Surviving In This Filthy World As A Novel Villain

Chapter 223: Seduce?!

The poor young woman was terrified, her face pale and strained. The thought of marrying a psycho who could literally spray mist while… having an accident… filled her with dread.

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

“I’d rather die than marry him,” she choked out, tears welling in her eyes. Her pretty face was white as a sheet, her lips trembling.

“I have an idea,” Alex said, leaning in again. “I actually mentioned it to your aunt before, but she rejected it.” He abruptly stopped, looking flustered, glancing left and right as if he’d misspoken. Nervously, he added, “I didn’t say anything. You didn’t hear anything.”

“Tell me! Quick! Auntie’s not here, I won’t tell her,” Clara urged desperately. Hearing there was a way out of this hell, she instantly forgot about any promises to her aunt.

She wouldn’t let any chance slip away.

“But… but, your aunt specifically told me not to mention it. If I really tell you, your aunt will be angry,” Alex said, looking genuinely conflicted. His hesitant expression didn’t seem fake.

He paused, seeing Clara was about to cry again. With a look of resignation, he said, “Okay, okay, I’ll tell you. But you absolutely cannot tell your aunt.”

Clara perked up her ears, raising her hand in a solemn vow. “I definitely won’t say a word!”

Alex glanced around conspiratorially, then lowered his voice. “They’re putting the cart before the horse.”

He finished speaking and quickly sat up straight, acting as if nothing had happened.

They’re putting the cart before the horse.

Clara blinked, confused at first. Then, as the meaning dawned on her, her cheeks instantly flushed crimson.

“As long as you and your boyfriend… ___… then even if your grandfather insists on the marriage agreement, what can he do? Even if he’s willing, do you think Ot… I mean, Eric Vaughn’s master, will agree? From what I know, Eric’s master is extremely old-fashioned about these things. He would absolutely never let a girl who’s lost her virginity marry his student.”

Alex paused, then clapped his hands together. “Doing this, aside from upsetting your grandfather, has no downsides. Plus, it not only solves the engagement issue but can also help you avoid future business marriage alliances.”

That’s when your grandpa should pull out a checkbook, wave his hand grandly, and say, “Fill in any amount, then take this check and leave my granddaughter alone.”

By the time Alex finished speaking, Clara’s face was red all the way to her ears. She bit her lip, looking down, too embarrassed to meet his eyes.

She had never even held a boy’s hand before. When had she ever heard such bold talk? All the boys who pursued her were polite gentlemen, well-spoken and well-mannered.

What does ‘Light the fire before the match is struck.’ even mean?!

Besides… don’t you know I don’t have a boyfriend?

Thinking this, Clara pouted and looked up at Alex. For some reason, she felt this ridiculously handsome man didn’t have good intentions.

What does he mean, ‘Light the fire’ with my boyfriend?

I came here for a blind date with you. Does that mean… I’m supposed to ‘Light the fire’ with you?!

Clara started to get angry, her tone turning noticeably colder. “I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“Ah!” Alex feigned surprise, then rubbed his hands together awkwardly. “Your aunt didn’t mention that to me. Well, then I guess I can’t help you.”

Now it was Clara’s turn to be stunned.

Auntie didn’t tell you I don’t have a boyfriend? Wait… are you even here for a blind date?

Clara was completely dumbfounded. The plot wasn’t unfolding the way she’d imagined at all. Weren’t they supposed to be here for a blind date, to get to know each other?

Why don’t you know I don’t have a boyfriend? And what on earth is Auntie up to?!

She hesitated. “Whether Auntie told you or not… why are we both here today then?”

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“She said you would offer me a price I couldn’t refuse,” Alex explained calmly, “in exchange for me risking completely offending the Dawson family by keeping Eric Vaughn firmly trapped here in City, unable to go anywhere.”

He even shook his head as if skeptical. “I don’t think you can afford such a price. You grew up in the Dawson family, so maybe you don’t realize what the Dawson family represents. Even looking nationwide, the Dawson family is a major name. The kind of price that would make me risk annihilation by offending the Dawson family… I don’t believe you can pay it.”

He paused, adding a faint smile. “It’s not that I look down on you, but I honestly don’t know what kind of price could possibly make me disregard everything and offend the Dawson family for your sake.”

