I was childhood best friends with the male lead and the second male lead. Knowing that they would both eventually fall head over heels for the "pure and innocent" female lead, I chose to sit back, sip my champagne, and watch the show. I watched them drop millions at my family’s casinos just to make her smile. I watched them get into bidding wars, spending astronomical sums at charity galas to win my ordinary jewelry, all to coax her out of a bad mood. I originally thought I could just keep counting my money while happily observing their melodramatic love triangle. But later, the way they looked at me completely changed. 01 The first time I saw Maya Winston was at a VIP-only private club in Manhattan. I was leaning against the marble wall, bored to tears, waiting for the elevator. The ambiguous commotion from the two people next to me was getting on my nerves. I turned my head. A greasy, balding middle-aged man dripping in gaudy jewelry was clutching a heavily intoxicated young girl. Honestly, this kind of thing wasn't rare in high society—if the girl hadn't been wearing a local prep school uniform. I evaluated the girl with cold detachment. She was delicate and pretty, her eyelashes wet, her face flushed with an unnatural, feverish red. She looked like a fragile white camellia slowly blooming in the dead of winter. The older man’s fleshy, heavy hand was reaching under her blazer. She seemed completely out of it, only managing to mumble: "Mmh... let go... I have to go to my shift... to earn my tuition..." The man let out a sleazy chuckle: "You just be a good girl and come meet the big boss with me today. If you perform well, forget about tuition, I'll pluck the stars from the sky for you." I watched them impassively for a moment. When the elevator doors slowly slid open, I reached out and blocked their path. "Mister, drugging a minor and attempting assault is a federal offense." The man clearly didn't expect anyone to interfere. With a gentle pull, I yanked the girl out of his grasp and into my arms. He froze, then flew into a rage: "Which arrogant little brat dares to ruin my business?!" "You're quoting the law to me? Even if I took a dump on the police commissioner's desk, they wouldn't dare touch me!" "If you know what's good for you, get lost. If you ruin the big boss's mood, I'll have to drag you up there to apologize too." He raised his hand, ready to strike. I let out a soft scoff. Applying a sharp burst of pressure to his arm, a crisp crack echoed through the hall. I dislocated his wrist on the spot. I loosely supported the girl, smiling at him: "Who exactly is this 'big boss' of yours? Drop a name. I’d love to see which major player in New York I supposedly don't know." Perhaps my tone was a little too arrogant, because the man’s face, already contorted in pain, paled instantly. The people who frequented this club were all wealthy and powerful. But even within the elite circle, there is a strict hierarchy. It all comes down to whose platinum spoon is heavier. He gritted his teeth, refusing to back down completely: "Who the fuck are you?" I tilted my chin up, radiating the absolute arrogance of a top-tier dynasty heir. I flatly dropped two words: "Eden Crawford." The moment the words left my lips, the man transformed from a snarling boar into a terrified, shivering quail. His shoulders trembled, and he began bowing profusely: "Miss Crawford... I... I was deeply out of line..." Before he could finish his groveling, I cut him off: "Save it." "For the injury to your wrist, you can take your medical bills to the Crawford Estate for reimbursement." The man shook even harder. "I wouldn't dare! I wouldn't dare!" "If you wouldn't dare, then get the hell out of my sight." Watching him practically run for his life, a mocking smirk touched the corner of my mouth. I looked down at the girl in my arms, intending to wake her up. "Hey, are you okay..." Before I could finish, she frowned in deep discomfort. The very next second, she threw up all over me. I took a deep breath, feeling my temples throb violently. I gripped her jaw firmly, suppressing the overwhelming urge to strangle her. "You really want to die, don't you?" I only stepped in because I was bored and had a fleeting moment of sympathy. If I had known the result would be my custom Balenciaga gown getting covered in vomit, I would have walked into that elevator without a second glance. But the moment my fingertips touched her, a strange, mechanical voice echoed in my mind— [Ding!] [The Heroine has come online.] 