In my last life, she caused me to lose my arms and legs. Now that I'd been reborn, I was going to take revenge. In my past life, right after graduation, Ashley used the promise of high pay to recruit our entire class to work summer jobs at her family's factory. She even promised that after working the summer, we'd get fast-tracked into management positions at her family's company after college. But two days into the job, a machine malfunctioned and severed both my arms and legs. By the time I got to the hospital, it was too late. When my parents confronted Ashley, she showed zero remorse. "I warned her not to touch the machines. It's her own fault for being clumsy and stupid." My childhood friend Ryan defended her too. "Everyone else was fine. She's the only one who got hurt. Obviously she's just trying to scam money." The entire class split my settlement money and testified against me. My parents believed I was a con artist. Ashamed of me, they abandoned my body in the morgue. They even gave our entire family inheritance to Ashley as "emotional damages." When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day Ashley invited us all to work at her factory. --- "Don't you guys want to earn money? Well, I pulled some strings to get our entire class jobs at my family's factory—over ten thousand a month!" "And if you work this summer, after college graduation you can go straight into management at my company. Pretty generous of me, right?" Ashley's smug announcement made me realize—I'd been given a second chance. Everyone cheered, thanking her for the opportunity. But my body still remembered the electric shock from the machinery, the agony of my limbs being ground to pulp. I grabbed my bag and headed for the door. Ashley's hand shot out, catching my arm. "Emma, where are you going? Everyone agreed to work at my family's factory. You're the only one who hasn't answered." I yanked my arm away. "I'm not going. I've got other plans." Ryan crossed his arms and stepped beside her, his voice dripping with disapproval. "Where's your sense of gratitude? Your parents spent years paying for your education. You should be jumping at the chance to earn money and pay them back!" My fists clenched. "I borrowed some money online before finals. This summer I have to go to Mexico to pay it back. I already signed the contract. People from there are coming specifically to find me." Ashley's eyes narrowed, looking me up and down skeptically. "Mexico? That place is crawling with criminals. You're asking to get killed." Her fake concern made my skin crawl. Still better than her sabotaging me, letting a machine tear me apart so she could pocket the insurance money. I shrugged, playing regretful. "But I already gave my word. If I don't go, their boss will come looking for me here, and everyone will get dragged into it." When the class heard Mexican gangsters might show up, they immediately backed off. "If she doesn't want the opportunity, forget her! Ashley, we'll all go without her!" But Ashley wouldn't let it drop. "Problem is, I already applied for all of you. My dad will only hire the group if everyone comes. We can't be missing anyone." "So you're saying you want the whole class to lose this money-making opportunity because of you?" The same classmates who'd just dismissed me now shot me resentful glares. Ryan tore into me. "What Mexican gangsters? If they come for anyone, it's you. Get yourself to that factory first and make up the headcount. Don't drag the rest of us down with your problems!" Everyone else piled on, like they wanted to rip me apart. "Ashley worked so hard to get us this opportunity! If you don't go, we'll report you for abusing your position as class president to bully students. We'll get you expelled from college!" "Exactly! We're counting on working our way into management at Ashley's family company! If you ruin our futures, we'll make you pay!" They closed in on me like a mob. Ashley raised an eyebrow, her voice dripping with pressure. "Emma, this isn't just about you anymore. You're hurting everyone's interests. Want the whole class to hate you forever?" I clenched my fists and finally nodded, buying myself time. "Fine. I'll go to her family's factory with you."
The second I got home, I bought a plane ticket to Mexico. No way was I going to that factory when I knew Ashley was after my insurance payout. Once I left the country, I could avoid my past life's fate. The day I was supposed to leave for the airport, the entire class showed up at my front door. Ryan cheerfully dragged me outside, telling my parents, "Mr. and Mrs. White, we're all working at the Davis factory this summer. Emma won't be home for two months!" My parents had trusted Ryan since we were kids. Seeing the whole group of students, they agreed without a second thought. Ashley fake-politely pulled me onto the bus, waving to my parents to reassure them. Ryan, terrified I'd escape, wrapped the seatbelt around me several times. "Don't worry, Emma. Ashley's factory is way out in the middle of nowhere. Even if those Mexican guys come looking, they'll never find you!" "After you finish these two months, you can pay off your debt! Then you should get on your knees and thank Ashley. She's your boss!" Ashley waved her hand, laughing with hidden meaning. "She's OUR boss! We're all getting paid because of her!" The class burst into laughter, thinking she was mocking me. Only I knew—she meant every word. The bus was about to merge onto the highway. If I didn't get off now, once we reached the factory gates, there'd be no escape. I forced myself to stay calm and shouted, "Tell the driver to stop! I need to use the bathroom!" Ashley glared at me, annoyed. "Hold it. We're almost there." "It's your family's factory—what's a few minutes? Unless you're planning to treat us like slaves from day one?" My sharp retort made the other students nod in agreement. Reluctantly, Ashley told the driver to stop at a gas station. "You can use the bathroom, but everyone hands me their phones first. Just to make sure nobody tries to run off. We're all in this together, right?" I glared at her, teeth clenched. She was clearly targeting me. Ryan was first to hand over his phone, frowning at me. "Hand it over! You're always causing problems!" Everyone stared me down, pressuring me. "Come on! We all gave ours up. Ashley's just trying to keep things fair!" We were on the outskirts now, not too far from the airport. If I could just get off this bus, I could run there and still make my flight. Reluctantly, I pulled out my phone and tossed it to her, then tried to dash off the bus. Ashley suddenly screamed, "Grab her!" Ryan and the others yanked me back by my collar. She slammed my phone against my forehead. "I knew she was up to something! She bought a ticket to Mexico—for this afternoon at 2 PM! She was planning to run!" The class looked at the boarding notification on my screen, then shoved me back into my seat. "Emma! If you make us lose this money-making opportunity, you're dead!" "You better sit still! Or we'll tie you up ourselves!" Ryan pulled out rope from somewhere and bound me tightly to the seat. "I knew you'd try something! No way you're getting away! Ashley promised we'd all interview together. Every single one of us!" I struggled hard, but the ropes didn't budge. Watching Ryan and Ashley exchange congratulatory looks made my blood run cold. At Ashley's signal, the driver pulled back onto the road. As the city disappeared behind us, my heart sank.
