Chapter 1
The image of my father collapsing and foaming at the mouth from sheer rage in my past life was a memory I couldn't shake. Even now, thinking back on it made my body tremble uncontrollably.
My father had congenital heart disease to begin with. In my previous life, he was angered to death before the new miracle d**g could even hit the market.
The translucent system notifications popped up again.
System: Cecily Hayes is the one who researches the miracle d**g. If you don't sponsor her, she'll end up a beggar.
System: Without Cecily Hayes, there is no miracle d**g. Your father won't last five years before he dies anyway!
I clenched my fists, my brows knitting tightly together. I stared at Cecily Hayes in the distance as she scavenged for food in a trash can. Her hands were covered in filth as she grabbed a half-moldy pastry. She shoved it into her mouth, taking huge bites. She didn't even seem to notice the garbage splattered across her face.
A white stray dog wagged its tail and barked at her. In my past life, the moment this little white dog let out its first bark, Cecily had kicked it away. But in this life, she patted the dog's head and fed it the remaining half of her pastry.
Maybe she really is different in this life?
As long as there was even a shred of hope to save my father, I had to try. However, this time, I didn't walk over to sponsor her in person. Instead, I set up an anonymous, targeted sponsorship through her school. This time, I kept the sponsor's information strictly confidential and avoided any contact with her. I wanted to see how she could possibly slander me now.
I transferred her tuition and living expenses through the school's account right on schedule. And Cecily remained completely well-behaved.
I let out a long sigh of relief. Maybe I had just been overthinking things.
But as graduation neared, Cecily suddenly called me.
"Evelyn, I brought some fresh peaches from my hometown. I wanted to give you some to taste. Please don't be mad at me. I was just so desperate to thank you that I practically begged the school for your number!"
The system notifications popped up, singing her praises repeatedly.
System: What a sweet girl! She doesn't have a penny to her name, yet she's still trying to repay you. You don't find many good, grateful girls like her these days!
My heart skipped a beat. She had still managed to contact me.
I cleared my throat and spoke sharply, raising my voice without a second thought. "Thank you, but I don't need the peaches."
Cecily's bright, cheerful voice cut me off. "Evelyn, I'm already at your hotel entrance! I'm coming in to find you right now!"
I froze, my brow furrowing deeply. I couldn't believe my ears. I was still reeling in shock over how she had tracked down my hotel's location. By then, Cecily had already walked in carrying a box of peaches, looking around to spot me.
I bolted, frantically pressing the elevator button. I quickly hid in the second-floor conference room.
Sitting inside, my temples throbbed painfully. Then, it suddenly hit me—in this life, she didn't actually know my real identity. If I were just a lowly janitor, her ridiculous accusations about me forcing her to be an escort wouldn't hold any weight.
With that thought, I immediately had my assistant fetch me a janitor's uniform. I went down to the lobby and began to mop the floor.
When my phone rang again, Cecily heard it and rushed straight toward me. "Evelyn, I finally found you!"
The memories of my past life rushed back, sending waves of nausea through me. I pushed her away forcefully.
Cecily kept a smile on her face, but her eyes subtly sized me up from head to toe. A flicker of scheming contempt flashed across her face.
Just then, the translucent system notifications popped up again.
System: Cecily is so kind-hearted. She won't look down on you for being a janitor. She'll even stay to help you with your work!
System: She feels so bad for you now that she knows you're a janitor. She's swearing to repay you tenfold once she starts making money!
I looked into her bright eyes, feeling half-doubtful. They looked clear, transparent, and completely innocent. The scheming look I thought I saw earlier seemed like a mere illusion.
Taking a step back, I plunged the mop into the bucket with a loud splash. Dirty water splattered out, landing on her cuffs. "I got the peaches. Thank you. If there's nothing else, you should head back."
She maintained her polite smile, walked straight to the bucket, snatched the mop, and started working.
