No one likes being out competed, that's a given, but no one should cry about it publicly like they were wronged, especially if they actually won by not losing their partner. More to the point, never act like you own another human being and are somehow wronged by someone making them an offer, the same would apply to a girlfriend.

Fair game is exactly the right phrase, in business offering anyone more money or a better opportunity is always fair game, hell, that is the damn game. Want to keep your talent, then make sure you give them a fair deal and don't begrudge them a better deal than you can offer should it come along.

It's unbelievably arrogant to continually refer to someone as my hacker in such a possessive manner, you may as well be saying my ignorant slave. That hacker is likely much smarter than you are, give him some respect and stop talking about him like property.

No one is ever stolen in an adult relationship, only children think that, adults leave, there's a world of difference.