Chapter 1

I sponsored a girl on the verge of dropping out. I made sure she graduated with a degree and a future.

When she failed to seduce me, she turned into a monster. She spread rumors everywhere that I was trying to keep her as my sugar baby.

In an instant, I was the target of a massive hate campaign. The endless cyberbullying and insults never stopped.

The long-term depression left me in a daze. I eventually jumped from a school window to end the nightmare.

I have been reborn now. This time, I will never help that ungrateful snake again.

1

When I opened my eyes again, a young woman was standing in front of me. She looked absolutely pitiful.

I focused my gaze and realized it was Mia Whitaker.

What was going on? Was I not dead?

I checked the time on my phone and confirmed it. I had really been sent back in time.

In this life, I refused to walk down that same old path.

"Professor Brooks?"

Mia called out to me tentatively when she saw I was staying silent.

That voice snapped me back to reality.

"Yes, I'm listening. Go on," I said.

"I won't be coming to school starting tomorrow. My mom said we really don't have the money to keep me here. Thank you for taking care of me lately."

After saying that, she managed to squeeze out a few tears.

In my past life, I was moved by this exact pathetic act.

Out of a sense of duty as an educator, I took full responsibility for her tuition and living expenses.

I gave her almost everything she asked for.

I just wanted her to study hard and build a better life for herself.

But she bit the hand that fed her. After I rejected her subtle and then blatant advances, she publicly claimed I wanted to buy her.

I had no way to defend myself back then.

She even wrote a long post questioning my motives. She asked why I would be so kind if I didn't have a hidden agenda.

"There are so many kids in need. Why did he choose me?" she had written.

People assumed I had some dirty, unspeakable desires.

The rumors spread faster than I could have ever imagined.

It got so bad that people pointed and whispered whenever I stepped outside. Some trolls even tracked down my family.

Nobody cared about the truth.

They only chose to see what they wanted to see.

The constant weight of the depression left my mind shattered.

I ended my brilliant life by falling from that window.

Thinking about it now made my blood run cold.

I would never let the same thing happen twice.

"Okay. Since you and your parents have already discussed it, we'll do it your way."

She looked stunned. My answer clearly shocked her.

Seeing her still standing there dazed, I spoke again. "Is there anything else? If not, you can leave."

I took a long, deep breath as I watched her walk away.

I finally got rid of that headache.

The next morning, Mia showed up for my 8:00 AM class anyway.

I frowned slightly. Wasn't she supposed to be dropping out?

Why was she still here?

Even though I was confused, I couldn't ask her directly in front of the class.

"Professor, I'm not dropping out anymore. Bennett Silas heard about my situation and offered to help me out."

Bennett Silas?

I remembered him. He had a crush on Mia for a long time.

In my previous life, he was the one pushing the narrative behind the scenes.

Mia found a specific angle and suddenly threw herself into my arms. Before I could push her away, Bennett snapped a quick photo.

Now they had their "evidence." They wanted to make sure I couldn't clear my name even if I tried.

"Good," I replied shortly before standing up to leave.

But Mia reached out and blocked my path.

I knit my brows in annoyance. "What now?"

"Bennett's resources are limited. He can only help with my tuition. As for my living expenses..."

She trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid.

"You're an adult. There are plenty of ways to earn money for food. The campus has many work-study positions. If you need one, I can help you apply."

She bit her lip hard, putting on that damsel-in-distress look again.

"But those jobs are so exhausting," she complained.

"I've given you the solution. If you can't accept it, there is nothing more I can do."

She practically had the words "Sponsor me" written on her forehead.

"If it isn't anything important, don't keep coming to see me. We need to maintain a professional distance."

She saw that I was being cold and wasn't taking the bait.

She had no choice but to leave in frustration.

I watched her back, feeling thoughtful.

My gut told me this wouldn't end so easily.

The class president sent me a message later.

Mia had skipped her morning classes, and she wasn't in the dorms either.

Nobody could get a hold of her.

My head started to throb when I heard that.