Blurb：
After eight years of secret marriage and relentless struggle to build Reynolds Corporation, Forest finally reaches IPO day—the moment he and Sophia Reynolds were supposed to announce their marriage. Instead, he witnesses Sophia publicly proposing to her assistant Lucas Vance with 999 red roses. Handed divorce papers labeled “Pre-IPO Formalities,” Forest realizes his years of sacrifice—working through illness, securing investments, and pushing their valuation past a billion—mean nothing. Sophia coldly explains Lucas’s $20,000 “startup fund” secured a hedging agreement, demanding Forest step down as VP to become a junior analyst under Lucas. As Lucas flaunts his promotion and engagement, Forest’s eight-year secret marriage crumbles into corporate betrayal. Discover the shocking truth behind Sophia Reynolds’ calculated moves and Lucas Vance’s rise in this tale of corporate intrigue and personal devastation.
Content：
Eight years of secret marriage and relentless struggle, and the company was finally going public.
It was also the day Sophia Reynolds and I were finally supposed to step out of the shadows and announce our marriage to the world.
Battling a fresh wave of nausea from my stomach pain, I rushed to the exchange.
But there she was, on stage, holding a bouquet of 999 red roses, down on one knee proposing to her assistant, Lucas Vance.
After the ceremony, she handed me a file labeled “Pre-IPO Formalities.”
My hands, which had steadied countless crisis meetings and signed multi-million dollar deals, trembled as I opened it.
Divorce papers. A sticky note read,
“Divorce necessary pre-IPO. Will remarry once stock price quintuples.”
I flipped straight to the last page and signed, forcing a thin smile.
“No need for the remarriage,” I said, my voice eerily calm amidst the lingering buzz of celebration. “I wouldn’t want to jinx it.”
Eight years ago, it was just the two of us against the world, fueled by ramen and a shared dream.
She was afraid the scrutiny of a public marriage would tarnish her rising-star image, so I kept our marriage secret.
I became the ghost in the machine, the one who drank until his insides burned, securing the investments that built her empire.
When we finally gained traction, the goalposts moved—after the next funding round.
I gritted my teeth, closed the Series C, and pushed our valuation past a billion.
The year her face smiled from the cover of Forbes “30 Under 30” mine was pale against a hospital pillow, my body hollowed out by a perforated ulcer.
She’d clung to my hand then, tears in her eyes, promising, “We’ll announce it when we go public.I promise. ”
For the final IPO push, I had lived on a diet of painkillers and three, maybe four, hours of fractured sleep a night.
But eight years of sacrifice meant nothing to her. Not compared to Lucas Vance’s $20,000 “startup fund.”
…
My stomach churned violently as I turned to leave.
“Forest! Can’t you just be happy for me? It’s a big day!”
Sophia hurried after me, her heels clicking a frantic rhythm on the marble, and grabbed my arm, her voice a low hiss.
But every word cut through the noise, sharp and clear.
“Lucas put his entire life savings into securing this hedging agreement,” Sophia tried to explain, her eyes darting over my shoulder, towards the crowd, anywhere but meeting my shattered gaze.
“With our current momentum, hitting the price target will only take a few months.”
Her voice was soft, placating, the same tone she’d once reserved for calming my nerves before a major investor pitch. Now, it felt like a poison, sweet and lethal.
When my bloodshot, hollow eyes finally locked with hers, Sophia frowned, looking at me like I was a petulant child.
“You’ve waited this long. What’s a few more months?”
Her words were a scalpel, precise and cruel, plunging straight into the heart of the wound.
So she knew. She had counted the one thousand, nine hundred days of my silent vigil in the shadows, just as I had, each one a promise deferred.
“Step down as VP for now. Lucas will take the role. You’ll assist him as a junior analyst,” Sophia stated, her tone flat and final, as if discussing a minor administrative change.
“Was this part of your plan too?” The question was a ragged tear in my throat, each syllable a struggle.
“Lucas needs the title for his new project negotiations,” Sophia snapped, a flash of genuine irritation breaking through her manufactured calm.
“I know you’re upset, but it’s for the company.”
As if summoned by the sheer force of her duplicity, Lucas appeared, sliding a proprietary arm possessively around Sophia’s waist, his face a masterpiece of sumg triumph.
