Reborn as the Villainess

H

Eleanor raised her hand and handed the box over to Gloria, Hore," she saidd, her tone cool and collected

As Gloria took the box, a brief, almost imperceptible smirk curled at the corner of her lips-too slight for most to notice, but not Eleanor, who was standing right next to her. Her sharp eyes cnight it instantly. 'Getting cocky already?' Eleanor thought with a cold smile. Losing your cool is the worst mistake in a performance.

Then, as Gloria opened the box, her shrill voice echoed through the hall. "Wait. There's nothing in here. Eleanor, where's Mom's hairpin? Don't tell me you have lost it," she yelled.

The bustling hall fell into an eerie silence as if someone had flipped a switch. The lively chatter of nobles, wealthy socialites, and the well-to-do suddenly hushed, their gazes snapping toward the unfolding drama with eager curiosity. It was as if the air itself had thickened with anticipation, each person leaning slightly forward, eager to catch every nuance of the spectacle that was about to unfold.

Gloria's voice, grating and exaggerated, bounced off the walls as she continued her act. "Eleanor, did you take Mom's hairpin without asking? That pin was a family heirloom that Grandma left for Mom, and you know how precious it is to her. If you did, just return it. We can't play games with something so valuable," she screeched.

The accusation hung in the air like a toxic cloud, poisoning the crowd's perception of Eleanor as if she had really stolen the hairpin Unsurprisingly, murmurs began to ripple through the room.

"That's what happens when someone's raised in a backwoods. Must be a klepto. She can't help but steal," one voice sneered.

True. She was gone for such a long time. Just because she's blood doesn't mean there's any real connection. An adopted daughter might have more loyalty," another chimed in.

"Well, this should be interesting, someone muttered with a chuckle. "Seems like Vanderbilt Manor's about to serve up some drama"

But Eleanor didn't panic. Despite the storm of rumors swirling around her, she remained composed, lifting her chin with a calm, steady gaze directed at Diana.

Her voice, though soft, carried with absolute clarity through the hall "Mom, I didn't take the hairpin. Gloria asked me to fetch the box for you, and I did as she asked. The servants were in the room the whole time. There was no chance for anything to go missing"

Her quiet, unwavering confidence silenced the crowd for a moment. But Gloria wasn't finished. She pressed on, her tone venomous beneath a veil of concern, "But there was plenty of time between then and now. How do we know you didn't get greedy and take it on your way here? No one could've seen."Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

The words "get greedy" stung, drawing a noticeable frown from Diana Though Eleanor had only just returned to the Vanderbilt family, and there were still unfamiliarities between them, she was Diana's flesh and blood. Hearing someone hurl such accusations at her daughter left a sour taste in Diana's mouth.

Diana's eyes narrowed, casting a quick, disapproving glance at Gloria. But Gloria was too caught up in her glee, sensing that her victory was close, to notice.

Just then, the tension was shattered by a deep, authoritative voice, laced with age yet brimming with command. "Miss Gloria Vanderbilt, are you suggesting that I have stole something from your family?"

The crowd parted like the sea as General Albert Lloyd, dignified and imposing, wheeled forward, pushed by a lieutenant in full military uniform. His very presence commanded attention.

It was no secret that the Lloyd family, a top-tier elite family, stood several ranks above the Vanderbilt family in status. Accusing someone like Albert of theft was nothing short of ludicrous.

III

Gloria hadn't expected Albert to come to Eleanor's defense, and her face instantly flushed with embarrassment. With a forced smile, she tried to appease him. "General Lloyd, of course, we didn't mean you- "Didn't mean me?" Albert interrupted with a sharp, disdainful ha. He slammed his cane against the floor with a resounding thud thud thud, the sound echoing through the room like the cracks of thunder,

His steely eyes narrowed on Gloria. "That box was with me the entire time on the way back. Eleanor never touched it. If something's missing, are you saying that I have stolen it?"

Gloria paled even further, knowing full well that the Lloyd family was not a force she could afford to offend. Her lips trembled as she struggled to find words, but none came.

In a shadowed corner of the room, Eleanor lowered her head, her lips curving into a satisfied smirk. The game was far from over, but the tide had already begun to turn in her favor. After

scolding Gloria, Albert shifted his gaze to Eleanor, who stood with her head slightly bowed, looking every bit like a fragile, mistreated doll. His heart clenched with sympathy, and just as he was about to speak, his eyes landed on the angry. red mark on her arm. His voice immediately shot up an octave, booming through the room.

