Marrying the Capital's Princess

I sold my shares in my startup company.

I was getting married.

But my two business partners, who'd sworn they'd marry no one but me, had no idea.

Because they were too busy throwing a celebration dinner for the new male assistant...

He took credit for a deal I spent over a month negotiating.

After I got drunk from sealing it with the clients, he dumped me in a hotel room and took the contract back to the office alone.

The next day, "nude" photos of me were blowing up the company private chat group.

Everyone was buzzing with gossip, claiming my so-called "Brilliant performance" came from sleeping with a rich, old client!

Lying in my hospital bed, I called to explain.

But they just said,

"Oh Evan! Seriously? What a bad story about you locked the deal by a dinners!"

"Ryan landed a huge win! We're celebrating him. Join us or don't!"

...

The day I got discharged and returned to the office, I sold my shares to their biggest rival.

Then I called home.

"I'll marry Sophia Taylor. Go ahead and start planning the wedding."

Just as Victoria Ashford and Luna Sinclair pushed open my office door, they heard me.

Their brows instantly furrowed.

"A wedding? What wedding?"

The wedding was in ten days.

No point hiding it now.

"My wedding. I'll send you the invites."

They didn't believe me.

Just then, my assistant pinged me with a dozen engagement ring designs. My phone chimed repeatedly.

They leaned in, peering at my screen. Seeing I was genuinely looking at custom rings shocked them.

Victoria looked pissed.

"Evan Chase, what the hell are you doing looking at rings? Planning to wear one on each hand?"

Luna interrogated me like a suspect.

"You? A workaholic? No girlfriend in sight. Who exactly are you marrying?"

It was almost funny, seeing the two women who'd once vowed to spend their lives with me exchange bewildered glances.

Ryan Jennings, coming in with files for them to sign, overheard. His face was pure disbelief.

"Mr. Chase... you're not becoming Mrs. John's... boy toy, are you? I heard her kids are in college! Isn't that... kinda messed up?"

Thanks to him, the whole company thought I was sleeping with that major client as her toy boy .

I shot him an icy glare.

"Not knocking before entering my office? I'll chalk that up to bad manners. But stealing my credit and spreading disgusting rumors? That's not just rude, it's illegal."

He stammered an apology, flustered.

"Mr. Chase, I didn't... I never meant for anyone to misunderstand! But you and Mrs. John were checking into that room..."

He flushed crimson, unable to finish the sentence.

But it was enough to make Victoria and Luna's faces darken.

"Enough!" Victoria snapped.

"If you didn't want people talking, you shouldn't have done it! Don't take your embarrassment out on Ryan!"

"He's trying to look out for you!"

Luna added, disgusted.

"Mrs. John could be your mother! Are you really that desperate to be some old lady's boy-toy?"

I laughed, a harsh, bitter sound. Without another word, I shoved all three of them out of my office.

Childhood friends. Partners for five years.

They trusted Ryan Jennings, who hadn't even been with the company two months, over me.

I refused to let these toxic people ruin my mood.

I went back to scrolling through my mom's ring designs.

Two minutes later, Victoria messaged the group chat: Ryan and I were swapping offices.

Her reason? As their assistant, Ryan needed to be closer to them for "efficiency."

Hundreds of people in that chat. Most jumped on the bandwagon, congratulating Ryan.

But I wasn't completely alone. A few voices questioned the move.

Promoting a fresh grad to the VP's office after just two months? It was ass-backward.

I was about to DM those supporters telling them to stand down when Ryan sent a voice note.

His voice trembled like a kicked puppy.

"Ms. Ashford... it's all my fault. That night, I was so focused on the contract, I didn't take care of Mr. Chase... I don't deserve his office. I can't face him. I... I resign!"

His pathetic act made me nauseous.

Luna kicked my glass door open, glaring daggers at me.

"Look what you've done! Pack your things. Move out. Give Ryan the office. And I don't want you manipulating people online to bully him just starting out!"

Victoria followed, echoing the demand to move immediately, while simultaneously typing comforting messages to Ryan in the group chat.

Then someone yelled that Ryan was heading for the roof.

The color drained from Victoria and Luna's faces. They sprinted towards the stairs.

I watched their frantic backs disappear. Then I started calling potential buyers for my shares.

Victoria and Luna's rival, Cynthia Miller, somehow found I was selling my shares. She made me an offer I couldn't refuse.

