As the first light of dawn filtered through the curtains, Alex Turner's eyes gently opened, revealing an unfamiliar room around him. The sense of bewilderment overcame him, and he sat up, rubbing his eyes as if expecting the scene to change. With a career spanning more than a decade and a half in the finance industry, he had tackled innumerable complex challenges. Yet, this perplexing situation seemed to surpass them all. He wondered if he had slipped into a dream, a creation of his mind. However, the distinct details of his surroundings, the vintage decor, and the crisp morning air denied such a possibility

He pinched himself, hoping to awaken from what he assumed was an incredibly vivid dream. However, the sharp sting on his arm reassured him that this was no illusion. Panic started to creep into his mind, threatening to engulf him in a sea of uncertainty.

"No, this can't be happening," Alex murmured to himself, trying to make sense of the inexplicable. He glanced around the room, searching for something, anything, that could anchor him to his reality. But everything he saw only strengthened the realization that he had indeed traveled back in time—26 years into the past.

His thoughts raced, trying to grasp the reality of the situation. How could he be in 1997 when just yesterday, or so it seemed, he was living in the bustling city of New York in the year 2023? It was inconceivable, a concept that defied all logic and reason.

Questions flooded his mind, and he sought to find a reasonable explanation. Perhaps he had been drugged or had fallen into a deep slumber that distorted his perception of time. But deep down, he knew that wasn't the case. This was no ordinary dream, and the sense of displacement was too profound to dismiss as mere illusion.

With trembling hands, he reached for his phone on the bedside table. It was a sleek, modern device he was accustomed to using in his future life. However, the one in his grasp was a relic of the past—a clunky, outdated phone from the late '90s. The date displayed on the screen confirmed what he had feared—May 10, 1997.

A whirlwind of emotions swirled within Alex—confusion, disbelief, and even excitement. He had often fantasized about the idea of time travel, but now that it had seemingly become a reality, he was overwhelmed by its implications.

In an attempt to clear his mind, he took deep breaths, trying to focus on the present moment. Memories of his future life fought for attention, intermingling with the sights and sounds of the past. It was as if two timelines were colliding, causing a storm of thoughts in his mind.

But amidst the chaos, Alex resolved to embrace this extraordinary chance. He remembered the saying, "Carpe Diem"—seize the day. And here he was, with an entire lifetime of future knowledge at his disposal. He knew he couldn't let this golden opportunity slip away.

Taking another deep breath, he decided to calm his racing thoughts and trust in the unfolding of events.

"26 years in the past. May 10, 1997," he whispered, committing the date to memory. Alex was determined to leverage his future knowledge for a better life, making amends for the mistakes he knew he had made.

As the initial rush of excitement subsided, stark reality descended upon him—an era when his life was ensnared in a relationship devoid of joy. The memories of her presence weighed heavily on his heart, a connection to a loveless existence.

Right on cue, his phone emitted a sharp ring, prompting him to pick it up with quivering hands. The voice on the other end belonged to Lucy, his girlfriend notorious for exploiting their relationship for personal gain, a fact that had become painfully evident over time. Her high-pitched tirade filled the airwaves as she was in the midst of throwing a tantrum about her friend's boyfriend lavishing her with a dazzling diamond ring.

"Alex, can you even believe it? That guy gave her a three-carat diamond! And what have you ever given me? Absolutely nothing!" Her shrill cries reverberated, as she ruthlessly compared him to others, laying bare his financial struggles and perceived inadequacies while conveniently overlooking her own self-serving tendencies.

In that very moment, a pivotal realization coursed through Alex. He couldn't continue to endure this emotional turmoil driven by Lucy's relentless selfishness. The time had come to sever the shackles that bound him to a relationship devoid of genuine affection but rife with exploitation.

"Lucy, it's over," he declared, the words escaping his lips with a newfound conviction. "You deserve someone who can give you everything you desire. I set you free."

As he hung up, a mix of relief and sorrow washed over him. Yet, deep within his heart, he knew it was the right decision.

He looked around the room, trying to figure out where he was and what he should do next. He saw a suitcase on the floor, with a tag that read “Alex Turner”. He opened it, hoping to find something useful.

Inside, he found clothes that looked familiar, but also outdated. He recognized them as the ones he had worn when he was younger, in the late '90s. He also found a wallet, with his ID and some cash.

His attention was drawn to a table where a newspaper lay sprawled open, its headline capturing his focus. "Thai Baht Faces Crisis Amidst Speculative Attacks on Currency," the words leaped out at him, sparking a surge of recognition. His years in finance had exposed him to the intricacies of currency manipulation and the devastating consequences of speculative attacks.

As he read through the article, Alex's mind raced, connecting the dots between his knowledge of the future and the events unfolding before him. The Thai baht crisis was a pivotal moment in history, one that had far-reaching implications for the global economy.

Determined to seize this unexpected opportunity,

Alex folded the newspaper and tucked it under his arm. His thoughts churned with a mix of excitement and trepidation, envisioning the potential consequences of his actions. He had always been a risk-taker, navigating the turbulent waters of the financial world with a calculated boldness that had earned him both success and setbacks.