“You’re too good to me, Soph,” he purred, nuzzling her hair. “Setting up the proposal, fast-tracking my promotion, paving the way… Don’t tell me you’re planning the engagement party too, worried I’ll get tired?”
Sophia beamed up at him, ruffling his hair with a look of pure, unadulterated adoration I hadn’t seen directed at me in years. “I haven’t planned that yet. Don’t go feeling neglected.”
They stood there, a united front, their performative “love” a public spectacle that rendered my eight years of sacrifice a grotesque joke.
I couldn’t help but wonder, was this hedging agreement a scam to appease him, or a lie she told herself?
Sophia patted Lucas’s wandering hand and turned back to me, her expression shifting to one of strained, condescending patience.
“We’re adults, Forest. Try to be gracious.”
“Six months, tops. Once we remarry, you’ll get your position back.”
I looked at her coldly. “Don’t bother. I quit.”
Back at the penthouse, I shredded the latest project proposal.
A soft knock came at the door. The housekeeper entered, her expression sympathetic, carrying a small, elegantly boxed pineapple upside-down cake.
My phone buzzed on the desk. A text from Sophia, who usually took a week to reply to anything I sent, glowed on the screen,
Be reasonable. I’ll make it up to you later. Sent your favorite pineapple cake. Eat it.
I stared at the message, laughter bubbling into tears. She remembered wrong. I have always hated cake. And I’m deathly, violently allergic to pineapple.
Last birthday, she’d proudly presented one. Not wanting to dim her joy, I’d choked down two bites.
I spent the following hours in hell, my skin erupting in fiery, agonizing hives, clawing at the itch until I bled.
She’d cried, called me an idiot for not refusing, and through her dramatic tears, had solemnly added a red alert in her phone, REMEMBER, FOREST DEATHLY ALLERGIC TO PINEAPPLE.
That was less than a year ago.
The summer air was thick and hot, yet I felt chilled to the bone.
I dropped the wedding ring I’d carried for years into a donation bin for a homeless shelter.
Scrolling through my contacts, I called the top investment bank on Wall Street. “Activate my trading seat.”
“Forest! Finally back. The team’s been buzzing, practically vibrating waiting for you.”
Serena’s voice crackled through the line.
“Sent you the data on RockSteady Mining. Need you to calculate the capital for a short position.”
I let out a bitter laugh.
“RockSteady Mining?” Serena’s tone was all too knowing. “You built that with Sophia from the ground up, walked away from your own family legacy for it. Called it your firstborn. You really ready to let it all go?”
Ready? It felt like someone was carving my heart out with a spoon.
One insane hedging agreement had stripped me of everything – my stake, my position, grinding my dignity as a man and an executive into dust.
And the mastermind was my own wife and partner, the woman who’d sworn to love me forever right at my hospital bedside.
“Not about readiness. It’s damage control. Clear my office. I start in a week.”
I hung up. The company Slack channel exploded, notifications, hitting 99+.
[Lucas Vance @ Sophia Reynolds] “Honored by Sophia’s trust, humbled to step into the VP role. My sword is yours to command. Your guidance is everything.”
Sophia had announced the change that fast.
Her favoritism was just brazen now, out in the open for everyone to see.
The chat erupted,
“Congrats Lucas! VP in six months? That’s legendary!”
“Winning at work AND in love? Save me a front-row seat at the wedding!”
“The VP role goes to the one who earns it. Some people were just holding the seat warm.”
The ass-kissing piled up, practically deifying Lucas. Everyone just forgot about the guy who co-founder the damn place.
“VP Lucas Vance, Heard you and your partner of eight years are taking the next step? Don’t sweat the work stuff, man, focus on the romance! @ Junior Analyst Forest”
Knowing the truth, he was just pouring salt into the wound.
I typed back, “My apologies. No partner. Resigning effective immediately.”
Sophia’s furious call came instantly, “What the hell was that?”
“Lucas was just joking around! You humiliate him in front of everyone, how’s he supposed to lead now?”
“Apologize. Right now. Or this isn’t over!”
I said nothing and hung up.
She expected me to fold, like I always did when she made excuses for her “mentorship” flirtations with Lucas.
Not this time.
