Chapter 4: The Harsh Reality

A little after eleven at night, Zoe, dressed neatly, emerged from the motel and made her way into the tenement building etched in her memory. On the third floor, in front of her door, there was an iron box to the left meant for holding a fire extinguisher. She opened the box and felt around inside. Sure enough, in the corner, she found a key. Her father, always forgetful when it came to bringing his keys along, had hidden one here, and today it served her purpose.

With the key in hand, she opened the door and entered the room. Zoe was acutely aware that her actions were those of a thief, albeit a thief in her own home. Yet, if caught, the consequences would be dire. Thus, she wore gloves and even covered her shoes with plastic bags before beginning to search the room. She was after cash, jewelry, and ornaments. Her family wasn't well-off, and with the morning's accident, it was likely that relatives hadn't yet had the chance to divvy up the possessions. This oversight on their part worked to her advantage.

She managed to find over six thousand dollars in cash and a set of gold jewelry—a rather bountiful haul. Silently, she prayed to her parents, "Mom, Dad, it's not that I'm unfilial; I simply have no other choice. It's better that these things go to me than to some relatives. Once I make it big, I'll make sure to honor you both properly!"

This money would serve as her gambling stake. Making money through gambling wasn't as simple as it seemed. The most crucial aspect was to appear as someone who would never cheat. Thus, putting on a facade was essential—she needed to project an air of extravagance, as if she was out for entertainment and indifferent to winning or losing. After deliberately losing a couple of hundred dollars over a few sessions, she would then insist on higher stakes, and with the right opportunity, turn a few hands of cards into thousands.

So, these thousands of dollars were not just her gambling capital but also the funds for her transformation, crucial for her plan. She returned to the motel uneventfully and rested for the night. The next day, she began to prepare her "equipment." While she couldn't speak for other places, Bucks County was familiar territory, especially the area around Maple Avenue. She knew of the mahjong parlors, poker rooms, and pool halls—she couldn't claim to know them all, but she was confident in at least seventy percent of them. After all, this was how she earned her living.

It was winter, and the cold weather meant that her attire had to serve a dual purpose: looking the part while also keeping warm. Jeans, a trench coat, boots, and a tight sweater were ideal choices, exuding an air of sophistication that could give off an impression of wealth and beauty, even if the concept of "rich and beautiful" wasn't yet in vogue.

It had to be said that the original owner of her body had an excellent figure. In jeans and a tight sweater, her curves formed a perfect S-shape. Her plump derriere was snugly encased in the denim, protruding with an enticing curve. One could almost gauge its astonishing elasticity just by looking. Her long legs, clad in knee-high boots, had their straight lines accentuated, and with each step, they seemed to tread upon one's heart.

Zoe could sense that the body's original owner wasn't from a wealthy family. Though not as strong as in her previous life, there was still a certain firmness. At night, a casual touch would reveal tight thighs, a far cry from the soft limbs of a pampered rich girl.

It was this contrast that made her figure exceptionally enchanting. Many girls who worked out had truly devilish figures, and especially in tight workout gear, their every movement exuded a fatal allure.

Zoe was no different. Wearing a pair of oversized sunglasses as she strolled down the street, she drew quite a bit of attention. Passersby, both men and women, cast various looks her way. Her attire was certainly rare in Bucks County in 2004!

She felt a bit self-conscious, guessing that many women passing by were thinking she was dressed provocatively. But she didn't care; if being provocative could help her earn money, could it help her cheat successfully, then so be it! If it were summer, she'd wear shorts and show her navel without hesitation!

After walking for a while, Zoe gradually became accustomed to the stares. If she could cheat under the watchful eyes of many, then these glances were nothing. With a cold sneer in her heart and an indifferent expression on her face, she thought to herself that these women were nothing but envious!

Entering a decent restaurant, a man walking ahead held the door open for her with a kindly smile. This small gender dividend made Zoe feel a bit proud, and she returned the gesture with a smile of her own.

It wasn't until the rather robust woman beside the man showed intense hostility and glared fiercely at her that Zoe moved a bit further away, muttering under her breath, "Bitch, just because you're a bit built!"

After finishing her meal, Zoe returned to the motel, unable to contain her excitement. The great endeavor of making money was about to begin. She thanked her lucky stars for the chance to become wealthy!

She practiced shuffling cards over and over until late at night when there was a sudden knock on the door.

"Who is it?"

"The motel staff, here to deliver some hot water!"

It was a man's voice from outside. Without suspicion, Zoe slipped on her slippers and opened the door. Three men barged in roughly.

"Who are you, and what do you want?" Zoe was taken aback. Their imposing demeanor made her feel instinctively powerless.

One of them, a bald man, sneered, "Zoe, don't tell me you don't recognize me, Magnus, after just a day? Weren't you planning to go to Club X, huh?!"

Upon hearing this, Zoe felt a rush in her head, her legs buckled, and she nearly collapsed to the ground: "Magnus... Magnus..."

From Zero Hour Nightclub!

These three men—Magnus with his bald head exuding a thuggish aura, another man as thin and hard as iron with a cold stare, seemingly a henchman, and the last one, quite tall but with a somewhat scholarly air. After entering, he glanced at Zoe a few times before casually inspecting the motel room.

"Behave and come with me!" Magnus shoved Zoe, his eyes filled with fierce threats.

Terrified, her face drained of color, Zoe mechanically walked out of the motel. The room was left with the man of a scholarly appearance, who picked up the open notebook from the bed.