Chapter 2: A Queen's First Move

The next morning, Elena woke before sunrise.

For several seconds, she lay motionless beneath the blankets.

The ceiling above her looked exactly as it had ten years ago.

The same white paint.

The same crystal chandelier.

The same room she had occupied before her life spiraled into tragedy.

For a moment, she wondered if yesterday had been a dream.

Then the memories returned.

The betrayal.

The gunshot.

The crash.

The rebirth.

Elena slowly sat upright.

A cold determination settled in her chest.

"No."

This was real.

She was alive.

And she had work to do.

Unlike most people who received a second chance, Elena possessed something priceless.

Knowledge.

Knowledge of the next ten years.

Knowledge that could make her rich.

Powerful.

Untouchable.

And this time she intended to use every bit of it.

She climbed out of bed and walked toward the large window.

The city stretched beneath the morning sunlight.

Beautiful.

Peaceful.

Completely unaware of the storm that was coming.

A storm named Elena Hart.

Downstairs, breakfast had already been prepared.

The long dining table was covered with food.

Richard Hart sat at the head of the table while reading financial reports.

The moment he noticed Elena, his face brightened.

"Morning, sweetheart."

Elena smiled.

A genuine smile.

One she rarely showed in her previous life.

"Morning, Dad."

Richard lowered his newspaper.

"You seem happier today."

If only he knew.

In her previous life she had spent years wishing she could see him again.

Now every moment felt precious.

"I'm just in a good mood."

Richard chuckled.

"I hope school didn't suddenly become enjoyable."

Elena laughed softly.

The sound surprised even herself.

For years she had forgotten how to laugh naturally.

Richard watched her carefully.

Something about his daughter seemed different.

More mature.

More confident.

Yet he couldn't explain why.

"Any plans after school?" he asked.

Elena paused.

Many.

Far too many.

But she couldn't tell him the truth.

"Just studying."

Richard nodded approvingly.

"Good."

Elena lowered her gaze.

Studying.

Technically not a lie.

She had a great deal to study.

The people who would eventually destroy them.

At school, Elena attracted attention immediately.

Yesterday's classroom incident had already spread throughout the campus.

Students whispered as she walked through the hallways.

"That's her."

"The math genius."

"I heard she solved university-level questions."

"No way."

"She did."

Elena ignored them.

Compared to the boardrooms she once dominated, high school gossip meant nothing.

As she approached her classroom, a familiar voice called out.

"Sis!"

Vanessa.

Elena's body stiffened.

Slowly she turned.

There stood her stepsister.

Beautiful.

Elegant.

Smiling sweetly.

A perfect mask.

Ten years ago Elena had admired her.

Protected her.

Trusted her.

Now she saw only poison beneath the surface.

Vanessa linked their arms together.

"What's wrong?"

Nothing.

Except you murdered my father.

Destroyed my life.

And helped kill me.

But Elena simply smiled.

"Nothing."

Vanessa studied her for a moment.

Then shrugged.

"Don't forget our shopping trip after school."

"Of course."

The smile on Elena's face never wavered.

Neither girl realized how dangerous the other truly was.

One thought she was manipulating a naïve teenager.

The other was a woman reborn from death.

Classes passed quickly.

Elena already knew most of the material.

While her teachers lectured, she made plans.

Step one.

Money.

Lots of money.

Although the Hart family was wealthy, Elena wanted her own resources.

Independent resources.

Resources nobody could take away.

Fortunately, she knew exactly where to begin.

Three months from now, a small technology company would release a revolutionary mobile software.

At present, the company was nearly bankrupt.

Investors considered it worthless.

In five years, however, it would be worth billions.

Elena remembered every detail.

The founder.

The investors.

The timeline.

Everything.

A small smile appeared on her face.

The future really was convenient.

After school, Elena and Vanessa arrived at a luxury shopping district.

Vanessa happily dragged her between stores.

From the outside, they looked like close sisters.

Only Elena knew the truth.

As they entered a jewelry store, Vanessa suddenly spoke.

"By the way."

"Hm?"

"I heard Dad plans to give you internship opportunities in the company."

There it was.

The real reason for today's outing.

Information.

Vanessa wanted information.

Elena pretended not to notice.

"Maybe."

Vanessa's smile stiffened slightly.

In her previous life, Vanessa constantly feared Elena's talent.

Richard Hart had always favored Elena's abilities.

Vanessa hated that.

The jealousy eventually grew into resentment.

Then greed.

Then betrayal.

Elena examined a necklace.

"Why?"

"No reason."

Vanessa laughed.

"I'm just curious."

Liar.

Elena knew exactly what she wanted.

Company shares.

Power.

Control.

The same things she would eventually kill for.

Unfortunately for Vanessa, the future had changed.

And Elena no longer intended to be anyone's stepping stone.

That evening, Elena locked herself inside her bedroom.

Her laptop illuminated the darkness.

For hours she researched companies.

Stocks.

Investments.

Market trends.

Everything matched her memories.

Good.

The future remained intact.

For now.

She opened a spreadsheet.

Then another.

And another.

Hundreds of notes appeared on the screen.

By midnight she had completed a rough ten-year financial plan.

Potential profits.

Projected investments.

Future mergers.

Business opportunities.

If executed correctly...

She could become a billionaire before reaching twenty-five.

Faster than her previous life.

Much faster.

Elena leaned back in her chair.

Satisfied.

The game had begun.

And she already knew most of the winning moves.

Elsewhere in the city, hidden forces were already beginning to move.

People plotting.

People scheming.

People preparing traps.

None of them realized something had changed.

A variable had appeared.

A girl who knew the future.

A girl determined to rewrite destiny.

A girl who refused to lose again.

And this time...

Elena Hart intended to win.