Revenge of the Real Daughter

Introduction:

The heiress of the Garner family is about to graduate from Europe and return home to take on the role of CEO.

I’m ready—always prepared to be the CEO’s punching bag, her nurse, or her designated driver.

At the welcome dinner, I pour drinks and serve wines, but to the chairman I say, “Dad, today is Mom’s anniversary. I’m guessing you forgot.”

01
The restaurant was perfectly set up. I was quietly pouring red wine into the decanter when the private room door opened. Russell Garner walked in, taking the main seat. Right behind him came a tall, striking young woman.

“Sarah? My sister! Is that really you? It’s been years, hasn’t it?”

I gave her a polite smile but said nothing. Quietly, I told the waiter they could start serving the dishes, bowed slightly, and prepared to leave.

“Sarah, don’t go. Mom, Dad—rare chance for the whole family to be together. Let’s eat together, okay?”

Molly Garner, Joanna Garner’s mother, frowned sharply, shooting her daughter a glare. But Joanna just smiled sweetly, grabbing my hand, pulling me to sit.

“Sarah, I even brought you a gift this time back home! A Prada handbag! Aren’t you thrilled? You’re the top sales star at Garner Group now, you can’t be walking around with some shabby old bag.”

“I’m carrying a laptop case. Pretty sure a Prada can’t fit a computer.”

From the head seat, Russell Garner spoke, “Since we’ve run into each other, stay for dinner. And tell Joanna more about the company. She’s about to start as general manager soon.”

Joanna flashed a triumphant grin.

Suddenly, I lowered my head, my shoulders trembling with a sob. “Dad, did you forget? Today’s the anniversary of my mother’s death. I was planning to visit her grave later. I probably shouldn’t stay—you wouldn’t want the ghost of a dead woman hovering over your happy family dinner, would you?”

Russell’s expression twisted in disgust. He waved his hand sharply, “Fine, just leave already!”

I turned, poured myself a glass of wine, and murmured, “Mom loved drinking too, though she never had wine like this. Joanna, tonight I drink this for her.”

Joanna let out a shriek, ducking behind her mother.

Bowing slightly again, I smoothly grabbed the Prada handbag on the way out.

Molly’s shrill voice shot out from the room, “It’s been five years! Why is she still around? Now that Joanna’s back and about to take over, she’ll only cause trouble. It’s time to get rid of her.”

Then came my father’s cold laugh,.

“If she’s a good dog, we’ll use her well. Joanna, that Sarah of yours? She’s a damn good gun—you can fire her however you like.”

Outside, the cold wind hit my face, dust stinging my eyes.

Eight years ago today, my mom had a sudden heart attack.

In the ICU, barely conscious, she used the last of her strength to lift a trembling hand, drawing the letter “G” in the air. Watching from behind the glass, my heart shattered. That “G”—what a bitter, wasted life she had lived.

Back in my small apartment, I looked at her old photographs.

“Mom… in your last moment, were you still hoping to see Dad? I know you wanted to beg him to leave me something, didn’t you? Mom… after Dad left us for his ex-girlfriend, you still couldn’t let go. Did you know? That night eight years ago, it rained so hard, I knelt at the Garner house door, begging Dad to come see you, to say goodbye one last time. And you know what he said? He said Joanna was flying abroad soon, and he was busy packing her luggage. What a great dad, huh? God, that rain… it was so heavy…”

02
Joanna’s first act as newly minted CEO.

Splitting up the sales team I had built and dumping a pile of new tasks on me. She really wanted to work me and my team to death.

I worked insane overtime every day while she slipped easily into the socialite scene, dazzling in every circle. Whether this brought Garner Group any real benefit, I didn’t know—but she sure reclaimed her NYC princess crown.

One night, while I was still at the office, Joanna called.

“Sarah Mason, my dress got wine all over it. Go to my place and bring me a clean one, now!”

Right. I still went by my mother’s last name.

Joanna really couldn’t go a day without finding things for me to do. Morning coffee runs, lunch diet orders, and now nighttime errands.

“You could ask your maid I don’t even know your wardrobe.”

She paused, then switched her tone sweetly.

“Sarah, I’m at an investor event. I can’t have my maid show up! You’re sophisticated, polished—you represent Garner Group’s image!”

Molly Garner gave me a disgusted once-over as I picked out a dark green dress from Joanna’s closet—less likely to show stains.

