Chapter 1

Under the scrutiny of the entire school faculty and my fellow students, I accepted the funeral wreath with a bright, unwavering smile.

I made no complaint. Instead, I gently comforted my cousin.

"You're just a bit traditional. You don't always get modern customs," I said kindly. "But I know you meant well, dear cousin."

Unlike my last life, my brother Nick didn't pin me down in public and force me to endure ten slaps from her to soothe her pride after I'd struck her.

This time, his eyes held only barely concealed concern.

"Today was supposed to be your big celebration. Audrey, she… Cathy really doesn't know any better. You were put in an awkward position."

My father squeezed my shoulder. His approving look carried a hint of remorse.

"Haven't you always wanted a stake in the family holdings?" he said. "I'll have legal draw up the papers today. Five percent is yours."

After a pause, he added, "You handled this with grace. Don't hold it against your cousin."

A flicker of cold irony passed through my gaze.

I'd been asking my father for shares in the trust since I turned eighteen.

Every time, he had a new excuse—too young, didn't understand the portfolio, needed more education.

In my last life, desperate to prove myself, I burned the candle at both ends through college. I studied relentlessly, entered case competitions, joined leadership boards. I honed my pitch, practiced diplomacy, even launched a startup.

In the end, I was given a token one percent.

Yet now, simply to keep me from making a scene over my cousin's blunder, my father casually offered five.

"It was an honest mistake," I said softly. "I'm not upset."

The faint note of loneliness in my voice made my brother's chest tighten.

"That solid gold Art Deco necklace you've always admired—it's yours."

That piece was a museum-grade antique, appraised at over three million.

I lowered my eyes and feigned refusal.

My cousin's eyes welled up as she pouted. "If you don't want it, then let me have it! I don't know much about heirlooms, but I love gold!"

My brother looked torn and shot me a pleading glance.

I let out a quiet breath. You can't land the big fish without letting go of a little bait. Besides, even if the necklace were mine, I'd have nowhere to secure it.

I didn't have an eight-hundred-square-meter mansion like my brother.

"Gold has a very classic feel," I said lightly. "It suits you perfectly, cousin."

Smiling, I took her hand.

"Dad already gave me my graduation gift. If Cathy wants the necklace, she should have it. As for you making it up to me—it's really not necessary."

My brother opened his mouth to chide me for being petty when I added, "Running the family office must be exhausting. I should be more understanding."

The rebuke died in his throat.

The guilt in his eyes deepened. He didn't even acknowledge my cousin's sulking anymore.

I glanced down at my vibrating phone.

[Transfer Received: 1,500,000 dollars]

Another message followed from my brother: [Pick any car from the collection in my garage. The keys are yours.]

I glanced casually at my brother, still typing with his head down. No warmth rose in my chest—only a vast, quiet chill.