Crown Stolen, Crown Reclaimed

Violet came striding over in sky-high heels and stopped right in front of me, her chin lifted as she looked down on me with open arrogance.

"I personally approved that office for Jim. You got a problem with that?"

I narrowed my eyes, studying her face. She looked familiar, like someone I should recognize, but the name wouldn't come to me.

"So you're Violet?" I said. "If you're going to pretend to be an heiress, at least put some effort into it. Mr. Neel's daughter doesn't even have the last name Neel."

A flicker of unease crossed her eyes, but it was gone almost as fast as it appeared.

Jim rushed forward, eager to back her up. "If the Neel heiress isn't named Neel, what, is she supposed to be a Franklin like you? What a joke!"

I nodded.

"Yes, actually. I'm Mr. Neel's daughter, Riley."

The room went quiet for half a second. Then laughter exploded all around me.

"Neel Corporation is worth billions. You really think the boss's daughter would have someone else's last name?"

"I've seen Ms. Neel riding in Mr. Neel's private car. His personal driver even took her shopping more than once."

"Mr. Neel keeps his family life private, sure, but pretending to be his daughter? That's just shameless."

The whispers poured in from every direction, but I didn't react.

My eyes stayed locked on Violet.

She jerked her head up in surprise at first, then something shifted behind her gaze. By the time she spoke again, the arrogance was back, stronger than ever.

"There's no way you're the real heiress."

She turned to the others.

"Given Ms. Franklin's delusional behavior, she's clearly unfit for her current role. Effective immediately, she's being reassigned to an entry-level position. Her desk will be in the main lobby."

Jim shot me a smug look. "You heard her. Get lost!"

It was almost funny. When you're pushed past a certain point, all you can do is laugh.

A mid-level HR manager trying to demote me? Give me a break.

"In my onboarding file, there's a full medical clearance," I said evenly. "And this position was personally assigned by Mr. Neel. What you're doing breaks company policy."

"Policy?" Jim scoffed. "Violet runs HR! Her rules are the company's rules."

Violet shot me a warning look, lips curling into a cold smile.

"Just because Piers pulled some strings to get you in doesn't mean anyone can walk into Neel Corporation. Demoting you is already me being generous. Keep pushing, and I'll have you thrown out of the company entirely."

Wow. That was some nerve.

In all my years, she was the first person who had ever dared to threaten me like that.

But now, I understood why she wasn't afraid of me.

My father had been overseas nonstop lately, expanding the business. He had handed everything related to my return over to the executive assistant, Piers Ward.

I told Piers to keep things low-key so I could get a feel for the company without people treating me differently. He must've taken that seriously and told no one who I really was.

And since I used my mother's last name, something almost no one knew, Violet never even considered that I might actually be the real heiress. To her, I was just some nobody who got in through connections.

I smiled faintly.

"You want to fire me? Go ahead. But according to company rules, any personnel changes at the manager level or above require the chairman's signature. Aren't you the heiress? Call your dad."

Something sharp flashed in Violet's eyes.

"We follow procedure," she said coolly. "Even I have to submit through the company system."

"Is that so?" I tilted my head, still smiling. "If you won't call, I will."

I pulled out my phone and started dialing, calm as ever. As the line began to ring, the mood around us shifted.

"Wait… How does she have Mr. Neel's number?"

"What if she really is the heiress?"

"She's not backing down at all. She kind of feels like Mr. Neel, doesn't she?"

"If she's real, then who the hell is Violet?"