Acting for Survival- Playing the Innocent Heroine to Escape the Villain’s Trap Chapter 01

Acting for Survival- Playing the Innocent Heroine to Escape the Villain’s Trap Chapter 01

Richard narrowed his eyes.

His voice was low, edged with restless irritation. “What did you say?”

Truth be told, I knew it looked ridiculous. Half my shoulder exposed, eyes glistening with tears—how could I sound convincing saying something such a buzzkill?

Still, my voice trembled. “You’re not acting right. I think someone slipped you a drug. Let me take you to the hospital right away.”

I tried to stand, but Richard grabbed my wrist. One light tug pulled me firmly into his embrace.

His breathing grew heavy, yet he still teased me. “How do you know it’s a drug? Could just be a fever, you know?”

Because “I’m the one who drugged you”.

And this position is so uncomfortable to sit in.

I fought back tears, desperate to shift away.

Richard’s low voice dropped a warning, “Don’t move if you want to stay alive.”

I froze completely.

Only then did I finally glance at the floating bullet comments in front of me.

【Nancy and Daniel have a combined IQ of nothing but dumb luck.】

【Agree, she bought street market knockout pills that were basically just fizz tablets.】

【Watched her hand Richard a glass still bubbling like crazy—I couldn’t stop laughing.】

【Same mood, laughter’s the only reaction left.】

I remembered handing him the drink earlier. I’d avoided his gaze the whole time, watching bubbles keep rising nonstop in the cup.

Richard raised an eyebrow back then. “I asked for plain still water.”

I’d panicked and lied straight to his face. “This is sparkling purified water.”

He let out a quiet chuckle and took the cup. His index finger brushed lightly against my palm in a teasing caress.

I’d stepped away to answer a house service call—that must’ve been when he swapped the cups out.

…

He’d seen right through me from the very start.

And still played along with my little act this whole time.

Richard had that striking sharp-featured good looks. Now the corners of his eyes were tinted a tempting red, his lips a deep rich shade. His chest rose and fell unevenly, like he was struggling to steady his ragged breathing.

His muscles were firm and sculpted, a thin layer of sweat glistening across his fair skin like soft highlighter.

Wait a second.

There were only two cups total.

I’d drunk some water to calm my nerves earlier from anxiety.

I felt absolutely nothing weird in my body right now.

I stared at the empty cups on the table.

Richard’s cup was empty too…

After my phone call earlier, I’d turned back to him.

The bubbles in his glass hadn’t faded at all.

He’d sipped the water slowly, eyes locked steadily on me.

There was provocation in his gaze.

And something darker… borderline reckless madness.

The bullet comments spelled everything out clearly.

【Is Richard this good at acting?】

【Wait no—does he actually got drugged for real?】

【Guys remember Linda’s on her way. She’s basically the perfect antidote right here.】

【Total scheming mastermind move from him.】

【Richard: Just gonna play dumb and set Nancy up good.】

Linda Moore was the undisputed queen of the capital elite circle.

Richard and Linda were the main couple in this novel.

Daniel Sean and I, Nancy Garcia, were just two clowns messing around in their love story.

And just a moment ago, I’d texted Daniel.

“Come quick, catch them cheating.”

“On my way.”

I reached for my phone to cancel the whole plan.

But Richard leaned in and kissed me hard. The soft sounds of his kisses mixed with my pounding heartbeat thundered loud in my ears.

He was losing control fast.

He even nipped gently at my shoulder.

“Nancy, don’t be scared.”

But fear made my tears spill over instantly.

Sharks in the open ocean hurt like hell, after all.

Seeing me break down crying, Richard pulled back and stopped everything. “What’s wrong?”

I clutched tight at the buttons of his shirt. “I don’t want this…”

Richard fell silent for a long moment.

He lay back listlessly, one leg bent, an arm draped over his eyes to block the light.

His voice was deep and husky. “Call Dr. Ethan.”

I contacted the driver and Dr. Ethan right away.

On the drive to the private clinic, I huddled far in the back of the car, too scared to look at Richard.

I kept texting Daniel nonstop.

“Don’t come anymore. Head to the private hospital instead.”

“We got trapped in someone’s setup!”

But none of my messages got a reply. Dead silence all around.

Had Daniel already been taken out to the open ocean to feed the sharks?

Once we got Richard safely admitted to Ethan Anderson’s private hospital, I dialed the funeral parlor number.

Tears streamed down my face nonstop.

“Yes, I need a solid ebony wood urn.”

“The funeral arrangement has to be grand and fancy.”

“Can I get a discount if I book the full package?”

“Also—can you prepare a shared grave plot? There might be two people needing it.”

I was mid bargain-hunting spree when I saw Daniel standing there, pale as a ghost.

Our eyes locked.

We both knew instantly.

The other one had seen all the bullet comments too.