The Forbes Interview: A Wedding Day Betrayal

a walked into the Nex

'd secured their seed funding when no venture capitalist would touch Ethan's half-b

, took home multiples of that, plus bonuses she kn

looking pleased with himself. He'd pro

re likely, wanting to ensure her continued hard work on the critical upcoming Series B

rly birth

ted necklace. She recognized it. It was a freebie from a corporate gift b

ger, not disappointment.

ment on his desk. "Need

an NDA – Anya handled all of those – scrib

ation letter. Eff

few days, by the way," Anya said, her vo

"Sure, sure. Take your time. But be back soon. That Series B fu

and turned to l

open-plan workspace, she

massive Tiffany yellow diamond ring to a small group of junior

he ring alone was five million! And the penthouse in Tribeca? Priceless vie

ees looked skeptic

of them asked. "Who is thi

de hair. "Oh, you'll all find out

nningly incompetent. He'd tried to make Brittany Anya's assistant. Brittany couldn't manage to schedule a simple meeting

brilliance, her relentless hard work, her sacrifi

from his office. "What's

the group. "Anya? Thought

le. "Just congratulating Brittan

lit second, glancing at Britt

said. "Very

place. "Don't bother making dinner tonight, I'm out with clients. But make sure you finish

d walked out of the NextGen Sol

the apartment an

ps, files, confidential documents – she left nea

al large suitcases. Clothes, bo

, her phone buz

e's a mess. Can you get over here with some Pedialyte or someth

small storage unit in Edison where her grandmother's wedding sari and some family heirlooms were stored. Her mother ha

eded t

an Uber t

fume and desperation. The bouncer at the VIP sectio

ed her at the door of suit

u win the bet! Drinks on Chad!" Bra

ng perfectly sober. He smirked at her. "Told you guys. Hundred

ood. It was

hen they'd faked a car accident late at night,

t's like, midnight. You're always on call for him, ar

lden retriever... a very *舔* retriever." He used the Chinese internet slang for a

used, making no m

d directly at Ethan. Her voice was calm, devoid of emotion. "The ke

or pleading. "Mad? Come on, Anya, they're just kidding around.

nsincere, slur

nowledge them.

l reaction, reached into his pocket an

in the sudden lull of music. "Seriously, E? Why'd yo

he push-pull, man. Gotta keep her on her toes. A litt

as a low, indis

on. Her decision was not just val

e cool night air. As her Uber pulled up, she s

ket and wrapping it around Brittany's shoulders. "Baby, it's cold out he

ed prettily.

rittany's shoe

n the pavement and carefully tied it for her. He look

. Chad whistled. "Holy crap, E-man tying shoela

te out! Brittany hates the smell of smoke.

away, saw the stark, undeniable contrast. Ethan had never

ment. She finished packin

, clearly hungover, reeking of sta

iving room, then at her suitcases b

tting rid of old things. Th

" He rubbed his temples. "Ugh, my head's killing me. Make me one of those green smoothies you do, the one

out now. You can make your own smooth

leaving him standing ther