Reborn as the Villainess

Sitting quietly by the side, Oscar couldn't help but shrink into his seat. He looked at the car door, desperately wanting to jump out and make a run for it.

He thought, 'Why is it that I'm always around every time Ms. Vanderbilt gets Mr. Lloyd riled up? Why am I always the one stuck feeling like I'm just one step away from death? It's so unfair.

Stephen looked at Eleanor coldly, his gaze deep and unfathomable. "You think Zane's not bad?" His sharp eyes locked onto her, not missing even the slightest twitch on her face. The atmosphere in the car felt heavy and tense, almost suffocating.

Eleanor wasn't dumb. She didn't know why Stephen was always so unpredictable, but she could sense the looming danger. Swallowing hard, she cautiously ventured. "Uh...isn't he one of your company's artists? He's pretty helpful and kind-hearted. He really is not bad." Stephen's anger only intensified.

Eleanor shrank, utterly confused. She thought, 'Why on earth is he mad again?' She'd been trying to butter Stephen up, it wasn't working. 'Could it be that I wasn't flattering him in the right way?'

but

Clearing her throat, Eleanor decided to try another angle. "Well, actually, helpfulness isn't everything, right? I mean, he's got other good qualities. He's handsome and really has that positive vibe going on. You guys really know how to spot talent." She thought, 'Surely this time I'd gotten it right.'

Stephen sneered, the chill in the air only thickening. He thought, 'Handsome? Positive vibe? I knew it. This Little Hedgehog always has a way of driving me up the wall.

Seeing Stephen's grim face, Oscar decided to save himself before the storm hit. He quickly jumped in to smooth things

over.

Oscar said, "Ms. Vanderbilt meant to say that your judgment is unmatched, Mr. Lloyd. You have the eye to spot true talent. But even the most beautiful diamond is just that a diamond, not all that practical. Unlike you, Mr. Lloyd. Not only are you/ handsome and charming, but you also know how to make money. That's the type all the ladies adore."

Oscar finished in one breath, nearly choking on his own words. Life was tough, and he was just out here hustling. With a desperate will to survive, he shot Eleanor a look, signaling her to pick up the thread and throw in a few compliments.

Eleanor caught on quickly, nodding. "Exactly, exactly. Mr. Spencer is right. You're nothing like them. You're clearly superior. After all, you're the one who puts food on all of our tables." For a moment, she wasn't sure if she imagined it, but the suffocating tension in the car seemed to ease just a little after she spoke.

Stephen paused, looking at Elenor. "So, you like my type too?"

Eleanor was speechless. She thought, 'What on earth? How did we end up here again? We had just cleared up any confusion, agreeing to be just friends. Now we're talking about liking him? Isn't that digging my own grave?'

Frightened, Eleanor quickly shook her head. "No, no, no. A mere mortal like me isn't worth tainting someone as precious as you, dear patron." Her tone was righteous and full of sincerity, like a political pledge.

Stephen gave Eleanor a sidelong glance before speaking again. "What if I let you 'taint' me?"

Eleanor was at a loss for words again. She thought, 'Is this a trick question? If I say yes, it would be a disaster. We'd just get tangled up in each other. If I say no, that's even worse. Stephen would definitely throw another tantrum.' Eleanor pondered this for a long time before finally responding cautiously, "But if I were to 'taint' you, wouldn't that be improper? It would be like having a sugar daddy.

"I know you're testing my resolve, but I promise to stick to the 'patron principle. I absolutely refuse to become a puppet for

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anyone trying to corrupt my mind. I'll strive to be a positive, upstanding youth of the new era."

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The moment Eleanor finished, the barely thawing atmosphere exploded once again. The cold, oppressive tension returned, enveloping everyone in the car and freezing them to their bones

Eleanor gulped, nervously huddling into the corner of her seat, shivering as goosebumps prickled her arms from the cold tension in the air. She thought, I've tried my best. Why does Stephen still seem so angry?' She cast a pleading glance toward Oscar.

At this point, Oscar had already given up, and his eyes shut tight He thought, 'Ms. Vanderbilt, please don't look at me. Pretend I'm not here at all. My body may be in this car, but my soul is long gone. I can't help you. You're on your own.

The car glided along smoothly. When they were about 1500 feet from the filming location, Eleanor quickly asked the driver to stop. "Just drop me off here. I can walk the rest of the way."

Stephen frowned, clearly disapproving.

Sensing the tension, Oscar quickly said, "Ms. Vanderbilt, we're heading to the set ourselves for business. We can all go together."

"No, no need." Eleanor waved. "The crew doesn't know I'm part of the Vanderbilt family, and I don't want to stir up gossip. I'd rather keep a low profile and focus on earning my paycheck, so it's better if we arrive separately." Oscar hesitated. "But..."

"Let her go," Stephen cut in, emotionless.Content © copyrighted by NôvelDrama.Org.

Eleanor practically leaped out of the car. She thought it over and felt a bit guilty for inconveniencing them. She looked back at Stephen and sincerely thanked him. "Thanks"

But the door slammed shut in her face before Eleanor could finish her words.

Eleanor was exasperated.

*****

When Eleanor arrived at the set, everyone was already there.

Grace spotted Eleanor and quickly ran over, giving her a once-over with worry. "Eleanor, are you okay? Last night, when I went to pick you up, Mr. Spencer told me Mr. Lloyd had taken you home.

"I was so worried I followed to check, and you were clinging to Mr. Lloyd, refusing to let go. No matter how much I tried to talk you out of it, you wouldn't budge, so I had no choice but to-mmph!"

Eleanor, startled, clamped a hand over Grace's mouth, whispering urgently, "Shh! Quiet." She glanced around nervously, only relaxing when she was sure no one had overheard. "Last night was a total accident. Just pretend it didn't happen. And don't tell anyone, especially Andrew."

Grace blinked rapidly, nodding to show she understood.

Eleanor finally let Grace go but still felt the need to clarify. "There's absolutely nothing going on between me and Mr. Lloyd. If you see him again, don't say anything weird."

Grace wrinkled her nose, cautiously adding, "But Mr. Spencer said you're Mr. Lloyd's fiancée-"

"Rubbish! That's complete nonsense." Eleanor practically jumped. She thought, 'What is Oscar thinking, going around making things up like that?"