Chapter 1

My brother and I woke up, back on the day our parents divorced.

In my past life, my brother chose our mom, a corporate executive, abandoning our dad, a painter lost in his art.

Mom, after remarrying, poured all her energy into her new family, treating him with extreme strictness and coldness.

But the dad he abandoned unexpectedly awakened a "Predictive Investment System" and became a legend in the investment world.

Jasper spent his adolescence in loneliness and suppression.

When he saw me on TV, living a privileged life as Dad accumulated wealth and fame, his heart filled with regret.

Eventually, he rammed his car into me.

When I opened my eyes again, Jasper was already grasping Dad's hand.

"You've had your good life already; this time, it's my turn."

He looked at me, a smug smile playing on his lips.

But he didn't know that the so-called investment system was both a gift and a massive trap.

When I opened my eyes, my mom, Eleanor, was pointing at Dad, Arthur, and scolding him sharply.

"Arthur! You good-for-nothing, broke waste of space! I slave away to provide for this family, and you dare cheat on me!"

A shattered glass flew past my eyes.

Before I could even react, someone beside me moved faster.

"Mom! How can you say that about Dad! Dad sacrificed so much for his art, and if you weren't constantly obsessed with work, completely ignoring this family, he wouldn't have felt so lonely!"

My brother, Jasper, shielded Dad, his handsome face flushed with indignation.

"This is unbelievable!"

Eleanor froze for two seconds before snapping out of her shock. She reached out in annoyance to pull Jasper, but he violently shook her off.

"Don't touch me! I'm staying with Dad!"

Eleanor looked at him in disbelief, unable to comprehend why her usually obedient younger son would suddenly twist the truth and spout such nonsense.

In the chaos, only I caught the fleeting, sly glint in Jasper's eyes.

Just that one look, and I understood—Jasper and I had both been reborn, returning to this critical fork in our destiny.

In my past life, the scene was exactly the same.

Eleanor was a high-earning corporate executive, constantly busy with her career. Arthur was a struggling artist, dedicated to his so-called art, yet unable to earn a single penny.

He believed others simply didn't appreciate his talent, so he gradually grew close to a woman who did.

They met frequently under the guise of discussing creative projects, until one day Eleanor, who came home early, caught them.

Eleanor was furious and immediately demanded a divorce.

Back then, Jasper, eyeing Mom's financial strength and social status, unhesitatingly chose to go with her.

But he never imagined that on the night of the divorce, Dad would unexpectedly acquire the "Predictive Investment System," capable of foreseeing stock market trends.

With this ability, Dad quickly amassed astonishing wealth through stock trading, becoming known in the industry as the "Midas Touch."

And as his son, I naturally lived a privileged life, receiving the best education.

In contrast, Jasper, after choosing Mom, did not find the care and freedom he expected.

Eleanor soon remarried, investing most of her energy into her new family, strictly disciplining him but lacking warmth. His stepsister, Brooke, brought by his stepfather, had a strong personality and constantly clashed with him.

He grew up feeling suppressed. Eventually, while wandering the streets, he saw me, celebrated and thriving at an international forum on a giant mall screen.

Jealousy and regret consumed him, leading him to choose the most extreme path.

I just never expected that, upon reopening my eyes, we'd both be back at this starting point.

This time, due to Jasper's persistence and uproar, Eleanor ultimately relinquished custody of him, choosing me instead.

But Eleanor still felt more for her younger son.

Dad, who in the previous life had left with virtually nothing, was now able to keep our spacious old house because of Jasper's choice.

Watching me quietly pack my belongings, Jasper's face displayed unconcealed triumph.

"Aria, if things don't work out for you later, come back and beg me. Maybe I'll throw you a bone."

I merely smiled at his words, amused by his continued naivety.

He thought that by choosing the "System"-bound Dad first, he held the winning hand. He didn't know that easy success doesn't exist in this world. Any gift received without effort always comes with a hidden price.

That seemingly unbeatable card, without the matching skill and mindset, can lead straight to ruin when played alone.