Chapter 1The Red String

My usually stingy best friend volunteered to buy water for the prestigious, heatstroke-stricken heir to the Sterling empire. That's when I knew she had been reborn, too.

In our past life, we took the SATs together and both scored in the top 1% nationwide.

We both wanted to go to Harvard or Yale, but admission slots were limited. Not wanting to hurt our friendship, we delayed submitting our applications.

On the final day of college applications, just as I was about to submit mine, I encountered Julian Sterling, the heir to a massive business empire, suffering from heatstroke.

I not only bought him premium water but also held an umbrella over him until he woke up.

By the time Julian woke up, I had missed the application deadline.

My best friend, submitting hers on time, was accepted into Harvard.

I missed my chance at college entirely.

But Julian was moved by my act of kindness and proposed to me.

I ended up marrying into extreme wealth, becoming a socialite.

Meanwhile, my best friend, though she got into Harvard, was crushed by the academic pressure.

Seeing me spend endless money every day, she went mad with jealousy and stabbed me to death at a reunion.

When I opened my eyes again, we were both back on the day Julian got heatstroke.

* * *

"Boss, give me the most expensive bottle of water you have!"

In the campus convenience store, someone shoved me from behind. I snapped my eyes open.

Clutching the water, Sarah glared at me warily.

She dashed out of the store, heading straight for the bench nearby.

Sitting there, pale and sweating, was Julian Sterling, the heir to the Sterling dynasty.

Sarah placed the water beside him and used tissues to carefully wipe his sweat.

Seeing her urgency, I was certain: she had been reborn too.

Sure enough.

Sarah turned around, blocking my view of Julian.

"Chloe, hurry up and go to the computer lab to submit your applications. I'll take care of Mr. Sterling. Don't stand here being a nuisance!"

I looked at her coldly. "You're overthinking it. I wasn't planning on taking care of him anyway."

Sarah clearly didn't believe me. She scoffed.

"Pfft, who'd believe that! In our last life, it was because..."

She stopped abruptly, but I knew what she meant.

In our last life, because I took care of Julian, he was touched and proposed.

I married into wealth; Sarah went to Harvard.

But after graduation, she became a miserable corporate slave while I lived in luxury.

At our reunion, consumed by jealousy, she killed me.

I didn't expect both of us to be reborn.

The students around us knew Sarah was cheap. They whispered:

"Sarah is usually so stingy. Knowing he's the Sterling heir, she actually bought a $5 bottle of water."

"If he were just an average guy, she wouldn't even look at him. What a gold digger!"

Hearing this, Sarah argued back, neck stiff: "Stop talking nonsense! I just like helping people! What do you know!"

"Chloe, I don't want the spot at Harvard anymore. I'm giving it to you!"

Everyone was shocked.

Sarah strutted over to me, chin high.

"So what if it's Harvard? In this society, even with a top degree, you're just working like a dog for someone else!"

"For a woman, the best destination is marrying a good man."

She glanced at me coldly. "But you've lost your chance. Don't even dream about it in this life!"

I nodded, too lazy to argue, and went with the others to submit my applications.

Since she wanted to marry into that family so badly, I'd gladly give her the chance.

Ten minutes later, we finished our applications.

Passing by Sarah and Julian again, I saw Julian slowly waking up.

Sarah immediately threw herself at him, holding his hand with exaggerated concern.

"Mr. Sterling, are you feeling better? Should I call an ambulance?"

Meeting her intense gaze, Julian was clearly startled.

She placed her hand on his forehead, asking worriedly, "Does anything else hurt?"

Julian replied, "I'm fine. Thank you. Were you taking care of me?"

Sarah smiled shyly. "Yes. I'll stay with you a bit longer, just in case."

Just then, a Maybach pulled up to the school gate. The Sterling family butler hurried over.

Seeing his butler, Julian said, "Sarah, thank you for today. Let me treat you to dinner."

Sarah's eyes lit up with excitement.

She nodded repeatedly.

As she left, she shot me a contemptuous look. "Chloe, you're destined to be a wage slave for life. But me? I'm marrying into billions!"

Watching her walk away, I smirked.

Sarah, do you really think ordinary people like us can just marry into that kind of wealth?