After Rebirth, I Became A Millionaire

Later, I discovered that the person handling the paperwork when I signed the contract with the original owner was a distant cousin of Juliette's. She inadvertently shared the information with Juliette.

Everyone knew that the land was so remote that even farmers wouldn't want to cultivate it. The original owners had been desperate to sell it, but no one was interested, so it sat abandoned.

No one expected that I would end up acquiring it. The rumor spread that I had lost my mind, and the land would end up being a massive failure for me.

While I was picking up some documents from my teacher, I ran into the teaching assistant. It seemed like she finally had an opportunity to attack me, and her nose was in the air.

"I heard you used all your savings to buy a piece of land? No offense, but you should know your limits. Don't fantasize about becoming a real estate mogul. You're just a small-time player!"

I remained calm. "Well, at least I'm not someone who was born with a silver spoon in my mouth but still fixates on the mundane."

The teaching assistant's face darkened again.

After leaving the office, I encountered Juliette and her entourage outside the classroom.

"My dad says that piece of land has been worthless for years. Erica, are you planning to turn it into a recycling station?" Juliette mocked.

"Yeah, you're used to dealing with trash, so maybe you see everything as valuable…" one of Juliette's friends laughed, covering her mouth.

I didn't respond.

Someday, they'll regret what they said and come back begging me.

Under Juliette's dramatic portrayal and smear campaign, the campus forums and social media were abuzz with talk about my purchase of the "worthless" land.

Everyone speculated that I had lost my mind, risking all my assets on a failed investment. Some even started betting on whether I was planning something major or just had a brain freeze.

The topic quickly went viral, topping the campus trending charts.

Even Joel came to see me. "It's okay, Erica. If you're out of money, I'll take care of you."

I wanted to tell him, "I'm not looking for a sugar daddy!"

After sending Joel away, I got a call from Duncan. "There's a lot of talk online about you. Do you want me to help handle it?"

As a computer science major, Duncan could easily manage the online chatter. Although he didn't say it outright, it was clear from my attitude toward Joel that Duncan understood I had my own plans for everything I did.

He would never act on his own without checking with me first.

I declined his offer.

Let the speculation continue a bit longer. Although I never intended to make a big show of it, if Juliette had pushed the narrative this far, I had no reason to end it quietly.

A month later, the news broke that, just like in my previous life, the land was designated as a new economic zone. The value of the land soared, and the compensation was astronomical.

The campus exploded once more.

"I knew Erica was great at turning things around! She's clearly planned something big this time. She's going to be a millionaire…"

"I want to hitch a ride on her success and get rich too. Erica, you're amazing…"

"Not only is she beautiful, but she also dances beautifully and has a great personality. I'm now Erica's number one fan…"

"Count me in. Erica, you're my idol…"

The buzz was so intense that the campus network nearly crashed.

After that, I became a campus sensation once again. My every move was closely scrutinized, as people worried that I might accidentally create the next big financial miracle.

When I ate some street food for a couple of days, a crowd gathered around the vendor, and the vendor happily stayed open for days.

When I took a few walks on a side street, people started connecting it to economic policies and the area's development trends.

Even when I stumbled on the road, people began researching the origins and potential of my shoes.

At the moment, I was too busy to worry about these things. I needed to sign contracts with the staff and receive my compensation.

I called Duncan to join me. If I encountered anything I didn't understand, his social experience would be helpful.

We agreed to meet at the school entrance.

On my way through the administrative building, I ran into the teaching assistant coming down the stairs.

"Sorry, it looks like that land really did turn out to be valuable. Even a small-time player like me can catch a ride on this success."

The teaching assistant gritted her teeth. "Erica, don't think you can show off just because you've got some money now. Don't forget, we still have the final exams to settle."

I raised an eyebrow and moved aside to let her pass.

I hadn't forgotten. I was still waiting for her to apologize in front of everyone.

After leaving the building and heading toward the campus entrance, I ran into some old dorm mates.

They eagerly invited me to move back into the dorm, saying they had previously been influenced by Juliette and had formed a biased opinion of me.

Left aside, Juliette was glaring at me with hatred.

Hearing their flattery, I knew their attitude had changed only because my situation was now different.

I politely declined but didn't confront them.

People are often attracted to success. I might disdain their behavior, but there was no need to mock them.

"Don't think just because you're on top now, I'll give up! I'm waiting to see who gets the last laugh!" Juliette fumed.

"Throw everything you've got at me," I said, heading to meet Duncan. I had no time to deal with Juliette.