My Wife’s Assistant Deliberately Made Things Hard for Me

My wife sent her assistant to accompany me to a business dinner at a high-end restaurant.
But at the table, the assistant, Kevin, seemed determined to make my life hell, egging on the client to force me to drink.
I cited a severe alcohol allergy and tried to leave, but Kevin physically blocked my path.
Ethan, youre nothing but a kept man living off your wife. When youre told to drink, you drink. Got it?
I gave him a slow, cold smile, tore the contract in half right there, and dialed my wifes number.
According to your assistant, the Vance family doesnt need me anymore. Is that right?

01
Youre just a pretty boy. You think crying to Ms. Vance is going to help you?
Before Zoe could even speak, Kevin snatched the phone from my hand.
Let me make one thing clear. Youre drinking tonight, whether you want to or not.
I shot him a look that could freeze fire.
And if I dont?
You know, in all my life, Ive never been threatened like this. Youre breaking new ground, Kevin.
The line was still open. My wife's voice, tinny and annoyed, crackled through the speaker.
Ethan, can you stop making a scene? Kevin is just doing whats best for the company. Just listen to him.
Zoes words were so absurd I almost laughed.
Since when did I need a junior assistant telling me how to close a deal? The client hadn't even named his terms, yet Kevin had preemptively offered a twenty percent profit cut. Even then, the client wasn't satisfied, demanding I down a whole bottle of Macallan before hed sign. The fact that everyone in the company knew about my life-threatening allergy was one thing, but this contract was already a disaster.
I was about to lay into her, but Kevin ended the call.
You hear that? Even your own wife says to listen to me. What more do you have to say?
I slowly lifted my head, my voice devoid of any warmth.
Who ever told you I have to listen to her?
The moment the words left my mouth, the client, Mr. Lee, shot to his feet.
If Im not mistaken, you must be the man who married into the Vance family fortune, right? He sized me up, his eyes gleaming with derision.
You ask me, some people just arent cut out for business, he sneered. I ask you to have a single drink, and you tear up the contract. If your wife finds out about this, shell probably divorce you on the spot.
Hearing this, a slow, predatory smile spread across my face.
Mr. Lee, you and Kevin are in this together, arent you?
A sharp sense of observation is a prerequisite for any good businessman. Id noticed the exchanged glances, the subtle nods between them from the moment I walked in. Kevin, the chairmans assistant, wasn't fighting for his companys interests; he was colluding with the other party to corner me. It was clear this dinner was a trap, and I was the target.
Mr. Lees eyes darted away for a second before he regained his composure.
What are you talking about? Im just calling it like I see it, he blustered. Everyone at this table worked their asses off to get where they are. Youre the only one living off a woman.
As for qualifications, Im your companys client. When I tell you to drink, you drink. Is that clear enough for you?
The table erupted in another round of sycophantic laughter.
I swept my gaze across the room, my voice dropping to a dangerous low.
Mr. Lee, I admit Im a handsome man, but Im not fond of the term pretty boy. I suggest you dont use it again.
My eyes narrowed. Otherwise, I might actually get angry. And if I get angry, I promise you, no one in this room is going to have a good night.
Before the threat could even settle, Kevin shot up from his seat.
Ethan, Im right here! Who the hell do you think youre trying to scare? he spat. Others might not know your deal, but I do. Ms. Vance told me everything. Youre only married into the Vance family because of some old promise between your parents. She never wanted you. Not from the start.
My eyes narrowed to slits, my focus locked on him.
Oh, really? Is that what Zoe told you?
A triumphant, almost giddy look crossed Kevins face as he nodded.
Of course. Shes been wanting to divorce you for ages. Youre the one who wont let go, clinging to her family like a leech.
His words hit me with the force of a physical blow. For a moment, I couldn't tell what was a lie and what was the truth. But one thing was certain: a mere assistant wouldn't dare challenge me so openly without someone powerful backing him. I needed to get back to the office, to confront Zoe and find out what was really going on.
But as I stood up, a heavy hand slammed down on my shoulder, forcing me back into my chair.
The partys not over. Where do you think youre going?

