The next morning, I woke up on a bed so soft it felt like it could swallow me whole. Beige curtains hung gently, with rays of morning light slipping through the gaps, revealing the face in the mirror—Hoa Tu's face. Porcelain skin, rosy lips, sharp phoenix eyes. Beautiful, but unapproachable. A beauty that made people both infatuated and wary.
I propped myself up, a dull ache throbbing in my head. The memories of last night were still vivid—the party, the wine glass, Hoai Trach's eyes.
Hoai Trach.
That name was like a curse. In the novel, he's the male lead—cold, ruthless, with a tragic past and a heart that supposedly forgot how to love. He falls in love with the heroine, goes through misunderstandings, forgives, then loves again. And the villainess—me, now—was merely a stepping stone, the third wheel, doomed to suffer for the sake of their happy ending.
But I don't want to die. I don't want to be destroyed for a story that isn't mine.
I need a plan.
The door creaked open. A maid entered quietly, not daring to meet my eyes. She placed a breakfast tray on the table: oatmeal, toast, and a glass of fresh orange juice. The service was so perfect it made me suspicious.
"Miss, Lady Tuyet Dao is here. She wishes to see you in the tea room."
Tuyet Dao. The female lead.
I sighed. This would be my first official meeting with her since I transmigrated into this world. If I remembered correctly, Tuyet Dao was the saintly type of character—always kind, always forgiving. But sharp readers would notice—she knew how to use her weakness as a weapon. She knew when to cry, when to stay silent, and how to make others feel guilty in her place.
A formidable opponent.
I changed into a modest light blue dress and tied my hair neatly. I couldn't act like the arrogant villainess anymore. At least, not now.
The tea room was on the first floor, overlooking a well-trimmed garden. She was already there, holding a cup of tea, eyes dreamy with a gentle smile. When she saw me, Tuyet Dao stood and smiled like a spring breeze.
"Sister Tu, I'm sorry about last night. I don't know why you were so angry..."
I sat down, not rushing to answer. She was testing me.
"Angry?" I tilted my head and smirked. "You think I went there just to cause trouble for you?"
She looked slightly surprised, then quickly composed herself. "I didn't mean that. It's just... I know you've never liked me, and I understand. But I don't want misunderstandings between us."
Of course. The righteous heroine would always choose to "not blame" and "forgive."
"I don't want misunderstandings either," I smiled softly, locking eyes with her. "But don't you ever get tired of pretending?"
Her face faltered just a little. Quickly, she bit her lip and looked down, sadness written all over her.
Beautiful. Even in awkwardness, she looked like a painting.
"I'm not pretending…"
"Sure, you're not. You're just living your truth." I stood up and patted her shoulder gently. "Don't worry. I won't ruin your fairy tale romance with Hoai Trach."
I left the tea room, leaving Tuyet Dao behind with an unreadable expression.
Outside, I didn't feel as triumphant as I thought I would. My heart was still racing. That first encounter with the heroine reminded me of one thing—she was dangerous. And if I wanted to survive this world, I had to become stronger. Not by stealing the male lead, but by rewriting my fate.
My phone vibrated on the table. A message from Hoai Trach's assistant.
"President Hoai requests your presence at the office at 2 PM. Don't be late."
I stared at the screen. So he's making his move already.
I gripped the phone tightly. I couldn't let myself get dragged into their plot. But if he wanted to meet, I wouldn't run. I'd face him—on my own terms.
Welcome to the game, Hoai Trach.
And this time, I won't be the loser.