Previous Life Memories: A Mob and a Villainous Woman

She lived as a corporate slave in an island nation in the East in the 21st century.

Endless overtime and even weekends being taken away due to client schedules had become a commonplace occurrence.

The company was a black company, disregarding labor laws, cutting overtime pay as a matter of course, and not receiving fair wages for the labor put in.

However, in the midst of a severe recession and with no prospects for changing jobs, she continued to work silently. Naturally, there was no time for encounters, let alone marriage.

Before she knew it, she was approaching her late twenties.

Among her friends from middle and high school, some had already gotten married…

Her only joy in the stressful daily life was taking a bath. Her routine was to leisurely soak in a bath with bath salts added to the tub, making her own bath bombs.

On days when she could return home early, she would choose her favorite essential oil, add fragrance to the bath bomb made with materials bought from the 100-yen store, and color it using food coloring.

She even went so far as to turn it into a hobby, trying her luck with capsule-toy machines on her way home from work.

Children behind her often exclaimed, “I want to try the capsule-toy machine that Aunty is doing! Maa-kun, I want a funny one too!”

She couldn’t help but get annoyed at times, thinking, “I’m not looking for something funny; I want the shell!”

And so, the bath bombs she made would bubble and froth in the bathtub, soothing her roughened heart.

In her past life, Rosa, on rare holidays, enjoyed reading novels and manga on her smartphone while soaking in a bath with a homemade bath bomb.

One manga, in particular, titled “Happiness Strikes Suddenly: The Hidden Tale of the Young Lady,” captured her interest, and she got immersed in it enough to make in-app purchases.

The story was truly a Cinderella tale, and the artwork was beautiful. It was the perfect balm for the heart of a boyfriend-less corporate slave.

The protagonist, Ellen, was the daughter of the count, Davis Morrow, but because her mother, a commoner, wasn’t accepted by the Morrow family, she grew up in the commoner’s world. Life was impoverished, and the mother and daughter lived shoulder to shoulder, enduring the hardships. The portrayal of their struggles was quite moving.

In her past life, Rosa cried while making in-app purchases in the bath.

In the midst of her challenging daily life, Ellen faced a critical turning point when she was about to be attacked by a thug one day. Just then, Alec and his servant appeared gallantly and rescued Ellen. However, he left without revealing his identity, as he had come to town incognito.

Here again, Rosa eagerly made in-app purchases, looking forward to future developments.

One day, a dramatic turning point occurred in Ellen’s life. Davis inherited the title of count, and both mother and daughter were welcomed into the count’s house. Ellen, who had lived a poor life until yesterday, was greatly perplexed by the difference in lifestyle. She struggled with the strict lady’s education.

However, the fact that they no longer suffered from hunger was a good thing. Her mother’s smile increased, and Ellen was satisfied.

But that happiness was short-lived. The mother fell victim to an epidemic and died suddenly.

Once again, Rosa cried in the bath while making in-app purchases.

Then, Davis, the father, and the relied-upon Alec were shocked by the mother’s death. Davis fell into despair, became self-destructive, and turned to alcohol.

The Morrow family’s fortune dwindled, Davis’s investments failed, and they were pushed to the brink of ruin.

“What will happen next?” and “I’ve spent so much on in-app purchases!” The comments section was tumultuous with the paying users’ frustration.

At that time, Ellen unexpectedly reunited with Alec at the royal palace’s ball.

“You are the one from that time…”

Alec notices Ellen and calls out to her. As Ellen turns around, her large eyes widen in amazement.

“You are the one who saved me at that time.”

They feel a sense of fate the moment they meet, are drawn to each other, overcome various obstacles, and eventually come together.

It’s a conveniently plotted Cinderella story with many points to nitpick.

However, the story of a diligent, unlucky girl meeting a sparkling prince and finding happiness was a soothing tale for the tired Rosa of her past life.

In the love story between the two, the first obstacle is the presence of the villainous Rosa Croitzer. She harbors affection for Alec and acts as a hindrance to the relationship between Alec and Ellen.

Despite their love for each other, the two face interference from Rosa, leading to poignant misunderstandings.

For Rosa of the past life, this was heart-fluttering material, and she couldn’t stop making in-app purchases.

But one day, Alec suddenly finds himself blackmailed by Rosa and is forced to engage with her.

Despite being the third prince, the excellent Alec becomes the crown prince. Further increasing the class difference, Ellen and Alec secretly harbor their love for each other.

As difficult days continue, by chance, Ellen and Alec clandestinely enjoy meetings again. However, as Rosa finds out, their relationship is ruthlessly torn apart.

But six months before Alec and Rosa’s wedding, the story takes a sudden turn.

Due to Rosa’s malicious deeds, she incurs the resentment of various parties, and she is poisoned and dies.

Afterward, Ellen and Alec’s relationship rapidly progresses. However, the difference in status between the crown prince and the daughter of the nearly bankrupt count’s house becomes an obstacle.

In Ellen’s family, they cannot rely on Alec’s support.

At the end of the first chapter, the second chapter begins.

In the end, conveniently, Davis, the father, recovers, and the Morrow family’s finances become prosperous.

Davis gains the trust of a wealthy merchant, receives support, and the count’s house gradually becomes affluent.

This part is a cliche.

Things seem to go smoothly for the two, but in the third chapter, they face a new challenge.

The queen and the concubine oppose their relationship due to the difference in status.

However, eventually, those around them are moved by Ellen’s earnestness and change their minds.

In the end, they reconcile with the queen and the concubine, and the two are blessed by those around them and become engaged.

On the other hand, the Croitzer Duke’s family, due to their aggressive political maneuvers, becomes hated, faces ruin, and disperses, eventually ending up in exile abroad.

The main focus of the story remains the love romance between Ellen and Alec.

In other words, Rosa Croitzer is the villainous supporting character who gets poisoned and killed in the first chapter.

(Despite spending so much on in-app purchases in my past life! Even though I knew it’s more cost-effective to buy in bulk after it’s over! I feel betrayed. There’s nothing but despair.)