Chapter 2

2.

Just as I was thinking, shouting came from behind me.

My bedroom door was suddenly thrown open.

A basketball flew in without warning and smashed right onto my head.

Thud.

"Hey, you new hillbilly. Bring me my basketball."

The voice was arrogant, dripping with that specific type of wealthy American entitlement.

I turned around slowly.

A blond boy, about my age but much taller, stood there.

He had his chin up, chewing gum, looking completely overbearing.

If I remembered correctly, this was the sole heir of the Sterling family, Asher Sterling.

He loved underground racing, skydiving, and extreme sports.

A typical rich playboy.

He had zero interest in the family's multi-billion dollar business empire.

In my previous life, he ended up paralyzed from the waist down after an accident during an underground drag race.

His temperament became incredibly violent after that.

"Hey, why are you spacing out? Did you hear me?"

His impatient voice rang in my ear.

I snapped back to reality, picked up the basketball, and handed it to him.

Remembering the driver's advice, I said softly, "Asher, here."

He paused for a second.

"You really know how to suck up, don't you? You don't actually think this will get you a piece of the Sterling trust fund, do you?"

He scoffed, turned around, and walked away.

over the next few days, I rarely saw Mrs. Sterling.

Asher was even more elusive, probably out partying.

Alfred took me around to get familiar with the estate.

The manor was exceptionally large.

When we finished the tour, he handed me a schedule.

It was packed with elite education courses.

"This is your schedule starting tomorrow. You will receive one-on-one training in business management, equestrianism, and etiquette. Madam has arranged everything. You just need to study hard. There will be benefits for you in the future."

"Can you handle it?"

These were things I only encountered when Liam and I started our business in Silicon Valley in my last life.

In this life, I was getting access to them at fifteen.

Of course I was happy. I nodded. "Absolutely, Sir."

A trace of surprise flashed across his face, but he didn't say anything more.

To ensure I didn't fall behind in my regular schoolwork, Mrs. Sterling hired expensive private tutors.

But I had already learned all of this in my previous life.

It was a piece of cake.

In just one year, I absorbed and applied all the AP course material.

"This child is a genius. She's not only mastered the high school curriculum but also understands obscure MBA case studies," the Ivy League tutor praised me in front of Mrs. Sterling.

I sat on the side, listening quietly.

He looked excited. "At this rate, she doesn't even need prep school. She can apply directly to Harvard or Yale."

But Mrs. Sterling had a different plan.

She wanted me to accompany Asher through an elite private high school, then go to the Ivy League together.

She claimed it was so we could take care of each other.

In reality, she wanted me to rein in that wild horse, Asher.

Mrs. Sterling gave the teacher a check with a generous bonus.

Her gaze toward me held a newfound approval.

"Come here."

She pulled me to sit beside her and handed me an acceptance letter to St. Jude Preparatory Academy.

"Good job. Asher's GPA is terrible. Help him out. I don't expect much, just get him to pass."

"Once high school is over, I'll send you both to study in the UK. How does that sound?"

Without any preamble, Mrs. Sterling laid her transaction on the table.

I didn't hesitate. "Thank you, Mom."

Her eyebrows raised, and she clearly became happier, holding my hand a little tighter.

"Good child."