My Father Gave My Throne To A Thief

At the Marshall Corporation annual gala, my father was scheduled to announce the companys successor.

Every eye in the ballroom was fixed on me, the CEOs daughter, who had spent the last eight years grinding as the Executive Vice President.

But in the next breath, Father announced my cousin, Piper Marshall, would inherit the company and assume the role of President.

The room erupted in a stunned silence, quickly followed by a low, collective gasp.

I was frozen, my face burning with shock. My voice trembled as I finally challenged him: Ive dedicated eight years to this company, running myself ragged. And Im your daughter.

Piper just graduated. On what basis is she named President?

Fathers expression was cold, distant. Because Piper is stronger than you. She will surpass your eight years of accomplishments in one.

I stood there, processing the cruelty of his words, then threw my head back and let out a raw, desperate laugh that felt more like a scream.

I knew that wasnt the real reason.

It was his tired, old excuse: maintaining his reputation for absolute impartialityhis desire to avoid suspicion at all costs.

Since he was once again giving what was mine to Piper, I decided to take the core team and start my own venture.

I would no longer be his daughter.

...

My hysterical laughter made the entire ballroom stare.

The smile Father had been wearing instantly vanished, replaced by a mask of cold fury. Did you forget your meds this morning? What is this grotesque display? he hissed.

I have gone mad, I replied, the laughter dying in my throat. I held his gaze, refusing to look away. You pushed me there.

When this company was on the brink of collapse, I was the one out in the blistering heat, landing clients and stabilizing the market. I suffered heatstroke half a dozen times that summer.

I designed the product that became our biggest successthe one that launched us into profitability! I worked a week straight, pulling all-nighters, and nearly collapsed from exhaustion!

Every word I spoke landed like a hammer blow.

I saw a dozen heads nod in agreement among the crowd. They all knew the truth of my contributions.

But Fathers face only grew colder. He clenched his jaw. Enough! Why are you shouting and making a scene? Youre embarrassing me!

I admit youve had some contributions, but they pale in comparison to Piper. Shes only just returned, and shes already secured the deal with VentureTech, the international conglomerate.

You worked for a year and failed to finalize that agreement.

Hearing that, I was struck by lightning, utterly stunned.

That deal, the one he was talking about, was my year-long battle. I had worn through countless pairs of heels and exhausted every contact to finally bring it to the finish line.

Father had promised to announce the good news at the gala, but I never imagined he would pin the credit on Piper.

All to protect his perfect image and to appear "impartial."

At that moment, Piper stepped forward, feigning humility. Uncle Marshall, I truly dont have the experience. I shouldnt take this role.

Let Rachel have it. Please, dont let this damage your relationship. Id be happy to serve as Vice President.

Listen to how noble she sounded. It made her look humble and generous, while also ensuring she landed the second-highest positiona cushy path to wealth and power.

Father, blind to her manipulation, rounded on me again. Look at Piper. Shes so mature and considerate! And look at youalways causing me trouble.

The presidency is settled. Piper Marshall will lead the company. Any dissent will result in immediate termination.

Including yours.

He glared at me, his eyes full of icy threat.

Next to him, Pipers mouth curved into a faint, barely perceptible smile.

The crowd buzzed with whispers. Their eyes on me ranged from pity to outright mockery. Some were already praising Piper, positioning themselves to align with the new power.

My heart turned to ash. I looked at Father with complete despair and said, Then let Piper be your daughter.

I quit.

The room went silent.

Everyone, including Father, stared at me, shocked that I would sever all family and professional ties so definitively.

I didnt wait another second. I turned and walked toward the exit.

But just as I reached the hallway, he caught up.

Rachel.

Father grabbed my arm, his brow furrowed in frustration. Cant you ever act like a mature adult? Arguing with me in front of everyone makes us a laughingstock.

Pipers parents died young. We have a duty to take care of her!

And right now, I have to maintain corporate optics! As soon as I win the Entrepreneur of the Year award, Ill find a way to make you President.

Now, come back inside. Apologize to everyone, including Piper! Tell them youre willing to be her second-in-command!

I had foolishly hoped, for a second, that he had regretted his decision, but this was yet another brutal blow.

Years ago, I earned a place in the foreign exchange program through merit, and you took my spot and gave it to Piper, who was sleeping through her college classes.

You said it was to avoid suspicion.

You said she was alone in the world and I should be the bigger person.

You said I could go later.

But what was the result? I lifted my gaze to meet his.

This had been the pattern my entire life.

