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Guess Who Wins, Again
Guess Who Wins, Again
Author: Jinn Jeyn

Chapter 1

Author: Jinn Jeyn
In my last life, Ruth and I were stuck in an orphanage, leaning on each other just to get by.

When we turned 17, two families came looking to adopt.

One was a butcher who sold pork at the market. The other? A flashy, rich couple who practically owned half the town.

Ruth didn't waste a second. She turned on the charm, buttering up the couple with fake smiles and teary pleas until they caved and picked her.

When it was my turn, though, she shoved me to the ground. "Daddy," she whined, clinging to the man's arm, "it'd be so much better if you just adopted me. I don't want anyone else stealing your love."

Older sister or not, I didn't stand a chance.

So, yeah, I got stuck with the butcher.

But life's funny like that. Later, everything flipped. The rich couple? Bankrupt, their empire crumbled, and Ruth? Back on the streets, broke and desperate.

Meanwhile, the butcher who adopted me wasn't just slicing pork anymore—he climbed straight to the top, becoming one of the most powerful figures in Ashport.

With his backing, I went from nobody to a corporate boss and political heavyweight. People admired me, feared me—sometimes both.

But Ruth stabbed me in the back. She stole classified company files, and when I turned her in to the cops, she lost it.

She went nuts in the police car, clawing at the steering wheel and swinging punches at the driver while screaming like a total maniac. "Suri, you miserable snake! The only reason you're better off is because you got a better dad!

"Why should you live better than me? I'll never accept it! If you're sending me to jail, I'll take you down with me!"

And then—BAM. The car smashed through the guardrail and flew off the highway, plunging into the river.

The crash killed everyone inside. Me included.

When I opened my eyes again, it wasn't heaven or hell—it was Ruth. She was clutching the hand of a middle-aged man, her voice sugary sweet.

"Mr. Butcher, please adopt me. I don't eat much, and I promise I'll be so good you won't even know I'm here."

That man? Jeremy Butcher. The guy who'd adopted me in my first life.

Hearing Ruth lay it on thick like that almost made me laugh. I got it instantly.

She'd been reborn too. And now? She was trying to steal my dad and hijack the future I'd worked hard for.

Nearby, a sleek, polished-looking woman tried to reason with Ruth, her expression awkward. "Ruth, we're a wealthy family. I'd spoil you rotten. Wouldn't you rather come with us and live in comfort?"

Ruth's face scrunched up like she'd just stepped in something nasty. She spat on the ground. "Ha! Your family's about to go bankrupt. What kind of 'comfort' could you possibly give me?"

Then she spun back to Jeremy, all sunshine and sugar, clinging to his arm. "Mr. Butcher, I don't know why, but I feel this... deep connection with you. You've got such a powerful presence—anyone can see you're meant for greatness.

"Please adopt me! I'll be the most obedient daughter you've ever had."

I almost laughed out loud.

In our last life, she couldn't stand Jeremy. She'd literally spat in his face once.

But now? Knowing he'd go from cutting pork to running the city, she was practically worshipping him.

It was crystal clear in this second life: Ruth was nothing but a leech.

Jeremy, who clearly wasn't used to being buttered up like this, lit up. He clasped Ruth's hand with his stubby fingers, laughing loud. "Alright, alright! From now on, you're my daughter!"

Meanwhile, the woman's husband looked ready to explode. "She cursed us for going bankrupt? What kind of twisted heart does a kid that young have?

"Come on, honey. We're NOT adopting her!"

Ruth's eyes darted around before she broke into crocodile tears, her face scrunched up like a tragic heroine. "I'm sorry, Mr. Carter, I didn't mean it. I misspoke."

Then, she shoved me forward. "Please adopt my sister instead. I promise she'll repay your kindness someday."

Benjamin Carter still looked like he was about to blow a gasket, but his wife, Miriam Payne, hesitated. She had that soft, bleeding heart written all over her face.

Sensing a chance, the orphanage director jumped in, pushing them to agree.

