My fingers tightened around the hem of my gown.

This award was mine.

When Adrian first founded Rose Pictures, I gave up my position in my family’s company and signed with his fledgling studio.

For five years, I worked tirelessly, studying scripts and honing my craft.

Everyone agreed I had long since earned this honor.

And yet—the winner of the Best Actress Award was Chloe Miller.

When she hopped excitedly onto the stage, the entire hall was stunned.

Directors I had worked with shouted about corruption.

“Who is this woman? What work has she even done?”

“This award must be rigged!”

Even rival actresses spoke up.

“She barely has two obscure films to her name. By seniority and skill, Sophia Green should have won!”

I sat still, my eyes fixed on Adrian.

But his gaze was on Chloe alone, and he led the applause.

Now, Rose Pictures was no longer the small company it once was. Adrian held absolute power. No one in the industry dared oppose him.

So everyone clapped along.

Chloe’s acceptance speech came with tears.

“I never thought I’d win. Maybe it’s just luck. Thank you for your support—I’ll work harder and keep learning from all the seniors in this industry!”

She lifted the trophy, locking eyes with me, a flash of provocation gleaming there.

I stood to leave. The eyes of those waiting for a scene all turned toward me.

Adrian grabbed my arm.

“Sophia, do you really want to embarrass a young girl like this?”

I curled my lips into a cold smile.

“Not at all.”

Then I lifted my gown and walked toward the exit.

“Sophia!” Chloe ran to block me as she came down from the stage, her face full of guilt.

“I’m just a small-town girl from a humble background. I only just entered the industry. I don’t deserve this award. To me, you’re the one who truly deserves it.”

She lowered herself like a rookie seeking mentorship.

She pressed the trophy into my hands, lifting her wrist casually—revealing a ruby necklace.

It was the gift Adrian had crafted for my birthday last year.

I’d never even worn it, keeping it locked away.

My mind went blank.

“Chloe, don’t belittle yourself,” Adrian said as he approached, ruffling her hair tenderly.

“If the award is in your hands, then you deserve it.”

He turned to me with disapproval.

“Sophia, what is this behavior? If your talent isn’t enough, do you think you can snatch a newcomer’s award?”

My eyes flew wide.

For years, I had given up my inheritance, started as a no-name actress, worked until I vomited at social gatherings, filmed until dawn.

It was my effort that had taken Rose Pictures public.

And now, in front of the entire industry, he declared I wasn’t talented enough.

I clenched my fists so hard my nails cut into my palm. Taking a steadying breath, I said coldly,

“Mr. Carter, when my contract ends, I won’t be renewing.”

Adrian frowned and grabbed my wrist.

“Sophia, what nonsense are you spouting?”

I yanked free.

“I said, I quit!”

Chloe reached out to stop me.

“Sophia, don’t be mad. This is all my fault.”

I brushed her aside without looking at her.

She cried out softly as she collapsed bonelessly to the ground.

“Mr. Carter, it’s not Sophia’s fault—I just lost my balance. Don’t blame her.”

Adrian rushed to her, full of distress. Then he turned on me with fury.

“Sophia! Stop making trouble!”

“Chloe meant well. How could you take offense?”

I laughed bitterly.

“As if I need her fake kindness.”

My heels clicked sharply as I turned away.

Adrian caught up in a few strides, seizing my arm.

“Sophia, what tantrum are you throwing now?” His eyes were cold as ice.

“The ceremony isn’t even over. You won’t apologize to Chloe, and you want to leave early?”

I sighed, lifting my gaze to his face.

Once, I had drowned countless times in those deep, tender eyes.

Now they were filled with nothing but indifference and disdain.

Calmly, I said, “Mr. Carter, our contract is over. You have no say in my choices anymore.”

I glanced at Chloe.

“As for apologizing to her? She can keep dreaming.”

Adrian clicked his tongue impatiently. Then, smirking, he added,

“Why be so jealous of a young girl? Chloe just joined the company. Having an award will make her career smoother.”

I gave a bitter laugh.

“So you gave her my path?”

He waved it off.

“It’s just one award. You don’t need it—you can win another next year.”

He knew how hard I had fought for this.

Yet he handed it away so casually.

“Do what you want. I won’t play along anymore!”

I turned without looking back.

Adrian hadn’t expected me to refuse to yield this time. For a moment, he froze, then caught up.

“Sophia, what are you so angry about? Just because I didn’t give you the award?”

I looked at him with pure disappointment.

“In your eyes, is that the only issue?”

He faltered, lowering his tone slightly before lifting his chin arrogantly again.

“Then tell me—what else?”

“You know perfectly well,” I said, staring him down.

He averted his gaze. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I grabbed Chloe and demanded,

“Then tell me—why are the earrings and bracelet I gave you on her?”

Adrian exhaled in relief, softening his voice.

“All this fuss over such a small thing?”

“You never wore them. I thought letting her use them at a big event would help her image.”

My heart hollowed out in an instant.

The gifts I had treasured so much—worth nothing to him.

“Sophia,” Adrian said coolly, “since when did you become so petty?”

“If you want, I’ll buy you new ones.”

His eyes softened as he looked at Chloe.

“Chloe has worked hard on set lately. She deserves a reward.”

I trembled with fury.

“A reward?”

Since Chloe had joined, he had broken promise after promise to me.

Every fight ended with me conceding.

But not this time.

“Adrian Carter, those earrings were couple’s earrings! Their meaning was eternal devotion! I searched for half a month in Germany to find them. And now you share them with someone else!”

His hand went unconsciously to the matching stud in his own ear.

For a moment he looked guilty, but quickly masked it with his usual superiority.

“Just a childish gimmick,” he scoffed.

“A normal reward for an employee. Stop twisting it.”

I no longer argued, walking straight out.

Behind me, his voice was cold and sharp.

“Sophia! If you walk away now, don’t come crawling back!”

I didn’t falter.

I rushed to the restroom, splashing cold water on my face to cool the fire in my chest.

The icy water doused the flames of my love, leaving only clarity.

When I returned to my private van, I found the inside a complete mess—my personal belongings strewn everywhere.