Return of the Rat

Before faking my death, I decided to take revenge on the arrogant rich kids at my private school.

I borrowed ten thousand dollars from each of them.

Seven years passed. Everything settled. They had all risen to the top, powerful enough to cover the sky with one hand.

Some even had fiances now. They probably didnt even remember who I was.

So I quietly returned to finish my final mission:

The cannon-fodder villainesss regretful, bitter, shadowy gaze.

On the second day of following one of them, I was tied up on his bed.

Just as I trembled in terror, he looked down at me with unfamiliar, arrogant eyes.

Dont send me random little rats like this. Send her to my brother. Isnt this his type? Hes been looking for girls like her for years.

The man by the bed was talking on the phone, bored and careless.

At the same time, his cold gaze swept over me.

I wore an ordinary long-sleeved shirt and pants, with black-framed glasses on my nose.

A painfully ordinary outfit.

I had been quietly following him, watching him from the shadows.

The system had just announced in my head:

[The cannon-fodder villainesss regretful, bitter, shadowy gaze: Target One complete.]

Then I was dragged onto this soft bed.

Reid Ashford cursed into the phone without mercy.

You sent this to my bed? A girl so plain shed disappear in a crowd?

His face looked terrible as he reached out with long fingers, about to untie me.

Then the person on the other end said something.

Reid paused. His dark eyes narrowed and fixed on me.

What? She was following me?

He tapped the speaker button.

A trembling voice came from the phone.

Yes, Mr. Ashford. I noticed this girl had been following you. I brought her here so you could decide what to do with her.

So Reid, who had untied me halfway, tied me back up again.

After receiving my file, he scanned it briefly and tossed it aside.

Turns out we went to the same prep school.

You dont know me? I asked carefully.

Reid looked like he had heard something absurd.

He laughed, mocking and bright.

Are you someone important? Do I need to know you?

I froze.

Seven years had passed.

Maybe there had been plenty of pretty girls around him, so seeing my face did not jog his memory.

But there was no way he could see my name, know we went to the same private school, and have no impression of me at all.

Because Reid had been the cruelest one to me back then.

He forced me to be his lackey, made me orbit around him.

My breakfast would be thrown into the trash by him.

Then he would make me call him sir and beg him to let me eat.

Only then would he lazily feed me his own breakfast.

Like a little rat.

He would usually say it casually, then pinch my cheeks while they puffed from chewing.

Reid hated me from the first time he saw me.

If he was the reckless, dazzling young heir, then I was the invisible girl hiding in my own world, too quiet to speak.

Until one day, I accidentally stepped on the watch he had dropped.

I was so frightened I could barely stand. Without thinking, I knew it had to cost a fortune.

He curved his lips coldly and crooked a finger at me.

Rooftop. Little rat.

That evening, he casually removed my black-framed glasses and threw them aside.

Then he grabbed my hair.

My heavy bangs were pulled back too.

He paused.

The cold disgust in his eyes was replaced by something else.

He raised an eyebrow and swept his gaze over me with interest.

Didnt expect that. Youre actually pretty. So why do you act like a rat? You dont even dare look me in the eye.

I timidly stepped back.

Secretly, I thought to myself that I hadnt known either.

But ever since the system appeared and told me I was the dark, timid cannon-fodder villainess in a melodramatic romance novel, I had accepted it.

My insecure, gloomy existence was only there to contrast the male leads brilliance and the heroines bright confidence.

Reid waited for my answer.

I failed to squeeze out a single word.

He impatiently pinched my face hard.

Unexpectedly, he did not punish me or make me pay for the watch.

He made me his follower instead.

Running errands for him.

Letting him tease me.

Until I borrowed ten thousand dollars from him.

Then secretly threw his backpack into a dirty ditch.

Then faked my death.

Reid said calmly, I had a car accident two years ago and forgot a lot of things. But

He sneered.

Dont tell me youre my ex-girlfriend from before the amnesia.

No, no, no

I denied it quickly.

