After the college entrance exams are over, I buy a flight ticket to Carula for my graduation trip. In fact, I refuse to return to my country despite everyone's attempts to contact me.

I spend the next two months in bliss. Meanwhile, Zachary Fuller, the campus hunk who keeps brainwashing me that Carula is filled with murderers, starts to panic.

In my previous life, after I graduated from high school, Zachary had hired the entire class to work at his family's factory during the summer break while promising them lucrative wages. He even promised everyone that once they went through their summer jobs, they'd be able to join Zachary's company as senior executives as soon as they graduated from college.

But two days after I started my job at the factory, a machine went into malfunction, resulting in my limbs getting mangled and severed.

Even after I got sent to the hospital, the doctors couldn't do anything about my condition. When my parents sought out Zachary, he didn't show an ounce of guilt at all.

"I already told Adrian not to touch the machinery. He's the one to be blamed for being clumsy and idiotic in the first place."

My childhood friend, Natania Sutton, also took Zachary's side.

"The rest of the class is fine, making Adrian the only handicapped one. He must be trying to scam money from your family, Zachary!"

The rest of my classmates, who had received their share of my lucrative compensation, were quick to forge their witness statements just to help Zachary.

My parents believed their version of the twisted truth. Thinking that I brought them endless shame, they left my corpse to rot in the morgue without a care in the world. In fact, they even gave their assets to Zachary to compensate for his emotional distress.

When I open my eyes again, I've returned to the day Zachary has hired us to work at his factory during the summer break while promising us lucrative wages.

"Everyone, I'm sure you're all thinking of repaying your parents for supporting your studies, right? That's why I specifically asked my father whether our entire class could go work at his factory. He agreed and is willing to pay roughly six thousand a month!

"As long as you come work this summer, you'll be able to join the company after graduation into a management position. How's that for sincerity, huh?"

Zachary Fuller's smug words instantly made me realize that I had died and gone back in time.

While our classmates cheered and thanked him fervently for providing a cushy job immediately after they graduated, I was still consumed by the agony of being electrocuted by machinery as my arms and legs were ground into minced meat.

Grabbing my school bag, I headed straight for the door, only for Zachary to seize me in one quick motion.

"Adrian, where are you going? Everyone else has already agreed to work at my father's factory this summer. You're the only one who hasn't answered yet."

I yanked my arm out of his grip and replied coldly, "I'm not going. I still have other things to do!"

My childhood friend, Natania Sutton, stood beside him with her arms crossed. In a displeased tone, she snapped, "Don't you love your parents at all? They worked hard so that you could get an education, so why aren't you jumping at this chance to earn some money to repay them?"

Curling my hands into fists, I said, "Before sitting for our SATs, I borrowed some money from someone on the Internet, so I have to go to Carula to repay my debt this summer! Since I've already signed an agreement, they'll definitely come looking for me!"

Zachary scrutinized me closely, not really believing my words. "Carula? That place is full of murderers and criminals! You'll definitely die if you go there!"

Disgust welled in me at his faux concern. No matter what, going to Carula would at least be better than falling for his dirty tricks and getting killed by the factory equipment, so that he could get the compensation money, right?

Spreading my hands, I deliberately said in a regretful tone, "But I've already promised to go there. If I don't, everyone will be dragged into this mess once the people there come here specifically for me."

When the others heard that people from Carula would be coming here, they immediately panicked.

"It's his own problem that he won't get to enjoy this privilege! Zach, forget about him! Let's just go without him!"

Nonetheless, Zachary refused to relent just yet. "But I've already signed us up. My dad wouldn't accept us unless our entire class went—every single one of us. Are you trying to cause the whole class to lose out on this wonderful opportunity to earn a nice sum of money?"

Those who had been urging Zachary to give up on me now sent me resentful glares.

Natania exploded in anger, "People from Carula? Even if they come, they're here for you, not us! Just come to the factory first so that our numbers are right! Don't let your own mess screw things up for the rest of us!"

The rest of our classmates were equally furious and looked like they wanted to rip me apart.

"Zach went through all that effort to get us this opportunity! If you refuse to go, we'll report you for abusing your authority as the class president to bully us, thereby forcing the university to kick you out!"

"That's right! We're still hoping to get management jobs at his father's factory later on! If you dare ruin our futures, we'll definitely not let you go!"

They stalked toward me like a possessed crowd, as though they would immediately tear into me if I refused to nod.

Zachary quirked a brow smugly and pressed, "Adrian, you won't be the only one affected by your refusal. You're also ruining everyone else's chances! Do you want the whole class to hate you for the rest of your life?"

Clenching my fists, I finally nodded as a way to buy myself some time.

"Fine, I agree to work at his family's factory for the summer."

After returning home, I instantly bought my flight tickets to Carula. Since I clearly knew Zachary was after my compensation money, there was no way I would still work there this time around! Once I left the country, I would be able to avoid my previous life's fate!

However, the day I was supposed to fly off, I discovered that the entire class had come to my home.

Natania was all smiles as she dragged me out of the house while telling my parents, "Mr. and Mrs. Locke, we'll be working at the Fullers' factory this summer, so Adrian won't be back home for the next two months!"

My parents had always trusted Natania since we were young, and when they saw our entire class was also there, they didn't suspect a thing and readily agreed.