After submitting my resignation online, I drove myself to the hospital.
For three days, Sophia gave me the silent treatment, her usual power move.
But every time I opened my phone, Lucas had tagged me in another post.
Just now, a fresh nine-grid photo dump.
On the Empire State Building observation deck, he was cupping Sophia’s face, kissing her until her eyes went all hazy.
Caption, “True romance is whispering ‘I love you’ from the top of New York.”
Sophia was the first like. Her profile picture was already changed to a matching one with his.
Five years married.
I’d asked her, what, eight or nine times for matching pictures.
She always refused, citing “professional boundaries” – her sacred, untouchable principle.
We couldn’t ride to work together.
At the office, it was always “Ms. Rossi.”
No a single couple photos on her phone.
We even sent separate gifts to weddings.
Yet Lucas smashed through every one of her rules like they were made of glass.
On the fourth day, Sophia called, “Done sulking? Get your ass back to the penthouse. We have work.”
All business.
“I’m in the hospital with a perforated ulcer…” Before I could finish, Lucas’s voice cut in, “Babe? Can you grab my boxers?”
“Coming, sweetheart!” Her voice went all soft and melty.
Turning back to the phone, it was pure ice, “Who stays up all night working except for complete idiots?”
“Be here in thirty. Lucas’s project is green light. You’re assisting him.”
Calmly, I stated, “I submitted my resignation.”
A pause. Then, righteous indignation, “I rejected it. Quitting now makes it look like you have a problem with Lucas. How’s he supposed to lead the team?”
“Help him push this project through. Consider it your apology.”
She hadn’t even asked about my condition.
Only worried about Lucas’s shaky new VP seat.
“Forest! You hear me? Get here NOW!” The line went dead.
Staring at the IV in my hand, the realization finally hit me, Lucas filled her whole vision. I needed to let go.
Three hours later, I was back at the penthouse to pack my things.
Pushing the door open, Sophia and Lucasstumbled out from the master suite, fused together at the hip.
She was moving unsteadily, her neck a constellation of fresh marks.
If I ever took five minutes to reply to a text, she’d lecture me for an hour.
Today, I was hours late, and she didn’t even notice – clearly, she’d been a little preoccupied.
Her hand flew to her neck.
“Mosquito bites. Don’t overthink it.”
I was actually surprised. She still cared what I thought? Enough to even offer an explanation?
But the lie was just pathetic. Treating me like a complete fool.
Before I could speak, she shoved a file against my chest, her tone leaving no room for argument.
“Project specs. Execute immediately. Any questions, ask Lucas. Understood?”
Lucas wore a victor’s smirk. “Forest, old man, resting on your laurels won’t cut it anymore. Time to learn some new tricks.”
His condescending tone made me sound like the damn rookie.
I casually pointed to two clauses.
“This isn’t hedging. It’s pure options speculation. You’re gambling with the entire company…”
Lucas instantly looked wounded, like I’d kicked a puppy.
“Forest! You’re calling me a gambler? Fine. I quit.”
He strode towards the door, deliberately driving his elbow hard into my stomach as he passed.
The door slammed. Sophia’s hand cracked across my face.
“Had enough? You just had to drive Lucas away, didn’t you?”
“He hasn’t slept in two days for this project!”
“Belittling real talent? When did you become everything I can’t stand?”
The naked disgust in her eyes burned, matching the fire on my cheek.
Sophia kicked my suitcase over, sending it skidding, and rushed out after Lucas.
Prescription bottles scattered at her feet. She didn’t even look back. “You want to talk about remarriage? Then stop targeting Lucas!”
I pushed through the heavy glass doors of the Wall Street firm.
Serena clicked towards me in her stilettos.
A folder tucked under her arm.
“Can’t believe you’re actually back! I was just about to call you.”
She handed me the file. “RockSteady Mining signed a hedging agreement with their Singapore subsidiary. Take a look.”
I scanned it quickly. “Get the Singapore desk on it. The one that handles the Entertainment Markets.”
“Wow!” Serena covered her mouth, her eyes wide. “Game on? Oh, this is juicy!”
The next day, a notification popped up – my resignation was, once again, rejected.
I hailed a cab and went straight to the New York office to finalize it in person.
