Chapter 1

At the company's annual gala, my father prepared to announce his successor.

All eyes turned to me—his own daughter, seven years as Vice President.

But in the next moment, he named my cousin Wilfred Galloway as the new CEO.

The room erupted.

I stood there in shock, my voice trembling as I confronted him. "I've given this company eight years of my life. I'm your daughter."

"Wilfred just graduated. What makes him qualified to run this company?"

My father's expression remained cold. "Because Wilfred is better than you. In one year, he's already surpassed everything you accomplished in eight."

I froze. Then a bitter laugh tore from my throat, my head thrown back.

I knew that wasn't the real reason.

This was about appearances. It was always about appearances with him.

If he was going to keep handing everything that was mine to Wilfred, then fine—I'd take the core team and start fresh somewhere else.

I was done being his daughter.

...

My laughter left the room stunned.

The smile on my father's face vanished instantly. His voice turned sharp. "Did you skip your medication this morning? What's wrong with you?"

"Maybe I have lost my mind." I stopped laughing and fixed my eyes on him. "You're the one who drove me to it."

"When this company was on the verge of bankruptcy, I was out there in the blazing heat chasing down clients, keeping us afloat. I collapsed from heatstroke dozens of times."

"I designed our new product line. Stayed up for a week straight and nearly worked myself to death. That product took off—and that's the only reason this company started turning a profit."

Every word landed like a hammer blow.

Around me, people nodded in agreement. They knew what I'd done.

But my father's face only grew colder. His jaw tightened. "Enough! Making a scene in front of everyone—you're embarrassing me!"

"Fine, I'll admit you've contributed. But you still can't compare to Wilfred. He just came back and already closed a deal with Orion Worldwide."

"You spent a year on that account and couldn't get it done."

The words hit me like lightning.

Because that deal was mine. A year of my life. Countless pairs of shoes worn through. Endless meetings and negotiations. I'd finally locked it down.

My father had said he would announce the good news at tonight's gala. I never imagined he'd credit it all to Wilfred.

Just to look impartial.

Right on cue, Wilfred spoke up, his voice dripping with false modesty. "Uncle Charles Galloway, I really don't have the experience for this. I shouldn't be taking the CEO position."

"Let my cousin have it."

"Please don't let this damage your relationship with your daughter. I'm happy to serve as her deputy."

Listen to him. Every word calculated perfectly.

Humble and gracious on the surface—while securing himself a fallback. Worst case, he'd still walk away as Vice President.

Plenty comfortable for someone like him.

But my father saw none of it. He rounded on me again. "You ungrateful child! Look at Wilfred—so mature, so reasonable. And look at you, doing nothing but making me angry."

"The decision is final. Wilfred will be CEO."

"Anyone who objects can pack their things."

"Including you."

His eyes locked onto mine, the threat unmistakable.

Beside him, Wilfred's lips curved into a barely perceptible smile.

Whispers rippled through the crowd. Some looked at me with pity. Others with mockery. A few had already started praising Wilfred, eager to curry favor with their new boss.

My heart turned to ash.

I looked at my father one last time. "Then let Wilfred be your child."

"I quit."

The room went dead silent.

Everyone—my father included—stared at me wide-eyed, unable to believe I'd just severed ties with my own family.

I didn't linger. I turned and walked out.

Chapter 2

I'd barely reached the hallway when my father came after me.

"Grace."

He grabbed my arm, frowning. "Can't you act like an adult for once? Talking back to me in front of all those people—you made us both look like fools."

"Wilfred lost his parents young. We need to look out for him."

"Besides, I have to avoid any appearance of favoritism right now. Once I secure the Entrepreneur of the Year award, I'll find a way to make you CEO."

"Now come back inside, apologize to everyone, and tell them you're willing to serve as Wilfred's deputy."

I'd thought he was coming to make things right. I was naive. Instead, I got another blow to the head.

"Back then, I earned that study abroad spot through my own hard work. You gave it to Wilfred instead—the guy who spent all day sleeping in his dorm."

"You said it was to avoid favoritism."

"You said he had no one else, that I should let him have it."

"You said you'd send me abroad later."

"So what happened?"

I looked up at my father.

This kind of thing had been happening my whole life.

I remember scoring at the top of my class for both middle school and high school entrance exams, yet I never got into the best schools.

My father said it was to avoid favoritism.

But then he pulled strings to get Wilfred—who hadn't even qualified—into those very schools.

