They Called Me a Failure I'm Secretly a CEO
I sent them the one I had of Sophia—a sweet, candid selfie she’d sent me last week.
But when it flashed on the screen, the young heartthrob sitting next to me, Ethan Cole, scrunched his perfect brow.
"Liam, man, I get it," he said, his voice dripping with false concern. "You can come after me all you want, but can you please not be a creep about my girlfriend?"
I froze. "I'm sorry, since when does she have a boyfriend?"
Without missing a beat, Ethan pulled out his phone and dialed Sophia. "Babe," he cooed, the cameras zooming in on his face. "Someone's trying to break us up..."
There was a pause on the other end, and then Sophia's voice, crisp and serious even through the speaker. "Who? Where? I'm on the next flight back to the States."
My jaw hit the floor.
The internet exploded.
[I KNEW IT! LIAM KNIGHT IS ALWAYS CHASING CLOUT!]
[GUESS AGAIN, LIAM. SOPHIA ROSE ISN'T SOMEONE YOU CAN JUST USE FOR ATTENTION!]
[OMG, ETHAN AND SOPHIA ARE SO CUTE! GET MARRIED AND MAKE LIAM KNIGHT'S HEAD EXPLODE!]
Seriously? I was just blindsided by the fact that my little sister was secretly dating my number one rival.
1
My dumbfounded expression was instantly clipped, GIF'd, and trending on Twitter.
[LMAO does Liam Knight actually think Ethan is joking? Does he think everyone is as desperate for attention as he is?]
[As if Sophia Rose would ever give him the time of day. This GIF is the best thing to happen all year, I swear.]
[Hahaha, this is GOLD. I love watching this phony get put in his place by Ethan!]
The live chat was a waterfall of hate. I couldn't take it. I bolted from the stage and ducked into the nearest dressing room.
[Did he just run off? Can't handle the heat?]
[Seeing him get knocked down a peg is my new favorite thing.]
I slammed the door shut and immediately called Sophia.
Her voice was rushed on the other end. "Liam, I'm in the middle of something urgent. I'll call you back."
"Let me guess," I said, my voice tight. "Did your new 'boyfriend' call you crying?"
Sophia went quiet for a second. "How did you know?"
"Are you insane? You're dating a guy like that?"
"You don't get it, Liam. He's the most special man I've met in my entire twenty-five years."
I felt the air leave my lungs. "He's an actor, Soph! He can act like anything! I'm telling you, I know exactly who Ethan Cole is, and you need to break up with him. Now."
"It's not an act!" she shot back, defiant. "He tells me he loves me even when he's blackout drunk!"
A knot of frustration tightened in my chest. "What's so hard about that? It's a performance! Watch, I can do it, too. I love you, I love you, I love you!"
"Are you crazy? That's disgusting!" Sophia sounded genuinely repulsed, like she had a full-body cringe. She hung up before I could say another word.
Furious, I spun around—and found someone standing in the doorway.
Ethan Cole had one hand on the doorknob, the other holding his phone. His eyes were wide with manufactured surprise. "Liam? Hey, sorry, I didn't know you were in here."
I gave him a humorless smile. "Funny. I could've sworn I saw you watch me walk into this very room."
"Liam, you..." Ethan's face crumpled into a mask of hurt.
The online comments, which I could only imagine, were probably going wild.
[OMG, YOU PSYCHO, GET AWAY FROM ETHAN!]
[I can't stand this fraud. His movies suck, and so does he. He was hitting on Ethan's girlfriend first!]
I was done playing this game. I brushed past him and walked away.
But of course, in the time it took me to walk to the restroom and back, another social media bomb had gone off.
I clicked the link. It was a three-second video of me on the phone. My frantic, mocking "I love you" to Sophia.
The headline was brutal.
Sophia Rose to Liam Knight: "Are You Crazy? That's Disgusting."
Liam Knight Attempts to Sabotage Relationship, Gets Savagely Shut Down by Business Mogul Sophia Rose.
My world went black.
2
The dressing rooms were soundproofed, private. The only person who could have filmed that video was the one who opened the door at the end: Ethan Cole.
