Prison to Pinnacle: Ex-wife's Eternal Lament

"Is that so?" Edward's voice dripped with sarcasm. "You may not have been a milk merchant in this life, but what about your past life?You're such an ignorant fool!"

"Past life?" Nicholas stared at Edward in disbelief.

"Do past lives really exist?" Ray asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Sounds pretty far-fetched," Jack frowned, skeptical.

Though they occasionally tossed around terms like "divine" or "god", deep down, they considered such talk mere superstition.

"You lot are blinded by your own desires," Edward scolded, his expression taut with disapproval. "You're beyond salvation."

"Please, guide us!" Nicholas and the others immediately bowed low, their foreheads hitting the ground with resounding thuds.

The idea of believing in mysterious, unknown forces was foreign to them; they'd rather trust in the tangible power of money and influence.

Yet, their curiosity was stirred, driven by a primal desire to harness these mysterious forces for wealth, power, and longevity.

This was a great chance for them to know more about those unknown forces.

"Let me ask you something: do you think success in this world comes solely from hard work?" Edward asked?

"I'm afraid not," Nicholas replied with a wry smile, drawing on his own experiences. "From founding the Nicholas Pharmaceutical Group, I've gambled at every critical turn.

I just happened to win those bets, which is how I amassed my current wealth and status.

But alas, my body is failing me again; life is a cruel trickster."

"I also believe hard work alone isn't enough. Look, I've worked harder and taken more risks than most, spent decades as a mercenary. And all I have to show for it are scars and a job as a bodyguard," Ray said with a bitter chuckle.

"Join the same club! What did we do wrong?" Jack lamented, his voice tinged with despair.

"You simply don't understand the true laws of the universe!" Edward raised his voice. "Well, today I'll show mercy and reveal a little secret about the world. You must understand that the world operates on the law of cause and effect."

Nicholas felt a pang of disappointment, expecting some earth-shattering revelation from the amazing guy before him, only to hear what sounded like a tired old saying.

But he dared not show his chagrin and pretended to listen attentively.

"Do my words sound unoriginal to you, right?" Edward suddenly glared at Nicholas, a cold smile playing on his lips, as if he could see right through him.

"Forgive me, I didn't mean to offend," Nicholas's heart raced. "I am all ears. Please, continue."

The young man before them seemed to possess the ability to read minds, completely discerning his thoughts.

It was simply inconceivable.

"Indeed, everyone knows about the law of cause and effect. But most misunderstand it because they cannot break through the dimension of time to fully grasp it.

This leads them to naively believe that the law of cause and effect is simply a matter of cause leading to effect."

"Could you give us an example??" Jack scratched his head, offering a sheepish grin. "Forgive my limited intellect."

"If you can't understand, then get out!" Edward said disdainfully. "What do you take me for, your elementary school teacher?"

Jack fell silent, and Nicholas quickly said with a feigned smile,

"Sorry, please go ahead. I promise we won't interrupt you again."

"Then why are you still talking?" Edward snorted coldly.

Nicholas quickly covered his mouth, daring not to speak either.

The young man before him was too eccentric.

"Forget it; you wouldn't understand even if I explained more. Just remember this: the true law of cause and effect in the human world is from cause, to karmic connection, to effect.

This explains why some people succeed with hard work while others do not. It also explains why some succeed without effort, while others fail despite their efforts."

Edward's words left Nicholas and the others feeling perplexed as if their minds were mush.

His statements seemed to make sense, yet they felt as if they had learned nothing new.

Nicholas glanced at Edward, who wore a smug expression now, seemingly pleased with his own exposition. Only then did Nicholas dare to ask timidly,

"How does this law relate to my past life?"

Edward's face darkened again.

"You're a complete fool! Don't you see that? You were that milk merchant in your past life, and the misdeeds you committed then are now manifesting as karmic retribution in this life!"

Nicholas and the others finally got their a-ha moment.

"Oh my god, how could I be such a devil person in my past life? I was wrong. I promise I will never do such evil deeds again in this life. Please save me! Please! I don't want to die!"

The fear of death brought Nicholas to the brink of tears, his eyelashes glistening with moisture.

"Please, have mercy on our boss!"

 Ray also pleaded beside him.

He couldn't bear the thought of his boss returning empty-handed, only to die in thirty days, which would mean they'd be out of work.

He'd seen the news; the unemployment rate was terrifying, with many young people unable to find jobs. He didn't want to join the job hunt.

In his view, the agony of unemployment was even worse than dying on the battlefield.

It would slowly eat away at his spirit until he was completely broken.

"How pathetic! You guys sound like a bunch of weepy old women! All right then, since fate has brought us together, I'll make an exception this time."

"Thank you. I really appreciate it!" Nicholas's face instantly lit up with joy, almost hugging Edward in his excitement.

But his reason prevailed over his emotions, and he thought it better to remain kneeling.

"Don't celebrate too soon. Do you know my rules for saving lives?"

"I do, I do!" Nicholas quickly replied.

"Then recite them to me."

At this moment, Nicholas was grateful for the advice of that influential old man in the circle of his friends, which had prepared him well.

"Those who kill their parents are not to be treated. 

Those who kill children are not to be treated. 

Rapists are not to be treated. 

The arrogant, rude, and unreasonable are not to be treated. 

Those who do not trust in medicine are not to be treated. 

Those who value wealth over life are not to be treated. 

Those who are just plain annoying are not to be treated."