CHAPTER 23: CHAPTER 23: THE PLAYER’S AWAKENING

This is an old housing complex in the suburbs of City A, built in the late 1990s, with a large abandoned chemical factory next to it.

Back then, Walter Vaughn worked at the chemical factory and was allocated a unit here.

Ten years ago, the chemical factory went bankrupt and was acquired by The Preston Group, but it has remained idle here without a specific plan. Once there is a plan, the surrounding buildings will have to be demolished.

Capitalists are all bloodsuckers, and Henry Preston, a born profiteer, is particularly skilled at calculations. His offered demolition compensation barely meets the standard line, not giving a single penny more.

But no one expected he would turn into a benevolent person for Azure Vaughn.

Walter Vaughn, as a representative, had a face-to-face talk with Henry Preston, expecting constant conflicts, but unexpectedly, Henry treated him with great courtesy and even changed the compensation standards, giving households far above standard compensation.

This move left Azure both angry and touched, angry because all of this was orchestrated by Henry, and touched because he was willing to give so much for her!

I sat in the car, looking up at the lights in the complex, lost in thought.

In the past life, I discovered that Henry’s demolition compensation plan had changed, which led me to have my dad look into it, finding a bit of inside information, but I didn’t know then that Henry did it for a woman.

Thinking about it, at that time, Henry had just been pursuing Azure for half a year, and in six months he was already that crazy.

I didn’t know the exact building and apartment number of The Vaughn Family, so I slowly drove around this small complex, taking advantage of its lack of fences or security to wander freely.

Just as I completed a lap, I saw a familiar Bugatti.

Henry Preston, dressed in black, was leaning against the car, his long legs casually resting against the body, head slightly lowered, lighting a cigarette.

Luxury car, handsome man, night and smoke, a cinematic quality; I put myself into Azure Vaughn’s shoes in thought, considering how such an imposing man was pursuing me crazily, spending money for me like a knight clearing everything in my path, having eyes only for me, while I had no particularly outstanding qualities other than being pretty.

Suddenly, I understood. I wouldn’t be able to resist either!

Azure is simply naive, not stupid.

Following where Henry was gazing, I pinpointed Azure’s window; aside from a light on the first floor, only the fifth floor had one lit.

I dialed Henry’s phone number.

"What do you want?" When the call connected, Henry’s voice was as cold as ever.

"Nothing, just seeing if you’d pick up my call." I watched the man from a distance through the car window.

As expected, he hung up.

I was a bit taken aback because even when standing below another woman’s window, full of thoughts of pursuing her, he still had a moment to spare to answer the call of me, his grievance-filled wife?

After sighing, I drove away.

When I got home, the maids had just finished cleaning, with Laura Lawson wrapping up as if she was deliberately waiting for me.

"Madam!" Laura hesitantly spoke upon seeing me.

I placed a heap of dishes on the table and gently asked, "Auntie Lawson, what is it?"

Laura looked at me nervously, her already wrinkled face filled with distress, "While cleaning your bedroom today, I accidentally broke one of your skincare bottles. Please tell me how much it costs, and I will compensate you."

"Which bottle?" I asked.

She quickly took a pack of tissues from her pocket, opening it to reveal the fragments of a bottle — Jenny Brown’s skin softener, which cost nearly nine thousand per bottle.

Laura’s monthly salary wasn’t enough to pay for even one bottle.

Seeing her humble demeanor stirred an indescribable feeling inside me. This ordinary woman would later become Henry Preston’s mother-in-law, working hard now for a meager few thousand monthly, yet later leaping to a higher status all because she bore a beautiful daughter.

My family has been in government for three generations, and The Preston Family has been in business for three generations. The current wealth and status have been accumulated over generations.

"Forget it. I’ve used more than half of that bottle anyway. Just be careful next time." A weariness washed over me as I recalled the image of Henry silently gazing up at The Vaughn Family’s building, fostering an illusion of the world’s unreality.

Laura expressed her gratitude repeatedly, feeling guilty, while I silently went upstairs to rest.

After a shower, I lay on the bed with a facial mask, playing on my phone when the bedroom door opened with a "click." Henry had returned.

"Your parents have already gone back, no need to act anymore." I watched Henry approach, murmuring softly.

"I know." Henry took out his pajamas from the wardrobe and left without another word.

I was indeed being sentimental. With a quiet sigh, I removed the mask and prepared to sleep.

The call from Leah Lane startled me awake, and I answered in a daze, "Yara, what’s up?"

"Didn’t I mention there’s a commercial performance, and we lack a cellist? Are you in?" Leah asked loudly.

I only then remembered this matter, and my drowsiness evaporated, "I’m in!"

Even if it doesn’t pay, my goal isn’t to make money but to enrich myself, setting out towards my past dreams.

Leah giggled, "Great, I’ll send you the time and place later. Be punctual!"

"Sure," I agreed readily.

After hanging up, I quickly received the information from Leah. The location was the concert hall of my alma mater, University A, and the event was three days later.

On the first day of the school term, this commercial performance is essentially a task issued by the University A Music Department, and only graduates of the University A Music Department can participate. It aims to welcome the incoming freshmen of the music department, letting them experience the charm of music through the performances of alumni, starting their first university lesson.

Since graduating, I haven’t returned to University A, never engaged in revisiting old haunts or making donations. I spent my days revolving around Henry.

I consider this a new beginning? I’m quite looking forward to it.

To not bring shame to my alma mater, I began an intense three-day practice session. Since Henry was often not home, I spent the entire day in the practice room, taking root.

Immersed in the music, those three days felt fulfillling. Through various pieces, I continually reminisced about the past life, feeling that even the music sounded different.

At night, I took a refreshing shower and then dialed Joel Sutton’s number.

"Miss Hathaway!" Joel’s side was noisy, like being in a bar.

"Sutton, where are you?" I gently chided like a caring elder sister, "School starts tomorrow, shouldn’t you be at a bar?"

Joel’s voice was drowned out by the loud music, barely discernible, "Miss Hathaway, I’m at work, can’t really talk now, it’s hard to hear you!"

I immediately hung up and opted to send a message.

Me: Is the tuition still not enough? Didn’t you have some medical fee money the other day that you haven’t used?

Joel’s response was rather quick: My dad’s medical fees were insufficient, so I transferred it to him.

Without further words, I instantly transferred 20,000 to him.

I know the awareness required for attracting someone, especially after having an expert like Henry personally demonstrate it to me before.