Chapter 9

Zachary Kane had never gotten along with Vance.

In school, Vance was always first in their grade, Zachary perpetually second.

Vance became his imaginary rival.

As adults, Vance became the cold-faced boss of the female lead.

If even a penny was off in the female lead's accounting, Vance demanded she redo it.

The female lead complained endlessly, deepening Zachary's hatred.

From a distance, I heard Zachary's mocking voice at the shopping mall.

"Well, well. If it isn't the great Vance. Delivering dinner to the common folk now?"

Vance had just finished a delivery. Helmet hair. Sauce stain on his sleeve. He looked at Zachary—the novel's male lead, now running the empire Vance had lost—with zero expression.

"Zachary."

"I heard you went bankrupt." Zachary leaned against his Mercedes, arms crossed, his girlfriend (the female lead, Lily) hanging off his arm. "Karma's a beautiful thing."

Vivi was with me, watching from behind a pillar. I'd told her to stay put.

Vance's jaw twitched, but his voice stayed level. "Is there something you need? I have three more deliveries."

"Three more deliveries!" Zachary laughed, turning to Lily. "Can you believe this? The guy who used to make you redo spreadsheets at midnight is now on a scooter timer."

Lily, to her credit, looked uncomfortable. "Zach, let's just go—"

"No, hold on. I want to savor this." Zachary pulled out his phone. "Let me get a photo. 'Former billionaire, current errand boy.' This'll break the internet."

Vance didn't flinch. "Take the photo. I'm not ashamed of honest work."

That stopped Zachary cold. He'd wanted humiliation. He got dignity instead.

Before the standoff could escalate, a small figure broke free from my grip.

"Leave my daddy alone!"

Vivi ran straight up to Zachary and kicked him in the shin. Hard.

"Ow! What the—"

"You're mean! My daddy works really hard and he makes the best pancakes and he fights dragons!"

Zachary stared at the furious four-year-old like she was an alien species.

Vance scooped Vivi up in one motion. "Vivi, we don't kick people."

"But he was being mean to you!"

"I know. But we handle things with words, not feet."

He turned to Zachary. "Enjoy your evening."

And walked away. Calm. Unhurried. Carrying his daughter like she was the most precious cargo in the world.

Zachary watched them go, his shin throbbing, his victory hollow.

From behind the pillar, I grinned.

That's my villain.