The Male Lead isn� Chapter 251: Glimpse

Chapter 251: Glimpse

"Oops. Sorry."

The glass tilted.

The rich, dark red wine spilt forward, splashing right onto Annora’s pristine white robes.

A deep crimson stain spread across the delicate fabric, stark and unmistakable.

Gasps erupted from the nearby nobles. The chatter in the hall quieted. Eyes turned toward them, drawn in by the unexpected scene.

Annora let out a startled breath, stepping back as the wine-soaked into her robes.

Cassian imdiately turned to Adeline, his sharp gaze locking onto her. His expression was unreadable. Adeline looked straight at him, what reaction would he give her, she just humiliated Annora.

Adeline eyes flickered as she thought she saw that

Adeline had been watching Cassian carefully, searching for any reaction, any sign that the person she once knew was still in there. And for just a second—so brief it could have been imagined—she saw it.

A glint in his eyes.

It disappeared just as quickly, but she caught it.

Was it amusent? Recognition? Sothing else?

Adeline didn’t know, but it made her think.

She had been trying to distance herself from them, to let things play out differently, but maybe... Maybe she had to do the opposite.

Maybe she had to push.

If they wanted the villainess, she would give them the villainess.

She turned to Annora with a sweet smile, her voice light, almost pleasant. "You know, Annora, I always find it so inspiring when soone from such a humble background rises so high."

It sounded like a complint. But the aning behind it was clear.

Annora, a commoner. Annora, an orphan. Annora, who should never have reached the heights she had.

The murmurs around them grew louder.

Annora, to her credit, did not react with anger. She simply smiled, as if she was above such petty insults.

Cassian, however, looked at Adeline again.

That sa glint in his eyes.

Brief. Fleeting. But this ti, she was sure of it.

It felt like he was awake for those monts.

So what?

Did it an anything?

Did she have to keep playing this role to wake him up?

It made no sense, but she would try it.

She had nothing left to lose.

With a final, satisfied smirk, Adeline turned and left them, heading back to where her brothers and friends were waiting.

She imdiately felt their eyes on her—questioning, confused.

Layla was the first to speak. "Adeline, what happened?"

Her voice wasn’t scolding or disappointed. Just bewildered.

Victoria remained silent, studying her carefully. She understood, at least a little. She didn’t ask questions.

Aaron and Alaric, however, did not react at all.

They simply pretended it hadn’t happened.

Because they knew.

They knew the history between their sister and Annora.

They were the villainess’ family, after all. And they would support her no matter what.

Even if they didn’t fully understand her actions.

Adeline forced a small smile and took a sip of her drink. "Nothing happened," she said simply.

Layla frowned but didn’t press further. Was it not exactly like it was in the original story? Adeline smirked.

anwhile, across the hall, Benedict was furious.

He didn’t hesitate. He rushed to Annora’s side, checking on her as if she had been gravely wounded. His expression was soft, concerned, full of familiarity.

He acted as if they had known each other for years.

As if there had been years of companionship between them.

Adeline watched, feeling sothing heavy settle in her chest.

She had once stood beside him, hadn’t she? She had once been his closest friend.

Now, it was as if none of it had ever happened.

Cassian, too, was watching.

But not Annora. Not Benedict.

He was watching Adeline.

His gaze was steady, curious.

There was sothing calculating in his eyes.

A sche was brewing in his mind.

No one but he knew it.

She could still hear the whispers around the banquet hall. The nobles were already gossiping.

She had played the villainess for them, hadn’t she? So they would treat her as one.

She took a deep breath, steadying herself.

This was the role Annora wanted her to play.

The villainess who would be hated.

The one who would never be on their side.

Fine.

If that was what they wanted, she would give it to them.

She glanced toward Benedict again. He was still by Annora’s side, speaking softly to her.

Adeline clenched her jaw.

Screw everyone and everything. She was leaving. She could not do this.

Before she left she looked at Cassian.

Annora reached out, lightly touching Cassian’s arm to regain his attention.

He turned to her, his smirk softening into sothing gentler.

Adeline saw it.

The way he looked at her.

And it made her stomach twist.

She looked away, forcing herself to focus on the floor below her as she took steps forward... Towards the door to leave.

Adeline needed so fresh air. The ballroom was stifling, the murmurs and whispers pressing against her like a weight she couldn’t shake off.

She stepped outside, inhaling the cool night air as she looked up at the sky. The moon hung above, casting a pale glow over the garden. Frustration bubbled inside her, and she had the sudden urge to kick the small rocks at her feet.

Her steps led her further into the garden, down the familiar path she had walked many tis before. Without thinking, she found herself at the lake—the very lake where she had once saved Cassian. The mory made her pause.

The water reflected the moonlight, calm and undisturbed. But then, a sound broke the silence.

Rustling. A whisper.

She frowned and followed the noise, moving carefully. As she approached, she spotted a figure—a young boy with black hair standing near the trees. His back was turned to her, and he seed to be muttering to himself.

"I have to be more confident," he whispered. "I have to try harder."

Adeline hesitated for a mont before taking another step. The movent made a noise, and the boy stiffened. He turned around sharply, his wide eyes eting hers.

He gasped.