02 It happened in an instant. A barrage of flashbacks and information rushed through my brain. The girl in front of me, Maya Winston. She was the innocent, "white lotus" heroine of a reverse-harem, high-stakes romance novel. Like a piece of pure, fragile glass. And the Male Lead and Second Male Lead revolving around her? They were the two men I had grown up with, my childhood best friends. The Male Lead, Caleb Sterling, and the Second Male Lead, Jackson Ryder. And me? I was the quintessential "Villainess." Because I despised how effortlessly the heroine captured the attention of the men around me, I would constantly plot against her. My ending was miserable: universally despised, kicked out of the Crawford family with nothing but the clothes on my back. Spending the rest of my life rotting in a psychiatric ward. Pure melodrama. Pure garbage. I was slightly dazed when a familiar, cold voice sounded behind me: "Eden." I turned my head to see Caleb Sterling walking toward me. "Why haven't you gone up yet?" He was dressed in a tailored suit, radiating a noble, untouchable aloofness. As he looked at me, his gaze unintentionally brushed over the barely conscious Maya. I was about to speak, but Maya suddenly lunged toward Caleb. She moved so fast that Caleb instinctively stretched out his arms to catch her by the waist. Perhaps the broad, warm chest of the man gave the girl a sense of a safe harbor. She struggled in Caleb's arms for a few seconds, then her eyes fluttered shut, and she passed out completely. Me: "..." As expected of the protagonists. Even their meeting was explosively dramatic. Caleb still maintained some gentlemanly grace. He looked down at Maya in his arms, then at the disgusting mess of vomit on my dress. After only a brief hesitation, he said to me in a gentle tone: "I'll have someone take you to get cleaned up." "No need." I rubbed the bridge of my nose in sheer annoyance. "Go up and tell Jackson I'm skipping tonight's gathering. You guys have fun." Caleb didn't argue. He nodded and said flatly: "Yeah, I'm not going up either." I shot him a questioning glance. Caleb shifted his arms, scooping Maya up in a bridal carry, and said without changing his expression: "I'm taking her home." 03 As the orthodox heir personally groomed by the Crawford family, my adaptability has always been excellent. That very night, I fully digested the fact that I was the "Villainess." Since fighting with Maya led to a terrible ending... I would simply stay as far away from her as possible. Furthermore, the idea of me going head-to-head with a little white flower over two men? I couldn't help but find it absurdly hilarious. Granted, as the heirs to the Sterling and Ryder empires, they were top-tier. Caleb Sterling was brilliant but cold-hearted, an untouchable flower on a high peak. Jackson Ryder was the exact opposite: rebellious, untamable, a notorious playboy in our circle. Even my mother would occasionally pull me aside and whisper, "Which one of them do you like more?" And I would usually just offer a speechless smile. The training model for high-society heirs has always employed the laws of the jungle. The Vanity Fair is constantly shifting; there's always new money trying to rise to the top. Instead of saying Caleb, Jackson, and I were childhood sweethearts... It would be more accurate to say we were three vicious wolves who grew up together and shared a relatively close alliance. When necessary, we wouldn't hesitate to swallow each other whole to strengthen our own empires. Therefore, most of the time, I just smiled and spectated their melodramatic romantic entanglements. As long as it didn't interfere with my business, I didn't mind treating it as a source of entertainment. Of course, occasionally, I would make a healthy profit off them too— For example, taking them to the Crawford family casinos in Macau, watching them drop millions trying to impress Maya. The uglier their expressions got, the higher the chips stacked, and the happier I smiled. Or, watching them engage in astronomical bidding wars over my ordinary jewelry just to coax a smile out of Maya. When I finally walked on stage as the host to present the flowers... Jackson's face was ashen. He finally couldn't hold back, gritting his teeth: "You managed to fleece us again, you little brat." Caleb, standing next to him, just shook his head with a helpless smile. I wore a sly grin on my lips, winking at them, but my gaze collided with Maya's. Her eyes were gentle but complicated. I could read envy, awkwardness, and another incomprehensible emotion within them. I paused, gave her a symbolic hug, and placed the bouquet in her arms: "Congratulations." 