Chapter 1

I was caught up in a minor incident late at night, and ended up at the precinct. That’s when the officer pulled up my records.

The officer looked at me, masked, and frowned. "An Ivy League graduate? What are you doing out on the streets at midnight?"

It was only then that I saw it—the ID number on the file was mine, but the photo was Ava’s.

Turns out, twenty years ago, I got into an Ivy League university!

I stumbled home, my mind reeling, only to hear my husband, Julian Ashworth, on the phone:

"Ava, I won't let Lulu bother you. Go abroad, don't worry about a thing."

It was him! Julian Ashworth helped Ava steal my life!

My stomach churned. I turned, ready to expose him and Ava, but Julian grabbed a belt and choked the life out of me.

"I'm sorry, Lulu. You can't stand in the way of Ava's future..."

When I opened my eyes again, I was back in the classroom. Our homeroom teacher was handing out university application forms.

This time, I’m taking my life back!

“Lulu, decided on a university yet?”

My deskmate’s voice snapped me back to reality. One second ago, I was still drowning in the agony of suffocation.

I looked at my unfamiliar, youthful deskmate and realized I’d been reborn.

“Lulu, what’s wrong?”

A thrill of joy surged through me. I shook my head vigorously.

The homeroom teacher spoke up: “Fill out these forms first so I can get a sense of your choices.”

I stared at him—Mr. Ashworth, Julian’s father.

Our exam results had been out for ages. There was no need to fill out forms on paper; we could do it online from home. But Mr. Ashworth made an excuse to get all the students to come in anyway.

It was clear he was just hand-picking students to be manipulated for Ava’s benefit.

I clenched my fists, remembering my previous life. Julian had started pursuing me right around this time.

I stared at the application form, filling it out randomly. Maybe it was my imagination, but I distinctly felt Mr. Ashworth glance at me.

Sure enough, after I handed in the form, he said, “Lulu, come to my office.”

With that, he walked away with my form.

Chloe tugged my arm. “You did so well this time, you’ll definitely get into an Ivy League school!”

I scored the highest in our class – 702 points – but I still didn't get in.

I went to Mr. Ashworth multiple times. He told me I was aiming too high, that I’d filled in choices beyond my reach.

But hadn't he suggested that law program himself?

I glanced at Julian, who was sleeping in the corner, and nodded at Chloe.

Yeah, this time, I wouldn't make the same mistake.

I pushed open the office door. Mr. Ashworth looked at me. “Lulu, you did exceptionally well this time. Why choose these schools?”

I had filled in choices for community colleges, several of them.

“High employment rates,” I stated, enunciating each word.

Mr. Ashworth visibly fell silent, then said earnestly, “You really shouldn’t fill in things randomly. A legal career is a very suitable choice for a young woman.”

As he spoke, he opened his computer and pulled up the university application page.

I stared at the screen, my gaze full of sarcasm.

So, now that I wasn't cooperating, he was going to force me to fill it out, only for it to be replaced by Ava’s choices later?

“No thanks, Mr. Ashworth. I just want to drive a tractor.”

With that, I turned to leave and bumped right into Julian, who was walking in.

“Lulu, if you have any questions about your application, you can ask me. I’ve always wanted to study law.”

Hearing that, a particular sensitivity flared in my heart.

So that’s how it was.

Both of them were hinting that I should choose a law program. But this time, I wouldn’t let them get their way.

I nodded. “Thanks, but no need. I have a major I want to pursue.”

Julian lowered his gaze, a smile playing on his lips. “Alright.”

I bolted out of the office, seeing Julian instinctively close the door behind him, then turn back and stand outside, eavesdropping.

“Dad, Lulu isn’t cooperating. Can’t we pick someone else?”

A cold dread washed over me. Julian was trying to ruin another student’s life!

Mr. Ashworth’s voice was cold. “Lulu has the best grades; it’s the safest bet. You know we owe Ava this.”

I turned and left, a bitter laugh in my heart. They owe Ava, so they’re going to repay her with my life?