Chapter 2

Director Stone’s film was slated to hit theaters during the exact same holiday window as Angela’s.

Movie critics were already hyping up the direct head-to-head showdown between both productions.

Originally, Stone had practically begged me to star in his project.

He even claimed he would delay the entire movie for years if it meant waiting for me.

But I had promised my family that after one final acting gig, I’d step down and take over our multi-billion-dollar empire.

And with my backing, Angela’s movie was supposed to launch her into the A-list.

Now? None of that mattered anymore.

The moment I confirmed with Stone, the tension in my chest melted away.

Thinking back on everything I had done for Angela’s script, I realized I had thrown my heart to the dogs.

For years, Angela acted like she was too pure for Hollywood politics, pretending she despised people who used connections to climb the ladder.

So, I hid my real identity as the sole heir to the Sterling Group, living alongside her as a broke, struggling actor.

She genuinely believed she got this far entirely on her own brilliance.

Only I knew how many doors I had personally kicked open, how many green lights I had secured through my family’s network just to get her scripts read.

This latest project was an indie art-house film—notoriously hard to finance.

Everyone in the industry knows commercial blockbusters make money, while indie dramas bleed cash.

Angela wasn't anywhere near famous enough for studios to gamble millions on her.

Most investors laughed in our faces without even turning a page of the script.

I couldn’t stand watching her cry. So, keeping my family name hidden, I threw myself into endless dinner meetings, drinking myself sick with executives.

I promised them that with me in the lead, the performance would be flawless.

And as my trump card, I quietly guaranteed that the Sterling Group would come in with post-production backing—meaning even if the movie was a piece of junk, it would still turn a profit!

Only then did those executives agree to sign the checks, strictly doing me a personal favor.

And now, Angela had dumped me for Julian without even a warning text.

I was going to make sure she felt the burn.

I pulled out my phone and texted my executive assistant: Pull all funding from 'Reign'.

Let’s see if she and her boy toy can even afford to finish shooting without the Sterling family’s money!

Exhausted to the bone, I dragged myself back to the penthouse.

After what happened today, the breakup was already set in stone.

There was no way I was spending another night under the same roof with her.

I came back purely to pack my things and vanish.

But when I punched the code into the keypad, the door wouldn't open.

Just as my patience ran out and I was about to call a locksmith, frantic footsteps sounded from inside. The door clicked open.

"Vincent? I didn't think you were coming back tonight..."

Julian stood there, clapping a hand over his mouth in fake surprise.

"I'm so sorry! I couldn't remember the old passcode, so Angela changed it to my birthday. She must've forgotten to tell you."

I looked up. He was wearing my silk pajamas, and his neck was covered in fresh, red marks.

Even through the scent of designer body wash, I could tell exactly what had just gone down in that bedroom.

Even though I was completely done with Angela, seeing her bring this bum into our home hit me with a wave of raw disgust.

Fighting the urge to snap his neck, I shoved him hard with my shoulder. "Out of my way."

Julian suddenly lost all strength, collapsing onto the floor like a delicate flower.

"Vincent! What is wrong with you!"

Angela burst out of the bathroom, barely tying the belt of her bathrobe, and rushed over to help Julian up.

"Angela, I shouldn't be here," Julian whimpered. "It's normal for Vincent to be mad. I'll just leave..."

Angela pulled him tight. "Leave? It's pouring rain outside!"

"Besides, nothing even happened!"

She stepped between us, shielding him, glaring at me with contempt.

"Vincent, we just got caught in the rain! Stop putting your filthy thoughts onto us. Julian was literally just telling me to bring you an umbrella!"

"Apologize to him right now!"

I sneered. "To him? He's not worth the dirt on my shoes."

Julian shrank back, looking like a kicked puppy on the verge of tears.

Angela’s heart practically broke for him.

She raised her hand, aiming a slap straight for my face.

"I said, apologize!"

I caught her wrist mid-air, shoved her away, and snapped, "Keep dreaming!"

Angela stared at me in disbelief. "Did you just push me?"

She opened her mouth to yell, but I had zero energy left for her games.

"We're done. It's over."

The words hit the room like a bomb.

Angela froze, her mouth opening and closing before she swallowed her excuses. "Fine! Don't you dare regret this!"

"Since we're done, get the hell out of my apartment!"

I almost burst out laughing.

Her apartment? I was the one who bought this place in cash under her name.

The audacity was breathtaking.

I shot her a look of pure disgust, grabbed my bags without a word, and walked out the door right in front of them.