MasukAfter returning to Prestonia, I successfully graduated from my Master's program and joined a small tech startup. My professors and classmates didn't understand my choice. Only I knew that within two years, this company would rise at breakneck speed.Joining now meant that I would receive stock options as part of the offer. Once the company went public, I would achieve financial freedom.Low risk, high reward.If I hadn't lived a second life, this opportunity would never have come my way.The company was in a rapid growth phase, and the workload was intense. I was constantly on the move, busy for days.It wasn't until I received a call from Lucy that I realized an entire year had passed without me realizing it. Her excitement crackled through the phone. "Amelia, I've got some huge gossip. Ginger's family went bankrupt!"My heart skipped a beat. It had been a long time since I had heard that familiar name.Lucy continued, "Recently, all of the Livingston family's illegal businesse
After returning to college, I transitioned smoothly into postgraduate studies. Two years later, I completed two research papers under my advisor's guidance, both of which were successfully published in professional journals in my field.One of the companies that came across my work reached out and invited me to work as a research consultant. They offered a monthly consulting fee of 100 thousand dollars for a single project.That was how I earned my first real pot of gold.That summer, while I was home on break, I went to a class reunion with Lucy. Several years had passed, and once again, I saw Maverick.What shocked me was how much he had aged. His hair was a mess, his skin dull and sallow. His face looked worn, deep lines etched around his mouth and eyes. If anyone told me he was in his thirties, I would have believed them without a doubt.What was even more surprising was that one of his legs was visibly lame. He walked with a noticeable limp, swaying slightly with each step. W
By my senior year, I secured a guaranteed recommendation for a postgraduate program. I joined the research group of a professor I genuinely admired and began participating in academic projects under his supervision. My schedule was relatively light. While preparing for my master's thesis, I also started laying the groundwork for a business I planned to launch.When I went home during the break, I never expected to run into Maverick downstairs in my neighborhood. It looked like he had been waiting there for some time.The moment he saw me, his face lit up with surprise.He walked to me, rubbing his hands together, hesitating before speaking. "Amelia, it's been a while. How's life in Prestonia?"I nodded and said calmly, "Pretty good."He let out an awkward laugh. "Oh, are you planning to take the postgraduate entrance exam? I heard it's really competitive now. It's not something you can easily pass."I casually replied, "I was recommended directly."He froze for a moment, shock
Once the semester began, I finally stepped onto the campus of Bloomdale University. With the experience of my previous life with me, I had a much clearer sense of what I wanted from college this time. I focused on coursework, maintaining a high GPA at the top of my program, while also participating in research projects outside of class. I intentionally built relationships with prominent professors and mentors, steadily growing my network.All of it served a purpose. It smoothed my path in academia and laid the groundwork for whatever I chose to pursue afterward.By the end of the semester, I ranked first in my major with ease and even secured a research scholarship. My name quickly became known within the department.When I went home for the New Year, Lucy invited me for a shopping trip and dropped a bombshell—Ginger was pregnant.I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.Lucy looked thrilled by my reaction, her expression clearly teasing me for not seeing it coming. She said, "You
A month passed, and the start of the semester was approaching. My parents and I were home packing when, to our surprise, Maverick showed up at the door.He peered inside and said, "Mrs. Radford, I'm Amelia's classmate. I heard she is flying off to Prestonia soon, and I wanted to say a few words to her."Mom was fine with that and called me out. There were only two of us at the stairwell. I spoke first. "What do you want to say? Make it quick."Maverick frowned slightly, studying my face. His stare made me uncomfortable. I turned around and opened the door to head inside. "If you're not going to say anything, I'm leaving…"He hurriedly reached out and stopped me. "Ämelia, are you still angry with me?"I looked at him, puzzled.He gave a knowing, almost smug smile. "I get it. Being dumped must have been humiliating for you. Honestly, anyone would have chosen Ginger. She's beautiful, gentle, and always listens to me. I'm crazy about her."I couldn't help but burst out laughing. "
Maverick's face twisted with annoyance as he yanked his arm free from his father's grip. "Enough! What are all of you making such a fuss about? Ginger is the most innocent lady I've ever met. How could she possibly force me into anything? "It was my choice. Being with Ginger is my dream. So what if it costs me the college entrance examination?Maverick's parents went pale with rage, hands trembling as they pointed at him. "Y-You ungrateful brat! We raised you with everything we had, and this is how you repay us?"Maverick's expression turned icy. His voice was flat as he said, "If you despise me that much, we can cut ties. "From now on, I'll treat Ginger's parents as my own. I'll treat them well, and that's good enough for me."Mrs. Livingston burst into loud, triumphant laughter at Maverick's remark. "You heard that, you poor school teachers? "Maverick wants us to be his parents instead. Why don't you go home and wash up for bed?"Ginger wrapped her arms around Maverick af