I checked the emails I'd sent Victoria and Luna. Yesterday was exactly the 30th day.

No reply. They'd forfeited their right of first refusal.

Cynthia gave me three days to think. I replied instantly, "Let's sign the transfer papers now."

After I sold my stake, the two women who had won Ryan back grew impatient.

"It's just swapping offices, Evan, not relocating the whole company! What's taking so long?"

Hearing this, Ryan looked at me.

"Mr. Chase, I'm sorry... I don't absolutely need this office..."

"Don't worry about it, Ryan," I said coolly. "You can have the office. Hell, you can have the VP title too."

My words made Ryan's eyes light up with excitement.

"Evan, what's with the attitude?" Luna snapped. "It's just an office! Why be so petty?"

I'd sold my shares. Why would I care about a VP's office?

My dismissive look pissed Luna off.

She efficiently dumped my few belongings onto a cubicle desk outside.

Victoria started personally helping Ryan set up my office.

HR kept bringing in plants, flowers...

Anyone walking by would think they were decorating a honeymoon suite.

Finally, quitting time. Victoria tapped my desk.

"Don't leave. We're having dinner to celebrate Ryan's new office."

Celebrating an office swap?

But I didn't refuse. Considered it my last team dinner.

At the restaurant, I realized the employees who'd spoken up for me in the chat?

Victoria had found excuses to fire them all.

Naturally, the others wouldn't risk offending the two bosses for my sake.

Some even took the chance to kick me while I was down.

"Mr. Chase, you missed Ryan's last celebration. Tonight, you have to toast him properly. If he hadn't landed that deal, who knows what else you might have had to... sacrifice..."

His insinuation brought back the vile whispers I'd overheard in the company restroom earlier.

"Evan Chase has some nerve, hiding for days then showing up like nothing happened!"

"A guy who sleeps with rich clients for deals? He doesn't need shame!"

...

Under everyone's gaze, I calmly poured myself a soft drink.

Victoria's face hardened. She snatched my glass and dumped it out.

Luna filled it to the brim with straight vodka.

"You bullied Ryan so badly today he almost had a breakdown. The least you can do is apologize with a drink."

"Besides, you owe him one from last time..."

Without hesitation, I flung the vodka into Luna's face.

"Toast him? Who the hell does he think he is?"

The whole table gasped.

Victoria just refilled the glass and shoved it at me.

"Evan, you're drinking this whether you like it or not!"

Ryan put on his concerned face.

"Ms. Ashford, it's okay. I know Mr. Chase looks down on me. If he doesn't want to..."

But Luna, faced wet with vodka, wasn't having it.

Furious, she slapped me and, catching me off guard, forced the drink down my throat.

"You got your deals by selling yourself! What gives you the right to look down on Ryan?"

These women, who once panicked if I had a single sip, were now force-feeding me vodka... for Ryan.

And using such crude language.

The liquor burned like fire from my throat to my gut.

But they ignored my distress, busy pouring Ryan his favorite juice.

Ryan downed his juice and flashed me a triumphant grin.

"Mr. Chase, thank you.' I'll work even harder now."

Others might think he meant the office, but he placed a hand on Luna's waist, signaling his victory to me.

"Then I hope you marry the boss soon. "

I clutched my stomach, needing the restroom.

Victoria blocked my path.

"Had a couple sips and already playing sick? Stop the theatrics!"

The searing pain in my gut couldn't drown out the heartache.

I looked up at Victoria.

"I just got out of the hospital for a bleeding ulcer. And you force liquor on me?"

Her hand, still outstretched to block me, froze mid-air.

"Can't you come up with a believable lie? You've drunk for years! Never had a problem!"

Luna, who had poured the drink, also doubted me.

"I barely got a sip down you! Mr. Iron Stomach? Really?"

Easy for them to say. They weren't the ones hurting.

Back in the day, Luna used to ask me, watching me drink myself sick for clients,

"Evan, clients are a dime a dozen. Is one deal worth this?"

Then, she and Victoria would cry seeing me drunk, heartbroken.

They'd make honey water and take turns staying up all night watching over me.

They'd show up to work exhausted, pushing themselves to honor my effort.

We survived the brutal startup phase.

They swore they'd marry me. Now, they were fawning over Ryan and hurting me.