Learning that he had lost his memory, I quietly breathed in relief and forced a smile.

Sorry. I wont follow you again.

He looked down at me, and I could not tell whether he believed me.

A moment later, just like years ago, he lazily removed my black-framed glasses and pinched my jaw, forcing me to lift my head.

I still did not look at him. My lashes trembled lightly.

Although I hate rats, Reid said with a half-smile, my brother likes them.

No!

I instantly struggled and looked up.

Reid had lost his memory because of the accident, but his brother definitely had not.

And I had seen his brothers methods.

Thats not up to you, Reid said coldly.

Reid brought me straight back to the Ashford estate.

I struggled the entire way.

But since he never untied me, my struggle was useless.

Reid curved his lips and pressed down my restless legs.

What are you pretending for? You were the one following me. Unfortunately for you, Im not interested in your type. My brother is, though. If you manage to hook him, your effort wont have been wasted.

I stayed silent and ignored him.

In my head, I asked the system, [What are my chances of escaping?]

The system sounded disappointed in me.

[You dont want an opportunity handed to your face? How else will you complete the mission? You could follow Reid because he goes to racetracks and bars every day. Is Warren Ashford the same?]

I suddenly understood.

[Good point.]

But I was still scared.

After all, I still owed him money.

The system patiently advised, [Its only a little money. Warren is so busy, and youre so ordinary. How could he possibly remember you?]

I agreed.

[True.]

After the system comforted me, I calmed slightly.

The system said, [Mm-hm. Keep going.]

During the years I had faked my death, the system told me the plot had already deviated.

The male leads never met the heroine, and the heroine had gone abroad to study and build her career.

But my mission had not changed.

Thank goodness.

That reassured me.

I was just waiting to complete the mission and collect the money.

For the next few days, Reid was not around.

He locked me in the enormous estate.

Technically, it counted as imprisonment. But there was a butler, maids, and a chef.

I ate, slept, slept, and ate.

Until one morning a week later, countless staff poured into the mansion and began decorating.

I leaned over the bedroom balcony and looked down.

Today is Warren Ashfords birthday.

The system said, [If I remember correctly, before you faked your death, he made you prepare birthday gifts for him every year.]

Meaning, how could I not remember his birthday?

I said silently, It wasnt only him asking for birthday gifts. There were two others too. I didnt have money

The system said, [Didnt they give you money?]

I said seriously, Once they gave it to me, it was mine. What did that have to do with their birthday gifts?

The system: [Oh.]

The estate was decorated magnificently.

Champagne towers stood in several places, and the whole mansion was soaked in a grand, extravagant birthday atmosphere.

That evening, many people in formalwear arrived. From the third floor, I could hear the lively noise below.

Reid came back too.

He threw a dress at me.

A moon-white short dress. Not exactly flashy, more fresh and elegant.

Except for the huge bow at the waist cutout.

I shook my head.

Im not wearing it.

Internally, I complained.

Even with amnesia, Reid had not changed at all.

Back in school, he had constantly tried to make me wear short skirts for him.

Now too.

Reid lifted his eyes.

Dont tell me you plan to go down dressed like that.

What was wrong with my outfit?

White T-shirts were simple. Black pants were casual.

I whispered, I could also not go down.

Reid laughed from anger.

Then why did I keep you here?

He dragged me to the balcony and lifted his chin toward the lively garden below.

His tone was sarcastic.

Everyone else is wearing gowns. You want to be special? Though even if you wear the dress, you wont be as pretty as those women.

I said, Its not like I asked to come.

Just then, noise rose downstairs.

Several warm greetings followed.

The main character had arrived.

I saw the man stepping out of the car at the entrance immediately.

He wore a crisp suit. A quiet, gentle girl held his arm. She looked timid, as if she had never seen a scene like this.

Compared with seven years ago, when he had still carried some youthful coldness, Warren Ashford was now entirely mature, with the ease of someone in power and the ability to hide every emotion.

Reid looked down and clicked his tongue.

My brothers here. Im going down.

