Chapter 1

Evonne Shannon was a poor student mother sponsored. She was also the crush I had been courting for a long time.

Wanting to allow her to shine, I gave up my place in the piano competition for her. However, she glared at me with disdain for deciding this on my own. She then instantly turned around and handed the registration form to her boyfriend, Angelo Zambrano, and said, "Ange, only you deserve this competition."

Evonne liked sports cars, so I begged my mother to buy her a limited-edition McLaren supercar. But in return, Evonne mocked me and called me shallow. "Don't think I'll accept you just because I'm accepting the car, Chase Shannon. You've never understood me."

With my help, Evonne got to put on a facade of a mysterious billionaire's daughter. But the moment she got money from me, she turned around and went on a romantic getaway with Angelo.

I thought of Evonne as my everything and even asked my mother to arrange for her to join the family company. Within half a year, she was promoted to a core team member. She then conspired with Angelo to drain the company dry and even forced me to my death.

"What else can you do besides insult me with money and a materialistic lifestyle, Chase? You're the most disgusting obstacle on my path to success. Only when you're dead can I marry Ange," she declared.

I was heartbroken when I heard this, and that was when Evonne pushed me off the sidewalk and into traffic.

Immediately after that incident, I was reincarnated to the day I bought Evonne a piano. She was glaring at me with disdain. "If you don't want to buy it, just say so. There's no need to humiliate me like this."

I let out a dismissive scoff. "Am I the one who's humiliating you, or are you the shameless one? You beg for food but complain that it's cold. You're worse than those stray dogs on the streets. At least they show gratitude after getting scraps."

…

The moment I received a transfer of 75,000 dollars from my mother, everything suddenly clicked. Reading the text messages filled with my mother's worries, I wanted to slap myself. If I were to flush the 75,000 down the drain, at least I would've heard a splash. Giving it to Evonne, all I'd get in return was heaps of trouble.

Sitting at the most expensive piano in the store, Evonne and Angelo were playing an affectionate four-hand duet. They exchanged such intimate gazes that their faces were just inches away from touching.

When Evonne saw me, she snapped out of the mood and her expression immediately turned cold. "What's taking you so long to transfer the money? If you disrupt Ange's competition this afternoon, you'll pay for it," she warned.

Angelo's expression darkened as well. "Chase, you were gone for too long this time. I know you rich scions look down on these kinds of competitions, but this is about my future. I value this opportunity very much, so I'd appreciate a little respect."

Just like in my previous life, every time Evonne showed repulsion toward me, Angelo would step in with talk of his ambition. He made me look like a spoiled, brainless rich kid, and this made Evonne despise me more.

"Don't be too upset, Evie. After all, Chase has lived a life of luxury for too long. It's hard for him to understand our struggles. He'll change eventually." Angelo patted Evonne on the shoulder.

Evonne blushed slightly at his touch but still snorted coldly. "Him? Change? You think he can ever gain even one percent of your drive and ambition in this lifetime?"

Angelo instantly put on a doting expression. "You always treat me like I'm the best."

Listening to the pair continue discussing the competition made me feel sick to my stomach. They had forgotten I was the one who originally qualified for the competition. It was because I hired a top-tier piano instructor that they ever got the chance to touch a piano.

Perhaps annoyed by my presence, Evonne's voice turned into one of irritation. She demanded, "Why are you still standing here instead of going to pay? Are you trying to sabotage Ange's competition? From whom did you learn such a level of malice, Chase?"

After throwing her anger at me, Evonne changed her expression to one of kindness as she turned and comforted Angelo. "Don't worry, Ange, I won't let anyone hold you back."

Angelo shot me a smug, provocative smile.

I lifted my finger and pointed at the piano next to them. "Sir, I'll take this one. Do you take cards?" I said to the salesman.

Evonne leaped up in anger, "What's the meaning of this, Chase? If you don't want to buy it, just say no. You don't have to humiliate me."

Angelo tried to calm her down, "Why are you so worked up, Evie? Chase must've just made a mistake." He then turned to me. "Chase, hurry up and tell the salesman that you want to purchase this one. If Evie gets upset, she won't let you near her."

I chuckled coldly, then scoffed at Angelo. "Do you really think I'd want to stick around a bitch like her?" I looked at Evonne. "You don't like me, yet still expect me to buy you a piano. Evonne Shannon, let's be real here. Is it me who's humiliating you, or are you degrading yourself? C'mon, you know the answer."