Chapter 1The day Mom took my baby sister to the church for her baptism, they got in a bad accident.
My dad—who's loaded, by the way—pulled every single doctor off their case because his mistress said she felt nauseous.
That night? They just let my mom and baby sister die.
And me? Got thrown out like trash.
Spent the next twenty years surviving off Mom's best friend and working my ass off.
Now I'm running a multibillion-dollar company.
Annual review day. My assistant handed me five names.
"Ms. Reid, there's this one—Sloane Calloway—she's been doing really well."
I opened Sloane's file. Stopped cold when I hit the family section.
Those two names. I'd know them if I were dead.
Long pause. Then I told my assistant to bring all five interns in.
Handed out offers one by one.
Got to the last person. Looked up, met her confident eyes.
Slid a termination letter across the table.
"Sloane. You're out."
...
The room went dead quiet.
The other four stood there clutching their offers, totally lost, sneaking glances at Sloane.
My assistant shocked too. Practically begging me with her eyes.
"Ms. Reid..."
Didn't even look at her. Just kept staring at the girl in front of me.
She looked exactly like her mother.
Same face. Same sharpness. Same born-with-it attitude.
Out of everyone there, Sloane was the only one who didn't panic.
She just blinked once, then went stone-faced and pulled out her portfolio, spreading everything on the table.
"Ms. Reid, I've been here three months. Handled four projects, two on my own, and every single client came back."
Her voice was steady, controlled.
"Got top marks both quarters. My numbers are the highest of all the interns."
"I ranked first across the board. If you're rejecting me, I deserve to know why."
Her chin lifted slightly as she said it.
No hurt in her expression—just that cold, pissed-off look.
You don't just wake up with that kind of confidence.
You get it from being Daddy's favorite your whole damn life.
From never once hearing the word "no."
I leaned back and watched her.
"No reason."
Sloane's face went stiff.
"This is my company. I want you gone. That simple."
For the first time, something cracked in her expression.
She recovered fast though—let out this cold little laugh.
"Ms. Reid, this is workplace harassment."
She snapped her folder shut, voice icing over.
"If word gets out, I'm sure it won't do your company's reputation any favors."
I smiled.
"I'm not harassing you."
Didn't blink.
"If you think this is harassment, maybe that says more about you than me."
"Confident people don't think they're being targeted. Guilty ones do."
That did it.
Her face went white.
She was finally pissed.
My assistant leaned in, whispered urgently.
"Ms. Reid, maybe reconsider? Sloane really has been excellent. And the board looked into her background—her father runs Calloway Holdings, Todd—"
"Todd Calloway."
I cut her off. Turned back to Sloane.
"That's your dad, right?"
Sloane blinked. Then lifted her chin again.
"So you have heard of him."
"Then you know that if I stay, there's real potential for collaboration between your company and Calloway Holdings."
She said it like it was a done deal.
Sure, Calloway Holdings wasn't what it used to be, but it still had pull.
"No thanks."
Sloane froze.
"I don't need anything from Calloway Holdings."
Pushed the termination letter toward her.
"You can go now."
Sloane completely lost it.
Her face flushed red—not embarrassment, pure rage.
She'd probably never been publicly rejected in her life.
"Fine!"
She glared at me and grabbed the letter off the table.
"Ms. Reid, I'll remember this. Hope you don't regret it!"
After she left, I sent the other four out.
My assistant still didn't get it, kept trying.
"Ms. Reid, why would you do that? Calloway Holdings may not be what it was, but they still have serious pull. Publicly firing Todd Calloway's daughter—that's not smart!"
"You done?"
My voice was ice. She shut up immediately.
"Then make copies of everything Sloane worked on. Bring them to my office."
Chapter 2
That afternoon, my assistant barely dropped off the files when my office door slammed open.
A woman in Louboutins strutted in like she owned the place.
Custom Armani suit.
A Bulgari necklace around her neck that could buy a penthouse in Tribeca.
Vanessa Hunt.
Twenty years. And she was doing just fine.
"You're running this place?"
She dropped into the chair across from me, tossed her Birkin on my desk like it was nothing.
"Who the hell do you think you are, firing MY daughter?"
Didn't answer. Just picked up my cup, poured myself some tea. Nice and slow.
"Mrs. Hunt, you're as loud as ever. Years have been good to you, huh?"
Vanessa blinked.
Stared at my face for a few seconds, trying to place me.
Nothing.
She didn't remember me at all.
Twenty years ago, I was just some six-year-old she had thrown out without a second thought.
Now I'm running a billion-dollar empire.
