Yandere Villainess CEO is obsessed with me

Julian looked toward the frantic young man and instantly recognized him.

So, this is the original male protagonist, Ethan Mercer.

It appeared Ethan had retained the memories of his previous life and memorized the winning numbers for this exact lottery draw. However, when Julian bought out the high-tier ticket stacks earlier, the resulting shift in variables caused the drawn numbers to change entirely.

Julian stroked his chin thoughtfully. In the original novel, as Ethan lay dying in his past life, his final bitter words had been: ”Victoria, if there’s an afterlife, I hope I’m never found by you.”

It seemed that dying wish had triggered a temporal reset, sending Ethan back into the past.

In this life, Ethan would undoubtedly do everything in his power to stay as far away from Victoria as possible.

Since he’s actively hiding from her, no one will try to snatch her away from me, Julian mused with a satisfied smirk. I can finally sit back and enjoy the luxury.

Noticing Julian staring at him, Ethan frowned deeply. ”Do you know me?”

”I do,” Julian nodded smoothly, offering a polite smile. ”You’re a top finance student at the university’s School of Economics. I’m in the same department, so naturally, I recognize you.”

Not only do I recognize you, Julian thought, I also took the yandere heiress off your hands.

Ethan had originally counted on this multi-million-dollar jackpot to secure a life of instant luxury. Now that his grand plan had crumbled, he stood in a stunned daze.

With a low grunt, Ethan ignored Julian, turned on his heel, and walked out of the shop.

Why were the numbers different? Could his rebirth have triggered a butterfly effect that altered the lottery results?

Watching Ethan’s retreating back, Julian raised an eyebrow. Ethan, the devotion you threw away like trash in your past life... I’ll make sure to cherish it properly.

Ethan trudged back to his cramped, rundown apartment in a sketchy neighborhood.

Before he could even sit down, his phone rang. It was the hospital.

”Mr. Mercer,” the administrator called, ”when do you plan on settling your mother’s overdue medical balance?”

Ethan snapped in frustration. ”I told you I’d pay it! Do you have to harass me every single hour? It’s just a few tens of thousands of dollars! Do you really think I can’t afford it?!”

In his previous life, even a casual designer shirt he wore at Victoria’s mansion cost tens of thousands. To him, a hospital bill of that size felt like pocket change—except right now, his bank account held absolute zero.

He slammed his thumb down, ending the call, his fists clenching until his knuckles turned white.

He knew that if he simply walked up to Victoria Sterling right now, she would happily drown him in billions without a second thought. But the sheer terror of being locked back into her gilded cage made him shudder. He refused to touch another cent of her money.

I’m a reborn regressor with future knowledge! Ethan thought fiercely. There’s no way I can’t make a fortune on my own!

He racked his brain, searching his memories for another massive financial opportunity happening around this exact week.

Suddenly, a stroke of genius struck him.

Crypto! Bitcoin!

In just a few days, Bitcoin was scheduled to experience a massive, unprecedented spike! By buying in right now, he could multiply his investment a hundredfold.

He had no capital, but he could borrow. Since his family was broke and held no credit score, traditional banks turned him away. Left with no choice, Ethan headed straight to an underground loan shark.

Inside a dimly lit backroom, a heavy-set man with a deep scar across his cheek leaned over a wooden desk. ”You repay this four hundred thousand within three months. If you don’t return the principle with interest, don’t blame me for taking your hands.”

Ethan signed the contract without a second thought. ”Don’t worry, you’ll get your money.”

What’s four hundred thousand dollars? Ethan scoffed internally. In three months, my Bitcoin holdings will blow up into forty million! Repaying a tiny loan will be child’s play.

After receiving the cash, he immediately settled his mother’s hospital bill and threw every remaining cent straight into Bitcoin.

Watching the live chart flicker, a smug, triumphant smile spread across Ethan’s face. Victoria Sterling... even without you, I’m going to live like a king!

Eager to share his success, Ethan dialed the number of the girl he currently pursued—merry.

”Ethan... why are you calling right now?” Merry ’s voice came through the speaker, slightly breathless.

Ethan frowned. ”Merry, what are you doing? You sound out of breath.”

”I’m... exercising, Ethan,” Merry. gasped smoothly, her hands resting on the bare back of the wealthy man lying over her in a hotel suite.

Ethan’s tense expression instantly relaxed. Of course. Merry likes me so much; she would never be with anyone else.

”Are you free later?” Ethan asked gently. ”I’d love to see you.”

”I have plans later today, Ethan. Let me call you another time,” she replied quickly before hanging up.

Tossing her phone onto the nightstand, Merry rolled her eyes in disgust. ”A broke loser trying to bother me every two hours... does he really think he stands a chance?”

If Ethan hadn’t bought her expensive meals and small gifts past semester, she wouldn’t have given him the time of day.

After leaving the lottery shop, Julian walked toward his Pagani Huayra parked along the curb.

At that moment, Natasha and her close friend, Rosy, happened to walk past the shop entrance.

”Natasha, look!” Rosy squealed softly, grabbing her arm and pointing at Julian. ”That guy is ridiculously handsome!”

They didn’t see his full face because he is inside a car .

Natasha looked over, her heart skipping a beat. She had rarely seen a man with such effortless, striking charm.

”Oh my gosh, Natasha, look! He’s getting into that Pagani Huayra!” Rosy covered her mouth in shock. ”That hypercar costs at least ten million dollars!”

Natasha’s eyes widened in disbelief.

”If he met you, he’d definitely fall for you in a heartbeat!” Rosy nudged her shoulder playfully.

Natasha felt a pang of disappointment. A man of that caliber was out of reach unless fate brought them together again.

As Julian started the engine and glided away, Rosy turned to Natasha with a sudden realization. ”By the way, has that simp, Julian Vance, given you any expensive gifts lately?”

Natasha sighed, taking a deep breath. ”A few days ago, I called him to demand an explanation, but he just hung up on me. He hasn’t reached out since.”

In her mind, Julian had always been an obedient sycophant who catered to her every whim. Since he hadn’t called to apologize, she saw no reason to lower herself to reach out first.

”That doesn’t make any sense,” Rosy stroked her chin thoughtfully. ”How could a dedicated simp like Julian go a whole week without texting you?”

Suddenly, Rosy snapped her fingers. ”I get it! Natasha, he’s playing hard to get!”

Natasha’s anxious expression instantly softened into a confident smile.

That makes total sense.

Julian had been obsessed with her for years, obeying her every word. There was no way he would stop liking her overnight. He was simply using a childish tactic to gain her attention.