Chapter 3

Later in the story, I worked with Hector. After I died, Hector was the one who claimed my body.

After that, when he realized he could never have Tricia, he was shipped off overseas, drowning in endless wealth while suffering from depression.

Honestly, I think the author was totally biased towards men. Why did me, the villainess, have to die horribly, while the villain gets to live rich and carefree?

Depression? Seriously?

He'd got endless cash and didn't need to go to school or work. What was there to be depressed about?

If he didn't know how to enjoy the good life, I'd gladly take over.

Hector looked at Tobias's still indifferent expression, a flash of murderous intent flickering in his eyes.

He reached out to Tricia, his tone calm. "Tricia, it's time to go. When we get engaged, we'll invite Tobias and his girlfriend."

Tricia stared intently at Tobias, waiting for him to break down, show regret, or burst into tears. But nothing happened.

Tobias' face remained as indifferent as ever, as if none of this had anything to do with him.

Hector suddenly gripped Tricia's hand tighter.

'Wait, does Tobias not like Tricia anymore?' Hector thought. 'Is he into Kathy now?'

"Kathy." Hector suddenly turned his gaze to me.

I looked at him.

So, were the villain duo about to join forces?

Hector's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Are you interested in being my woman? I'll set you up as my mistress, and you can spend all you like."

Tobias's expression finally changed.

He shot Hector a look, his eyes so cold it could freeze hell over.

I scoffed. "Who cares about your money? I only want my darling's."

Clinging to Tobias's arm, I put on a show, but inside I was bawling.

What kind of crap setup was this? Except for the money Tobias gave me, anyone else's cash was totally off-limits. I couldn't spend a single dime.

If I took Hector's money, I'd be in the hospital the very next second, and that money would end up paying my hospital bills.

Like I'd ever want that.

Tobias's stiff demeanor visibly eased, the tension melting right off his face.

He wrapped his arm around my waist, leaning in with a low, husky voice. "Let's go."

Tricia heard Hector's offer and saw Tobias acting like he couldn't care less about her. She was shaking with anger.

She jabbed a finger at me and screeched, "Kathy, wasn't it all about Tobias's money for you? You never loved him. Now that he's broke, you'll ditch him for someone richer sooner or later. Quit fooling him already."

I stared at her, speechless.

Wow, she really knew me well.

Guess that was what happened when we shared a birthday.

But on the outside, I kept it together. Instead, my eyes got all red and watery as I looked at her. "Miss Emerson, how could you say that? I really do love Tobias.

"I'll never leave him, not in this life. Even if we end up homeless and collecting trash together, I'll stick with him all the way."

Yup. He'd be out collecting trash, and I'd be chilling and scrolling through TikTok while I waited for him.

Tobias squeezed my hand tighter.

He looked at me with a deep, intense gaze, like he was thinking, 'Wow, she really does love me.'

Without paying any attention to the stares behind us, we walked out arm in arm, leaving everyone else in the dust.

Tricia was shaking with rage. She spun around and glared at Hector. "Didn't you say you loved me? So why did you say those things to Kathy?"

Hector casually brushed off some nonexistent dust from his sleeve, his tone breezy. "I just realized it's way more fun to compete with Tobias. Whoever he likes, I'll chase after."

He smirked at Tricia, half-amused, half-mocking. "Honestly, I always thought you were the one he loved."

Tricia's face went white, then slowly turned bright red.

The Emerson family rushed over to comfort her.

"Kathy is nothing compared to you. She and Tobias are gonna end up homeless and broke. Just you wait."

"Yeah, now that the Bennett Group has blacklisted them, there's no way they'll find a job. Tobias grew up wealthy. Do you really think he'd actually collect trash?"

"Kathy will come crawling back to us soon enough. That so-called love won't last. She can't handle being broke, never could."

Tricia threw herself into Victoria's arms, her voice choked with sobs. "Mom, if Kathy comes back, please don't kick her out. Let her stay.

"If she's out there, and ends up doing something shady to survive, it'll ruin the Emerson family's reputation."

Victoria hugged her tighter, worry all over her face. "Alright. If she comes back, I'll lock her up in the attic. She won't get a chance to embarrass us again."

Tricia subtly curled her lips into a smirk as she leaned against her mom's shoulder.

She thought once Kathy couldn't handle the tough life and came running back, she could be with Tobias.

She'd set Tobias up on the side as her own kept man.