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  • Guess Who Wins, Again   Chapter 2

    And just like that, they adopted me.Back at their mansion, I downed a steaming bowl of chochoyotes and called them "Dad" and "Mom."Later, I sent Ruth a text:[Think getting adopted by my dad from the last life means you'll be living the dream?]Her reply came faster than I expected:[Suri, you were reborn too?][Doesn't matter. Jeremy adopted me now.][Before long, your fancy new family will go bankrupt. Just wait—you'll be begging on the streets, haha.]I read her messages and couldn't help but smirk.She had no clue. Jeremy's success? Yeah, that was all me. Without my help, he'd stay a small-town butcher forever.Her little fantasy had already crashed and burned. She just didn't know it yet.But I didn't bother explaining.I'd let the truth hit her later—hard.***The next morning, I said to Benjamin, "Dad, I've always admired you and Carter Corp. Can I visit your company sometime?"His expression didn't change, but I caught the faintest twitch of his brow. He didn't

  • Guess Who Wins, Again   Chapter 3

    "Ruth, I thought your remarks at the orphanage were just childish nonsense. I didn't take them to heart and even felt bad for you being stuck with that butcher, so I bought you clothes and snacks."But now? Now I see you're just a cruel, nasty kid."Don't contact me again."The line went dead. Ruth stared at her phone, her fingers scrambling to type a message.The screen glowed faintly in the dim room, a greenish hue washing over her face.Each message she sent came back with a "Message Failed" notification.Miriam had blocked her.***When I got home, Miriam was all smiles, meeting me at the door with a steaming bowl of chochoyotes.Benjamin sat on the couch, pretending to read the newspaper. For once, he actually looked... relaxed when he glanced my way.After I polished off the bowl, Benjamin cleared his throat. "Suri, why don't you visit my company this weekend? You've mentioned wanting to see it."When you graduate, I'll make sure there's a spot for you—anything below m

  • Guess Who Wins, Again   Chapter 4

    When I walked out of the restroom, the gasps came quick. Every eye in the room zeroed in on the bruises blooming across my face and hands.Back in class, I reached into my desk for a book—and froze. My fingers hit something sticky.A used pad.Even though I'd given Ruth exactly what she wanted, she wasn't done with me—not even close.Then it got worse. Homework? Gone. Textbooks? Doodled all over with the nastiest insults you could imagine. Random strangers on the street? Whispering, throwing out dirty words as I passed.Finally, one classmate stepped up, her voice shaky. "Suri, this is... too much. Should we tell the teacher? Or, I don't know, the police?"...I turned them all down.It wasn't until the halls were empty, the school eerily quiet, that I climbed up to the rooftop and let out a laugh.Ruth was such an idiot.Sure, she could follow my lead, but she'd never get rich.She might even end up dead.Compared to that, her little pranks? Nothing.***When Ruth shoved

  • Guess Who Wins, Again   Chapter 5

    "Me?!" Ruth shrieked.I locked eyes with her, keeping my tone steady and cutting. "In two weeks, Chad Ortega will be dining at The Delancey."The Delancey—the fanciest nightclub in Ashport.Chad Ortega—the guy who ran this city in my last life, my former boss, and the one person Ruth needed to get close to if she wanted to stay alive.That casino owner she was losing sleep over? Just one of Chad's lackeys.If Ruth could get close to Chad, her current crisis would vanish without a trace.Her face lit up, pure greed twisting her features. "Chad Ortega!"So that's your secret! You latched onto him in your last life!"Her grin didn't last long. Panic crept in. "But the casino owner—he's coming for me! What am I supposed to do until then?"My throat finally stopped feeling like sandpaper, and I stood, brushing off the dirt. I leaned in, giving her cheek a light pat."That's on you, Ruth. Just stay hidden for the next two weeks. Figure it out."Dusting off my hands, I turned and w

