The Tycoon Proposed At My Wedding

Ana Spencer tossed and turned all night, her mind racing until the first light of morning crept into her room. Determined to keep it together, she dressed carefully, making sure she looked as put-together as possible. Today was step one: quitting her job at Jalen Ryan's company—a decision she'd firmly made after last night's chaos.

With her resignation letter neatly folded in her bag, Ana took her usual bus to work, clocking in right on time. As she walked through the office, the vibe was off from the get-go. Colleagues stared, whispering the second they thought she was out of earshot. She'd expected this, but actually facing it? That was a whole different beast.

She reminded herself it wouldn't be for much longer.

Ignoring the murmurs, Ana went about her duties until the team leader approached her. "Ana, Jalen wants to see you in his office."

Jalen, the company's owner, had avoided her before, so this summons caught her off guard.

Summoning her courage, Ana exhaled long and slow and made her way toward his office, aware of the whispers growing louder at her back.

"How does she even have the nerve to show her face here?" someone sneered.

"Probably just a good lay," another voice scoffed, sparking snickers.

Ana paused, turned, and fixed them with a steely look. "Say whatever you want. I'm still better than the lot of you, who are good for nothing."

Her retort left them red-faced, and she continued on with renewed fire.

Approaching Jalen's office, Ana stopped just a few feet from the door. Jalen, seated behind his desk, only acknowledged her when she stepped inside.

"Mr. Ryan," she greeted him.

With a slow clap, Jalen rose and came closer. "Well, Ana Spencer. I never pegged you for being so resourceful. Consider my eyes opened."

He tossed a newspaper at her, the pages fluttering to the floor, the headline screaming at her: a photo of her and Desmond Spencer leaving the charity gala together, loaded with sensationalized captions.

Jalen's face darkened as he grabbed her chin, forcing her to look him dead in the eye. "You had plenty to say yesterday. Why so quiet now? You think throwing yourself at Desmond will change my mind? Were you that desperate?"

Ana's blood ran cold at his words. She jerked away, her voice steady. "Enough, Jalen. Why do you always twist things around? Have you ever once stopped to think about your own actions before pointing fingers?"

"Are you lecturing me?" he seethed.

"Am I wrong? From the start, I wasn't the one in the wrong. For seven years, I kept giving us chances to make this work. But you were the one who crushed every hope. You didn't show up at the wedding. You left me stranded on the street. Every misstep, every failure—that was all you."

"What about Elodie? She's innocent! If it weren't for you, she wouldn't be lying in that hospital bed."

Jalen's outburst filled the room. "Do you know she still hasn't woken up? If it weren't for you…"

"Her accident wasn't my fault. I wasn't driving, and I didn't take her anywhere. Your father arranged our engagement, not me."

Jalen laughed coldly. "Now you're an expert at shifting blame. Desmond teach you that?"

"This has nothing to do with him. I figured that out on my own."

"Sure, now that you've got a new sugar daddy, you're full of revelations. I always knew you were only with me for the Ryan money. Now that you've got Desmond, you're ready to bolt."

Ana sighed, done arguing. Every conversation with him ended in a fight.

"I'm done trying to explain."

"Or because you can't? Am I making you nervous? The whole city's laughing at me because of you. After everything my family did for you, this is how you repay us."

"Do you even know what happened at that event yesterday?" Ana's patience finally snapped. "I did nothing wrong. As for your father's kindness, I'll repay it when the time comes."

She handed him her resignation letter. "I've decided to resign. I hope you'll respect that."

Jalen glanced at the letter, then back at her, a mocking smirk on his lips. "I see. In a hurry to cut ties now that you've found new backing, huh? Leaving just to run to Desmond, Ana?"

"You have no right to judge me. Mr. Ryan, I'm leaving. Once I'm gone, you won't have to worry about running into me."

"I'm not approving your resignation." He ripped the letter to shreds and tossed it in the trash.

Frustration surged through Ana. "Jalen, didn't you always want me out of your life? Why refuse now?"

"Because of Desmond, that's why. I won't allow it." Just the mention of Desmond's name brought back old memories for Jalen.

"What does that have to do with me?"

"I've decided to keep you around! Watching you suffer will be satisfying. Torturing you is my new favorite pastime. I'm not approving your resignation—in fact, I'm promoting you to work directly under me."

"Do you have to do this, Jalen?"

"You know what happens when you cross me. Elodie's accident was a warning."

Seeing he wouldn't back down, Ana's resolve hardened. "Mr. Ryan, I never signed a long-term contract with the company. If you insist on this, I'll simply leave."

"You wouldn't dare!"

"You forced my hand." She met his gaze, her old feelings for him a distant memory now. "Without the Ryan family, without this company, I'll still thrive."

"Go ahead! Try and leave! I'll make sure you can't survive in this city."

Ana laughed calmly. "I'll prove you wrong. And I'll excel without your approval."

With newfound confidence, she faced Jalen one last time before leaving his office, not caring about the sound of things shattering inside. She was dead certain that, away from this place, her life would only get better.