Chapter 3
By the second semester of sophomore year, our peer-to-peer resale app "Campus Swap" had blown up at UCLA.
Daily active users exceeded 5,000, and the transaction volume exceeded one hundred thousand dollars.
Students from other schools were reaching out, asking us to expand to their campuses.
"Emma, an investor wants to meet you." Ryan found me after class one day. "A VC firm in Silicon Valley. They're interested in your project."
My heart raced.
Here was my chance.
Last time I let it slip; this time, I wouldn't.
Sand Hill Road, the heart of Silicon Valley.
This was the epicenter of global tech investment.
"Emma Carter?" The investor in the tailored suit extended his hand. "David Johnson, Managing Partner at Apex Ventures. Your project has real potential."
The negotiation lasted three hours.
In the end, we reached a deal. 2 million dollars in seed funding at a ten-million-dollar valuation. I kept sixty-five percent equity and full control.
After signing the contract, I noticed my palms were sweaty.
"Not bad." Ryan leaned against his car, smiling. "Getting that valuation as a sophomore? That's impressive."
"I couldn't have done it without you." I meant it.
Without Ryan guiding me through every step for two years—from business models to finance and equity—I wouldn't have come this far.
"It's a win-win," he said, opening the car door. "Let's celebrate at a great restaurant."
Halfway there, his phone rang.
"What? Ethan's coming to Los Angeles?"
My heart skipped a beat.
"Yeah, Boston referred him... okay, got it," Ryan replied.
Ryan hung up and looked at me with a complicated expression. "Emma, there's something you should know."
"What is it?" I tried to stay calm.
"Redwood Capital wants in on our next round. They're sending an analyst to run due diligence. Good background—MIT finance grad, spent three years at a Big Four firm in Boston." He paused. "His name is Ethan Sullivan."
The world seemed to freeze in that instant.
"You know him?" he asked, his eyes sharp as he caught my reaction.
"He's a high school classmate," I replied, my voice dry and almost brittle.
"Just classmates?" Ryan pressed.
I closed my eyes. "Someone I used to have a crush on."
An awkward silence settled in the car.
After a long moment, he finally spoke. "I can turn down Redwood Capital."
"No need," I said, breathing deeply. "If Redwood Capital's terms are good, personal feelings don't matter."
"Emma—" he said softly.
"I'm not running away." I opened my eyes, and this time they were steady. "I'll face him. And I'll show him he's not good enough for who I've become."
I didn't realize Ethan's trip was far more dangerous than I thought.
In March 2013, Ethan officially started his due diligence work.
That morning, I put on my best Armani suit, did my makeup carefully, and walked into the office in my Louboutins
In the conference room, Ethan stood by the projector, introducing himself.
At 25, he was mature, confident, and professional, unlike in high school.
"I'm glad to represent Redwood Capital in this due diligence and look forward to working with you," he said.
His eyes scanned the room, then stopped on me, lingering briefly.
Shock, disbelief, and something else I couldn't quite identify flickered in his eyes.
I kept a neutral expression while flipping through the financial reports, treating him like any stranger from the VC crowd.
"Ms. Carter," Ryan called out to me, "as CEO, what's your expected valuation for this round of financing?"
All eyes turned to me.
I looked up, meeting hisearching gaze with calm composure.
"30 million dollars for 15% equity." I closed the file, my voice flat. "That's our floor. If Redwood thinks it's too high, there are other investors in the market."
The room fell silent.
Ethan stared, then said, "I must review the financials before deciding."
"Of course," I said, standing. "Sophie will help. If no more questions, I have another meeting."
I walked out without another word.
As I passed Ethan, I didn't even spare him a glance.
That feeling of being invisible—Ethan, you made me endure it for twenty years in my previous life.
Now, in this life, it was your turn to know what that was like.
"Emma, wait up."
After work, Ethan caught me by the elevator.
"Is there something you need, Mr. Sullivan?" I glanced at my watch. "I have dinner plans."
"Can we talk for just five minutes?" His voice was tinged with urgency.
"No need," I said, pressing the elevator button. "We're basically strangers now."
"Strangers?" He stuck his hand out to block the door. "Emma, we went to high school together. You used to—"
"Had a crush on you?" I laughed coldly. "That was seven years ago. People change, Mr. Sullivan. I'm not that girl anymore."
His expression faltered. "You've changed."
"Thanks for noticing." I moved his hand aside and stepped into the elevator. "I'd appreciate it if you kept things professional. I don't want personal history affecting work."
The elevator doors slid shut, leaving his conflicted expression outside.
As I turned away, my fists clenched tight with resolve.
Five years. Five years of turning myself into someone he could never measure up to.
This time, I wouldn't pause for him—not even once. Never again.