His past expertise in the finance industry began to resonate in his mind, a beacon of hope amid the uncertainty. Over the course of 15 years, he had honed his skills, navigated volatile markets, and made strategic moves that resulted in financial success. Now, faced with the prospect of an impending crisis, Alex knew he had a chance to not only secure his own future but potentially reshape his destiny.

However, as he delved deeper into the intricacies of the crisis detailed in the newspaper, a heavy truth settled upon him. The scale of participation required a substantial amount of capital – an amount he currently didn't possess. It was a daunting realization that he would need to take a significant risk to even have a seat at the table.

After pondering for a while, Alex's determination won over his apprehensions. He knew that his window of opportunity was limited, and he couldn't afford to let fear hold him back. With a deep breath, he made a decision that would alter the course of his life. He would mortgage his only apartment, the sole asset he owned – a place his parents had worked tirelessly to acquire and passed on to him.

The weight of his choice settled upon him, a mix of anxiety and excitement intertwining within him. He had committed to this path, willing to put everything on the line to grasp a chance at securing his financial future. It was a risky gamble, but he was no stranger to calculated risks within the finance world. This time, however, the stakes were personal, and the outcome would shape not just his wealth, but his entire existence.

With a determined resolve, Alex set out to navigate the complex process of mortgaging his apartment. The bureaucracy and paperwork seemed a small price to pay for the opportunity he believed lay ahead. As he stepped into the bank and began the process, memories of his parents flooded his mind – their sacrifices, hard work, and the dreams they had for him.

Time seemed to stretch as he waited for the approval, his thoughts a whirlwind of emotions. Doubts and uncertainties tried to claw their way in, but he pushed them aside, reminding himself of the potential rewards that awaited him. And finally, after what felt like an eternity, the approval came through, solidifying his commitment to the risky endeavor he had undertaken.

With the necessary funds secured, Alex felt a mix of relief and trepidation. The path ahead was uncertain, and the outcome far from guaranteed. Yet, as he clutched the newspaper that had sparked this journey, he had taken the first step towards a future that was both daunting and promising.

Leaving the bank, he glanced up at the towering skyscrapers that loomed over him, a stark contrast to the era he now inhabited. The city was bustling with its own rhythm, unaware of the decisions he had just made.

He decided to waste no time and headed straight to the nearest electronics store. He knew he needed a reliable computer to execute his plan, one that could handle the complex calculations and data analysis he would perform. He scanned the shelves, looking for a suitable device, but was disappointed by the limited options available. Most of the computers were bulky, outdated, and expensive, reflecting the state of technology in this era.

He settled for the best one he could find, a beige box that boasted a Pentium processor and 16 MB of RAM. He paid for it with his credit card, hoping that it would be enough to serve his purpose. He also bought a modem, a printer, and some floppy disks, essential accessories for his operation.

With his purchases in hand, he hailed a taxi and instructed the driver to take him to his apartment. He had to act fast, before the market closed and the opportunity slipped away. He had done his research, and he had a clear strategy in mind. He would purchase call options of Thai baht, betting that the currency would appreciate against the US dollar in the coming days.

He knew that in the near future, on May 14, 1997, Thailand, with the assistance of Singapore, would spend billions of dollars of its foreign reserves to protect the Thai baht against speculative attacks. He knew that this would cause a temporary rise in the value of the baht, but it would not last long. He knew that the baht was doomed to fall eventually, as the country’s economic problems were too deep to be solved by a single intervention. He was not betting on the long-term strength of the baht, but on the short-term opportunity to ride the upward trend.

He planned to use his entire mortgage amount of $200,000 to buy call options of Thai baht with a 10x leverage. This meant that he could control $2 million worth of baht with only $200,000 of collateral. It also meant that he could magnify his returns by 10 times if his prediction was correct. However, it also meant that he could lose his entire investment if his prediction was wrong.

He knew it was a risky move, but he was confident in his analysis and judgment. He was willing to take the chance, hoping that it would pay off handsomely. He arrived at his apartment and quickly set up his computer and modem. He connected to the internet and logged into his online brokerage account. He checked the exchange rate of the baht against the dollar and saw that it was trading at 25.50 baht per dollar.

He entered his order to buy call options of Thai baht with a strike price of 25 baht per dollar. He specified the amount of $200,000 as his collateral and confirmed his order. The transaction was executed instantly, and he received a confirmation message on his screen.

He had done it. He had placed his bet on the future of Thailand's currency. He had put everything on the line for this opportunity. He felt a surge of adrenaline and anticipation as he stared at his screen, waiting for the market to react.

He hoped that he had made the right decision.

Anxiety coiled within Alex as he vigilantly tracked the turbulent market. The sudden, jarring chime of his doorbell shattered his concentration. Startled, he averted his gaze from the computer screen to the entryway of his modest apartment. A chilling shudder of apprehension gripped him as he recognized the silhouette through the frosted glass door—Lisa, his ex-girlfriend, her eyes ablaze with a menacing determination.

