Chapter 3

Miles and I were college sweethearts. We fell in love at first sight during Freshman Orientation Week.

Even back then, Miles stood out from the crowd.

While others were busy gaming and partying, he used his sharp business instincts to run small ventures across campus.

By graduation, while our peers were anxiously handing out resumes, he had already founded his own tech startup.

I admired his ambition and supported him unconditionally.

Until one day, he complained to me that building a business was too brutal, that he was running into dead ends everywhere.

Without hesitation, I quit my promising corporate job and went to his side.

I didn't care about money, and I didn't care about fame. I only wanted him to achieve his dream.

Now, he was indeed a celebrated young CEO, while I had lost everything I once held dear.

The next morning, I arrived at the office on time.

As usual, I walked into the breakroom to pour some coffee.

At the doorway, I overheard a group of colleagues gossiping excitedly.

"Did you hear? Mr. Miller said yesterday he's granting Chloe ten percent of the company shares. Is that for real?"

"Mr. Miller always follows through. When has he ever gone back on his word?"

"Chloe is his handpicked executive assistant. Of course he's treated differently."

"I just feel bad for Isaac. After all these years at the company, he got nothing."

...

Hearing their words sent sharp spasms of pain through my chest. My knuckles turned white around the mug.

Noticing me enter, the group scattered like startled birds, not daring to say another word.

In a daze, I went to pour the coffee. My hand trembled, and boiling water splashed across my skin.

With a sharp crash, the mug slipped from my fingers, shattering against the floor.

I couldn't believe it was true.

I had to hear it from Miles myself. I turned on my heel and stormed toward his office.

Pushing the door open, I found Chloe gently massaging Miles's temples.

Chloe cooed softly, "Mr. Miller, is the pressure okay?"

Miles looked thoroughly relaxed, a softened, pleased smile playing on his face.

When I barged in, Miles's expression instantly hardened.

"Haven't you read the employee handbook? Entering the CEO's office without permission is a violation. Go to HR and pay the fine."

A bitter laugh rose in my chest. To help him manage the company, I had drafted that very handbook myself. Now, he was using it against me.

Unable to suppress the fury inside me any longer, I raised my voice.

"Miles, on what grounds are you giving Chloe ten percent of the company's shares? What has he ever contributed to this company?"

Miles looked up at me, his gaze dripping with disdain, as if looking at an unruly pet.

He smirked coldly. "Isaac, who told you that?"

I slammed my hands onto his desk, my eyes bloodshot. "It doesn't matter who told me! Just tell me if it's true!"

"And what if it is? It's my company. I can give shares to whoever I want. Who are you to question my decisions? Isaac, know your place. In this company, my word is final."

His tone was suffocatingly condescending.

I stood frozen, completely at a loss for words.

When I helped him launch this business, I never asked for a single share.

I had always believed that loving someone meant giving everything without reservation, so I never brought up money.

Now, with the company gearing up for an IPO, even a fraction of equity meant millions of dollars.

He could casually hand Chloe a ten percent stake, yet I didn't even own a single percent.

Standing beside him, Chloe looked up at Miles with a wounded expression. "Mr. Miller, maybe you should take it back. Isaac is upset. I haven't earned it, I really shouldn't take it."

Miles patted Chloe's hand reassuringly. "Who says you haven't earned it? Just having you around makes me feel years younger. That's your contribution. Unlike him—a petty man who only cares about getting his hands on my assets. Let me make this clear: I built this company, and it has nothing to do with you. You're getting old, yet instead of focusing on your work, all you do is throw jealous tantrums."

Miles looked at me with open disgust, as if I were a piece of filth.

"Get out."

My ears rang with a deafening buzz. My mind went completely blank, the world around me fading into silence.

In his eyes, this company—the one I had bled and sweat for—had nothing to do with me.

I walked out of his office in a daze, every organ in my chest aching as though crushed under a truck.

Returning to my desk, I could feel the pitying stares from the people around me.

Just then, Rachel's call came in.

"Isaac, how are things going on your end? I happen to have an open management spot waiting for you."

I took a deep breath, gathered my composure, and spoke calmly. "I'll report in three days."