Reborn in the Enemy's Embrace

"I’m a Silver-class member of this club..." Jimmy indirectly responded to my question about his presence here.

The Global Trade Union was a gathering ground for the world’s elite affluent. While many sought entry, the club maintained stringent membership criteria, assessing factors like intelligence, wealth, capability, and social standing. Essentially, it served as a playground for the rich and powerful.

Jimmy subtly suggested to Dexter and me that to uncover the truth, gaining membership in this club was paramount.

"Entering this club isn’t a walk in the park," Jimmy remarked with a smirk. "In Huma, the only member with a higher rank than mine is the enigmatic president of Crowdstar Group, who holds the coveted Gold class."

"Damien Coleman, the president of Coleman Group, is currently a Silver-class member. He was endorsed by his mother, Lisa Smith."

Jimmy smiled as he continued, "Andy Black was among the top ten members of the club, representing Huma alone."

"Despite my father’s efforts to seek Andy’s recommendation, he consistently declined, leading my father to feel slighted. This caused a rift between them, so now my father takes pride in my achievement of joining the club."

This likely fueled the discord within the Blacks. After all, Martin was exceedingly ambitious and prideful, always striving to ascend the social ladder.

As far as I understood, the Global Trade Union held significant sway over the world’s economic landscape. Joining such an organization would grant us access to its influential networks and resources, undoubtedly expanding our opportunities.

It was fair to say that excelling in a particular field, whether it be medicine, science, or another domain, and securing membership in the club, would elevate one above the average person. This was regardless of their prior obscurity or lack of possessions.

The club imposed strict criteria for its hierarchy, with its top echelon consisting of global tycoons often featured in the news. These individuals typically wielded immense influence over their respective countries’ economic landscapes, shaping national economies.

Beneath these top-tier members, the club’s hierarchy comprised several levels, including Gold class, Silver class, and Bronze class.

Huma was among the world’s most economically influential countries, yet the only individual who managed to obtain the Gold class membership was the president of Crowdstar Group.

Despite the Coleman family’s potential eligibility, I recalled Aunty Lisa mentioning the club with disdain before my reincarnation. She had specifically forbidden Damien from joining it.

What drove Damien to defy her wishes and join the club? Was it also to uncover the truth we seek?

"Who exactly is the president of Crowdstar Group?" I murmured.

Jimmy glanced at Dexter. "Dexter, did you sell Black Group to Crowdstar Group in hopes of securing a recommendation from the president for membership in the club?"

Indeed, gaining entry to the club required a recommendation from its members and undergoing extensive assessment.

Was this the motive behind Dexter’s involvement with Crowdstar Group?

"Honestly, your chances of entering the club without my help are quite slim, if not impossible." Jimmy’s words dripped with sarcasm and disdain. "The president of Crowdstar Group is an enigmatic and unpredictable character. I highly doubt he’ll recommend you to the club just because you sold him Black Group. Why not let me provide the recommendation instead?"

Jimmy’s tone brimmed with confidence, indicating his belief that he was Dexter’s only viable option.

I chuckled and interjected with a cold edge, ’Without any tangible assets, you’re merely a Silver-class member with the title of a business genius. Rather than relying on your recommendation, I’d prefer to collaborate with Damien. After all, he’s the president of Coleman Group."

Though I aimed to undermine Jimmy’s confidence, he remained unfazed by my words. It appeared he was certain that Dexter wouldn’t seek Damien’s assistance.

"Setting aside my Dexter’s strained relationship with Damien, do you truly place your trust in the Coleman Group? Considering the close connection between Peter Jones and Lisa Smith... Peter has such a pivotal role within Genome Society. Is it possible that Lisa has no association with the organization?"

I was taken aback. Jimmy’s observation certainly struck a chord.

"Lisa knew all along that Sophia Milford was an experimental subject and the prized asset of Genome Society, yet she deliberately kept Sophia close, binding her with an engagement to her son... Essentially subjecting her to a cognitive experiment."

Jimmy smiled at me and continued, "Lisa Smith is a cunning woman. She orchestrated Sophia’s amnesia, her involvement with Damien, and even her demise from beginning to end."

It seemed highly probable that Aunty Lisa was indeed a member of Genome Society...

"No... it can’t be," I uttered with a hoarse voice, taking a step back in disbelief.

So, my amnesia from that car accident, Aunty Lisa’ decision to take me in, my mistaken belief that Damien was the one who rescued me, the alleged engagement, the torment of our complicated romantic entanglement, and even Damien’s distrust in me... were all part of an experiment?

Aunty Lisa had always been aware of everything happening within the Coleman family, yet she had done nothing to intervene. She even took away the pregnancy test confirming my condition, pretending as though nothing had happened...

Was it true that Aunty Lisa had no genuine feelings for me and saw me only as an experimental subject?

Did she also involve her son, Damien, in the experiment?

"Haha... so, it was all fake. Completely fake!" I scoffed bitterly.

"The Coleman family can’t be trusted," Jimmy remarked, maintaining his confident smile. His demeanor exuded intelligence and strategic planning throughout our conversation.

He was indeed sharp, possessing the self-assurance typical of highly intelligent individuals.

"Dexter, I’ll be waiting for your reply," Jimmy said, slipping his business card into Dexter’s hand before he left.

A few steps away, he turned back and addressed me with a smile, "Stay alive, okay? You’re more valuable than you think, so please stay safe."

I clenched my fists, a shiver running down my spine.

His implication was clear. My existence was merely a subject of observation and research for the rich and powerful.

Those people watched me like bloodthirsty wolves, scrutinizing my every move to see if I could overcome the obstacles they set, if I could achieve the outcomes they desired... It was all for their mass production plans.

I stumbled backward, feeling absurdly trapped. Jimmy’s words seemed to crush my spirit. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Gradually consumed by fear and confusion, I began to sense the presence of surveillance cameras around me. My breathing felt constricted.

"Sophia... "Dexter enveloped me in his embrace. "Don’t let his words get to you. Stay strong."

I clung to Dexter’s shirt, my gaze darting nervously around us. Even the sight of passing strangers heightened my unease.

"Sophia..."

"I want to go home, Dexter. Take me home," I choked back my fear and gripped his collar tightly, my breaths coming in ragged gasps. "Dexter... take me home."

They kept me hidden away, shielded from their scrutiny. Who gave them the right to observe me like some kind of lab rat? Who did they think they were?

I yearned to push back, to unleash my fury and madness building inside me.

A searing pain shot through my head, driving me to the ground as I clutched my hair.

I remembered... I remembered why I had lost control, why I had tried to hurt myself, why Dexter and I had fled, only to be recaptured by those people at the warehouse...

It was because I had overheard my parents reporting my growth and abnormal behavior to their superiors over the phone.

Unable to accept the truth, I spiraled into madness and attempted to flee.

I pleaded with Dexter to take me away, to hide me.

"Let’s go home, Sophia. Let’s go home." Dexter’s arms tightened around me, his body trembling with anxiety.

He seemed reluctant for me to recall the past, fearing it would lead me to hurt myself again if I refused to accept reality...

Yet, Jimmy’s words effortlessly dragged me back into hell.

"Sophia!"

As my consciousness wavered, unbearable pain drove me to my knees.

When I regained my senses, I found my hands covered in blood.

Unconsciously, I had scratched my own face, indulging in self-harm...

I lifted my head, staring grimly into the distance. I sensed someone watching me.

"I will find you... " I murmured hoarsely.

I would find each and every one of them, and I would eliminate every single person who threatened Dexter and me, one by one...