Chapter 3: Living Up to Expectations

🎵 Cinderella Snapped – Jax

"They said, 'Cindy, sweetie, don't be so emotional...'"

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⚠ Rule of the Chapter:

"If they expect you to be a villain, be the best damn villain they've ever seen."

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Reading those so-called romance novels was, without a doubt, the most painful ordeal I had ever endured.

And that included being imprisoned in an ice dungeon for three weeks.

Each page was filled with spineless heroines, arrogant men who confused rudeness for charm, and schemes so idiotic I was offended on behalf of every strategist in history. How did any of this make sense?

"They fall in love because she spilled coffee on him?!" I snapped, tossing the tablet across the silk-covered bed. "This entire relationship is built on dry-cleaning bills!"

🟢 "It's a common trope. They start with misunderstandings."

"Misunderstandings? That's not a misunderstanding, that's incompetence." I exhaled sharply. "So, what's the plan, System? What tragic fate awaits me in this ridiculous world?"

🟢 "Your first task is simple: Clear your name. Prove you didn't fire Lily."

I blinked. Then, I laughed. "Why would I do that?"

🟢 "Because you want people to see you differently."

I scoffed. "Why would I care about that?"

Silence.

For once, the system had no response, and I took immense satisfaction in that.

But after a moment, I smirked, tapping a finger against my lips. "However… you're right about one thing. I can't take this lying down." I stretched lazily, my body sinking into the plush bed. "Since they think I fired her… why not make it permanent?"

🟢 "That is absolutely not the lesson here."

I grinned. "Too late. I hate when people don't live up to expectations, and if they insist I'm the villain, I shall deliver."

I rolled onto my side, inspecting my perfectly manicured nails. But first…

"I need to get laid."

🟢 "Excuse me?"

I sat up, stretching like a satisfied cat. "I need a man, System. A very handsome one."

🟢 "You mean—room service?"

I barked out a laugh. "No, I need a fine specimen of mortal flesh to make me function." I snapped my fingers. "One of those novels mentioned clubs. Take me to one."

🟢 "You are supposed to be handling your reputation—"

"I am handling it," I cut in smoothly. "By taking control of the narrative. If I'm to be that woman, then I will be her magnificently."

🟢 "…You are impossible."

"Thank you."

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The Club

The moment I stepped inside, I hated everything.

The overwhelming stench of sweat and alcohol, the obnoxiously loud music, the way people shouted over each other as if they weren't standing inches apart—it was chaos. And not the fun kind.

"I despise this," I muttered, stepping around a couple practically devouring each other against the bar. "Mortal activities are truly tragic."

🟢 "Then why are you here?"

"To judge them, obviously."

I ignored the System's exasperation and scanned the room for my target.

And then—

I saw him.

A man sitting alone in the corner, exuding a calm, detached air that made him stand out amongst the sweaty, writhing crowd. He was handsome—devastatingly so—with dark hair, sharp features, and eyes that gleamed like liquid silver under the dim lights.

A slow smile curled my lips.

"Well, I love this."

Without hesitation, I strode across the room, the crowd parting instinctively as I moved.

I approached his table and leaned slightly, my presence an unspoken command for attention.

"And you are?" I asked, my voice smooth as silk.

The man looked up, clearly startled, as if people didn't often demand his presence this way. His eyes flicked over me, assessing, intrigued.

And then—

🟢 "We need to leave. Now."

I frowned. "What?"

🟢 "Your fiancé is here."

I spun around so fast my hair whipped over my shoulder.

There, standing at the entrance with a face like a thunderstorm, was Alexander Carter. My supposed fiancé.

And just as I processed that, the man I'd been speaking to leaned back, smirking slightly.

"Your fiancé is here," he said.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "How do you know he's my fiancé?"

🟢 "That's what I was about to tell you," the System interjected hastily. "Meet Lucas. Your soon-to-be brother-in-law."

I turned back to the man.

Lucas.

Alexander's brother.

And judging by the way his smirk widened, he found this situation far more entertaining than I did.

"Oh, well," I murmured, smiling. "This just got interesting."