Chapter 1

"Everyone, I'm sure you're all thinking of repaying your parents for supporting your studies, right? That's why I specifically asked my father whether our entire class could go work at his factory. He agreed and is willing to pay roughly six thousand a month!

"As long as you come work this summer, you'll be able to join the company after graduation into a management position. How's that for sincerity, huh?"

Zachary Fuller's smug words instantly made me realize that I had died and gone back in time.

While our classmates cheered and thanked him fervently for providing a cushy job immediately after they graduated, I was still consumed by the agony of being electrocuted by machinery as my arms and legs were ground into minced meat.

Grabbing my school bag, I headed straight for the door, only for Zachary to seize me in one quick motion.

"Adrian, where are you going? Everyone else has already agreed to work at my father's factory this summer. You're the only one who hasn't answered yet."

I yanked my arm out of his grip and replied coldly, "I'm not going. I still have other things to do!"

My childhood friend, Natania Sutton, stood beside him with her arms crossed. In a displeased tone, she snapped, "Don't you love your parents at all? They worked hard so that you could get an education, so why aren't you jumping at this chance to earn some money to repay them?"

Curling my hands into fists, I said, "Before sitting for our SATs, I borrowed some money from someone on the Internet, so I have to go to Carula to repay my debt this summer! Since I've already signed an agreement, they'll definitely come looking for me!"

Zachary scrutinized me closely, not really believing my words. "Carula? That place is full of murderers and criminals! You'll definitely die if you go there!"

Disgust welled in me at his faux concern. No matter what, going to Carula would at least be better than falling for his dirty tricks and getting killed by the factory equipment, so that he could get the compensation money, right?

Spreading my hands, I deliberately said in a regretful tone, "But I've already promised to go there. If I don't, everyone will be dragged into this mess once the people there come here specifically for me."

When the others heard that people from Carula would be coming here, they immediately panicked.

"It's his own problem that he won't get to enjoy this privilege! Zach, forget about him! Let's just go without him!"

Nonetheless, Zachary refused to relent just yet. "But I've already signed us up. My dad wouldn't accept us unless our entire class went—every single one of us. Are you trying to cause the whole class to lose out on this wonderful opportunity to earn a nice sum of money?"

Those who had been urging Zachary to give up on me now sent me resentful glares.

Natania exploded in anger, "People from Carula? Even if they come, they're here for you, not us! Just come to the factory first so that our numbers are right! Don't let your own mess screw things up for the rest of us!"