The Crown of Thorns

Chapter 1: A Second Chance

"Mrs. Morrison, should I call the doctor?"

In the luxurious bedroom, Emma Morrison gripped the bedpost, taking several deep breaths. As the dizziness subsided, she looked out at the overcast sky, trying to remember why she was here.

"No need, Melissa." She waved her hand dismissively. "Tell me, what's the date today?"

"February 8th, ma'am. You haven't been downstairs for three days now."

Emma closed her eyes as memories came flooding back. Three days ago, at breakfast, Frank had made the announcement—Victoria Brown was being appointed to the board as the new Marketing Director.

"Get me something to wear," she stood up. "And my medication?"

"Here, ma'am." Melissa presented a silver tray with several white pills. "The doctor said they would help you...relax."

Emma stared at the pills, a cold smile playing on her lips. When had she started taking these so-called "anti-anxiety medications"? Was it when Frank insisted she needed a private psychiatrist?

"Throw them away."

"Pardon?"

"I said throw them away!" Emma grabbed the pills and tossed them into the trash. "And bring Jack to me."

In the nursery, three-month-old Jack was sleeping peacefully. Holding him, Emma felt his warmth. No, she wouldn't let anyone harm her son. And she certainly wouldn't let that woman Victoria anywhere near him.

The sound of a car engine came from downstairs. Through the gap in the curtains, Emma saw Frank's car pull up. His tall figure stepped out, followed by a curvaceous woman—Victoria Brown.

"Mrs. Morrison, Mr. Morrison requests your presence for dinner," Taylor called softly from outside the door.

"Tell him I'll be right down."

Emma walked to her closet and selected her most expensive evening gown. The woman in the mirror had clear eyes, showing no signs of someone who "needed psychiatric help."

She finally understood everything. The pills, the private psychiatrist, Frank's "accidental" meeting with Victoria, and the board appointment—it was all an elaborate trap. They were trying to control her through medication, making it easier for that woman to infiltrate the Morrison family's inner circle.

"The game is just beginning, darling." She adjusted her makeup in the mirror. At dinner, she would show everyone just how dangerous a clear-minded woman could be.

Frank Morrison's footsteps echoed down the hallway. Before the security detail could announce him, he pushed open the study door, followed by a group of suited assistants.

"Ma'am!" Melissa tried to intervene but was blocked by Frank's entourage.

Emma was reviewing documents. Looking up at Frank's aggressive entrance, she felt a wave of disgust. Frank was tall and handsome, the epitome of Wall Street elite, one of the most sought-after CEOs. Everyone said she'd married up by joining the Morrison family. For years, she'd walked on eggshells, afraid of embarrassing this prestigious dynasty.

But what did it matter? It was her father's Justice Department connections that had secured that multi-billion-dollar government contract for Morrison Corp.

"You continue to disappoint me," Frank said coldly. "Victoria wanted to see the financial reports, and you wouldn't even let her in?"

Emma put down her pen. "Oh? I was under the impression financial data was for board members only. Since when does Victoria have that clearance?"

"She's about to become Marketing Director!"

"Is that so?" Emma stood up, meeting Frank's eyes. "Then perhaps we should call a board meeting to discuss how your new girlfriend jumped straight from a nightclub to executive management? I'm sure the board would be fascinated."

Frank's face changed. "Have you lost your mind?!"

"Have I?" Emma smirked. "Feel free to send the lawyers my way. We can have a nice chat about your little schemes with Victoria. I wonder if the SEC would be interested in insider trading?"

Frank was stunned by her confrontational attitude. Where was the docile Stanford socialite he'd married?

"Ma'am!" Melissa suddenly cried out. Frank had angrily swept the coffee table, spilling hot coffee all over Emma.

"You should be more careful, dear." Emma wiped the coffee from her face, her eyes sharp. "Don't forget how the Morrison family got its current status."

Frank's face darkened before he stormed out. His entourage scurried after him.

The study finally fell silent. Emma leaned back in her chair, her hands still trembling slightly, but a victorious smile played on her lips.

She'd done it! No more being the submissive trophy wife, no more swallowing her pride. If they wouldn't play by the rules, why should she maintain appearances?

"Are you alright, ma'am?" Melissa worriedly helped clean her clothes.

