Chapter 3

"JPMorgan has already agreed. As long as you do this favor, they'll immediately give you a Vice President position.

"That's a senior role at one of Wall Street's top investment banks. Without connections, it would take you at least ten years to get there on your own."

I could not help but laugh.

JPMorgan? What a joke. Cole's reputation in the industry was already ruined. Even mid-tier banks did not want anything to do with him anymore–let alone a top-tier firm.

This was obviously another lie they cooked up. And the consequences of what they were asking were far more serious than a job title.

I looked at them coldly.

"You think an empty promise like that is enough to make me take the fall for something this big?

"The SEC doesn't joke around when it launches an investigation."

After saying that, I lowered my head and continued working through my documents, ignoring them completely.

Patricia and Serena's expressions immediately turned vicious.

I glanced at them indifferently.

Long before this conversation started, I already turned on the recorder on my phone. If they tried anything reckless, the evidence would be more than enough to destroy their reputations.

Suddenly, the office door burst open.

Cole stormed in and grabbed my collar.

"Where the hell did you get those internal documents?"

A cold smile crept across my lips.

"Feeling guilty already? Every one of those files was obtained through perfectly legal channels."

Having lived this life once before, how could I not prepare an escape route for myself?

Before any of this even began, I already arranged for someone to collect evidence of every one of Cole's illegal operations.

Seeing the situation turn against them, Serena snapped, "Destroy those documents immediately, or I'll fire you on the spot!"

That only made me laugh harder.

"Perfect. That's exactly what I want."

At the summit earlier, I already received offers from several top hedge funds–each offering three times my current salary.

I pulled a document out of my drawer and tossed it onto Serena's desk.

"My resignation letter. Please approve it quickly."

Serena stared at me, disbelief written all over her face.

"You actually dared to plot against me?

"Don't be naïve. Without my Wall Street connections, you wouldn't even qualify to pour someone coffee."

Even now, she was still speaking in that same condescending tone.

I could not be bothered to respond. I simply walked straight toward the elevator.

Behind me, Patricia's voice drifted over, soft and falsely gentle.

"Don't worry, Mr. Handerson. He's always listened to me since he was a kid. I'll go talk to him tonight–I'm sure I can change his mind."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of my mouth.

In this life, I would not let anyone manipulate my fate again.

After leaving the building, I immediately contacted a few old friends at the SEC.

"These materials are more than enough to prove insider trading. I suggest you step in as soon as possible."

The head of the investigative team replied almost instantly.

"This is indeed a major violation. We'll complete a preliminary investigation within seventy-two hours."

I nodded. "The sooner the better. No point giving them time to clean things up."

Back at my apartment, I let out a long breath.

At last, I could start a new life.

Next week, I'd be joining Renaissance Capital.

However, the moment I pushed open the door, I froze.

The living room was full of people.

Serena. Patricia. And my parents.

Serena immediately burst into tears, launching into her performance.

"Dad, look at him! He doesn't even care about family anymore. Not only did he quit his job out of sheer stubbornness, now he's threatening to sue me."

My father always trusted Serena without question. His temper flared instantly.

"You ungrateful brat! Your sister brought you into Goldman Sachs, and this is how you repay her?"

I looked at him coldly.

"You didn't even bother asking what actually happened. You're just taking her word for it?"

In my previous life, it was their blind trust that pushed me even deeper into despair when I needed help the most.

However, this time, I would tear every one of their masks off.

Father grew even angrier.

"What right do you have to talk back? If it weren't for your sister, do you think you'd be where you are today?"

In his eyes, I was still the useless younger brother who could only survive by relying on his sister.

I unlocked my phone and pressed play on the recording.

"Then why don't you listen to what your precious daughter has really been doing?"