Zachary dragged me toward the bus, waving at my parents with fake politeness so that they would be at ease.

Natania, worried that I would run off, quickly bound me with the safety belt.

"Don't worry, Adrian. The factory is located in a rather remote area, so even if those Carulans come, they won't be able to find you! Once you've finished working for the two months, you'll be able to pay off your debt, and that's all thanks to Zachary! You should be immensely grateful to him for providing you with this opportunity, you know!"

Zachary waved a hand with a guffaw of laughter. In a meaningful tone, he said, "No, we should be grateful to him! After all, he'll be the one paying our salaries then!"

Our classmates roared with laughter. They all assumed that he was just deliberately mocking me.

Only I knew that he was simply stating the truth!

It wasn't long before the bus entered the highway. If I didn't get out soon, I wouldn't be able to escape once we reached the factory's entrance.

Forcing myself to appear calm, I yelled, "Tell the driver to stop for a moment. I need to use the toilet!"

Zachary glared at me and responded impatiently, "Just hold it in! We're almost there."

"It's your family's factory, so what's the issue with being a few minutes late? We haven't even started working there yet, but they're already so strict with the time? Then how are we any different from slaves?" I retorted through gritted teeth.

The others agreed with me and instantly chimed in with their two cents.

In the end, Zachary had no choice but to tell the driver to stop at a gas station.

"Alright, you guys can go ahead and relieve yourselves. However, everyone has to hand over their phones to me to prevent anyone from sneakily escaping. This is just a form of trust between us, right?"

Grinding my teeth, I glared at him furiously. This idea was clearly meant to deter my escape!

Natania was the first to pass him her phone. Then, she turned to frown at me and snapped, "Hurry up and hand your phone over! Ugh, you're just so troublesome!"

Everyone's eyes were locked onto me as they urged, "Go on! We've all handed our phones over already. Zachary is just trying to put us at ease."

Right now, we were on the outskirts of the city, so the airport wasn't too far away. As long as I could get out of this bus, I would be able to make it onto the plane if I ran.

I reluctantly took out my phone and tossed it at Zachary, then swiftly turned to run out of the bus.

However, Zachary suddenly yelled, "Seize him!"

Immediately, Natania and the others grabbed hold of me.

He threw my phone at my head viciously and let out a cold snort. "I knew he was up to something! He bought a ticket for Carula that will depart at two in the afternoon! He's clearly using this opportunity to escape!"

When the others saw the flight reminder message that I received on my phone, they yanked me back to my seat by my collar and flung me back onto it.

"Adrian, don't blame us for what we'll do if you dare ruin this opportunity for us to get rich!"

"You'd better behave! Otherwise, we'll do anything necessary to get you there, even if that means tying you up and abducting you!"

Natania procured a length of rope from who knew where and proceeded to tie me tightly to the seat.

"I just knew you wouldn't behave! Don't even think about running! Zachary has already promised that our whole class will be there for the interview, and that means all of us, including you!"

I struggled for a while, but the ropes showed no signs of loosening.

My body went cold, and I could only stare at Natania's back as she eagerly sought out Zachary to claim credit for her actions.

With an order from Zachary, the bus driver turned back onto the highway.

As the bus sped up and left the city further behind us, my heart plummeted to my feet.

…

Upon arriving at the factory, our classmates chattered and laughed happily as they took their luggage from the bus.

Some were discussing what they planned on doing with the salary after the two months were up, while others were already smiling widely at the thought of how they would be getting management positions in the company once they graduated.

Only I stood there, staring at the oddly run-down-looking factory while my guts quivered in fear.

No matter what, I had to escape from here by today. Otherwise, tomorrow, I'd die here just like I did in my previous life!

Zachary pulled me forward by the rope. Since I couldn't break free of the restraints, I could only warn my fellow classmates with vague words.

"Why are the machines here all so old and shabby looking? Zachary, are they even safe to use?"

The others paused briefly when they heard that, but Natania quickly jumped to Zachary's defense.

"You're just overreacting! The Fuller family is the wealthiest family in the entire city of Bayville! Those machines just look old, but are definitely the most advanced machines around!"

A worshipful look entered the others' eyes as they added, "That's right! As if the Fuller family would have anything subpar! Zachary was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, so how dare a broke nobody like you slander him?"

"Zachary is giving you a great opportunity by offering you this job. If you dare say another bad word about him, we're going to ostracize you!"

Zachary initially panicked a little at my questions, but when he heard how everyone was defending him so vehemently, he laughed arrogantly and yanked me closer by the hair.

"Adrian, I'll forgive you this time since I know you come from a poor family and haven't seen much. However, for slandering my family, you'll have to get down on your knees and lick my shoes when it's time to receive your salary!"

I hissed at the pain radiating from my scalp. Watching the others gleefully fill in the job application forms, I finally lost all hope.

As they were all busy, none of them had any mind to pay me any attention.

Sure, Zachary had taken away my phone, but I still had a smart watch that could make calls!

Hunkering down in a corner, I stealthily dialled 911.

The instant a voice came over the line, I said lowly, "Help! There's illegal labor activity going on here, and I'm in danger! We're currently at Peach Street—"

Before I could finish saying the address, Zachary rushed over, ripped my watch off, and smashed it against the ground.

"Adrian, how dare you call the police!"

The others stopped filling in the forms and swung around to shoot me resentful gazes.