I Built His Empire for 5 Years, But He Gave My Seat to His First Lov

Three days before the company's annual New Year's Gala, I reviewed the final seating chart myself.

My eyes narrowed.

My seat had been reassigned to another woman.

Anna Pruitt.

The investor's niece who had parachuted into the company three months ago.

A suffocating pressure expanded in my chest, squeezing the air from my lungs. The seat beside Jonathan Gilbert wasn't just a chairit was a symbol of status, a public declaration of our partnership. A promise he had once made to the entire company.

And now, he had given that place of honor to someone else.

Recent rumors whispered in the breakroom surfaced in my mind. Hushed tones about Jonathan and Anna. Loud. Ugly.

I summoned the gala coordinator immediately. "What is the meaning of this seating arrangement?"

He shifted his weight, unable to meet my gaze. "Mr. Gilbert... he made the adjustment personally."

Rage and disappointment twisted together in my gut. I crushed the paper in my fist and marched toward the CEO's office.

Some words needed to be said face-to-face.

Some decisions, perhaps, finally needed to be made.

The heavy oak doors swung open, and the scene before me halted my momentum.

Anna Pruitt was perched on the edge of Jonathan's mahogany desk, leaning in close. Their heads bowed over a document, an intimate warmth radiating between them that had nothing to do with business.

At the sound of the latch clicking, Jonathan looked up. The amusement in his eyes hadn't yet faded.

"Joanna? You're here?" Anna's voice was saccharine, dripping with a sweetness that made my teeth ache. "We were just discussing the gala's itinerary."

I ignored her. Walked straight to the desk. Slammed the crumpled seating chart down in front of him.

"My seat. Why is Anna Pruitt's name on it?"

Jonathan glanced at the paper, his expression unbothered. His fingers tapped a rhythmic beat on his leather armrest.

"Anna suggested that the seats flanking the founder should be reserved for key investors. It aligns better with business etiquette. Her uncle had a last-minute emergency, so she's attending as his proxy." He paused, as if explaining something obvious to a child. "You're the Administrative Director, Joanna. It's more appropriate for you to sit with the management team."

My gaze shifted to Anna.

She pressed her lips into a demure, innocent smile. "Joanna, please don't overthink it. It was just a suggestion. You and Jonathan have so much private time togetherwhy worry about one night?"

"So." My voice came out dry, scratching my throat. "You took her suggestion?"

The air in the office grew heavy. Thick enough to choke on.

Jonathan frowned, a crease appearing between his brows. "Joanna, stop. We are handling business as business."

"*Handling business as business.*" I repeated the phrase, a bitter laugh bubbling up in my chest.

"Then last year, and the year before, when I sat at your left handwas that mixing business with pleasure?"

"The company wasn't this size back then." His tone sharpened with impatience. "Now, countless eyes are watching us. I have to consider the optics."

"What optics?" I stared him down, refusing to blink. "If I sit next to you, does it damage the company image? Hurt financing? Or does it ruin the image you're trying to sell to investorsthat you're a dazzlingly single bachelor?"

Jonathan's face darkened instantly.

He rounded the desk and gripped my shoulder.

Once, this touch would have grounded me. Now, it felt like a shackle.

"Stop making a fuss," he commanded, his voice dropping to a low, persuasive rumble. "It's just a chair. Is this really necessary? Look, tonight, I'll cook your favorite seafood noodles. Just for us. Okay?"

Here it was again.

Every time we disagreed, he deployed the same tactic. *Don't make a fuss. You're being unreasonable. I'll make it up to you later.*

The old me would have melted, desperate for his approval.

But the woman standing here today was cold. Clear-headed.

"Fine." I forced the word out.

Jonathan exhaled, his shoulders relaxing. "Good. I knew you'd be sensible."

I didn't say another word. Snatched the seating chart back and turned on my heel.

Just as the door began to close, Anna's soft, concerned voice drifted through the gap. "Jonathan... is Joanna angry with me?"

"She's just like that. She'll get over it."

I leaned against the corridor wall, the cold plaster seeping through my blouse, and inhaled a shaky breath.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

A message from my father.

*The five-year agreement is almost up. What is the result?*

My heart constricted painfully against my ribs.

The cursor blinked on my screen, mocking my hesitation. My fingers hovered over the keyboard, paralyzed.

Five years ago, Jonathan Gilbert was a nobody living in a damp basement, surviving on instant noodles. But his eyesGod, his eyeshad burned with such intensity.

"I'm going to make it, Joanna. I have to."

I had loved that fire. Believed in the future he painted for us.

But my father had shaken his head, unimpressed. "When he looks at you, daughter, he sees a stepping stone, not a soulmate. That is ambition, not love."

