Chapter 3 - Contract?

"May I ask why a CEO of a corporation would be looking for me in person?" Elise asked, her tone wasn't nervous but just slightly curious. She had lost most of her memory of South Korea, perhaps this woman in front of could help to recall something; afterall, losing your memory could easily get you into another accident or trouble.

"Don't worry, I'm not some loan shark asking to repay debts or anything. I just want to make a deal with you." The woman slightly chuckled.

'Well, it's good to know that I don't own her any money but a deal?' Elise thought to herself before finally asking out loud, "Madame, could you please clarify what this deal is about?"

"I want you to be my daughter…to be more specific, I want you to take on the identity of my recently deceased daughter." The woman said with a pause before passing a document to Elise, "Here is the contract."

'What? She wants me to be her daughter?' Elise thought to herself, pondering all of the possibilities to why the woman would want her to be her daughter. But before that, Elise politely took the document the woman gave her and began to read through it.

To clarify, the CEO of SYC will fulfill her role as a mother and will provide all of the necessary care a parent would such food, housing, transport and education. And on top of that, Elise will receive a monthly salary of ₩10000000 (US$ 9000). She will also receive an upfront payment of US$ 200,000 and inherit the ownership of SYC when she is married to the future chosen inheritor.

However, in return Elise must fulfill her role as the young lady of SYC and the daughter of SYC CEO.

"I assure you that all of the necessaries will be provided to you and SYC will also provide funds to the orphanage that you have grown up in. But you must fulfill your role as my daughter and marry the inheritor that I have chosen." The woman said with a solemn tone.

'Orphanage… If I remember correctly, it was in a pretty bad shape; the funding was cut off and the orphanage was on the verge of closing.' Elise managed to remember that the orphanage was having trouble providing care and food to the younger childrens, and that was why Elise had taken a part time job which ultimately led to that incident.

When Elise thinks about it, the contract isn't really a bad deal except that it's no different to a paid slave contract. However, since Elise has lost most of her memory of Korea, it would almost be impossible to go back to her Korean self even if she wanted to; she is unlikely to be able to continue her part time job and education, nor will she be able to help support the orphanage.

Signing this contract would mean the orphanage will be supported by SYC and the childrens will be able to receive the proper care. Elise herself would also don't have to worry about trying to return to her normal life, as well as not worrying about money which is something very important to the modern world, just like how much cultivation is to the people in the murim.

The part that will make most people hesitate to sign the contract is having to marry someone who they may not have loved, but that isn't a problem to Elise. Having to live many same lives in the murim, she had of course had multiple partners in those lifetimes but all of them end in tragedy or the other betraying.

'And it's not like I can't just escape if I don't like it.' But of course, Elise wouldn't do that unless she really had to since she remembers that people can find others easily in the modern world, especially for the rich.

'Perhaps I could even live a normal carefree life this time.' Elise thought to herself, she has lived many lives over and over again but none of them could be considered normal; not even in the murim's term.

After a while of pondering, Elise had finally made up her decision and said to the woman, "...I'll sign the contract."

'That was quick, I thought I might need to convince her more... It seems that young people these days really are blinded by money.' Young-hee thought to herself then continued, 'Well I guess it's not necessarily bad for me, since this will make it much easier for me.'

"Once the contract is signed, Elise from now on will be deceased from the aftermath of the incident and you will take on your new identity as my daughter, Sung Young-mi."