Playing the Villainess, He Fell for Me

Back then, because he refused to tutor Kyle Aldrich, Shauna Lockwood angrily declared she didn’t have such a heartless and ungrateful nephew.

Later, afraid she’d have to pay his college tuition, she blocked and deleted all of his contact information. She didn’t even know he had gone abroad to study. For her to say something like this now... her motive was obvious.

Simon Lockwood felt nothing. He didn’t respond.

He was tall, with cold, sharp features. A single indifferent glance from him was enough to make Jared Aldrich feel an inexplicable pressure, choking back the friendly words he was about to say.

He could only nudge Shauna Lockwood with his elbow, signaling with his eyes for her to hurry up and talk about the demolition compensation.

Shauna Lockwood’s gaze flickered away. Her mouth felt glued shut, and for some reason, she found it hard to speak.

But they were already here. Simon must have known she’d tried to corner him a few days ago. Getting cold feet now would mean getting nothing, and it wouldn’t earn her any points with Simon either.

Simon Lockwood was living in a huge mansion and driving a luxury car now. He was no longer that dirt-poor little brat from before. His life was smooth sailing.

But her son, Kyle Aldrich, was different. Kyle wasn’t as smart as Simon; he couldn’t even get into a decent university. In today’s world, with no education and no money, he wouldn’t even be able to find a wife.

At that thought, Shauna Lockwood gritted her teeth and said, "Simon, about the old district houses being demolished... do you know about that?"

Simon Lockwood’s tone was cold. "I do."

"I’ve been asking around here lately. For a house this size, the compensation could be over 800,000."

Meeting Simon Lockwood’s lukewarm gaze, Shauna Lockwood found it difficult to continue. To ease the awkwardness, she picked up the kettle from the table, only to find it empty. She could only put it down awkwardly and continue, "Your uncle and I were hoping... that our two families could split the compensation money."

’I originally wanted to ask for all of it,’ she thought, ’but I was afraid Simon wouldn’t agree, so I settled for the next best thing.’

Simon Lockwood frowned. Before he could speak, Jared Aldrich, looking dissatisfied, shot Shauna Lockwood a harsh glare. Then, as if changing a mask, he turned to Simon with a smile. "Simon, my boy, you’ve really made something of yourself. Your uncle just saw the car you drove up in. My goodness, a car like that must be worth tens of millions! I’ve never seen such a fine car in my life!"

Jared Aldrich started with a few compliments. Feeling he’d laid enough groundwork, he sighed. "I’m not afraid of you laughing at us, but we haven’t had it easy these past few years. I’m the only one working at the factory, your aunt picks up odd jobs here and there, and your cousin..."

Speaking of Kyle Aldrich, the middle-aged man let out a heavy sigh. Whether it was genuine or an act, it was enough to convey his utter helplessness and sorrow.

After speaking, he stole a glance at Simon Lockwood’s face. Seeing his cold expression and lack of concern or curiosity, Jared felt a flash of displeasure.

But considering the compensation money wasn’t yet in his hands, he suppressed his feelings and stated his true purpose. "We were thinking, since you don’t live here anymore and this house is so old and small, why not just leave it to your cousin?"

Everyone knew the house was about to be demolished. Saying they wanted the house for Kyle Aldrich was just another way of saying they wanted the compensation money.

"Why?" Simon Lockwood finally spoke. He didn’t look at Jared Aldrich, but at Shauna Lockwood. "Aunt, is that what you think, too?"

"...Kyle is your cousin, not a stranger. Just think of it as helping him out..." Shauna Lockwood said.

"What’s with all the ’whys’? Simon, you’ve made it big now, but think about it. If your aunt and I hadn’t fed you back then, would you even be alive today?"

Jared Aldrich was getting impatient. He had tried being nice and being pitiful, but Simon Lockwood still wouldn’t budge. It really was true what they say: the richer you are, the greedier you get.

"Give us this house as repayment for our kindness when you were a child. You’re a highly educated man; you can’t just value money over people. If word of this gets out, and some interested party leaks it to the media, it won’t be good for your company’s image."

His tone held a stiff threat. Shauna Lockwood glanced anxiously at Simon Lockwood. Seeing that he wasn’t angry, she breathed a sigh of relief and quickly tried to explain, "Your uncle didn’t mean it like that. We’re happier than anyone that you’re doing well, but..."

She didn’t say the rest, but her meaning was perfectly clear.

’One plays good cop, the other bad cop. What a performance...’

If this had been the old Simon Lockwood, he might have actually given them the compensation money. After all, it wasn’t a significant amount to him now. But just as Joanna Kennedy had said, why should he?

Just because he was rich, why should he have to give up something that was rightfully his?

Simon Lockwood let out a soft chuckle. He stood up under their expectant gazes, his voice light. "Go ahead."

"Do you need me to provide you with the media’s contact information?" Simon Lockwood added unhurriedly.

Jared Aldrich froze for a moment. When he realized what Simon meant, he shot up from his seat, furious.

Shauna Lockwood was also stunned by his resolute attitude and quickly grabbed her husband.

The Simon Lockwood of today wasn’t as easy to fool as before. If it came to blows, three Jared Aldriches wouldn’t be a match for him.

"Simon, what are you saying...?" She forced a stiff smile, trying to play the sentiment card again.

The door was suddenly shoved open with great force. Kyle Aldrich threw the things in his hands aside. "Mom, don’t beg him!"

Milk, apples, tangerines, and small, orange persimmons rolled all over the floor.

It was unclear how long Kyle Aldrich had been eavesdropping. His face was flushed red with anger as he glared at the cool-faced man, his own fury churning. He bit out each word, "Simon Lockwood, you deserve to be all alone in this world."

Dusk fell. A curled leaf drifted down and landed on the roof of a black car.

Inside the car, Joanna Kennedy groggily woke up. She rubbed her eyes. "Simon Lockwood?"

Silence. No one answered her.

’Where did he go?’

Having just woken up, her whole body ached terribly. She sat up and stared blankly for a moment in the quiet, dim car. A streetlight flickered on, illuminating the surroundings.

Joanna Kennedy narrowed her eyes. She instinctively looked up, her gaze passing through the car window. When she saw where she was, her expression froze.

It had been a long time, but she recognized it at a glance. This was Simon Lockwood’s old home, the place where she had lived for several months.

’How... could we be here?’

She remembered what the man had said when he was coaxing her that afternoon—that he would take her out somewhere fun. Did he mean here?

Joanna Kennedy couldn’t quite process it. She got out of the car, her gaze slowly sweeping across the old alley. It seemed frozen in time from that year. Aside from the bright red character for "Demolish" painted on the walls, nothing much seemed to have changed.

Dim, yellow streetlights. A messy tangle of electrical wires crisscrossing overhead. Clotheslines. Someone’s laundry, forgotten, swayed gently in the air.

The houses had poor soundproofing. Walking further in, she could hear the cries of children and the bickering of couples. Then, a sudden, furious roar made Joanna Kennedy’s expression change drastically.