The Misconduct Betrayal: Why Readers Wanted More from Cora and Xander
The phenomenon of Misconduct on platforms like GoodNovel and Literie isn't just about the steamy billionaire tropes; it is about the primal desire for justice after a devastating betrayal. When Cora first discovered her fiancé’s infidelity, the narrative set a stage for a phoenix-like rising. However, as the chapters dragged on, many readers felt the sting of disappointment. The original Misconduct story saw Cora becoming increasingly submissive to Xander’s overwhelming wealth and possessive nature.
Fans often find themselves trapped in a cycle of paying for chapters only to see the protagonist lose her agency. The power dynamic in Misconduct shifted from a revenge-fueled one-night stand to a game of manipulation where Xander held all the cards. While the chemistry between the cold-blooded CEO and the resilient heroine remained electric, the emotional payoff felt lopsided. Readers weren't just looking for a happy ending; they were looking for a fair fight.
This is why the strategic gap in the narrative is so glaring. We see a woman who survived a wedding-day heartbreak only to be boxed in by a new, more powerful man. The 'reconciliation' chapters in the original text often felt like a surrender rather than a choice. If you felt that Cora deserved to be more than just a prize for a billionaire to win, you are not alone. It is time to reimagine the ending where she isn't just the woman in the CEO's office, but the one owning the building next door.
The Power Shift Blueprint: Reclaiming the Narrative
To fix the narrative arc of Misconduct, we have to look at the 'What If' scenario. What if Cora hadn't just hidden from Xander after their fateful night? What if she had used the secrets she overheard in that high-end bar to build her own foundation? The core of a satisfying romance, especially in the billionaire genre, is equality. For Xander to truly respect her, he shouldn't just be able to protect her from her ex-fiancé; he should be intimidated by her.
In this reimagining, we focus on the psychological shift from victim to victor. We remove the submissive middle chapters and replace them with a calculated rise to power. The following scene takes place during the final corporate confrontation—a moment where the original story had Xander saving her. Here, we let the heroine save herself, forcing the alpha to realize that love is a partnership of equals, not a purchase of property.
The Silent Takeover: A New Beginning
The glass-walled boardroom of the city's most prestigious firm was silent, save for the rhythmic clicking of a pen. Xander sat at the head of the table, his tailored suit a sharp armor against the chaos of the market. His eyes, usually cold and unreadable, were fixed on the empty chair opposite him. He had spent months tracking the woman who had vanished like a ghost after that night, only to find her popping up in the one place he couldn't touch: the legal filings of his biggest competitor.
Suddenly, the heavy oak doors swung open. She didn't walk in with the hesitant steps of a secretary or the frantic energy of someone seeking help. She entered with the measured grace of a woman who had already won. Her hair was pulled back, her suit more expensive than any gift he had ever tried to force upon her. She didn't look at him with fear. She looked at him with a terrifying, familiar intelligence.
'You're late,' he said, his voice a low growl that vibrated through the room.
She pulled out the chair and sat, placing a leather portfolio on the table. 'I wasn't late. I was finalizing the acquisition of your ex-fiancé's remaining assets. It turns out, when a man is as desperate as he was, he sells his soul for a very low price.'
Xander leaned forward, his hands clenching into fists. 'I told you I would handle him. I told you I would protect you.'
'That was your first mistake,' she replied, her voice smooth and dangerous. 'You assumed I needed a shield. I didn't need a shield, Xander. I needed a vantage point. That night at the bar, you weren't the only one paying attention to the details of the merger. While you were focused on me, I was focused on your strategy.'
He felt a strange, intoxicating mix of fury and admiration. For the first time in his life, he wasn't looking at a woman he could manipulate with a checkbook or a threat. He was looking at his mirror image. He realized then that all his efforts to keep her close, to trap her in his world of wealth and power, had been useless. She had built her own world.
'So,' he said, a slow, genuine smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. 'You didn't come here to ask for the CEO's mercy?'
'I came here to offer you a seat at my table,' she said, sliding the contract toward him. 'The terms are simple. Total transparency. No more shadows. No more manipulation. If you want me, you come to me as a partner, or you don't come at all.'
He looked down at the signature at the bottom of the page. It wasn't the name of a victim. It was the name of the woman who had just conquered the city. He stood up, walking around the table until he was inches from her. The air between them crackled with the same heat that had defined their first encounter, but this time, it was balanced by a weight of mutual respect.
'You're a dangerous woman,' he whispered, his hand hovering near her cheek, waiting for her permission.
'I learned from the best,' she said, her eyes never wavering. 'Now, are we going to talk business, or are you going to keep pretending you're the one in charge?'
He laughed then, a rare, deep sound that startled even himself. He didn't reach for her like a prize. He extended his hand like a colleague. When she took it, the grip was firm and unyielding. The wedding bells that would eventually ring for them wouldn't signify the end of her independence, but the beginning of an empire they built together, brick by cold, calculated brick.
Deconstructing the Rewrite: Why Empowerment Sells
This version of the Misconduct ending addresses the primary complaint found in the reader community: the loss of Cora's agency. By shifting the narrative from a 'rescue' to a 'partnership,' the story gains a layer of psychological depth that is often missing in fast-paced web novels. Xander's character actually benefits from this change as well. Instead of being a predatory figure who uses wealth as a cage, he becomes a man who is humbled and challenged by the woman he loves.
In the original Misconduct, the ex-fiancé is a cartoonish villain who is easily defeated by Xander's resources. In our reimagined version, Cora is the architect of her own revenge. This fulfills the 'Revenge' trope more effectively because the satisfaction is earned by the protagonist herself. It transforms the story from a passive experience into an empowering journey, which is exactly what modern readers are looking for when they search for these titles on GoodNovel or discuss them in fan groups.
FAQ
1. Does Cora end up with Xander in the novel Misconduct?
Yes, in almost all versions of the novel, Cora and Xander eventually reconcile and marry. The original ending features a five-year time jump showing them happy with their children after the villains are defeated.
2. Where can I read Misconduct by Cora and Xander for free?
While platforms like GoodNovel and Literie require coins, you can often find daily check-in rewards or promotional events. Beware of 'free' PDF sites as they often contain malware or incomplete versions of the story.
3. Is there a sequel to the Misconduct web novel?
While a direct sequel titled Misconduct 2 isn't officially listed, many authors on these platforms write 'spin-offs' focusing on Xander's siblings or business rivals, often featuring cameos from Cora and Xander.
References
goodnovel.com — Misconduct on GoodNovel
goodreads.com — Goodreads Discussion - Misconduct tropes
facebook.com — GoodNovel Readers Community