High School Again: The President's Secret Lady Boss

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months.

Everything seems to be looking up for Winter – may it be in her daily endeavors or in her social life. Like water gushing from a cascade, things have been flowing smoothly for her as she keeps on plunging into a pool of opportunities.

Not only did the latest project of Ratri Order become a huge success with her help, but it also grew largely and gained recognition as a distinguished hotel and casino business in the hospitality industry. Lexington Empire, on the other hand, had a number of their productions branch out into many more forms of commerce and trades. They engaged in a variety of commercial undertakings.

Marcellus was able to improve their corporate's relations with other companies and gather some more from overseas. This time, he no longer conducts any more undercover works such as taking women on dates or doing research on his objects of interests. With a time traveler's assistance, they already knew who to target and what would be the consequences. 

Winter becomes the trendsetter of several enterprises, which are mostly innovative and futuristic because all of her inspirations came from the succeeding years.

Starting off with the food industry, she worked with Violet since the Miller Holdings manages a chain of restaurants. She gave advices on how they could bring forth the uniqueness of their diners and eateries, including the types of service they should offer, the marketing strategies, and even the design of the physical setting. 

Moreover, Winter thought of every product that would get popular in the future and used them for her own business – not because said products are entirely new, but because there'll be people and events that'll set the trend. 

But she did all of this without revealing her true identity. She started her own line of businesses and assisted the others using a different name. Furthermore, she never showed up in public nor attend social gatherings that she was invited to. That's why there are only Marcellus, George and Violet who can directly communicate with her. For the rest, she works behind the scenes. 

Winter stays anonymous through it all. 

Even then, due to her outstanding achievements, her alter-ego didn't only become an acclaimed investor and business owner. She also became wealthy at such a young age. Her income kept adding more digits until her savings turned into something more than she could spend for herself alone. And so, she decided to participate in several community immersion programs. She also made donations to a number of charity houses. 

With all these things happening, Winter finds herself busier than ever. 

Now, almost a year had passed since she approached Marcellus with the plan to change her fate.

She had made a name for herself and was called a prodigy. It wasn't easy for her, though. That's because she didn't only train to become the future CEO of Middleton's Corporation, but she also had to balance her time in her studies, work and personal life. There are sleepless nights, times when she burnt the midnight oil, headaches and back pains, and more. It's like she's no longer just a normal teenage girl at this point - 

Or at least, that's what most people think.

In reality, she is still that ordinary high school girl who wears cheap clothes and lounges about in the comfort of her home without doing anything.

"And here I thought I would never see you acting lazy like this again…" August chimed in as he took a look at Winter who was lying on the couch and daydreaming.

"There's no school today, right? Usually, you go out and hang out with these 'friends' of yours."

She slightly cringes at the implication that he just put out there – so, he already noticed that she was not hanging out with her classmates after all. Even then, he didn't make a violent reaction like before. At this point, he already trusts her enough to do the what's right.

"Well, since I'm acting lazy for once, why don't you spend the weekend with me, big brother…?" Winter offered with a smile, deciding to humor him for a bit. 

"You're also on your day-off, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am. Do you have anything you want to do?" August asked as he sat on the chair across from her.

"Hmmm… Let me think."

Little did he know that she was only buying time.

The truth is that today is the big day she has long been anticipating. At any given moment, a certain someone will knock on their door and pay an unannounced visit. She still remembers that scene in detail – the exact date, the setting, the time, and the things that went down.         

That is the reason why Winter is 'doing nothing' – she has to be at her most unsuspicious semblance to welcome this 'big day' she has been preparing for. 

"Hey, August?" 

"Yeah?"

"Do you work out?"

"I do sometimes."

"Can you carry me on your back?"

Taken aback by her random request, he falls silent and stares at her for a moment. 

He doesn't know what's up with her all of the sudden, but what he does know is that she's serious. For some reason he can't quite figure out, she's asking him for a piggyback ride – and she's doing it with that doll-eyed look of hers that she knows he can't resist. 

She's acting like a child.

"Okay, what're you on about, young lady…?" August inquired with his brow arched.

"You're supposed to be eighteen now. What's with the childish request?" 

"What? Can't your little sister ask for a piggyback ride?" Winter huffed and pouted.

"I'm sure you're not so little anymore. And you're acting weird."

"And you're being mean. Admit it. You just can't lift me up."

"Excuse me?"

"My, my~ Who would've guessed with that strong-looking physique? My big brother is actually such a weakling-"

"Alright. Fine. I'll just take it that you're so bored and have nothing better to do."

Fed up with her teasing, he eventually gave in and stood up from his seat, making her perk up in delight.

She sat upright and spread her arms wide, waiting for him to come pick her up. With a look that says 'I don't know what the hell I'm doing,' he dropped on his knees before her with his back facing her. She then wraps her arms around his neck while he slightly opens his to allow room for her legs. Once she's all settled, he finally stands up again.

"Okay, now what?" he deadpanned.

"Now, we wait!" she chirped.

"Huh? For what-"

Right then, there's a knock on their door, cutting him off.

While August turns to its direction, Winter smirks to herself. She already knows who is out there. Like what she was expecting, they would arrive at this time. Even then, she kept her cool and stayed on his back. She has a plan laid out.

First on the list is to show off their closeness as siblings – a small yet important detail that she will use for the other parts of her plan later.

"Well, what're you waiting for, big brother? Let's go!" Winter enthused while pointing at the door.

"Wait, what? Like this?" August blurted out, dumbfounded.

"Maybe it's only some door-to-door fraudster. We can just send them off."

"What if it's someone we know?"

"Are you embarrassed of your sister?"

"Huh?! Of course not!" 

"Then, march on!" 

Like an ecstatic bubble of energy, she moves back and forth to get him walking already, thoroughly enjoying herself as she acts like a beast of a burden to him. He only sighs and complies, choosing to just be thankful that she's still a little girl within despite not acting her age for the past year. With that, he makes his way to the door while he continues to carry her on his back.

Upon opening it, they are greeted by this middle-aged man in some black-and-white formal attire.

August starts having suspicions right then. He's dressed too sumptuous to be someone from their neighborhood, and he doesn't seem to be familiar to him at all. A stranger with a sketchy-looking smile and a shady-looking attire – at least for him, that's how this person appears like.

Winter, on the other hand, is speechless for a moment.

Even though she know she's more than prepared for this reunion, she can't help but be stunned by this man's striking features time and again. Platinum blonde hair, forest green eyes, and a youthful appearance – he carries a prepossessing image that makes him look like one fine gentleman. However, in reality, he is far from that.

Winter is more than certain that this uncle of hers, Cyrus Middleton, is far from that.

"Good day to you. Is this the residence of Mr. August Agreste…?" he started, smiling the same magnanimous smile that she remembered him making back then.

"Oh, and is that… Ms. Winter Agreste?"

He was nonplussed the moment he realized that he was giving her a piggyback ride. It's a reaction that she expected. But what she didn't expect at all was what her brother would do next.

"Sorry. But my sister's off-limits. Go and find someone else you can scam."

Out of nowhere, August said that to Cyrus before slamming the door shut on his face.