Reborn as the Villainess

Gloria wasn't foolish. She knew better than to openly oppose Stephen. So, Gloria quickly lowered her gaze, hiding the hatred in her eyes. When she looked up again, her expression was calm. Standing there with her wine glass, she wore an air of fragile innocence that was perfectly calculated. "Stephen, it's been so long since we've seen each other. Won't you have a drink with me? Please?" Gloria pouted, her tone sweet yet pleading. "If I go back and Grandpa asks about you, I won't know what to tell him."

Stephen thought, 'Smart move, using Mr. Vanderbilt as a shield His briefly relaxed expression darkened again. He despised being threatened.

Gloria didn't seem to notice, pouting her red lips and glancing at Stephen's empty glass. "Oh, Stephen, your glass is still empty. Let me pour you some wine. This is an '82 Lafite, a rare treasure Victor brought out just for you. You must give it a taste."

Before Gloria came to the dinner, she had purposely changed into a loose, delicate cardigan. As she bent slightly to pour the wine, her slender waist, and smooth shoulders were exposed just enough to catch attention. Adjusting her angle, she let her gaze drop modestly, and that was when she noticed Stephen's hand on the table, clenched tightly into a fist.

Gloria smirked slightly, and a spark of excitement flickered in her eyes. She thought, 'He is holding back, which means his desire for me is undeniable. I know my figure and looks could outshine Eleanor's any day. What man wouldn't be aroused?'

That thought filled Gloria with a sense of triumph she could no longer hide. Her manicured fingers painted a seductive red, slowly reaching out to caress Stephen's clenched fist. Her voice turned soft and sweet. "Stephen, l-ah!" Before Gloria could finish her coquettish words, they were replaced by a sharp scream.

Everyone in the private room jumped, startled by the sudden scene.

Moments ago, Gloria had been standing beside Stephen, all smiles. Now, she was crumpled on the floor, covering her hand, her face deathly pale. Sweat rolled down her forehead as she bit her lip, clearly in immense pain.

Meanwhile, Stephen coldly wiped his hand with a cloth as if he had just touched something filthy, his face twisted with disgust.

Everyone wondered what had just happened.

Victor was just as baffled by the sudden turn of events. He quickly stood up and asked, "Mr. Lloyd, what happened?"

Stephen continued fiercely wiping the back of his hand, ensuring every trace of that nauseating feeling was gone before tossing the cloth back onto the table. His sharp gaze cut towards Gloria, who was still sitting on the floor, her eyes swollen from tears. He narrowed his eyes. He thought, 'If it weren't for Mr. Vanderbilt, she would already be a cripple by now.'

That single glance from Stephen made Gloria feel like death itself had gripped her

fear surged through her. "Stephen..." she stammered.

throat. She could hardly breathe, and

Stephen stood up, smoothing the creases on his sleeve. The irritation brewing inside him had peaked, and if he stayed any longer, he feared he wouldn't be able to restrain himself. "Oscar, we're leaving."

Oscar dared not object and hurriedly followed Stephen. "Yes, Mr. Lloyd."

The room was dead silent, and no one even dared to breathe. Everyone thought, 'Aren't the Lloyd and Vanderbilt families supposed to be on good terms? This

...ure doesn't look like it.

Even Victor, as clueless as he could be, realized that Gloria must have upset Stephen. He quickly stepped forward, trying to "Mr. Lloyd, please don't be angry. Did Gloria do something to offend you? She's still young. Please don't smooth things

take it to heart."

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Stephen frowned, barely acknowledging Victor. His whole demeanor radiated a bone-chilling coldness, his face full of impatience. He thought, 'Young? Those dirty tricks and schemes-hardly the work of someone "young" further, so he turned to Osc?

Victor was so terrified by the heavy tension surrounding Stephen that his legs began to tremble. He didn't dare plead any

for help. "Mr. Spencer, what's going on here?"

This was Stephen Sc

they were talking about-an absolute heavyweight. No matter Victor's influence in the entertainment. industry as a director, he wasn't foolish enough to provoke someone like Stephen.

Oscar had a pretty good read on Stephen's mood, but he couldn't spell things out too bluntly. After a brief pause, he spoke in a low voice. "Mr. Roberts, Mr. Lloyd has a bit of a cleanliness issue. He doesn't like getting too close to people. Ms. Vanderbilt touched him earlier, and he felt uncomfortable. He needs to go back and rest."

That was part of the truth but not the whole reason Stephen had left so abruptly. The real issue was that Eleanor hadn't shown up. That was the key.

Gloria's touching of Stephen only triggered the situation. Stephen had been eyeing the door over thirty or forty times while dishes were served. He was practically burning holes into the doorframe.

Ever since Stephen found out Eleanor had finished her exams, Stephen had been scheming for a reason to visit her. When he learned she was filming in a project he had invested in, he jumped at the chance to "check on the set and rushed over, leaving his work behind without a second thought.

But after waiting and waiting, his beloved still hadn't shown up. Of course, Stephen couldn't sit still.

Stephen was radiating an icy vibe of impatience, and the waiter, sensing the tension, quickly moved to open the door for him.

The door had barely swung open when a figure dressed in pale pink came crashing in, colliding head-on with Stephen, who was exuding an almost terrifying aura.

Eleanor had quite the day. After falling into the water, she was soaked to the bone. She returned to the hotel, downed a glass of honey lemon, took some cold medicine, and soaked in a hot bath.

Exhausted, she dozed off in the tub. When she woke up, she saw Victor's message reminding her that there was an important dinner with the investors tonight, and attendance was mandatory.

Eleanor had no idea who these investors were or if they were easy to deal with, but one by being late or missing the dinner, she'd be in serious trouble.

thing was clear. If she offended them

Eleanor rushed to find the private room and had just reached for the door when it suddenly opened from the inside. Losing her balance, she tumbled forward, right into a firm, masculine chest that smelled faintly of cologne.

The room was immediately filled with the sound of sharp intakes of breath. But all Eleanor could think was, "This guy's way too solid. How is he all muscle? He's like a brick wall. My forehead hurts. She winced, rubbing her forehead, quickly apologizing. "I'm so sorry. Did I hurt you?" Stephen looked at Eleanor, wearing a pale pink dress accentuating her smooth skin. She was clearly in a hurry as her forehead glistened with sweat, giving her the look of a painting coming to life.