I refused to listen. Proud. Arrogant in my devotion. "You don't know him. I can judge a man's character on my own."

My father had remained silent for a long time before laying down the gauntlet.

"Then let's make a wager. You will hide your identity and stay by his side for five years as he builds his empire. If, after five years, he still treats you with sincerity and honor, I will not only bless the union but fully fund his global expansion."

"And if he changes?"

"Then you come home. You inherit the family business, and you never lose your head over a man again."

I had agreed instantly.

Five years seemed like plenty of time for passion to settle into deep, unshakeable trust.

I never expected that time wouldn't verify his sincerityit would only prove that hearts are fickle things.

Finally, I typed a single line.

*After the gala tonight, I'll give you my answer.*

My father's reply was instantaneous.

*Whatever the answer, Dad is here.*

A sudden sting pricked my eyes. I rubbed them harshly, composing myself before heading toward the administrative wing.

There was still a mountain of details to finalize for the gala.

Jonathan wouldn't touch this grunt work. His role was to stand in the spotlight, deliver the visionary speech, and accept the adulation.

The chaotic reality behind the applause had always been my burden to bear.

Hushed voices drifted out as I passed the pantry.

"Did you hear? There's a massive special year-end bonus this time!"

"It has to be for Director Kaufman, right? She's worked herself to the bone for this company..."

"I wouldn't bet on it. Yesterday, I saw Mr. Gilbert escorting Anna Pruitt into a high-end jewelry store."

"What? But Anna's only been here three months!"

"Her uncle is the lead investor. Do the math..."

The gossip died the instant I pushed the door open.

Three junior assistants jumped, their faces draining of color. "Director Kaufman..."

"Is the inventory checklist complete?" My voice was flat, devoid of emotion, as I walked to the machine and brewed a black coffee.

"Not... not yet."

"Then you have time to gossip?" I turned, pinning them with a cold stare.

"I want the confirmation email for all materials and the rehearsal sign-offs in my inbox before 7:00 PM. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Director!"

They scrambled out like frightened mice.

Clutching the warm mug, I stood by the window, watching the stream of traffic below.

Five years ago, this district was a wasteland.

Jonathan and I had huddled in that basement, sharing a single cup of noodles because we couldn't afford two.

I remembered the night he fashioned a ring out of a soda can pull-tab. He had slid it onto my finger with trembling hands.

"When we go public," he had whispered, the dim bulb reflecting in his fervent eyes, "I'll replace this with the real thing. A diamond. The biggest one money can buy."

I had smiled and nodded, but truthfully, I loved that jagged piece of aluminum.

Because back then, I was the only thing in his universe.

My phone buzzed, shattering the memory.

Jonathan: *Dinner with investors tonight. Go home without me. Don't wait up.*

I stared at the text until my coffee turned ice cold.

*Okay.*

The night of the gala, the banquet hall was a kaleidoscope of crystal and light.

I stood near the entrance, clipboard in hand, running the final security sweep.

Then the doors opened.

Anna Pruitt glided in wearing a custom silver haute couture gown that clung to her like liquid moonlight. She walked straight toward Jonathan, who was holding court in the center of the room.

"Jonathan." Her voice was a bell, clear and bright, drawing every eye in the room. "I hope I haven't kept you waiting."

Jonathan's face lit upa genuine spark I hadn't seen in months. "Right on time."

He offered his arm.

Anna looped hers through it, and they stood there, shoulder to shoulder.

A perfect, golden couple.

I looked down at my own dressa sensible champagne sheath.

Elegant. Professional. Appropriate for an Administrative Director.

The uniform of the support staff, not the star.

My assistant jogged over, looking distressed. "Director Kaufman... Mr. Gilbert is asking about the seating adjustment..."

"Execute the new chart." My voice was steady as granite.

"But..." She hesitated, biting her lip. "That seat in the second row... it's..."

"I said, execute the new chart."

She snapped her mouth shut, her eyes swimming with pity.

I didn't need pity.

I needed closure.

At seven sharp, the gala commenced.

Jonathan took the stage, radiating charisma and dominance.

The livestream cameras swept the audience, pausing on my face for a fraction of a second before moving on to more important people.

Jonathan's speech was masterful. He thanked the angel investors, the executive team, the strategic partners.

He even thanked the janitorial staff for their diligence.

But he never mentioned me.

Whispers rippled through the crowd. The weight of their gazes pricked my skin like needles.

Then came the awards ceremony. The atmosphere grew electric.

Names were called. Applause thundered.

I sat in the shadows of the second row, my thumb unconsciously tracing the plain silver band I still wore on my ring finger.

