[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-born-into-villain-s-family-i-have-a-200-rebate-s":3,"chapter-born-into-villain-s-family-i-have-a-200-rebate-s-born-into-villain-s-family-i-have-a-200-rebate-s-chapter-555":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Born Into Villain's Family: I Have a 200\\% Rebate System",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1491740,1939,"Chapter 555: Ella","born-into-villain-s-family-i-have-a-200-rebate-s-chapter-555",555,"\u003Cp>His heart began beating faster as the tempting thoughts spread through his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, reality soon pulled him back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The difference between Jacqueline and himself was simply too great.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Until I become an international star... I don’t deserve someone like her.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jacqueline was not just any film critic. She was famous on an international level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even top directors and major film producers valued her opinions before making final changes to their movies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her understanding of the industry far surpassed his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What made him feel even more embarrassed was the difference in their achievements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he was still struggling through auditions and barely earning anything, Jacqueline had already won two Best Movie Director awards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gap between them was enormous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Theodore himself possessed assets worth millions, Jacqueline and her family had a combined net worth in the billions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I’m not enough for her.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quietly suppressed the thoughts that had begun forming in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Jacqueline was watching him carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing how grateful Theodore was toward her made her feel hopeful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Maybe... this is my chance.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she gave a small hint, perhaps Theodore would understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe their relationship could move forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe they could become something more than just friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that thought in mind, Jacqueline looked at him and leaned forward slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore immediately looked toward Jacqueline when she moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jacqueline held her cup of matcha milk tea lightly between her fingers before speaking again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since we already know each other so well,\" she said with a small smile, \"why don’t we take a photo together?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore blinked in surprise before nodding quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took out his phone and unlocked it. The screen glowed faintly in the dimly lit room as he lifted it up, preparing to take a simple selfie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, just as he was about to press the button, Jacqueline suddenly stood up from her chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore looked up in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could react, Jacqueline walked behind him and leaned slightly forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face stopped only a few centimeters away from his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore instantly froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The faint scent of her perfume drifted toward him, something light and floral that made his mind feel strangely dizzy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heartbeat began pounding wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’She’s... way too close.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment, a reckless thought flashed through his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Should I just confess right now?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the thought vanished just as quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Stop overthinking things.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He scolded himself silently and quickly focused on the phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After taking several photos together, Jacqueline returned to her seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Send them to me,\" she said casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore nodded and shared the pictures with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jacqueline opened them on her phone and looked through the photos for a moment before raising her eyes toward him again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So,\" she said thoughtfully, \"what are your plans after this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore leaned back slightly in his chair while thinking for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For a while, I plan to focus on some reality shows.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jacqueline raised an eyebrow. Theodore shrugged slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t want people to just like my public image,\" he said honestly. \"I want them to like the real Theodore.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jacqueline nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If that’s the case,\" she said calmly, \"then you should use your face as bait.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore blinked. Jacqueline continued without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let people come because of your appearance, but make them stay because of your talent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore laughed softly. \"That sounds like a good strategy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jacqueline’s expression suddenly became serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is something else you need to be careful about.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore looked at her curiously. \"You should carry a camera with you at all times,\" she said firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He frowned slightly. Jacqueline crossed her arms lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are famous now,\" she continued. \"There will always be people trying to take advantage of that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore understood exactly what she meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After spending so many years in the industry, he had already seen many unpleasant things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back when he was still an unknown actor, he had been drugged and bullied too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now he had become a rising heartthrob.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’God knows how many people might have bad intentions.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore nodded seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll remember that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>..................\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few days later, the wrap-up party for the film was held.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the party, a woman named Ella approached Theodore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier, the director had introduced her to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is my niece,\" the director had said with a friendly smile. \"She has just started in the industry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had looked at Theodore meaningfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It would be great if you could look after her in the future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore immediately understood what the director was trying to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply gave a polite smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, something about Ella felt strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Theodore extended his hand politely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nice to meet you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ella immediately grabbed his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of simply shaking it, she deliberately rubbed her fingers across his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore felt a wave of disgust rise in his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He calmly pulled his hand back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Ella looked at his hand with clear reluctance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’If only I could have held it a little longer...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she quickly calmed herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’It doesn’t matter.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once her plan succeeded, she would not need to rush things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Theodore turned away and began talking with the director.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m sorry,\" he said politely. \"I have another appointment tonight, so I may have to leave early.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The director frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But you are the main lead,\" he protested. \"If you leave early, it would look rather bad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore shrugged casually. \"That’s not really my problem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since he had discovered that his sister was secretly backing him, his confidence had grown significantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he no longer felt the need to please everyone around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Whether a director wants to work with me or blacklist me... it doesn’t matter anymore.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already reached the point where he no longer needed to bow his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that thought, Theodore ignored the director’s displeased expression and walked away arrogantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ella watched him with shining eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’He looks even more charming when he acts like that...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She almost followed him immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, at that moment she heard her uncle muttering under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just an opportunistic boy,\" the director sneered. \"If it wasn’t for his connections, he would never have become famous.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ella rolled her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her uncle had used countless underhanded tricks to reach his own position, yet he still criticized others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’The pot calling the kettle black.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Theodore stood near the entrance and checked the time on his phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waited for about twenty minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was preparing to leave, someone suddenly appeared in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Ella.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore suppressed the irritation rising inside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He forced a gentlemanly smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss Ella,\" he said calmly. \"You came at the right time. Please pass this to the director. Tell him I have already left.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Theodore’s mind, the message was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no interest in talking further. However, he had clearly underestimated Ella.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment, she stepped forward and blocked his path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore’s irritation deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ella leaned slightly closer and lowered her voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is something important I need to discuss with you privately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled faintly. \"If you have time, we could find somewhere quiet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore immediately shook his head. \"I’m not interested.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced down at his phone again. Twenty-two minutes had already passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His patience was rapidly disappearing. \"I need to leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without waiting for her response, Theodore stepped past her and began walking away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ella quickly followed him like a shadow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s very important,\" she insisted. \"You really need to hear this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice suddenly turned cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you refuse to listen... you will regret it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore didn’t even bother turning around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the years, many people had tried to threaten him with similar words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, those threats had frightened him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now things were different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his current backing and rising fame, such threats barely meant anything anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Empty words.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that thought, Theodore simply continued walking forward without stopping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ella watched Theodore walk away without even glancing back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment, irritation flickered across her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the irritation quickly faded. A slow smile crept across her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Aren’t you arrogant...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes narrowed slightly. ’Let’s see how long that arrogance lasts.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new idea suddenly formed in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without wasting a second, she quietly slipped outside the building and walked toward a darker corner of the street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A paparazzi she had contacted earlier was already waiting there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She quickly walked up to him and whispered a few instructions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, Theodore appeared at that exact location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ella deliberately stepped forward and pretended to stumble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body tilted dramatically as if she had lost her balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore instinctively moved forward. As a gentleman, his first reaction was to help her up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached out his hand. However, just as Ella was about to grab it, Theodore suddenly paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something about the situation felt wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes narrowed slightly. Instead of helping her up, he slowly withdrew his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ella froze. Theodore’s voice turned cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you ever try something like this again,\" he said calmly, \"I will make sure you regret it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1525,"2026-06-06T04:03:52.406Z",1,"novelbin.me","c383b633a26f7426f2b7cbc3a9112ca503bf02e00e8b3f733b90e0bb5e38c2ed","born-into-villain-s-family-i-have-a-200-rebate-s-chapter-556","born-into-villain-s-family-i-have-a-200-rebate-s-chapter-554",614,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fborn-into-villain-s-family-i-have-a-200-rebate-s-cover.jpg"]