Of course she wouldn't recognize me.
But she assumed I knew her because of her marriage into the famous Calloway family.
"Since you know who I am, we can skip the small talk."
Vanessa's voice was smooth, dripping with that entitled tone you get from decades of luxury.
"Sloane's my daughter. Her even working here was doing you a favor."
"But honestly? She's too good to be just another employee. Give her a management position."
I smiled.
"Does she deserve one?"
Vanessa's face changed.
"What did you just say?!"
Set down my teacup. Looked her dead in the eye.
"I said—she doesn't deserve."
Vanessa shot to her feet, face going pale with rage.
"Listen, don't push your luck. Do you have ANY idea how many deals Calloway Holdings closes in a year?"
"One word from my husband and your company could be set for life!"
Watched her ugly little performance and couldn't help but wonder—
Was this the same face she wore when she told my mother to step aside?
"Sorry. Not interested in anything Calloway Holdings has."
I pressed the intercom.
"Send two security guys up."
Within seconds, two guards came in and grabbed her arms.
Her eyes went wide—probably the first time in years anyone dared touch her.
Then the door burst open again.
A tall, skinny guy in Supreme gear stormed in. Early twenties. Pointed right at me.
"Who the hell do you think you are, putting your hands on my mom?"
"My dad could shut this fucking place down tomorrow!"
Studied his face—young, cocky, with his mom's exact features.
And suddenly I saw something else.
Twenty years ago. That rainy night. Lost two people I loved.
My mom, who adored me. And my baby sister, barely a month old.
If she'd lived, she'd be about his age.
"This your son?"
My voice cracked slightly.
"Of course. That's Reese. Mine and Todd's."
Stared at both of them. Then smiled.
"Good to know."
I stood up. Looked Reese dead in the eye.
"Go tell your dad I'm waiting to see what he's gonna do."
Security dragged them both out.
Sat back down. Picked up my cold tea. Drained it in one go.
This was just the beginning.
Chapter 3
After throwing them out, gave my assistant another task.
"Pull everything on Reese Calloway. The more detailed, the better."
File came back fast.
Reese Calloway. Twenty-one. College senior. Interning at Channel 7.
A TV station. How convenient.
Stared at the file for a long time before making the call.
It was answered almost immediately.
"Harper? Why are you calling now? Thought you said you were swamped today."
Hearing Nate's voice made me pause.
He was my boyfriend. Also one of the top producers at Channel 7.
I didn't want to drag him into this.
But he was the only one who could help.
"There's an intern at your station. Reese Calloway. You know him?"
He answered right away.
"Yeah. Heard he's some Calloway Holdings heir. How do you know him?"
Hesitated. Then finally said it.
"I don't want him there. Can you get rid of him?"
Nate went quiet for a second.
He knew me well enough to know I didn't ask things like this lightly.
"Harper... what's going on?"
"Nothing."
Didn't want him knowing about my past. Just said it plainly.
"I don't like the Calloways."
Nate didn't push. Just said simply:
"Okay. I'll handle it."
I let out a breath. Felt this wave of gratitude.
"Thanks, babe."
After work, drove to Channel 7.
Second I got out of the car, saw Reese being held back by two security guys, cursing his head off.
"Why the hell are you firing me? Just because I yelled at somebody? My dad is Todd Calloway. You screw with me, you're screwing with Calloway Holdings!"
A woman stood nearby looking exhausted, trying to calm him down.
"Mr. Calloway, please. You hit a coworker. We're just following protocol..."
"Protocol? I'm the damn protocol! If you don't fire that asshole, this isn't over!"
That's when Nate walked out.
Spotted me immediately. Came straight over, held his hand into mine.
"Been waiting long?"
"No. Just got here."
Smiled at him—and Reese saw the whole thing.
Especially how we stood together. His face twisted as he figured it out.
"Harper Reid! I knew it! You got my sister fired, now you're coming after me too!"
He shoved past the guards, lunged at me.
Nate's face darkened. Immediately stepped in front of me like a shield, shouted to security.
"Get him out of here. Now!"
Two guards dragged Reese back as he screamed.
"You're gonna regret this, Harper Reid! My dad's not letting this slide! You're fucking done!"
His voice faded as they hauled him off.
Nate turned to me, concern all over his face.
"Todd Calloway's a big name in this city. What happened? Why are you going after them?"
Shook my head. Didn't want to explain.
That night, got a call from a number I didn't recognize—but a voice I'd never forget.
Todd Calloway.
Twenty years.
And hearing his voice again still made my chest tighten like someone reached inside and squeezed.
