Reborn as the Villainess

Chapter

27

Inside a private karaoke room, a group of people were singing and drinking. Suddenly, bottles, glasses, fruit platters, and snacks were swept off the table, hitting the floor in a mess of shattered glass and spilled drinks.

Janet jumped back, startled by Gloria's outburst. Nervously, she stammered, "Gloria, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault, but I didn't mean to drag you into this... I was just trying to help. Who would've known Eleanor would have another trick up her sleeve." Janet truly saw Gloria as her best friend. So, when Gloria had vented to her, Janet hadn't even thought twice about joining in and treated Eleanor as an enemy simply because Gloria did. Honestly, she didn't have any personal beef with Eleanor. But now, seeing Gloria forced to apologize in front of everyone because of her, Janet felt guilty. She forgot that this whole situation had nothing to do with her in the first place-she'd involved herself unnecessarily. Gloria took a few deep breaths, barely reining in her rage and resisting the urge to slap Janet.

Inwardly, though, she was cursing. Janet's such an idiot. It's bad enough that she has to apologize, but now I've been dragged into it too. Apologizing in front of so many people is so humiliating. If my brothers or parents hear about this, they'll definitely judge me. Everything I've worked so hard to build within the Vanderbilt family up in in smoke." But she Will go knew it wasn't the time to fall out with Janet now. After all, right now, Janet was the only pawn Gloria had. If even Janet turned her back on her, then Gloria'd be too weak to go up against Eleanor. "It's fime," Gloria said, her voice shaky as if trying to hold back tears. "I just... got too mad earlier. I didn't think my sister would be so heartless, and I even dragged you down in this mess. I'm

I'm so sorry, Janet, this is is all my fault." Her lips quivered, her eyes red with the perfect touch of vulnerability. She looked. every bit the picture of a helpless victim.

As expected, Janet's sense of justice flared up again the moment she saw Gloria looking so pitiful. Rolling up her sleeves, she huffed. "Gloria, you're really too kind. After everything she's done to you, you still call her your sister?" Clearly, Janet had already forgotten that they were the ones who started this mess in the first place. Gloria sniffled,

led, her voice low and defeated. "Everyone in my family loves Eleanor. She's so perfect, and now she's even ranked first in the whole grade. I can't compete with that. And even though she hates me, I can't really say anything about it." Hearing the sadness in Gloria's voice, Janet felt her heart ache. She had always envied Gloria for being part of the Vanderbilt family, with six older brothers who treated her like a princess. But now she could see that Gloria had her own share of troubles and had to tiptoe around, just like a like anyone else.

'It's all Eleanor's fault, Janet thought. 'If she hadn't come back, Gloria wouldn't be going through all this. I need to do something to help her.' Janet made up her mind.

Suddenly, an idea popped into her head, and she leaned in excitedly and whispered, "Gloria, I just remembered something that'll totally let you outshine Eleanor. Your parents will be proud of you."

Gloria immediately looked up, her curiosity piqued. "What is it?

Janet's voice was full of enthusiasm as she explained, "A few days ago, I overheard someone talking to my dad about the director Victor Roberts coming to our school to cast a role in his new movie. He's looking for a young girl who can do ballet for a supporting role. "You've been doing ballet for years, right? And you're already at level nine. You're gorgeous, Gloria-you were just born for this role"

Gloria's eyes lit up with excitement as she heard the news.

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11:30 Wed, Oct 30 ti Bu Chapter 27 63%

Victor wasn't just any director-he'd won every major award, both at home and abroad. Every movie he made was a blockbuster. Countless actors would kill for even a tiny role in one of his films. And the number of stars he'd turned into award-winning actors was legendary. If she could land this role, it'd be a massive win for the Vanderbilt family.

"Are you sure about this? There are so many people who'd want to work with Victor. Why would they have trouble finding the right person?" Gloria asked, a little skeptical.

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Janet then explained, "I heard the role has some pretty specific requirements. The girl needs to have an innocent, unworldly vibe but also carry a deep sense of life's hardships-and she has to know ballet.

"Half the actresses in the industry got cut just on the first requirement alone. Apparently, the director's been traveling all over the country trying to find someone for the role."

SO

So, this is 100% legit," Janet continued, her voice bubbling with excitement. "He'll be at our school in the next few days. Even Freddie's on board with it.

"My dad just happens to know one of the director's assistants, and since I'm at Aloria High School, my dad mentioned it, and I overheard. You've got to get ready for this, sis. It's your chance to finally outshine Eleanor." Gloria's eyes gleamed with determination as she clenched her fists, trying to hold back her excitement.

Even though she was adopted into the Vanderbilt family, her adoptive parents had poured all their love and energy into raising her like their own daughter. They made sure she had the best training in etiquette, social skills, and every talent imaginable. Ballet was one of those, and it just so happened to be the one she excelled at the most-she was already at level nine.

Gloria thought bitterly, 'As for Eleanor, that country bumpkin who grew up in a poor family, she's probably just happy to have food on the table. She couldn't ever have extra money to learn ballet. This time, I'll surely leave Eleanor in the dust.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

At night, as soon as Janet stepped through the front door of her home, a slap came out of nowhere, leaving her stunned. The sound echoed in the air, and her left ear went temporarily deaf from the force of it.

Looking up in shock, she saw her father, Kyle Hall,

show your face here? I'll beat you to death today" red-faced with fury, his sleeves rolled up, and was ready to strike her again. Even though her mother, Roselyn, was holding him back, Kyle was still so angry that he looked ready to explode. "You ungrateful brat! You dare puffy from crying, but seeing her daughter suffer made her heart ache. "Janet, go upstairs now. Just listen to me, okay?"

Roselyn's eyes were

But Janet, stubborn as ever, stood her ground, covered her swollen cheek, and retorted, "Dad, what's wrong with you? Why are you hitting me out of nowhere?"

"Out of nowhere?" Kyle's chest heaved with anger, and his breathing was shallow, as if he might pass out at any second. His

rage. "Our company is doomed because of you. The company is the painstaking effort of your grandfather and me. Now, it's all gone. No money, no projects, no company- everything is gone!"

hand trembled as he pointed at Janet, and his voice was shaking with a

With that, he collapsed onto the carpet and burst out sobbing.

Janet had never seen her father like that. In her memory, he had always been a confident and charismatic businessman, the kind of man who commanded respect wherever he went. But now, he looked like a broken man, defeated and worn down like a beggar stripped of everything. 2/3