Dethroned Star, She Kneeled and Pleaded for My Forgiveness

After the premiere, I realized my girlfriend, Chelsea, was gone. I searched the whole venue with a glass of champagne in hand, finally hearing her on the phone in the fire escape. She was saying that the film was custom-made for her, guaranteed to win her the Best Actress award. She also mentioned that shed reveal the persons identity during the Best Actress nominations next month. And she specifically stated that tomorrow she would sign a contract for the next project with them, believing that once the contract was secure, they wouldn't dare cause trouble. I leaned against the wall, listening to the entire conversation. It was then I understood. I was just her stepping stone, a director with resources who didn't even demand a salary. The next day, she sent a playful voice message as usual, asking if Id finished writing the script for her next movie. I compiled all the breach of contract clauses from her business agreements into a PDF, added that recording, and sent it to her talent agency. After that, I sent her a text.

1 Less than ten minutes later, Chelsea burst through the door. Her voice was frantic. "Kris, what the hell do you think youre doing?" I scoffed. "I really didnt know you were capable of two-timing me while we were supposedly in a relationship." Chelsea and I went to the same university. I directed a film in my freshman year that instantly hit big, turning me into a prodigy director. Chelsea, though pretty, wasn't particularly outstanding in the sea of beauties at the film academy. I didnt know her back then. In my junior year, I was at the library gathering material when it suddenly started raining. She offered me an umbrella. "Mr. Thorne, please take my umbrella." I was aloof with everyone back then and took a step back. "No, thank you." Chelsea smiled. "Mr. Thorne, you're quite famous on campus; of course, I wanted to meet you." "But to get to know you, and even help you, I think that's rather nice." She pointed to the camera on my body. My life had always been full of pretense, and it was the first time I'd encountered someone so genuine. Before long, we knew each other. A year ago, Chelsea pulled me close. "Kris, I know I'm not good enough for you, but I really like you." At that time, I also had a soft spot for her, pretty and sweet as she was, and accepted her confession. Later, knowing she wanted to be a big star, I personally wrote three scripts for her. As expected, her first film was an instant hit. Now, her second film was a box office smash. Unless something went wrong, she would be nominated for Best Actress in a month, becoming the youngest Best Actress ever. But I never imagined what happened yesterday would occur. Chelseas face was pale. She grabbed my hand. "Kris, let me explain." "Hes like an older brother from my hometown. If it weren't for him, I might not have even gone to college. Hes my benefactor." I shook off his hand. "And? What does that have to do with me?" She looked at me with a hint of judgment. "You've been born with a silver spoon in your mouth, getting whatever you want. Of course, you don't understand the struggles of people like us from the lower class." "If I can become Best Actress, he can leverage my name to stay in this industry and get decent opportunities." "Since I'm with you, I definitely intend to marry you. I'm just helping him out. You're a man, why are you so petty?" Her words struck me as utterly ridiculous. She was my girlfriend, planning to announce she was with another man. Everyone in the industry knew about our relationship. She was essentially trampling my reputation underfoot. And now she was accusing me of being petty. I scoffed, shaking off her hand. "I don't want to argue with you. Lets break up."

2 "And as for the script for the third film, you can forget about it." "I'll find someone suitable." I didn't want to look at her anymore and turned to leave. Chelsea suddenly sneered. "Don't even think about it. The female lead for your third film will definitely be me." I frowned and looked at her. She pulled out her phone and waved it in front of me. "Your company has already signed a contract with mine. Are you trying to breach it?" I suddenly remembered. Today was the day to renew the contract for Chelseas third film. I should have called the company to tell them not to renew. But Chelsea's sudden arrival had disrupted my plans. I gritted my teeth. "Fine. I'll pay the penalty." No matter what, I couldn't stand being around someone like her. Chelsea chuckled. "Don't bother. Both companies have already made official announcements. If you unilaterally breach the contract now, what do you think the netizens will say?" "I'm not an unknown actress anymore. Now I'm a front-runner for Best Actress." Chelsea's eyes gleamed with triumph. Her expression made her seem like a stranger to me. I felt as if I had never truly known her. My chest felt like it had been struck by a heavy hammer. I had been genuine with her; otherwise, I wouldn't have used every resource to pave her way. The door was pushed open again from the outside. Kevin Stone walked in, wrapping an arm around Chelsea's waist right in front of me. "Director Thorne, you once refused to cast me in your films. I bet you never thought you'd become my stepping stone, did you?" Seeing his face, I suddenly remembered five years ago. That was my first film. Kevin was an investor's pick, shoved into the cast. Initially, I tried to tolerate him out of respect for the investor. But his acting was simply abysmal. I'd rather forgo the investors funding than let him ruin my character. Later, I replaced him with a new actor. That new actor became a sensation in the film, instantly rising to become an A-list star. I never expected Kevin Stone to be Chelseas boyfriend. My gaze fell on Chelsea. "So, you're not hiding it anymore?" Chelsea raised an eyebrow. "Eventually everyone will know Kevin is my boyfriend. Knowing sooner or later makes no difference." "Besides, I'm a Best Actress, an actress, not an idol. I'm allowed to date." I couldn't help but laugh aloud. "You're that confident you'll win Best Actress?" Chelsea straightened her back. "The impact of my two films isn't just national, it's global. In the entire industry, no one can snatch it from me. If not me, then who?" "Even if you tried to rig it, my fans would see it as a conspiracy and wouldn't stand for it." Kevin chuckled. "Director Thorne, thank you for paving the way for us. When we reach the top, we'll definitely remember your generosity." Chelsea looked at me. "Don't worry, I won't break my promise. Ill still marry you." I just felt disgusted. My fists clenched tightly. She thinks shes guaranteed Best Actress, doesnt she? Well, we'll see about that.

