Chapter 2

The ghost of my sister' s screams echoed in my mind.

I could still feel the phantom warmth of my mother' s hand growing cold in mine. The memory was so vivid it made my stomach clench.

Revenge wasn't just a desire, it was the only thing keeping me sane. It was the foundation of my new existence.

"Well, well, look who decided to join the 21st century."

Brittany's voice cut through my dark thoughts. She sauntered over to my desk, Liam trailing behind her like a loyal puppy.

"I'm surprised, Ava. I fully expected another one of your paranoid rants about corporate ethics."

She smirked, looking for a reaction.

I just looked up at her, my expression blank.

"Why would I do that, Brittany? It's a generous offer."

My voice was flat, devoid of the passion she expected. It clearly threw her off.

Liam chimed in, his tone condescending. He used to have a crush on me, before I became the class pariah. In my past life, his rejection had hurt. Now, it was just pathetic.

"Finally seeing sense, are you, Ava? It' s a bit sad, honestly. You could have been on board from the start, but you had to be difficult."

He shook his head as if I were a lost cause he had finally given up on.

I remembered him screaming my name in the chaos of my past life' s final moments, not in concern, but in accusation, blaming me for the trouble that found him. He was weak, and weakness was a weapon I could use.

"I was mistaken," I said simply.

Brittany' s eyes narrowed, searching my face for the trick. Finding none, she just shrugged, her ego winning out.

"Whatever. We're getting our results back this afternoon, right after the media interviews. My dad set it up. We're all going to be famous for being the first class to embrace the future."

She beamed, and the students around her cheered. She offered the "Life Path AI" service for free, a grand gesture that made her look like a saint. No one questioned the motives of a billionaire' s daughter giving away a "priceless" gift.

They were all fools.

I remembered my past life. I had paid for my own independent analysis of the AI, using money I' d saved for college. I presented a 20-page report to the principal, Mr. Harrison, detailing every flaw, every risk. They had all laughed at me then, called my report a pile of garbage. Brittany' s father had even threatened to sue me for defamation.

Now, I watched as Liam proudly showed off his AI-generated path on his tablet.

"See? It says I'm optimized for corporate law, with a direct pathway to Yale. It even lists my future starting salary."

He was glowing with pride. The others crowded around, oohing and aahing at the promising futures laid out for them in neat, digital lines. A future as a neurosurgeon, a tech CEO, a bestselling author. All of it a lie.

The system was designed to funnel them into low-level positions at companies partnered with Brittany' s father, or into expensive, unaccredited universities that had paid for placement. The high-profile paths were just bait.

Mr. Harrison, the principal, walked in, his face etched with concern. He was a good man, but weak and easily overwhelmed.

"Students, a word of caution," he began, wringing his hands. "I've reviewed the materials, and while this is an exciting technology, please remember it's a tool, not a guarantee. The Department of Education has not approved this system. Your official college applications must still go through the standard process."

His warning was too little, too late.

Brittany stepped forward, effortlessly cutting him off.

"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Harrison, but my father has assured us this is just a formality. The AI is so advanced, it basically guarantees admission. It's an inside track."

She then turned, her eyes locking onto me.

"Unless, of course, someone here tries to sabotage it. Someone who might be bitter that they can't create anything of value themselves."

The accusation hung in the air. Everyone turned to look at me.

I felt their suspicion, their disdain. It was a familiar feeling, but this time, it didn't hurt.

It was fuel.