The Villains Must Win-Chapter 72: Alexander Vale 22

Celeste looked untouchable. A vision of grace and fire all at once. Her dress hugged her figure just right, her long, delicate fingers tracing the rim of her wine glass as she listened to Alexander with a small, knowing smile.

Everything about her exuded confidence, effortless allure, and a silent challenge—look, but don’t think for a second that you can have me.

And damn if that didn’t make Ethan want her even more.

A strange sensation settled in his gut—something unsettling, something undeniable.

Had he been blind all this time?

He had chased after Riley for so long, convinced that what they had before was something worth holding onto. But now, sitting here, watching Celeste, something became painfully, unmistakably clear.

He didn’t want Riley anymore.

His feelings for her had died long before he even realized it. And now, for the first time, he saw it for what it was—an ending.

But Celeste?

Celeste was the kind of woman men lost their minds over. The kind of woman who made you forget reason, made you reckless.

And suddenly, Ethan knew exactly what he wanted.

He wanted her back.

=== ===

Days passed and Celeste found herself sat across from Ethan in the quiet, dimly lit café, crossing her legs as she eyed him with suspicion. "Why did you suddenly call me here, Mr. Carter?"

Ethan, looking perfectly composed, leaned back in his seat. His expression was unreadable, a perfect poker face masking whatever he was truly feeling.

"I’m here to talk," he said simply.

Celeste’s brow twitched. "Talk? About what? As far as I’m concerned, we don’t have anything more to discuss."

Ethan’s posture remained relaxed—too relaxed. His crisp white shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, a long-sleeved blue sweater draped carelessly around his neck, and paired with his dark pants, he looked like he had just stepped out of a high-end fashion campaign. He exuded an effortless charm, but Celeste wasn’t buying whatever he was selling.

Then, something clicked in her mind, and she tilted her head. "Wait a minute . . ." She narrowed her eyes at him. "This isn’t about the gifts you gave me, is it? Are you here to take them back?"

Ethan blinked. "What?"

Celeste sighed dramatically, already pulling out her phone. "I mean, that can be arranged, but you’ll have to wait a few days. I need to sort everything out, and my schedule is packed this week."

Ethan ran a hand down his face, exhaling sharply. "No, Celeste. You can keep them. I don’t plan on taking anything back."

She raised a brow. "Oh. Then . . . why am I here?"

For the first time since they sat down, Ethan hesitated. Then, with a deep breath, he did something completely unexpected—he reached forward and took her hands in his.

Celeste’s brain short-circuited.

Her immediate reaction was to yank them away, but before she could, Ethan’s next words sent her into a full-blown existential crisis.

"I want you back, Celeste." His voice was deep and certain, his thumbs gently rubbing over her knuckles as he stared into her eyes. "Be mine again, and I promise you, you will be my one and only woman from now on. I’ll treat you better this time."

Celeste blinked.

Then blinked again.

Her ears started ringing. Did I just step into an alternate reality?

". . . Huh?" she blurted out. "What are you talking about? What about Riley?"

Ethan smiled slightly, as if he had just won something. "I realized that you’re the one I truly want."

Celeste slowly tilted her head like a confused puppy. "Come again?"

Ethan chuckled under his breath, as he found her reaction adorable. "It’s obvious, isn’t it?" His grip on her hands tightened, his voice dropping lower. "I know you still like me."

At that moment, Celeste felt the strongest urge to flip the table over and storm out.

What in the wattpad fanfiction hell is going on right now?

Ethan, completely unaware of her inner turmoil, leaned in just a fraction closer. "It’s the reason why you got together with Alexander, isn’t it?"

". . . Huh?" Celeste’s brain went blank.

Ethan gave a knowing smile, looking smug—too smug. "You wanted to make me jealous. That’s why you got together with my greatest rival."

Celeste opened her mouth, closed it, then opened it again. Oh my god, he actually believes that?!

Ethan continued, confident in his logic. "Come on, Celeste. I know you. Before, you used to insult Alexander all the time, calling him a creep and saying you’d never date someone like him."

Celeste froze. Well, yes. That’s what the original Celeste said. But I’m not her!

Ethan leaned even closer, lowering his voice to something almost seductive. "So, stop pretending and get back with me. Leave that asshole Alexander and be with me again. You don’t have to keep up this act anymore."

At that moment, Celeste seriously considered flipping the table and throwing her coffee in his face.

Her thoughts were running at 100 miles per hour. Am I in trouble again? If the male lead seriously fell for her, what would happen to the female lead? To the actual story? She wasn’t even supposed to be here!

Ethan and Riley were supposed to end up together and live happily ever after. Celeste meant to be with Alexander, satisfied and secure in their own perfect ending.

So what the hell was happening right now?

This is giving me Han Feng all over again, she thought grimly.

She couldn’t afford to fail right now! Not the second time around!

No. This could still be fixed.

Celeste forced a smile and slowly—very slowly—slipped her hands away from Ethan’s. She placed them on her lap, carefully schooling her expression into something polite yet distant.

"I think you’re misunderstanding something here, Mr. Carter," she said smoothly. "I only said those things about Alexander before because I didn’t really know him. But now that I do . . ." She let her words linger, watching Ethan’s expression carefully. "I’ve realized he’s actually a great guy."

Ethan’s face darkened instantly.

The shift was immediate. One second, he was relaxed and self-assured, and the next, a storm cloud settled over him like he was going to murder someone.

Celeste swallowed. Oh no. The male lead just turned into a villain.