Chapter 3

Kicked out and covered in wounds, Gavin had nothing but the pendant his mother left him. I thought he'd just leave, but he surprised me by asking the servant, "Where's Hazel Clark?"

The servant froze. "You're no longer Ms. Clark's fiancé. Her schedule isn't your concern."

Gavin's gaze darkened, a sneer on his lips. "Good riddance to that crybaby. From now on, the Winston and Clark families are nothing to me."

Hearing this from my hiding spot, my heart sank. In my past life, Gavin turned ruthless, taking just five years to crush both families and rise as a power in the capital. His revenge spared no one, not my loving parents, not the Winston family. Bloodshed marked the end of both clans.

This time, I'll stop it. I'll save my family, my friends, and myself.

[Go on, crybaby! Grab the stick, knock him out, and lock him up!]

The live chat urged me on.

Summoning all my courage, I rushed forward and swung hard at the back of his head.

He went down instantly.

The live chat praised me.

[Not bad, crybaby.]

[Guess we taught you well.]

Following their lead, I dragged him toward the dark little shed in the garden, murmuring, "Sorry, Gavin, I didn't mean to hurt you."

He was thinner than I'd expected, his sharp jawline like a sculptor's masterpiece. If someone asked why I loved him across two lifetimes.

Okay, I would admit it. It was shallow. But his face and that body? Total my weakness.

With great effort, I got him into the shed. When I adjusted his face, he accidentally ended up leaning against my chest.

He was out cold anyway. Not like he'd know.

I tried to ignore how hot his breath felt against my skin. After laying him down, I froze.

"Is Gavin running a fever?" His face was bright red, almost absurdly so.

The live chat lit up.

[Is he actually unconscious?]

"He is, for sure," I answered, my voice soft and sugary.

[Hurry, tie him up. Just like how he tied you up in the last life.]

"Okay."

I started with the iron collar around his neck, then locked cuffs onto his wrists and ankles.

He didn't react. Not a twitch. He had no idea I'd already taken off his clothes.

Apparently, in this book's setting, the male lead only fell for the villainess. If that was the case, all I needed to do was become one.

[Pour cold water over him to wake him up, then hit him until he begs for mercy. Got it?]

[And step on his face, make him call you master. Understand?]

I nodded, again and again. This time around, I would stick to the role. New life, new me. No more softie. Just pure villainess energy.

I gritted my teeth and lifted the basin of cold water. But when I turned around, Gavin was already sitting up, the ropes still holding him.

He glared at me coldly. "What are you trying to do?"

Caught off guard, I blurted out, "I was going to splash you awake."

Something felt off. I looked up, and hostility was radiating from him.

Panicking, I stumbled backward, slipping, and the cold water spilled all over me. My shirt clung tightly to my skin.

So cold. So cold! I couldn't stop trembling.

Gavin tugged at the chains, trying to approach me, but they held him firmly in place. His dark gaze locked onto me. "Hazel, what are you up to now?"

The live chat was livid at my disheveled appearance.

[How did you even mess this up? You're the hardest student to teach as a villainess!]

[All you ever do is stammer and trip over your own feet. Are you an idiot?]

[You tied him up! What are you scared of? Do you even want revenge?]

I quietly protested to myself, "But he's awake now. Splashing water in his eyes would be uncomfortable for him."

The live chat gave up.

[Fine, skip the water. Say this. Gavin, you're nothing now. Here's your chance to be my dog.]

"Got it."

I hugged my shivering body and tried to sound wicked. "Gavin, as long as you become my dog, I'll give you everything."

But when he looked at me, his eyes softened. I must have looked like a little rabbit with watery red eyes, easy to bully.

The live chat didn't understand.

[Hazel, why does everything you say sound like it's coming from a simp?]

Instead of getting angry, Gavin's gaze darkened, the hostility draining away.

"Hazel, if I become your dog, will that include you?"