I met James at a coffee shop near the Kingston University campus. He was already there when I arrived, sitting by the window in a worn-out white button-down, the cheapest Americano on the menu before him. Sunlight streamed through the glass, casting him in a clean, almost aloof aura. He was so much younger and thinner than the man I remembered. He stood up when he saw me, a little awkwardly. "Ms. Carol, hello." "Just Carol is fine," I said with a smile, taking the seat across from him. He seemed surprised by my age, hesitating for a second before sitting back down. "Carol... hi. You said you were interested in my project?" he asked, getting straight to the point, his tone laced with disbelief. I nodded. "I am. I read your project proposal. It's incredibly innovative. I'm especially bullish on your concept of 'interest-based social circles." A flicker of light sparked in his eyes, but it died just as quickly. "Thank you. But we're... we're out of money." "How much do you need?" He held up five fingers, the words catching in his throat. "Five hundred thousand. That's the bare minimum for seed funding." Five hundred thousand dollars. To me, that was just a spending mission a few days from now. But I couldn't just hand it to him. "I can invest," I said. James's head shot up, his eyes shining with a joy he couldn't contain. "Really?!" "On one condition," I added, my tone shifting. His expression hardened again. "What condition?" " "I want to use that half a million to buy the exclusive first rights to all research, development, and patents your team produces for the next year. It was an aggressive, almost predatory offer. I was essentially buying a year of a genius team's future for a fraction of its potential worth. If they created something world-changing, I would be the primary beneficiary. James fell silent. He looked down, his fingers tracing the rim of his coffee cup. I was making a bet. A bet on his confidence in his own talent, and a bet on how desperate his situation was. Finally, he looked up, his gaze sharp enough to pierce through my skin. "Why?" he asked, his voice low. "Why what?" "Why do this? You don't exactly seem like the charitable type." His eyes searched mine, trying to unravel the mystery. I laughed. "Because I need a way to spend money." I wasn't lying. The amounts required by my system would only grow larger. Shopping and donations would eventually hit a ceiling. But investing in a tech company-buying their technology, their equipment, their patents, even paying their salaries-was the perfect, legitimate channel for " spending." I was building the road for my own future. James clearly didn't understand. He frowned, looking like he thought I was mocking him. Just then, the coffee shop door swung open and a young woman, dressed head-to-toe in designer brands, strode in. She marched directly to our table, looking down her nose at James with pure derision. "James, are you still at it? Scrounging for investors again? Who in their right mind would fund that dead-end project of yours?" Her gaze then shifted to me, sizing me up with a dismissive sneer. "Oh, and you found a young, pretty one this time. Honey, a word of advice: stay away from this broke loser. All he's good for is selling empty promises." It was Brittany, James's ex-girlfriend. The same woman who, in our last life, had looked down on him, only to be consumed by regret later. James's face flushed a deep crimson. He clenched his fists. "Brittany, this is my business. It has nothing to do with you!" "How does it not?" Brittany scoffed. "I'm just trying to keep this poor girl from being scammed by you!" She pulled a card from her purse and slapped it on the table. "See this, honey? This is what a real man gives a woman. Not a cheap cup of coffee and a pile of fantasies." I glanced at the black card but said nothing. Brittany, thinking she'd stunned me into silence, grew even more smug. "I came here to tell you, James, that I'm getting engaged to Preston Vance next week. You know the Vances, right? Their family is worth hundreds of millions. You'll never be in my league." The blood drained from James's face, leaving him pale and shaken. I sighed and took out my wallet. Then, right in front of them, I fanned out a whole stack of cards. Black cards, platinum cards, unlimited cards... an arsenal of elite credit, gleaming under the cafe lights. I spread them on the table like a winning poker hand. Then I looked up at the dumbfounded Brittany and asked with a sweet smile, "Which of these did you say a man is supposed to give a woman? "Are these enough?" Brittany's face cycled through shades of red and white, a kaleidoscope of humiliation. She stared at the blinding array of cards on the table, utterly speechless. James was just as stunned, his gaze fixed on me, a complex mix of emotions swirling in his eyes. 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. 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