Chapter 1 11 Years After Death 18 - year - old Stella Morgan died . D 5 Free Coins Her brakes failed on the overpass for no reason . To avoid hitting innocent pedestrians , she yanked the steering wheel hard . The car crashed through the guardrail and plunged into the river . As the water engulfed the vehicle , Stella had a dream in her final moments . She dreamed that the world she lived in was a novel , and her three younger brothers were all villains : Ethan Marshall - a ruthless CEO who always wore a bracelet . He adored the female lead and opposed the male lead , only to face a downfall in the end Xavier Marshall - a controversial top celebrity who constantly clashed with the award - winning actor male lead on variety shows . He ended up suffering from depression due to cyberbullying and took his own life . Louis Marshall - a school bully who spent his days fighting instead of studying . He hospitalized the male lead's academically gifted younger brother and eventually landed in prison . As for Stella herself , she was the male lead's high school crush who died young - her sole purpose was to create misunderstandings between the main couple . After realizing this , Stella was so furious she came back to life . When she opened her eyes , she found herself standing in front of a massive shopping mall . A huge billboard on the building read : " Happy New Year 2025 " the climax of the Only then did Stella realize - she had been reborn , but she had traveled 11 years into the future , right into th story . She hurried into the mall and headed straight for the restroom to check her reflection . The girl in the mirror still had the same delicate , pretty face . She was even wearing the same black dress she had put on for her date that day . Stella's emotions were a tangled mess . 11 years have passed , but I'm still 18 ! No money , no phone . The situation makes me feel like a python is suffocating mel She turned on the faucet and let the cold water run over her fingers , forcing herself to accept reality . One of Stella's greatest strengths was her ability to adapt . When her parents died unexpectedly , leaving her with three younger brothers - the youngest only two years old - She had quickly adjusted back then . After drying her hands with a paper towel , she stepped out of the restroom just as two salesgirls in white blouses and black skirts walked in , arm in arm , clearly taking a break from work . " Did you hear ? The mall's closing in half an hour . They're already clearing out customers ! " " Yeah , yeah ! Rumor has it the CEO's coming to reserve the whole place ! " Stella's ears perked up at the juicy gossip . Just like that , they're kicking everyone out ? 1/5 Chapter 1 11 Years After Death Typical novel logic - CEOs here are so ridiculoudly ertra ! +5 Free Coins " It's definitely because Hannah's coming to shop ! The CEO doesn't want her bothered by randos . I even saw on TikTok that he invested in a movie for her !" " So romantic ! Lucas must be regretting everything now . Back when their ' ship ' was trending , everyone was waiting for Lucas to be turned on by her ! " The rest of their conversation made Stella frown . Hannah Scott ? That's the female lead of this novel ! And Lucas ? That's the male lead , Lucas Brooks . Which means this brainless CEO must be my dear second brother ! I have been planning to track him down first anyway . Now , I don't even have to lift a finger But right now . I have another urgent matter . She turned to the two salesgirls , who were still buzzing with excitement . " Excuse me , do you know where I around here ? " I can get a belt The two finally noticed the girl in the restroom . She looked young , with a strikingly beautiful face - more stunning than many actresses on TV . One of the salesgirls , who had a soft spot for pretty girls , stared in awe . The other replied helpfully , " Yes , it's on the second floor . There are many clothing stores there , Are you buying it for your dad ? " Stella smiled . " Nope . I'm buying it to beat someone . " The salesgirls fell silent . Stella had already sized up the mall - it was high - end, and right now , at noon , it should've been packed with shoppers . Kicking everyone out would mean massive losses , not just financially but also in customer trust . liho'd want to come back after being forced out during lunch ? No wonder Ethan ended up bankrupt in the novel . With business decisions like this who wouldn't go under ? When I was eighteen , Ethan had only been fifteen , a middle schooler with top grades and a sharp business mind Back then , he'd made tens of thousands flipping game consoles and even bought me a designer bag . My parents had owned a real estate company before their deaths , so it wasn't surprising that Ethanow ones this mall . What was surprising was how he'd apparently lost all common sense ! Ignoring the salesgirls ' bewildered looks , Stella walked out of the restroom and immediately spotted a security guard approaching " Sorry , miss . The mall's closing this afternoon . Please exit