“Welcome. Liz.”
Herzis, leaning back in the armchair, smiled at Liz, twirling the wine glass in her hand.
Her languidly folded eyes and slightly parted lips were irresistibly charming.
“Uh… When did you arrive?”
Liz moved her steps, barely holding her trembling heart.
“An hour ago.”
‘One… One hour ago?’
“It seems like you didn’t have much work.”
Liz awkwardly laughed and took a seat opposite.
“I had a lot, but I postponed it. It’s an important day, you know.”
Herzis swept back her moist hair, revealing the tight and gentle chest muscles through the opening in her gown.
“Important… Why is it an important day? It’s just a kiss.”
Liz barely regained her composure and spoke.
‘Maybe this guy is confusing it with Jin-do.’
Judging by his attire, seductive words, and actions, it was a reasonable assumption.
Herzis burst into laughter.
“Yeah, a kiss. It’s a day for kissing. Who cares what others say?”
“…….”
“By any chance… did you think of something more?”
Liz could only let her lips flutter without saying anything, and Herzis detached herself from the backrest.
“If that’s the case, I can’t disappoint you, so as you wish…”
“No!”
Liz shouted with a squawk and recoiled.
“Oh… You don’t have to be like that. A kiss is enough.”
Then, he chuckled lowly and buried himself in the backrest of the chair. There was no sign of haste in the hand that swirled the wine glass.
His leisurely movements, combined with Liz’s relief, brought about a strange sense of curiosity.
‘What is he trying to do or say?’
“How was today?”
He asked about what happened between Liz and Rilia.
“You already know everything.”
Liz replied. There was no clear evidence, but she guessed that he must have received a report.
“I know. But I want to hear it from your own mouth.”
“I sent her somewhere other than home.”
Herzis took a sip of wine. Liz unconsciously focused on the wriggling throat, and she continued her story.
“I didn’t want her to experience the punishment from her family, so I sent her away.”
“…….”
Herzis remained silent. Liz felt a strange atmosphere.
“Aren’t you upset because it’s not the treatment you desired?”
“It’s not that I’m upset; it just doesn’t suit my taste.”
Herzis smiled.
“You have the right to do as you please. I respect that right. Always.”
“Thank you for respecting it.”
Liz expressed her gratitude calmly.
“But, Liz.”
“…….?”
“Why did you suddenly become kind? You used to dislike your sister so much.”
“Well…”
Liz hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“Back then, she didn’t seem like a person. People naturally feel repulsed towards those who seem too perfect. But now I know she’s just another person.”
“So now that you know she’s just a woman, you’ve become more lenient, right?”
“Yes.”
Liz nodded.
“Do you find it amusing?”
“Not really.”
The wine that constantly poured from Herzis’s hand abruptly stopped.
“Should I do that too? If I know my uncle is just a person, can I become more lenient?”
“…….”.
Liz couldn’t figure out what to say.
The resentment between Herzis and Duke Montaner was incomparable to what existed between Liz and Rilia.
Watching the deep color that once filled Herzis’s pupils disappear, replaced by a faint remorse, Liz thought.
‘True revenge is forgiveness.’
… What would be his reaction if she said that?
Just as she forgave Rilia and opened up new possibilities for her, what if he forgave his uncle, reinforcing Herzis’s shaky early position, especially since Duke Montaner had an exceptional intellect, having ruled peacefully for over twenty years?
Of course, even without him, Herzis would have solidified her position, but still…
“Let’s stop these meaningless thoughts here.”
Herzis brought Liz’s consciousness back to reality.
The previous sentimental gaze was nowhere to be found.
He returned to the dominant and provocative Herzis Castrion that Liz knew well.
Pressing down on the armrest, he stood up.
“So, shall we start without delay?”
He took a step towards Liz.
“Just a moment!”
Liz hurriedly stood up and took a few steps back.
“I… I want to wash up a bit.”
Herzis narrowed his eyes with a stern look.
“Why wash for a kiss? Just do it.”
‘Yeah. Why should I wash for a kiss?’
But Liz wanted to wash.
She just… wanted to.