In elementary, middle, and high school, I was always a top student, but I was never allowed to enroll in the best schools.

Father always said it was to avoid suspicion.

Yet, he would turn around, pull strings, and send the academically underperforming Piper to those exact schools.

For years, I wondered if I simply wasn't good enough, which only pushed me to work harder.

Now I understood. Nothing I did would ever be enough. Piper would always be his priority, and impartiality was just a convenient weapon to hurt me.

It was as if Id exposed his deepest secret. Fathers face flushed with angry shame. He spat out a threat. Rachel, if you keep this up, you will never be welcome back at Marshall Corporation!

His cold eyes were full of malice.

Fine.

This time, I didnt back down. I turned and walked away.

Father froze. He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but nothing came out.

When I walked out of the hotel, the winter wind was as sharp and cutting as his words. It chilled me to the bone.

Dad, I thought, I can stand on my own now. I dont need you.

I took a deep breath and sent a message to my college friend, Noah Sullivan, who came from a powerful, old-money family in the city: I hear youre drowning in cash. Interested in investing in me?

I am!

Noahs reply was instant: Meet me at our spot tonight. We can talk about it.

I can also show you the eight-pack Ive been working on!

I smiled faintly. The guy always flirted with me the second he found out I was single.

I drove home to pack my things. As soon as I walked in, I saw my mother sitting on the living room sofa.

Mom, I

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

Why did you publicly humiliate your father? Why do you constantly try to undermine Piper?

Its just a title, the presidency. Theyre all Marshalls. What does it matter who sits in the chair?

She had clearly been briefed on the situation.

And just as I expected, there was no comfort, only accusation.

I took a deep, steadying breath. Theyre all Marshalls. What does it matter who your daughter is? I countered quietly.

Go let Piper call you Mom and Dad.

I didnt have the energy for a fight, just a weary finality.

You

Enraged, Mother lunged forward and delivered a stinging slap across my cheek. Its because youre always so disrespectful! So defiant! Thats why youll never be President!

I swallowed the metallic taste of blood and laughed a short, hollow laugh.

Mom, I said, looking her dead in the eye. You say Im disrespectful? That I defy you?

Since you brought Piper home, have I not given her everythingthe best food, the best clothes, everything I owned?

The elementary school spot, the college exchange programyou gave it all to Piper. She even hit someone with her car once, and I was the one who took the blame.

In college, you poor-fed me to keep up your facade of impartiality, giving me a $300 monthly stipend while Piper got a $3,000 allowance.

Did I defy you then? Was I not obedient enough?

Confronted with the stark reality of my sacrifice, my mother was momentarily speechless.

I didn't linger. I walked into my room, quickly packed a single suitcase, and prepared to leave.

What is this? Are you running away? Mother finally burst out.

Her tone held no apology, only escalating anger.

I didnt answer, just quietly walked past her and toward the front door.

I heard her shouting from behind me: Rachel Marshall! Its just the presidency! Why are you making such a drama out of it!

If you walk out that door tonight, you are never to come back! Ill pretend I never gave birth to you!

I had heard those words countless times growing up.

Yet, because of that stubborn belief in blood ties, I always held onto the hope of their eventual approval. Thats why I was never able to leave before.

But this time, I closed the door with a loud, resolute slam.

The cold wind outside felt warmer than my own house.

I didnt have a car.

Father had said he needed to avoid suspicion, so people wouldn't say he spoiled me.

Mother had added that Piper didn't have a license or a car yet, and she didn't want my cousin to feel bad.

As I reached the curb, a sleek, black Aston Martin pulled up next to me. The window slid down, revealing the handsome, cocky face of Noah Sullivan.

I slid into the passenger seat, confused. What are you doing here? I thought we agreed on our usual spot.

The whole city knows you had a spectacular falling out with your family, Noah replied.

I blinked, then opened my phone. A headline from a major news outlet immediately popped up.

MARSHALL CORP. CUTS OFF DAUGHTER, NAMES NIECE HEIR. LAVISH INAUGURATION GALA PLANNED FOR TOMORROW NIGHT.

BREAKING: RACHEL MARSHALL DISOWNS PARENTS, NOW HOMELESS AND ALONE.

News travels fast.

Almost instantly, two messages from my parents appeared.

Without the Marshall name, who will recognize you? Think carefully!

Stop being selfish! Come back now and apologize to your father and Piper. Say some nice things, and they'll forgive you. Otherwise, you'll starve outside, and no one will bury your body.

I didnt reply. I just laughed to myself.

Starve? No one will recognize my face?

Well see about that.