3 Early the next morning, before dawn, I left my place. When my car pulled up outside Scarlett Reeds apartment, I cut the engine and sat there for a while. I couldnt put my finger on the feeling, just a knot of frustration in my chest that I couldn't seem to release. I went upstairs and knocked on her door. Scarlett opened the door in her pajamas, her hair a mess. The moment she saw me, she froze. "What are you doing here?" She instinctively took half a step back, a hint of awkwardness in her eyes. She was actually the female lead in my first film. Later, when her career was booming, she confessed her feelings for me. But I had already met Chelsea by then and turned her down. Since then, Scarlett had kept a low profile, rarely taking on acting roles. But I knew she was incredibly talented. And she had a huge fanbase; whenever she appeared, audiences would respond. There was another very important thing. There was still a film we co-produced that hadn't been released yet. I didn't beat around the bush. "Scarlett, I need your help." Her expression shifted several times, finally leaning against the doorframe, looking at me with complicated eyes. After about ten or fifteen seconds of silence, she stepped aside, letting me in. "Come in and talk." When I left, she stood at the doorway watching me go. She didn't say anything, but I knew she would help me. Not because she was generous, but because some debts, sooner or later, had to be settled. Chelsea said no one could be her competitor, didn't she? But she forgot. It was she, Chelsea, who had brutally pushed Scarlett out of the Best Actress spot back then. Shed sat on that throne for too long. It was time to repay the debt. I got home around two in the afternoon. As I pushed open the door, I saw Kevin Stone wearing my pajamas, holding Chelsea, his head buried in her neck. I frowned. "What are you two doing?" Seeing me, Chelsea calmly adjusted her clothes. "You're back?" "We were just rehearsing. In the next project, we're playing a couple. Youre a director yourself, you know this is perfectly normal in our line of work." Kevin looked at me with blatant provocation. I suppressed the rage burning in my chest. "You two dogs, get out of my house!" Chelsea stared at me. "Do you have to make things so ugly?" I gritted my teeth. "Get out!" But Chelsea picked up a property deed from the table and tossed it at my feet. "This is my house. Youre the one who needs to leave!" I looked at the property deed at my feet. Chelsea's name was on it. Last month was Chelsea's birthday. She sat in my lap, her arms around my neck. "Kris, I know you love me very much, but you know, in our industry, love is so fleeting." "I really feel very insecure." I held her, making a significant decision. I transferred all the properties under my name to her. Including this one, the house I bought with the money from my first successful film. I never imagined that one day she would kick me out of my own home. I was packing my suitcase in the room. Chelsea walked in. "I didn't want you to leave." I looked up at her. "Then tell Kevin to leave the house now." She frowned. "Why are you so obsessed with him?" "I already told you, he's my benefactor. I can't be ungrateful. Since you're my boyfriend, you should be thankful to him too!" My voice was cold. "Weve broken up. Im not your boyfriend. He is." The thought of being with this kind of woman for so many years, wasting so many resources, just made me sick. I picked up my suitcase and walked out. Chelsea's voice came from behind me. "If you walk out of this house today, then we are truly over." "Im telling you, Im about to become Best Actress. Youll definitely regret this." I carried my suitcase, not even turning around. I wouldn't regret it. As for Best Actress, she wasnt guaranteed to get it.

4 I took my luggage straight to the film set. After discussing it with Scarlett, within a couple of days, I scheduled the unreleased film for screening. Though the timing was rushed and there was no publicity. But because I was the director. And Scarletts acting skills were well-recognized in the industry. On opening day, while it couldn't compare to Chelsea's box office, it still performed well. That day, Chelsea called. "Kris Thorne, I think you're truly insane, ruining your own reputation." "Your new film's box office today isn't even a third of your usual. Aren't you panicking?" I scoffed, hanging up on her. I knew Chelsea well; she definitely hadnt seriously watched the movie. Over the next two weeks. The film's box office kept climbing, already surpassing Chelseas second film and quickly catching up to her first. I was just finishing up on set when Chelsea stopped me. "If you take 'Chrysalis' offline now, I might consider not breaking up with you." Still so high and mighty. Without me, she wouldn't be where she was today. How could she possibly think I'd be unwilling to let her go? I pushed her aside. "No way." Another week passed, and the film became a massive box office hit. Scarlett instantly soared to become a top-tier actress. The film was also nominated for this years Best Picture and even garnered a nomination for its educational significance. The international film festival was the next day. Scarlett called me. "I've been nominated for Best Actress." Just as she was about to hang up, she suddenly said: "Check the internet immediately." I quickly opened my computer. The top trending topic showed ambiguous photos of Scarlett and me. There were also timelines of Chelsea and me entering the same room. Netizens in the know claimed that I had cheated on Chelsea with Scarlett during our relationship. Everyone was cursing me. To everyone's surprise, Chelsea even posted a veiled comment. [Someone betrayed me, but someone else will love me.] Her fans flooded my comment section. [Shameless! Cheating on our darling Chelsea!] [What an old hag, how could she compare to Chelsea? Pffft!] [This guy has the nerve to be a director? I'll never watch his films again!] Even all my personal information was dug up. That night. Not only my house, but Scarletts house was also surrounded. Chelsea called, her voice triumphant. "The Golden Rooster Best Actress award won't go to a disgraced actress like her, Kris. You really thought you could succeed? Impossible!" I hung up on her, blocking her number immediately. She wouldn't think I didn't have a backup plan, would she?