Chapter 2The Prize Unwon

Ryan’s face changed. Before I could truly react, he grabbed my hand, lowering his voice. “Aubrey, don’t make a scene. So many people are at this party. We can talk about everything later.” He paused, then soothed me softly, almost like a reward. “Once we’re home, you can throw whatever tantrum you want.”

I abruptly pulled my hand away from him. Ryan’s voice, his touch—at that moment, they filled me with nausea. I almost threw up. Taking out my phone, the headlines were already pushing through:

“Aubrey Brooks Misses Award, Publicly Supports New Oscar Winner.”

“Aubrey Brooks: She’s wonderful, vibrant, and deserves more opportunities.”

My hand, holding the phone, began to tremble uncontrollably. On my verified account, a new post, which I had no recollection of ever making, was prominently displayed.

“I had bad luck. A scandal broke during the awards season. Although it was eventually clarified, I understand that personal integrity is tied to awards. I will pay more attention to my personal conduct in the future and not hog public resources.” It continued. “P.S.: Lily Sterling is a wonderful girl. Her award is well-deserved. Everyone should support her.”

In the comments section, some lamented my bad luck. Some praised my generosity. Others criticized me, saying that flies don't bother a sealed egg, asking what I was doing before, and why I was pretending to be generous online now that the truth was out. Ryan had prepared a team to control the comments, and such remarks would quickly be deleted. But constantly silencing people would only make them angrier. My already halved fanbase continued to shrink, with many questioning why I was deleting comments so freely, asking if this was how I treated my fans. The messages in my inbox were even more unbearable; I didn't even have the courage to open them.

“Ryan, what do you take me for?” My eyes were red-rimmed, my face pale. I must have looked like a deranged madwoman at that moment.

The controversy surrounding Lily Sterling's award was too great. So, I, the talented but 'unlucky' person who had a scandal before the awards, was brought out to endorse her and act as a shield. Why would Ryan hurt me again and again like this?!

A flicker of regret crossed his eyes, but he still insisted, “Lily just became an Oscar winner. She has no background, no strong connections, and unlike you, she hasn’t been struggling for years and isn’t used to these kinds of things.” So, I was supposed to be Lily Sterling's stepping stone. A tool for Ryan to curry favor with new talent, was that it?

I turned and walked away without hesitation, filled with rage. I was going to the press, to a news conference. My reputation, all these years of hard work—they couldn’t be destroyed like this. Ryan called out behind me, but I ignored him.

Instead, Lily Sterling caught up faster, her face filled with worry and guilt. “Aubrey, I didn’t realize you cared about this award so much. I’m so sorry that people online are slandering you because of your support for me.” She continued. “If I could, I truly wish none of this had happened. I wouldn’t have gotten this award. But you and Ryan have been through so much over the years. I beg you, please don’t fight with him, okay?”

I looked up at this girl who seemed to know nothing, and suddenly I laughed.

“Lily Sterling, I have to admit, your acting is truly superb. Even now, you maintain that innocent facade.” I continued. “Tell me, if you truly didn’t know Ryan deliberately spread those compromising photos of me so you could win the award, then why did you specifically ask him if I would really not find out?”

Lily Sterling was startled by my fierce gaze and recoiled half a step, her eyes welling with tears. I scoffed, “Oh, and by the way, you claim to be grateful to me, but when your relatives and friends were gossiping, why did you, the host, act deaf and not make any attempt to smooth things over?” I paused. “Also, do you really not know that Ryan bringing me to your celebration party today, and the posts published online, were not of my own free will?”

Lily Sterling retorted with some embarrassment, “Ryan said it was fine. You’ve been in the industry for so many years. Getting bashed by netizens for a while won’t affect you.” She continued. “Anyway, you’ve endured it all these years. I never intended to steal Ryan from you. I’m begging you, just pretend none of this ever happened. Just consider it bad luck that you encountered such a situation before the awards. Can’t you do that?”

In that instant, I understood why Ryan had fallen for Lily Sterling. Because they were both the same kind of person.

“No, I recorded our conversation just now.” I said coldly. “I’m going to hold a press conference and fight for my rights to the very end.”

As I turned, a blinding light suddenly appeared on the road. Amidst Lily Sterling’s scream, I was hit by a car and thrown to the ground. A familiar figure emerged from the driver’s seat. He embraced Lily Sterling, reassuring her repeatedly, “It’s okay, it’s okay. I’ll tell everyone we had an accident while arguing.”

Lily Sterling cried, tears streaming down her face. “Ryan, she’s going to hold a press conference. She deliberately tricked me into recording her. She’s going to sue me. What should I do?”

Ryan’s voice was soft, but his words were ruthless. “I know. That’s why I hit her. She won’t be able to go.” He said. “I’m here.”

I lay on the ground, excruciating pain shooting through my legs and body. Yet, a desolate emptiness filled my heart. How many times had Ryan protected me like this when I encountered predatory producers? He’d once smashed an ashtray over a man’s head, pulled me into his arms, and told me, “It’s okay, Aubrey, it’s okay. I’m here.” Because of that incident, our budding careers instantly froze. When I was consumed with guilt, Ryan comforted me, “Don’t feel guilty for mistakes that aren’t yours.” He continued. “You’re my girlfriend. If I don’t protect you, who will? If I don’t stand up for you, who will?” At that time, tears in my eyes, I asked him, “What if it really was my fault?” Ryan just laughed and said, “Then I’ll commit murder and arson for you.”

But I had never done anything so heinous, yet my boyfriend, for the sake of another woman, to prevent me from clearing my name, didn’t hesitate to hit me with his car.