The clip started right at my "confession," making it look like I was having a psychotic breakdown and professing my love for Sophia, only for her to reject me in disgust.
I found Ethan by the craft services table and held up my phone, playing the three-second clip. "You recorded me?"
He forced a nervous laugh. "Whoa, Liam, don't get the wrong idea. I was just taking a selfie and you were in the background, I didn't mean to—"
"Why was your camera pointed at me for a selfie? And if it was an accident, why did you post it?"
The color drained from his face. He realized his mistake—admitting he filmed it was admitting he leaked it. It completely contradicted his carefully crafted persona as the kind, harmless victim.
His eyes welled up, his lip trembling. The performance was flawless. "Liam, please," he whispered, his voice cracking. "Just stop going after my girlfriend, okay? I tried talking to you, but you wouldn't listen. I don't know how to fight with people... I just didn't know what else to do." He looked down, a single tear tracing a path down his cheek. "She's the first girl I've ever really loved like this. Please... just leave us alone."
I cut him off. "That whole routine might work on her, but it's wasted on me." My voice was flat. "You play enough games, and eventually, people see you for who you are. It's only a matter of time before she dumps you. Watch your back."
I turned and walked away.
The premise for this season of the reality show was a "back to basics" rural theme. As I was getting ready for the next leg of the trip out to some farm, my agent called.
"For God's sake, Liam, can you stay out of trouble for five minutes? You're trending for the third time today!"
I pulled up my phone. The number one trending topic had a big red "BREAKING" tag next to it:
Liam Knight Threatens Ethan Cole
Just moments before, an audio clip had been "leaked" by an anonymous "production staffer." It was the audio of my conversation with Ethan. I was certain we had been the only two people there.
My social media mentions were a war zone.
[Dude, get a clue. Sophia Rose herself confirmed Ethan is her boyfriend! And you're telling HIM to 'watch his back'?]
[Hope you die alone, you homewrecker.]
[Who is this clown? Oh, right, the guy who makes garbage movies. No wonder. His whole family is probably trash.]
...
At the same time, Ethan started a live stream from the back of his car. His eyes were red-rimmed, but he was smiling "bravely."
"Guys, please don't say mean things. I'm sure it's all just a misunderstanding between me and Liam," he said softly. "It makes me sad to think I might have caused him any pain."
His fans were eating it up.
[OMG MY POOR BABY YOU ARE TOO KIND FOR THIS WORLD! Liam Knight is just a bully! DON'T DEFEND HIM!]
[You're so sweet, I'm crying for you! On my way to Liam's Twitter to light him up.]
[We will protect the kindest boy in the world! Liam Knight can rot!]
Sitting in the van, the world swam before my eyes. I picked up my phone and called Sophia again.
3
"Break up with him. Right now." I didn't bother with a greeting.
Sophia sounded completely lost. "Liam, I told you, this is real."
"Did you happen to see how he's manipulating the entire internet to make me look like a monster? Have you even glanced at what's trending?"
"Oh, come on, Liam. You get dragged online every other day. I'm used to it by now."
...She had a point.
"It's fine, big brother," she said, her tone softening. "When I get back, I'll take you both out to dinner. We'll clear the air. Ethan is a really good person, he's not what you think."
"Forget it. I have more experience in this industry than you have contracts signed."
"And what has that experience gotten you? Nothing but bad reviews."
"You—"
"Look, Liam, just quit," she said, not unkindly. "You know your acting got passed down from Mom."
I had no comeback for that.
After a moment of letting me stew in her victorious silence, she continued, "Seriously, bro. Just come home and help me run the family business. You'd make way more money, and my life would be a hell of a lot easier. Why are you putting yourself through all this?"
"No! I didn't get into this business for the money. I did it for Amelia!"
"..."
4
The truth was, I never needed to be in show business.
My parents were constantly begging me to come home, to join Sophia in running the family empire and take it to the next level.
But I was stubborn. I chose the chaos of Hollywood for one reason: to get closer to Amelia Lane.
The goddess I'd worshipped from afar for five years.
