ManyWriters

After dedicating years to helping the company prepare for its initial public offering, my girlfriend was finally ready to reveal our relationship publicly. She was on the verge of making the announcement.
However, before she could do so, her arrogant assistant, who had always disliked me, preempted her. He confidently strode onto the stage, placed his arm around her waist, and flashed a victorious grin.
"I thought we agreed to wait a few more years? Couldn't resist any longer, could you?" he taunted, his voice laced with sarcasm.
My girlfriend didn't bother to explain. Instead, she handed him a document—the share transfer agreement—and declared to the audience that he was now the company's newest stakeholder.
The room exploded with astonishment, whispers and murmurs spreading rapidly.
The assistant, clearly reveling in the attention, directed his smugness towards me, throwing subtle insults my way.
And my girlfriend? She made no effort to stop him. In fact, her voice was ice-cold as she added, "You've contributed greatly to the company, but his skills are what we need for a more prosperous future."
I remained stoic, offering no argument. Instead, I smiled, nodded, and graciously handed over my remaining shares to the assistant as well.
"Let's see," I mused internally, "how they'll manage this company without its primary investor."
With that thought, I made my exit.

The IPO Betrayal, Love, Shares, and Corporate Backstabbing

I initially intended to end things with Emily face-to-face, but upon reflection, I realized there was no reason to delay.


As soon as I uttered those words, the room exploded with a mixture of shocked inhales and hushed conversations.


"What's he talking about? Is he implying that he and Emily were an item?"


"Hold on, isn't Emily involved with Ryan?"


"...Can someone explain what's happening?"


You see, Emily was adamant about keeping our relationship under wraps, but at work, everyone believed she and Ryan were together.


Despite Emily and I occasionally appearing close, people always attributed it to me trying to gain her favor. Not a single person—absolutely no one—ever suspected that I was actually her betrothed.


And why was that the case? Well, Emily understood the reason better than anyone else.


Chapter 6