The Backstabbing IPO, From Investor to Outcast

My father is a business tycoon, owning numerous corporations and consistently ranking among the top twenty on Forbes' list.

I epitomize the concept of a trust fund child.

However, when I initially encountered Emily, I distinctly recall her recounting how her father had been fatally struck in a hit-and-run accident caused by a privileged young individual. The culprit, shielded by their family's affluence and connections, evaded significant consequences and was released from custody within days.

Since that incident, Emily has fostered an intense aversion towards the affluent.

To be with her, I concealed my background. I rejected every opportunity my family presented, relocated to a small town with her, and invested all my savings to help launch her business venture.

Until yesterday, I foolishly believed that Emily and I had finally achieved success, that our sacrifices had been worthwhile.

But now, I comprehend the extent of my loss.

After concluding a phone call, I returned to the modest apartment Emily and I shared. The space was exquisitely adorned—warm and intimate. Heart-shaped candles lined the floor, and at the center stood a bouquet of vivid blue roses.

Nestled among the flowers was an elegant diamond ring.

Beside it lay the deed to a luxurious residence—the one I had intended to surprise Emily with.

I had envisioned her reaction countless times, picturing the delight and affection in her eyes. But now, it all seemed meaningless.

Emily would never see it.

I gathered everything—the ring, the flowers, the deed—and discarded it all in the trash.

Then, I booked a flight for the following evening. I required one day to conclude my work and hand over my responsibilities.

"Ding."

My phone alerted me to a notification.

It was a video from Ryan.

The footage showed Ryan carrying Emily in his arms, her face flushed as she clung tightly to his neck, nestling her face against his chest. They appeared to be the perfect couple.

Around them, colleagues cheered and applauded, urging them to kiss.

The video vanished seconds later, deleted.

Then, a message appeared.

"Oops, sorry, sent that by mistake."

Naturally, I didn't believe him. Ryan had always been calculating, hadn't he? This was just another of his manipulations.

Over the past few years, he'd orchestrated similar stunts numerous times.

Typically, I'd lose my composure, confront Emily, and end up being reprimanded by her.

"Can't you stop being so insecure? Perhaps focus more on your work instead of this nonsense?"

Initially, I thought I was being paranoid. But once, when Emily was ill and semi-delirious, she called out Ryan's name.

That's when I realized her heart no longer belonged to me.

This time, I felt nothing. I simply blocked Ryan without hesitation and erased his contact.

Shortly after, my phone rang.

It was Emily.

"Jake, did you block Ryan?" she demanded immediately upon answering, her tone frigid and accusatory.

She was unconcerned about Ryan's actions—only that I had blocked him.

"I did," I replied tersely.

"What's the matter with you? He's your colleague! How is he supposed to perform his job now? He believes he must have done something wrong and has been blaming himself, crying incessantly. Add him back and apologize!"

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Are you even aware of what he sent me?"

There was silence on the other end, likely as she consulted with Ryan. Moments later, she responded dismissively, "So what if he sent the wrong picture? It's not significant."

Of course. When it came to Ryan, nothing was ever significant.

I emitted a cold laugh. "You're right, it's insignificant. Just like when he 'accidentally' sent the incorrect pricing sheet to a client, and we lost millions as a result."

That incident had been disastrous. Ryan had sent our bottom-line pricing to a partner, leading to multiple contract cancellations and negotiations. A week's worth of diligent effort—and over a million dollars—was squandered.

Emily hadn't cared then, either.

The line went quiet momentarily. Clearly, she recollected the incident.

Then I heard Ryan's voice in the background, soft and hoarse. "Emily, Jake's probably just upset about the shares you gave me today. I should apologize to him."

Emily's tone immediately softened. "No need, Ryan. It wasn't your fault. Let him cool off on his own."

And with that, she ended the call.

It was always like this. Whenever we argued, Emily would use the excuse that I needed to "calm down" to spend more time with Ryan instead.

But this time, I didn't feel angry.

I calmly composed my resignation letter and sent it to HR.