04 I originally thought I would never tire of watching them play this love triangle game. Until the gala for my 18th birthday. My grand coming-of-age ceremony was held at a luxury hotel controlled by the Crawford family. The Crawfords invited everyone who was anyone. The vast, luxurious ballroom was filled with dazzling gowns, fragrant flowers, and the elite of society. My father officially transferred several subsidiaries under the Crawford Group to my name. And I, wearing the elegant gown my mother had chosen, blew out my birthday candles under the spotlight. I displayed a massive check from my years of savings, ready to be donated to a charity foundation. With tears in my eyes, I delivered a speech about my grand ambitions for adulthood. Since I was a child, I knew that acting and etiquette were mandatory courses in my life. Therefore, even though I felt incredibly bored and unenthused at that moment... I still naturally displayed a blissfully happy smile, performing flawlessly until the very end of the ceremony. However, just as I was politely holding the microphone to conclude, a piercing scream erupted from the floor. Accompanied by the dull, sickening sound of fists smashing into flesh and bone. The crowd gasped in horror and looked over— My two good friends. Jackson was pinning Caleb to the ground, the veins on his forehead bulging as he rained punches down on Caleb's face. Maya was crying, desperately pulling at Jackson's clothes. The crowd quickly reacted, pulling them apart. And just like that, nearly everyone knew that the heirs of the Sterling and Ryder families had gotten into a physical brawl over a Cinderella at my coming-of-age ceremony. Older guests reprimanded them: "This is a disgrace!" I just watched quietly for a moment, then walked off the stage under the scrutinizing gazes of the crowd. Caleb hung his head; I couldn't read his expression. Jackson stared fiercely at him, still radiating murderous intent. As I walked past Maya, I cast a cold, indifferent glance at her. That single look scared her into taking two steps back. I stopped in front of Jackson, parting my lips in a light, perfectly innocent smile. "Jackson, is this the birthday present you got me?" Jackson looked at me, snapping out of his rage, and froze for a second. "Eden, I—" Before he could finish, I raised my hand and slapped him across the face. A crisp SMACK echoed. In the crowd, someone drew a sharp breath. Maya's face turned completely white. Even Caleb couldn't help but look up. I merely withdrew my hand with a look of pure apathy, casually wiping it with a silk handkerchief. "Jackson, are you thinking clearly now?" Since this was Crawford territory, the bodyguards had already surrounded us. No one dared to move. Before Jackson could speak, Maya lunged forward and shoved me away. She questioned me with righteous indignation: "You don't even know what happened! What gives you the right to hit him?!" "Jackson was... he was just standing up for me..." "This is all my fault. If you're going to blame someone, blame me!" I looked at her and gave a shallow smile: "Sure." "Then please take the bill for all the fixtures they just smashed, along with the invoice for that custom Balenciaga dress you ruined last time, and settle it." Maya's face instantly dropped several shades paler. She bit her lower lip, looking agonizingly conflicted: "I... I'll work hard and pay it back..." "Eden, I know that because of my appearance lately, Jackson and Caleb have been ignoring you. You two used to be so close, it's natural you hold some resentment. But no matter what, this incident started because of me. I hope it won't affect your friendship." I smiled placidly: "Miss Winston, I'm not talking to you about feelings. I'm talking to you about money." "With your current part-time jobs, how long do you expect me to wait for you to pay it off?" Maya's tears were truly magical; they fell on command. "...Then what do you want?" The smile in my eyes faded as I spoke coldly: "I don't want anything. I just want to tell you something." "If you can't afford to play the game, don't interfere." "Since you weren't the one throwing punches, don't pretend to be weak and step up to take the blame. Do you really think shedding two tears means you don't have to face any consequences? Or did you intentionally let them fight just to humiliate me?" Maya squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head, looking utterly tormented. "I'm sorry... I really didn't know they would do this..." In the crowd, someone let out a cold scoff. My mother, radiating aristocratic elegance, walked over to my side. She looked down at Maya with intimidating authority. "Is my daughter's coming-of-age ceremony your personal relationship counseling center?" "Maya Winston, is it? I recall that your name was not on the Crawford family's guest list, and I have no idea who brought you in." "But since you're here, I assumed you came to offer your blessings." "Yet here you are, crying and whining, bringing bad luck to my daughter." "Security, please escort this impolite young lady out." I suppressed a smile and glanced at my mother. I really wanted to say, Mom, the way we're acting right now makes us look exactly like villainesses. The standoff made the atmosphere incredibly awkward. Ultimately, it was our Male Lead who stepped in to save the day. Caleb pulled out a check and pressed it onto a table. "Mrs. Crawford, I am deeply sorry for everything that happened