To avoid any unnecessary drama, I had never publicly disclosed my relationship with Sophia. I took my mother's last name, Knight. Sophia took our father's, Rose. In all these years, no one had ever connected the dots.
Until now, when it had all blown up into this ridiculous circus.
A wave of regret washed over me. As her older brother, I'd always been the one to guide her, to keep her focused. I'd been so strict about her not dating in high school or college.
I guess the consequence of a youth devoid of romance was that the first slick-haired charlatan who came along could lead her away by the nose.
I slumped down in my seat in the van, my head in my hands. "I should have let her date more when she was younger."
5
My dark mood evaporated the moment we arrived at the next location.
Because as soon as I stepped out of the van, I found out who the "surprise celebrity guest" was.
"Amelia Lane?!" I gasped. "Is it really her? Is she actually here?"
A crew member shot me a disdainful look, sniffed, and walked away. Ever since the drama with Ethan "stealing" my "crush," the entire production team had been treating me like I was radioactive. When they realized the online audience loved their coldness toward me, they doubled down.
I didn't care. After years in this business, I was used to the side-eyes and whispered insults.
Amelia was the only thing that mattered.
The moment she stepped out of her black SUV, a wave of shrieks erupted from the crew and the other cast members.
I darted forward, holding out a pristine, gold-edged photo card. "Ms. Lane, I'm a huge fan. Could I please get your autograph?"
She pulled down her mask, and her smile was like the sun breaking through clouds. "Of course."
She took the card, scribbled something on it, and handed it back.
I was about to place it carefully in my jacket pocket when I glanced down and saw what she'd written. Two words.
[Asshole]
I blinked.
When I looked up, she was giving me a contemptuous little sneer.
"Ethan!" a cheerful voice cried out, shattering the moment. Ethan's car had arrived.
The second he got out, Amelia launched herself into his arms.
Ethan caught her easily, spinning her around before setting her down and ruffling her hair. "You're the surprise guest? I thought you were filming on the other side of the country."
"Heehee," she giggled. "I knew you were here, so I came just for you. Or maybe I just had a sudden whim to join this show. Which story do you like better?"
The online comments on the live feed must have been exploding.
[I'LL SAY IT! SHE CAME FOR YOU! FOR YOU FOR YOU FOR YOU!]
[This is so sweet I'm crying...]
Ethan just smiled and tapped her lightly on the forehead. "You're always teasing me."
Amelia pouted. "You hit me again! Hmph!"
I frowned. "Don't you have a girlfriend?"
Amelia immediately stepped in front of Ethan, shielding him from me. She gave me a look of pure scorn. "Ethan and I grew up together. We're childhood friends who have supported each other through everything to get where we are today. I would hope, Mr. Knight, that you wouldn't project your own dirty mind onto everyone else."
6
The live chat went into another frenzy.
[That's our queen Amelia! She can spot an asshole a mile away!]
[Quote of the day! Just because someone likes being a homewrecker doesn't mean everyone does.]
[They're childhood best friends, that's just how they are. Someone with the last name Knight needs to stop judging everyone by his own low standards.]
A hot spike of anger shot through me. I was about to say something when my assistant pulled me aside.
"Liam, cool it. She just landed the lead role in a massive Hollywood blockbuster. Half the industry is kissing her feet right now. If you get into a fight with her, you're the only one who's going to get hurt."
"A blockbuster?" I scoffed.
My assistant nodded. "Yeah. Some mysterious billionaire is a huge fan of hers and is pouring money into the production just for her. I heard the guy thinks she's the next big thing. If you piss her off, Liam, we can't afford the fallout."
"Hah," I said. "He's investing in her because he appreciates her acting. That doesn't give her a license to be a tyrant."
My assistant gave me a pitying look. "Liam, it's probably best not to pretend you know what a billionaire is thinking."
"I'm not pretending," I said, a cold smile spreading across my face. "I'm pulling my funding."
"Liam, you... sigh!" My assistant just shook his head and walked away. I heard him muttering to a colleague a few feet away.
"Liam's lost it. He's actually starting to believe he's Amelia's big-shot investor. First he thinks he's Sophia Rose's boyfriend, now he's having delusions of being a studio head. I think all the hate comments finally broke his brain."