When we arrived at the factory, everyone happily dragged their luggage off the bus. Some planned how they'd spend their paychecks after two months. Others grinned about landing management positions at the Davis company after college. Only I stared at this decrepit, ominous factory, my entire body trembling. I had to escape today. Tomorrow, I'd die here just like in my past life. Ashley yanked on the rope dragging me along. Unable to break free, I tried warning the others. "Why do these machines look so old? Ashley, you sure your family's equipment won't kill someone?!" Everyone paused. Ryan immediately defended her. "Don't be dramatic! Ashley's from the richest family in the City. The machines just look old—they're obviously state-of-the-art!" The others looked at her adoringly. "Exactly! Everything the Davis family owns is top quality. You're just poor and jealous. Talk trash about Ashley again and we'll all turn on you!" "Ashley's giving you this opportunity out of kindness. One more bad word and we're cutting you off completely!" Ashley, who'd looked nervous at my question, relaxed when everyone defended her. She laughed, yanking my hair. "Emma, you're poor and haven't seen anything nice, so I'll forgive you! But since you bad-mouthed my family, you better lick my shoes clean when you get your paycheck!" My scalp burned. Watching everyone eagerly fill out interview forms, I realized—no one was going to help me. While everyone crowded around the interview table, completely ignoring me, I saw my chance. Ashley had my phone, but I still had my smartwatch. I crept into a corner and dialed 911. When someone answered, I whispered urgently, "Officer! There's illegal labor trafficking here. My life is in danger! We're at—" Before I could finish the address, Ashley ripped the watch off my wrist and smashed it. "Emma! You called the cops?!" Everyone stopped their interviews, shooting hateful glares my way. Ryan crushed the watch under his heel and slapped me across the face. "You idiot! Are you trying to destroy all of us?! Can't stand seeing us succeed, can you!" The slap left me dizzy. I bit out, "If this factory's legit, why can't I call the cops?! What are you hiding that you're so scared of police investigating?!" Ryan's eyes shifted, and my heart plummeted. He was in on it with Ashley. He knew I'd been brought here to die in a machine "accident" so they could split the insurance money. But Ashley didn't even flinch. She said coldly, "The Davis family is the richest in the City. We can handle anything. I just don't want cops wasting everyone's work time!" "If we lose even a dollar, will you compensate us?! Besides, we signed contracts—we have to complete two months before we can intern at my company!" Everyone turned on me, shoving me around. "You troublemaker! You're trying to ruin everything for us!" I stumbled and hit my head on a machine, pain exploding in my skull. Ashley stepped on my head, self-righteous and furious. "We can't let her destroy our futures! I propose we make her sign a contract—if she leaves the factory, she pays each of us a hundred thousand dollars. That'll keep her here!" My eyes widened. "That's illegal! That contract wouldn't hold up!" Ashley smiled coldly, holding a handwritten note. "Once you sign and fingerprint it, it's binding. Emma, unless you're planning something, why won't you sign?" Ryan and the others grabbed my wrists, forcing my hand toward the paper. "Ashley just wants a guarantee from you! As long as you don't leave, nothing happens. Just sign!" "Ashley's looking out for us! Our patience is running out!" As my hand got closer to the paper, I panicked and threw myself toward a bottle of acid in the corner. I knocked it over with both hands, the acid eating away my fingerprints instantly. Gasping with relief, I said shakily, "No fingerprints now. And I won't sign." Ashley's eyes went ice cold, her laugh chilling. "I was going easy on you. Just wanted a signature for everyone's peace of mind. Guess we're doing this the hard way." She pulled a syringe from her bag, advancing on me with murderous intent. "This is something my family developed. One injection and you'll be brain-dead for life, only capable of repeating one action over and over." My teeth chattered as I struggled desperately. But Ryan and the others held my arms down, preventing any resistance. Just as the cold needle touched my arm, police sirens wailed outside.
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