On the morning of the preengagement meeting, an unwelcome guest came to Riley.
“Looks like someone sent by Baron Ryan, shall I open the door for you?”
“……My uncle?”
“Yes.”
Why all of a sudden?
Riley rose with a trembling expression.
The door opened, and Rachel brought in the unwelcome intruder.
A maid, whose name was unknown but whose appearance was familiar, glanced around and immediately prostrated herself as soon as she saw Riley.
“Oh, it’s been a long time, Miss.”
Riley didn’t know her name, but she remembered that she was often a part of the group that harassed her. The harassment was not severe, but she was mostly in charge of responding to insults from Claire and her exclusive maid Liz.
She was visibly frightened. Seeing her prostrate herself quickly, even without being threatened or stared at angrily, it seemed she felt at least some guilt.
“What brings you here?”
“I finished packing today.”
“So?”
“My master wants to prepare a lunch spot, he says he has something to talk about regarding the preengagement meeting tomorrow…….”
Having a meal with her uncle and his wife was already a burden for the preengagement meeting alone.
What concerned her was the fact that they wanted to talk about the preengagement.
Regardless, her uncle and his wife were standing as family in the preengagement meeting tomorrow. It was right to align their words in advance so there wouldn’t be a mistake. Considering that they didn’t invite Gibnen, it didn’t seem like a sweet conversation was coming.
After briefly considering, Riley answered.
“Tell him I’ll visit in an hour.”
“Yes, Miss!”
The nameless maid hurriedly left the mansion, looking like a thief caught in the act by the homeowner.
Rachel spoke to Riley in a worried voice.
“Miss, will you be okay? You look pale.”
“It’s okay.”
“I’ll report to the master just in case.”
“Okay.”
Riley sighed and headed for the dressing room.
Usually, she preferred plain and simple dresses, so this time her hand went to a pure white dress. However, Riley soon put away the dress and took out a more elegant one decorated with lace.
Then she spoke to Rachel.
“Call Madame Blanche.”
(This is a time separator.)
Madame Blanche was a rising designer who had recently gained fame at Prestige.
Her boutique was so popular that you had to make a reservation a month in advance just to get in. Madame Blanche’s designed clothing was also popular, but her most famous talent was her makeup and hairstyling ability.
She had a knack for matching makeup and hair with clothing, attracting many clients, especially young nobles.
“It’s been a long time, Miss.”
Riley was acquainted with Madame Blanche.
When she first came to this mansion, Gibnen had ordered her to visit personally to make clothes, and she first met her when taking measurements. Madame Blanche had promised to come whenever called, as she had a close cooperative relationship with Gibnen.
Of course, Riley thought she would never have to call her personally.
“Have you been well?”
“Of course, I didn’t expect you to call me this early.”
“Why?”
“You seemed to have no interest in dressing up.”
“I’m still not that interested, but I called you because I need your help.”
“What can I do for you?”
“Just not too flashy, not too simple either. A look suitable for a moderately formal occasion.”
The meal wasn’t exactly a formal occasion or one where she needed to dress up, but she knew that appearance showed one’s status.
Why nobles were concerned with appearances, conscious of others’ gazes, and diligently groomed themselves.
“So that no one can ignore it.”
She didn’t want to seem beneath Ryan, her aunt, and Claire any longer.
It was a childish thought, but she couldn’t help it. They would no longer look down on or belittle her if she showed them how she had changed.
I wanted to show that I was as happy as possible. That I’m doing well without you. That I can live well. That I’m loved. That I’ve finally become happy.
And if I look miserable, it would just be a sight of me disparaging Gibnen. There’s no need to create something that could be criticized.
Madam Blanche smiled and nodded her head.
“Leave it to me.”
(This is a time separator.)
“You’ve arranged a separate lunch?”
“Yes, you’ve invited Miss Riley.”
“Why today of all days? What threat are you planning behind my back?”
Gibnen recalled today’s schedule with an expressionless face.
Fortunately, today’s lunch schedule was relatively free compared to usual. There was a meal appointment, but it wasn’t with someone so important that he had to keep the promise.
A lunch appointment with someone who was good to build rapport with, but not necessary; considering Riley’s situation, being mistreated among his abusive family, the priority was clear.
“Cancel the lunch appointment.”
(This is a time separator.)
“Come on in.”
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
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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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