Chapter 1

On the eve of the National Screen Awards, my A-list actress wife told me she had a surprise for me. She told me to dress to the nines.

I thought she was finally going to take our secret five-year marriage public. I was so thrilled that I couldn't sleep all night.

Yet the very next day, in front of a live national broadcast, she publicly labeled me as a creepy stalker.

She kicked me out of her studio on the spot.

She replaced me with Harrison Cole, her first love who had just flown back from abroad, giving him my position as her manager.

The internet immediately exploded with vicious hate and harassment directed at me.

I only went silent for a moment before calmly walking up to Harrison.

I handed over every single high-profile connection and contract in my hands without holding back.

"On such a grand occasion, just accepting a trophy isn't enough, is it? Why don't you two get married right on stage? I guarantee you'll take the number one trending spot."

My wife's face turned pitch black as she ordered me to pack my shit and get the hell out.

Neither of them had any idea that I was the ultimate billionaire investor behind all her top-tier resources.

Without me, no producer or sponsor in the industry would ever look at her twice.

......

"I went from a total nobody to tonight's Best Actress, and there's one person I truly want to thank. If it weren't for his encouragement and support, I wouldn't be standing on this stage tonight."

I straightened my bowtie and was just about to walk on stage with the massive diamond ring in my pocket, when I heard her continue.

"Tonight, with millions watching live, I would like to announce Harrison as my new manager. Even though he isn't from this industry, he has been my quiet companion all these years and my only emotional pillar. With him by my side, I know I will reach even greater heights!"

Screams and cheers erupted throughout the entire venue, but I stood frozen in place like a statue.

I had spent the entire morning getting dressed up and had even booked a city-wide fireworks show.

All of it was meant for the moment Yasmin Pierce announced our marriage, so we could seal our love before the entire world.

Yet right now, watching her wrap her arms around Harrison Cole in a tight embrace, I only felt a bitter sense of ridicule.

No wonder she banned me from walking the red carpet with her before the ceremony started.

Right then, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted a question.

"Wait, what about Jenson? An actress can't have two managers, can she?"

Harrison seemed to finally notice me standing in the shadowed corner. He extended his hand toward me with a smug smile.

"I'm new to this business and still have a lot to learn. Why don't you stay on as my assistant, Jenson? I hope we can work well together!"

I stared at him coldly, unable to believe what I was hearing.

Me, the sole heir to the wealthiest empire in the country, working as his assistant?

Unwilling to accept this humiliation, I looked at Yasmin, hoping she would step forward and clear the air.

All I got in return was her cold snort.

"What an embarrassment. I guess you can never expect basic decency from a deranged stalker fan. Harrison, stay away from him."

The moment those words left her mouth, the entire hall erupted into chaos.

"Jenson always looked so professional and decent. Who knew he was actually an obsessive stalker? It looks like Yasmin has been harassed by him for a long time!"

"To think I felt bad for him just a second ago. Scum like him should rot in hell!"

I raised my head in utter disbelief, my chest aching as if my heart were being shredded.

My wife of five years, bound to me in secret marriage, had just labeled me a psychotic stalker on live television.

She completely forgot that over the past five years, I was the one who pulled strings and carried her step-by-step to where she stood today.

Back then, she dropped out of college without any formal acting background and severed ties with her family just to break into show business.

I gave up my prestigious spot at an Ivy League university and went against my powerful family just to stay by her side.

I tapped into every elite connection I had to pave her golden path.

I drank until my stomach bled at networking dinners, pushing through the agonizing pain just to secure her award-winning scripts.

She once promised me that the day she won Best Actress, she would announce our marriage to the world.

So, I single-handedly built her into the country's biggest superstar, letting her sweep every award while I willingly hid my identity as an empire heir to be her unpaid manager.

I never imagined that the day of my dreams would turn into my worst nightmare.

I watched as Yasmin brazenly showed off a matching couple's ring with Harrison right in front of the flashing cameras.

Meanwhile, the cheap wedding band on my ring finger had long faded in color, yet I had never once taken it off.

The corners of my lips pulled into a mocking smirk. I had truly been blind.

She was never worthy of my devotion.

Seeing me stand there in silence, Harrison gave my shoulder a patronizing pat.

"We'll be colleagues moving forward. I hope you won't hold back on teaching me the ropes, Jenson."

I slapped his hand away with force and glared at the two of them with freezing detachment.

Harrison knew full well that Yasmin and I were legally married. Right now, he was deliberately provoking me in front of the cameras.

He even relished watching the clueless public tear me apart online.

My fists clenched tight at my sides, every nerve screaming to punch his smug face in.

Seeing me remain quiet, Yasmin threw a look of pure contempt at me.

"What, you want to throw a punch now? Sure, you brought me a few decent scripts, but wasn't it my own talent that blew the directors away?"

"Otherwise, do you really think a nobody without a single industry license like you is some legendary manager?"

"Letting you be Harrison's assistant is doing you a massive favor. Don't be ungrateful."

Harrison chuckled softly, turning around to soothe Yasmin like a hero.

"Regardless, Jenson stayed by your side for five years. He's my senior. It's completely natural for him to feel bitter after losing his spot to me."

"Still, we're all doing this for your career. Jenson, if you're upset, take it out on me. Let's not ruin the mood for everyone."

He played the gracious saint, painting me as a petty, jealous senior who couldn't handle being replaced.

Based on what?

Looking at the two of them linking arms so intimately before the cameras, the rage in my heart gradually chilled into dead silence.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, I took a calm step forward.

"I can't afford to be called your senior. Since you're Yasmin's sole emotional pillar, you don't need to learn any real skills. Just stay by her side and act as her human ornament."

"I'll go process my resignation right away. But on such a grand occasion, just accepting a trophy isn't enough, is it? Why don't you two get married right here? I guarantee you'll take the number one trending spot."