Chapter 2

Looking at Chloe on that stage, my eyes filled with utter disbelief. With the entire room watching, she would rather clutch Marcus's arm than admit she had ever been with me.

We had loved each other for three years. It hadn't been a wild, tabloid-style romance, but the simple, tender moments of everyday life had made us inseparable.

On set, people always said that my films did so well only because of her acting, and that if she just had real studio backing, her career would skyrocket.

She used to comfort me, saying she just wanted to hone her craft and didn't need Hollywood studio politics. I respected her choice.

After three years of hard work, I had planned to propose to her next year. And on our engagement day, I was going to reveal my true identity to her.

"Boss, don't let her fool you! I just looked him up—this guy really is her ex-boyfriend!"

"Oh, so this is that broke, nobody indie director? Gotta admire the balls on him, tracking down his ex all the way here!"

Marcus's entourage burst into loud, mocking laughter, looking me up and down like I was roadkill.

"Chloe, I need an explanation," Marcus grunted, his brow furrowing with impatient anger.

Chloe shuddered on the stage. Knowing she couldn't squirm out of it, she turned toward me, her tone dripping with venom.

"Julian, we're over! Why the hell did you follow me here? Don't you have any dignity left?"

"Marcus is an elite Hollywood director, a summit you will never reach in your entire pathetic life! With just a snap of his fingers, he can turn me into an A-list star!"

"I was sick of you a long time ago. Did you really believe me when I said I didn't want big studio resources? That was just my way of pushing you to step up! Who knew you'd stay a useless nobody for three whole years?"

So, that was what she really thought all along? My chest tightened, my breath catching in my throat.

A smug, mocking glint flashed in Marcus's eyes.

"So she was dating a two-bit loser from the middle of nowhere. Hey kid, ever heard of me? I'm the godson of Arthur Sterling, the top mogul in this town!"

"A single word from me can give Chloe the kind of blockbuster deals you couldn't dream of touching in ten lifetimes."

I didn't spare Marcus a single glance. My eyes remained fixed on Chloe.

"You dumped me without a word, just for studio connections? What was the last three years to you?"

Chloe scowled in disgust.

"People climb up, Julian. That's life. We belong to two completely different worlds now. Why are you clinging to me like a leech? You crawled out of the dirt, now go back to it!"

"I must have been blind to waste three years on you. Make sure you remember this: I am Marcus's woman now."

"If you've got that through your thick skull, never show your pathetic face around me again. Now get the hell out of here!"

Marcus suddenly stepped forward, a nasty smirk spreading across his face.

"Leave? Did I say he could leave? He crashed my engagement party. He doesn't get to walk away without paying the price."

"Security! Drag this bastard up here. I'm going to teach him a little lesson myself."

At Marcus's command, a heavy squad of bulky guards rushed forward, surrounding me with cold, ruthless sneers.