Chapter 2: A Hangover in a Strange Body

🎵 Cinderella Snapped – Jax

"Once upon a time there was a princess, waiting for a boy to give back a shoe..."

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⚠ Rule of the Chapter:

"Never assume the plot is your friend. It's the villain in disguise."

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The first thing I noticed was pain.

A dull, pounding ache that seemed to echo in my skull, each throb a cruel reminder that something had gone terribly wrong. My mouth felt dry, my limbs heavy, and an uncomfortable heat pressed against my skin. This… this was not normal.

I had woken up in battlefields before. In dungeons. In prisons. Once, I even woke up floating in an enchanted lake after nearly drowning in a mermaid's cursed trap. But never had I woken up feeling like my brain had been smashed against a wall.

I groaned, blinking against the morning light spilling through grand, floor-to-ceiling windows. Silk sheets pooled around me, and an unfamiliar scent—something floral, expensive—filled my nose. I sat up slowly, feeling sluggish, unfamiliar weight pressing against my chest.

And that's when I realized.

This isn't my body.

"What…?" My voice came out husky, lower than I expected. My fingers, delicate and well-manicured, touched my temple. This face—not mine. The golden curls falling over my shoulders? Not mine. The ridiculously extravagant, satin nightgown? Not. Mine.

Then, a cheery voice echoed in my mind.

🟢 [System Online!] 🟢

🟢 Host has successfully transmigrated. Welcome to the CEO Romance World! 🟢

I froze.

"...Excuse me?"

🟢 Processing inquiry... Ah, here we go. This is a modern world trope—CEO, office romance, corporate betrayal, and dramatic love triangles. Your new identity is Eleanor Sinclair, the designated villainess.

The words didn't quite register at first. Villainess? Modern world? CEO?

I exhaled, rubbing my forehead. "Alright, start over. Slowly. And explain it to me like I'm five."

The system let out what could only be described as a robotic sigh.

🟢 This is a romance novel world. You are playing the role of Eleanor Sinclair, the rich, elegant, and allegedly cruel fiancée of the male lead, Alexander Carter. The original Eleanor found out her fiancé was in love with Lily Evans—an employee at his company—and in a fit of heartbreak, she drank herself unconscious. That's where you come in.

I stared at the ceiling. Then, out of sheer disbelief, I laughed.

It started as a chuckle, then a full-bodied laugh that shook my frame. "So, let me get this straight. This world runs on the 'cheating fiancé' cliché? The villainess is painted as a jealous monster while the heroine is an innocent, kind soul who 'accidentally' steals her man? And I—Eleanor—was just tossed aside like last season's fashion?"

🟢 Essentially, yes.

I clutched my stomach, wiping away a fake tear. "Classic."

🟢 Before you get too comfortable criticizing the plot, you might want to get dressed. Your dear fiancé is about to storm in.

I raised an eyebrow. "And what am I supposed to do? Apologize for existing?"

🟢 Oh no, actually, Eleanor was wronged. She didn't fire Lily.

I stopped laughing. "What?"

🟢 Yeah. One of the managers, who got rejected by Lily, processed her dismissal out of spite. But, of course, everyone blames Eleanor.

I let that sink in for a moment. The original Eleanor had been falsely accused. She drank herself into oblivion over a man who didn't even bother verifying the truth.

I lay back down, stretching like a cat across the massive bed, my body settling into an almost regal posture. If my new identity was going to be the villainess, I was at least going to enjoy the role.

Then—

SLAM!

The double doors flew open, and in walked a tall man in a crisp navy-blue suit. His presence filled the room with an air of controlled fury, sharp eyes locking onto me.

"Eleanor," he said, his tone dripping with accusation. "You are a despicable woman."

I barely blinked.

"Who's Eleanor?" I murmured lazily, watching his expression flicker with confusion.

🟢 You. That's you.

The system's amused voice rang in my head.

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[🎭 Theatre Scene – System Interview]

Author (Me): "Alright, System. Introduce yourself."

System: 🟢 "Greetings. I am the Ultimate Narrative Correction System, Version 3.0. My purpose is to guide my host through assigned worlds, ensuring survival and success."

Author: "First impressions of your host?"

System: 🟢 "Unexpected. Most hosts panic when they transmigrate. She laughed."

Author: "Plans so far?"

System: 🟢 "Step one: Survive. Step two: Dismantle tropes. Step three: Dominate."

Author: "Final thoughts?"

System: 🟢 "This should be interesting."