Chapter 3

After I recovered, I was brought back to the Cooper family’s estate.

Maybe it was because the holidays were approaching, but everyone in the household seemed busy.

Dad was tied up with company affairs. Mom spent her days at brunches, afternoon teas, and spa appointments. My brother was focused on transitioning into his role at the company. And as for Stephanie? Her daily schedule revolved entirely around shopping—mall after mall, boutique after boutique.

On New Year’s Eve, the family gathered around the dining table, laughing and chatting like the picture-perfect family.

I sat there, watching them with indifference, like an outsider peering into a world that didn’t belong to me.

I didn’t fit in with them, and honestly, I didn’t want to. I kept my distance, and they seemed to sense it too. Conversations rarely included me, and I preferred it that way.

Finally, the day I had been waiting for arrived—school started again.

The original Amanda, the one whose body I now inhabited, hadn’t had many friends.

When we returned to school, it was no surprise that Stephanie immediately became the center of attention. Everyone gathered around her, showering her with compliments and endless questions about her winter break. Meanwhile, I sat quietly in a corner, unnoticed and alone.

The students here were all from wealthy, influential families. For most of them, college entrance exams weren’t the only path to success. Their futures had already been paved for them with spots at elite universities overseas, secured by their families’ money and connections.

Even the few students who excelled academically didn’t have to stress about exams. They had unique talents that had already earned them spots in special programs at prestigious schools.

I was the only one who needed to work hard—truly work hard—if I wanted to leave the Cooper family behind.

Fortunately, while the original Amanda hadn’t been exceptional in her studies, she had been diligent enough to maintain decent, above-average grades. Her knowledge was imprinted in my memory, and with my own natural ability to learn quickly, I had already mastered the basics of this world’s education system.

Now, all I had to do was go deeper—study harder—and aim for the best possible score on the college entrance exams.

During the afternoon free period, when most of the students were outside hanging out, I stayed behind, quietly reading in the classroom.

That’s when a mocking voice rang out above me.

“I heard you pulled a pretty stupid stunt over winter break.”

Of course. In this world, there were no secrets—especially not in this circle.

Everyone knew I was the Cooper family’s “adopted” daughter. And since I had no blood ties to them, most people didn’t bother hiding their disdain for me.

Looking up, I saw a boy standing in front of me. He had a close-cropped buzz cut, with a diamond stud glinting in his left ear and another in his nose.

Back in my previous life, only criminals who had been punished with mutilation would wear something in their noses.

But here, in this safe and free world, I couldn’t fathom why someone would willingly choose such a look.

As my memories pieced themselves together, I recognized him. His name was Benjamin—one of Stephanie’s admirers.

Over the past six months, he had caused trouble for me more than once, all because of his infatuation with her.

And now, it seemed, he was here to stir things up again.