The Villain Only Wants to Survive, But Heroine refuses toFollow Script

Edward couldn't help but think… The author of this book must have a hole in their brain—one big enough to stuff with cow dung.

What on earth was this nonsense?

What kind of female leads were these?!

Do they even care about maintaining their image?

At this level of awareness, they're not even fit to be background characters, let alone heroines!

Rejecting a chance to save someone just because it's too expensive… He'd never heard of such a thing!

But no, his ultimate goal remained clear: get these two leading ladies as far away from him as possible. Davis would only disappear for one day, and once he returned, these two women would be walking plot grenades.

Edward wrapped his arm around Elizabeth again and grinned cheekily, "Dear Elizabeth, it's me, Edward—the bad guy! You stood up for this girl earlier; I saw that. I'm not trying to scam you or anything. Can't you just spend, say, ten or twenty grand to save her? Five grand would work too!"

Elizabeth slowly shook her head. "Nope, not convenient."

"Sigh… Alright then, how about this: you hire her, and I'll pay her salary. You won't have to spend a dime. Fair enough?"

Elizabeth still shook her head. "Oh, I see now. You're extorting me!"

Edward's face turned beet red with anger.

"What am I extorting from you?! You don't have to spend anything, she'll work for you, and—"

"An opportunity this good? Why would it fall into my lap?" Elizabeth said slyly. "You must be planning to plant a corporate spy with me. Don't think I'm easy to fool—I'm very smart!"

Edward gritted his teeth and said in a low voice, "You're being ridiculous. Even if she was a spy, couldn't you just assign her to a position where she can't access core information?"

Elizabeth shook her head again. "I work in medicine. My employees must be reliable. This woman, with her groveling demeanor… doesn't look trustworthy."

Edward could no longer hold back his frustration.

"How does she not look trustworthy?! She's the most filial, intelligent, capable, and resilient girl I've ever met!"

"She dropped out of school as a teenager to support her sick mother. No one else wanted to be my secretary, but when she heard the job paid well, she came—even knowing I'm a pervert, a scumbag, and a total jerk!"

"She's worked for me for five years—diligent, flawless, and never once complained. Every time I touched her thigh, lifted her skirt, ogled her, or teased her with dirty jokes… she endured it all! Just to earn money for her mother's treatment!"

"She bore every office rumor without defending herself. After work, she doesn't party, eat hotpot, watch movies, or shop. The only decent clothes she owns are her work outfits; otherwise, she wears cheap market stall clothes. Do you know why?"

Edward's voice rose with indignation.

"It's because she's terrified of losing her job and wants to save every penny for her mother's treatment! How could such a girl possibly be bad? How could she look like a bad person?"

"Oh? Dear Edward, you seem to know her very well!"

"Of course I do! It's been five years!" Edward said, visibly agitated. "Elizabeth, I misjudged you! I thought you were kind-hearted, gentle, and compassionate. I thought you'd help someone in need without hesitation. But now… I don't even know what I'm saying anymore…"

Edward smacked himself on both cheeks.

[ Damn it, why am I getting so worked up? Why am I spouting this righteous male protagonist nonsense? ]

Both women stared as Edward slumped into a chair, elbows on his knees, rubbing his temples in frustration.

Sophia was stunned.

[So… is this how Mr. Astor sees me?

Is he actually a kind and well-meaning person?

But then… why does he always bully me? If you want to help me, can't you just do it directly? Why drag Elizabeth into this? ]

She couldn't make sense of anything.

Elizabeth smirked. "Edward, my secretary just texted me. The press conference is about to start. I'll go prepare now!"

Edward didn't even look up, just waved his hand irritably. 'Go away, you devil.' he think.

Elizabeth suppressed her laughter, turned, and left the room. As the door closed, she caught a glimpse of Edward smacking his face repeatedly like an electric fan—and burst into laughter.

At the Press Conference

Edward forced himself to focus and read from the prepared statement provided by his team.

The statement was well-written, emphasizing Ninth Pharmaceutical's unwavering commitment to ethics over profit and promising a thorough internal investigation.

As expected, phones buzzed incessantly midway through the press conference. Stocks were plummeting.

Normally, there wouldn't be a Q&A session during such an embarrassing conference.

But the reporters were relentless.

A journalist stood up. "Mr. Astor, does this counterfeit drug scandal signify a systemic issue? Can you guarantee no similar incidents will occur in the future? Can you ensure that previously manufactured products didn't have similar problems?"

Sophia quickly stepped in. "Apologies, we haven't arranged a Q&A session. Please—"

Edward raised a hand, leaned into the mic, and said calmly, "If this had happened before, this press conference would've been held earlier. If it happens again, we'll hold another one. I can't promise our production process will always be flawless, but I can promise this: every time something like this happens, we'll destroy the products and hold ourselves accountable. Our willingness to stand here today is proof that when it comes to profit versus ethics, we will always choose ethics."

Sophia was stunned.

That was… surprisingly well said.