  • Guess Who Wins, Again   Chapter 6

    As Ruth's car sped off far enough, I dusted myself off and stood.Chad had been watching. I knew it. Somewhere behind those tinted windows.I couldn't risk being noticed. Not now. Not even for a second.Ruth, clueless as ever—or maybe just too full of herself to care—would never understand this: in my last life, I didn't get any help from someone else introducing me to Chad. I created the opportunity myself to climb my way up.That night, the one that changed everything, I had walked into The Delancey alone, disguised as a server. No backup, no safety net.With a tray in hand, I served drinks at Chad's table. He sat with government officials and high-powered businessmen, all of them radiating power that could crush me if I slipped up.I gritted my teeth and leaned on every scrap of financial knowledge I had, talking fast and sharp to keep the conversation lively and engaging.Every word was a gamble. One wrong move, one misstep, and I was finished. But I couldn't fail—not that n

  • Guess Who Wins, Again   Chapter 7

    During the day, while I was studying, Ruth would show up out of nowhere. Sometimes she'd snatch my pen, other times she'd cut the power, plunging the house into total darkness.By the third time, when she shredded a freshly finished test paper, I just stared at her, deadpan."Seriously? You're still at this?"She smirked, leaning against the desk like she owned the place. "What? Can't stand seeing you study."In our last life, you didn't even get to go to school. This time, you won't either. You're staying in the dirt where you belong!"The next day, I went to a café by myself.There was a girl working there, darting between tables with a tray. The place was packed, but for some reason, the customers only ever called for her, like it was some kind of sick game.When she set a coffee on my table, I looked up and said quietly, "You're exhausted, aren't you?"She blinked, startled, and then gave a tired, awkward smile. "Yeah, but what can you do? If there were an easier way, I'd t

  • Guess Who Wins, Again   Chapter 8

    The alternate route wound through a quiet mountain road, twisting and turning, but it seemed like we'd make it to the exam site just fine.Then my phone rang.It was Ruth.A sharp pang of unease struck me as I answered.Her voice was soft but cutting, dripping with malice. "Suri, listen closely. You didn't go to school in our last life, and you're not going to college in this one either. You'll rot in the mud forever. Even after you're dead, as a ghost, watch me live gloriously!"Before I could respond, George's panicked shout cut in. "The brakes aren't working!"The car was speeding out of control, heading straight for a cliff.My heart pounded. I grabbed the emergency hammer from my bag, smashed the window, and yelled, "Jump!"I threw myself out of the car, hitting the ground hard and rolling. Pain shot through me, but I didn't stop until I was clear of the road.A screech of tires pierced the air as another car skidded to a stop inches from me. If the driver had been any sl

  • Guess Who Wins, Again   Chapter 9

    Ruth always thought my success in the last life came from clinging to Chad. She never got it.I made it on my own.And this time? Without Chad, without anyone—I'd climb even higher.***Less than two weeks later, a friend who worked the nightlife scene spilled some tea.The whole city was buzzing about it.Ruth had been spotted rocking a black silk slip dress, leaving a hotel with Pedro Lowe—only to run smack into a slightly tipsy Chad at the entrance.Chad's expression? Dark. But he slapped on a fake smile and exchanged stiff pleasantries with Pedro.Later, Ruth had a meltdown. Whatever drama she pulled must've worked because Chad forgave her.The scandal of Chad having a cheating mistress didn't seem to shake them. Now, they were glued at the hip, flaunting their "perfect couple" act for the social elite."This is insane!" my friend said, wide-eyed.I just smiled. It was all so fake.For a guy as full of himself as Chad, relying on Ruth to smooth things over by sleeping a

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  • Guess Who Wins, Again   Chapter 10