For years, I wondered if I just wasn't good enough. If that was why I never got any recognition.

So I worked even harder.

Now I finally understood. No matter how well I did, in my father's eyes, I would never measure up to Wilfred.

And I'd never beat out "avoiding favoritism."

I must have struck a nerve, because he lost his temper completely. "Grace, if you keep this up, don't ever think about coming back to the company!"

His cold stare was pure threat.

"Fine."

This time, I didn't back down. I turned and walked away.

He stood there, stunned.

His mouth opened like he wanted to say something, but in the end, he said nothing.

Outside the hotel, the bitter wind cut through me like his words had—sharp and cold, straight to the bone.

Dad.

I don't need you anymore. I can stand on my own.

I took a deep breath and sent a message to Paul Farley, a junior from the Capital Circle: Heard you've got more money than you know what to do with. Interested in investing in me?

Absolutely!

Paul replied almost instantly: Meet me at the usual spot tonight. Let's talk.

I'll even show you the eight-pack I've been working on!

I couldn't help but smile.

Ever since he found out I was single again, he'd made a hobby out of flirting with me.

I headed home to pack. The moment I walked through the door, I saw my mother sitting on the couch.

"Mom, I—"

Before I could finish, she grabbed a throw pillow and hurled it at my face.

"Why did you humiliate your father in public? Why do you always have to go after Wilfred?"

"It's just a CEO position. You're both Galloways—what does it matter who sits in that chair?"

So she'd already heard.

Just as I expected.

No warmth. No comfort.

Only blame.

I took a deep breath. "We're both Galloways. So why not let Wilfred call you Mom and Dad instead?"

"You two can be his parents from now on."

I didn't have the energy to fight.

I just said it, flat and quiet.

"You—"

She stormed over and slapped me hard across the face. "This is exactly why you'll never be CEO. You're selfish. Disrespectful. You don't know your place."

I swallowed the blood pooling in my throat. And then, suddenly, I laughed.

"Mom."

"You're calling me selfish? Saying I disrespect you?"

"Then tell me—ever since you brought Wilfred into this house, every good thing that came along—the best food, the best clothes, every fun opportunity—didn't I give it all up for him?"

Chapter 3

"The spot at the elite middle school, the study abroad opportunity—you gave them all to Wilfred. There was even a time he hit someone with his car, and I was the one who took the fall."

"In college, you kept me on a tight leash to 'avoid favoritism.' Three hundred dollars a month for living expenses, while Wilfred got thirty thousand in pocket money."

"Did I ever talk back?"

"How much more obedient did I need to be?"

Mom had no answer. For once, she didn't know what to say.

I didn't wait around. I went back to my room, threw some clothes into a bag, and headed for the door.

"What do you think you're doing? Running away from home?"

She'd found her voice again.

No apology.

Just anger.

I didn't respond. Just kept my head down and walked out.

Her voice followed me through the door: "Grace! All this drama over not being made CEO?"

"You ungrateful child—if you walk out tonight, don't ever come back!"

"I'll pretend I never had a daughter!"

I'd heard it all before. My whole life, these same words.

But she was still my mother. My own flesh and blood.

Part of me always believed that someday, somehow, I could earn their approval.

That's why I could never go through with it before. But this time, I slammed the door behind me.

The wind outside cut right through me.

Still warmer than that house.

I didn't have a car.

Dad said it would "look bad"—he didn't want people thinking he spoiled me.

Mom said Wilfred didn't have a license yet, hadn't gotten a car, and she didn't want to hurt his feelings.

I'd barely reached the curb when a car pulled up beside me. The window slid down, revealing a handsome face.

Paul Farley. My junior from university.

I got in and frowned at him. "What are you doing here? I thought we were meeting at the usual place."

"The whole city knows you had a blowout with your family."

I froze, then pulled out my phone. The headlines were everywhere.

Galloway Group cuts out biological daughter, names niece as successor—lavish gala planned for tomorrow with A-list guests!

BREAKING: Grace Galloway disowns parents, now homeless!

Word traveled fast.

My parents had texted too.

Without the Galloway name, who's going to give you the time of day? Think carefully.

Stop being so selfish. Come home right now and apologize to your father and Wilfred. Say something nice and they'll forgive you. Otherwise you can starve on the streets—no one will even claim your body.

I didn't reply. Just smiled.

Starve?

Nobody will recognize my face?

We'll see about that.

I followed Paul into a quiet lounge bar. The moment I looked up, I spotted a familiar figure.

My heart stopped.