A beautiful female reporter stood up. "Mr. Astor, rumors suggest you're set to marry Victoria, the CEO of Chifeng Group. Some say you used family influence to pressure the Windsor family. Is this true?"

Sophia interjected, "Apologies, this question is unrelated to today's press conference."

The reporter pressed on. "Mr. Astor, people say you're a greedy capitalist who only cares about profit. Is this press conference just a performance? A show to appear responsible?"

Edward's smile froze.

Oh great, another female lead.

How did Davis's absence lead to every female protagonist showing up today?

But he couldn't offend her—not here.

Edward smiled faintly. "I am a capitalist. But whether I'm greedy or not isn't up to me—it's up to you. Whether this press conference is just a show isn't for me to decide—it's for you to judge. But I have delivered two messages today: one, we are deeply remorseful; and two, we are genuinely responsible. Thank you."

Sophia immediately stepped forward. "Thank you, everyone, for attending. Today's press conference is officially over."

Edward rose from his seat and strode out, surrounded by security.

Reporters swarmed after him, especially that persistent female journalist, who thrust her recording device forward.

"Mr. Astor! Can a single press conference really make this problem go away? How will you ensure such mistakes don't happen again? Was this incident accidental or deliberate? And if deliberate, who will be held accountable—"

The questions kept coming.

Edward stormed off with a dark expression, ignoring her entirely.

[ Damn you, Davis. You absolute menace.

You might be having a quiet day, but my troubles have only multiplied.

Why on earth do you need so many women?

Sure, most male leads in novels have a harem, but you... you're way too excessive!

Yes, I envy you, but you... you really have no shame!

Yes, I want to be you, but... you're just ridiculously carefree. ]

Leaving the main hall, Edward strode purposefully down a private corridor.

From the opposite direction, a group approached. Leading them was a woman in a elegant long dress, high heels clicking confidently against the polished floor.

Edward immediately recognized her.

Graceful figure, flawless curves, stunning looks...

Another leading lady—Catherine White.

Catherine was the granddaughter of Robert White, the sister of Henry White and Jack White.

She was now the CEO of the White Family Group, holding immense power and authority.

But once upon a time, she was his official girlfriend—his childhood sweetheart, his first love.

Because of Henry's reckless behavior, their relationship had ended disastrously, leaving behind nothing but broken pieces and regret.

Facing her today was undeniably awkward.

Thankfully, Edward was in a hurry. He decided to pretend he hadn't seen her and walked briskly past without making eye contact.

Catherine froze briefly upon seeing her ex-boyfriend, standing still as Edward walked by without so much as a glance.

[ You can't see me. You can't see me. You can't see me... ]

[ In short, you just can't see me! ]

[ Yes, it was my fault back then. I have no face to see you again. Let's just live our separate lives peacefully. ]

Catherine turned around and watched Edward's retreating figure.

[ That guy... Am I imagining things? ]

She smiled bitterly.

[ Have I still not let him go? ]

Edward had barely walked a few steps when Elizabeth appeared out of nowhere and blocked his path.

"Edward! Hehe, I just saw Catherine walk by! Catherine!"

Edward was on the verge of losing it. "Don't... don't call her over!"

"Catherine, over here!"

Catherine wanted to leave. She felt ridiculous.

It had been over three years since their breakup. In all that time, Edward hadn't so much as called, texted, or even casually checked in.

Their relationship had become that of strangers—two people who would never cross paths again.

Yet seeing him today still made her heart flutter for a brief moment.

After all, he was her first love. The first man she had ever loved.

For a girl, your first love is something you can never fully erase, no matter how much time passes.

Even if you're old and gray in a wheelchair, you'll still remember your first boyfriend—unless you lose your memory entirely.

But now, thanks to Elizabeth's loud interruption, they had no choice but to face each other.

Among the four major families, while they weren't exactly as close as branches of the same tree, they maintained a certain level of politeness and etiquette.

In high society, no one really tore relationships apart publicly.

Friendships among these rich heirs were usually just surface-level nods and polite exchanges at social events.

Catherine turned back with a smile. "I thought that figure looked familiar. Mr. Astor, is that you? You seem... different lately."

Edward forced out a laugh, trying to act casual. "Ah, sorry, sorry. I've just been so busy lately, walking around lost in thought."

Elizabeth, having successfully called over two people, fell silent.

She knew they had history and was now eagerly watching the drama unfold.

After exchanging pleasantries, an awkward silence fell.

Catherine didn't know what to say next.

Edward, too, was at a loss for words.

The two just stared at each other, lips moving slightly but producing no sound.

The atmosphere was painfully awkward.

Elizabeth glanced back and forth between them, enjoying every moment.

Edward opened his mouth, closed it again, then forced a polite smile.

Catherine, equally embarrassed, turned her head slightly and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, trying to hide her discomfort.

[ Elizabeth, you troublemaker! Why did you call her over? ]

[ This is unbearable. I wish I could disappear into a crack in the floor. ]

[ But wow, Catherine is still so beautiful. And her figure... damn, I remember back then... ]

Catherine's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Mr. Astor, what did you just say?"