"I'm fine." Emma stood and walked toward the nursery. "Make an appointment with Dr. Prine, tell him I'm stopping those so-called 'tranquilizers.' And replace Jack's security detail with people you trust."

This time, she would protect her son and everything that belonged to her.

The door to the Chairman's office swung open as Victoria Brown sauntered in wearing Chanel, two assistants trailing behind her. This transition meeting, scheduled for 9 AM, had been deliberately delayed by her until 2 PM.

"Sorry, traffic was terrible," she smiled as if the three-hour delay meant nothing.

Emma sat behind the massive desk, not bothering to look up. "Your first lesson as incoming Marketing Director: learn to value other people's time."

Victoria's smile faltered. Company protocol required all new executives to complete an onboarding process with the CFO. And Emma, as both CFO and the CEO's wife, clearly had no intention of making this easy.

"I assumed Ms. Brown, with her alleged Wall Street experience, would understand basic professional courtesy." Emma sipped her coffee and glanced at Victoria's assistants. "Everyone out. Including your personal assistant."

Victoria clutched her handbag. "I think it's better to have witnesses—"

"This isn't a nightclub, Ms. Brown," Emma smirked. "If you can't handle a professional corporate environment, there's still time to withdraw."

Just then, Frank strode in. "Emma, don't push it."

"Push it?" Emma set down her coffee cup. "Tell me, darling, isn't it pushing it to violate corporate bylaws by parachuting someone with zero experience into executive management?"

Victoria ducked behind Frank, a glimmer of triumph in her eyes. "Mr. Morrison, I—"

"Stand up straight." Emma's voice cut through the air. "If you want to be an executive, stop hiding behind men. Let's try a simple test." She pulled out a financial report. "Tell me our net profit margin in the Asian market last quarter?"

Victoria went pale. Frank started to speak but Emma cut him off: "This is basic data for a Marketing Director. Or does the CEO need to answer for you?"

"You—!" Victoria finally snapped. "Who do you think you are? Nothing but—"

"Nothing but what?" Emma stood, looking down at her. "Nothing but a woman who married into money through her father's connections? At least I understand that the corporate world isn't won through selling yourself."

Frank's face turned dark. "That's enough!"

"You're right, it is enough." Emma picked up a document. "This is my report to the board, detailing how certain individuals received executive nominations without qualifications. It includes some interesting private meetings too."

Victoria's face changed dramatically. She never imagined this seemingly gentle socialite would be such a formidable opponent. Worse, her proud past had become a weapon in Emma's hands.

"Ms. Brown, I'm giving you three options," Emma said. "One, resign immediately. Two, start from an entry-level position. Three," she gave Frank a meaningful look, "wait for the board's vote."

Victoria bit her lip hard. How dare this privileged woman look down on her? If it weren't for that accident years ago, she would be the one standing behind that desk!

But for now, she could only force out through gritted teeth: "I choose option two."

"Good choice." Emma sat back down. "Report to Marketing tomorrow. Remember, you won't have the CEO's protection there."

Victoria slammed her way back to her temporary office, furiously throwing her Chanel bag onto the desk.

"That b***h!" she seethed. "Who is she to give me orders?"

Jenny, her most trusted assistant, carefully closed the door. "Ms. Brown, maybe we should change our strategy—"

"Shut up!" Victoria whirled around with a slap. "If you hadn't been running your mouth outside the Chairman's office, I wouldn't be in this mess!"

Thinking back to the scene made Victoria shake with rage. Born in the slums, she'd learned early that you take what you want. Sixteen years ago, a drunk old woman had revealed a shocking secret: she was actually the Mitchells' daughter, switched at birth.

And the real Victoria Brown now lived in luxury as Emma Mitchell, Wall Street's queen.

"You think I don't know?" Victoria sneered at her reflection. "Why do we look so alike? Only she grew up privileged, went to Stanford, married Morrison. While I? Danced in a Brooklyn underground club until Frank found me."

The old woman had been the Mitchells' former housekeeper. Her deathbed confession led Victoria to the truth: Mrs. Mitchell and Mrs. Brown had given birth at the same hospital, both babies placed in the nursery. The hospital was underfunded then, security practically nonexistent. No one knew who switched the infants, and by the time it was discovered, it was too late.