today." "I will cover all the damages for her." Then, without another word, he grabbed the tearful Maya and left. Jackson's face was dark. He wanted to follow them. But he was sharply smacked on the back of the head by his mother, who had been watching the drama unfold. She dragged him over to apologize to me. I looked at the ruined banquet hall, and then at the retreating backs of Caleb and Maya. A trace of genuine disgust flashed in my eyes. 05 After the birthday gala incident, I didn't see those three for a very long time. Although I lost a major source of entertainment, I was perfectly content. After all, as we grew older, who knew what those three lunatics would do next for their ridiculous romance? It was better to stay away. Furthermore, since taking over several subsidiaries of the Crawford Group, I spent every day racing against the clock to earn my college credits, while also navigating endless business dinners and networking events that frequently left me with a fever and gastritis. However, since the Crawford, Sterling, and Ryder families had been allies for years, running into them eventually was inevitable. But what I didn't expect was that the first person to seek me out would be Maya. I squeezed some time out of my busy schedule to meet her. We met at a cafe. After six months, Maya had transformed from the impoverished Cinderella into a polished socialite. Her flawless makeup and designer clothes proved that the Male Lead was taking very good care of her. I smiled lightly and gave her a brief greeting. Maya tried to exchange a few pleasantries, but I simply took a sip of my coffee and gestured for her to get to the point. Immediately after, I watched her pull a stack of documents from her bag and hand them to me. I flipped through them, my expression darkening with every page. It detailed how Maya's father had been framed and sent to prison to take the fall for a high-ranking official in New York. Finally, I tossed the file onto the table, looking at her with a cold sneer. "What is the meaning of this?" Maya blinked at me, smiling radiantly. "Eden, people who get angry easily get ugly." I took two slow breaths. In the next second, I threw my entire cup of coffee right into her face. "You also know I don't have a good temper." "So are you planning to speak some human language I can actually understand?" Maya didn't get angry. She slowly and methodically wiped the coffee off her face. Her gaze drifted toward the window, seemingly unfocused. She spoke slowly: "The Crawford family has massive influence in New York. Pulling my father out of prison shouldn't be too difficult for you." Oh, I knew this trope well. Having a relative who took the fall and went to prison is practically the standard backstory for the tragic Cinderella heroine in most romance novels. But Maya's current attitude was entirely unlike someone asking for a favor. It felt more like a provocation, a taunt, waiting for me to fall into a trap. I smiled: "You want my help? Sure." "You can start right here. Kneel, and take one step and one bow all the way to the Chrysler Building three miles away. The whole time, you have to shout that I am your master. If you can do that, I might consider it." "After all, if you're asking for a favor, I need to see your sincerity." As soon as I finished speaking, I understood what Maya's so-called trap was. Because right then, a tall, imposing figure appeared at the entrance of the cafe. Caleb Sterling's brow was furrowed in gloom, his face terrifyingly cold. Seeing Maya's pitiful, dripping state, he first took off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders. After comforting her for a moment, he turned to me and said: "Eden, you're going too far." "Apologize to Maya for what you just said." I rolled my eyes and couldn't help but curse: "You two are absolute idiots." I grabbed my bag and walked out of the cafe without looking back. But a sliver of doubt lingered in my mind. Was Maya really the sweet, innocent "white lotus" heroine from the sweet romance novel? Why were her tactics so clumsy and obvious? Are the standards for being a female lead really this low nowadays? But before I could figure it out, I paid the price— An investment deal I had spent six months personally securing fell through. Just as the deal was about to close, the partnering firm claimed they received an anonymous file. The file exposed a fatal, hidden risk in the manufacturing process of the investment product, and alleged that it utilized stolen, patented overseas technology. Not only that, the opposing party brought in Legacy Advisors, a notoriously ruthless top-tier investment firm, to issue a detailed analysis of the product's value and future development. In short, every line of the report screamed pessimism. I stared at my computer screen for a long time, my face devoid of expression. I knew this was Caleb's warning. It was