Chapter 1

I lowered my hand from my mask.

Good. If they wouldn't let me take it off, all the better. That way, I wouldn't have to deal with their over-the-top reactions when they saw my face, and they wouldn't waste my time when I needed to pack.

My eldest brother, James Moreau, pulled a black card out of his pocket. "Consider this a welcome gift."

I was just about to take it when Juliet Moreau suddenly tugged at his sleeve. "Josephine has always lived a simple life, James. Don't you think she'll get scammed if she suddenly has access to so much money?"

James took in my faded, threadbare clothes before slipping the card back into his pocket. "Julie's right. You need to learn our family's rules first."

I stared at his pocket. "How much money is on that card?"

James' expression instantly turned cold. "You just walked through the door, and money's the first thing on your mind? Is this what Grandma taught you?"

"Grandma taught me to keep a clear record of what people owe."

I pulled a ledger from my canvas bag. My tuition, competition registration fees, and travel expenses for exams in other provinces—every single expense was recorded in detail.

The year I went to Silvermont for a physics competition, Grandma sold the cow she'd raised for two years. Meanwhile, the Moreaus had stopped sending me living expenses 13 years ago.

"We can leave out emotional damages, but I'd appreciate it if you settled my education expenses."

My third brother, Jack Moreau, sneered. "Did you hear that? My biological sister hasn't even been here for ten minutes, and she's already demanding that we settle accounts."

Comments flooded the screen instantly.

"The ugliest ones always make the biggest scene."

"She's covering herself up so thoroughly. Her face must be hideous."

"Watch out, Julie! She's definitely here to steal your family inheritance!"

Juliet's eyes misted over as she tried to explain on my behalf. "Josephine had a hard life, so she's just insecure."

I thrust my Venmo QR code in her face. "Since you feel so sorry for me, why don't you foot the bill on their behalf?"

Her expression immediately stiffened.

James scoffed and tossed the black card onto the table. "There's no spending limit on this card; just don't buy anything tacky."

I caught it steadily and inked it to my phone on the spot. "Don't worry. I'll mainly be buying books. The lab equipment might be a little expensive, though, so don't freeze the card."

My older brothers, who were 18 years late, weren't worth much. An uncapped black card, on the other hand, was actually quite sweet.

I tucked the card away and asked, "What about my ID documents and my enrollment documents for Silvermont College?"

Jack shoved the camera in my face. "First, you ask for money; now, you want your ID documents. What's next, our company shares?"

"I need them for registration." I pulled out my admission letter and certificates of commendation.

Jack took one look at them and went rigid.

James pulled out the top sheet. "You're the genius student? And you won national awards in both the math and physics competitions? It really is your name on these certificates."

The livestream went silent for a few seconds before the mockery resumed.

"No wonder she hides her face. Her grades are probably the only thing she has going for her."

"So what if she's good at studying? She's still too ugly to show her face in public!"

Jack hastily regained his sense of superiority. "So, academics are your one redeeming quality. Don't cause Julie any trouble when you get to Silvermont College."

I blocked the camera. "Do I get a cut of your livestream revenue?"

"Are you so obsessed with money that you've lost your mind?"

"If I don't get a cut, stop filming me. My face isn't free."

Jack rolled his eyes. "Who the hell wants to see your face?"

"I hope you keep that attitude."

After sorting out the paperwork, I asked about my room.

Juliet looked troubled. "The only room left is the storage room where I keep my old clothes."

"Does it have air conditioning and Wi-Fi?"

She was caught off guard for a moment. "Yes."

"Can I stay there until I graduate from college?"

"So long as you behave yourself, no one will kick you out," James interjected coldly.

I immediately had my assistant draft a tenancy agreement.

Property prices near Silvermont College were astronomical. I would save hundreds of thousands of dollars if I lived here rent-free for four years.

James' expression darkened alarmingly as he signed the agreement. "You're so greedy. One day, your greed will be your undoing."

I put the agreement away. "You'll have to do better than that to bring me down."

On my way upstairs, I passed my second brother Julian Moreau's studio. I caught sight of a photo that filled the entire screen through the half-ajar door.

Beneath a pear blossom tree, a 15-year-old girl looked over her shoulder. She was so beautiful she almost seemed unreal. Wasn't that me five years ago?

Julian immediately blocked the screen. "Stop staring! No amount of plastic surgery could give you a face like that."

I nodded earnestly. "You're right. Being born with a face like this was already troublesome enough."

Julian assumed I was just jealous and slammed the door shut.

Before the door clicked shut, I caught sight of a missing-person notice beneath the photo. Whoever provided information that led to the missing person's whereabouts would receive a million-dollar reward.

I patted the black card in my pocket, feeling a little regretful. I knew exactly where the missing girl was, but I couldn't report myself and claim the reward. What a shame.