The next morning, Eleanor wrapped herself in a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, concealing her features as she went to view the apartment. The agent had been waiting downstairs; upon seeing her get out of the car, they hurried over enthusiastically: "Ms. Vance, you're finally here! This unit's been in high demand—several people asked about it yesterday. You're lucky no one else booked a viewing today."
Eleanor smiled faintly, saying nothing as she followed the agent into the building. A security guard at the entrance carefully verified her identity before letting her in. Access to the elevator required a key card, and every floor's hallway was equipped with surveillance cameras. The security measures were more thorough than she had expected—perfect for ensuring her safety and privacy, allowing her to focus on her plans without fear of Liam discovering her.
When the elevator reached the top floor, the agent unlocked the door. A fresh scent of wood filled the air, dispelling some of the darkness in her heart. The 60-square-meter loft was compact but well-designed: the first floor housed the living room, kitchen, and bathroom, while the second floor contained a bedroom and a small study. The minimalist modern decor—white walls paired with wooden furniture—was clean and cozy, a world away from the luxurious apartment she had lived in previously. Yet it gave her an unexpected sense of stability.
The living room featured large floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city. But what pleased her most was the second-floor study—it had a separate door, and its window faced the back of the building, overlooking a quiet residential area, making it nearly impossible to be seen from outside. She stepped inside, sitting down at the desk and imagining herself analyzing data and drafting plans there. Gradually, she made up her mind.
"How much is the rent? I'd like to sign a one-year lease, and I hope to move in today if possible," she said.
The agent looked surprised by her decisiveness, quickly replying: "The monthly rent is $3,500, with three months' rent as a deposit. If you sign today, we can waive your first month's property fees and arrange for a cleaner to get the place ready today."
Eleanor didn't haggle. For her, time and privacy were far more valuable than saving on rent. She took out her phone, transferring the full amount—
14,000foroneyear
′
srentandthedeposit—onthespot.Afterthepayment,shehad
23,700 left, more than enough to cover her living expenses and future investments.
That afternoon, she moved in alone, telling no one—not even her closest friend Clara—about her new address. She kept her old apartment as a "decoy base" for dealing with Liam, letting him believe she was still living under his watchful eye.
By evening, she had finished unpacking, collapsing exhausted into the study chair. She turned on her computer and connected to the newly installed internet. As the screen lit up, she felt an unexpected sense of security. No trace of Liam, no false tenderness, no manipulation or betrayal—this was her safe haven, the starting point of her revenge.
"Nexus, generate today's stock predictions," Eleanor thought.
The silver-blue interface appeared instantly, displaying information for four stocks. Her eyes scanned the list, finally pausing on Deep Sea Biotech—predicted to rise 18-22% over the next three days following the release of its quarterly earnings report, which would show a 50% year-on-year increase in net profit. This was a much higher return than her previous investment, allowing her to accumulate capital more quickly.
But she didn't rush to buy. Her first successful trade had made her more cautious. She visited Deep Sea Biotech's official website, studied the company's profile, and searched for news reports about it on financial websites. She learned the company specialized in marine biopharmaceuticals and had recently been developing a new cancer treatment, generating significant market interest. The 50% profit growth predicted by the system was likely linked to progress in this new drug's development.
"High risk, high reward—it's worth it," she decided after weighing her options. She kept
5,000asanemergencyreserveandinvestedtheremaining
18,700 in Deep Sea Biotech.
After completing the purchase, she didn't refresh the stock price constantly as she had done before. Instead, she opened the system's Financial Basics Handbook and began studying in earnest. The once-incomprehensible text gradually became clear; with each new concept she mastered, she felt one step closer to her revenge. She knew the system was only an aid—she needed to develop her own analytical skills to become truly self-reliant and in control of her destiny.
Over the next two days, Deep Sea Biotech's stock price remained stable, fluctuating within a narrow range. Investors seemed to be waiting for the earnings report, hesitant to act. Eleanor checked the price occasionally; whenever it dipped slightly, she would grip her water glass unconsciously, her knuckles whitening as memories of watching her assets vanish under Liam's deception flashed briefly through her mind. But she quickly regained her composure, reminding herself that this time, she had the system's support and her own judgment—she would never again be as helpless as before.
Shortly after the market opened on the morning of the third day, Deep Sea Biotech officially released its quarterly report. It showed a 52% year-on-year increase in net profit—far exceeding market expectations—driven by a major breakthrough in its new drug, which had entered clinical trials.
The stock price skyrocketed the moment the report was released. Eleanor stared at the jumping numbers, her heart racing as she clutched the mouse tightly, her palm sweating. It opened at
45.8,roseto
49.5 within half an hour (an 8.1% increase), broke through
50bynoon(10.6
55.6—a 23% gain, exceeding the system's 18-22% prediction.
She sold immediately, watching her investment grow from
18,700to
23,000—a
4,300profit.Addingthe
5,000 reserve, her total funds now reached $73,500.
With her cumulative profits exceeding
10,000,thesystem
′
svoiceechoedinhermind:"QuestSystemofficiallyactivated!MainQuest:Increasecurrentfunds(
73,500) to $150,000 through financial transactions within 30 days. Reward: Unlock Basic Skill Infusion, obtain Preliminary Financial Loophole Report on Liam's Company, 100 System Points (redeemable for information or functions). Side Quest: Investigate Liam's recent social circle within 10 days, obtain information on at least 3 individuals with financial ties to him. Reward: Upgrade Information Insight (now predicts 7-day stock trends), 50 System Points."
A financial loophole report on Liam's company! At the sight of this reward, Eleanor's eyes hardened like tempered steel. This was exactly what she needed—with this report, she could pinpoint Liam's weaknesses and strike him more effectively.
She walked to the window, gazing out at the night view. The city's bright lights twinkled like countless beacons of hope, reflecting in her eyes. The road to revenge was long and fraught with unknown dangers, but she would not back down. She was Eleanor Vance—reborn from hell to seek revenge—and no obstacle would stand in her way.