Chapter 4: Honey for Villains

🎵 Cinderella Snapped – Jax

"The Last I heard, cheating was treason."

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⚠ Rule of the Chapter:

"When cornered, do not cower. Stand tall, flip the script, and let them dance to your tune."

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I whirled on the system, my patience worn thinner than the ridiculous heels these mortal women wore.

"You have exactly five seconds to explain," I said, voice crisp.

🟢 "Later. Now, we need to get out of here."

I arched a brow. "Why?"

🟢 "Because he's looking for you."

A slow smirk curled my lips. "I don't run. When have I ever run?" I settled back into my chair with the regal ease of a queen upon her throne. "If he's looking for me, he'll come to me."

The system made a sound akin to an exasperated sigh. It was growing fond of those.

Not my problem.

I propped my chin on my palm, watching the entrance like a hunter awaiting prey.

And there he was.

Alexander Carter.

Storming across the room like a righteous tempest, his face twisted in a furious snarl. His broad shoulders tensed, his fists clenched, and oh, how tragic it was—

He really thought he was about to win this argument.

"Eleanor! Eleanor!" he shouted.

I turned lazily to the system. "Why is he always angry? Does he have an emotional dysfunction?"

🟢 "No, Lily is missing, and he thinks you did it."

I blinked. "Wait, what?" I leaned forward, intrigued. "I haven't even started yet. What did that good-for-nothing heroine do now?"

🟢 "She was kidnapped by an underworld boss who likes her."

I straightened in my seat. "What do you mean 'likes' her? Is this girl some kind of honey that attracts bad people?"

🟢 "It's complicated—"

I cut the system off. "No, because first, a manager who 'liked' her got her fired. Now this one just straight-up kidnaps her? This is the plot of this world?"

🟢 "Can you focus?!"

Alexander's voice cut through our conversation like a blade. "Eleanor, I am talking to you. Where is your mind?"

I met his glare with an easy smirk. "Somewhere I wish I didn't have to listen to your nonsense."

His rage boiled over. "Eleanor, I am asking you one last time: where is Lily?"

I widened my eyes in mock surprise. "How am I supposed to know? Do I look like Lily's caretaker?"

His jaw ticked. "Lily has been missing for four hours now."

I choked on my drink. Four hours?!

For a second, I thought it had been at least a week. But four hours? Either this man was psychic or obsessively tracking her every move.

🟢 "You need to fix your expression, Your Majesty."

I wiped my mouth with deliberate grace, sighing. "That's a shame. I'm sure she'll be fine. Honey always attracts someone to save it."

Alexander's hands slammed onto the table. "Do. Not. Mock. Me."

A deep chuckle broke the tension.

I turned to see Lucas, still entirely at ease, swirling a drink in his hand.

"Brother, calm down," he said, amused.

Alexander seemed to only just realize Lucas was there, like a dog so fixated on a squirrel that it forgot the rest of the forest.

"What are you doing here, Lucas?" he demanded.

Lucas took a lazy sip of his drink. "I should be asking you that question, brother. I always come here every Friday night."

Alexander's anger redirected like a storm changing course.

He whirled on me. "Wait. Hold on a second. Eleanor, why are you with Lucas?"

I leaned back, my own anger sparking. "How dare this mortal speak to me like that?"

🟢 "No, no, no. He can't. Okay, let's do it like this—"

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🎭 INTERMISSION: Lucas Carter's Interview

A single spotlight illuminates a plush chair. Lucas sits, dressed in a crisp black suit, exuding effortless charm. He crosses his legs, hands resting on the armrests, as the unseen interviewer begins.

📝 Interviewer: "So, Lucas, tell us about your first impression of Eleanor."

🔹 Lucas: grins "Ah,The New Eleanor , you mean. Well She's… an experience."

📝 Interviewer: "An experience?"

🔹 Lucas: chuckles "You ever see a queen walk into a battlefield, completely unconcerned because she knows she's already won? That's This Eleanor."

📝 Interviewer: "Sounds like you admire her."

🔹 Lucas: "Admire? No. I enjoy watching the chaos she brings."

📝 Interviewer: "And what do you think of her relationship with Alexander Would result to ?"

🔹 Lucas: slow smirk "A tragedy. A comedy. A war. And the best entertainment I've had in years."

📝 Interviewer: "Do you think she had anything to do with Lily's disappearance?"

🔹 Lucas: laughs "That's the wrong question."

📝 Interviewer: intrigued "Oh? What's the right question?"

🔹 Lucas: leans forward, voice a teasing whisper "Did she plan it? Or will she just take advantage of it?"