The Crown of Thorns

Jenny held her cheek, "I'm sorry, I was only trying to help..." "Help?" Victoria scoffed. "Shouting in the hallway about Emma's mental instability and medication dependency—that's your idea of help? Now the whole company knows I'm playing dirty!" Just then, Frank walked in. "Don't be upset, darling." He wrapped his arms around Victoria. "Emma's just putting on a show." Victoria leaned into his embrace, calculation flickering in her eyes. "She doesn't deserve to be Mitchell's daughter. Did you know? I looked into it—she doesn't even have real control of the company. It's all through her father's connections." "That's why we need to take it slow." Frank kissed her forehead. "Once you're established, we'll—" "No!" Victoria pushed him away. "I can't wait anymore. That position should have been mine! If back then... if I hadn't been switched, I'd be the one sitting behind that desk!" Frank froze. "What are you talking about?" Victoria realized she'd said too much. She forced a smile, shaking her head. "Nothing, I'm just angry." After Frank left, Victoria walked to the window. In the distance stood the Morrison Tower logo. She stared at the executive suite on the top floor, her eyes cold. "You think you've won?" she whispered. "The game's just beginning. When I take that seat, you'll fall from your pedestal." "Mr. CEO, what brings you here?" Victoria quickly wiped her tears, forcing a smile. The atmosphere in the room grew awkward. Jenny scrambled up from the floor, but Victoria shot her a glare: "Get out." After Jenny left, Victoria collapsed into Frank's arms, sobbing. "It's all my fault. I couldn't stand how she talked to me... I'm an Ivy League graduate too, how could she say I got here by... by those means..." Frank held her protectively. "That assistant was out of line. Even if she's your hire, she needs to follow company protocol." Victoria nodded. "I know I was wrong. I just didn't want Emma to look down on us." Just then, Thompson, the family's long-time butler turned corporate manager, knocked and entered. "Ms. Brown, about your office renovation budget..." Before Victoria could speak, Frank frowned. "What about the renovation?" "Well," Thompson said respectfully, "according to company policy, non-board level executives are limited to one office renovation per year. This rule was set by Mrs. Morrison Sr., and even Mrs. Mitchell's office follows it." Frank slammed his hand on the desk. "Ridiculous! Victoria's about to be Marketing Director. How can you treat her like a regular executive?" "But—" "No buts," Frank cut him off. "I've approved it. Make it happen." Thompson gave Victoria an uneasy look. This new Marketing Director was too presumptuous, demanding a complete office overhaul on day one, insisting on board-exclusive Italian furniture. But he dared not cross Frank, so he simply nodded and left. As soon as he stepped out, Thompson headed straight for Emma's office. He'd watched Emma grow up, and knew the Morrison family rules were established by Mrs. Morrison Sr. to maintain order in this business empire. He couldn't sit by while an outsider trampled these rules. Hearing his report, Emma's lips curved in a cold smile. "So it's about renovation. Tell Procurement to stick to standard policy." "But the CEO already—" "Mrs. Morrison Sr. says company policies apply equally to everyone." Emma stood, straightening her suit. "Tell them I'm reporting this to the board. Let's see what carries more weight—board regulations or Frank's words." Thompson silently applauded. After decades at Morrison Corp, he knew the family dynamics well: though Emma appeared to be a powerless CFO, she was actually Mrs. Morrison Sr.'s most trusted ally. Now Victoria's disregard for protocol was challenging the entire family system. Sure enough, that afternoon Victoria received an official document clearly outlining executive office renovation standards. At the bottom it stated: "Strict compliance required. Violations will face board disciplinary action." Victoria hurled the document to the floor. Damn Emma, hiding behind her mother-in-law, opposing her at every turn! One day, she'd drag that woman down from her throne! That night, Frank had a strange dream. In the dream, he was having dinner with Victoria in an upscale restaurant, candlelight dancing across her alluring figure. Just as he was about to sign her appointment letter, someone who looked exactly like him appeared beside the table. "Don't sign!" the man warned. "Sign that appointment and the company's finished." Frank waved