Chapter 1

I used my own network to land a multi-million-dollar contract for my girlfriend, Sienna, helping her secure the Director promotion.

Tonight, at the celebration gala, we were finally going to announce our relationship to the company.

My fingers were trembling in my pocket, clutching a custom diamond ring, ready to drop to one knee. But the young intern I had personally trained beat me to it.

Jayden stepped forward, clutching a huge bouquet of scarlet roses, and shoved them straight into Sienna’s hands. "A man should always make the first move when it comes to love."

I froze. I waited for Sienna to shut him down.

Instead, she beamed. She accepted the bouquet, publicly shared her massive bonus with him, and announced on the spot that Jayden was our new Account Manager.

I stepped forward, desperate for an explanation. But Sienna snatched her hand away, looking at me with pure disgust. "He’s young with a bright future ahead of him. You’re pushing thirty, Logan. Your time is running out anyway. You should be happy to hand the title to him."

I let out a soft, bitter laugh and handed the client files right over to Jayden.

I couldn't wait to see how long she’d last in that Director chair once I stopped feeding her clients.

Every pair of eyes in the banquet hall turned on me. Cold, mocking, and full of disdain.

The vicious whispers crept straight into my ears.

"Who does Logan think he is, grabbing Director Miller’s hand like that? Does he seriously think he stands a chance?"

"Right? He’s been here for years and barely brings in any major accounts. Now that Sienna got promoted, he’s clinging to her coat-tails like a desperate loser."

"He should look in the mirror. He’s nothing compared to Jayden."

Their contempt washed over me like ice water.

Sienna stood there holding the roses, smiling sweetly at Jayden. She completely ignored the humiliation I was drowning in.

Jayden walked over to me with a smug smirk, reaching out to straighten my tie. "Thanks for showing me the ropes, man. Honestly, by age and tenure, this manager position should’ve been yours. But Director Miller and the team believe in fresh talent. Don't worry, bro. I’ll look out for you from now on."

I sidestepped, letting his hand drop awkwardly in midair.

Jayden’s face instantly twisted into an expression of wounded innocence. He glanced at Sienna, then at our watching coworkers, letting out a heavy sigh.

"Logan, I know it hurts. If hating me makes you feel better, you can hate me all you want."

That set Sienna off immediately.

She looked me up and down with sheer irritation. "Jayden just brought in the biggest client this firm has ever seen! You only got your commission check because of him. Instead of saying thank you, you’re pulling this petty seniority crap."

"The company needs fresh blood and real ambition. Obsolete relics like you are getting phased out sooner or later."

I smiled bitterly.

To put Sienna in that Director seat, I had burned through every connection I owned. I had swallowed my pride and begged my childhood rival just to throw contracts her way.

I only wanted to make her dream of becoming a top corporate executive come true.

I wanted to propose the moment she reached the top, shouting to the world that my girl was the most brilliant woman alive.

Now, it was all a sick joke.

For an intern who had barely been out of college for a year, she had crushed my dignity again and again, dragging my reputation in the office down into the mud.

Jayden gave me a dramatic, mock-respectful bow. "Logan, if I ever have to criticize your work in the future, I apologize in advance."

Sienna grabbed his arm, pulling him up. "This company rewards results. Did he apologize when he made you cry over spreadsheets back then? Absolutely not."

The moment those words left her mouth, the team I used to lead chimed in like a pack of wolves.

"Seriously. I’ve hated his smug face for months. Who does he think he is?"

"When I first joined, I thought he was some hotshot. Turns out he can’t even outwork a first-year hire. What a joke."

"He's just riding the coattails of his tenure. Sienna’s generous enough for not firing his ass."

"Director Miller and Manager Jayden are the ultimate power couple!"

I looked around the room. These people used to kiss the ground I walked on, begging for advice every single day. The second Jayden took the spotlight, they ripped off their masks.

What none of them knew was that I was the one Sienna went home to.