The Heiress He Betrayed

For the sake of his acting career, my boyfriend connected himself with a legendary figure in the entertainment industry and decided to cut me off completely. Before throwing me out, he relied on his connection with that industry titan to take my car, my house, and every penny in my savings. “Evelyn Hart, I’m destined to become a superstar now that I’ve secured a relationship with one of the biggest names in the industry. “And you? You’re just a nobody director stuck in the dirt. Do you really think we’re still on the same level?” I genuinely couldn’t understand what he was saying. The so-called industry titan he was talking about… wasn’t that person appointed by my family? At the launch ceremony for a new film, my boyfriend, Ethan Cole, walked across the center of the stage with famous director Vanessa Sterling clinging to his arm. He wore a sharp black suit that outlined his elegant figure, making him look like a mysterious star in the night. Even though the woman he was holding was nearly forty, middle-aged, and visibly overweight, they still looked incredibly intimate. Just like he used to look when he held me. My gaze darkened, but the pain in my chest refused to go away. That very morning, Ethan had brought a contract to the villa and thrown me out. “Evelyn, do you have any idea how long you’ve held me back? How many opportunities I’ve lost because of you? Do you really think I still have the patience to grow alongside you?” “As compensation for all these years, I’ll be keeping all your savings. Now get out and go back wherever you came from.” After he threw me out, I tried to message him. That was when I discovered he had already blocked me. I didn’t even have a single dollar on me. I couldn’t understand it. Why had he suddenly said those things? Why had he kicked me out? When Ethan and I first got together, I told him that if he needed connections or opportunities, I could help him. But he laughed and said, “It’s already hard enough for a young director. Don’t go begging people for favors because of me.” For three years, everything between us had been wonderful. So why had he suddenly thrown me out that morning? I wanted to confront him, but he had already driven away. After using my family’s channels to locate Ethan, I came to the film’s launch ceremony. Onstage, Vanessa was grinning from ear to ear. “Welcome, everyone, to the launch ceremony for our new film. But today is more than that.” She linked her arm around Ethan’s with a radiant smile. “Today is also our engagement ceremony. We hope everyone will bless us.” The crowd immediately erupted into cheers and applause. Ethan pressed even closer to Vanessa and smiled. “Thank you for your blessings! Vanessa and I will be together forever.” Three years ago, he had said the exact same thing to me. Why was he saying it to another woman now? Was there some reason he couldn’t tell me? I pushed through the crowd and shouted at Ethan onstage. “Ethan! Did you break up with me because of this woman?” When he saw me, panic flashed across his face. But a moment later, he coldly scoffed. “Who are you? Do I know you?” My heart froze. We had known each other for three years. How could he say something like that? The first time I met Ethan was on a small film set. I had just graduated from film school and was full of passion. I rented a tiny studio and began working on my first movie. I never asked my family for money. I wanted to build myself up one step at a time. At first, many of the background actors on set disrespected me because I was a new director. They shouted at me and ignored my instructions. Ethan had been the one to step forward. He told me that a director had to be tough, then fiercely reprimanded those actors. As we continued talking, we slowly became familiar with each other. Eventually, we fell in love. But he had suddenly broken up with me that morning. I had to find out why. Vanessa glared at me from the stage, her face twisting with anger. “Where did this trash come from? How dare she cause trouble at my engagement party? Is she tired of living?” The flesh on her face trembled as she gave me a vicious smile. “Honey, do you know her? Or is she your ex-girlfriend?” Her eyes narrowed. “If she is, I’ll make sure she gets a proper welcome.” Everyone’s attention turned toward me. Several people looked at me with open hostility. Ethan’s face went pale. He hurriedly grabbed Vanessa’s hand. “Vanessa, how could that be? You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved. I don’t even know who she is!” He turned toward the security guards. “Where are the guards? Are they all asleep? How did someone like this get inside? Throw her out!”I stared at Ethan on