Chapter 1

Twenty years ago, my oldest brother, Ethan, made me the fall guy just to keep his precious little sister, Dorothy, out of trouble.

My second brother, Ryan, had even looked me in the eye and promised:

"Victoria, if you just take the fall for Dorothy this once and do her time, we will do whatever it takes to clear your name when you get out. We’ll make sure you get your normal life back."

And Lucas, the third brother, just said it straight to my face: "You’re the older sister. It’s your job to protect her. Mom and Dad told us to look after Dorothy before they passed."

"Just take one for the team."

Ignoring my crying, my begging, and my desperate struggles, the three of them joined forces to throw me to the wolves. I was sent straight to prison.

Three years later, I was finally released, only to find that everything that once belonged to me had been handed to Dorothy on a silver platter.

My design portfolios were stolen and published under her name. The prestigious awards that should have been mine were shining in her display case.

Even my fiancé, Mario, had married her.

When I stormed over to demand answers, Mario literally shoved me out the door. "Victoria, have you no shame?" he sneered.

"Dorothy is kind, generous, and actually talented."

"You honestly think I’d choose a convicted felon with a ruined reputation over her?"

Even my own brothers completely abandoned me.

They threw a prepaid card with a measly five thousand dollars at my face and bought me a one-way ticket out of the country.

Now, twenty years later, I am back in the country with a multi-million-dollar tech patent in my hands.

Standing in front of me are two very familiar faces, begging for my help.

I let out a cold laugh. "I’ll partner with anyone in this city. Anyone but you."