Chapter 1

All the relatives knew I had a "vintage, simple-minded cousin."

For my birthday, she gave me dry homemade lard biscuits; when I ran a marathon, she gave me stiff cloth slippers.

Then came my graduate school convocation. She brought a white funeral wreath with the word "Rest" in bold letters, wishing me a swift ascent to heaven.

In my past life, I slapped her right off the stairs.

To avenge her, my brother framed me for cheating on the admissions exam. The university revoked my admission.

"You're trendy and smart. Everyone does a gap year to retake it anyway. Go do it again!"

My father cut off every dime of financial support to stand up for her: "You're well-educated. Go earn your own living!"

I struggled alone in a strange city eighteen hundred miles from home. I called my father and brother over and over, only to find my number blocked.

I delivered takeout on a rusty bike in freezing cold while renting a dingy room to study for the retake.

At my lowest point, with frostbitten hands, I fought for four-in-the-morning delivery orders just to make an extra fifty cents.

From the freezing cold and utter exhaustion, my heart gave out at twenty-three. I collapsed in the snowy street of an unfamiliar town, with no one to claim my body.

This time, I lowered my hand and accepted the funeral wreath with a bright smile.

I was going to fully embrace this loving family.

After all, what was a momentary slap compared to inheriting the entire family fortune?

1

Under the watchful eyes of all the faculty and students, I accepted the wreath with a warm, beaming smile.

Without a single complaint, I comforted my cousin with utter understanding:

"You're just a traditional, simple girl. You don't understand modern social cues, but I appreciate the thought, Felicity."

Unlike in my past life, my brother Garrett didn't pin me down in front of the crowd so Felicity could slap me ten times to vent her anger.

Instead, a flicker of guilt and pity showed in his eyes.

"This was supposed to be the happiest day of your life. Felicity is just…"

"She really doesn't know any better. You've been wronged, Hazel."

My father, Richard, squeezed my shoulder. His approving look was laced with guilt.

"Haven't you always wanted shares in the company? I'll have my secretary draft the contract today and give you five percent."

He paused, then added, "You handled this very well. Don't hold it against your cousin."

A cold sneer flashed deep in my eyes.

Ever since I turned eighteen, I had begged my father repeatedly for company shares.

Every single time, he had an excuse to shoot me down. I was too young, didn't understand the business, didn't have high enough credentials...

In my past life, to prove I was worthy, I studied relentlessly in college, won national competitions, and joined every varsity team.

I trained my public speaking, sharpened my emotional intelligence, and even founded a successful startup.

In the end, I only received a pathetic one percent.

Yet in this life, just so I wouldn't make things hard for my cousin, my father casually gave away five percent with a wave of his hand.

"It was an innocent mistake. I won't take it to heart," I said.

My slightly melancholic tone tugged at Garrett's conscience. "I'll give you that antique solid gold Victorian jewelry set you've always wanted!"

That antique set was an authentic heirloom worth millions.

I lowered my eyes, pretending to decline politely.

Felicity's eyes turned red, and she pouted. "Since Hazel doesn't want it, can I have it?"

"I don't understand luxury brands, but I do love gold!"

Garrett looked troubled and cast a pleading glance at me.

I let out a slow, silent breath. You have to sacrifice pennies to haul in the goldmine.

Besides, if he gave me that bulky antique set, I wouldn't even have a secure place to store it.

I didn't own an eight-thousand-square-foot penthouse like my brother.

"Garrett, solid gold is so traditional. It suits Felicity perfectly."

I took Felicity's hand with a sweet smile. "Dad already gave me a graduation gift. If she wants yours, just give it to her."

"As for getting me another gift, don't worry about it."

Garrett opened his mouth to scold me for being passive-aggressive, but I quickly added:

"Running the company is exhausting. I should be more considerate of you, Garrett."

The rebuke caught in his throat, and he swallowed it whole.

Guilt washed over him even deeper, to the point where he completely ignored Felicity's coquettish whining.

I looked down at my buzzing phone. A bank alert popped up: [Ten million dollars deposited.]

Then came a text from Garrett: [Pick any supercar you want from my private garage!]

I glanced discreetly at my brother as he typed away. There was no warmth in my heart, only sheer contempt.

He was too much of a coward to spoil his own sister in front of our cousin. What a pathetic loser.

My fingers flew across the screen: [I want the Devel Sixteen!]

That hypercar cost over five million dollars, an ultra-rare limited edition that was worth far more than any gold jewelry set.

That car was my brother's absolute pride and joy. He hesitated, his brow furrowed in pain, but finally gritted his teeth and replied:

[Deal!]

While we were texting, the university deans and the president arrived.

At first glance, the university president noticed the grotesque funeral wreath. "Who brought this here?!"

Every pair of eyes turned toward me, and I turned my gaze toward Felicity.

Without waiting for an explanation, the president ordered security to haul both the wreath and Felicity off campus. "What an absolute disgrace!"

Seeing Felicity being dragged away by several burly security guards, my father and brother panicked.

"Hazel, go talk to the president! Felicity didn't mean it! She's just an old-fashioned girl from the countryside; she doesn't understand modern customs!"