the stage, unable to believe what I was seeing. In front of everyone, he would rather hold Vanessa’s hand than admit that we had ever been together. We had loved each other for three years. It hadn’t been a dramatic, earth-shattering romance, but our everyday moments had been warm and affectionate. People on set often said that my movies only sold well because Ethan was in them. They said that with better connections, his popularity could skyrocket overnight. He had comforted me and said he was only focused on sharpening his acting skills. He didn’t need those kinds of connections. I respected his decision. After three years together, we had planned to get engaged the following year. That would have been when I revealed my true identity to him. “Girl, don’t let him fool you. I investigated. You’re Ethan’s ex-girlfriend!” “So this is that broke, unknown director? She really has some nerve, chasing her ex-boyfriend all the way here.” Vanessa’s friends laughed loudly as they looked me up and down. “Ethan, I want an explanation.” Vanessa frowned impatiently. Ethan’s body shuddered onstage. He knew he could no longer avoid the situation. Looking at me, he sneered. “Evelyn, we already broke up. Why did you follow me here? Don’t you have any shame?” “Vanessa is one of the most famous directors in the industry. She’s a peak you’ll never reach in your entire life.” “She only has to give me the slightest bit of help, and I’ll become a household-name star.” “I’ve had enough of you. Did you really think I was telling the truth when I said I didn’t need your connections?” “That was just a way to motivate you. Who could’ve known you would remain completely useless after three years?” So that was what he had really thought of me? My breathing grew rapid. A mocking glint flashed through Vanessa’s eyes. “So you’re the little director who crawled out of some forgotten corner of the world?” She tilted her chin. “Have you heard of me? I’m the goddaughter of Victor Kane, one of the most powerful people in the industry.” “Just one word from me could give Ethan opportunities you couldn’t reach even after working your entire life.” I ignored Vanessa and continued staring at Ethan. “You broke up with me without saying a word just for the sake of opportunities?” “What were the last three years to you?” Ethan frowned. “Isn’t life about climbing higher?” “Evelyn, we’re not on the same level anymore. Why are you still clinging to me? Go back to wherever you came from.” “I must have been blind to stay with you for three years. Remember this—I’m Vanessa’s man now.” “If you understand that, then never bother me again. Get lost.” Vanessa suddenly stepped forward, her face full of amusement. “Leave? Did I say she could leave?” “She disrupted my engagement party. How could there be no punishment?” She turned toward the guards. “Where are the security guards? Bring her up here. I’ll personally give her a little lesson.” At her command, a large group of guards rushed toward me. Every one of them looked vicious.The guards dragged me onto the stage. Vanessa looked pleased with herself as she reached out and patted my cheek. “Ethan’s ex-girlfriend, huh? If you came all the way here, you must love him very much.” She grinned. “Come on, Ethan. Let’s kiss in front of your ex.” Ethan glanced at me with disgust before leaning over and planting an affectionate kiss on Vanessa’s cheek. Watching them act so intimate, something inside me finally went still. I swept my cold gaze over the two of them. “So that’s how it is.” I smiled faintly. “Then I wish you both happiness. Goodbye forever.” Three years of love couldn’t save this relationship. I wasn’t going to humiliate myself by begging him to stay. “You little bitch. Did I say you could leave?” Vanessa grabbed my wrist and laughed mockingly. “As Ethan’s ex, shouldn’t you give him a proper blessing?” “Actually, I prepared a special part of the ceremony today.” She smiled. “You seem perfect for it. You can hand me the ring, and then Ethan can take the ring from me.” I laughed. “What a performance. Are you trying to keep me here?” Vanessa raised her chin arrogantly. “You really still don’t understand how powerful I am, do you?” “I told you, I’m the only one who gets to leave today. You’re staying.” “Unless I say you can go, you could have all the power in the world and still get nowhere.” The guards beside her were tall and heavily built. They stared at me with icy expressions. The smile on my face grew brighter. I couldn’t remember the last time someone had dared to threaten me so openly. I still remembered when a powerful man in the industry had said one disrespectful thing to me in private. By the next day, he had vanished from the industry. After