Disowned at the Gala The Heiress Who Took Her Empire Back

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.