At the banquet hall, I was instantly blinded by the sea of glittering dresses and jewel-studded faces. Dressed in a simple black suit, I stood out like a sore thumb, drawing stares as I hesitated at the door.

“Who’s that? Looks so plain.”
“Doesn’t look like an investor—maybe a driver or something, ha!”
“Oh, my sister brought over my dress!” Joanna’s voice rang out.

I turned. She was surrounded by a circle of polished men and women.

“Wow, your sister’s pretty young.”
“Not a housekeeper—looks like Sarah the maid, ha!”

My cheeks burned.

Joanna pouted, smirking. “Come help me change, Sarah.”

In the restroom, I helped her into the clean dress. As she swept back into the hall, I followed to excuse myself—but she stopped me, laughing.

“Sarah, help fix my hem.”

I crouched, fingers smoothing out the fabric. As more feet stepped into my field of vision, I started to rise—only to notice a few drops of wine on Joanna’s shoes.

“Sarah, look—aren’t these shoes gorgeous? Limited edition, Dad had them brought in from Paris. Probably cost more than your annual salary. Oh no, wine stains! Can you wipe them for me?”

I frowned. No tissues. My bag was in the car. Carefully, I used my sleeve.

Whispers floated around me.

“NYC princess, so commanding.”
“Such a real-deal heiress.”

Then I heard Joanna bend close, whispering in my ear.

“Sarah, you really are such a good dog. So useful.”

I let out a cold laugh, head still bowed. As I rose, tears stung my eyes. For a moment, I probably did look just like a pitiful, abandoned dog.

03
Driving back from a client meeting, I passed Lincoln High School and spotted the alley across the street — a place burned into my memory. My mother used to run a tiny diner there, kept it alive for over a decade, working dawn to midnight just to put me through school.

The truth? She never should’ve had to work that hard.

Back when Russell Garner divorced my mom, he wasted no time — remarried his old flame, Molly Garner, and within a year, she was pregnant.

But instead of enjoying her shiny new life, Molly spiraled into paranoia. She stormed into my mom’s workplace at the school, hurling accusations.

She claimed Madison Mason was jealous of the booming Garner family business, desperate to win Russell back, even plotting to harm Molly’s unborn child.

The rumors, the scandals — they cornered my mother until she had no choice but to resign, forcing her into that grueling diner life that eventually broke her health.

I didn’t realize I was crying until the dampness touched my collar.

Lincoln High School was celebrating its centennial anniversary, and coincidentally, the grand opening of the “Garner Library.”
All around, whispers followed Joanna Garner like a ripple.
“Look, that’s Joanna Garner, the Garner Group heiress — her family donated the new library.”
“With alumni like her, Lincoln High’School’s reputation is unstoppable!”
“Wait, didn’t the Garners have two daughters back then?”
“You must be mistaken. There’s only ever been Joanna Garner.”

From the stage, Joanna’s gaze flicked briefly over to me. I kept my face carefully blank.

There she was, wrapped in a designer suit, passionately reading the speech I had finished writing for her just last night, while I, in a plain black suit, stood at the very edge of the ribbon-cutting crowd.

Suddenly, a familiar figure shuffled closer — a man in his fifties, hair silvering, wrinkles carved deep.
“Mr. Lee!”
“Sarah Mason, is it really you! I can’t believe it — seeing my most brilliant student again at this event! Ha! I remember how you swept up every math competition back then. As your tutor, I was basking in that glow too! How’s your mother?”
I felt my throat tighten. “She passed away during my sophomore year.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry… She made the best salads! So, you’re back in NYC now? I recall you went to California for financial mathematics.”
“I did, but I came back after graduation. I’m now…”

Just then, Joanna’s voice rang out from the stage.
“The Garner Group proudly hires many Lincoln High School graduates. Look — even my assistant, Sarah Mason, was once a standout here. Surely you all remember her!”

A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd.

Mr. Lee’s face twisted into something between confusion and quiet heartbreak.
I gave him a small, polite bow, gently squeezing his aged hand.

“Don’t worry. I’m doing fine.”

04
Late on a weekend night, just as I was about to collapse into bed after finishing a client proposal, my phone rang.
“Sarah,” Joanna’s voice slurred on the line, “I’m at Star Bar with the girls. We drank too much. Come pick me up, will you?”

I almost shot back, Why can’t you call an Uber Black? But then I could already imagine her pouty response:
“Oh come on, Sarah! I’m dressed way too sexy tonight. What if the driver gets any ideas? You’re the only one I trust!”

