The evening finally arrived when Harry stood before the imposing gates of the Anderson mansion. The sprawling estate with its manicured gardens and marble columns reminded him painfully of his own family's wealth—wealth that had never truly been his.In my previous life, I met Mona when I was twenty-two, Harry thought as he approached the ornate front door. Now I'm eighteen, and everything will be different.Harry pressed the doorbell, and within moments, the heavy oak door swung open to reveal Mr. and Mrs. Anderson dressed in expensive evening attire.Mrs. Anderson's face immediately contorted with disgust. "Oh my God, Victoria didn't mention you'd be dressed like... that."Harry looked down at his worn jacket and faded jeans. "Like what, ma'am?""Like you crawled out of a garbage bin," Mr. Anderson said bluntly, looking Harry up and down with obvious revulsion. "Those clothes are absolutely disgusting.""I can't have him sitting at our dinner table looking like that," Mrs. Anderson

Victoria buried her face in her hands, her shoulders trembling with embarrassment as Harry continued to grip her father's wrist, preventing him from eating the soup."Get your filthy hands off me this instant!" Mr. Anderson bellowed, his face turning red with rage. "How dare you manhandle me in my own home!""You're making a complete fool of yourself," Mrs. Anderson added with disgust. "And embarrassing our family in the process."Mona's voice was sharp with mockery. "Look at him, desperately clinging to Daddy's arm like some deranged street person. This is what happens when you invite charity cases to dinner.""Please, just listen to me," Harry pleaded, maintaining his grip despite Mr. Anderson's attempts to pull away. "I know how this sounds, but—""You know how this sounds?" Mr. Anderson snarled. "It sounds like the ravings of a mental patient!""Exactly," Mrs. Anderson agreed coldly. "Victoria, this is why we told you not to associate with people like this. They're unstable."Mr.

The next morning at Hayburn University, Harry was walking across the campus quad when he spotted a familiar figure approaching with determined strides. Mona Anderson, dressed in an expensive designer coat, was flanked by two large men in dark suits—clearly her father's private security.She's bringing muscle to a university campus, Harry thought with grim amusement. How very Mona."Henry Adams!" Mona called out sharply, her voice carrying across the courtyard and drawing stares from passing students.Harry stopped walking and turned to face her, his expression neutral. "Mona. What brings you to my school?""Don't play innocent with me," Mona snapped, stepping closer while her bodyguards positioned themselves behind her. "I know exactly what you did to my father last night.""I saved his life," Harry replied calmly. "You're welcome, by the way.""Saved his life?" Mona laughed harshly. "Is that what you call it? More like you poisoned him first, then swooped in to play hero."Several st

Harry returned to Hayburn University late that evening, his mind still processing everything he had witnessed at the Anderson gala. The image of Marcus Thornfield's smug smile and that brief flash of memory—the vial, the poison—haunted his thoughts as he walked across the darkened campus.Alfred was waiting for him in his office, surrounded by stacks of papers and looking unusually grim."How was the gala?" Alfred asked without his usual pleasantries."Enlightening," Harry replied, taking a seat across from the professor's desk. "I think I know who poisoned Mr. Anderson.""Before we get to that," Alfred interrupted, his expression troubled, "I've picked up some disturbing information through my university contacts.""What kind of information?"Alfred leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. "There's a rumor circulating that the Solomon family's heir is going to be joining Hayburn University. Soon."Harry's blood turned to ice. His mind immediately flashed to memories he'd trie

The Anderson mansion gleamed under the warm evening lights, every surface polished to perfection for the important business dinner.Crystal chandeliers cast dancing shadows across marble floors, while servants moved silently through the halls making final preparations.Mona stood before her bedroom mirror, adjusting her emerald silk dress for the third time. Her reflection showed a picture of calculated elegance—every curl perfectly placed, every piece of jewelry strategically chosen."I wonder what this Solomon heir looks like," she murmured to herself, applying another coat of lipstick. "Father says he's some kind of business prodigy. Young, successful, powerful..." She smiled at her reflection. "Exactly the kind of man I should be meeting."Downstairs, Harry arrived thirty minutes early, dressed in the only formal suit he owned—a secondhand black tuxedo that Alfred had helped him purchase that afternoon. The fabric was slightly worn at the elbows, but it was clean and properly fitt