My CEO Girlfriend Gave My Bonus to Her Side Piece—Now I Own Her Company

Yearend bonuses. The whole company gathered while Celia Gilbert, CEO and my girlfriend, announced she was giving everyone a little extra this year.

Everyone except me.

"Alex Rowe, your family doesn't need the money. Nathan Henson's family is struggling, so I gave your bonus to him instead."

I looked around at my coworkers' smug faces and smiled.

"Fine. In that case, I won't be coming back after the New Year."

"Ms. Gilbert, I quit."

——

Silence. Then the whispers started.

"He's actually trying to pressure her with this?"

"How naive—does he really think she'll care if he leaves?"

"Ever since Nathan showed up, she hasn't given Alex a second glance."

"Honestly, Nathan and Ms. Gilbert are the real couple. Alex was never in her league."

Every word landed like a needle in my chest.

They were right about one thing: it was time to go.

I'd never been able to reach Celia Gilbert's heart.

For years, I'd given her everything. I'd pulled strings, called in favors, singlehandedly dragged this company onto stable ground. Then the moment it turned profitable, she changed completely—and brought Nathan Henson in.

Now, at year's end, she was handing him my bonus in front of everyone.

Why keep fighting for this?

Celia's face twisted with displeasure. "Alex Rowe. All this over a little money?"

"It's not a little money."

My voice stayed flat. "From the day Nathan joined until now—one full year. You've withheld every bonus I earned and given it to him."

"And my commission, Ms. Gilbert. Per our agreement, the company owed me that too. You gave him all of it."

I held her gaze. She always said I didn't need it. But for twelve months, nearly every cent I'd earned had gone straight to Nathan Henson.

That alone was enough.

"You want to settle accounts with me?" Her expression darkened.

Nathan stepped forward, wearing his usual woundedpuppy look. "Alex, I know this is my fault. Celia only did it because she saw how hard things were for me. If you need the money, I'll give it all back. I'll borrow it from somewhere and pay you."

The way Celia looked at me shifted instantly.

"You're pressuring Nathan like this?" Her voice turned cold. "Fine. You want to quit? I'll sign off on it. Don't come crying later."

She had someone print a termination contract on the spot. Signed it herself. Slid it across the table.

I glanced at the paper, then at Celia—already murmuring comfort to Nathan.

I shook my head and smiled.

If I couldn't have what I'd earned, why keep caring?

"Ms. Gilbert, since you've terminated me, you owe me severance. Plus every commission from this past year."

When I said that, Celia's expression stiffened.

Then she glared at me. "Alex, didn't I already tell you? Your commission and bonus—I gave them all to Nathan!"

I smiled and said nothing.

After all, what else was there to say?

"Ms. Gilbert, since that's the case, I'll have to resolve this through legal channels."

I stood and walked out.

Celia's eyes burned into my back, full of rage.

I didn't spare her a glance.

Once I left the company, I called the clients I'd built relationships with over the years and let them know I'd resigned.

Celia had no idea that those clients gave her orders because of my family's connections, not hers.

Now that I was gone, why would they keep working with her?

Back at my apartment, I packed my things and called my parents to let them know I was coming home.

"Alex, weren't you bringing your girlfriend back for the New Year?" Mom asked.

I told her Celia and I had broken up.

Mom didn't push. She just said I could come home whenever I was ready.

Dad called separately. He said the company had needed me for years—he'd only been holding things together because I'd stayed away. Now that I was coming back, he wanted me to take over the family business.

While packing, I asked him to arrange a lawyer for me.

If I was leaving anyway, there was no way I'd let Celia keep my wages and commissions without a fight.

Dad said he'd have legal affairs coordinate with me, and we hung up.

I called the lawyer Dad had arranged and explained my situation. He agreed to take my case and assured me he'd recover every cent I was owed.

After I finished packing, I grabbed my luggage and headed for the door—only to find Celia standing right outside.

She eyed my suitcase, something uneasy flickering across her face. "Where are you going?"

"What does it matter to you?"

Her expression darkened instantly. "Alex, I came here to apologize!"

"How long are you going to keep this up?" She glared at me. "Nathan's family is struggling—you know that! How can you be so heartless?"

I almost laughed. Nathan, struggling?

Just days ago, I'd heard him bragging to coworkers about a watch he'd bought. Over a hundred thousand dollars.

That's struggling?

The whole office laughed at me because Celia handed my earnings to Nathan. Meanwhile, he played the victim to her face and flaunted his spending behind her back.

So why wouldn't I fight to get back what I'd earned?

"Ms. Gilbert, if you're done, I'm leaving."

I stepped past her.

"Also—I've retained a lawyer. He'll be in touch."