that, whenever people discussed me, they instinctively lowered their voices. Ethan kept hold of Vanessa’s arm. When he saw me smiling, anger flared in his chest. He rushed over and swung at me. “Evelyn, what are you smiling at? Vanessa is talking to you. Don’t you know you’re supposed to look serious?” I didn’t dodge. His palm struck my face hard. “Ethan, consider that slap the final end of everything between us.” I turned toward Vanessa and smiled. “I’m willing to leave right now, so don’t make the mistake of pushing me too far.” “If I decide I don’t want to leave anymore, you could beg everyone in the world and it still wouldn’t help.” Vanessa’s expression immediately darkened. “I’ve changed my mind.” She looked at Ethan. “Tell me, what punishment does this bitch deserve for disrupting our engagement ceremony?” Ethan’s gaze became even more disgusted. “Evelyn, I never thought you could be this shameless.” “Who do you think you are to talk back to Vanessa? Get on your knees and apologize!” I didn’t move. Ethan grabbed Vanessa’s arm and spoke with even greater contempt. “Evelyn, get down on your knees and do as you’re told.” “You should be grateful you even got to see Vanessa today. It’s the greatest honor of your life.” “She’s the law here. Do you really think you can defy her?” “If you keep resisting, someone like Vanessa only has to snap her fingers, and you’ll be carried out of here.” Vanessa looked smug. “Ethan is right. I’m the law here.” “Even if I had you killed in this building, no one would dare say a word.” “But I’m not an unreasonable person.” She pointed at the floor. “All you have to do is kneel here, bang your head nine hundred and ninety-nine times, and apologize while you do it. Then I might be generous enough to forgive you.” Ethan clung to her arm and fawned over her. “Vanessa, you’re so kind. I love you more every day.” I applauded slowly. “That’s impressive. One sentence from you, and I’m supposed to kneel and bang my head.” I tilted my head. “Are you going to ban me from the entire industry with your next sentence?” I laughed. “I’m terrified.”Ethan saw that I still dared to mock Vanessa. He raised his hand to slap me again, but this time I dodged. “You little bitch. You really won’t cry until you see the coffin.” He turned toward the guards. “Hold her down, then slap that filthy mouth of hers until she learns some manners!” “What kind of person does she think she is, talking to me like that?” At Vanessa’s furious command, a large number of guards began closing in. But there was not a trace of panic in my eyes. Ethan suddenly stepped forward and pulled Vanessa aside. He lowered his voice. “Vanessa, Victor Kane is about to arrive. Won’t he be upset if he sees all this chaos?” Vanessa frowned and quickly stopped the guards. The timing was about right. Victor should be arriving soon. Vanessa hurriedly straightened her clothes and checked her appearance before waving at the guards. “You two, take this bitch away for now.” “Bring her back after my godfather leaves.” It took me a moment to remember who she was talking about. Victor Kane’s title was nothing more than an honorary label my family had given one of its employees. If I wanted to, I could take it away at any time. At the entrance, a large group of black-suited bodyguards rushed inside. Red carpets were rolled out across the floor. The entrance ceremony was grand and extravagant. Vanessa dragged Ethan toward the door. Victor Kane arrived at that exact moment. He gave Vanessa a cold glance. But when he saw Ethan, a friendly smile appeared on his face. “You’re Ethan Cole, right? I’ve heard your name before.” He nodded approvingly. “Now that I see you in person, I’m impressed. You’re a young man with potential.” Ethan froze. The industry titan had actually been paying attention to him? Victor gestured for everyone to stand and bow. Every guest and every guard in the room respectfully bent toward him. That was when Vanessa turned around and spotted me standing alone in the distance. I was the only person who hadn’t bowed. I stood out like a sore thumb. She instantly shouted in rage. “You bitch! Get on your knees!” “How dare you remain standing after seeing Victor Kane? Do you want me to break both your legs?” Afraid Victor might blame them, Ethan hurriedly joined in. “Evelyn, get down on your knees and apologize to Mr. Kane right now!” I still didn’t move. Ethan grew even more furious. “Security! Are you all useless? Break her legs!” Victor’s gaze followed theirs and landed on me. The moment he saw my face, his heart seemed to stop. His knees went weak. He dropped directly to the floor in front of me. I met his eyes and smiled faintly. “Victor, did you forget who I am?”