Stand In and Cash Out

I woke up inside a novel with my best friend, Anya. She became the billionaire's unreachable first love, while I was just the stand-in who looked fifty percent like her.

We came up with a plan. She would go abroad to study, and I would stay here to milk the billionaire for enough money to support us both.

When the female lead finally appeared and it was time for us to be dumped, I secretly called Anya.

"I've made enough money. It's your turn to come back and grab your share! Hurry, before it's too late!"

But on the day Anya returned, she was intercepted at a club by a cold, brooding CEO.

At that exact moment, I stared at the man looming over me, lost in thought.

If Anya was blocked by the CEO, then who the hell was this man in front of me?

......

Before pushing open the VIP lounge door, I heard laughter coming from inside.

"That little trophy girl Ford keeps... why hasn't he brought her around lately? Is he bored of her?"

"It's been so long. Anyone would get bored. I heard she's incredibly submissive. Sounds pretty dull to me."

"Haha, if you're done with her, Ford, pass her to me. I actually like her look. She's just a stand-in anyway. You wouldn't mind, right?"

I froze. My hands curled into fists at my sides.

My phone screen lit up. A notification from Ford Sinclair sent ten minutes ago was still there. It was his location.

The room went quiet for a second. Then, I heard a man's deep, low voice.

"You can have her if you want. She's becoming less like Anya anyway. It's getting boring."

The door opened. A waiter came out with empty trays and gave me a polite nod before walking away.

Through the gap in the door, my eyes met the man inside.

He seemed to know I was there all along. He beckoned me with a long, slender finger.

"Come here."

I walked over submissively. I pulled two hangover pills from my pocket and placed them in his palm.

Ford curled his lips into a faint smile and swallowed the pills. As usual, he greeted his friends and led me out.

Even though it was spring, the night air was freezing. I was wearing something thin and shivered as the wind hit me.

"Fine. You can go now."

Ford lit a cigarette. A luxury sedan pulled up slowly in front of him. He glanced at me and tossed a credit card at my feet.

The card hit the pavement with a sharp, metallic click.

"I didn't do this for theD"

My eyes turned red, and I tried to explain. But in the next second, Ford was already in the car.

I watched the car disappear into the distance. I stood there for a few minutes to make sure his friends weren't coming out.

Then, I immediately crouched down and snatched up the card.

I pulled out my phone and maximized the hidden video call.

"Holy crap, girl! You didn't even curse that jerk out? How do you have so much patience?"

Anya's voice came through the speaker.

I grinned proudly and waved the card at her. All the sadness on my face vanished instantly.

"Patience brings wealth, and staying calm makes you a queen. There's at least two hundred grand on this card. I'll give you half."

Anya's grin was even wider than mine.

"There is one problem, though. That dog said I'm looking less like you."

I worried for a second. "We wear the same clothes, the same makeup, the same perfume. How do I not look like you anymore?"

Anya was silent for a moment.

"Do you think it's possible the real female lead has actually arrived?"