The Reborn CEO, Reclaiming Everything

In my past life, after Britney, the real heiress, returned home, my icy mother demanded I hand over the CEO position. I refused, but out of guilt, made her Vice President. She then systematically seized control of the company, even seducing my husband, leaving me destitute. As I lay dying, she gloated, "Ashley, I finally have everything that belongs to me! And you? You can die!" Everything that belonged to her? I laughed. She didn't know that without me, there would be no company, no glamorous Ethan.

...

Reborn, I stared at the familiar faces in the living room. It was the day my mother demanded I relinquish my role. Days earlier, Mom had paraded Britney in front of everyone, declaring her the true daughter. Britney, apparently, had discovered the truth after a household accident and tracked down Mom herself.

"Ashley, I raised you, but I owe Britney so much," Mom stated, her voice devoid of emotion. "Give her the CEO position."

Britney wrung her hands, eyes glistening. "Mom, but this is Ashley's hard work I can't"

Mom's face softened with a warmth I'd never seen. She grasped Britney's hand. "Don't worry, it's my company." Then, her eyes turned to ice as she glared at me. "Not hers."

This scene mirrored the past. I was once devastated by that look. I'd strived relentlessly for her approval, studying late into the night, even collapsing from a nosebleed once while chasing top grades. Mom had visited me in the hospital, but when I reached for her, she recoiled, her eyes filled with disdain. "Ashley, you're a disgrace. I regret giving birth to you."

Those words shattered me. I realized she saw me as a pawn. Now, watching them, a single tear from Britney had earned Mom's tenderness. I closed my eyes, a bitter smile playing on my lips.

"Ashley, you did live her life for 25 years. Just give it back," Ethan, my husband, mumbled, avoiding my gaze.

The room fell silent. Their looks accused me of being shameless.

I turned to the weeping Britney, then smiled brightly. "Fine. You want it? You got it. I'll give you everything."

Last time, my refusal had sparked outrage. I was labeled a usurper, enjoying Britney's rightful life. Employees, even friends, pitied Britney, forgetting that the company's success was my doing. My hard work was attributed to Mom's ownership, as if the company's prosperity was inevitable. I became the villain.

Britneys deathbed confession revealed their plan: secure the VP position, then slowly isolate me, manipulating me into surrendering control. They succeeded, and I died.

Now, I watched their reactions: Mom's suspicion, Ethan's confusion, and Britney's veiled triumph. Britney smiled, then quickly composed herself at Mom's wary look.

Mom's lips parted. She hadn't expected my compliance. She knew how much I'd poured into the company.

I stood, smiled at the crowd, and walked away.

"Wait!"

My heart leaped. Perhaps she cared after all.

But her next words froze me. "Britney's unfamiliar with the business. You'll stay and guide her." An order.

I turned, my smile gone. "Seven days. That's all you get."

I strode out, tears stinging my eyes. She truly didn't care. But I wiped my tears, a new resolve hardening my gaze. A crisis was looming. I wanted to see how Britney would handle it.

As I packed, Britney appeared. "Ashley, where are you going?"

I ignored her. She slapped my clothes to the floor. "You think you're better than me? I'm the future CEO!"

I studied her. On arrival, she'd sobbed about years of abuse from her adoptive parents. Now, I doubted it. An abused adult wouldn't stay put. And Britney's skin was flawless, hardly a mark on her. It was all a ploy for Mom's sympathy.

"Done with the act? You were quite convincing downstairs," I said, smiling. "Your skin is remarkably smooth. They really abused you?"

She froze, then erupted. "You don't know anything! They abused me! I never had anything I wanted! What's the point of living?!" She kicked my suitcase. "You said you'd give me everything! You're not taking anything! You can experience poverty now!" She lunged, tearing at my clothes. Footsteps echoed on the stairs.

"Bang!" Britney crumpled to the floor as someone entered. "Ashley! I was just helping you pack! Why did you hit me?!"

She sobbed, clutching her head. A perfect performance. Before I could speak, Mom slapped me. "Ashley!"

I met her furious gaze. What was the point of explaining?

"I asked you to give up the CEO position, and you assault her? I should've known you wouldn't agree!"

Each word cut like a knife. I wiped the blood from my lip. "Look around. Whose room is this? Who started it?"

My coldness startled her. She noticed the scattered clothes, the overturned suitcase, but remained silent.

I dragged out another suitcase and slammed it at her feet. Then, I shouted at Britney, "I said I'd give you everything!" I turned to Mom. "You too!"

I kicked the suitcase open. Cash erupted, raining down on us. Britneys eyes widened at the money. Mom scowled. "What's this?"

"I'm giving her everything. This should cover what you spent on me," I said, gesturing at the suitcase.

Britney spoke softly, "Ashley, you can't take Mom's money and pretend it's yours to give back." She sneered. "This is Mom's money, isn't it?"

I laughed. "Who said it was hers?"

Mom's face darkened at my refusal to call her "Mom."

I stepped towards Britney. "This is all mine."

She looked at Mom, who remained silent. Britney paled. They thought I'd be helpless, destitute. But Mom had inadvertently taught me survival. This money was the result.

Mom's relentless pressure had driven me to excel, earning praise from her friends. But when I missed a scholarship and failed my grad school exams at 20, shed coldly told me to leave.

The housekeeper threw me out on a winter night. Mom watched, her eyes glacial. "Come back when you succeed." The door slammed shut, leaving me to cry in the cold.

I spent a year crashing with a friend, studying and working multiple jobs. My friend's family ran a finance firm, offering me an internship. Thats where I learned to apply my knowledge, following markets and investing my meager savings. Now, I had millions.

Britney clenched her fists, her eyes burning with resentment.

I walked past her, out the door, taking nothing.

"Where are you going?!" Mom's cold voice echoed.

I didn't turn. "Home. And from now on, Harrison Enterprises, and you, have nothing to do with me."