Surviving In This Filthy World As A Novel Villain

"What do you mean?"

"If your grandfather really insisted on you fulfilling the engagement for the Dawson family, then your marriage partner would definitely be the son of some other major family, not this Eric Vaughn."

Pausing for a moment, Alex asked again, "Did your grandfather tell you that Eric Vaughn's master is a Magical doctor?"

Clara nodded. "Mm-hmm. Grandpa always says Eric Vaughn's master is an all-powerful Magical doctor. He also said that Magical doctor saved his life."

She had met the so-called Magical doctor her grandfather spoke of. He didn't look like a Magical doctor at all. Apart from walking a bit fast, he seemed just like any ordinary little old man.

Most of the Dawson family doubted the whole "Magical doctor" claim. Even after seeing Otis in person, they didn't really believe he was some all-powerful healer.

Seriously? Just poking someone a few times with silver needles is more effective than Western medicine surgeries costing hundreds of thousands?

Are you kidding me?

Impossible.

"Your grandfather is right about that part. Eric Vaughn's master is indeed a Magical doctor." Alex nodded at her. The purple scenery was once again hidden by the strap dress.

"Ah!" Clara was confused again.

Wait, why are you suddenly siding with Grandpa?

She pouted, feeling a little unhappy, like she'd been betrayed somehow.

"The reason your grandfather insists on you completing the marriage with Eric Vaughn is because Eric's master is a Magical doctor." Alex took another sip of water. "If I'm not mistaken, your grandfather's health has been getting worse day by day these past few years, right?"

Sometimes, you don't need to spell things out clearly. Being a little vague can actually make people more suspicious, make them think harder.

"What... what do you mean?" Clara's mind was a total mess. She knew she shouldn't jump to conclusions, but certain thoughts were running wild, beyond her control.

The more she tried not to think about it, the more she couldn't stop.

"That miracle doctor master of Eric Vaughn's... his skills are incredible. Saying he can bring people back from the brink of death isn't exaggerating. Just helping someone live a bit longer? That's easy for him." 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Alex stared into the girl's purple eyes, slowly breaking down her mental defenses, piece by piece.

This wasn't just Alex guessing. The original story explained it later on. The real reason the Dawson Family Head ignored everyone's objections and insisted on marrying his granddaughter to Eric Vaughn even staying calm after finding out Eric had other women, even trying to persuade his granddaughter himself was simple.

Dawson Head pushed Eric Vaughn so hard because his own health was failing year by year. He had held onto so much power and wealth for so long that he just couldn't let go.

So, he came up with the idea of using the marriage to get the miracle doctor to treat him, help him live a few more years.

In the original story, Dawson Head plan actually worked. At the beginning, when the entire Dawson family opposed the marriage, he pushed back against all the pressure and forcefully gave his granddaughter to Eric Vaughn. Eric remembered this favor.

Later on, the 'Son of Luck' Eric Vaughn personally treated the Dawson Head, allowing him to live for over thirty more years.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about," Alex said. He casually leaned back against the sofa, holding his water glass, and said no more.

"No... it can't be." Clara looked like a startled deer trapped in headlights, her face completely drained of color.

Somehow, she felt like what Alex said wasn't wrong. In fact, it sounded frighteningly right.

If this was the reason, then her grandfather's insistence on the marriage suddenly made a terrifying kind of sense.

In that instant, Clara vividly remembered the scene when Otis visited the Dawson ancestral home. Because of Otis's unexpected arrival, Dawson Head had immediately summoned all the direct family members, even pulling her uncle back when he was about to board a plane.

In front of Otis, her grandfather had acted just like a butler serving his master completely humble, with no trace of his usual authority.

Who in all of City could make the Head of the Dawson Family act so low? Not even the leaders of the powerful families from the Capital could command such deference.

She couldn't understand it back then. Why would her grandfather be so overly respectful to a doctor? Even if he was a miracle doctor, it seemed excessive. Not just her, the entire Dawson family couldn't figure it out.

But looking back now, everything clicked into place.

Grandpa needed something from him.