Stepping into the lobby, I was hit by a wave of celebration.
The splace was decked out with displays of Lucas’s favorite things-limited-edition watches, designer goods.
Crystal chandeliers made everything glow under a golden light.
Sophia, arm-in-arm with Lucas, stepped up to address the crowd. Her voice, amplified, was sickly sweet.
“Big announcement, everyone! The hedging project spearheaded by Lucas officially launches today! Half the project profits will go directly to your bonuses!”
“And as a little extra, the whole team gets an additional half-month’s salary!”
The room erupted.
“Half the profits? She’s totally obsessed with him!”
“Yesterday was Lucas’s birthday. She gifted him an $800K Porsche!”
“Proof it’s all about who you know! Forest pulled all-nighters for years, Lucas takes a nap and wins the lottery!”
The stares from my former colleagues were like knives – a mix of disdain, pity, but mostly pure schadenfreude.
A few of the older guys shook their heads, whispering, “Hedging is about risk management. Forest was the real expert.”
“Using it purely for speculative profit? Isabella’s crossing a line she shouldn’t.”
In the banquet hall, waiters circulated with top-shelf whiskey and champagne.
Lucas scanned the room, , his eyes locking onto me.
“Forest! Over here! Give my shoulders a rub, would you? Went a littel too hard last night, my back’s killing me.”
I met his smug grin, then turned and walked straight towards the restroom.
Coming out of a stall, I ran into him again in the hallway, leaning against the wall.
“Sophia gave me unlimited fund access. No approvals needed. Jealous?” Lucas’s smirk widened.
Unlimited access?
My brow furrowed – he’d just bypassed the entire multi-layered risk control system I’d spent years building.
Perfect,I thought coldly.
With Lucas’s arrogance and his gambling streak, RockSteady would bleed dry. It was only a matter of time.
“Another thing,” Lucas added, grinning from ear to ear. “Sophia’s three months pregnant. Mine.”
“Heard you guys tried for three years? Guess the field wasn’t barren after all, just the plow was dull.”
I did the math – our eighth wedding anniversary.
She’d promised to revisit the beach where we got engaged, to rekindle things. Forgotten completely.
I’d on that damn beach all night. She’d been with Landon.
Getting pregnant.
My fists clenched, nausea rising in my throat. I turned to leave.
Lucas suddenly grabbed my wrist, yanking my hand towards his chest, trying to make it look like I was shoving him.
“Forest! Manners!” Sophia’s voice shrieked from behind me as she shoved me hard away from him. “How dare you!”
My lower back slammed into a sharp door handle. I crashed to the floor.
Lucas nestled against her, playing the perfect victim.
“Forest called me a freeloader… said you were… easy, that you played favorites, that you’re unfit to be CEO…”
It hit Sophia’s raw nerve.
Before he could even finish, her stiletto lashed out, kicking me hard in the stomach.
“You’re disgusting!”
“You’re the one without scruples! Always so willing to wine and dine, even cozy up to cougar client to land her deal! Don’t you dare project your crap onto him!”
Her words were a lightning bolt, shattering me right there on the floor.
She knew. She knew about the time I nearly got roofied by that female client twice my age, just trying to secure the deal that would make her company.
She’d been the one to rescue me from that hotel room.
Now, she wielded that memory like a knife.
Agony ripped through my gut. I coughed, and blood spattered onto the marble floor.
She glanced down, a flicker of something- shock?- crossing her face before it hardened into a sneer.
“Pathetic!”
She turned, supporting Lucas as they walked away without a second look.
It took forever to pull myself up, leaning heavily on the wall for support.
Back at the family estate, Serena took one look at my grey pallor and called the family doctor immediately.
Hooked to an IV, my phone buzzed on the bedside table.
Sophia’s furious text glowed,
Forest! Demoted to junior clerk! Get on the first flight back and submit a 20,000-word written apology!
I left it on read.
The next morning, walking into the family office, another text came through from Sophia,
Forest! Where are you? Why aren’t you on the flight?
A ghost of a smile touched my lips. I typed back instantly,
I already resigned.
Wishing your little family all the best. Remember to finalize the divorce, or I’ll have to sue for bigamy.
The moment I hit send, Sophia’s calls flooded in, one after another, frantic and desperate.
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