I Quit Being Docile, You Beg For My Attention Chapter 1

I am the infamous "Mad Heiress."

Once, someone mocked my late mother. I shattered his kneecaps and made him kowtow a thousand times at her grave.

Someone kicked my dog. I released a thousand snakes into her house, photographed her wetting herself in fear, and posted the images everywhere.

Since then, everyone avoids me.

Later, on vacation in B City, my wallet was stolen. I was about to have my guards break the thief’s hands when a man appeared. He pinned the thief down, got my wallet, and tossed it back.

"Kid, traveling alone? Pickpockets target out-of-towners. Be careful."

In that moment, my heart fluttered.

I learned he was B University’s most popular guy. He liked "good girls"—sweet, obedient, innocent.

The next day, I transferred to B University. I hid my true self and approached him.

I made him bento boxes, showing the burns on my fingers. I handed him water and towels at basketball, always lowering my gaze shyly.

We got together. I kept up the act for three years. My best friend said I seemed brainwashed.

For him, I endured anything.

Until a video arrived on my phone.

The always aloof man was riding a motorcycle in a downpour. A girl with fiery red hair and bold tattoos sat behind him.

The caption read: "The one he loved all his youth is back. A good girl like you should step aside now."

Step down? You want me to step down? Do you think I’m a pushover?

* * *

It was midnight, and River still hadn't returned.

I crushed the walnut I was rolling in my hand and called him. The moment he answered, my voice was choked with tears.

"River, it's thundering outside. I'm so scared. When are you coming back?"

If my friends back in A City saw me acting like this, their jaws would drop to the floor.

The noisy background on his end disappeared abruptly.

His gentle voice came through. "I have some things to handle at the company. I'll be late. You go to sleep first."

"But I'm too scared to sleep. How about I come to the company to find you..."

"No!" he refused sharply, without hesitation.

In the three years we'd been together, he had never spoken to me in that tone.

A chill ran through my heart.

Perhaps realizing his tone was too harsh, he quickly tried to smooth things over.

"Willow, there are other colleagues here. It wouldn't look good if you came. Even though it's my family's company, my dad is testing me. I'm almost through the probationary period. Once this is over, I promise I'll spend more time with you."

Faint, suppressed laughter echoed from his end of the phone.

My eyes grew cold.

Did he really think I was an idiot?

I refused to accept this.

Why should I hand over the man I had worked so hard to get, just because his so-called "first love" had returned?

For me, Willow, when I want something, I will get it by any means necessary.

Let's see exactly where he was in the middle of the night.

My men quickly tracked his location. It was a bar.

The private room's door was slightly ajar.

Inside, a group of men and women—River's friends—were gathered. They were cheering loudly, pushing the girl from the video towards him.

"River, aren't we great brothers? We brought the person you've been pining for right to you."

"You two were together in high school. If Sierra hadn't gone abroad with her parents, you would never have broken up."

"Yeah, what does Willow have to do with anything?"

"Everyone at school thinks you like good girls. But only we know you chose her because she is the exact opposite of Sierra! It was the only way you could stop thinking about her!"

"Now that the real deal is back, when are you going to dump that boring good girl?"

River fell silent.

Sierra smiled and spoke up. "River and I are in the past. I think his current girlfriend is quite nice. River likes her a lot, too. I bet he's already forgotten about me..."

"No, don't talk nonsense," River retorted anxiously, terrified she might misunderstand.

The room fell silent.

My heart plummeted straight to the bottom.

After a brief pause, the room erupted again. They shoved River and Sierra closer together, chanting, "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"

Right as the atmosphere reached its peak, I pushed the door open and walked in.

Facing a room full of shocked, dumbfounded faces, I tilted my head, looking the picture of pure innocence.

"What are you guys playing? Can I join in?"

"Willow!"

River was the first to react, shooting up from the sofa. His hand, which had just been resting on Sierra's shoulder, suddenly seemed to burn him.

"Why are you here... were you following me?"

His face turned livid.