Chapter 1 11 Years After Death
18–year–old Stella Morgan died.
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Her brakes failed on the overpass for no reason. To avoid hitting innocent pedestrians, she yanked the steering wheel hard.
The car crashed through the guardrail and plunged into the river.
As the water engulfed the vehicle, Stella had a dream in her final moments.
She dreamed that the world she lived in was a novel, and her three younger brothers were all villains:
Ethan Marshall–a ruthless CEO who always wore a bracelet. He adored the female lead and opposed the male lead, only to face a downfall in the end
Xavier Marshall—a controversial top celebrity who constantly clashed with the award–winning actor male lead on variety shows. He ended up suffering from depression due to cyberbullying and took his own life.
Louis Marshall–a school bully who spent his days fighting instead of studying. He hospitalized the male lead’s academically gifted younger brother and eventually landed in prison.
As for Stella herself, she was the male lead’s high school crush who died young–her sole purpose was to create misunderstandings between the main couple.
After realizing this, Stella was so furious she came back to life.
When she opened her eyes, she found herself standing in front of a massive shopping mall.
A huge billboard on the building read: “Happy New Year 2025”
the climax of the
Only then did Stella realize–she had been reborn, but she had traveled 11 years into the future, right into th story.
She hurried into the mall and headed straight for the restroom to check her reflection.
The girl in the mirror still had the same delicate, pretty face. She was even wearing the same black dress she had put on for her date that day.
Stella’s emotions were a tangled mess.
11 years have passed, but I’m still 18!
No money, no phone.
The situation makes me feel like a python is suffocating mel
She turned on the faucet and let the cold water run over her fingers, forcing herself to accept reality.
One of Stella’s greatest strengths was her ability to adapt.
When her parents died unexpectedly, leaving her with three younger brothers–the youngest only two years old–She had quickly adjusted back then.
After drying her hands with a paper towel, she stepped out of the restroom just as two salesgirls in white blouses and black skirts walked in, arm in arm, clearly taking a break from work.
“Did you hear? The mall’s closing in half an hour. They’re already clearing out customers!”
“Yeah, yeah! Rumor has it the CEO’s coming to reserve the whole place!”
Stella’s ears perked up at the juicy gossip.
Just like that, they’re kicking everyone out?
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Typical novel logic–CEOs here are so ridiculoudly ertra!
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“It’s definitely because Hannah’s coming to shop! The CEO doesn’t want her bothered by randos. I even saw on TikTok that he invested in a movie for her!”
“So romantic! Lucas must be regretting everything now. Back when their ‘ship‘ was trending, everyone was waiting for Lucas to be turned on by her!”
The rest of their conversation made Stella frown.
Hannah Scott? That’s the female lead of this novel!
And Lucas? That’s the male lead, Lucas Brooks.
Which means this brainless CEO must be my dear second brother!
I have been planning to track him down first anyway.
Now, I don’t even have to lift a finger
But right now. I have another urgent matter.
She turned to the two salesgirls, who were still buzzing with excitement. “Excuse me, do you know where I around here?”
I can get a belt
The two finally noticed the girl in the restroom. She looked young, with a strikingly beautiful face–more stunning than
many actresses on TV.
One of the salesgirls, who had a soft spot for pretty girls, stared in awe.
The other replied helpfully, “Yes, it’s on the second floor. There are many clothing stores there, Are you buying it for your dad?”
Stella smiled. “Nope. I’m buying it to beat someone.”
The salesgirls fell silent.
Stella had already sized up the mall–it was high–end, and right now, at noon, it should’ve been packed with shoppers. Kicking everyone out would mean massive losses, not just financially but also in customer trust.
liho’d want to come back after being forced out during lunch?
No wonder Ethan ended up bankrupt in the novel. With business decisions like this who wouldn’t go under?
When I was eighteen, Ethan had only been fifteen, a middle schooler with top grades and a sharp business mind
Back then, he’d made tens of thousands flipping game consoles and even bought me a designer bag.
My parents had owned a real estate company before their deaths, so it wasn’t surprising that Ethanow ones this mall.
What was surprising was how he’d apparently lost all common sense!
Ignoring the salesgirls‘ bewildered looks, Stella walked out of the restroom and immediately spotted a security guard approaching
“Sorry, miss. The mall’s closing this afternoon. Please exit as soon as possible.
Stella smiled politely. “I need to speak to the manager. Can you connect me?”
With the CEO here, the manager would definitely be around.
The guard wasn’t sure what this girl wanted, but customers often had random requests. “Sure, I’ll call him.”
