Twenty-Two Again: The Ultimate Reckoning

e and me. My actual birthday had passed while I was in foster

static. It w

she gushed, though her eyes held a competitive

ons, ensuring everything was

e to publicly establish Chloe as the favored, sophisticat

ple request

Industries, something significant, before the gala,

readily agreed. "Of course, Scar

ould be huge." I used my future knowledge to identify a struggling tech startup that was about to

I could tell. He thought

indulged me, giving me a

ularly, just days before the gala. The news

Scarlett, this is incredible!

"I want Julian Croft

tech mogul. Founder of Apex Labs. Im

? He doesn't attend social events. Esp

d. "Dream on

id calmly. "If I can b

igued. "Well, if you can manage that,

ly disclosed but cost him dearly. This time, I had anonymously tipped off his security team weeks ago, just before my "rebirth." The tip was specific, actionable, and saved him a fortune and a massive headache. I left a single, untraceable breadcrumb, a coded reference

of the gal

" me choose, was a disaster. The seams were deliberately

friends, a flock of preening soci

dress is... unique," one snee

d in... wherever you cam

mall, satisfied smile on her face,

r barbs, my ex

Ethan Vance pushed hi

nvited him.

ed. He strode towards me, his fac

ly, drawing everyone's attent