Chapter 2

Charlotte shot upright, her eyes instantly sparkling with excitement. Sure, the original Charlotte was the villainess, a total hopeless romantic, and her ending was tragic.

But she was loaded. Seriously, filthy rich. The Winters Family was one of the top families around, and she was their only daughter, absolutely pampered by her parents.

Her bank account was overflowing, and she owned more villas, sports cars, and luxury goods than she could ever count. Even if she spent her whole life chilling, she'd never run out of money.

And she was drop-dead gorgeous. So beautiful it was unreal, flawless from head to toe. Wherever she walked, heads would turn, and with a bit of effort, she'd be the star of any room.

Rich, beautiful, influential, with doting parents and a life of luxury...

This wasn't some villainess's story, this was the opening chapter of a total winner's life. And as for that male lead, Alexander Grant, the one the original Charlotte was always simping over?

Charlotte curled her lips into a cold, disdainful smile. 'Alexander, huh? The CEO type, cold, aloof, and emotionally unavailable, only ever falling for the female lead, right?' she thought.

Whoever wants to be his simp, go ahead. I'm not gonna do that crap,' she scoffed to herself.

Why would I waste a fortune to be some guy's simp and end up ruining my own life? Even if I were starving or had to jump out the window, I'd never do something that dumb.' she vowed.

She wasn't inheriting any of that lovesick nonsense from the original Charlotte. From now on, Charlotte was done being the villainess, done being a simp, done with all those family power struggles and petty rivalries.

She was going to slack off, do absolutely nothing and live the dream life with all her money and looks.

Eating the best food, wearing the most gorgeous clothes, driving the coolest sports cars, traveling the world, whatever made her comfortable, whatever made her happy, that was how she was going to live.

As for Alexander and Emily's whole love-hate drama? That had nothing to do with her. They could be as sweet and lovey-dovey as they wanted. She didn't care, and she wasn't getting involved.

With that realization, Charlotte felt instantly refreshed and energized. All her previous anxiety and unease melted away, replaced by brimming anticipation and excitement.

Villainess? Who cares? As long as I refuse to follow the script, it can't touch me.' she thought.

Just then, a gentle knock came at the bedroom door, and a soft female voice called out, "Miss, are you awake? Mr. Grant is here. He's waiting for you in the living room downstairs."

'Mr. Grant?' Charlotte arched an eyebrow, her mind instantly alert. She didn't even need to guess, of course it was him: Alexander Grant, the guy the original Charlotte would have gone to hell and back for.

According to the original story, whenever the original Charlotte heard Alexander was around, she'd get all flustered and excited, practically throwing herself at him, bending over backwards to please him, groveling at his feet.

But now, with a new soul inside her, Charlotte was totally fed up.

She lounged lazily against the headboard, her voice cool and casual, with none of that old eagerness or groveling. "Tell him I'm still asleep, I'm not available, and to buzz off."

Smith, the maid outside the door, stood there stunned, wondering if she'd heard wrong.

Everyone in the Winters Family and the entire social elite knew how obsessed Miss Charlotte was with Mr. Grant. Every time he came over, she'd practically hand him her heart on a silver platter. But today, she was telling him to buzz off?

'Is Miss Charlotte still groggy from sleep?' the maid wondered, completely baffled.

Smith hesitated for a moment, then carefully advised, "Miss Winters, Mr. Grant actually made the effort to come over himself. Maybe you should see him..."

"No," Charlotte replied firmly, leaving no room for argument. "I told him to buzz off and stop disturbing my sleep."

With that, she pulled the blanket over her head, paying zero attention to anything going on outside.

Downstairs in the living room, Alexander sat on the luxurious leather sofa, his posture straight and his expression cold. He radiated an intimidating aura that made it clear he wasn't someone you wanted to mess with.

He was only here because the Winters Family had a project that required collaboration with Grant Corp.

The original Charlotte had pestered him for hours yesterday, and he'd finally given in, agreeing to come over, so he could tell Charlotte straight up to stop pestering him for good.

To Alexander, Charlotte was nothing but a spoiled brat, willful, unreasonable, and only worth anything because of her family name and her looks. She was not even close to the pure and sweet Emily Lane he adored.

After waiting for ages, Alexander still didn't see Charlotte come downstairs. Instead, Smith showed up, looking nervous and uneasy.

"Mr. Grant, Miss Winters said... she's not awake yet and doesn't have time to see you. She asked you to... to leave," the maid said, her voice trembling.

Alexander's brows furrowed instantly, a flicker of surprise and impatience flashing in his dark eyes.

Charlotte's not awake? Who does she think she's fooling?' Alexander thought, incredulous.

Whenever he came to the Winters' house, Charlotte would wake up instantly, even if she was fast asleep, and rush downstairs, practically glued to his side. But today, she actually turned him down?

Alexander's expression grew even colder, his voice icy. "Have her come downstairs. I need to talk to her."

Smith looked troubled. "Mr. Grant, you know how Miss Winters is. She really doesn't seem to want to see you today. Maybe you could come back another time?"

Alexander's patience was wearing thin. He hated waiting around, and getting brushed off was even worse.

Still, since the Winters Family needed his help with their project, he swallowed his anger and stuck it out for another ten minutes. Ten minutes later, there was still no sign of movement from upstairs.

Alexander completely lost his patience. He stood up, his voice cold as ice. "If she's too busy, I'm leaving. Tell her not to bother me again."

With that, he turned and walked out, his black leather shoes clicking crisply against the polished marble floor, leaving without a hint of hesitation.