The Queen of Villains - Chapter 18

Originally, Emily had planned to play just one game and leave. However, because she won such a large amount, it became difficult for her to leave.

Leaving the game immediately after winning money was considered inappropriate behavior in a gambling establishment.

As Emily pondered how to escape while sipping champagne, a familiar figure approached. It was Roger, who was accustomed to such situations.

“Madam.”

Recognizing the person, Emily almost spat out what she was holding in her mouth.

“Mr. Goldwyn? How did you…?”

Roger Goldwyn, the top actor in the industry, greeted Emily.

“Nice to see you here.”

Although he was an actor she would love to meet again, she didn’t want to meet him in a gambling den like this.

Roger casually flashed a playful smile and spoke.

“I was at the next table, you know.”

“Yes, I didn’t know. Anyway, it’s nice to see you again.”

Marlene , who was next to her, poked Emily’s waist and asked with ventriloquism.

“Do you two know each other very well (how do you two know each other)?”

“Is there something wrong with that (there is just such a thing).”

The men on the other side, like borrowed sacks of barley, looked at Roger dissatisfied. They didn’t like Roger, who was quickly attracting the attention of the ladies.

“May I join the game as well?”

“No.”

“Yes.”

The answers from the men and women clashed, creating a tense atmosphere.

“We four have good chemistry. It won’t be as fun if someone else interferes.”

Marlene snorted at the redhead’s words.

“What difference does it make whether we have good chemistry or not? If you don’t want to play with Mr. Goldwyn, find another table. The three of us will play together.”

“Oh, I… I’ll stay here. Mr. Goldwyn, please have a seat.”

The unattractive man quickly made room for Roger, fearing that he might be driven away.

“Thank you.”

Roger winked at the man, expressing his gratitude, and took a seat. Marlene frowned as she watched Roger’s wink and glanced at the flushed man’s cheek.

“Well then, since Mr. Goldwyn is here, let’s order another round of champagne.”

Emily called a waiter and ordered a glass of champagne for each person.

The redhead wanted to change seats because he felt uncomfortable, but when he looked at Emily, he suppressed the urge to move. She was a woman who seemed too good to let go of , no matter how he thought about it.

“How fortunate to enjoy such expensive champagne thanks to the madam.”

The man, who had been lost in his thoughts for a while, raised his head in surprise at Roger’s words. The title “madam” was only used for married women.

“The two of you, are you acquaintances?”

He pointed alternately at Emily and Roger, asking.

“Yes, my husband introduced us.”

Emily didn’t intend to reveal her true identity in this place, fearing of being found out by Killian. However, the man’s persistent interest made her feel like she had to say something.

“Oh, I see. So you’re already married.”

But the man, although initially taken aback, continued to look at Emily with the same unchanged gaze as before.

Roger observed the man with caution and continued to observe him.

“Well, since we have a new member, what kind of card game shall we play this time?”

“How about Low Poker?”

At Roger’s words, the ugly man pursed his lips.

“Since you’re an actor, you must be really good at poker.”

“Not necessarily.”

Roger replied humbly.

“Shall we play Ace to Six?”

Emily, sensing the situation, cautiously got up from her seat.

“I’m sorry, but I need to use the restroom before we start dealing the cards.”

As her stay got longer and longer, Emily was worried about Ivan, who was waiting for her outside.

It would be better to let him know in advance whether to bring Ivan to the lounge or have him sleep in the carriage.

“Well then, let’s have another drink before our friend returns. I’ll treat this time.”

Marlene sent a subtle gaze to Roger and swiftly called the staff with her hand.

“Bring us the most delicious and expensive whiskey here!”

Thanks to Marlene, Emily went to the restroom without worrying and quickly tidied up her appearance there. She planned to go up to the first floor afterward.

“Oh, surprise!”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

At that moment, the red-haired man suddenly appeared at the entrance of the restroom.

“What’s going on?”

Emily frowned. It was impolite to wait right in front of the women’s restroom regardless of the relationship.

“It’s just that the lady who came with you got too drunk, so my friend took her to the lounge.”

“What are you talking about? She was perfectly fine until a moment ago.”

“Hmm… that lady is a fan of Roger Goldwyn, you know?”

“So?

“She seemed overly excited to see a top star up close. She even said she would treat him to whiskey and ended up drinking it straight.”

“What?”

“It would have been better to check the alcohol content… The label fell off.

It was quite possible with Marlene, who was reckless and impulsive.

“I can’t believe this. Where is the lounge?”

“Follow me.”

How long did they walk? Emily absentmindedly followed the man but sensed something strange. Upon closer inspection, he was luring her toward the emergency exit stairs.

“Just a moment.”

