Thorned Ambitions

In a world of power struggles, retribution unfolds as Victoria Harper navigates her second chance at life. Betrayed and scorned, she rises from the ashes, determined to rewrite her fate while entangling herself in the web of family secrets and ambition.

Prologue
Victoria Harper, the eldest daughter of the wealthiest family in the south, married Lord Thornton as his second wife when he was already in his thirties.
Her stepdaughter, Lily Thompson, known as Calm as a Daisy, was the apple of Thornton Manor's eye.
When the illegitimate daughter, Fiona Delaney, framed and sabotaged her, Lily remained silent and didn't defend herself.
The Marquis, filled with hatred and anger, slapped Victoria across the face.
Rumors spread that Lily was involved with an actor, but she stubbornly refused to explain.
The Marquis, his eyes red with fury, had Victoria beaten with thirty lashes.
'For her incompetence in managing the household and lack of kindness, she deserves this punishment.'
While Victoria was still severely injured, her stepdaughter married in grand style, taking with her Victoria's million-dollar dowry.
When the bejeweled Lily returned home and saw the downtrodden Victoria, she covered her nose and mouth with a handkerchief:
'This is your karma for your wicked ways! In your next life, you should learn from me to be calm as a daisy, neither fighting nor grasping.'
Victoria coughed up blood and died from sheer anger.
In her second chance at life, just as the Marquis's hand was about to strike her face,
Victoria reached out and pulled her stepdaughter in front to shield herself.
'Heavens above! To think that noble ladies of a marquis's household would fight like this over a golden hairpin! It's just an ornament, why go to such lengths?'