Chapter 1Slapping Her Out of Her Delusion

Lauren Joyner, the housekeeper's daughter, has a theatrical personality. She actually sees herself as the resilient, gentle main character in a beloved-by-all novel.

Nathaniel Zimmer, the butler, has barely brought Lauren inside the house when she suddenly starts crying at the sight of the lavish interior.

Colton Faulkner, my second-oldest brother, is startled. "What's the matter with you?"

Lauren forces a pained expression and says, "I-It's nothing. I just couldn't help thinking about people who don't even have enough to eat when I saw how lavishly you all live. If it were up to me, I'd never spend this much money on a house!"

She retreats in a panic when Jude Faulkner, my oldest brother, stands up. She watches him warily and yells, "You'd better stay away from me! I'll never fall for a good-for-nothing scion like you! I won't submit, even if you try to take me by force!"

I have never seen Jude and Colton make those expressions before, so I struggle to hold back my laughter.

Lauren suddenly turns her attention to me, looking at me disdainfully. "I'm not here to compete with you for a man, so you'd better keep those petty tricks to yourself!"

She then turns to Nathaniel and orders him to take her to her room.

I smile brightly and say, "I'm sure Ms. Joyner won't need the guest room we have prepared for her, since she has a heart of gold and a spine of steel. Give the storage room a quick cleanup and have her stay there instead, Nathaniel."

* * *

When she heard she'd be staying in the storage room, Lauren Joyner's eyes instantly welled up with tears. She bit down on her lip and forced a brave front.

"I get that you're jealous of me, but my mother saved your mother, Ms. Faulkner.

"You all promised my mother that I could stay here! How can you take that back? I came here to study, not to steal your man, Ms. Faulkner."

She looked at Jude and Colton Faulkner, my oldest and second-oldest brothers, with bloodshot eyes before continuing, "It's not my fault I'm so beautiful! I'm not interested in playing these petty games with you, Ms. Faulkner!

"If you're so worried about them liking me, maybe you should focus on your studies instead of embarrassing yourself with this kind of behavior…"

Lauren took a deep breath before continuing, "Such as going after someone innocent like me!"

We were all at a loss for words after hearing that.

Colton was the first to lose his temper. "Who the hell said we liked you? We don't even know who you are!"

Lauren gave Colton a disappointed, disdainful look. "I'd never like a guy who’s too cowardly to own up to his true feelings!"

She then glanced at Jude, looking slightly hopeful.

Jude furrowed his brow. "You'd better watch what you say, Ms. Joyner! I'd be in trouble if the person I like heard that!"

Lauren's expression faltered for a moment before she suddenly looked enlightened. She glanced at me, then turned back to Jude, looking visibly moved. "You can rest assured that she heard everything and gets what you're trying to do! I'll thank you on her behalf!"

What crazy story had she made up in her head this time?

She paid no attention to Jude's horrified look and headed upstairs with the poise of someone who already owned the place. She had the household staff carry her belongings, then pointed to my room. "I like this one, Nathaniel, so move my stuff in here."