Jessica left in a daze, utterly shattered. She needed time to process the terrifying reality that I, too, had a second chance. I, on the other hand, began planning my grand "spending" strategy. The reason the "Spend & Earn" system killed Jessica in our last life was because of how she spent. Handbags, sports cars, luxury goods. All those things did was feed her vanity. They had no real value. Besides, there's a limit to what one person can consume. When the spending requirement skyrockets from tens of thousands to millions, you can't possibly eat ten million dollars' worth of food or wear ten million dollars' worth of clothes in 24 hours. She literally worked herself to dea- th trying to keep up. But the definition of "spending" is broad. Purchasing services, technology, talent-that's also spending. After my $20,000 mission, the system gave me another $20,000. The next mission: spend $40,000 in 24 hours. མ ཕ ༅ I opened my laptop and searched for a name: James Hayes. In my past life, I met him at a tech investment summit after I'd made my fortune. He became my husband. A man who loved me more than money. By then, he was already a successful entrepreneur, sophisticated and charming. But in this timeline, at this moment, he would be a brilliant but broke student hitting one wall after another. I found his information easily. A prodigy from Kingston University's Computer Science department, a junior, working with a few classmates to develop a revolutionary social media app. The project had incredible potential, but a lack of funding had brought them to the brink of collapse. I looked at the photo on the screen, his face still holding the soft edges of youth, and my heart warmed. That was him. I found his contact information and sent a short text. "Mr. Hayes, my name is Carol. I'm an angel investor, and I'm very interested in your project. Are you available to talk?" The message went out into the void. I wasn't worried. I closed my laptop and prepared to head out. I had a more direct way of completing my $40,000 mission. I took a cab to the city's largest bullion exchange. In her past life, Jessica had tried buying gold. But she went to luxury jewelry stores, paying exorbitant, fixed prices for pieces with massive markups. I walked straight to the counter that dealt only in raw materials. "Hello, I'd like to buy gold bars. What's the spot price today?" "Good afternoon, ma'am. The raw price is $2,000 an ounce." "Perfect. I'll take twenty ounces." Exactly $40,000. I swiped my card, signed the papers, and the heavy gold bars were in my hand, their cold, metallic weight a solid promise. [Ding! Spending mission complete. Reward of $40,000 has been deposited.] [New Mission Issued: Spend $80,000 within 24 hours.] Just as I slipped the gold into my purse, my phone rang. An unknown number. I answered. A cool, clear male voice, laced with a hint of caution, came through the line. "Hello, is this Ms. Carol? This is James Hayes." In the latest episode titled "ReelTalk EP24-Surviving Bullying & Navigating Mental Health" by CrushReel, a poignant narrative unfolds between Autumn Noel and her confidante Amanda Liguori as they delve into the depths of mental health struggles. Autumn bravely shares her journey of overcoming bullying, shedding light on the impact of online harassment and the resilience needed to navigate such challenges. This raw and authentic conversation not only resonates with those facing similar adversities but also highlights the importance of seeking support during vulnerable times. As the story unfolds in this ongoing romance series, the bond between Autumn and Amanda deepens, showcasing the power of friendship in confronting personal battles. Through their candid exchange, themes of courage, empathy, and self-discovery resonate strongly, adding layers of depth to this heartwarming narrative. The unique blend of vulnerability and strength portrayed by the characters sets this episode apart, offering a refreshing take on mental health awareness within the romance genre. What sets this episode apart is its genuine portrayal of complex emotions and its unwavering commitment to authenticity. Available to read at CrushReel, this compelling exploration of resilience and friendship serves as a beacon of hope for readers navigating their own struggles.