Chapter 3

Henry was ecstatic.

"I'd totally agree!" Henry exclaimed.

Grace rolled her eyes.

"First, I'm only giving you just enough for lunch money. You're a student, too much cash, and you'll just lose focus on your schoolwork," Grace said.

Henry nodded eagerly, saying that was only fair and that he wasn't after anything else.

"Second, if you don't get into college, you'll have to pay me back every cent I gave you, plus interest," Grace said.

Henry nodded again, agreeing without hesitation.

"Third, to make sure you don't get any funny ideas later, once you get into college, you have to start working right away to pay me back," Grace added.

Henry's eyes lit up with excitement, then he shot me a look full of contempt.

"Back then, you spoiled me with good food and comfort, always claiming you didn't expect anything in return.

"Look at Grace—she spells everything out right from the start. That's what someone with real integrity does, not like you, acting all selfless but secretly wanting everything in the end!" Henry shot back.

Henry kept flapping his lips, but I wasn't even paying attention to his sarcasm.

I'd been reborn, dropped right into an era bursting with opportunities, where anyone could catch the wind and soar.

Right now, I had no time for distractions. My only focus was making the Evans family bigger, stronger, and grabbing the market before anyone else could.

I signaled to Dad that we should head back, and Grace quickly tagged along.

Henry kept defending her, refusing to let it go.

"Charlotte, you really need to stop acting like a pampered princess.

"You're both rich girls, but you make her bring you lunch, and as soon as we start talking, you want to leave. Using these cheap tricks—aren't you afraid karma will bite you?" Henry sneered.

Grace's cheeks turned red when she heard that.

"I... I'm nothing compared to Ms. Evans," Grace stammered.

Henry looked even more smug.

"That's nonsense! You're a million times prettier than Charlotte!" Henry said.

Grace was absolutely thrilled by the compliment, but she added, "Charlotte's not bad either."

Henry immediately snarked back.

"Look at Grace—she always has your back, but you couldn't even bring yourself to tell me about your best friend's death. Honestly, you're not even fit to be called a person!" Henry spat.

Turns out, to Henry, Grace was always my closest friend.

I just felt like all those years of effort had gone straight down the drain. Honestly, it was almost funny. So I just told the driver to step on it, blasted him with a faceful of exhaust, and peeled out.

I grabbed Dad and headed straight to the office, spending the entire day and night mapping out the blueprint for our future business empire.

Dad didn't really get how I could talk so confidently about the fashion and real estate markets, but he listened carefully and took notes anyway.

After a whole day of hustling, I was so exhausted I passed out as soon as my head hit the pillow, my mind still replaying everything from my last life.

The next morning, even with dark circles under my eyes, my young body felt unstoppable. I bounced out the door for some exercise, and right as I got downstairs, there was Henry.

"Give me money," Henry demanded.

He stuck out his hand, like he totally expected me to hand it over.

I was stunned speechless.

"Who the hell do you think you are, just sticking your hand out for money? Even beggars know to show some respect when they're asking for cash!" I shot back.

Henry's face darkened, and he grabbed my wrist hard.

"So, just because I'm spending a little more time with Grace, you're already getting jealous?

"Charlotte, don't pretend with me. I know you've been reborn too. You should remember that I was the most successful businessman in Capital City in my last life. Being on my good side is only going to help you!" Henry said.

I couldn't help but laugh in exasperation.

Henry had nothing left now, but he still kept those rich kid airs.

Too bad he only remembered his so-called success and forgot how his grades crashed in senior year. I spent thousands of dollars hiring a college tutor for one-on-one lessons, just so he could barely get through the door to higher education.

Without the Evans family's fortune, Henry wouldn't just miss out on success; even going to school would be a miracle for him!