The next morning, Grace met with a real estate agent to look at apartments.

  Her first choice was a high-quality residential complex near Aethelburg University of Science and Technology. Since the senior students on her team hadn't officially graduated yet, being close to campus would be more convenient for everyone.

  "Miss Dorothy, based on your requirements, there aren't many suitable properties in this area. This one is the best value for money."

  "It's only about eight hundred meters from the university as the crow flies. The entire unit is roughly 4,500 square feet, with exactly seven bedrooms. Great views, too. The bus stop is right outside the complex, and the subway station is very close."

  "Spacious flats of this size aren't common, and even fewer are on the market. What do you think, Miss Dorothy? Are you satisfied?"

  Grace followed the agent, listening as she took in the interior details.

  The complex was relatively new, and the layout and finishes of this unit were quite nice. Most importantly, there were enough bedrooms. Besides Amelia, the sole female member, the seven male seniors could each have their own room.

  Grace nodded, feeling satisfied. "It's nice. Any others?"

  "Miss Dorothy, if you trust my judgment, I'd recommend going with this one. I brought you here first because it's the best fit for your needs—didn't want to waste your time."

  The young agent seemed sincere. Grace didn't doubt him. "I also need a smaller unit. Just for one person."

  "This building has one unit per floor, all large layouts. The adjacent building has two units per floor, but the smallest there is a two-bedroom, about 1,500 square feet."

  Grace didn't dwell on it. After confirming both, she signed the electronic contract on the spot.

  Just as she finished, Richard arrived, flustered and late.

  "Grace, why here?"

  He stepped into the spacious flat, completely bewildered. Then Grace shared the contract in the team group chat, and everyone learned she'd already secured the apartment.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  "You rented this place? For us to live in?"

  Richard's eyes went wide. He'd only ever seen luxury flats like this online. In such a prime Aethelburg location, in an upscale complex—how much was this costing per month?

  "No way, Grace. This is too expensive. We don't need to live somewhere this nice." Richard's conscience prickled. When Grace mentioned renting for the team, he'd thought he could help find something affordable in an older neighborhood.

  He never expected her to go straight for a 4,500-square-foot luxury flat. This had to cost at least ten-plus Dollars a month!

  Grace had anticipated Richard's reaction—which was exactly why she'd signed the contract before he arrived.

  "Contract's done. Move in whenever you're ready. No need to argue. A good environment fosters creativity—you know that." Grace's tone was calm.

  Richard shook his head like a rattle-drum. "We don't need anything this nice. Junior, you don't have to go this far for us. This kind of pressure..."

  "A little pressure is good. Look at the group—everyone's thrilled. Boosting morale strengthens team cohesion. Give me three months. If you can run the first online test by then, that's all the return I need."

  Richard opened the group chat. Everyone was excited. Naturally—an investor who treated her team this well made them feel valued. One by one, they pledged their loyalty.

  "And if the first test fails?" Richard asked, his pessimism showing.

  Grace shot him a look. "Defeatism before battle is taboo. I'm not saying failure isn't allowed, but you can't dwell on it—it'll affect your mindset. You're the team leader. As they say, one coward loses a soldier; a cowardly commander loses the whole army. Be more optimistic. Remember that fiery confidence you had when you crashed the Vance reception and pitched to Mr. Vance?"

  "If the first test fails, we do a second, then a third. Don't stress."

  Richard nodded. Mostly, he was moved. Why would someone with no prior connection support and trust them so deeply? What had they done to deserve this?

  "Grace... we won't let you down."

  He'd said it before. But this time, he meant it more than ever.

  Grace smiled. "About those conference invitations—I'm working on it. I'll have an answer by tomorrow at the latest. Shouldn't be a problem."

  This mattered even more to Richard. His eyes lit up. "That's great. Thank you."

  Just then, a public account pushed a notification. Grace opened it instinctively and froze.

  "Official government auction of Well Town Fashion Industrial Park, 145 Blossom Road, Carlisle District, to be held at month's end."

  The headline stirred buried memories from another life.

  In her previous life, Grace hadn't just known about the Well Town Fashion Industrial Park auction—she'd witnessed the entire thing in person. Eric Dylan had wanted to take her to see the spectacle, and she'd been curious to witness the grand scene of major corporations bidding for land. So she'd accompanied Eric and the Dylan Investment Group representatives into the venue.

  She couldn't recall the final sale price, but she remembered clearly: the massive industrial park was ultimately acquired by the Dylans.

  Soon after, they demolished the entire park and rebuilt. During Carlisle District's most rapid development phase, they erected a landmark fashion office tower on that site. The project made waves in the industry and later gained national fame as major fashion companies and pioneering industries moved in.

  Grace stared at the push notification for a long time. She knew nothing about real estate, but her past-life memories confirmed this land's commercial value.

  Government land auctions allowed individual participation. If she bid on this plot...

  "Junior? What are you thinking?"

  Richard noticed her staring blankly.

  Grace snapped back. She shook her head lightly. "Nothing. Just thinking... maybe I should go big."

  "Huh?" Richard startled. "This is already huge. Please don't do anything impulsive."

  His panicked expression made her laugh. "Relax. Nothing to do with you."

  Just then, a text message arrived. Grace glanced at it—and froze.

  *"Your account ending in 1069 received an interbank transfer of 56,200.00 Dollars from Aethelburg Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau at 10:12 on October 9. Current balance: 4,893,359.88 Dollars. Remarks: Pension [Construction Bank]"

  She'd not only received her final month's salary last month.

  Today, she'd received her pension from forty-five years in the future.