Chapter 2

Sasha and I had met at school. Since I ranked number one in our class, I often tutored her. Over time, we developed feelings for each other.

Initially, we agreed that even if we couldn't get into the same college, we would at least attend college in the same city. Little did I know that everything would change after Ethan transferred to our class during our senior year.

Following his high-profile transfer, he began flaunting his wealth nonstop. He even told our classmates that he was the son of the richest man in the country. He was only attending school for show, and his future was already mapped out for him.

On top of that, he even showered our classmates with luxurious gifts to flex his wealth. Before long, most of the students in our class began fawning over him. Sasha was no exception.

Ethan gifted Sasha the latest gaming console on the market. From then on, she became addicted to gaming, and her mock exam scores in our senior year dropped like a rock every single term.

I watched the train wreck unfold and grew increasingly anxious. I urged her to set the console aside for the time being and focus on her studies. Once the exams were over, she could play to her heart's content.

However, she refused to listen to me. In fact, she resented me for getting in her way. "Do you have any idea how expensive this gaming console is? It's worth more than your life! Now, get the hell away from me!"

In my previous life, I couldn't bear to watch her sink into ruin, so I stuck my nose in her business and sought out our homeroom teacher, Noah Sterling. Looking back on it now, I was truly pathetic. Scum like her deserved to rot and fester.

"Oh man, I'm dying! Francis, you're way too naive. Do you even understand how high society works? All it takes to get us into Meridian College is one word from the richest man in the country." Sasha burst into laughter as if she had just heard the funniest joke in the world.

The rest of the class joined in. For a moment, the atmosphere in the classroom was lively.

"Exactly. His family has been in business for three generations. What makes you think your years of schooling can beat that kind of legacy?"

"So what if your grades are good? After you graduate, you'll still end up working for someone else!"

"A peasant like you will never get it. The things you've spent your whole life fighting for might be something the richest man in the country can get with a single word."

I chuckled. They weren't entirely wrong, but that logic rested on one massive assumption—that Ethan actually was the richest man's son.

"In that case, I hope you all get exactly what you wish for," I said. With that, I turned around and strode out of the school.

After walking a block, I got into a Rolls-Royce waiting by the curb, and it drove me straight to the gated villa community. When I arrived home, Mom and Dad were already waiting for me.

"I knew you could do it, Frankie! Come take a look and see if you like the gift I got you!" Mom placed a box in front of me and opened it. Inside were keys to several luxury cars I'd always had my eye on.

"Here's the deed to a house near Meridian College. When college starts, you can just commute from home. You won't have to squeeze into a dorm with other students." Dad placed the property deed in front of me, his face filled with pride and relief.

At the sight of my parents alive and well before me, tears spilled from my eyes. Thank goodness, there was still time.