[The Female Lead 'Clara' has a Mental Breakdown. Congratulations, you have earned 1000 Critical Points.]

Seeing the Collapse Points pop up in the system log, Alex knew he had this in the bag.

He didn't mind adding a little more fuel to the fire. "Actually, I can understand your grandfather's selfishness. After all, when people get old, what they fear most is sickness and death."

Especially rich people.

Dying with money left unspent is the worst.

"But he can't trade my happiness for it!" Clara, who had been quiet and meek, suddenly roared, her small canine teeth flashing.

"Perhaps your grandfather just didn't expect the miracle doctor's student to be such a complete waste," Alex said with an amused smirk.

Clara spat out, disgusted, "He's not just a waste, he's a psycho!"

She paused, then suddenly asked, "Auntie told me Eric Vaughn is in your hospital?"

Alex nodded without trying to hide it. It wasn't something he could hide even if he wanted to, and frankly, he hadn't planned on keeping it secret from anyone.

"Can I ask you for a favor?" Clara looked directly into Alex's eyes, surprisingly serious and determined in this moment.

"Let Eric Vaughn go?" Alex asked calmly.

"No." Clara shook her head, seemingly having made up her mind, her gaze firming. "Make sure he never leaves the hospital. Ever."

Hiss!

Are you female leads getting your character types mixed up?

Sera Kleinberg was like this, now you too? Darkened female leads are terrifying!

Hearing Clara state it so bluntly, Alex was actually taken aback for a second. He pursed his lips. "You know Eric Vaughn's miracle doctor master, Otis, is already on his way to City, right? When he gets here, no illness is a problem for him. At that point, whether Eric leaves the hospital or not won't be up to me."

Hearing this, Clara's disappointment was plain to see.

Alex continued stirring the pot: "If Otis cures Eric Vaughn, he'll probably take his most beloved student straight to the Dawson Family in the City to demand your grandfather fulfill the marriage agreement."

"When that happens, you won't be able to refuse even if you want to."

"Then... then what should I do?" Clara grabbed Alex's arm in panic.

She probably didn't even realize when she had moved from the single armchair she was sitting on to the double sofa where Alex sat, gripping his wrist tightly as if afraid he'd run away.

Alex put on a troubled expression. "Clara, you're making things very difficult for me! Do you realize what helping you means?"

Clara looked puzzled. "What does it mean?"

"It means I'll have to stand against your grandfather. It means I'll face the wrath of the Dawson Family in the City."

Alex's gaze flickered away evasively. "A while ago, Eric Vaughn killed the Wade family head's father right on the street in front of many people. Logically, the Wade family, as one of City's four major families, wouldn't let him off easy. But in the end, your Dawson family stepped in and bailed Eric Vaughn out. Even a powerful family like the Wades could only grit their teeth and endure it."

"Do you think I'm stronger than the Wade family, one of City's four major families?" Alex's smile looked bitter, his expression perfectly pitiful.

"S-sorry, I didn't think about all that," Clara mumbled, looking down, completely lost.

She was just a female student fresh out of college, always well-protected by the Dawson family, never exposed to the darker side of society.

"Even though the Dawson family is powerful and scary... I'll still help you," Alex declared, looking like a hero ready to sacrifice himself. Clara's eyes practically sparkled looking at him.

Then she shook her head quickly. "No, I can't let you put yourself in danger because of me."

This is my problem; how can I involve someone else?

Especially since this person is someone I just met on a blind date. I definitely can't drag him into this.

"Clara, it's already too late." Alex sighed, walking over to the floor-to-ceiling window with his water glass, looking out at the distance, his back looking lonely.

Clara hurried after him. "Wh-what do you mean?"

"From the moment I heard from your aunt about your engagement to Eric Vaughn, I've already been doing what I can, within my power, to help prevent it from happening."

Sighing again, Alex said flatly, "Knowing Eric Vaughn's vengeful personality, he definitely holds a grudge against me by now."

Now, Clara was thoroughly panicked.

"Miss Clara," Alex turned back to her, his voice low, "you don't want to marry a psycho either, right?"