Loyalty of Nine Years, Replaced in an Instant

For ten years, Chris has hidden his feelings for Juliana, serving as her executive assistant and right-hand man. He helped build her company, Nova, from a dorm-room startup into a real business, writing proposals, negotiating contracts, and mapping strategy. Nine years of devotion finally seem to be paying off: everyone expects him to be named Vice President.

Then Juliana brings in Tristan, her college ex-boyfriend, and hands him the VP seat instead. When Chris demands an explanation, she tells him Tristan's degree is better and he is simply more qualified. The senior staff, who have bled for Nova alongside Chris, are outraged, but Juliana coldly reminds them she is the CEO. Marcus warns that Tristan was fired from his last firm overseas and that nobody else would hire him.

Chris stares at the desk he has never been given an office for, realizing every excuse Juliana made was a lie. He cannot bring himself to abandon the company he raised with his own hands, even as Juliana begins to turn on him.