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Chapter 1 11 Years After Death
He dialed the manager’s number, and the call was quickly answered,
“What’s up?”
“Sir, there’s a young lady on the first floor asking for you. Not sure what it’s about.”
“Not today. Tell her to come back tomorrow.”
The guard turned to Stella. “The manager says he’s busy”
Stella kept her smile. “Let me talk to him.”
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In the office, Zoe Reed, the manager, was busy chatting with the imposing man seated in the office chair–a man who idly twisted a bracelet between his fingers.
Just as he was about to hang up, a crisp but irritated female voice came through the phone.
Sir, hello! Are you with Ethan Marshall? Put him on!”
Zoe froze.
Who is this?
She was polite to me, but she just dared to call Mr. Ethan by his full name directly!
Is she one of his obsessive admirers? Mr. Ethan was young, handsome, composed, and filthy rich. Plenty of women were after him.
Zoe didn’t dare make a decision for the CEO, so he muted the phone and asked respectfully, “Mr. Ethan, there’s a girl downstairs asking to speak to you. Should I…?”
He expected a refusal, but Ethan reached for the phone without hesitation.
Zoe unmuted it and carefully handed it over.
Ethan took it, his voice cold. “Who are you? What do you want?
Stella shouted, Tm Stella! Come….
Ethan’s eyes turned icy. “Get lost.”
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
Zoe shuddered, quickly taking the phone back and texting the guard:
“Get that woman out of here NOW!!
The man in the chair was impeccably dressed in a black suit, his aura freezing.
Zoe forced himself to speak. “Mr. Ethan, don’t let it bother you. The guards will handle it.”
He hadn’t heard what the woman said, but it was probably just another desperate fan.
Everyone knew the CEO was into Hannah, the dazzling A–list actress.
These women needed to get a grip!
Ethan’s fingers tightened around his bracelet, suppressing the fury in his chest.
How dare someone pretend to be Stellar
He picked up his own phone and opened his pinned chat, sending a message:
“The mall’s in the clearing process. Let me know when you’re close, and I’ll come get you.”
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Chapter 1 11 Years After Death
His last message–asking if she’d left yet–had gone unanswered.
But she’d been busy with movie promotions. Note that she finally had a break, it made sense she was slow to reply.
Seeing the cold CEO’s expression soften slightly, Zoe knew he was texting Hannah.
“Mr. Ethan. I watched Ms. Hannah’s latest film! It was amazing–I’ve already seen it three times with my family!”
Ethan glanced up, the faintest hint of a smile on his face. “Oh?”
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Zoe nodded eagerly. Tm even planning to organize a group viewing for all the mall staff! A masterpiece like this deserves support!”
Ethan’s expression warmed further. He took a sip of tea. Approved. The company will cover the fees.
Zoe grinned like a sunflower and refilled Ethan’s cup.
Starlight Mall was part of the Starlight Group, with eight locations in Ashford alone and over a hundred nationwide.
This was a rare chance to impress the CEO–maybe it a secure me a promotion to regional manager next quarter!
Meanwhile, Ethan’s assistant watched her boss’s lovestruck demeanor with a headache.
He canceled a meeting halfway through because Hannah wanted to go shopping.
He could become after the mall was cleared, but no he had to wait here in person!
My phone was blowing up with urgent messages about the postponed meeting.
But with this brown noser around, I couldn’t bring up work
This job is a hazard to my sanity.
Zoe prattled on, “Mr. Ethan, about the brand Ms. Hannah endorses…”
“Zoe, go supervise the clearance. Tina finally cut in.
Zoe shot her an annoyed look. “Ms. Tina, don’t worry: Everything’s under control!”
Ethan’s fingers stilled on his bracelet. His cold gaze flicked to the assistant, then back to Zoe. “Continue.”
Tina wanted to scream.
The moment Hannah’s name comes up, his IQ drops to zero!
Zoe smirked internally
How did this woman ever become his assistant? No
fact at
But outwardly, he kept his tone respectful. “Ms. Hannah’s brand has a store in our mall…”
Before he could finish, the office door burst open with a creak.
All three looked up.
A girl in her late teens stood there, a guard rushing up behind her.
Zoe’s face darkened. “Who let you in? Get out! Guard, remove her now!”
Tina stayed silent, frowning-
There’s something familiar about her face….
Ethan didn’t speak either. His mind went blank, his body rigid.
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Chapter 1 11 Years After Death
Then the girl stormed over, grabbed his ear, and yanked hard.
“Ethan, you’re begging for a beating!”