“Still, I want to wash. I sweated a lot.”
Herzis looked at Liz with a firm gaze, then burst into a subdued laugh.
“Alright. Do as you wish.”
His attitude seemed like a last mercy bestowed upon a herbivore by a carnivore. Liz felt pitiful in her own situation.
He sat back down and filled the wine glass. Looking at the foamy wine forming along the edges, Liz spoke.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“Take your time.”
Liz awkwardly nodded and turned away.
Behind her, Herzis’s low and steady voice echoed.
“Don’t fall asleep while bathing. If you do, I’ll have to come get you.”
Liz pledged with a determined voice.
“I won’t fall asleep. Definitely.”
Then, she walked out of the room with cautious steps.
Beyond the door, Herzis’s laughter sounded teasing.
When male lead is the homewrecker
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
I’ve read the novel below twice already. Girls, I’m highly recommending it to you!
The female lead? Not a good person.
The second male lead? Not a good person.
The male lead? Willingly plays the third party, breaking up the female and second male lead’s relationship despite all the warnings from his friends—so yeah, he’s definitely not a good person either.
Basically, nobody in this novel is simple-minded or without scheming.
The female lead starts off as the male lead’s secretary, but don’t worry—later on, she takes over the company while the male lead steps back to support her. He won’t steal her spotlight, overshadow her, or dull her shine.
I love novels where men are out here snatching wigs, tearing each other down, and going to war just to win the female lead’s affection. And this is exactly that kind of novel. Most of Hai Dai Ran’s works have this dynamic. You’ll see the male characters’ emotions being pushed to the absolute extreme.
There’s even a scene where the second male lead exposes the male lead online for being a homewrecker. The brotherhood immediately gangs up on him, dragging him through the mud. I find it compelling —it completely flips reality on its head, where usually, women are the ones fighting over a man and getting torn apart by the sisterhood.
For me, female leads in the novels I read should only struggle in their careers, not in love. But if the brainless romantics in the story are all men? I have zero complaints.
I’ve pretty much read all of Hai Dai Ran’s novels and even translated all of them—her works are just my thing. I’ll slowly upload everything here. One day, when my website is official, I hope I can invite her to join as one of the star authors.
Here’s the story synopsis:
One-line summary: She is his lifelong obsession, to the point where he was willing to be a third wheel, scorned by society, just to wedge his way into her relationship with her fiancé.
Cold-hearted and indifferent female lead + Scheming and subservient CEO male lead
Intro 1:
“I know she doesn’t love him.”
With blood trickling from his clenched fist, Rong Xiu gazed at the woman before him, his eyes clouded with anguish. Hidden in the wardrobe, he had witnessed Fan Xia – the woman he desperately loved – in an intimate embrace with her fiancé. Yet his heart still yearned for her, defying all reason.
Fan Xia, the elegant and composed assistant, carried something mysterious in her eyes whenever she looked at her fiancé, Wen Lan Sheng. Strange occurrences began to surface – secret meetings with the young Gu Jin Yi, an unexplained withdrawal of 5,000 yuan… Then suddenly, her fiancé’s sister, Wen Jing, violently attacked her.
In this matriarchal society, Rong Xiu had risen to become the chairman of a powerful healthcare conglomerate, breaking through gender prejudices. But for the first time, he willingly stepped into the shadows as the other man, disregarding his friends’ warnings to become her secret lover.
Because he had discovered the truth – Fan Xia wasn’t the pure angel everyone believed her to be. And perhaps, he was the only one capable of helping her execute her mysterious plan…
Intro 2:
Rong Xiu’s biggest regret in life was missing out on Fan Xia.
He secretly loved Fan Xia for 7 years.
Watched her go public with her boyfriend.
Watched her kiss her boyfriend at their wedding.
Until that man blissfully nestled in Fan Xia’s arms, obtaining everything he could only dream of.
The crazy jealousy stripped away his hidden secret love, layer by layer, burning like wildfire.
Fan Xia, how can I have you!
【Reading and Trigger Warning Guide】
1. Female dominant, male submissive, male pregnancy
2. Male lead schemes his way to the top, male competition
_____
Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
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