All Chapters of The Prize Box Betrayal: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

Ryan curled his lips beside her, his eyes full of challenge."Exactly, Evan. Vanessa sponsored me since I was little. Between us, there's no difference between men and women. Don't overthink it."Even if we slept together, it was only because Vanessa is kindhearted. She was teaching me how to be a man. It has absolutely nothing to do with your filthy guesses. We're innocent. Pure, even."The fury shot straight to my skull.Innocent.What a beautiful word.Ryan Mercer had been the poor student sponsored by the Sloane family. Since childhood, he had followed Vanessa around.In the past, they often behaved ambiguously too.But whenever I brought it up, Vanessa would get irritated."Can you stop imagining things? Look at him. How old is Ryan?"In my eyes, he's just a child. If you keep being suspicious like this, we're breaking up."Because of that sentence, I never dared question her again.I had secretly loved Vanessa for seven years before I finally won her over. I truly lik

As soon as Ryan finished speaking, the employees looked at one another.As vice president, I had never treated any of them badly.I fought for bigger project bonuses for them, took the blame whenever something went wrong, and even privately lent money when their families had emergencies.Naturally, no one was willing to step forward right away.The tightness in my chest eased slightly.But the next second-"I'll do it!"A fawning voice broke the silence.My assistant, Leo, bent low and squeezed out of the crowd, his face piled with flattery."Assistant Mercer... no, Mr. Mercer. Why dirty your hands with this kind of rough work? Leave it to me. I guarantee I'll make this ungrateful thing kneel and apologize to you and Ms. Sloane."My fists tightened until my knuckles turned white. Nausea rolled through me.Leo was my assistant and my apprentice.He had followed me since graduation. I taught him how to write proposals by hand and brought him along to meet clients.I never im

Listening to her indifferent voice, my heart cooled completely. A mocking smile tugged at my lips."He's the top performer? And you want to fire me?"Fine, Vanessa. Then answer me. Whose name is on those contracts?"The company records all have my name on them. The clients only recognize me. Are you sure you want to keep lying?""Evan!"Vanessa shouted coldly. Then, as if remembering the chairman was present, she tried to steady her tone."I know you're upset because you're about to be fired, but you can't talk nonsense."Don't worry. The company is humane. You'll receive whatever benefits and compensation you're owed. Stop making a scene."As she spoke, she slowly walked toward me and lowered her voice so only the two of us could hear."Evan, enough. I'm just asking you to let Ryan have the performance credit. It's not a big deal."The chairman is too high up to bother checking the performance records for some nobody like you. Stop dreaming."Be obedient. I won't hold today

"Ridiculous!"Vanessa shouted without thinking. "Evan Russell, why are you pretending at a time like this?"The chairman is standing right here. If you lie and claim you're his son, you'll be exposed immediately."I know you care about saving face, but this is not the time to be stubborn. Hurry up and tell the chairman you forged all those records. That's best for all of us."Otherwise, if I'm driven out of the company, don't think you'll still get to live well with me."I frowned, my tone filled with disgust."Who's pretending?"Besides, all the money we've spent in this relationship has been mine. How exactly would I be living well with you?"After saying that, I was too tired to look at her again.Under everyone's stunned gaze, I walked straight to my father's side and spoke calmly."Dad.""Mm."Hearing that simple exchange, Ryan and Vanessa's faces turned ashen.Vanessa's pupils contracted. She stared at me in disbelief."You... what did you just..."What does that m