    Ruth was livid, demanding Chad punish Irina. But Chad? Completely smitten with Irina. He ignored Ruth's tantrums and shielded Irina like she was untouchable.Then, things got worse. A provincial task force launched an investigation into organized crime, targeting Chad's operation. His men started getting arrested left and right, caught red-handed in their dirty dealings.Ruth panicked, blowing up my phone with calls. I blocked her without a second thought.Why? Because I was the one tipping off the authorities.In my last life, I'd been forced to work as Chad's right-hand woman, dragged into his criminal world. I bided my time, secretly collecting evidence to take him down.But before I could act, Ruth ruined everything—and got me killed in the process.This time, I stayed far out of reach. Chad didn't even know who I was. When his empire crumbled, he had no idea I was the one behind it.As he searched for a traitor, all eyes landed on Ruth.Not long after, she vanished.After

  • Guess Who Wins, Again   Chapter 9

    Ruth always thought my success in the last life came from clinging to Chad. She never got it.I made it on my own.And this time? Without Chad, without anyone—I'd climb even higher.***Less than two weeks later, a friend who worked the nightlife scene spilled some tea.The whole city was buzzing about it.Ruth had been spotted rocking a black silk slip dress, leaving a hotel with Pedro Lowe—only to run smack into a slightly tipsy Chad at the entrance.Chad's expression? Dark. But he slapped on a fake smile and exchanged stiff pleasantries with Pedro.Later, Ruth had a meltdown. Whatever drama she pulled must've worked because Chad forgave her.The scandal of Chad having a cheating mistress didn't seem to shake them. Now, they were glued at the hip, flaunting their "perfect couple" act for the social elite."This is insane!" my friend said, wide-eyed.I just smiled. It was all so fake.For a guy as full of himself as Chad, relying on Ruth to smooth things over by sleeping a

  • Guess Who Wins, Again   Chapter 8

    The alternate route wound through a quiet mountain road, twisting and turning, but it seemed like we'd make it to the exam site just fine.Then my phone rang.It was Ruth.A sharp pang of unease struck me as I answered.Her voice was soft but cutting, dripping with malice. "Suri, listen closely. You didn't go to school in our last life, and you're not going to college in this one either. You'll rot in the mud forever. Even after you're dead, as a ghost, watch me live gloriously!"Before I could respond, George's panicked shout cut in. "The brakes aren't working!"The car was speeding out of control, heading straight for a cliff.My heart pounded. I grabbed the emergency hammer from my bag, smashed the window, and yelled, "Jump!"I threw myself out of the car, hitting the ground hard and rolling. Pain shot through me, but I didn't stop until I was clear of the road.A screech of tires pierced the air as another car skidded to a stop inches from me. If the driver had been any sl

  • Guess Who Wins, Again   Chapter 7

    During the day, while I was studying, Ruth would show up out of nowhere. Sometimes she'd snatch my pen, other times she'd cut the power, plunging the house into total darkness.By the third time, when she shredded a freshly finished test paper, I just stared at her, deadpan."Seriously? You're still at this?"She smirked, leaning against the desk like she owned the place. "What? Can't stand seeing you study."In our last life, you didn't even get to go to school. This time, you won't either. You're staying in the dirt where you belong!"The next day, I went to a café by myself.There was a girl working there, darting between tables with a tray. The place was packed, but for some reason, the customers only ever called for her, like it was some kind of sick game.When she set a coffee on my table, I looked up and said quietly, "You're exhausted, aren't you?"She blinked, startled, and then gave a tired, awkward smile. "Yeah, but what can you do? If there were an easier way, I'd t

  • Guess Who Wins, Again   Chapter 6

    As Ruth's car sped off far enough, I dusted myself off and stood.Chad had been watching. I knew it. Somewhere behind those tinted windows.I couldn't risk being noticed. Not now. Not even for a second.Ruth, clueless as ever—or maybe just too full of herself to care—would never understand this: in my last life, I didn't get any help from someone else introducing me to Chad. I created the opportunity myself to climb my way up.That night, the one that changed everything, I had walked into The Delancey alone, disguised as a server. No backup, no safety net.With a tray in hand, I served drinks at Chad's table. He sat with government officials and high-powered businessmen, all of them radiating power that could crush me if I slipped up.I gritted my teeth and leaned on every scrap of financial knowledge I had, talking fast and sharp to keep the conversation lively and engaging.Every word was a gamble. One wrong move, one misstep, and I was finished. But I couldn't fail—not that n

