Chapter 1

My biological mother thought my six-year-old self was a drag on her chances of marrying into a wealthy estate. So, she dumped me under a highway overpass.

To get a bite of food, I grabbed the leg of a passing street punk and wouldn't let go.

"Hey, big brother, your boots are dirty. Let me wipe them for you."

"Hey, big brother, are you thirsty? I can go steal some water for you."

A bunch of street punks looked down at me. "Damn, this kid knows how to hustle. Fine, let's keep her. She's our little sister now."

From that day on, I had twelve gangster brothers.

They never taught me any grand life philosophies. They only taught me one thing: if someone bullies you, beat them to a pulp.

Because of this, in twelve years, my twelve brothers had never actually been in the same room together.

Either one was doing time for breaking someone's leg, or another was locked up for cracking someone’s ribs.

But against all odds, I studied hard, got into college, and became the only university student from our run-down neighborhood.

Yet, on the very first day of classes, my roommate lost her luxury necklace and pointed the finger straight at me.

Our academic advisor, the dorm supervisor, and the roommate's rich parents marched right to my place, demanding to search it.

I blocked the doorway. "Can we please just resolve this at the school office?"

The roommate's mother shoved me aside. "Guilty conscience, huh? I want to see exactly what kind of trashy home breeds a thief!"