Chapter 3

Three days later, at a café.

"Miss Chloe, the contract is now in effect. You're officially a shareholder of Spring Company."

Three days ago, when I'd received that fifteen million from the Christopher family, I'd already decided how to use it.

Now, I'd successfully converted it into the equity contract in my hands:

Fifteen percent of Spring Company's shares.

Company President Alexander excitedly shook my hand:

"Miss Chloe, thank you for your trust. We'll use this capital where it counts most. I guarantee you won't lose money on this investment."

I nodded. Of course I knew he wouldn't let me lose money.

Spring Company—the future Spring Group—would become the world's largest drone manufacturing company, ranking among the Fortune 500.

This fifteen million investment would yield returns of a hundred, even a thousand times in the future.

"For the follow-up business plan, how about I take you to dinner sometime and explain everything in detail?"

Alexander asked sincerely.

I shook my head.

"Thank you, Mr. Alexander, but dinner won't be necessary."

"As for business matters, I trust you. Leave professional matters to professionals."

"I invest in people."

I paused, then added:

"Besides, I'll be starting classes soon."

Alexander looked startled: "Classes?"

"I enrolled in a finance training program. They teach you how to evaluate projects and calculate return rates."

I smiled: "My foundation is weak. I need to start from scratch."

He studied me for two seconds, didn't press further, and simply said:

"Alright then. You're welcome to visit the company anytime."

Leaving Spring, I headed straight to the office building where I'd registered for classes.

The finance training program was on the twelfth floor.

When I pushed open the door, the classroom was already more than half full.

As I looked up to find a seat, my peripheral vision caught a familiar face in the front row by the window—Miranda.

Two or three girls surrounded her, smiling as they listened to her talk.

Just like in my previous life, wherever she went, she was the center of attention.

I didn't look twice. I walked straight toward the back row.

But just as I passed by her, she suddenly looked up.

Our eyes met.

She froze for a moment, then curved her lips into a smile, her voice neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for the people around her to hear:

"Chloe? What are you doing here?"

"This class isn't cheap, you know. Simon just gave you some money and you're already squandering it like this?"

I didn't respond.

She frowned slightly, as if suddenly understanding something:

"I should have known—poor people have limited horizons. Get a little money in their hands and they don't know who they are anymore!"

"Don't tell me you think taking these classes will turn you into some sought-after professional?"

She laughed lightly, her mockery unconcealed.

"But at the end of the day, this is all just theory. Without a family business, all the studying in the world is useless."

"Unlike me—Simon's already letting me practice real investments at the company. I'm only here to get a certificate."

A girl beside her immediately chimed in:

"Miranda, Simon treats you so well."

"Of course he does."

Miranda smiled with her eyes curved, her gaze sweeping over me as if by accident:

"Let me tell you, these days, studying theory alone is completely useless."

"Just the other day, there was this PhD graduate from some prestigious school who came to see Simon—what was his name, Sergio something. He begged Simon for investment, acting as submissive as a dog."

"For just five million in investment, he'd do whatever Simon said. Even when Simon scolded him, he had to smile and apologize. What good is a high degree? In the end, he's still—"

I suddenly looked up at her.

Five million? Dr. Sergio?

Sergio Reyes!

It had to be him!

I remembered this man.

In my previous life, Simon had mentioned him countless times—the investment he most regretted not making.

This man he'd treated like a dog would become someone far beyond his reach in the future.

The five million investment now.

In six years, it would be worth at least fifty billion!