Chapter 1

The courtroom was packed with familiar faces. Almost all of them were my relatives.

This was another world, one with extremely advanced artificial intelligence. Here, the court was the highest authority.

My parents, Gideon Briggs and Meryl Wheeler, sat not far away with my younger brother, Cody Briggs. The look in their eyes was pure heartbreak, as if I were some unforgivable criminal.

"No one may leave during trial proceedings. Any attempt to exit will result in immediate execution," the presiding judge, Judge Caine, recited the rules in a mechanical tone, then looked at me. "Defendant Brandon Briggs, do you accept judgment?"

Watching the familiar scene unfold, my chest tightened with a flood of emotions.

That was right. I had been reborn.

At first, I couldn't understand why my parents would drag me to court for being unfilial. I thought I must've done something to make them misunderstand me. They had given me life and raised me. I couldn't bear to see them suffer the court's harsh penalties. So, I confessed on the spot.

Once a case reached the court, there was no turning back for anyone.

It was only ten years in prison and all my assets. I told myself it was repayment to my parents for raising me.

But only when I died did I learn the truth. It had all been a scheme. Cody wanted to study abroad and buy a house. My family didn't have enough money, so they set their sights on me.

When I contracted tuberculosis in prison, I called home, begging my parents to help me. But Mom said to me in an icy tone, "You unfilial child. Now you remember us? If you die in there, you deserve it!"

In the end, no one saved me. I died a miserable death in that prison cell.

After death, my soul drifted back home. I saw Mom and Dad happily hosting a housewarming party for Cody in a huge two-thousand-square-foot apartment, paid for entirely with my money.

Cody sliced the cake, unable to hide his excitement. In a low, sinister voice, he said, "Are we really not going to do anything about Brandon? What if he survives and comes after us when he gets out?"

Mom sneered coldly. "That's what he owes us. What right does he have to come after us? If anything, blame his bad luck. No one else got sick. He's just being dramatic."

Dad chimed in, "If he can contribute to the family before he dies, that's his good fortune. And even if he somehow makes it out, we'll just refuse to acknowledge him. After all, he's already labeled as an unfilial son. He won't be able to continue showing his face in this world."

I closed my eyes in despair. They never cared whether I lived or died. All that concern and love they had shown me before had all been a lie.

This time, I'd drag them into hell with my own hands.