Chapter 3

I was lost in thought when shouts erupted behind me.

The door burst open, and a basketball flew out of nowhere, hitting me square in the head with a dull thud.

"Hey, you! Country bumpkin! Go get my ball!" a spoiled voice called out.

I turned slowly. A boy who looked about my age, though taller, stood there. His chin tilted up in pure, unadulterated arrogance.

If my memory served, this was Jax Preston, the family's only son.

He was the epitome of a spoiled heir, obsessed with racing and skydiving and completely uninterested in the family business. In my past life, a racing accident crushed his lower body, leaving him paralyzed. His temper became legendary after that.

"Hey, what are you gawking at? Did you hear me?"

His impatient voice cut through the air.

I snapped back to reality, picked up the basketball, and handed it to him.

Remembering the driver's instructions, I softly said, "Here you go, Jax."

He paused, then sneered. "Playing nice already, huh? Think that's gonna get you a piece of the Preston fortune?"

He scoffed and walked off.

Over the next few days, I rarely saw Mrs. Preston, and Jax was practically a ghost.

Mr. Sterling took me around, helping me familiarize myself with the mansion.

The entire estate was huge. After the tour, he handed me a schedule.

It was packed with various business management courses.

"Here is your class schedule. Beginning tomorrow, you will begin private lessons in corporate management. Mrs. Preston has arranged it all. Your sole focus is to apply yourself. Do well, and you will be rewarded."

"So, think you can handle it?"

This was the kind of stuff Levi and I only got into when we started our own business in my last life.

To be exposed to it at just fifteen? I was thrilled. I nodded. "Of course, I can."

A flicker of surprise crossed his face, but he said nothing, continuing to give me instructions.

To ensure I didn't fall behind on my middle school studies, Mrs. Preston also hired a private tutor for me.

But I'd already mastered all of this in my previous life, so it was a breeze.

In just one year, I absorbed all the knowledge and applied it flexibly.

"This child is a fast learner! Not only has she mastered all the middle and high school subjects, but she can also grasp those complex professional corporate management courses."

The tutor praised me relentlessly to her.

I sat quietly, listening.

“At this rate," he said, beaming, "Skylar won't even need to finish high school! She could go straight to studying abroad!"

But that wasn't Mrs. Preston's plan. She wanted me to accompany Jax through high school first, then go abroad with him. The official reason was "so you can look out for each other." The real reason, which I understood perfectly, was to make me her wild son's keeper.

Mrs. Preston gave the tutor a generous bonus, and her gaze towards me held a new level of approval.

"Come here."

She pulled me down to sit beside her, handing me an acceptance letter.

"Well done. Since Jax's grades aren't improving, you'll help him. I don't expect miracles-just keep him from failing."

"Once you both graduate high school, I'll send you abroad. How does that sound?"

Without any preamble, Mrs. Preston laid out her demands.

I didn't hesitate. "Thank you, Mom."

Her eyebrows lifted, clearly pleased. She squeezed my hand tighter.

"Good girl."