02
I slowly tilted my head back, raising an eyebrow.
Where I go is my business. Its certainly not for a junior assistant to decide.
Kevin scoffed, his eyes boring into me. Not while Im here, it isnt. Youre not going anywhere.
I stared at him, genuinely baffled by his audacity. Where was this courage coming from?
Kevin, consider this your official notice. Youre fired.
My words only seemed to fuel his arrogance.
You? Fire me? He laughed, a harsh, grating sound. Do you even have that authority? Look at yourself. Youre a nobody making empty threats.
I shoved him back, the chair scraping against the floor as I rose to my full height.
Kevin, youve provoked me again and again. Do you really think Im that easy to push around?
My voice was low, but it cut through the noise in the room. His face darkened, and he lunged forward, grabbing the collar of my shirt.
Youre just the Vances charity case, you bastard. Dont you dare raise your voice to me. In the entire Vance Corporation, nobody can fire me except Ms. Vance herself.
If I hadn't been sober, I would've thought I was hallucinating. I didnt even hold the mighty Vance family in high regard, yet here was a mere assistant, barking in my face. It seemed Id been keeping too low a profile these past few years.
Kevin, Im warning you. Let go of my shirt right now, I said, my voice dangerously calm, reining in the fury coiling in my gut. Or I promise you, no one will be able to save you tonight.
But some people are just too stubborn for their own good.
His eyes were bloodshot, his face contorted with rage. Im not letting go. What are you gonna do about it? Im the assistant to the Chairman of the Vance Corporation. Everyone in this city shows me respect. Who the hell do you think you are?
Before I could answer, the clients around the table started chiming in, eager to curry favor.
Hes right. Everyone in Havenwood knows the Vance Corporations success is largely thanks to Kevins hard work.
This guys only here because he married into the family. Whats so special about him? Just another pretty boy.
Exactly. Some people get a taste of the good life and forget their place.
The message was clear. In their eyes, I, a department manager, was less important than an assistant. I had no idea where they found the nerve.
Kevin basked in their flattery, his chin tilting higher with every comment.
Listen to me, Ethan. If I were you, Id just drink the damn wine. Itll save you a lot of trouble when you have to explain this to your wife.
I stared at him, my expression unreadable. Kevin, this is your last warning. Do not test my limits. The very woman you keep bringing up, your precious Ms. Vance, only has her position today because of me. The reasons for that are far beyond your comprehension.
I was throwing them a lifeline, a hint that they should back off. More than dealing with Kevins pathetic provocations, I wanted to unmask the puppet master pulling the strings. If my own wife, Zoe, was part of this well, that would make things interesting.
I thought back to three years ago. The Vance family was a third-rate name, teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. One day, Zoe's father, Arthur Vance, found me. His first words were a request for me to marry his daughter, explaining it was a promise made by our fathers long ago. Ive always been a filial son. To honor my fathers last wish, I reluctantly agreed.
On the surface, I was the man who married into the Vance family. In reality, their rise to power was entirely orchestrated by me, from the shadows.
But now, it seemed, someone had grown wings and decided they were ready to fly solo, kicking me out of the nest in the process.
Kevin surveyed the room and sneered. Did you all hear that? This pretty boy just claimed the Vance family owes its success to him. Thats the funniest thing Ive heard all year. The Vances are one of the four founding families of Havenwood! And you? Youre a useless piece of trash. To be blunt, theyd probably be even more successful without you holding them back. They might have even broken into the Capital City scene by now.
And just like that, it all clicked into place. This dinner was a setup. These so-called business tycoons were just actors, hired for a little stage play designed to force a divorce between Zoe and me.
Whoever was behind this had to have some serious influence.