Louis Sullivan. My childhood sweetheart. My ex-boyfriend.

He was wrapped in Wilfred's arms, a sweet smile playing on his lips.

"There's your answer."

Paul's voice cut through. "You really are dense sometimes. Those two have been together since they were studying abroad."

What?

My mind went blank. I felt like a complete fool.

Years ago, my parents had actually suggested I "give" Paul to Wilfred.

Their reasoning was absurd: they were worried people would say they'd used their influence to pressure Louis into marrying me.

I refused. Dad beat me with a cane—a hundred strikes—and I still wouldn't budge.

Then Louis went overseas. Four years of long distance. I paid for everything—tuition, rent, all of it.

The day he came back, he broke up with me.

His eyes were red when he said it: "Grace, your parents put too much pressure on me. They'll never accept us being together. So let's just end it here—I don't want to hold you back."

Chapter 4

I tried everything to make him stay.

The money I'd saved wasn't a fortune, but it was enough to start over somewhere else—enough to make sure he'd never have to struggle.

He blocked me without a word.

For months after, I walked through life in a fog, guilt eating me alive.

I hadn't given Louis the security he needed.

I hadn't been enough to keep him.

But the scene in front of me now? It was a slap across the face.

When Louis spotted me, surprise flickered in his eyes. He dropped his head fast, trying to avoid my stare.

Wilfred wasn't having it. He grabbed Louis by the arm and dragged him right up to me.

"Cousin."

"I've been meaning to tell you about this for a while, but I didn't know how to bring it up. Please don't be mad."

"Louis and I are in love. Real love."

Rage surged through me. My fist was already swinging toward Wilfred's face—

But Louis stepped between us.

"That's enough, Grace!"

"Is this how a big sister acts? You can't just hit him!"

I stood frozen, my voice shaking. "Why... why would you..."

Louis was quiet for a few seconds before he answered. "Because you're the daughter they threw away. Wilfred is the one your parents are proud of. He's the future of this family."

The words hit like a blade, carving out a piece of my heart.

I laughed through the pain.

Love. Family.

None of it meant a damn thing when money was on the table.

Paul started to say something in my defense, but I stopped him. I grabbed his arm and turned to leave.

Words were useless now.

The only thing that mattered was proving them wrong. Whoever climbed higher, shone brighter—that's who'd have the last laugh.

"Cousin."

"Tomorrow's my inauguration banquet. You have to come."

Wilfred caught up to me, holding out an invitation with a smug little smile.

It clicked.

Running into them today wasn't coincidence. Wilfred had planned this. Why else would he have an invitation on him?

"Sure."

"I'll be there."

I took the envelope.

I walked away without looking back, a cold smile forming on my lips. Once we were in the car, I turned to Paul. "I need a favor."

"Relax. Tomorrow's already handled."

He tapped his chest confidently.

We shared a look.

No need to say more. We both knew exactly what the other was thinking.

The next day.

I arrived right on time at the hotel where my father was hosting Wilfred's inauguration banquet.

The guests hadn't shown up yet.

My parents, Wilfred, and Louis all turned to look at me. Their faces went cold in unison.

"Hmph."

"Look at how thoughtful Wilfred is. He actually considers your feelings—even invited you to this banquet."

"And you? All you know how to do is throw jealous fits."

My father's voice was ice.

"Apologize to your father and Wilfred. Do that, and we'll put the past behind us."

"This is your last chance. Don't blow it."

My mother chimed in.

Neither of them seemed the least bit surprised that Louis and Wilfred were together.

So that was it. They'd sabotaged my chance to study abroad on purpose—just so they could push Louis toward Wilfred behind my back.

"Come on, cousin. Family doesn't hold grudges overnight. Just swallow your pride already."

Wilfred's smile dripped with mockery.

Louis was quick to pile on. "Being made VP should've been enough for you. Your parents were acknowledging your abilities. You should be grateful."

I listened to their self-righteous little speeches.

Then I smiled. "Who said I came here for the banquet?"

My parents froze. Then they let out sharp laughs, like I'd lost my mind.

Right on cue, the rumble of cars filled the air outside.

"Let's go."

"Forget that ungrateful girl. Let's greet our guests."

Dad snorted heavily, then led the family toward the entrance.

The city's elite had all arrived.

But they just stood at the door, not stepping inside.

Dad was confused. "What's everyone waiting for? Please, come in!"

No one moved.

"They're waiting for my permission."

I walked slowly to the entrance.