Chapter 1

The day our company’s stock soared, my wife called me a useless freeloader in front of the entire staff and demanded that I give her first love my position as general manager.

Watching the contempt on her face, I finally gave up on her. With a bitter smile, I said, “I’ve held this position for seven years. I suppose it’s time I took a break.”

Everyone thought I was just sulking over Claire Bennett. They urged me to reconsider. I had to be out of my mind to give up being the husband of Horizon Group’s CEO!

What they didn’t know was that Horizon Group owed everything it had to me.

I controlled all its core technology.

Without me, the company was an empty shell, a house of cards.

Just one hour after we signed the divorce papers, Horizon Group’s stock crashed, leaving Claire on the brink of drowning in debt.

“Let’s hear it for the man behind Horizon Group’s success—Lucas Reed!”

“Without him, Horizon wouldn’t be where it is today. Come on, raise your glasses!”

I froze at the entrance to the celebration, watching Claire cling to her first love’s arm, her face glowing with happiness.

They wore matching outfits and looked like the perfect couple. Everyone seemed to envy them.

Employees rose to offer their congratulations and toasts. “Absolutely. Business has skyrocketed since Mr. Reed joined us.”

“Our stock price is higher than it’s been in over a decade.”

“Here’s hoping Mr. Reed takes us to even greater heights.”

Laughter filled the banquet hall. All I could think was what a joke my life had become. The ring box in my hand suddenly felt ridiculous.

The company had posted its best results in ten years today. Claire had told me she wanted to use the celebration to announce our seven-year secret marriage to the entire staff.

I’d been thrilled. I started getting ready first thing that morning.

A haircut, styling, choosing the right suit.

But when I arrived at the venue, full of excitement, Claire said she’d left the rings on the couch at home.

She had bought them especially for us. They were our first matching wedding bands, and they meant a great deal to both of us.

With the banquet about to start, I told her to stay and host while I went back for them.

I never expected to return to the sight of her playing the loving couple with another man.

The rings had been an excuse to get rid of me. She wanted her first love to take my place.

After their toast, Lucas looked up and spotted me by the door. He smiled. “Ethan! You’re late on such an important night. Three penalty drinks for you.”

He spoke like he was the man in charge of Horizon Group and I was merely his guest.

Without the slightest hesitation, he poured a glass and held it out to me.

Yet he’d only joined the company a month ago. He hadn’t even finished his probationary period.

He only dared speak to me, the general manager, like that because he had Claire, the CEO, backing him.

When I didn’t take the glass, Lucas looked embarrassed. He glanced back at Claire with a wounded expression.

She immediately stepped forward and kicked my knee. “What are you standing there for? He’s doing you a favor by offering a toast. Take it.”

“You’re the one who’s late. You deserve the penalty!”

“Have you been general manager so long that you’ve forgotten your place? If you don’t want the job, get out and let Lucas have it.”

I smiled bitterly. Just an hour earlier, I’d been imagining how wonderful it would be to stop hiding our relationship and finally hold Claire’s hand at work.

Reality had slapped me hard.

Her kick hadn’t even been that forceful, but I trembled with pain, my eyes burning.

When Claire and I got together ten years ago, she’d said she didn’t want to spend her life working for someone else for a fixed salary.

So I quit my job, poured in all my savings, and started a company so she could be her own boss.

While we were building it, I chased clients and projects, drinking at business dinners until my stomach bled. I lived that way for five years before the company finally found its footing.

In just seven years, I took it public.

Claire did nothing during that time. She spent her days drinking tea and reading the news in her office while I reviewed contracts behind the scenes and planned every move for her.

She used to at least say, “Thank you, honey. You work so hard.”

Then her first love showed up, reviewed a few contracts, and offered a few inconsequential suggestions. Suddenly, she thought Lucas could replace me.

What a joke.

With those two equally clueless idiots at the helm, the company would collapse within months.

My chest aching, I looked at Claire. “You’ve wanted to replace me since the moment Lucas joined, haven’t you?”

She said nothing, but I already had my answer.

Three years of dating. Seven years of marriage. From twenty-three to thirty-three. Ten whole years together meant nothing compared to her first love.

Swallowing the pain, I gave her a bitter smile. “I’ve held this position for seven years. I suppose it’s time I took a break.”

A barely noticeable smile curled at the corner of Lucas’s mouth, but I caught it.

He scratched his head, pretending to be embarrassed. “Ethan, I honestly don’t care about the title. I just want to contribute to the company and help everyone make money.”

“Claire was only joking. Don’t take it personally.”

Claire gave a disdainful snort. “Who said I was joking?”

“Lucas, everyone has seen what you’re capable of. Since he’s admitted he can’t handle being general manager, you should take over.”

“I believe in you. You studied abroad. How could you possibly be less qualified than someone with a degree from a local college?”

Every time Claire mentioned Lucas’s overseas education, she looked so proud.

I had no idea where she’d gotten the notion that a foreign degree automatically made someone better. Since when were our universities inferior?

Besides, the place Lucas had attended overseas was nothing but a diploma mill.

He was an empty suit. Only she treated him like a treasure.

She reassured Lucas that he shouldn’t feel pressured about becoming general manager. Whatever happened, she would take responsibility.

Then she made her announcement. “Everyone, during Ethan Grant’s years as general manager, this company has done nothing but stagnate.”

“He no longer brings us any value. After careful consideration, I’ve decided that Lucas Reed will take over the position, effective today.”

The room stayed silent for what must have been three minutes.

Claire frowned and began clapping herself. Only then did thunderous applause follow.

She had truly forgotten that every project lead at every one of our client companies was my personal contact.

Now that money was pouring in, she’d lost all perspective. She thought she could sit in her office sipping tea and watch the cash fill her pockets.

I looked at the ring box in my hand, then tossed it at Lucas’s feet. “Is general manager really enough for him?”

“Why don’t I give him this, too?”