Playing the Villainess, He Fell for Me

Joanna sullenly took back the cookie and ate it herself.

Mindy Morgan: "..."

’Can I curse people? Can I?!’

’Ditching your friends for a pretty face—that saying was probably invented just for Joanna Kennedy. It had to be!’

The rest of the drive was quiet, punctuated only by the CRUNCH CRUNCH of the girl in the back seat eating cookies, accompanied by the man’s gentle whisper, "Eat a little less. We still have to eat dinner later."

"It’s fine. I can still eat."

But despite her words, Mindy saw in the rearview mirror that the girl in the back had put down the cookies. Her obedient demeanor made her seem like a completely different person, and Mindy couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

’All talk, but her actions are honest. He tells her not to eat, and she actually stops. Since when has Joanna Kennedy ever been this well-behaved?’

The car drove to Sinclair Gardens and pulled over. Joanna and Simon got out. Simon thoughtfully stepped aside while Joanna walked up to the driver’s side and knocked on the window, which then rolled down.

Joanna said, "Mindy, I’ve transferred the money for the car repairs to your account. I’m really sorry you got dragged into all this today."

A notification popped up on Mindy’s phone, confirming the transfer. She glanced at it, and her eyes widened slightly at the amount. It was enough to get the car repaired twice over, with plenty left for a full maintenance package.

Mindy was no fool; she understood Joanna’s intentions, and a wave of complicated feelings washed over her. "When I told you to give me a heads-up before you started dating someone, I wasn’t trying to rush you into a relationship. Isn’t this developing a bit too quickly?"

"I’m not blaming you. After all, I’m your manager; our interests are tied together. I just want to know..."

The man was standing a short distance away, out of earshot. Mindy dropped the pretense and asked bluntly, "I just want to know, Jojo, what on earth are you thinking?"

The question was abrupt, but Joanna knew exactly what Mindy meant. She smiled and said, "It’s not that I’ve overthought it. I just figured it’s better for me to announce it myself than to have the paparazzi break the story. At least it’ll be some consolation for the fans."

The Sinclair family was a ticking time bomb, and there was no telling what they might do if they got desperate. Rather than live in constant fear, she would take the initiative.

"I know this is all very sudden," Joanna said, "but just like you said, Mindy, our interests are tied together."

"..."

Mindy was silent.

She had only started managing Joanna in the last two years, but in her experience, Joanna was incredibly adept at weighing pros and cons. To put it simply, she was a classic wolf in sheep’s clothing.

To be a top female celebrity, you couldn’t just rely on looks and professional ability; you also needed emotional intelligence and guts.

The way she handled her relationship with Howard Thorne proved that Joanna was anything but a sentimental person.

And yet, this same person, when it came to romance... was like a lunatic. Yes, Mindy had searched her vocabulary for the right word, but in the end, she decided "crazy" was the only one that fit Joanna.

"These next two years are the prime time for your career transition. If you really go public, it will inevitably impact your access to projects," Mindy said, not ready to give up. "You don’t have to go public just because you’re dating. Look at all those boy band idols and trending young actresses—aren’t they all in secret relationships?"

"Forget secret relationships," Mindy said. "In our business, even secret marriages are considered normal."

In an era dominated by fans who see celebrities as their potential girlfriend, husband, or even child, announcing a relationship is tantamount to abandoning that entire segment of the fanbase. It also makes it harder to generate buzz by "shipping" you with male co-stars.

Everything Mindy said was true, and she was genuinely looking out for Joanna’s best interests. But Joanna remained resolute. "Mindy, I don’t want that."

’It wouldn’t be fair to Simon, and it would be dishonest to the fans who genuinely support me.’

Having made her case, Mindy sighed in resignation. Taking the practicalities into account, she said, "Announcing it right now isn’t a good idea, especially since you just signed on for that variety show. Let me talk it over with the production team. If we can use this to capitalize on the buzz, that would be ideal."

’Announce the relationship and boost the show’s ratings at the same time. Killing two birds with one stone.’

Joanna had to marvel once again. Mindy’s reputation as an ace manager was well-earned. One minute she was arguing against going public, and the next she was already scheming how to milk it for a wave of publicity.

’Well, that’s good. If you can’t change it, adapt to it. The mindset of an ace manager.’

"Okay, Mindy, I’ll listen to whatever you say," Joanna said, playing the part of the obedient client.

Mindy rolled her eyes. ’Oh, *now* she’s listening to me. She sure can change her tune quickly.’

The show’s taping was just around the corner, and there were a million things to coordinate. First, though, she had to get the Porsche to a dedicated repair shop.

Just as Mindy was about to drive away, she remembered something. She glanced at the man waiting patiently in the distance and gave Joanna a preemptive warning, "I have to tell Mr. Thorne about this, you know. You’d better figure out how you’re going to handle him."

Joanna just smiled, not taking the bait. Instead, she said, "Drive safe, Mindy."

As the Porsche drove away, Joanna sighed. ’This is going to be a hassle,’ she thought.

Even Mindy had figured out Howard Thorne’s feelings for her, so how could she have missed them? But as long as Howard didn’t say anything, she was more than happy to play dumb.

As long as that thin veil wasn’t pierced, they could all remain friends. Joanna just hoped Howard would come to his senses and not make things awkward for either of them.

In the distance, the man was still standing there quietly, waiting for her as if he could wait for an eternity. Joanna chuckled at her own presumptuous thought, and the faint melancholy that had settled in her heart instantly vanished.

’It’s been a long day. I’m going home with my boyfriend. Everyone else can get in line.’

Joanna walked over and took his hand. Meeting his deep, focused, dark eyes, she said teasingly, "What are you looking at?!"

"What were you two talking about for so long?"

At his earnest expression and direct question, Joanna pouted. "What’s this? Are you trying to control me already?"

Even the most intimate relationships require personal space, and they had only just gotten together. Simon immediately realized he had overstepped. "No, that’s not it. I’m not trying to control you..."

His voice was quiet, his clear tone gentle, but Joanna’s eyes flew wide. "You’re my boyfriend, and you’re telling me you’re *not* going to keep an eye on me?!"

This unconventional way of thinking... Simon Lockwood: "..."

Simon was rendered speechless. Realizing Joanna wasn’t actually angry, he let out the breath he was holding. He pinched the bridge of his nose, his voice low and full of resignation. "Joanna... please stop teasing me..."

*BAM.* For a gorgeous, untouchable man to say something like that with such a helpless tone, combined with a face handsome enough to make anyone swoon... The effect was absolutely devastating.

And he was younger than her, too. It really did look like she was deliberately picking on him.

Heat rushed to Joanna’s face. "Wh-who’s picking on you...?"

Her gaze darted around—at the sky, at the ground, anywhere but at the man in front of her. He gently caressed her chin with his warm fingertips, and only then did she reluctantly lift her face. "I’m hungry..."

The change of subject was painfully abrupt, but Simon didn’t mind and graciously took the out she offered. "What do you want to eat? How about Boiled Beef in Hot Chili Oil?"

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