Chapter 3: Seeing the Future
Jennifer hailed a cab and rushed to school.
It had been over a month since her adoptive parents passed away, and just as foretold, her biological parents had taken her in.
To outsiders, it might seem like Jennifer had returned to a wealthy family and was destined for a better life. However, having already seen the future, Jennifer knew that few people in the Payne family could be considered normal.
On the very first day of her return, her biological mother, Scarlett, was met with her biological daughter, Madonna, throwing herself into Anna Payne’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
Madonna, the daughter who had taken Jennifer’s place, wailed that she was willing to give Jennifer all her toys and her room and that she would be cast out to sleep under a bridge.
Heartbroken, Anna embraced Madonna and scolded Jennifer for being too domineering, accusing her of forcing her ‘sister’ out of the house.
Jennifer had been utterly dumbfounded. She hadn’t said a word since returning, merely listening to Madonna’s tearful complaints. When had she ever tried to drive Madonna away?
What confused Jennifer even more was that her biological father, Lambert Payne, also rebuked her, saying she was too selfish and had no idea how much psychological pressure Madonna was under.
“Oh my God, how did You create such an absurd family? Madonna is under pressure? I was treated like a servant for over ten years, constantly scolded and beaten, always wary of my adoptive father’s harassment, and yet no one ever cared about my stress?”
Just thinking about the faces of the Payne family made Jennifer nauseous.
Fortunately, her twin brother, Carl, seemed to be a normal person. He observed everything indifferently—neither criticizing Jennifer nor speaking up for her.
“Once I report to my new school today, I’ll find a dormitory to stay in. I’m never coming back. This family is insane—I refuse to be infected by them.”
Jennifer had already made up her mind. She was going to change her fate and avoid a tragic ending.
The cab driver suddenly exclaimed in excitement.
“It’s you! The little girl from last time! I still remember your advice!”
Jennifer looked up at the rearview mirror and, sure enough, recognized the familiar taxi driver.
Excited, she leaned forward. “Mr. Scott, did you encounter that Rottweiler?”
Scott nodded and chuckled. “Yeah! Thanks to your warning, I stayed on guard for that dog. When it lunged at me, I immediately jumped into my car—otherwise, I would’ve been bitten!”
Recalling the incident, Scott still felt a lingering sense of fear. The crazed Rottweiler had been shot and killed by the police when they arrived.
The car wash owner even offered him ten free washes to console him.
Jennifer’s eyes lit up. Scott had avoided the Rottweiler’s attack, preventing the bite—and the embarrassing incident of his underwear being exposed. This proved that the future could be changed.
“Miss, could you tell me what’s next in my fate?”
Scott parked in front of the school and turned to Jennifer expectantly, hoping she could reveal what lay ahead.
Jennifer looked at Scott, and two options appeared above his head:
#Detected a secret on the target. View? #
#Yes / No #
#Detected the target’s future. View? #
#Yes / No #
Jennifer chose to view Scott’s future. Soon, new text appeared above his head:
Scott received ten free car washes. On his second visit, the water hose at the car wash burst, drenching him. Unfortunately, his thin white pants turned transparent, revealing his pink cartoon-printed briefs. His wife finally realized why her underwear had been mysteriously disappearing. Believing Scott had a psychological issue, she decided to divorce him.
Jennifer read Scott’s future and looked at the man with sympathy. He still hadn’t avoided the embarrassing revelation of his secret.
“Mr. Scott, I suggest you change your hobbies. Some personal garments aren’t meant for men. This could lead to the breakdown of your marriage.”
With that, Jennifer grabbed her backpack and stepped out of the cab.
Scott sat frozen, his expression blank. He squeezed his legs together tightly and glanced around nervously.
“Oh God, how did she know my secret? Is this what the occult is? Too terrifying!”
Quickly, Scott started the engine and sped away from the school.
Jennifer gazed at her new school, took a deep breath, and walked through the gate.
Lambert and Anna, determined to maintain their image as good parents in front of outsiders, had transferred Jennifer to a prestigious private school. However, Jennifer already knew that the class she was assigned was notorious for being the worst in the school—filled with wealthy kids who didn’t need to work hard. Their only purpose in attending school was to get a diploma.
Jennifer found the faculty office and met her homeroom teacher, John Lacia—a young man with a bright smile and a warm demeanor.
John led Jennifer to Class 13, where she would spend the rest of her school days.
“Today, we have a new student. This is Jennifer Payne,” John introduced.
The students turned to look at another classmate’s face.
“She has the last name Payne too? And she looks just like Carl!”
One student voiced their thoughts.
Carl remained calm, eyes fixed on his book. Feeling the stares, he finally spoke in a bland tone:
“She’s my twin sister.”
Gasps of surprise spread through the class. Jennifer smiled at her brother.
Suddenly, an unpleasant voice interrupted.
“So, you’re Madonna’s sister? The arrogant, selfish one? I bet you won’t last long here.”
Jennifer turned to the speaker—a muscular boy who stared at her with open hostility.
“David, don’t be rude to the new student,” John scolded.
Jennifer narrowed her eyes at David. Above his head, two options appeared:
#Detected a secret on the target. View? #
#Yes / No #
#Detected the target’s future. View? #
#Yes / No #
“Let’s see what secret you’re hiding,” Jennifer thought, tapping to reveal David’s secret.
She failed to notice the small text at the bottom of the screen:
#Warning: Continued use of this ability may allow exceptional individuals to hear your thoughts. #