The Villainess’s Survival Guide: Flirting with the Future Billionaire

I fell asleep reading a novel, and when I woke up, I realized I had transmigrated into the book.

I had become the most despised, vicious villainess in the entire storya girl who shared my name, Chloe.

At this exact moment, I was leading a group of my delinquent lackeys, cornering the novels second male lead in a narrow alley: Liam.

Pushed against the brick wall, the boy wore a faded gray school hoodie. He was lean and stood tall, his messy black hair falling forward to slightly obscure his eyes.

A dark bruise on the left corner of his mouth stood out starkly against his pale skin.

Yet, he remained silent and stubborn, his narrow, dark eyes looking at me with freezing indifference.

My legs turned to jelly.

Of all the moments to transmigrate, it had to be now!

The novel was a clich, melodramatic mess. Liam had secretly loved the female lead for years, but because he came from a poor family and was deaf in his right ear, he buried his feelings deep in his heart, choosing to protect her from the shadows.

And IChloewas a spoiled, arrogant rich girl who lusted after his looks and harassed him relentlessly.

After he publicly rejected my confession, I brought my crew to corner him.

That wasn't the main issue. The main issue was that today, his grandmother was going to suffer a sudden hypertensive crisis. Because I delayed him from going home, he wouldn't be able to get her to the hospital in time, and she would pass away.

From that day forward, Liam hated me to his core.

Years later, after discovering I was still bullying the female lead, the now highly-successful, ruthless billionaire Liam used an iron fist to bankrupt my family and send me straight to prison.

And today was the pivotal turning point of it all!

Looking at the boys face right in front of me, I knew that if I leaned in just an inch closer, our lips would touch.

Remembering my tragic, horrific ending in the book, my legs went weak, and I stumbled a step back.

"Hey? Chloe, what's wrong?"

The crowd of lackeys started jeering. "You haven't even kissed him yet!"

I gritted my teeth and put on a bored, unamused expression.

"Forcing it is boring. One day, he'll be begging to kiss me."

As my words fell, the group erupted into raucous laughter and cheers.

"You tell 'em, Chloe!"

Liams expression remained calm and distant, as if he didn't even register these people or this situation in his eyes.

He slung his backpack over his shoulder and walked out of the alley.

Seeing his lean silhouette disappear at the intersection, I turned around, getting ready to leave as well. But after two steps, the thought of his grandmother weighed heavily on my mind. I couldn't just let it go.

My foot stepped on something hard.

I looked down.

This looked like Liams student ID?

I snatched it up, hastily bid my crew goodbye, hopped into my familys chauffeured car, and immediately told the driver to turn around and head straight for Liams house.

I value my life very much! Please, let nothing go wrong!

Chapter 1

The car pulled up to a dilapidated, rundown apartment complex. I practically leaped out of the vehicle and immediately spotted Liam walking up ahead.

Sensing something, he turned his head and looked back.

Seeing it was me, his brows knitted together, and his voice was ice-cold: "Why are you here?"

I was in such a rush to check on his grandmother's condition that I blurted out:

"Isn't it obvious? I'm stalking you."

Liam: ""

I almost bit my own tongue off.

No! Chloe, even if youre playing the bad girl, you have to follow basic logic!

I paused. Seeing his defensive, guarded posture, I figured sticking to my mean-girl persona was the safest route.

I braced myself.

"Since I'm already here, aren't you going to invite me in?"

Chapter 2

Liam obviously wasn't going to agree. He just stared at me, his eyes freezing cold.

I curled my lip in a sneer.

"Forget it if you don't want to. Do you really think I care?"

I turned around and got back into the car.

Only when I told the driver to pull up to the intersection did I watch in the rearview mirror as Liam walked down the narrow alleyway leading to his building.

"Mr. Miller, drive slowly."

I silently counted the seconds in my head.

Ten minutes later, a frantic commotion erupted from the alleyway.

I could hear some neighbor lady yelling in a panic: "Call 911! Hurry!"

My chance!

I rolled down the window and looked back: "Liam!"

The boy looked up in stunned disbelief.

"Good thing you got her here in time! If you had been twenty minutes later, the patient's condition would have been critical!"

Hearing the doctor's words, the heavy rock suspended in my heart finally plummeted to the ground.

Okay, okay!

I had safely navigated through this death flag!

I happily skipped over to the billing department to pay her hospital deposit.

Surely this would offset at least a fraction of the heinous crimes the original Chloe had committed against Liam, right?

The Chloe in the book was a spoiled, headstrong rich girl doted on by her parents. Even though she was only a senior in high school, her bank account balance was staggering.

Compared to me, who grew up in the foster system before transmigrating, she was living like royalty.

Especially since this money was buying my literal survival, spending it didn't hurt my heart at all.

