On the way to take the SATs, my best friend and I saw someone drowning. My friend, focused on the exam, told me to mind my own business. I thought saving a life was more important, so I jumped into the river. I saved the girl, but I missed the test. It turned out the girl was the daughter of the wealthiest family in the city, the Sterlings. To thank me, the Sterlings gave me a huge sum of money. Later, even though I only had an associate's degree, they gave me a high-paying executive job. I was set for life. My best friend, struggling to find a job despite her degree, went mad with jealousy. She slipped poison into my water. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day of the SATs. This time, my friend shoved me aside and jumped into the water first. I heard her inner voice, clear as a bell: "This time, that massive fortune is mine." 1 "Help! Someone's drowning!" The cry for help snapped me back to reality. Below the bridge, a figure was bobbing in the turbulent water, struggling desperately. The current was strong. Jumping in was dangerous; one slip and you could die too. In my past life, this was the moment. My best friend, Chloe, and I were on our way to the SATs. We both knew how to swim. Chloe told me to ignore it, that the test was more important. This time, Chloe shoved me aside and dove into the rushing river with a splash. She looked back at me, shouting, "Ava, go to the test! Don't be late! I'm a better swimmer, I'll save her!" At the same time, I heard her thoughts echo in my mind: "This time, that massive fortune is mine." Seeing the greedy determination in her eyes, I realized instantly: She had been reborn too. How could I refuse such a kind gesture from my best friend? There were only twenty minutes left before the doors closed. In my last life, I missed the test because I saved the girl. All my years of studying were wasted. I ended up at a community college. My parents were humiliated by Chloe's parents for years because of it. This time, I turned around and ran toward the testing center without looking back. In my past life, the Sterling family made a huge show of thanking me. They gave me a fortune, and I became a local hero on social media. Everyone praised my beauty and kindness. Back then, Chloe was grinding her teeth in jealousy. She spread rumors that she was going to jump in first, but I stopped her to steal the glory. She said it so much she started believing it. Her hatred grew. Eventually, when she couldn't find a job after college and saw me—a community college grad—sitting in a C-suite office at Sterling Corp making millions, she snapped. She poisoned my water when I wasn't looking. Reborn, I glanced back at Chloe struggling in the water as I ran. A cold smile touched my lips. Let's see who laughs last this time. 2 I sprinted to the testing center, making it just in time. Holding the test booklet, I forced myself to calm down. Failing to get into a good university had been my biggest regret. That summer, I had memorized the questions and answers, obsessing over what could have been. I never thought I'd get a second chance. I wasn't going to waste it. Chloe was assigned to the same testing room as me. Unlike me in my past life, she didn't rush back after saving the girl. She didn't show up at all. When the exam ended, I went home. I saw Chloe getting out of a luxury car in front of her house. She was wearing limited-edition designer clothes, waving goodbye to someone inside the car with a sweet smile. We had been neighbors for years. Naturally, we were close. She turned and saw me. She rushed over, practically vibrating with excitement. "Ava! You'll never guess who I saved today!" "The Sterlings! The daughter of the richest family in the city, Bella Sterling!" She described the Sterlings' wealth with wild gestures, but her eyes were fixed on me, probing. She suspected I was reborn too. I feigned ignorance, frowning with concern. "Chloe, you missed the test today. You completely failed the SATs. How are you going to explain this to your mom?" After a few seconds of silence, she confirmed my concern seemed genuine. I heard her thought: "I was overthinking it. Rebirth isn't like cabbage, you don't find it everywhere." She rolled her eyes at me. "Ugh, Ava, you nerd. You're so boring." "If my mom knew I latched onto the Sterlings, she'd be praising me." "Listen, the Sterlings said they'd give me a huge sum of money to thank me. They promised to help me with whatever I need in the future. My life of luxury is starting. Who cares about the SATs?" I pretended to argue, but she cut me off. "The Sterlings said once Bella is out of the hospital, they're throwing a celebration gala to thank me publicly." She handed me a black invitation with gold lettering. "Here. I'll take you to see the world. Once you see it, you'll know I'm not lying." 3 Having successfully latched onto the Sterlings, Chloe didn't even bother showing up for the second day of testing. When I left the house the next morning, Chloe's mom poked her head out. Seeing me, she sneered. "Ava, going to the test?" "My Chloe is too tired from saving lives yesterday. She's not going today." It seemed the whole family was banking on the Sterlings now. As I left, I heard her mutter, "Just a nerd who only knows how to study. No future." Two days later, Chloe came to find me, excited. The car from the Sterlings had arrived to pick her up for the gala. I didn't want to go, but Chloe insisted on dragging me along. She said she wanted to show me the high life, but the gloating in her eyes was unmistakable. "In her last life, she lived so glamorously. This time, I need her to see me rise to the top to feel satisfied." Chloe dreamed of stepping on me to feed her vanity. Thinking of what the Sterlings did to me in my past life, I swallowed my refusal. I decided to go along with Chloe. I really wanted to see if she'd still be this happy once she knew the darkness hiding behind the Sterling name. The gala was held at the Saint Grand Hotel, the most luxurious venue in the city. The moment we stepped out of the car, Chloe was mesmerized by the opulence. Her eyes were filled with naked greed. When she saw my feigned shock, she immediately put on an air of nonchalance, mocking me. "Ava, wipe your drool. I'm a VIP guest of the Sterlings today. I'm being nice by bringing you, so don't embarrass me." She lifted her skirt and strutted in on her high heels, chin up, acting like she belonged to the elite. With her exaggerated ballgown, heavy makeup, and waddling walk in heels she couldn't handle, she looked like a clown. Chloe didn't notice. She basked in the attention. Mr. Sterling, the head of the family, greeted Chloe with a smile. She beamed and sweetly called him "Uncle Sterling." Remembering something, she pulled me forward. "This is my good friend Ava. She heard I was coming to the banquet and begged me to bring her along to see the world. You don't mind, do you, Uncle?" Mr. Sterling looked at me. Chloe tensed up. To highlight Chloe's "elegance," I had dressed simply in a white t-shirt and jeans, wearing thick glasses, looking timid. Mr. Sterling glanced at me once, lost interest, and turned back to Chloe. "Of course not. You're Bella's savior. You're welcome to bring friends anytime." I heard Chloe sigh in relief. "Thank god. He didn't look at Ava differently like in the last life." She relaxed completely. 4 Halfway through the banquet, the guest of honor arrived. Bella Sterling wore a haute couture silver mermaid dress. She was breathtakingly beautiful. Her entrance instantly made Chloe look like a child playing dress-up. After some pleasantries, Mr. Sterling brought Bella over. He patted her shoulder. "Bella, this is Chloe. She saved you from the river. Make sure to thank her properly." Chloe was floating on cloud nine from the praise, completely missing the mockery in Bella's eyes. All night, Chloe tried desperately to chat with Bella, but Bella's responses were lukewarm. After the party, the Sterlings arranged a car to take us home. On the way, Chloe complained internally. "The princess is so high and mighty. What is she proud of? If I hadn't fished her out, she'd be dead." She resented Bella's coldness. I recognized the driver. He was a Sterling family loyalist. Chloe didn't know; she thought he was just a random employee. I spoke up deliberately. "Chloe, Bella seemed quiet tonight. Is she just shy?" Chloe rolled her eyes, blurting out, "I think she's just looking down on people." "I'm her savior. Her dad treats me like a VIP. What gives her the right to act like that? Who is she trying to impress?" Through the rearview mirror, I saw the driver glance at Chloe. I knew every word said tonight would reach Bella's ears. Chloe was in for it.
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