Chapter 1

I was the villainess in a billionaire romance novel. After gaining self-awareness, I suddenly could hear other people's thoughts.

At this moment, my rich husband, Samuel Gunner, was about to kick me out of the house to marry that pure, innocent female lead, Winnie Harrison.

Winnie put on her best pitiful act, tears streaming down her face. "Savannah, I swear I didn't mean to ruin your marriage. It's just I love Samuel too much."

As Winnie spoke, she thought, [Why won't this old hag leave already? Once I take her place, I'll sell this villa and use the money to pay off my gambling debts.]

Samuel wrapped his arms around her protectively, his face full of concern. "Don't worry. As long as I'm here, no one will dare touch you."

Meanwhile, he was thinking, [That piece of land is still in her name. I need to trick her into signing the transfer deed before the divorce.]

I almost burst out laughing at this scheming, hypocritical pair of scumbags.

I calmly took out my phone and called the police.

"Hey, officer? I want to report a group gambling here and some shady business fraud," I said.

Samuel's expression changed instantly, and he lunged for my phone.

I slapped him hard across the face, leaving him dizzy.

"Don't rush. The real show's just getting started," I said.

Just then, a swarm of reporters rushed in, their camera flashes blinding everyone in the room.

I raised the paternity test report high, flashing a dazzling smile.

"By the way, your son isn't actually yours. Shocking, huh?" I said.

*****

Samuel covered his face, staring at me in disbelief.

Those eyes that were always so full of arrogance were now wide with shock and fury.

"Savannah, have you lost your mind? Spouting nonsense in front of the press," he shouted.

Winnie went pale, instinctively shrinking behind Samuel.

At the same time, she was thinking, [How the hell did that lunatic get a paternity test? No way. I covered my tracks so well. Even Samuel has no clue the man that night wasn't him. If this gets out, I'm totally screwed.]

I could hear her silent screams, and my smile grew even more smug.

The reporters were shoving their mics and cameras right in Samuel and Winnie's faces.

"Mr. Gunner, is it true that the child is not biologically yours, as your wife has claimed?"

"Ms. Harrison, care to comment on the rumors about your gambling?"

"Mr. Gunner, does this mean there'll be a shake-up in Gunner Group's succession?"

Samuel was blinded by the camera flashes. Shielding Winnie, he struggled to keep his dignity as a business tycoon.

"Security! Where the hell are you? Get these people out of here!"

He roared, then turned and gave me a nasty look.

He thought, [What's wrong with this bitch today? I'll dismiss the press first and settle scores with her later. I still need that land, so I can't afford to fall out with her entirely.]

He took a deep breath and put on his best heartbroken face.

"Savannah, I know you don't want the divorce, but that doesn't mean you can just make up stories to hurt Winnie and our child. That kid is the spitting image of me. How could he not be my son?" he said.

Winnie quickly caught on, squeezing out a couple of tears and shooting the cameras her most helpless, teary-eyed look.

"Savannah, I know you hate me for taking Samuel away, but the child is innocent. How could you say something so cruel? This is the worst kind of insult to Samuel," she said.

But what was on her mind was, [Yeah, as long as I never admit it, what can she do? That report's gotta be fake. This old hag is bluffing.]

I watched their lame performance and just found it hilarious.

"If you really want to know, just do another test and see for yourself," I said.

Then I tossed the copies of the paternity test report into the air like confetti.

"Reporters, this is from the most authoritative institution in the country. Feel free to double-check it. And Ms. Harrison, the guy you were thinking about from that night, Liam Stanley, right? Your ex, who's neck-deep in gambling debts?" I said.

Winnie's body stiffened, her eyes widened in fear.

She thought, [How does she know about Liam? Did that bastard sell me out? No way, I can't lose my cool, and I definitely can't admit a thing.]

Samuel frowned at Liam's name, glancing at Winnie with a puzzled look.

Just then, blaring police sirens echoed outside the villa.

I was the one who called the police. They arrived really quickly.

A few officers in sharp uniforms strode in, looking dead serious.

"Who's Winnie Harrison? We've received a report that you're involved in a major online gambling case, with massive sums at stake. Please come with us for questioning," one of the officers said.

Winnie's legs buckled, and she dropped right to the floor.

Samuel rushed to steady her, then barked at the cops, "What the hell do you think you're doing? Do you even know who I am? I'm Samuel Gunner. Nobody messes with my woman!"

The lead officer shot him a cold look.

"Mr. Gunner, we've also received reports that Gunner Group is suspected of using bogus contracts for business fraud. You'll need to cooperate with our investigation," the officer said.

Samuel's expression froze instantly.

His mind was spinning. [Business fraud? Did those shell companies get exposed? No way, the finances were watertight. It's gotta be Savannah. That damn woman must've ratted me out.]

His head snapped toward me, eyes sharp and poisonous like a snake.

I smoothed out my dress and waved at him gracefully.

"Honey, don't keep the police officers waiting. Relax, I'll take good care of the house for you," I said with a sly smile.