Evangeline woke up to a persistent beeping sound, her strange dream fading fast. Her eyes fluttered open, and she found herself in an unbelievably luxurious apartment. Massive windows framed the skyline, letting in streams of light.
She sat up sharply, disoriented, and as she swung her legs over the bed, her feet met cool marble tiles. The sudden movement yanked the IV and wires from her arm, but she barely noticed.
"Where… am I?" she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.
Drawn to the large windows, she padded over, her bare feet silent on the glossy floor. The sheer, dark-gray curtains swayed gently, and she peered down at the bustling world below. Cars zipped along the streets, their faint hums carried by the wind. Despite her confusion, a strange sense of calm washed over her.
But then, her reflection in the glass caught her eye. She froze. Her hand flew to her chest as her heart raced.
"No way…"
She practically sprinted to the bathroom. It was as lavish as the rest of the apartment, with gleaming mirrors and pristine fixtures. She stared at herself in the mirror, mouth hanging open.
The person staring back wasn't her—or, at least, not the her she remembered. Her once-thin, unhealthy hair was now a cascade of thick, luminous white waves that tumbled down her back. Her face, once forgettable, was now a flawless vision of beauty: sharp cheekbones, luminous skin, delicate features. Even her body had transformed—small, graceful, almost doll-like. She looked like a goddess or, at the very least, a supermodel.
"Is this… me?" she whispered, touching her face gingerly as if it might disappear.
For a moment, she was lost in awe. But then it all came rushing back—Clarissa's furious face, her final moments, the overwhelming fear. Her knees nearly buckled as her past life flashed before her eyes.
Then, like a computer booting up, new memories flooded her mind. They weren't hers, but Rivera Gerald's—the body she now inhabited. Rivera was a 19-year-old supermodel, wealthy beyond belief, but tragically born with a terminal illness. A week ago, the illness resurfaced, and Rivera didn't make it. Somehow, Evangeline had taken her place.
Before she could fully process that, a faint purple screen appeared before her, translucent and glowing.
[New Notification: Task Alert]
Evangeline squinted at it, her curiosity piqued. She opened the notification, and a message materialized,
"Your first level-up task: Attend a fashion show in the capital city tonight and meet Orion Thorne, billionaire CEO of Thorne Enterprises. Seduce him and gain access to his family chateau. A reward awaits you there."
"What?!" Evangeline nearly shouted. "Seduce a billionaire? Are you kidding me? What if he's not interested? And how am I even supposed to get to the capital? I don't have flight money!"
"Figure it out," the system replied, annoyingly indifferent.
"Can I at least say no? Maybe request a different task?"
"Oh, one more thing," the system added smugly. "Clarissa will also be at the event. She's one of the models."
Evangeline's breath hitched. The idea of facing Clarissa in this new body sent a thrill through her. Imagining the look on Clarissa's face was enough to spark her determination.
"All right, fine," she muttered, already forming a plan.
She stepped out of the bathroom, grabbed Rivera's phone from the bedside table, and unlocked it. The moment she opened the banking app, her jaw dropped. Rivera's bank account was stacked. Millions. No wonder this place screamed money.
"Okay, then," Evangeline muttered, a sly grin tugging at her lips.
Instead of packing, she decided she could just buy everything she needed in the capital. She quickly booked a flight, hopped in the shower, and threw on a simple outfit. As she rushed to the elevator, the door slid open to reveal a stunned nurse.
"Rivera?" the nurse gasped, her eyes wide.
"Amelia, right?" Evangeline asked, recalling the name from Rivera's memories.
"It's a miracle!" Amelia cried, throwing her arms around her in a tight hug.
Evangeline patted her awkwardly on the back. "Thanks for everything, Amelia. I couldn't have gotten here without you." She stepped back with a smile. "I'm heading to a show in the capital for a few days. The place is in your hands till I'm back, okay?"
Amelia blinked in confusion, but before she could respond, Evangeline hurried out.
She was downstairs in minutes, sliding into Rivera's sleek car. The drive to the airport was a blur. People recognized her along the way—Rivera was a big deal, after all—but she hadn't thought to wear sunglasses. Cameras flashed as she rushed into the terminal.
By the time she boarded the plane, her nerves were buzzing. Evangeline had never left Clover City before. Though it was charming, it couldn't hold a candle to the capital.
When the plane landed, the sight of the capital city took her breath away. Skyscrapers stretched toward the sky, and the streets sparkled like they were polished daily. Everything felt larger, brighter, more alive.