When I walked back, I saw Liam stepping out of the hospital room, leaning against the wall with his head slightly bowed.

It was already dark outside. The hospital corridor smelled strongly of antiseptic, and the harsh fluorescent lights cast shadows over the boy's thin frame.

I couldn't help but sigh internally. Honestly, with a face like that, who wouldn't be completely mesmerized?

No wonder the original Chloe had been insanely, obsessively in love with him.

As if sensing something, Liam turned his head and looked my way.

I walked over. "I already paid your grandmother's hospital deposit."

Liam pressed his thin lips together. It took him a long while to speak. "Thank you. I'll pay you back as soon as possible."

Liam's family was dirt poor, and he was just a high school senior about to take his final exams and apply for college. Where was he supposed to get the money?

His grades were easily Ivy League level. Unfortunately, in the original story, he was so derailed by his grandmother's tragedy that he bombed his final exams and missed out on his dream school.

Oh, wait. That was my fault too.

There were only three months left until graduation. No matter what, I had to make sure he took his exams in peace!

But Liam was incredibly stubborn. Who knew what dangerous things he might do to scrape together the money to pay me back?

Thinking of this, I raised an eyebrow. "No need. To pay me back, you can just be my private tutor."

Liam clearly hadn't expected me to say that. His dark eyes widened in astonishment.

I couldn't blame him. The original Chloe had probably never even opened a textbook.

I lifted my chin arrogantly.

"From now on, you'll do my homework for me. On top of that, you'll tutor me three times a week, no less than an hour per session. How about it? Got a problem with that?"

In just two sentences, I perfectly showcased my ulterior motive of wanting to spend time alone with him.

Sure enough, hearing this, Liam's brow furrowed ever so slightly.

I threw more fuel on the fire, stepping closer with a sly smile, whispering, "Or, you can just pay me back with your body and be my boyfriend."

Liam instinctively leaned back, putting distance between us, a faint trace of cold hostility flashing in his eyes.

Weighing the two options, he obviously knew which one to choose.

"Fine. Friday to Sunday, nine PM, at the public study hall."

I was incredibly satisfied.

However, that good mood came to a screeching halt the second I walked into my classroom the next day.

"Did you hear? Chloe confessed to Liam yesterday and got brutally rejected! It's so funny. Has she looked in a mirror? Why would a guy like Liam ever like someone like her?"

Chapter 3

As the words fell, the group of girls gathered around the desk burst into mocking laughter.

One of them had sharp eyes and spotted me. Her face instantly drained of color, and she frantically shoved the arm of the girl who was talking.

The laughter died instantly. The entire classroom became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"Ch-Chloe, you're here?"

One of the girls whispered, her face pale with panic.

Sigh.

It was obvious my notorious reputation preceded me. I didn't even have to say a word; just standing here was enough to terrify them.

I ignored them, walking down the aisle to my seat in the very back row, lazily tossing my backpack onto the desk.

Thud.

The classroom grew even quieter.

"Chloe? Mrs. Davis wants to see you."

A guy standing at the classroom door called out.

Me: ""

Dammit!

How could I forget? After I cornered Liam yesterday, someone snitched to the teachers, which originally resulted in me having to read a humiliating public apology at the morning assembly!

Even though I hadn't exactly been an honor roll student in my past life, I was at least well-behaved and never caused trouble.

Thinking of the impending storm, my face crumpled into a grimace.

But as I walked out the door, I ran right into Liam.

He had a band-aid over the bruise on the corner of his mouth.

I only gave him a fleeting glance before heading toward the faculty office, asking the guy who called me, "What does she want with me?"

The guy stammered, "I don't really know. You'll find out when you get there."

The moment I stepped away, the classroom erupted into chaotic murmurs again.

I glanced back over my shoulder and saw a girl with a high ponytail standing in front of Liam.

She was the very definition of pure and gentle.

With just one look, I knew she was the female lead: Mia.

I vaguely heard her asking softly, "Liam, are you hurt?"

To Liam, Mia was the single ray of light in his dark, dreary life.

He was willing to give everything for her, asking for nothing in return, as long as she was okay.

Just like right nowLiam seemed to glance in my direction for a split second, then quickly withdrew his gaze and shook his head lightly at her.

He had been bullied and cornered, but he couldn't bear to let Mia worry about him.

Then I thought about my current situation

"Chloe, do you know why I called you here?"

In the faculty office, our forty-something homeroom teacher, Mrs. Davis, looked furious.

I shook my head.

Mrs. Davis's brow furrowed tightly, and she raised her voice.

"Someone reported that after school yesterday, you and your friends bullied Liam. Is this true?"

Even though it was true, I would take that secret to my grave!

I braced myself. "No."