I had already pulled out my phone and dialed my secretary.
"Pull it," I said, my voice firm. "You heard me. Pull the funding."
My secretary was silent for a beat. "But Mr. Knight... you're Amelia Lane's biggest supporter, aren't you?"
"I was blind. Pull it. Cancel every bid, every investment connected to her. Immediately."
"Yes, Mr. Knight."
Hanging up, I finally felt a sliver of satisfaction.
I walked back towards the set, but the scene in front of me nearly made me drop my phone.
Ethan was sipping from a cup of iced tea. On the straw was a lipstick stain, the exact shade Amelia was wearing. He took a sip and handed it back to her. "It's a little too sweet. They messed up this batch."
Amelia took it back without a second thought, putting the lipstick-stained straw to her own lips. "I think so too, but since you bought it for me, I guess I can force myself to drink a little."
"You're impossible," he chuckled.
"Hold on," I interrupted. "You have a girlfriend. Even if you are childhood friends, shouldn't you have some boundaries?"
Amelia moved to stand in front of him again, her expression defiant. "Like I said, Mr. Knight, don't project your own filth onto us."
That did it. My temper flared. "If someone is already filthy," I shot back, "then they're going to seem disgusting no matter who's looking, don't you think?"
"You—!" Amelia's face flushed with anger.
Ethan frowned. "Liam, are you calling us filthy?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Is there anyone else here I could be talking to?"
Amelia's expression turned thunderous. Luckily, the director arrived just then, preventing a full-blown meltdown.
Fearing I would cause more "trouble," the production team did something unprecedented: they gave me a private room, away from the other cast.
But just as I finished unpacking my bags, a staffer knocked on the door.
"You're cut from the show."
My assistant stared at him. "What? Why? We have a contract."
The staffer sneered. "This came directly from Ms. Lane."
My assistant deflated, turning to me with a sigh. "Well, Liam. I guess we're really leaving."
I laughed, a sharp, bitter sound. "Wow. So she's calling the shots now? Fine. Let's go. I'm sick of this business anyway."
That day, I was trending on social media for the last time:
Liam Knight Finally Forced Out of Hollywood
7
I went home.
The trending topics weren't just about me; Ethan was all over them too. After I left, the show's cameras had captured Amelia comforting him, stroking his hair as he looked forlorn.
A few minutes later, they filmed him on the phone with Sophia, telling her how much he missed her.
Sophia's voice, syrupy and sweet, carried through the phone's speaker. "It's okay, my love. I just landed. I'll be there soon. With me by your side, no one will ever bully you again."
Hearing Sophia put on that cloying voice made me want to throw up.
The internet, however, was in a state of ecstasy.
[PLEASE, UNIVERSE, GIVE ME A MOVIE STAR CHILDHOOD BESTIE AND A BEAUTIFUL, WEALTHY GIRLFRIEND!]
[THIS IS THE LIFE EVERY MAN DREAMS OF!]
[I can't even imagine having one woman this beautiful, and this guy has TWO?]
...
My phone rang. It was Sophia. "Liam, I'm back in the country. When are you free? I want you and Mom and Dad to finally meet Ethan."
I didn't sugarcoat it. "Mom and Dad won't like him. And neither do I."
"You don't know that," she said, her voice bubbling with happiness. "I have never met a man who makes my heart feel this way. Once you all meet him, you'll see. You'll accept him."
"..."
Listening to my sister sound so blissfully delusional, I quietly ended the call.
A few minutes later, the trending topics shifted again.
Sophia Rose had posted on her personal, rarely used Instagram account. It was a photo of her and Ethan, their faces close together.
The caption read:
[Take my hand, take me home.]
I commented below it:
[So lame.]
My comment was immediately dogpiled and shot to the top.
[Still dreaming, are we, third wheel? Lame or not, it has nothing to do with you. They're about to meet the parents and you're still here throwing a tantrum?]
[SOPHIA AND ETHAN FOREVER! HOPE THE HATERS CHOKE!]
I replied to the top comment:
[I won't choke, thanks. After all, whether he can marry her or not is still up to me.]