his punishment for me offending Maya. This business—from the investment to the product—aside from being registered under a Crawford subsidiary, was completely independent of the Crawford family's core assets. I had pulled in several senior researchers from my university, and our team worked day and night on R&D. The so-called high-pollution manufacturing process in that file was only the initial prototype. And the partners involved in the alleged tech theft had long been kicked out for unethical behavior. Explaining this would be easy. But I didn't expect Caleb to have the patience and determination to do this. To throw me under the bus, he even dragged in the top analysts from Legacy Advisors. It was like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. I took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the violent urge to smash the computer monitor to pieces. I suddenly realized that being the "Villainess" wasn't without reason. I always knew I wasn't a particularly "good" person. At the very least, I had a fiercely vindictive heart. Caleb Sterling, since you chose to play games with me, I will play you until you're dead. 06 I opened the chaotic group chat. The screen was flooded with panicked messages about the broken supply chain and funding gap. I sighed and typed a message to comfort them: "Don't worry, everyone. I'll ask my parents for help." That single sentence acted like an anchor. The chat went silent for a moment, followed by cheers of relief. I stared at the screen, feeling irritated. I was the one who swore I wanted to build something entirely my own. Now, I was the one who had to rely on the Crawfords and beg my parents for help. It was impossible not to feel disappointed. I distractedly scrolled through the unread messages on my phone. I caught a snippet of conversation in a group chat full of second-generation rich kids: "Man, we're all the same age, but Caleb's tech startup is already preparing for an IPO, while I'm still messing around on my family's ranch in Australia." "Obviously. Caleb has always been the golden boy. How can we compete with him?" "..." My eyes instantly locked onto the keyword in the conversation: Caleb's company, Zenith Tech, was going public. Almost subconsciously, I recalled the original timeline plot points that had rushed into my brain earlier— The Sterling Group once faced a catastrophic crisis where their entire empire was on the verge of collapse. Core executives defected, and scandals erupted: tax evasion, quota fraud, stock manipulation, and rigged bidding. To save his family, Caleb was forced into an arranged marriage with me, using the Crawford family's massive cash flow to turn the tide. This arranged marriage directly caused the first major breakup between the male and female leads, and it was a key factor in my ultimate tragic ending. And Caleb choosing to go public at this exact moment... I couldn't help but deduce the reason— The Sterling family was out of money. Therefore, they desperately needed Zenith Tech to go public and secure a massive round of financing to save the Sterling parent company. I pondered for a moment, then dialed my father's number. "Dad, I want to play a game." ... After the call ended, I locked my screen and let out a cold laugh. Since I'm the villainess, I might as well be evil to the core. Arranged marriage or an IPO—no matter which path Caleb chooses, I will block them both. 07 A luxurious, minimalist penthouse in the heart of prime real estate in Manhattan. When Jackson bought this place, he gave both Caleb and me a spare key. When I opened the door, the stench of stale smoke and alcohol hit me like a wall. The apartment was pitch black; the lights were off. But thanks to the neon city lights pouring in through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, I could faintly make out a living creature slumped half-dead on the sofa. I flipped the light switch with a loud click. Jackson jumped up in terror. "Fuck!" He stared at me with wide eyes. He looked incredibly disheveled. I guessed he had realized he was the absolute loser in their twisted love triangle, and the blow was significant. Jackson ran a hand through his messy bedhead and covered his eyes, asking in a muffled voice: "Are you here to laugh at me too?" I kicked an empty liquor bottle out of my way and scoffed: "I heard Caleb played you pretty hard." That's what happens in a high-stakes reverse harem. "Motherfucker... don't mention that bastard." I sat down on the sofa, crossed my arms, rested my chin on my hands, and said in a negotiating tone: "Jackson, let's get married." The reason I chose Jackson was simple. Griffin Capital, owned by the Ryder family, was the largest investment firm in New York. To date, they had helped clients raise over ten billion dollars. And the current Chairman of Griffin Capital, the most famous IPO mastermind in the industry, was