He Gave Away My Award, I Broke the Engagement

On the eve of my wedding, the company chat released the year-end benefits.

Everyone was given seven days off, along with the chance to win a million-dollar prize.

“Oh my god, Mr. Carter is so generous.”

“He must be giving out prizes to celebrate Sophia Green winning the Best Actress Award tomorrow!”

“And the holiday must be to prepare for Sophia’s wedding with him, right? So sweet!”

“Definitely. This is the kind of love people envy.”

Adrian Carter’s newly signed actress, Chloe Miller, spoke up.

“I can’t believe I actually won the million in cash. I’ve only been here for half a year… Is it really okay for me to take it?”

Adrian, who rarely responded to employee chatter, spoke up for once.

“Winning is all luck. If you drew it, it’s yours.”

At the time, I was just surprised, without giving it much thought.

But the next morning, rumors spread that the Best Actress Award had already been decided.

Adrian was part of the organizing committee. If he were fair and just, the award would be mine.

Furious, I went to question him, only to overhear a conversation between him and his brother.

“Adrian, you really know how to spoil someone.”

“You knew Chloe’s father owed a million in gambling debt, so you disguised it as a raffle prize to pay it off.”

“You even shielded her on set for a month, afraid she’d be taken advantage of.”

“Does Sophia still think you’ve been abroad on business?”

My mind went blank, my heart sinking into despair.

When my mother had died from a heart attack and I had no one to turn to, he had been protecting another woman.

Adrian said indifferently, “Don’t bring it up. Sophia is easily jealous. If she finds out, she’ll just throw another fit.”

Hands trembling, I pulled out my phone.

“Dad, I want to cancel the engagement!”

If he cared so much for someone else, I’d let him have her.

On the other end, my father’s shocked voice rose sharply.

“Sweetheart, say that again? You want to call off the engagement?”

“Haven’t you chased him for ten years?”

“You even gave up your place in the family business, hiding your identity just to join his failing company as a minor actress.”

“The wedding date is already set. Why are you suddenly changing your mind?”

Hearing his concerned tone, my eyes burned with tears.

“Dad, forcing something that isn’t meant to be will never work.”

I should have known long ago.

He never liked me.

It was only because I shamelessly pursued him that he agreed to be with me.

There was a pause, then a sigh.

“If this is what you’ve decided, I’ll support you. You’ll always have a home to come back to.”

After hanging up, I sent an email to HR to terminate my contract.

I had originally planned to finish my contract and then retire from Hollywood to marry Adrian.

That evening, the Award Ceremony took place as scheduled.

I arrived in a custom-made gown. As I walked in, people’s gazes lingered on me, full of strange meaning, though I didn’t understand why.

Out of habit, I walked toward the front row.

But in the seat beside Adrian—where I should have been—sat Chloe Miller.

I froze.

Adrian glanced at me, his eyes flickering briefly before his tone cooled.

“Sit in the back. Chloe isn’t used to her first award ceremony, so I’m staying with her.”

Chloe tilted her head and gave me a smile.

I looked her over. She was dazzling, dressed boldly—not at all like a rookie actress.

Her gown was the final masterpiece of the renowned designer Mia.

The sparkling earrings on her ears were the very pair of couple’s earrings I had custom-made for Adrian and me while filming in Germany.

Urged by the staff, I sat in the back row, where I had a clear view of the two of them chatting intimately.

Soon, the announcement for Best Actress was made.

The director even had the camera trained on me, my face magnified on the big screen. Around me, people turned with congratulatory looks.