Caught off guard, the door swung open forcefully, and Lisa stormed in, her voice a searing blend of rage and disdain. "Well, well, if it isn't Alex the loser!" Her words cut through the charged atmosphere like a whip, her glare fixated on him. "How does it feel to be utterly useless, Alex? To push away the only person who tolerated your sorry existence?"

Alex's jaw clenched, his temper teetering on the edge as he endured her verbal onslaught. "Lisa, we've been through this. You exploited me for your own gain, and I won't allow it anymore."

She sneered, eyes narrowing to slits. "Exploited you? You were nothing before me, Alex. Do you honestly think you can just discard me like yesterday's trash?"

Alex's patience snapped, his voice frigid and resolute. "Our toxic connection is severed. We're done owing each other anything."

Her features twisted in a malevolent fusion of anger and disbelief. "You're making a colossal blunder, Alex. You'll live to rue this day."

"I highly doubt that," he shot back, his tone unwavering. "Now, get out."

Rage blazed in Lisa's eyes, yet she recognized the steely determination etched across his face. With an exasperated huff, she pivoted sharply on her heel and stormed toward the door. Just before vanishing from view, she leveled one final malevolent glare at him. "This isn't the end, Alex. You'll see."

With the door's resounding closure, Alex exhaled a sigh of relief, his heart still pounding in the aftermath of the intense encounter. His attention shifted back to the computer screen, revealing a stark visual representation of his substantial losses. The exchange rate on the monitor remained a tumultuous dance, each fluctuation intensifying his already accelerated pulse as he watched the numbers sway and stagger before his eyes.

As Lisa's lingering presence dissipated, Alex's heart gradually eased its frantic rhythm. He couldn't shake off the sting of their heated exchange, but he was determined to focus on the one thing that had kept him driven through the tumultuous days—the market. His eyes narrowed as he analyzed the trends, seeking an opportunity, a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos.

And then, a few days later, on May 14, 1997, a pivotal turn of events unfolded. In a dramatic bid to safeguard the Thai baht from relentless speculative assaults, Thailand, with the strategic intervention of Singapore, unleashed a financial arsenal that saw billions of dollars from their foreign reserves being deployed. This concerted effort sent shockwaves through the global financial landscape, and the Thai baht, which had been teetering on the edge, managed a remarkable rebound.

As the Thai baht regained its footing, Alex's fortunes began to shift. The aggressive move by Thailand breathed new life into the market, and Alex, who had been grappling with significant losses, found himself on the cusp of a remarkable turnaround. With the leverage he had strategically positioned, his previously grim losses began to metamorphose into gains.

In a whirlwind of trading activity, Alex's profit margins swelled, doubling and then tripling in rapid succession. The once dire situation he had been facing now seemed like a distant memory as his account balance surged, propelled by the dynamic fluctuations in the currency market. Alex's adept maneuvering, guided by careful analysis and an instinct honed through countless hours of dedication, culminated in an astonishing result—he had amassed a staggering sum of 3 million dollars.

With his bank account now bearing the weight of seven figures, Alex could officially claim the title of a millionaire. The trajectory of his life had undergone a seismic shift, transforming him from a struggling individual to a person of substantial means. As he reviewed the numbers before him, a mix of exhilaration and disbelief coursed through his veins.

However, this newfound status was not merely about material wealth. It was a testament to his resilience, his ability to weather the storm, and his unwavering determination to chart his own course. The events of the past few days had been a rollercoaster of emotions, pushing him to the brink and then rewarding his perseverance in ways he had never imagined.

As the digital numbers on the screen continued to reflect his astonishing accomplishment, Alex leaned back in his chair, allowing a contented smile to spread across his face. The journey had been arduous, the challenges daunting, but through it all, he had emerged victorious. With a heart full of gratitude and a mind set on new horizons, Alex was now ready to embrace the next chapter of his extraordinary story.

However, just as the elation from his newfound success began to settle in, an unexpected intrusion shattered his sense of accomplishment. A notification blinked on his computer screen, a stark contrast to the digits that had been steadily climbing. His heart sank as he read the message, a cold knot of dread forming in his stomach.

The message was from the Bank of America, its subject line catching his attention like a piercing alarm. "URGENT: Account Activity Alert." His cursor hesitated for a moment before he clicked on the email, his apprehension growing with each passing second.

The words on the screen were like a punch to the gut. "Your account ********1496 has been frozen due to suspicious activity detected from your account." The room seemed to close in around him as panic coursed through his veins. His hands trembled as he reread the message, the weight of the situation sinking in.

The very wealth he had fought so hard to attain, the millions he had earned through calculated risks and sleepless nights, now hung in the balance. His mind raced, trying to make sense of what had gone wrong. He had been so focused on the market's ups and downs that he hadn't considered the possibility of something like this happening.

Desperation and frustration clawed at him as he scrambled to figure out what had triggered the suspicious activity. Was it a result of his rapid gains? Questions swirled in his mind, but answers remained elusive.

His heart heavy with uncertainty, Alex clenched his fists, determined to unravel the mystery behind the frozen account. The journey that had begun with hope and ambition had taken an unexpected turn, leaving him to confront a new set of challenges that threatened to undo everything he had worked so hard to achieve.