Chapter 1

For the sake of his acting career, my boyfriend connected himself with a legendary figure in the entertainment industry and decided to cut me off completely.

Before throwing me out, he relied on his connection with that industry titan to take my car, my house, and every penny in my savings.

“Evelyn Hart, I’m destined to become a superstar now that I’ve secured a relationship with one of the biggest names in the industry.

“And you? You’re just a nobody director stuck in the dirt. Do you really think we’re still on the same level?”

I genuinely couldn’t understand what he was saying.

The so-called industry titan he was talking about… wasn’t that person appointed by my family?

At the launch ceremony for a new film, my boyfriend, Ethan Cole, walked across the center of the stage with famous director Vanessa Sterling clinging to his arm.

He wore a sharp black suit that outlined his elegant figure, making him look like a mysterious star in the night.

Even though the woman he was holding was nearly forty, middle-aged, and visibly overweight, they still looked incredibly intimate.

Just like he used to look when he held me.

My gaze darkened, but the pain in my chest refused to go away.

That very morning, Ethan had brought a contract to the villa and thrown me out.

“Evelyn, do you have any idea how long you’ve held me back? How many opportunities I’ve lost because of you? Do you really think I still have the patience to grow alongside you?”

“As compensation for all these years, I’ll be keeping all your savings. Now get out and go back wherever you came from.”

After he threw me out, I tried to message him.

That was when I discovered he had already blocked me.

I didn’t even have a single dollar on me.

I couldn’t understand it. Why had he suddenly said those things? Why had he kicked me out?

When Ethan and I first got together, I told him that if he needed connections or opportunities, I could help him.

But he laughed and said, “It’s already hard enough for a young director. Don’t go begging people for favors because of me.”

For three years, everything between us had been wonderful.

So why had he suddenly thrown me out that morning?

I wanted to confront him, but he had already driven away.

After using my family’s channels to locate Ethan, I came to the film’s launch ceremony.

Onstage, Vanessa was grinning from ear to ear.

“Welcome, everyone, to the launch ceremony for our new film. But today is more than that.”

She linked her arm around Ethan’s with a radiant smile.

“Today is also our engagement ceremony. We hope everyone will bless us.”

The crowd immediately erupted into cheers and applause.

Ethan pressed even closer to Vanessa and smiled.

“Thank you for your blessings! Vanessa and I will be together forever.”

Three years ago, he had said the exact same thing to me.

Why was he saying it to another woman now?

Was there some reason he couldn’t tell me?

I pushed through the crowd and shouted at Ethan onstage.

“Ethan! Did you break up with me because of this woman?”

When he saw me, panic flashed across his face.

But a moment later, he coldly scoffed.

“Who are you? Do I know you?”

My heart froze.

We had known each other for three years. How could he say something like that?

The first time I met Ethan was on a small film set.

I had just graduated from film school and was full of passion. I rented a tiny studio and began working on my first movie.

I never asked my family for money. I wanted to build myself up one step at a time.

At first, many of the background actors on set disrespected me because I was a new director. They shouted at me and ignored my instructions.

Ethan had been the one to step forward.

He told me that a director had to be tough, then fiercely reprimanded those actors.

As we continued talking, we slowly became familiar with each other.

Eventually, we fell in love.

But he had suddenly broken up with me that morning.

I had to find out why.

Vanessa glared at me from the stage, her face twisting with anger.

“Where did this trash come from? How dare she cause trouble at my engagement party? Is she tired of living?”

The flesh on her face trembled as she gave me a vicious smile.

“Honey, do you know her? Or is she your ex-girlfriend?”

Her eyes narrowed.

“If she is, I’ll make sure she gets a proper welcome.”

Everyone’s attention turned toward me.

Several people looked at me with open hostility.

Ethan’s face went pale. He hurriedly grabbed Vanessa’s hand.

“Vanessa, how could that be? You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved. I don’t even know who she is!”

He turned toward the security guards.

“Where are the guards? Are they all asleep? How did someone like this get inside? Throw her out!”