That’s the Dawson family we’re talking about!

So… Auntie didn’t tell you about the blind date.

Clara suddenly felt incredibly awkward and embarrassed, even a little apologetic.

From the moment Alex walked in, she had been judging him through the lens of a blind date. She even got angry when he suggested she ‘Light the fire’ with her non-existent boyfriend.

Thinking back now, the only reason he said that was because he didn’t know the real situation!

He didn’t do anything wrong. It was all my fault!

Clara felt extremely sorry about the misunderstanding.

Then she became confused again. What exactly was this price her aunt mentioned something so valuable that Alex would risk being destroyed just to help her stand against the Dawson family?

What do I even have?

Money?

No, that all comes from the family.

Power?

Not really, I don’t have any real authority.

Then what?

Clara couldn’t figure it out. Suddenly, she remembered: her aunt had told her it was a blind date, but told him it was a transaction, never mentioning the blind date part to him at all.

Could it be… Auntie wants me to seduce… I mean, show off my charm, make him fall head over heels for me?

If we become a couple, then it would only be natural for him to keep Eric Vaughn stuck in City, right?

While Clara’s thoughts were racing wildly, Alex spoke again. “Whatever the price is, I’m afraid it’s too late now. Eric Vaughn’s miracle doctor master will probably arrive in City within the next day or two. Once he gets here, cures Eric Vaughn, they’ll head straight to to see your grandfather about fulfilling the marriage agreement.”

Too late!

Clara froze instantly.

She had been thinking too simply just now, completely forgetting about the time issue. Even taking the slow train, Otis would arrive in City soon. There was simply no time for things like dating.

But if not dating, then what?

Auntie, why didn’t you just tell me directly?! Clara felt like she was going crazy. Why play riddle games at a time like this?!

Hearing the second hand ticking on a clock somewhere, Clara stood up nervously and started pacing back and forth in the hotel living room. Alex watched her from the side, looking utterly baffled.

Perhaps because her attention was scattered, she didn’t watch where she was going. With a careless misstep, ‘thud!’ she kicked the corner of a cabinet.

The sharp pain made Clara instantly sit down on the floor, clutching her foot and wincing. Alex walked over, looking concerned. “Is it bad? Do you want me to rub it for you?”

His acting skills were, as always, top-notch.

“I… I’m fine,” Clara shook her head almost automatically. Then, realizing what she needed to do, she quickly shook her head again, her face flushing red. “My… my foot hurts a little. Can you… can you take a look for me? I get a little faint at the sight of blood.”

Sitting on the floor, her face bright red, she forced down her embarrassment and shakily extended the foot she had kicked the cabinet with. Even without stockings, some legs just looked good naturally, needing no enhancements.

Now, she understood.

She finally understood her aunt’s real intention.

Her aunt didn’t send her here to date this man; she sent her here to Light the fire before it’s bought. Otherwise, there simply wasn’t enough time.

Her aunt once said that to truly hold onto a man, you either capture his stomach or capture his… desires.

She definitely couldn’t capture his stomach; growing up pampered, she barely knew what a kitchen looked like.

This must be it.

Clara felt certain this was her aunt’s plan. As for why her aunt didn’t tell her directly? It must be because her aunt couldn’t bring herself to say something so private.

That’s why her aunt used so many hints, leaving the final choice up to her.

What reassured Clara the most was that Ashley had personally said she tested this man out for her and found him to be a very good man.

She always trusted her aunt’s judgment.

What’s this? She’s being so forward?

Seeing Clara acting exactly as he’d subtly guided her, Alex actually felt a little uneasy. What the hell did Ashley tell this girl? 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

But whatever Ashley had said, Alex didn’t really care.

The aunt-niece combination… he hadn’t just never tried it; he’d never even seen it before, not in any district he knew of.

Maybe the aunt-niece combo will debut even before the double female lead combo… Alex thought with anticipation. He carefully took Clara’s extended pale foot in both hands. It felt incredibly soft to the touch.

It was completely different from Sera Kleinberg’s foot. Clara’s was softer, more delicate, while Sera’s was smoother and finer.

Each had its own unique charm.

Indeed, Alex mused, experience is the only way to truly know the difference.