Chapter 3: The Seeds of Power

The next two weeks slipped by in a blur.

Andrew Justin had tried every possible way to contact Jenny Wilson. He had called, texted, even gone so far as to stand outside the Wilson estate, waiting for her to come outside. Each time, the estate guards turned him away coldly.

“Miss Wilson does not wish to see you,” they repeated firmly.

Andrew gritted his teeth. “She can’t avoid me forever.”

But as days passed, he realized that Jenny wasn’t going to give him the chance. With frustration boiling, he muttered to Willie one afternoon, “Forget it. Once the exams are over, I’ll talk to her in person. She’ll have no choice then.”

Willie smiled sweetly, curling her hand around his arm. “Don’t worry, Andrew. She’s just playing hard to get. You’ll win her back. Until then… let’s spend our time together.”

Andrew’s anger eased under her touch, and he forced a smile. He couldn’t imagine Jenny slipping away from him. She had always been his—his most loyal supporter, his wallet, his shield. She would return. She had to.

While Andrew wasted his days in false confidence, Jenny buried herself in study and strategy.

Her books were filled with notes, her practice papers stacked high. She reviewed every subject with calm precision. She no longer needed to impress anyone—her goal was HS University, and she would not fail.

But exams weren’t her only focus.

Late at night, when the house grew quiet, Jenny opened her laptop. The glow of stock charts lit her face.

Her lips curved faintly. I know exactly which ones will rise… and when they’ll fall.

In her previous life, she had spent three years mastering the market, pouring her heart into investment strategies. Every success, every profit, had been handed to Andrew as if he had earned it. When he finally stood at the top, he erased her name completely, claiming the empire she had built.

This time, she would take it all back.

Her current savings were five million. It wasn’t much compared to her father’s empire, but it was a start. She began placing her investments carefully, buying into stocks she knew would soon surge.

One evening, she approached her father in his study.

“Dad,” she began gently, “I want to invest more money in stocks. Could you give me some funds to work with?”

James Wilson looked up from his paperwork, his brow furrowed. “Stocks? Jenny, that’s risky. You’re still young. Right now, your priority should be studying. Investments can wait.”

Jenny pressed her lips together, ready to argue, but James continued, his expression softening.

“I’ll make you a promise. If you get into HS University, I’ll give you ten million as a reward. And from then on, you’ll receive one million in pocket money every month.”

Jenny’s eyes widened. “Ten… million?”

She remembered too clearly—in her past life, she had been given a modest allowance, barely two hundred thousand per month. The moment she publicly declared her relationship with Andrew, her father had tried to tighten her funds, warning her to be careful. But she hadn’t listened. She had squandered everything on Andrew and Willie.

Her throat tightened. This time would be different.

“Alright, Dad,” she said seriously. “I’ll study hard and earn that reward from you.”

James smiled, satisfied. “That’s my girl.”

Exam day arrived.

Jenny walked into the hall with calm determination. Her school uniform was neatly pressed, her hair tied back, her expression serene.

Andrew spotted her instantly. He waved, smiling as if nothing had changed. “Jenny! Over here—”

She didn’t even glance at him. She walked straight to her seat, ignoring the way whispers followed her.

Willie tried too, leaning over as Jenny sat down. “Jenny, good luck on your exam. Let’s do our best together, okay?”

Jenny’s pen tapped once against her desk. “Don’t talk to me.”

Willie’s smile froze, her cheeks flushing pink. Around them, the air grew heavy with curiosity. Everyone could feel it—the rift between them was no small quarrel.

The exam began. Jenny’s pen flew across the page, her mind sharp and steady. She wrote with ease, each answer flowing from memory and preparation. For the first time, she felt free—free of Andrew’s shadow, free of manipulation.

By the time the papers were collected, she knew: she had done well.

The next month stretched long with waiting.

Jenny filled her days with quiet study and market analysis. She withdrew small profits before losses appeared, stacking victory upon victory. Her five million swelled to seven in weeks.

Still, she didn’t stop.

“Mom, Dad,” she said one morning over breakfast, “the exams are over. Can we go on a short trip together? Just one week.”

Mary beamed. “That’s a wonderful idea. Where would you like to go?”

Jenny smiled faintly. “Anywhere. As long as we’re together.”

The Wilson family traveled that week, visiting scenic spots, enjoying laughter, meals, and peace. Jenny soaked in every moment, treasuring it like gold. In her heart, she swore never again to take her parents for granted.

Meanwhile, Andrew and Willie floundered. Their exam answers were only average. Every attempt to reach Jenny was blocked. Her number, her cards, even casual approaches—she had cut them off entirely.

At last, results day arrived.

The announcement came early morning: Jenny Wilson had scored the highest in the entire city while Andrew and Willie scored just enough for City A university.

Her parents cheered, hugging her tightly. James kept his promise, transferring ten million into her account at once.

Jenny wasted no time. She merged it with her seven million portfolio, investing boldly but precisely.

James grew concerned when he discovered her trades. “Jenny! You’re playing too dangerously with such sums. This isn’t a game.”

But when he reviewed her portfolio, his eyes widened in shock. Every stock was green. No losses.

Seventeen million.

Jenny had turned every decision into profit, exiting before the slightest dip.

James exhaled slowly, staring at his daughter with new eyes. “Jenny… it’s as if you know the future.”

Jenny only smiled faintly. I do. In another life, I bled for every one of these lessons.

Two days later, the school announced its annual gathering—a formal event where graduating students celebrated before parting ways.

Jenny knew what that meant.

She remembered too well what had happened in her past life. That night, Andrew and Willie had plotted against her, slipping something into her drink, forcing her into a scandal that would bind her to Andrew forever.

Her lips curled into a cold smirk.

So… the same trick again?

This time, she would not be their prey.

This time, she would be the hunter.