irritably. "Get lost! This is my company. I'll appoint whoever I want." "Have you forgotten what Father said on his deathbed?" the man sneered. "The Morrison family rules cannot be broken, or this empire will crumble. Look at what you're doing now—ready to destroy Father's legacy for a woman?" Frank jolted awake on his office couch, forehead covered in cold sweat. His assistant knocked on the door: "Mr. CEO, the emergency board meeting is about to start." Meanwhile, at the top floor of Morrison Tower. Emma stood outside Mrs. Morrison Sr.'s reception room, listening to the voices inside. "Ma'am," Thompson was reporting, "Ms. Brown forced her way into Asset Management yesterday, demanding budget limit changes. This completely violates the rules you established." Emma knelt on the thick wool carpet: "It's my fault. You entrusted me with the group's finances, but I failed to maintain proper protocol." Mrs. Morrison Sr. set down her teacup. This daughter-in-law was clever, knowing when to show deference. Since marrying into the Morrison family, she'd never put on airs around her mother-in-law, always respectfully addressing her as "Mom." Now she was skillfully using this incident to bring Victoria to her attention. "Summon Ms. Brown!" Mrs. Morrison Sr. commanded. Ten minutes later, Victoria was "escorted" in by two security guards. Her perfect makeup was hastily done, her hair slightly disheveled. Seeing Emma kneeling, her heart skipped a beat. "Kneel," Thompson said coldly. Victoria gritted her teeth. "Why should I? I'm—" Before she could finish, the security guards pressed down on her shoulders. Victoria landed hard on the carpet, wincing in pain. Her assistant Jenny tried to step forward but was blocked. "Ms. Brown," Mrs. Morrison Sr.'s voice was ice-cold, "I hear you think Morrison Group's rules don't apply to you?" Victoria went pale. She hadn't expected Emma to play this card. At the office, she could rely on Frank's support. But here, in Morrison family territory, even Frank had to bow his head. "I... I didn't mean—" "Enough." Mrs. Morrison Sr. stood. "Emma, take her to Finance. Show her exactly how the Morrison family rules work." Emma rose gracefully. "Yes, Mom. Ms. Brown, shall we?" Victoria was helped to her feet, glaring daggers at Emma's back with venomous eyes. One day, she would make this woman understand what true hell felt like! "Ms. Brown, are you saying these violations of company financial protocol were authorized by Frank?" Mrs. Morrison Sr.'s voice was glacial. Victoria knelt on the carpet, her carefully styled hair now in disarray. She hadn't expected Emma to take this to Mrs. Morrison Sr. Thompson stood by, righteously accusing: "Ms. Brown brought people to force their way into Finance, demanding budget changes, claiming it was the CEO's order. But this violates our most basic management principles." "I... I didn't know these were your rules," Victoria scrambled to explain. "I just thought the department budget was too low..." "Such a sharp tongue!" Mrs. Morrison Sr. slammed down her teacup. "The Morrison family rules exist precisely to prevent such reckless behavior. An executive who can't control themselves and abuses power—what right do they have to join the board?" Victoria trembled. She shot a hateful glance at Emma, only to see her kneeling elegantly, the picture of submission: "Mom, it's my fault. You entrusted me with group finances, but I haven't maintained the protocols well. Victoria is new here, unfamiliar with the rules. I should have guided her better." Hearing this, Victoria nearly ground her teeth to powder. This woman, appearing to speak up for her, was actually highlighting her ignorance and arrogance. "In that case," Mrs. Morrison Sr. looked at Emma, "you handle it." Emma smiled faintly. "In my opinion, Ms. Brown clearly lacks executive qualities. Rather than letting her parachute in as Marketing Director, she should start from the bottom. I suggest we rescind her appointment and make her a regular marketing manager." Victoria's face drained of color. Going from Director to regular manager was like falling from heaven to hell! She started to protest but heard Mrs. Morrison Sr. say coldly: "So be it." Leaving the reception room, Victoria could barely stand. Emma walked up beside her and said softly: "Welcome to Morrison Group, Ms. Brown. Remember, here, rules are rules." Victoria burned with hatred but could do nothing. This woman had effortlessly knocked her back to square one. Worst of all, even Frank couldn't save her—this was Mrs. Morrison Sr.'s decision.