Chapter 2

After the awards ceremony ended, Sienna spoke to me very politely:

"I'm grateful for these six years we've weathered together, but love can't be forced. The first day I met Zachary, I knew he was my true love. But from now on, we can still be friends."

The next day, however, a massive online harassment campaign against me suddenly erupted.

Sienna stood before the cameras with reddened eyes:

"When Lucas confessed to me back then, I never intended to accept. But he threatened me with Zachary, so for these six years, I had no choice but to do what he said. Taking terrible scripts, appearing on terrible variety shows, giving my fans a bad experience—I'm so sorry!"

Six years had honed her acting skills well.

Tears streamed down her face.

Zachary, who'd taken a large scholarship from me, also stood beside her with reddened eyes:

"Sienna and I were afraid Lucas would retaliate, so all these years, I've had to endure in silence. I never dreamed we'd have a day standing together in the spotlight. Thank you all for your support!"

Perhaps knowing it was unfair to me.

After the media interview ended, Sienna transferred another hundred thousand to my bank account.

I found it laughable.

Over six years, the resources I'd scrambled to secure for her were worth at least twenty million.

And she thought two hundred thousand could settle everything.

But I said nothing.

These matters could be handled by my PR department.

Over the years, I'd built up this PR team specifically to handle malicious smears against Sienna.

Now I'd have to use it to salvage my own reputation.

However, the PR department manager called me:

"Lucas, I'm sorry. Our department has decided to resign collectively. The resignation letters are already on your desk."

Before I could speak, they hung up.

I immediately called the others.

Without exception, they'd all blocked me.

The PR department I'd personally assembled to serve Sienna had kicked me out?!

I investigated and discovered that the PR department employees had indeed gone to a new company jointly established by Sienna and Zachary.

I called other PR agencies.

But it was strange.

The agency heads who'd always been courteous to me now refused my calls outright.

One person I was usually close with answered, but their words were evasive:

"I'll be straight with you—your ex-girlfriend has been chosen by a major sponsor. She's got backing now. She wants to promote her new boyfriend. As an old friend, I'm advising you: break up with her peacefully. Don't go up against the power behind her."

The power behind her?

I sneered.

Who could have more influence than me?

All these years I'd been pulling strings from the shadows. Sienna never knew the extent of my capabilities.

It was only because she'd once asked if I'd abandon her if I became successful.

I was afraid that if she knew my true identity, she'd feel insecure.

So all these years I'd lowered myself to support her from the shadows, hoping she could one day stand shoulder to shoulder with me.

Just as I was about to call my subordinates, the hospital suddenly called:

"Your father is being surrounded by extreme fans in his hospital room! Come quickly!"