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He was glued to stock charts on his phone,often sighing at the screen.Casually,I showed him the data my investment account.His eyes widened."Sophia,you've got a stock account?"
I nodded."Dad set it up.I've made a decent chunk with my saved allowance."
Decent was an understatement.
Uncle eyed my returns—dozens of times more than his—thoughtfully.I pouted playfully,"Uncle,can I have part of my education fund?The market's hot,but my capital's too small."
Seeing his hesitation,I added fuel to fire:"Think of it as early living expenses.If I lose,I'll work extra jobs,no loss for you."
He chuckled,relenting,and gave me$30,000.
Staring at the balance,I calculated:a lifetime ago,e-commerce and social media boomed.Investing now,profits would multiply in years—enough for my education,even without Uncle.
In France,he planned to send me to a local high school packed with international students.I chose a cheaper one in a neighboring province.
Saving money?Uncle had no objections.
For me,a past-life valedictorian who'd conquered rigorous exam prep in the U.S.,French high school was a breeze.
But I knew Université PSL’s admissions needed more than grades.Armed with past-life research insights,I confidently approached my physics teacher.She was floored:"Sophia,you're the most brilliant student I've ever taught!"
She referred me to her mentor at Université PSL.
By semester's end,the whole school knew I,the top student in our year,was on a Université PSL collab project,earning professors'praise.
"My genius girl,wanna join us for a summer trip to Moroccoi?"my classmate Jane asked eagerly before break.
"Sorry,Jane,I'm visiting family in the States,"I smiled,wondering how my dear sister was coping in Aunt's lion's den.
I didn't tell anyone I was returning.After landing and settling,I headed straight to Aunt's.
"That lazy brat's still not up?Last night's dishes are all piled up in the sink—wash them!"
From downstairs,Aunt's mother-in-law,Martha Gibbs,shrieked,followed by the loud sound of pounding on the door and Jenna's wails.
I frowned.As expected,Martha was a crude,vicious small-town woman,stingy to the core.
In my past life,she agreed to adopt me for half the inheritance.Once the money was hers,I,a student costing her cash,became nothing but a nuisance.
"Mom,don't get mad.I was unwell and forgot to wash.Jenna's exhausted from studying—let her rest.I'll do it,"I could hear Aunt's pleading voice only faintly from afar.
"Typical!You Lanes stick together,ganging up on me,an outsider,huh?"Martha sat,wailing theatrically:"Ungrateful bitches,eating the Gibbs' food,drinking our water,and now driving me out!Is there justice?"
Aunt's place was in an old walk-up.By the time I arrived,nosy neighbors had already gathered.
Seeing my unfamiliar face and puzzled look,an onlooker told me the backstory.
Jenna not only handled most chores but endured constant verbal abuse from Martha and Uncle Paul Gibbs.
"That old hag's at it again,squeezing every penny from her daughter-in-law.Since adopting that girl,it's a fight every three days,a brawl every five—all for the settlement money."
I sneered.Their tactics hadn't changed even one bit.