Moments later, a new hashtag was born:
#LiamKnightHasLostHisMind
8
I called my parents immediately.
When they heard the name "Ethan Cole," both of them, who were supposed to be on a relaxing vacation, said in unison, "Absolutely not."
I sighed. "I know, but you know how stubborn Sophia is. Sometimes you have to let someone hit rock bottom before they learn. You two should probably come back soon."
I had just pulled up to my house when I saw him. Ethan Cole, standing right by my front gate.
He was holding his phone, live-streaming.
"That's right, everyone. I'm about to meet the parents today. I came a little early to give her a surprise. What do you all think of my outfit?"
The comments were flying.
[You look so handsome! If I were the mother-in-law, I'd tell you two to get married on the spot!]
The next second, I smacked the phone out of his hand. It clattered onto the pavement.
"No filming is allowed on this property. Didn't Sophia tell you that?"
[WTF! That psycho is here too!]
[If I remember correctly, the security in this gated community is insane. How did a random trespasser like him even get in?]
Ethan stared at me, then his brow furrowed. "Liam, I know you're upset that Sophia and I are together, but this isn't your house. Even if you follow us here, you can't stop her from loving me. You should just leave. I can pretend I never saw you."
The live comments scrolled furiously.
[My baby is so kind, still giving this asshole a chance.]
[Ethan deserves the best things in the world~]
I let out a cold laugh. "Why would I leave? Why would I have to leave my own house?"
9
[Is this guy delusional? You can't just buy a house in this neighborhood; you need serious connections. Amelia Lane had to wait a year to get a property here. How could a washed-up actor possibly afford a place?]
[He's a fantasist. Didn't the news already say he's gone crazy? Of course he'd imagine he's with Sophia and living in her house.]
[I feel so bad for Ethan, having to deal with this lunatic.]
My voice was ice. "I have a collection of antique paintings in that house. They're private, and I don't want them broadcast to the world. If you want to come inside, you'll turn off the live stream."
"What an arrogant thing to say. Since when do you get to decide if someone can film inside their own home?"
A familiar voice. I turned in surprise.
Amelia Lane was getting out of a brand-new Ferrari, moving to stand protectively in front of Ethan.
The live chat went insane.
[OMG AMELIA IS HERE!! SHE'S HERE TO BACK ETHAN UP!!]
[God, she's gorgeous. How can someone look that good in casual clothes?]
"Mr. Knight," Amelia said, her voice dripping with condescension. "I have been very patient with you. Either you apologize to Ethan right now and leave, or I'm calling security."
A faint, contemptuous smirk flickered across Ethan's lips before vanishing. He tugged on Amelia's arm. "It's okay, Amelia. Liam was in the business too, it wouldn't look good to call security on him. I forgive him."
[BABY NO, DON'T BE SO NICE TO HIM!]
A look of deep sympathy filled Amelia's eyes. She shook her head. "He bullied you. I'm not letting it go."
[Just kill me now and let it be a wedding gift for you two!]
[What do I do? I ship Ethan and Sophia, but I also ship Ethan and Amelia!]
[Ahem, why choose...]
...
"Oh, security definitely needs to be called," I said, pointing a finger at Amelia. "But you're the one who's going to be escorted out."
Amelia blinked. Then she laughed out loud. The live chat laughed with her.
[Does this guy really think he lives here? Our queen LITERALLY owns property in this neighborhood!]
"Mr. Knight, do I need to remind you? I am a resident here. You are not."
"Let's put aside whether I am or not," I said calmly. "Because I've just decided to revoke your ownership of that property."
"What did you say?" Amelia looked as if she'd misheard me.
I crossed my arms. "Who do you think pulled the strings that allowed you to buy a house here in the first place?"
Amelia stared, then her laughter grew louder. She pulled out her phone and dialed. "Hello, security? I'm at number 88. There's an intruder on the premises. Can you please do a better job with your patrols? You shouldn't be letting lunatics wander in here."
"Hey? Liam? What are you all doing standing out here?"
A Rolls-Royce had pulled up to the gate. Sophia got out, looking confused.
In that instant, Amelia's pupils constricted. "What did you just call him?"
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