  • Guess Who Wins, Again   Chapter 5

    "Me?!" Ruth shrieked.I locked eyes with her, keeping my tone steady and cutting. "In two weeks, Chad Ortega will be dining at The Delancey."The Delancey—the fanciest nightclub in Ashport.Chad Ortega—the guy who ran this city in my last life, my former boss, and the one person Ruth needed to get close to if she wanted to stay alive.That casino owner she was losing sleep over? Just one of Chad's lackeys.If Ruth could get close to Chad, her current crisis would vanish without a trace.Her face lit up, pure greed twisting her features. "Chad Ortega!"So that's your secret! You latched onto him in your last life!"Her grin didn't last long. Panic crept in. "But the casino owner—he's coming for me! What am I supposed to do until then?"My throat finally stopped feeling like sandpaper, and I stood, brushing off the dirt. I leaned in, giving her cheek a light pat."That's on you, Ruth. Just stay hidden for the next two weeks. Figure it out."Dusting off my hands, I turned and w

  • Guess Who Wins, Again   Chapter 4

    When I walked out of the restroom, the gasps came quick. Every eye in the room zeroed in on the bruises blooming across my face and hands.Back in class, I reached into my desk for a book—and froze. My fingers hit something sticky.A used pad.Even though I'd given Ruth exactly what she wanted, she wasn't done with me—not even close.Then it got worse. Homework? Gone. Textbooks? Doodled all over with the nastiest insults you could imagine. Random strangers on the street? Whispering, throwing out dirty words as I passed.Finally, one classmate stepped up, her voice shaky. "Suri, this is... too much. Should we tell the teacher? Or, I don't know, the police?"...I turned them all down.It wasn't until the halls were empty, the school eerily quiet, that I climbed up to the rooftop and let out a laugh.Ruth was such an idiot.Sure, she could follow my lead, but she'd never get rich.She might even end up dead.Compared to that, her little pranks? Nothing.***When Ruth shoved

  • Guess Who Wins, Again   Chapter 3

    "Ruth, I thought your remarks at the orphanage were just childish nonsense. I didn't take them to heart and even felt bad for you being stuck with that butcher, so I bought you clothes and snacks."But now? Now I see you're just a cruel, nasty kid."Don't contact me again."The line went dead. Ruth stared at her phone, her fingers scrambling to type a message.The screen glowed faintly in the dim room, a greenish hue washing over her face.Each message she sent came back with a "Message Failed" notification.Miriam had blocked her.***When I got home, Miriam was all smiles, meeting me at the door with a steaming bowl of chochoyotes.Benjamin sat on the couch, pretending to read the newspaper. For once, he actually looked... relaxed when he glanced my way.After I polished off the bowl, Benjamin cleared his throat. "Suri, why don't you visit my company this weekend? You've mentioned wanting to see it."When you graduate, I'll make sure there's a spot for you—anything below m

  • Guess Who Wins, Again   Chapter 2

    And just like that, they adopted me.Back at their mansion, I downed a steaming bowl of chochoyotes and called them "Dad" and "Mom."Later, I sent Ruth a text:[Think getting adopted by my dad from the last life means you'll be living the dream?]Her reply came faster than I expected:[Suri, you were reborn too?][Doesn't matter. Jeremy adopted me now.][Before long, your fancy new family will go bankrupt. Just wait—you'll be begging on the streets, haha.]I read her messages and couldn't help but smirk.She had no clue. Jeremy's success? Yeah, that was all me. Without my help, he'd stay a small-town butcher forever.Her little fantasy had already crashed and burned. She just didn't know it yet.But I didn't bother explaining.I'd let the truth hit her later—hard.***The next morning, I said to Benjamin, "Dad, I've always admired you and Carter Corp. Can I visit your company sometime?"His expression didn't change, but I caught the faintest twitch of his brow. He didn't

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