"Next," Jonathan's voice rose, tinged with excitement, "is tonight's most anticipated segmentthe Special Year-End Bonus."

The hall fell into a hush so deep you could hear a pin drop.

The spotlight prowled across the audience, searching.

Ideally, it should have landed on me.

My heart skipped a beat, a traitorous flare of hope igniting in my chest.

But the light swung past me.

And locked onto Anna Pruitt.

She gasped, covering her mouth with delicate hands, eyes wide with feigned shock before a shy, victorious smile bloomed on her face.

Jonathan descended the stage stairs, step by deliberate step, walking toward her.

He stopped in front of Anna and produced a velvet box.

Flipped it open.

A three-carat diamond fractured the stage lights into a blinding prism.

"Anna," Jonathan's voice boomed through the speakers, "in just these few months, you have breathed new life into this company. You gave us direction when we were lost."

"I hope this ring symbolizes the solid, intimate partnership we are building."

He plucked the ring from the velvet.

Anna extended her hand, allowing him to slide the diamond onto her finger.

The crowd erupted in cheers and applause. Anna threw herself into Jonathan's arms, burying her face in his neck.

The massive LED screen behind them displayed a cinematic close-up of the ring and their embrace.

Then, without warning, the director cut the feed.

The screen filled with my face.

Pale. Stiff. Shattered.

A collective gasp rippled through the room as the audience saw the raw devastation broadcast ten feet high.

Jonathan's eyes darted to the screen. Panic flickered in his gaze. He instinctively tried to pull back, to create distance.

But Anna clung tighter, her voice trembling into the microphone. "Jonathan... thank you..."

He froze. Trapped.

Finally, he awkwardly patted her back, refusing to look in my direction.

I stood up.

Under the weight of a thousand complicated starespity, mockery, curiosityI turned and walked toward the exit.

The restroom door swung shut behind me.

My knees gave out.

Leaning over the marble sink, I splashed ice-cold water on my face, again and again, trying to numb the skin. Trying to numb the heart.

The woman in the mirror had bloodshot eyes, but no tears fell.

They refused to surface. Instead, they crystallized in my throatjagged shards of ice stabbing me from the inside.

Voices drifted in from the corridor.

"...didn't expect Mr. Gilbert to have a thing for the innocent type like Anna."

"Director Kaufman is a cautionary tale. Five years of her life, and she ended up sewing the wedding dress for another woman."

"I heard that ring cost eighty grand! Was that company money?"

"Shh! Keep it down..."

The footsteps faded.

I stared at my reflection and let out a short, hollow laugh.

By the time the gala ended, it was 1:00 AM.

I sat alone in the empty banquet hall, watching the crew dismantle the stage where my heart had been publicly executed.

Jonathan's assistant approached, walking on eggshells.

"Director Kaufman... Mr. Gilbert wants to see you in his office."

"Okay."

I stood, ignoring the pins and needles pricking my legs.

The door swung open to reveal Jonathan Gilbert silhouetted against floor-to-ceiling glass. Below, the city sprawled in a tapestry of flickering neon, traffic weaving ribbons of light through the urban canyon.

Five years ago, we'd stood in this exact spot. He'd vowed to hold our annual meeting at the highest point in the city.

Now he had it. Same view. Different people.

"About today." He turned, his silhouette knife-sharp against the glass. "It was strategic."

I looked up at him.

"Anna's uncle is the key to our next round of financing." He crossed the room and lowered himself into the chair opposite me, spine rigid. "I need to keep her stable."

"So misappropriating company funds to buy her a diamond ringthat's also part of this grand strategy?"

My voice was unnervingly calm. Even to my own ears.

Jonathan's brow furrowed, a shadow passing over his features. "That was my dividend."

"The company hasn't hit annual profitability yet. Where exactly are these dividends coming from?" I held his gaze. "Jonathan, that 0-050 million investment hasn't burned through yet, but that doesn't mean you can move it around at will."

His expression shifted. His tone softened a fraction. "Fine. Consider it a loan. I'll repay it once the financing clears."

"A loan?" A sharp, incredulous laugh escaped me. "Under what pretext? A loan to lavish gifts on 'The One That Got Away'?"

"Joanna Kaufman!" He shot to his feet, voice booming off the walls. "Can you stop being so aggressive? I'm under enough pressure as it is!"

I met his glare without flinching. "And what about me? The pressure I've carried these past five yearswhat does that count for?"

His mouth opened. The words died somewhere in his throat.

His phone rang, slicing through the tension. His expression softened instantly. "I need to take this."

He grabbed the phone and walked out. The door clicked shut with infuriating gentleness.

