My Past Life Was My Greatest Fortune

Maverick Don't Lie

CHAPTER 8

Claire was still trying to process everything that had happened.

Just a short while ago, she had been standing in the lobby being humiliated in front of everyone. Then Maverick had stepped in.

Now, as they stood together, she finally got a proper look at him. Her eyes paused on his clothes.

The suit he was wearing was clearly new. It was well-fitted, clean, and far more expensive-looking than anything she remembered him wearing back in high school.

Claire couldn’t help staring for a moment. “You’ve really changed.” Maverick raised an eyebrow. “Changed?” “Yes.” She smiled slightly.

“When we were in high school, you always wore simple clothes. Now you look completely different.”

She looked at him carefully. “And somehow... you seem richer too.” Maverick laughed. “I just got lucky.” He wasn’t lying.

From his perspective, waking up ten years in the past with knowledge of the future was the greatest stroke of luck imaginable.

Claire smiled but didn’t completely believe him. Then she remembered something.

“You said earlier that I don’t need to repay you.”

“You don’t.”

“But I still want to.” Maverick thought for a moment. “Actually, there is something you can do for me.”

Claire immediately became serious. “What is it?” “Become my personal financial analyst.” Claire froze.

“Your... personal financial analyst?”

“Yes.” Maverick glanced toward the securities firm. “I need someone I can trust to help me set up a trading account. I’m planning to invest in futures.”

Claire’s eyes lit up slightly. “That shouldn’t be a problem. But how much are you planning to invest?” Maverick casually answered, “About thirty million dollars to start.” Claire stared at him.

“...Thirty million?”

“Yes.”

Her mouth opened slightly. She wondered if she had heard him incorrectly. Thirty million dollars wasn’t an amount an ordinary investor casually mentioned.

Several employees nearby had also overheard the conversation. Their expressions changed one after another.

“Thirty million?”

“Did he just say thirty million dollars?”

“That can’t be right.”

“Who exactly is that guy?” The atmosphere around them suddenly became strange. Only moments ago, everyone had been wondering who Maverick was. Now they finally had an answer.

He was apparently an extremely wealthy client. And Claire had just become the person handling his account. The employees couldn’t help looking at her with envy.

A client with that kind of capital could generate an enormous amount of business for the firm. The commissions alone would be substantial.

Claire’s heart began beating faster. Thirty million dollars... If she could handle an account of this size successfully, her situation could change completely.

More importantly, she could finally begin dealing with the financial problems that had been weighing on her family.

She looked at Maverick. “I’ll do it.” Maverick smiled. “Then let’s get started.” Claire immediately led him inside.

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The account-opening process took considerably longer than Maverick expected.

There were documents to sign, identity checks to complete, and several procedures required before such a large account could begin trading. Claire personally handled everything.

By the time they finally finished, the sunlight outside had already begun fading.

Maverick stepped out of the securities firm and looked toward the darkening sky. His mind was already on his first major investment. Gold futures.

He remembered exactly what had happened in 2016. The United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union the Brexit vote had shaken financial markets badly.

Investors rushed toward safer assets, and gold prices surged sharply in the aftermath.

In his previous life, gold had climbed from roughly $1,250 an ounce around the time of the vote to around $1,370 within weeks.

With the right timing and enough capital, the opportunity was enormous. Maverick’s lips curled upward.

Thirty million dollars was only the beginning. If he played the market correctly, he expected the investment to eventually bring him roughly two hundred million dollars.

“Maverick.” Claire’s voice brought him back. She smiled. “It’s getting late. Let me buy you dinner.”

Maverick looked at her. “Dinner?”

“Yes. You helped me today. At least let me treat you to a meal.” He thought for a moment before nodding.

“Alright.” Claire’s smile became brighter. “How about the Grand Horizon Restaurant at 128 Maple Avenue?”

“Sure.”

“Then I’ll see you there.”

Claire gave him the full address before leaving to get ready. Maverick watched her disappear into the crowd.

A faint smile appeared on his face. It seemed his life was beginning to move in an entirely different direction.

His phone suddenly rang. Maverick looked at the screen. Richard. He answered. “Mr. Collins.”

“Maverick.” Richard’s voice was completely different from earlier. There was no anger in it. Instead, there was a deep seriousness.

“I’ve confirmed everything you told me.” Maverick’s expression didn’t change.

“How much did you confirm?”

“Everything.” Richard took a breath. “Every single thing you told me was true.” His voice carried a trace of disbelief.

“I don’t understand how you knew those things.”

Maverick remained silent. Richard continued. “I’ve spent years around people who would do anything to obtain information about me. Even people close to me don’t know some of the things you told me.”

“You knew them without even knowing me personally.”

Richard paused. “I don’t know who you really are, but someone capable of uncovering information that deeply buried isn’t an ordinary person.” Maverick smiled faintly.

Richard’s attitude had changed completely. Earlier, he had regarded Maverick as nothing more than a young man who had caused trouble. Now, he spoke with genuine respect.

“I owe you my life,” Richard said. “I’d like to thank you properly tomorrow. Let me meet you in person.”

“I can’t tomorrow. I already have plans.” Richard wasn’t offended. “Then whenever you’re free.” He paused before adding, “If you ever need anything, call me.”

Maverick’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Anything?”

"As long as it’s within my ability.”

Maverick smiled. “Alright.” They exchanged a few more words before ending the call. Maverick lowered his phone.

Money was important. But money alone wasn’t enough. He had learned that lesson painfully in his previous life.

A person could have money and still be crushed by people with greater influence. Connections mattered....Power mattered. Leverage mattered....

And Richard Collins was a man with all three. Building a strong relationship with him was far more valuable than simply having another rich acquaintance. Maverick looked up at the evening sky. This time, he wasn’t going to live the same life twice.

His previous life had been filled with regret, humiliation, and helplessness. But now... Everything was different. The wealth was already within his reach. The opportunities were waiting. And now he was beginning to build his connections.

Maverick smiled. “My new life has finally begun.”

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Meanwhile, in another part of the city... Emily’s family had no idea that their comfortable life was about to descend into chaos. And the first problem was already knocking at their door.