I let out a cold laugh under my breath and reluctantly agreed.

The VIP lounge was dim and pulsing with music. Joanna, heavy makeup, red lipstick, wobbled over to me with a shriek.
“Everyone! Look! This is my sister! Haha, you’re surprised, right? She’s really my sister, though… yeah, she dresses kinda frumpy, and her hair’s a little plain…”

She twirled dramatically. “Remember back in high school? Who was the campus queen? It was my sister, Sarah! But now, Sarah Mason, what do you call me?”
“Ms. CEO,” I answered smoothly, bowing slightly.

“That’s right!” She patted my cheek mockingly.

“Just because I call you sister, don’t think you get a slice of the inheritance! Ha! My mom already made Dad sign everything over — the company, the properties, all mine! Did you really think being a hardworking, loyal little employee for years would earn you a piece of the pie? Hilarious, right, girls?”

The room erupted in soft, mocking laughter.
“Wait, she’s your sister? No way — she doesn’t shine like you, Joanna!”
“Yeah, Joanna’s been the star since forever.”
“With a dad like yours, no wonder there’s no room for anyone else named Garner.”

I kept my expression still, eyes sweeping the room — and caught sight of a girl who smiled tightly, her eyes pinched with something close to pain. She looked oddly familiar.

“Well then!” Joanna cackled.

“My dear sister, my loyal little dog, be a darling and drive me home tonight, will you?”

I steadied Joanna as we reached the grand doors of the Garner mansion.

A maid opened the door, cheerfully calling, “Ms. Garner!”

Molly Garner’s voice floated from inside. “Joanna’s back? And this late? She couldn’t even call ahead—”
She appeared, face twisting sharply when she saw me, caught between forced politeness and simmering dislike. Then she turned to the maid with a scowl.
“Watch your mouth! There’s only one Ms. Garner in this house.”

I smiled slightly to myself.
Molly Garner, you can hate me all you want. But underneath that… you sure do fear me, don’t you?

05
The night breeze was cool and soft as I walked into a quiet bar. A young woman approached with a bright smile.
“Sarah!”
“Lucy, it’s been so long!”

Under the dim light, Lucy Jones settled back into her seat, and only then could I match the elegantly made-up woman before me with the girl I remembered from high school.

Yes, she was one of Joanna Garner’s inner circle, the same group I’d seen just days ago.

“Lucy, I know you and Joanna are close. And honestly, knowing she and I don’t exactly get along, you didn’t have to meet me tonight.”
“No, Sarah, I wanted to see you.” She gave a sad smile.

“Someone as sharp as you probably already sees it: my relationship with Joanna is all about utility. I use her social circle to keep my father’s business connected in the NYC scene, and she—well, she needs me to prop up her princess image.”

“I remember you loved acting. I didn’t expect you to come back and take over the family business. Back in the drama club…”
Her smile dimmed.

“Those days were the happiest in high school. But because you were the club president, Joanna and her little rich-girl gang threatened me. Said if I didn’t quit, they’d ice me out.” Her eyes lowered.

“So that’s why…” I murmured. The once vibrant, talented girl had vanished from the club overnight with no explanation.
“I did go on to study acting in college,” she continued softly.

“But after graduating, with no connections and no backing, my family pressured me to come back home. So here I am.”

I reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “If I ever have capital, I’ll cast you in a project. I mean it.”
“Thank you, Sarah. Even if you’re just trying to comfort me, it means a lot.”
“There will be a chance. But right now… want to help me stage a little performance?” I slid a large shopping bag across the table.

“Huh? Is this… Roland couture? Wait, didn’t that Marvel movie star Kelly Spats just wear this at Milan Fashion Week? How’d you get it here so fast?”
“I bought it in Italy. If I remember right, your birthday’s in the fall?”
“Yeah, next month.”
“How about we throw you a princess-worthy birthday party? This dress—it’s my gift to you.”
“I’ll keep the tag on and return it later.”
“No.” I smiled. “If you keep the tag, Joanna and her crew will sniff you out and mock you to death. This is not just a gift—it’s an investment. From now on, you keep playing the role of Joanna Garner’s bestie. But not just any bestie: a newly rich one.”
She grinned. “Alright, Sarah, tell me the plan!”

As we parted ways, Lucy suddenly called out, “Sarah, I’ve been to your mom’s restaurant before. Her food was amazing!”
My heart clenched, tears stinging my eyes. “Thank you… come by someday, I’ll cook for you.”

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