When Emily stopped, the man, as if disappointed, muttered a curse under his breath. Emily’s shoulders trembled at the sound she heard.

***

Instead of shouting or trying to escape, Emily didn’t want to provoke him and put herself in even greater danger. Instead, she quickly tried to figure out what he wanted.

“Is this because I won some money from someone else?”

Emily could easily give him the measly amount of money he wanted. As Emily hesitantly took out her purse, the man laughed and chillingly closed the entrance of her bag with his hand.

“It’s not necessary. I have plenty of money too.”

A shiver ran down her spine. She had a feeling that he would demand something worse. 

Instinctively, Emily stepped back and asked.

“What do you want?”

“I just want to spend some time alone together.”

“I don’t really want to do that. And I already told you that I’m a married woman.”

“I find it more exciting to be with married women.”

‘He’s completely insane.’

Contrary to Emily’s thoughts, the man confidently brushed his hair back with a face full of confidence.

He knew that his appearance was quite appealing to women. With his seductive sparkling crimson eyes and red lips that drew lines, women easily fell for him.

He took a step closer, cornering Emily against the wall, and said,

“There’s only the two of us here, so stop pretending to be noble. You came here to enjoy yourself, didn’t you?”

“I came to play games, not to meet men.”

Inside Emily’s purse was a concealed gun.

Since there were people in the gambling den who would lose money and cause trouble, baggage inspections were mandatory to prevent incidents.

However, guns or knives carried by women for self-defense were not restricted.

Since firearms training for shooting was rigorous, not many women carried guns, but Emily had learned how to use them from her father since childhood.

“Then let’s change the purpose. I’m excellent enough, aren’t I?”

‘Should I shoot his arm or leg lightly? Or should I shoot him in the center?’

As Emily contemplated seriously while listening to the man’s nonsense, someone rushed breathlessly and opened the emergency door.

“You punk!  I knew you would be causing trouble here!”

Emily’s face froze in confusion.

“Mr. Roger Goldwyn?”

Roger gasped for breath as he grabbed his Kravat and breathed heavily.

“Haah, this guy has been annoying me since earlier.”

The man with red hair approached Roger, annoyed, and ran his hand through his hair.

“Hey. If you don’t want to end your acting career, just leave.”

In response to his words, Roger grabbed his collar and lifted him up.

“It’s better for you to leave quietly.”

“You’re making a fuss just because people treat you like an actor.”

Provoked by Roger’s words, the man sneered and drew a knife from his pocket.

“…How did you bring that in?”

Men couldn’t bring in any sharp objects, including knives. A knife, of all things. Roger was taken aback as he released his grip.

“There are ways. But do you have the luxury to be curious about that?”

He brought the knife close to Roger’s face.

“I don’t care what kind of person you are. I can kill you right away.”

Startled by the knife swinging in front of her eyes, Emily quickly grabbed the man’s arm and pulled it down.

“Just a moment, I’ll go with you. Just leave this man alone.”

“No, my lady!”

Roger immediately frowned at Emily’s words. Emily blinked her eyes to indicate that she was okay. She planned to shoot the gun as soon as he created some distance between them.

“It’s dangerous, please come this way.”

However, Roger didn’t understand her gesture and forcefully pulled her towards him, causing her to drop her purse on the floor.

‘No! My gun!’

Seizing the opportunity while the two of them stumbled, the man with red hair kicked Roger’s shin  hard with his foot.

With a groan, Roger stumbled forward.

Then, as if the man felt obstructed, he ruthlessly kicked Roger’s stomach, making him fall to the ground.

When he aimed a punch at Roger’s face, Emily involuntarily screamed.

‘You bastard! I have to protect his face!’

Emily quickly began searching for her bag, which contained the gun.

“Oh no, why is it over there…”

Looking at the bag lying beneath Roger’s abdomen, Emily truly wanted to cry. She appreciated his attempt to help, but what if it ended up being unhelpful?

“So, just mind your own business.”

Thinking that he had already knocked down Roger enough, the man spat on the floor and turned around.

“Shall we go now?”

When he looked at Emily and smirked, lifting the corner of his mouth, he grabbed her arm and turned around.

“You’d better let go of that hand now.”

Someone was walking towards them from the end of the corridor.

***

Translator note: This whole chapter I was screaming at Emily like she was a protagonist in a horror movie. I mean good on her for trying to take care of Marlene and trying to get her away from a skeevy dude while she is drunk. but you shouldn’t put your safety needlessly at risk, like find Roger and take him with you! Or ask hotel staff to ‘assist you’ to go carry your friend. You can save her and save yourself!  <(._. )> 

But also anyone else  feel like she is a lowkey badass, he is harassing her and the whole time she is contemplating where to shoot him. ~Mae

Kofi: https://ko-fi.com/maetranslations