Noah took me to a low-key upscale lounge. I walked in, looked up, and saw a familiar figure.

My pupils immediately contracted.

It was Gavin Thornemy childhood best friend and my ex-boyfriend.

He was currently wrapped in Piper Marshalls arms, a sickeningly sweet smile plastered on his face.

Seriously, Rachel, Noah muttered, shaking his head. Youre such a dummy. Those two were hooking up when they were studying abroad.

Boom. My brain went silent. I felt ridiculous.

My parents had actually pressured me to give Gavin to Piper years ago. The absurd excuse then was that they didnt want people to say they were using corporate power to force Gavin to marry me.

I had adamantly refused, enduring a week of their furious silence and threats, but I wouldn't budge.

Later, Gavin left to study overseas, and we maintained a long-distance relationship for four years, with me covering nearly all his expenses.

But on the day he returned, he broke up with me.

His eyes were red then, as he told me, Rachel, your parents pressure is too much. They will never agree to us. We have to break up. I dont want to hold you back.

I desperately tried to salvage things. I told him my savings, while not massive, were enough for us to start fresh anywhere else.

But he blocked me everywhere.

For months, I was a wreck, consumed by guilt and self-blame. I believed I had failed to give Gavin the security he needed. I had failed to keep him.

Now, this scene was a brutal slap across the face.

Gavin saw me, his eyes widening in alarm. He quickly lowered his head, but Piper violently yanked him forward to greet me.

Cousin, Piper cooed.

Ive been meaning to tell you, but I didnt know how. Please dont be mad.

Gavin and I are true love!

In that instant, my rage flared. I lifted my hand, ready to deliver a punch to Piper.

But Gavin stepped directly in front of her.

Enough, Rachel!

Do you have any dignity? How could you try to hit Piper like that!

I stood still, shaking as I whispered, Why why?

Gavin was silent for a few seconds before giving his answer. Because youre the cast-off daughter! Piper is your aunt and uncles pride! Shes the future heir of the Marshall family!

His words were a physical blow, a scythe that sliced a chunk out of my heart.

I was in so much pain that all I could do was laugh.

Love. Family.

None of it could stand against the harsh calculus of profit and status.

Noah started to argue on my behalf, but I stopped him. I grabbed his arm and turned away.

There was no point in wasting breath.

The only way to win was with power, to prove who was stronger, who would shine brighter, and who would get the last laugh.

Cousin!

Piper suddenly chased after us, holding out a sleek card. My inauguration dinner is tomorrow. You absolutely must come. A triumphant, challenging smirk played on her lips.

I realized then: this wasnt a coincidence. Piper had staged this entire encounter. Why else would she be carrying invitations?

Ill be there, I said.

I took the invitation, turned, and walked out without looking back, a cold smile forming on my own lips. Once in the car, I said to Noah, I need a favor.

Dont worry, big plans are already in motion for tomorrow. Noah thumped his chest, a predatory glint in his eye.

We exchanged a look. No words were needed. We were on the same page.

The next day.

I arrived precisely on time at the grand hotel where Father was holding Pipers celebration banquet.

The guests hadn't arrived yet.

My parents, Piper, and Gavin all turned cold faces on me.

Hmph.

Father sneered. Look how thoughtful Piper isshe even invited you, despite everything. Shes worried about your feelings. And all you know how to do is act like a jealous child!

Apologize to your father and Piper, and well forget the past. This is your last chance, Rachel. Dont be foolish. My mother chimed in.

They didnt seem surprised about Gavin and Piper at all. It appeared their actions years agoblocking my foreign exchange, for instancewere all part of a calculated plan to secretly push the two of them together.

Cousin, theres no room for bad blood in family. Just swallow your pride. Pipers smile was openly mocking now.

Gavin immediately backed her up. Being named Vice President is already a huge affirmation of your abilities from your aunt and uncle. You should be grateful.

I dismissed their self-important pontificating with a quiet, scornful smile. Who said I was here to attend the party?

My parents paused, then scoffed, clearly thinking Id gone completely mad.

Just then, a wave of luxury cars pulled up outside the hotel.

Lets go, Father grumbled, giving me one last angry glance. Ignore this disobedient child. We have guests to greet.

He, Mother, Piper, and Gavin marched toward the entrance to receive the city's elite.

The entire who's-who of the citys business community was there. But they all stood at the door, refusing to enter the hotel.

Father looked confused. What are you all waiting for? Please, come in!

But the crowd remained still.

Theyre waiting for my permission.

I slowly walked up to the entrance.