"Really? No?"

"Really, no."

"Chloe!"

Mrs. Davis's face turned even uglier. She slammed her hand against her desk.

"Even now, you're still lying to my face!"

It was obvious she didn't call me here to ask for my side of the story.

She wouldn't believe a single punctuation mark that came out of my mouth.

Makes sense. What teacher would believe a delinquent mean girl who constantly skipped class?

"This Monday at the morning assembly, you will stand up there and read a public apology!"

I struggled. "Mrs. Davis, I really didn't do it."

Mrs. Davis sneered. "Still denying it? Fine. If you can find someone to prove your innocence, I'll believe you!"

Me: ""

Imagining my crew of edgy, rebellious lackeys standing in the faculty office to act as my character witnesses made my vision go dark.

Looks like I really couldn't escape this one.

I closed my eyes, saying desperately, "Nobody can prove my innoc"

Knock, knock.

Someone knocked on the open door.

A cool, distant voice floated in.

"Mrs. Davis."

I turned around in shock.

Liam.

His dark eyes were completely calm.

"I can prove her innocence."

Chapter 4

Never in a million years did I expect the person to step up and save me to be Liam.

But hearing this, Mrs. Daviss frown deepened.

She glanced at me, then raised her voice to speak to Liam:

"Liam, if someone is threatening you, don't worry. The school and the faculty will protect you."

Me: ""

Liam shook his head, his expression serene. "No one is threatening me."

Mrs. Davis asked again, "Then why did some students say they saw you two together after school yesterday?"

Liam paused, then explained, "She had some questions about our coursework that she didn't understand. She wanted to ask if I had time to tutor her."

Now, Mrs. Davis's eyes practically popped out of her head.

"What?"

She looked at me, her eyes brimming with suspicion.

Honestly, any teacher hearing this would think they were losing their mind.

But Liam had already laid down the perfect excuse. It would be rude of me not to play along.

I quickly concocted a lie, lowered my head, and spoke with a devastated tone:

"Yes. My parents are talking about divorce right now. I thought if I could get my grades up, they might be so happy they'd change their minds."

Sorry, Mom and Dad! I owe you one!

In reality, my dad was a self-made millionaire who married my mom for one simple reason: she was stunning.

And when she nearly died giving birth to me, they decided one child was enough.

As their only daughter, I was spoiled absolutely rotten.

Mrs. Daviss expression grew incredibly complicated. It took her a long moment before she finally said to Liam:

"Helping a classmate is a good thing, but finals are coming up. Don't let this drag down your own grades."

I wasn't offended. With my current academic standing, there wasn't much room for me to drag anyone down anyway.

The moment I stepped out of the office, I let out a massive sigh of relief.

"Chloe? How did it go? Mrs. Davis didn't give you a hard time, did she?"

A guy with a buzzcut suddenly popped up.

I squinted and recognized him as Tyler, one of my lackeys from yesterday.

Noticing Liam standing next to me, Tyler instantly went on high alert, stepping between us and glaring viciously. "Did you snitch on Chloe to the teacher?!"

Liam's expression was indifferent. Without saying a single word, he bypassed Tyler and kept walking.

"Hey! You"

Seeing this idiot about to blow up, I quickly grabbed his arm.

"Tyler! Shut your mouth!"

Youre offending the future billionaire who could crush me like a bug!

You get to act like a tough guy, but Liams gonna put all that resentment on my tab!

Tyler looked skeptical but, seeing how serious I was, backed down. He scratched his head and grinned, holding out a drink.

"Chloe, your favorite! Taro bubble tea!"

I took it. "Thanks."

Tyler asked, "Hey, Chloe, we booked a table at the pool hall tonight. You coming?"

I hesitated.

Honestly, I didn't want to go. I wasn't the real Chloe. But if I changed my personality completely overnight, people would definitely get suspicious.

Liam suddenly glanced back over his shoulder in our direction.

A lightbulb went off in my head.

"Why would I go? I have actual important business tonight."

Tyler looked confused. "What important business?"

I took a sip of my boba and said slowly:

"Attending study hall."

Tyler's jaw dropped. "No way, Chloe? You don't even go to regular classes, and now you want to go to study hall?"

I kicked him in the shin.

"What do you know! This study hall is way more important than you guys!"

This is my golden opportunity to suck up to Liam! Anyone who stops me is dead meat!

Liam withdrew his gaze, looking as though he had heard me, but also as if he didn't care at all.

I hurried to catch up with him.

"Liam! Today is Friday. You promised to tutor me, don't forget!"

Liam didn't say anything.

Remembering he was deaf in his right ear, I leaned in closer to his left side and confirmed, "Hello? You can't back out now!"

Liam finally gave a slight nod.

"Yeah."