03
Despite their relentless provocations, I held my ground, choosing patience over confrontation. These were, after all, influential figures in the city's business circle, and I preferred not to create a public spectacle.
But my restraint was met only with more derision.
Enough!
I shot to my feet, my gaze sweeping across every face in the room.
This deal is clearly off the table. So now, Im giving all of you a choice. My voice was quiet, but it commanded attention. The smart ones will get out of my sight right now. Anyone who remains, I will consider an enemy of mine. And I show my enemies no mercy.
The room filled with laughter.
Did you hear him, everyone? The pretty boy is giving us a choice! This is rich!
Ethan, you really think youre somebody, dont you?
Every single person in this room is worth millions. What are you going to do, scare us away?
I turned slowly, the effort to control my temper a visible strain.
Have any of you ever heard the saying, Theres always a bigger fish? I warned. I suggest you choose wisely. You wont get a second chance to regret it.
A sneer twisted Kevins lips. A bigger fish? You? Kid, dont think you can hide behind the Vance name forever. You probably dont even know, do you? Ms. Vance is about to divorce you!
Hearing this, the other men at the table visibly relaxed, their mockery growing louder.
I looked at their laughing faces, a profound sense of disappointment washing over me. Was this the best of Havenwoods business world? All this, just because I couldn't have a drink? Call me a kept man, call me a pretty boyI couldn't care less. But to find I couldn't even command respect from an employee of my own company was this the price of my discretion?
Because of my unique circumstances, I had spent the past few years largely out of the public eye. If I overheard employees gossiping about me, I would just smile and walk away. I never imagined that my laid-back attitude would be mistaken for weakness, becoming the very fuel for their arrogance.
Seeing my silence, Kevin assumed Id lost my nerve. He slid a tray of ten full shot glasses in front of me.
Ethan, ten shots. Drink them all, and you can walk out of here. Well forget any of this ever happened, and you can go back to being a trophy husband. But if you refuse Im sorry, but you wont be leaving this room tonight.
I fought to keep the rage from my voice, my eyes locked on his. Kevin, are you forgetting I have a severe alcohol allergy?
He shot me a dismissive look. A few drinks wont kill you. Ive laid out the terms. Its your choice.
His words were so utterly preposterous I almost had to laugh. Not even Zoe's father would dare speak to me like this. Where did this assistant find such gall?
My curiosity about the person backing him intensified.
Kevin, Im done talking to you. Its pointless, I said calmly. Tell your master to come out. What kind of coward hides in the shadows and sends a dog to do his dirty work? Or does he not have the courage to face me himself?
The words had barely left my lips when the doors to the private room swung open.
A man, roughly my age, strolled in with an air of unearned superiority.
Mr. Stone, he said, his voice smooth as silk. It seems the rumors of your stupidity were greatly exaggerated.

04
Th-Thorne? Mr. Caden Thorne? What are you doing here?
Kevins exclamation sent a ripple of shock through the room. Everyone, to a man, scrambled to their feet to welcome the scion from Capital City.
So, you must be the one pulling Kevins strings, I said, remaining seated.
The man who called himself Thorne ignored the others and took the seat directly across from me.
Youre a quick study. I am indeed Kevins boss, he confirmed. The names Caden Thorne. You can call me Thorne, like everyone else. If the Vance family wants to expand into Capital City, they need my support.
His arrogance was a cut above even Kevins.
I gave him a single, dismissive glance before looking away. Youre here for my wife, I presume.
Caden nodded, a look of mock pity on his face.
Mr. Stone, Im told youve been married to Ms. Vance for three years. Have you even held her hand? What a terrible waste. He paused, lighting a cigarette and letting it dangle from his fingers, a smirk playing on his lips. After today, your wife will be my woman.
His words drew no reaction from me, only a sigh of relief.
Is that so? Well, then I understand completely, I said with a shrug. Since you have your eye on my wife, Mr. Thorne, shes all yours.
My nonchalance seemed to throw him off balance.
Arent you even a little bit angry?
I waved a hand dismissively. Whats there to be angry about? In fact, I should thank you. If you hadnt shown up, I wasn't sure how I was going to break things off with her family. But I will offer you a piece of advice: anyone, and I mean anyone, who crosses me ends up regretting it.
Caden, perhaps not expecting me to match his bravado, turned a shade of purple with rage. He snapped his fingers.
Kevin, what are you waiting for? Teach him a lesson!
In a flash, Kevin grabbed a heavy liquor bottle from the table and brought it crashing down on my head.
The world exploded in a shower of glass and pain. Before I could even process it, I was on the floor. Eager to impress his new master, Kevin descended on me with a storm of kicks and punches until my body was a canvas of agony.
Thats enough. Dont kill him, Caden finally said.
He walked over and crouched down beside me.
Kid, consider this a lesson. Remember it well, he whispered, his voice laced with menace. Dont ever try to act tough in front of me again. Or next time, Ill kill you.
I pushed myself up, my body screaming in protest, and met his gaze. My voice was steady, unbroken.
The Thornes of Capital City. Youre not as impressive as I thought.
His face went black. This time, he picked up a chair himself.
But just as he raised it, a collective gasp rippled through the room.
Caden and the others turned in unison toward the door.
Ms. Vance! What are you doing here?

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