"Who did this to your arm?" Albert barked, his eyes blazing with fury. "Is this how the Vanderbilt family treats you?"

Eleanor blinked, momentarily confused, before glancing at her arm. She'd almost forgotten that Gloria had left that mark during their little "exchange earlier.

She could already see how the situation would escalate, knowing Albert's no-nonsense attitude, a trait honed through years. of military service and high status. He didn't care for niceties, especially when it came to matters of justice. He had no intention of sparing the Vanderbilt family any pleasantries

Eleanor, however, found his protective streak rather endearing. She smiled softly and reassured him. "It's nothing, just a bump. It'll be fine in a bit."

After all, her mother was still around, and though Gloria was insufferable, Eleanor wasn't looking to stir up more trouble for Diana's sake.

But Albert wasn't having it. His cane slammed into the floor with three loud thuds, each one rattling the room.

"Ralph," he barked, turning to the man in uniform behind him. "Call that little rascal and tell him to get over here. Now!"

Ralph Lee, the lieutenant, blinked in surprise. "Uh, General? But Mr. Stephen said he had an important meeting today-

"A meeting?" Albert cut him off with a growl. "To hell with his meetings. His fiancée is being mistreated, and he's off having a damn meeting. Tell him to drop everything and get his ass over here right now."

Ralph hesitated for a moment, processing Albert's fiery command, his mind racing. Wait... since when did Mr. Stephen have a fiancée?

Eleanor raised an eyebrow, her thoughts racing in disbelief. What's he doing, playing matchmaker? The absurdity of it all left her shaking her head slightly.

But there was no room to question Albert's orders, so Ralph pulled out his phone and made the call.

It didn't take long for the line to connect. A deep, magnetic voice came through. "Ralph? What's going on?"

"Er..." Ralph glanced nervously at the fuming Albert. "Mr. Stephen, you should probably head over to Vanderbilt Manor. General Lloyd... well, he's not feeling too well."

There was a brief pause before Stephen spoke again, his voice laced with skepticism, "He was fine at lunch," he said, pinching

his frown.

1

"Yeah, sudden change. Ralph muttered, already sweating under the pressure.

Stephen sighed heavily, "Alright, I'm on my way

10 65%

Ralph put down the phone and exhaled deeply, relieved that he didn't have to utter the absurd reason Albert had given-he had no desire to explain that Stephen's supposed fiancée needed backup. He was pretty sure Stephen would've found a way to throttle him through the phone if he had. "General. Mr. Stephen's on his way, Ralph reported, standing stenighter.

Albert's expression finally softened a touch, and he gave a curt nod. "Hmph, about time the boy showed some sense."

With the tension in the air easing, Albert's fierce scowl melted into a more playful grin as he turned back to Eleanor. "Don't worry, Eleanor. If the Vanderbilt family doesn't treat you right, you've always got a place with the Lloyds. My eldest grandson just so happens to be in need of a future wife." His eyes twinkled mischievously. Though, I'll warn you, that little brat's got a bit of a temper and is as cold as ice-moodier than a winter storm. But he's tough. You could smack him around whenever he pisses you off, and he'd be fine. Just don't killing him, alright!" Ralph's lips twitched at the ridiculousness of the statement. 'Mr. Stephen, one of the most competent and respected men in the world, reduced to this by his own grandfather? He couldn't help but think, In General Lloyd's words. Stephen sounds. like a delinquent, not the head of a powerful family.

The room had gone eerily quiet as everyone absorbed Albert's bold words, knowing that his eldest grandson was none other than Stephen Lloyd

He was the heir to the Lloyd fortune and the CEO of Lloyd Group, a man who could single-handedly disrupt entire economies in Cendelch, and now he was being offered up like a prize. Even the President of Mandorium would tread carefully around him, but here was Albert, practically giving him away.

Gloria's face turned an alarming shade of red, her eyes wide with disbelief. She nearly choked on her own breath. "The Lloyd family wants this country bumpkin? Why her? she roared inwardly, her rage barely contained. 'Are they blind?'

And yet, in the midst of all this, the calmest person in the room was, of course, Eleanor.