Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Rebirth of the Disgraced Heir
Ethan Carter woke with a start, his head throbbing and his vision spinning as sunlight poured through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows of an unfamiliar room. He blinked, trying to orient himself. Where was he? The last thing he remembered was the screeching of tires and the cold, hard pavement after diving in front of a speeding car to save a child.
He touched his chest instinctively, expecting to feel the pain of broken ribs or worse. Instead, his hands encountered smooth silk pajamas. He sat up, his eyes scanning the opulent surroundings. The bed beneath him was enormous, dressed in fine linens, and the walls were adorned with abstract art worth more than his annual salary in his previous life.
"What the hell?" Ethan muttered, his voice hoarse. That's when it hit him—his voice sounded... different. Younger. Smoother. He scrambled to his feet and stumbled toward the mirror across the room.
The reflection staring back was not his own—or at least, not the one he was used to. The face was that of a young man in his early twenties, with strikingly sharp features, piercing blue eyes, and perfectly tousled dark hair. The body beneath the silk pajamas was lean and fit, not the average frame Ethan remembered from his old life.
"What... what is this?" Ethan whispered, touching his face as if the image might vanish. But it didn't. This was real.
Suddenly, a flood of memories assaulted his mind, forcing him to his knees. Images of a lavish upbringing, endless parties, and countless scandals rushed through his consciousness like a raging river. He saw himself—or rather, the body he now inhabited—embarrassing the Carter family with his antics: reckless gambling, drunken tirades, and failed business ventures. The Carter family. That name struck a chord.
Ethan now occupied the body of Ethan Carter II, the infamous "trash heir" of the Carter family, one of the wealthiest and most influential families in the country. The younger Ethan Carter had squandered his life, earning the disdain of his father, Jonathan Carter, and the ridicule of the corporate world.
"No way," Ethan said, his voice trembling. "I've been reincarnated... into this?"
A sharp knock on the door interrupted his spiraling thoughts. Before he could respond, the door swung open, and a tall, impeccably dressed man stepped inside. His stern expression was as sharp as the tailored suit he wore.
"Young Master Ethan," the man said with a slight bow. "Your father expects you downstairs for breakfast in fifteen minutes. Do not be late."
Ethan stared at the man, his mind racing. "Uh... yeah, sure. I'll be there."
The man raised an eyebrow but said nothing more, closing the door behind him. Ethan collapsed onto the edge of the bed, his heart pounding. This wasn't just a dream. He had truly been given a second chance—but in the most unexpected way.
As he sat there, the initial shock began to give way to a sense of purpose. He had lived an unremarkable life before, struggling to make ends meet and dying without leaving a mark on the world. But now? Now, he had the resources, the connections, and a chance to rewrite his destiny.
And just as that thought settled in his mind, a faint ping echoed in the air, accompanied by a glowing interface that materialized before his eyes.
Cheat Investment System Activated
Welcome, Ethan Carter. The Cheat Investment System (CIS) is now bound to you. With this system, you have the ability to predict market trends, identify lucrative investments, and outmaneuver your competitors. Your current level is 1.
Available Functions:
Market Insights: Predict short-term stock trends with 85% accuracy.Emerging Industries: Highlight promising sectors for early investment.
System Challenge: Complete your first successful investment within 30 days to unlock Level 2.
Ethan gawked at the floating screen, his mind teetering between disbelief and exhilaration. A system? Like in the webnovels he used to read during his downtime? He waved his hand experimentally, and the interface responded, shifting as if reading his intent.
"This... this is insane," Ethan said, a grin spreading across his face. "I have a system. I can actually do this."
The possibilities raced through his mind. With future knowledge from his past life, a system that could guide him, and the resources of the Carter family at his disposal, he could achieve what most people could only dream of. He wasn't just some disgraced heir anymore. He was about to become a force to be reckoned with.
But first, he had to deal with the immediate challenge—facing his father.
Ethan descended the grand staircase, his steps echoing in the marble-floored hallway. The Carter mansion was a testament to wealth and power, every corner adorned with priceless artwork and meticulously curated decor. Yet, it felt cold, almost lifeless, as if the grandeur was a facade for the tension simmering beneath.
As he entered the dining room, all conversation ceased. At the head of the long mahogany table sat Jonathan Carter, a man whose presence could silence a room without uttering a word. His steel-gray eyes locked onto Ethan, and the disapproval in his gaze was palpable.
"You're late," Jonathan said, his voice low but cutting.
Ethan forced a smile, determined to play his cards right. "Good morning, Father. I was... gathering my thoughts."
Jonathan raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. To his right sat Chloe Carter, Ethan's cousin, and the epitome of ambition and cunning. She regarded Ethan with a smirk, as if already anticipating his next failure.
"Gathering your thoughts?" Chloe said, her tone dripping with mockery. "That's new for you."
Ethan ignored her jab, his focus on Jonathan. "I've been thinking a lot about my future," he said, his voice steady. "I want to prove myself to you. To the family."
The room fell silent. Jonathan leaned back in his chair, studying Ethan as if trying to decipher his sudden change in demeanor.
"And how exactly do you plan to do that?" Jonathan asked, his tone skeptical.
Ethan took a deep breath. This was his chance to set the stage for his transformation. "I've identified an investment opportunity," he said, improvising as he spoke. "A tech startup with immense potential. I'd like the chance to prove my instincts are right."
Chloe let out a derisive laugh. "You? Making an investment? Don't make me laugh, Ethan. You've failed at everything you've ever touched."
Ethan met her gaze, his eyes cold. "Maybe I've learned from my failures."
Jonathan raised a hand, silencing Chloe. His expression was unreadable, but there was a flicker of interest in his eyes. "Very well," he said. "You have one chance. If you succeed, we'll talk about your place in the family. If you fail... don't bother coming back."
Ethan nodded, his resolve hardening. "I won't fail."
Back in his room, Ethan pulled up the Cheat Investment System, his mind racing. The stakes were high, but so was the potential reward. He sifted through the system's predictions, searching for the perfect opportunity. After several minutes, a name caught his eye: Zenith Tech, a small startup on the verge of bankruptcy but with groundbreaking AI technology.
"This is it," Ethan murmured, a fire igniting in his chest. "This is where it begins."
As he began outlining his plan, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. He wasn't just living someone else's life anymore. This was his life now, and he was determined to make the most of it.
Ethan Carter wasn't just back—he was ready to conquer.