Change or dont, he said, pinching my face with a half-smile. Maybe my brother likes them this plain.

I froze.

Before I could process his meaning, he pushed the door open and left.

He seemed certain I did not dare go downstairs.

And did not dare run away.

Wait here nicely, Reid said lazily. Dont look so miserable. If my brother likes you, youll get a lot of money. If he doesnt, youre free. Ill give you some cash too. Hows that?

I frowned lightly.

But your brother clearly has a date tonight

Oh, Reid said carelessly. He changes them often.

Then the door closed.

Listening to his footsteps fade, I stood there as the evening wind brushed past.

While I was dazed, I noticed Warren downstairs turn his head slightly.

His gaze seemed about to move toward me.

I crouched down at lightning speed and slowly crawled back into the room.

Over the past few days, I had thought a lot.

Although the chance of Warren remembering me was indeed small, seven years ago, he had been a genius with a terrifying memory.

And he held grudges.

These untouchable heirs were not good people.

As long as there was even the slightest possibility of being recognized, I could not gamble.

Besides, Reid might recover his memory someday.

Even more terrifying.

Wasnt it just a shadowy gaze?

When the time came, I could apply to be a cleaner at Warrens company, fully disguise myself, and mop floors every day.

There would always be a chance to watch him from the shadows.

Once the party downstairs began and everyone was busy drinking, I quietly opened the door and slipped out.

The next second, I ran into several well-dressed people in the hallway.

They were chatting.

Is the lounge on the third floor?

I startled.

They noticed me too.

The girl in the center was the same one who had been holding Warrens arm earlier.

When she saw me, she paused.

You are?

I pressed my lips together.

Im uh, the housekeepers daughter. Yes.

Someone immediately questioned, Can a housekeepers daughter stay upstairs?

The girl seemed to realize something. The others did too. Their gazes toward me turned disgusted.

So youre some servants daughter. Here to steal things, right? Im going to tell Mr. Ashford.

Someone agreed, voice contemptuous.

Yeah. Look at her. Guilty as hell.

My eyes widened.

Wait.

The girl was firm and turned toward the stairs.

Today is Mr. Ashfords birthday. I wont let theft happen here.

I was brought here by Reid Ashford! I blurted in panic.

Her steps stopped.

Then she turned back suspiciously and scanned me again.

You? Brought by him? How is that possible?

The way she looked at me was completely different from the shy expression she had worn beside Warren.

Just then, a careless voice sounded.

Whats going on here?

Everyone turned.

Reid raised an eyebrow, looking slightly surprised by the scene.

The girl immediately explained.

We came up to find the lounge and saw her sneaking around the hallway. I thought she was a thief and was going to tell Mr. Ashford. But she said you brought her here.

Seeing Reid, I breathed in relief.

He could prove I was not a thief.

But the air strangely fell silent.

After a while, Reid pulled his lips coldly.

You said you saw her in the hallway?

The girl nodded quickly.

She looked very suspicious. Like she had just stolen something and was trying to run.

Me:

Run? Reid repeated with a fake smile.

I suddenly had a bad feeling.

Sure enough, his next words were cold.

She is a thief.

The girls eyes lit up at his confirmation. She glared at me again.

Not only a thief, but a liar too. Im going to tell Mr. Ashford and let him deal with you.

Her little leather shoes tapped quickly as she ran downstairs. Her voice softened again.

Mr. Ashford

I froze in place, my whole body cold.

I looked at Reid in confusion.

Reid leaned against the hallway wall with his arms crossed.

His dark eyes fell on me, cold and superior.

After a moment, steady footsteps sounded, drawing closer.

The girl complained softly.

Mr. Ashford, luckily I was sharp enough to catch this person stealing upstairs

She even lied and said your brother brought her.

I lowered my eyes in despair.

My heart pounded from nervousness, almost breaking through my chest.

Then my vision went black.

The world spun, and I fell sideways.

In the last second before consciousness disappeared completely, I landed in a warm embrace.