rolled up. His gold-rimmed glasses gave him the air of a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

He was tall and long-legged, and he strode in without sparing Joanna Kennedy a single glance. ”Mm,” he responded, his voice deep.

Simon Lockwood ignored her, washed his hands, and sat down at the dining table.

Joanna Kennedy said stiffly, ”Well, I... I’ll be going, then.”

Simon Lockwood didn’t speak, but his expression clearly darkened. The housekeeper glanced at him, then at Joanna Kennedy, and a plan formed in her mind. She smiled and said, ”Miss Kennedy, why don’t you stay and eat with us? I made plenty of food for lunch.”

At her words, Joanna Kennedy subconsciously glanced at Simon Lockwood. He was slowly sipping his soup, as if he hadn’t heard their conversation at all.

She wasn’t thick-skinned enough to impose. ”No, no, it’s fine.” She turned to leave.

A sharp CLINK came from the spoon hitting the bottom of the bowl.

”Come here,” Simon Lockwood said, his tone cold.

’So now I’m not invisible to him?’

Joanna Kennedy pursed her lips.

But when you’re under someone else’s roof, you have to bow your head. Joanna Kennedy reluctantly walked over. ”What is it?”

”Eat.”