"I just need the restroom. Is that too much to ask?"

My stomach spasmed violently. I doubled over, I could barely speak, leaning against the wall for support.

A female colleague noticed first, rushing to help.

Victoria shoved her away. "Don't touch him."

"Evan," Victoria sneered, "is this how you win over female clients? Playing the fragile card?"

The woman who tried to help flushed crimson.

"Ms. Ashford, you've got it wrong! Look at him! He's really pale!"

Luna snorted. "He's just embarrassed! Putting on a show!"

Even at my worst, drunk and miserable, I'd tough it out.

I loved building the company, loved the success.

So in the eyes of Victoria and Luna, I became someone who didn't need their care.

Ryan, having enjoyed the show, finally stepped in with fake concern, shoving a glass of water at me.

"Mr. Chase, however you landed that deal, you're a company hero. We're only grateful for your efforts."

His words were clearly meant to stir the pot.

Victoria, who'd been steadying me, abruptly let go.

"If you don't want to be here, just go."

She headed straight for the sink, scrubbing her hands raw.

I clutched my stomach and left.

Ryan stopped me.

As he grabbed my arm, scalding water sloshed from his cup. Instinctively, I shoved him away.

Boiling water splashed over both our hands.

Luna lunged forward, yelling for ice packs for Ryan.

She didn't see most of the water had hit me.

Victoria, returning from washing her hands, finally lost her temper.

"Evan Chase! Have you no shame? Ryan only tried to help! Why do you keep picking on him?"

I fought back tears, letting out a bitter laugh.

Victoria saw me laugh and dragged me towards Ryan.

"What's so funny? Apologize to Ryan. Now!"

Luna, fussing over Ryan's ice pack, chimed in.

"Absolutely! An apology! What a despicable person!"

Trembling, I held out my bright red right hand.

Luna slapped it away without looking.

The impact made the burn throb even more.

Victoria watched me like I was a thief.

"What? you won't apologize and want to cause more trouble?"

Trying to explain I was burned too was pointless.

A nearby colleague spoke up, pity in his voice.

"Ms. Ashford... Mr. Chase is burned too..."

Victoria frowned. Instinctively, she took my hand to look.

Then Ryan whimpered in pain.

She dropped my hand like it was poison.

"Serves you right! If you hadn't acted like an idiot, you wouldn't be hurt! You're a menace! Get out of my sight!"

"Apologize and get lost!"

Apologize? Never. But I wouldn't humiliate myself further.

Seeing I wouldn't budge, Ryan put on a brave face.

"Ms. Ashford, it's fine. Really. Maybe you should take Mr. Chase to the hospital? Burns really hurt... Ow!"

His fake yelp sent Victoria and Luna scrambling to check his hand.

In the chaos, someone even called 911.

Done with the circus, I turned and walked out.

Rain was pouring. I stood wondering if I should dash for a cab when Luna appeared.

Then she just threw a jacket at me.

"Take all your things. Don't leave them here to disgust us!"

I looked at the light-colored jacket, soaked with red wine, and tossed it straight into a trash can.

Luna bristled at the rejection. "Evan Chase! What's your problem?"

It was a bespoke suit, a gift from both of them.

They used to fight over which one of them I'd wear clothes from.

Eventually, they started splitting gifts so it was "fair."

"It's ruined. Time to toss it."

Just like them. Tainted. Worthless.

But Ryan's voice pulled her back.

I braved the rain, hailed a cab, got home, took meds, iced my hand for hours, and finally the pain eased.

The next morning, my phone blew up with texts from strangers.

All propositioning me, asking for "private services."

One sent a link. My private info, including that "intimate" photo was plastered on a sleazy site.

The photo was one Victoria and Luna had taken of themselves

I called them. They denied it, then flipped it on me.

"Evan, control your private life! This reflects badly on the company!"

"Stay away from the office for a while."

Having sold my shares, I had zero intention of being their workhorse anyway.

"Fine."

My calm, almost cheerful reply threw them.

They expected a fight. Not... relief.

Like I'd shrugged off a massive burden.

"Evan, you..." Victoria started to ask something, but Ryan called her name. Click. She hung up.

They played dirty. Fine. I called the cops.

Spreading lies, leaking my info? I'll make sure you pay the price.

Lawyers and police handled, I packed a bag and flew to New York to get married.