I stood rooted to the spot, a chill seeping into my marrow.

His computer was still awake. The screensavera photo of us in the basement apartment. Two kids squeezed onto a folding bed, grinning like idiots at the camera.

Back then, there really was light in his eyes.

Now that light was gone. Or maybe it just didn't shine for me anymore.

I walked to the desk to shut down the computer. My hand brushed the mouse, and the drawer slid open.

Inside lay a stack of documents.

On top: a pregnancy test report. *Anna Pruitt. 8 weeks pregnant.*

The date was two months agoduring the period when Jonathan was frequently "on business trips."

Beneath that: a draft prenup agreement.

The clauses were dense, but the core was crystal clear: *If Anna Pruitt divorces, she is entitled to 50% of property under Jonathan Gilbert's name + 10% of the company's equity stake.*

The third document was an equity structure analysis. A section titled "Risks and Response Strategies Regarding Nominee-Held Shares" was circled in red.

Beside it, handwriting I knew all too well: *Must ensure control. If necessary, leverage personal connections to apply pressure or initiate forced buyback.*

My blood turned to ice.

He didn't just suspect the existence of nominee shares. He was actively plotting how to neutralize this "mysterious shareholder."

Did he suspect? Or did he... *know*?

A sharp, twisting pain radiated from my chest, accompanied by bone-deep cold. I gripped the edge of the desk, fighting for breath.

The door swung open.

Jonathan froze. His eyes landed on the documents in my hand, and the color drained from his face.

"Joanna! What are you doing?"

I stepped back, my grip tightening on the papers.

"What is this, Jonathan? You're studying how to eliminate your own investor?"

His eyes darted nervously. He reached out. "Give me the documents! That's company confidential!"

"Confidential? Confidential plans on how to scheme against your biggest backer?" My voice trembled. "Anna is pregnant? You're getting married? And you're planning to carve up the equity? Jonathan, just how many lies are you hiding?!"

The pregnancy report shook in my hand. Seeing it, he abandoned all pretense of calm.

"Yes! Anna is pregnant! We're together! So what?" His voice cracked with defiance. "Joanna, we aren't married yetI have the right to make my own choices!"

"The right to choose?"

The dam broke.

Tears spilled over, hot and fast, scalding tracks down my cheeks.

"So your choice is to use my money to build your empire while planning a future with another woman and plotting how to kick me out?"

"Your money?" The words struck a nerve. His face twisted with ugly resentment. "Right. I know! I know the company's biggest angel investment might be related to you! I suspected it ages ago! But I didn't think it was actually *you*!"

"You hid it so well, Joanna. What do you take me for? A charity case? A pathetic worm you feed in secret just to test its loyalty?"

So he really did know.

The admission carried the biting sting of a man whose ego had been gutted by help he deemed beneath him.

"So this is your revenge?" A laugh clawed its way out of my throatmiserable, hollow. "Betrayal and scheming... that's your payback for my 'concealment' and 'charity'?"

"Think whatever you want!" He raked his hands through his hair. "Anna and her uncle can give me the resources I need right now! What can you give me? Nothing but that money I've already burned through, and endless logistical chores!"

He glared at me. "Once the financing comes in, I'll pay you back. Name your price."

Every word was a poison-tipped dagger, plunging into the softest part of my heart.

In his eyes, my years of sacrifice were worthless. He had long since weighed the pros and cons, and I was simply the option to be discarded.

"Jonathan." My voice dropped to absolute zero. "We're done."

He froze.

His phone rang again. The timing was cruel.

He glanced at the screen and answered immediately, his voice dripping with concern. "Anna? What is it? Okay, I'm coming."

He hung up and looked at me, torn.

"Anna isn't feeling well. I have to take her to the hospital. Joanna, let's talk about us tomorrow, alright?"

I didn't answer.

He hesitated, then grabbed his coat and hurried for the door. On the threshold, he glanced back.

"Go home early."

The door clicked shut, swallowing the sound of his footsteps.

I slid down the wall, hugging my knees, and wept in silence.

Time dissolved into nothing.

When I finally stood, my legs were numb. I wiped my face with the back of my hand and walked to my office on autopilot.

The safe in the corner held everything.

At the very bottom lay the originals of three documents: the nominee shareholding agreement, the 0-050 million transfer voucher, and the letter my mother wrote before she passed.

The paper had yellowed, but her elegant handwriting remained sharp:

*Joanna, my biggest regret was letting my partner know my trump card. You must remember: a trump card is only revealed when it will deal the most damage. Strike only when it will be fatal.*

I pressed the letter to my chest and closed my eyes.

*Mom, I'm in so much pain.*

*Painful enough to finally play my hand.*