as soon as possible . Stella smiled politely . " I need to speak to the manager . Can you connect me ? " With the CEO here , the manager would definitely be around . The guard wasn't sure what this girl wanted , but customers often had random requests . " Sure , I'll call him . " 2/5 P Chapter 1 11 Years After Death He dialed the manager's number , and the call was quickly answered , " What's up ? " " Sir , there's a young lady on the first floor asking for you . Not sure what it's about . " " Not today . Tell her to come back tomorrow . " The guard turned to Stella . " The manager says he's busy " Stella kept her smile . " Let me talk to him . " +5 Free Coins In the office , Zoe Reed , the manager , was busy chatting with the imposing man seated in the office chair - a man who idly twisted a bracelet between his fingers . Just as he was about to hang up , a crisp but irritated female voice came through the phone . Sir , hello ! Are you with Ethan Marshall ? Put him on !" Zoe froze . Who is this ? She was polite to me , but she just dared to call Mr. Ethan by his full name directly ! Is she one of his obsessive admirers ? Mr. Ethan was young , handsome , composed , and filthy rich . Plenty of women were after him . Zoe didn't dare make a decision for the CEO , so he muted the phone and asked respectfully , " Mr. Ethan , there's a girl downstairs asking to speak to you . Should I … ? " He expected a refusal , but Ethan reached for the phone without hesitation . Zoe unmuted it and carefully handed it over . Ethan took it , his voice cold . " Who are you ? What do you want ? Stella shouted , Tm Stella ! Come …. Ethan's eyes turned icy . " Get lost ." The temperature in the room seemed to drop . Zoe shuddered , quickly taking the phone back and texting the guard : " Get that woman out of here NOW !! The man in the chair was impeccably dressed in a black suit , his aura freezing . Zoe forced himself to speak . " Mr. Ethan , don't let it bother you . The guards will handle it . " He hadn't heard what the woman said , but it was probably just another desperate fan . Everyone knew the CEO was into Hannah , the dazzling A - list actress . These women needed to get a grip ! Ethan's fingers tightened around his bracelet , suppressing the fury in his chest . How dare someone pretend to be Stellar He picked up his own phone and opened his pinned chat , sending a message : " The mall's in the clearing process . Let me know when you're close , and I'll come get you ." 3/5 P P Chapter 1 11 Years After Death His last message - asking if she'd left yet - had gone unanswered . But she'd been busy with movie promotions . Note that she finally had a break , it made sense she was slow to reply . Seeing the cold CEO's expression soften slightly , Zoe knew he was texting Hannah . " Mr. Ethan . I watched Ms. Hannah's latest film ! It was amazing - I've already seen it three times with my family ! " Ethan glanced up , the faintest hint of a smile on his face . " Oh ? " # 5 Free Coins Zoe nodded eagerly . Tm even planning to organize a group viewing for all the mall staff ! A masterpiece like this deserves support ! " Ethan's expression warmed further . He took a sip of tea . Approved . The company will cover the fees . Zoe grinned like a sunflower and refilled Ethan's cup . Starlight Mall was part of the Starlight Group , with eight locations in Ashford alone and over a hundred nationwide . This was a rare chance to impress the CEO - maybe it a secure me a promotion to regional manager next quarter ! Meanwhile , Ethan's assistant watched her boss's lovestruck demeanor with a headache . He canceled a meeting halfway through because Hannah wanted to go shopping . He could become after the mall was cleared , but no he had to wait here in person ! My phone was blowing up with urgent messages about the postponed meeting . But with this brown noser around , I couldn't bring up work This job is a hazard to my sanity . Zoe prattled on , " Mr. Ethan , about the brand Ms. Hannah endorses … " " Zoe , go supervise the clearance . Tina finally cut in . Zoe shot her an annoyed look . " Ms. Tina , don't worry : Everything's under control ! " Ethan's fingers stilled on his bracelet . His cold gaze flicked to the assistant , then back to Zoe . " Continue . " Tina wanted to scream . The moment Hannah's name comes up , his IQ drops to zero ! Zoe smirked internally How did this woman ever become his assistant ? No fact at But outwardly , he kept his tone respectful . " Ms. Hannah's brand has a store in our mall … " Before he could finish , the office door burst open with a creak . All three looked up . A girl in her late teens stood there , a guard rushing up behind her . Zoe's face darkened . " Who let you in ? Get out ! Guard , remove her now ! " Tina stayed silent , frowning- There's something familiar about her face…. Ethan didn't speak either . His mind went blank , his body rigid . 4/5 p p . Chapter 1 11 Years After Death Then the girl stormed over , grabbed his ear , and yanked hard . " Ethan , you're begging for a beating ! "