Chapter 1

Tags: Smear Campaign, Ungrateful Ex, Best Actor Cheating, Class Divide Face-Slap

My boyfriend, Shaun Lee, had just been nominated for Best Actor. Standing in front of the press cameras, he used his interview to viciously tear into my supposedly tyrannical control over him.

"Everything I have today is the result of my own hard work! Corporate executives control everything about me. My entire life has been in their grip.

"Today, I'm finally breaking free from these chains to reclaim who I am!

"I will prove to the world that without corporate power backing me, I can shine just as brightly!"

His speech earned immediate applause from the media. Outlets rushed to praise Shaun for his courage and vision, painting him as a hero who dared to stand up to the industry's elite.

Sitting in my car, I couldn't help but smile. Pulling out my phone, I dialed the event organizers.

"For tonight's Best Actor award... let's switch to someone who actually listens."

Shaun was a rising star I had personally handpicked. Back then, he was only eighteen, and I ran into him at a private networking dinner.

He had looked terrified, surrounded by predatory, wealthy older women, ready to be escorted to someone's hotel room the moment dinner ended.

When my assistant told me his story, I felt a twinge of pity.

His family was dirt poor, but he had the looks. His parents were chronic gamblers who had racked up massive debts, forcing him to drift among wealthy women to pay off their loans.

Once you step into that side of the industry, there's usually no turning back.

In a moment of weakness, I stepped in and saved him. I mapped out his career trajectory and found his exact niche.

I hired top-tier acting coaches to hone his craft, pushing him step by step until he reached the A-list status he enjoyed today.

And now? Now that his wings were fully grown, he chose to drag my name through the mud in public.

"The agency gave me my start, sure. But I refuse to be micromanaged every second of every day, and I refuse to kiss up to industry executives over dinner!

"I'm sick of this life. I want everyone to know that without them, I'll do just fine on my own!

"I will prove myself. Real talent is the only currency that matters!"

His words were impassioned and resonant. Thanks to years of my media training, Shaun carried himself with effortless poise, without a trace of fear under the blinding lights.

Coupled with the spotless public image I had cultivated for him, his industry reputation was golden.

The moment he finished, his fans went wild on Twitter, flooding comment sections to curse the greedy corporate overlords holding him back.

Shaun strode into the venue under the protection of his security detail. Watching the entire spectacle through the tinted window of my car, I let out a soft chuckle.

My assistant glanced at my face nervously and probed, "Shaun is probably just hyping himself up for the press, Mr. Hayes. The competition tonight is brutal. He probably felt like he had no choice."

I sneered. "Four out of the nominees tonight belong to our agency. It doesn't matter who takes the trophy—it wouldn't hurt his standing either way.

"Every resource was given to him fairly. He's just getting ideas he shouldn't have. He wants to walk away without renewing his contract.

"Fine. Let's grant him his wish."

Hearing that, my assistant froze in shock.

As the head of the top talent agency in the industry, I had navigated corporate cutthroats for two decades. Every artist signed under me made bank.

Over the years, I poured my blood, sweat, and tears into them. I treated every single one like my own child, giving everything without a second thought.

Whenever someone wanted to step out of the limelight to live a normal life, I always gave them a graceful exit. We remained close friends.

Shaun was the first one who ever dared to bite the hand that fed him.

Anyone with half a brain could tell that the "corporate monster" he was whining about was me—Austin Hayes.

Glancing at Twitter, the top three trending topics were already about Shaun. I smirked and immediately instructed my assistant to pull up Shaun's complete file.

Over the past ten years, I had poured a fortune into shaping him. Since he wanted independence, he'd better settle the bill down to the last cent.

Furthermore, cancel all the pre-drafted press releases. I originally intended to hand him tonight's Best Actor trophy as a reward.

Now? Forget it.

My assistant hurried off to handle it, while I sat back in the car and made a call.

"Mr. Davis, there's been a slight change of plans tonight. Stick to the original backup plan—let's do an open public vote."

Shaun, since I'm taking my hands off the wheel tonight, let's see if your pure, unadulterated talent can actually carry you to the winner's podium.

I hung up just as my car pulled to a stop at the red carpet. The moment I stepped out, flashes went off in an absolute frenzy, cameras tracking my every move.

Looking straight ahead, I walked into the venue. Plenty of hushed whispers reached my ears along the way, but I couldn't care less.

Once inside the main auditorium, I had barely settled into my seat when I saw Shaun walking straight toward me.

The seating arrangement formed a wide semicircle. Flanking me were fellow executives and studio heads of equal standing.

Approaching me, Shaun wore a look of sheer defiance.

"Mr. Hayes."

Leaning back in my chair, I gave him a slight nod, my demeanor chillingly distant.