Jackson's older brother, Noah Ryder—a massive protective older brother. Although Jackson himself was a playboy who only cared about having a good time... He was undoubtedly the happiest and most pampered heir in our elite circle. Ignoring Jackson's expression—which looked like he had just seen a ghost—I leaned in closer and chuckled: "I'm serious." "Anyway, we'll all end up in arranged marriages eventually. We grew up together, we know everything about each other. Aren't we each other's best option?" After I finished, I pulled a pre-drafted contract from my bag and laid it on the coffee table. "I haven't reached the legal age to marry yet, so for now, we'll just be engaged for a year. During this time, as long as you don't cause any public scandals that embarrass our families, I won't interfere in your business. And I expect the same from you." "Watching Caleb and Maya being so lovey-dovey every day... doesn't it make you sick?" "I heard Caleb's little tech company is going public. Don't you want to play a game with him?" "Jackson, we'll all have to step up to the capital poker table eventually." "Why not enter the game right now?" Jackson stared at me for a long time, then asked out of nowhere: "Eden, you don't actually like me, do you?" I crossed my arms, looking at him quietly, not bothering to answer. No matter how Jackson interpreted it, as long as he nodded and agreed, it wasn't a bad deal for me. An eerie silence settled between us. A moment later, Jackson tapped a cigarette out of a pack, placed it between his lips, and squinted at me. I took two steps forward, leaned over, and lit the cigarette for him. I looked him straight in the eyes and smirked. "Think it over." "I'll wait for your answer." 08 After the news of my engagement to Jackson was announced. People in our circle joked that we were the "Broken Hearts Club." I furrowed my brow, confused: "Whose heart did I break?" "Eden, did you forget? You used to be obsessed with Caleb when you were little. As soon as you learned how to write, you were eager to write him love letters." Even though I had completely forgotten, it didn't stop me from sneering: "That was eight hundred years ago. Why bring it up now?" The person joking immediately paled and hurriedly apologized. On the day of our engagement party, Caleb and Maya arrived as expected. Maya looked worried, speaking softly to Jackson: "Jackson, even though I rejected you... I still hope you find true happiness in the future. Don't be with someone you don't love just to spite me." Jackson already looked annoyed just seeing her, and this pushed him over the edge. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the most rebellious heir in our circle looked furious. He pointed at Maya, his warning clear: "Shut the fuck up." "Who the hell do you think you are? What does my marriage have to do with you?" The gossip cells in everyone's bodies were activated. They scanned the room for Caleb, hoping the conflict would escalate. Unfortunately for them, they were disappointed. Because at that moment, Caleb had cornered me on the second-floor balcony. He looked conflicted, saying flatly: "Why did you get engaged so suddenly? I remember you didn't even like Jackson." I leaned against the crimson railing, raising an eyebrow with a smile: "If I don't like him, does that mean I have to like you?" Caleb's expression didn't change. He simply spoke seriously, like an older brother: "Eden, I've always seen you as a sister." "Marriage is not a trivial matter. If this is truly a decision from your heart, I have no objections." "I wish you both happiness." I acted as if I had just heard a hilarious joke. I laughed and retorted: "What kind of brother personally destroys his sister's project—one she spent six months building?" "Legacy Advisors usually handles multi-million and billion-dollar deals, yet you used them to crush my little product that hasn't even hit the market." "Caleb, we've known each other for over a decade. We're childhood friends. But you really wanted to drive me into a corner, didn't you?" Caleb frowned, hesitating: "You went too far that time. Maya is just a defenseless girl. You didn't need to make things so difficult for her..." Before he could finish, I slapped him across the face. Caleb's face turned to the side. He lowered his eyes, his expression still unreadable. I gently blew on my fingertips, nodded, and said sincerely: "I won't make things difficult for her." Because the person I want to make things difficult for is you. "This slap settles our past grievances. We're even now." "I heard your company is going public. To celebrate clearing the air, Jackson and I decided to give you a big gift." Caleb looked surprised but didn't say anything else. He turned and walked away. I watched his retreating back, a mocking smirk on my lips. Even? Keep dreaming.
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