Chapter 2

I slipped into the hallway and dialed the event planner waiting outside the venue.

"Sir? Is there something wrong with the setup? We can adjust the lighting and florals right now."

I watched the two of them through the glass doors, basking under the spotlight. "My girlfriend has a new boyfriend. I’ll pay your invoice in full. Just pack up and leave quietly."

Ten years of devotion couldn't beat twelve months of an intern’s honeyed words.

Swallowing the ache in my chest, I turned toward the exit. But Sienna stepped in front of me, dragging me into a quiet corner.

I raised an eyebrow at her.

Normally at the office, she treated me like a ghost, terrified anyone would figure out we were dating. Now she was actually pulling my arm.

A tiny, stupid spark of hope flared in my battered heart.

Her very next sentence snuffed it out completely.

"Whatever you're sulking about, we talk about it at home. Tonight is my victory party and Jayden’s promotion. As his mentor, you need to get on that stage and give him a congratulatory speech."

My stomach dropped. She literally viewed my pride as Jayden’s personal stepping stone.

"Why should I? You know damn well who brought that client in. And you want me to pave the road for him?"

Sienna scowled. "Those leads were company property! Anyone could have closed that deal. Jayden did it with his own charm and hard work. Don't be so pathetic and selfish. I need young, hungry people backing me up right now. Can’t you just make this one sacrifice for me?"

Jayden had the worst performance metrics out of all the interns. His only real skills were his pretty face and a silver tongue.

Because he went to the same college and came from the same small hometown as Sienna, she had begged me to cut him some slack.

I gave in back then and signed off on his probation.

The minute he cleared probation, Sienna pulled him onto her team to groom him personally.

I just never imagined she would hand the whale account I closed for her straight to Jayden on a silver platter.

"Logan, stop acting like such a small-minded child," Sienna snapped. "Jayden is young. Once he climbs higher, he’ll pull you up with him. Playing nice with him right now is your best move."

My voice hardened. "That manager role belonged to me."

Sienna let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "Look at yourself! You’re pushing thirty. The executive board doesn't promote guys like you. If Mr. Crawford hadn't kept you on as a favor to me, you wouldn't even have your Lead title."

"Don't push my patience, Logan. Go prep your speech for Jayden right now. If you give him any more attitude tonight, don't blame me when I embarrass you in front of everyone."

The moment Sienna walked off, Jayden slid into the corner.

Without Sienna watching, his innocent puppy act vanished into thin air.

He looked down his nose at me with a sneer. "I’ll call you mentor one last time. From tomorrow on, it’s Manager Jayden. I know you’re bitter, old man. But what can you do? Sienna loves me. You will never, ever beat me in her eyes."

"The job market is brutal out there. Guys your age can’t even get hired flipping burgers at McDonald's. If you beg me nicely, maybe I’ll let you keep your desk so you don't starve."

Sienna spotted us from across the room and rushed over, worried I might bully her precious prodigy.

I looked at her cold eyes, then at Jayden’s smug grin. "Fine. I’ll go on stage."

Both of them paused, visibly surprised.

Sienna had expected me to fight to the death to protect my pride; she had even lined up another team lead as a backup. She never imagined I’d give in so easily.