Theater: NovelMaster | Language: English | NEW
Synopsis
Backstage at the awards ceremony, I watched my fiancé, Felix Fairchild, hurl a black credit card at Ivy Jordan’s face.
“Lena Sullivan is ravishing. What the hell are you wearing?”
He turned and wrapped me in his arms, declaring tonight’s award was ours.
But then, a barrage of glaring comments floated before my eyes.
[Tsk, that’s not what he said yesterday in the break room on set.]
[The supporting female lead is still waiting to get engaged after winning. Is the male lead only with her for her family’s investment and connections?]
[What’s the point of being with a boring woman like the supporting female lead? They’d just sleep in separate rooms after marriage.]
[The director only feels creative passion when he’s holding our Ivy!]
That was when I realized I was living inside a novel.
He was the director, I was the supporting female character, and Ivy Jordan was the true female lead of his heart.
He was with me only for my family’s investments and connections.
The token of love he gifted me? He’d long ago prepared an identical one for Ivy.
Even the career we built together was etched with her shadow everywhere.
Later, Ivy, dressed in the gown I had torn, collapsed pitifully into his arms.
He carried her away, letting the award trophy smash into my hand without a single backward glance.
The comments all said the supporting female lead was dull and tedious, and deserved to be dumped.
What they didn’t know was that once I stopped loving him, he and his precious female lead combined weren't even worth my attention.
[The director only feels creative passion when he’s holding our Ivy!]
[Too bad this novel’s ending lets the supporting female lead off way too easy.]
[The male and female leads end up traveling the world, while the supporting female lead raises their kid. A total doormat.]
Staring at the flood of messages across my vision, I instinctively shoved Felix away.
Ivy Jordan stood there, face ashen.
Felix gripped my hand tightly and said to Ivy, ice-cold, “If Lena wasn't so busy with work, you think it’d be your turn?”
“Ivy, you're nothing but my shield.”
“Now take the money and disappear. Right now.”
The surrounding staff started whispering.
“Everyone knows Director Fairchild only has eyes for Producer Sullivan. Some small-time actors really don't know their place.”
“A woman who climbed up through the casting couch, and she’s actually dreaming of a rich family?”
“Just a pastime Director Fairchild got bored of.”
[Don't speak too soon.]
[Relax, he still doesn't dare to fall out with the supporting female lead. After all, he needs her family's investment.]
[That's exactly why our Ivy wore the same dress on purpose to provoke him, so he'll see his true feelings!]
I yanked my hand free from Felix’s grip.
Ivy’s makeup was half-streaked with tears, her dress strap slipping down to reveal a few suggestive red marks.
Fighting back tears, she walked toward Felix. “Felix, are you really going to send me away?”
Felix reached for me again, attempting to make a stand.
But his slightly trembling fingertips had already betrayed his heart.
“Fine. Those were your words.”
Ivy pulled a necklace from her bag.
“I thought you chose this as the film’s most important symbol for my sake!”
Touching the identical necklace around my own neck, I suddenly felt a wave of irony.
So, our shared career had long been carved with another woman's mark.
“That rare vintage film reel you gave me? I don’t want it anymore!”
“You said it was your entire collection, that I was your only one. Thinking back, it was all a lie!”
With that, she threw a box onto the floor.
“Hey! When did I ever lie to you?”
Felix protested reflexively, still clutching my hand.
I’m a nostalgic person. In this digital age, I insist on using film for certain important shots.
To appeal to me, Felix spent a fortune hunting down vintage film reels, calling it the testament of our love.
He once said the most precious reel would be saved for our wedding day.
Now I understood. It wasn't that he was reluctant to use it; he had long ago used that unique treasure for Ivy.
“The script we stayed up all night revising? I’m giving it back too!”
Saying this, Ivy pulled a stack of papers from her bag and tore them viciously.
[So exciting! The female lead is forcing the male lead to make a choice!]
“Ivy, don’t...”
Finally, Felix let go of my hand.
Ivy’s eyes were red, her hands pausing their destruction. “You feel sorry? You admit it?”
Felix picked up the film box from the floor and turned back to me.
“If you want to make a scene, do it outside. Don’t delay Lena’s award.”
Ivy yanked her dress zipper open.
“Since you don’t want me, I’ll go find myself a new investor.”
“I’ll let everyone see right now just how much I’ve sacrificed for your film.”
“Are you insane?” Felix tore off his own jacket and wrapped it around her.
Ivy seized the moment to hug him tightly, pressing her whole body against him.
Felix let her embrace him, not pushing her away.
[Heh, who can resist a sexy little wildcat? The director’s been hooked for a long time.]
[You can't blame the male lead for changing his mind. The supporting female lead is like a work machine, totally devoid of fun.]
[Huh? The supporting female lead ruined the awards ceremony, won't the male lead hate her?]
[How could he? The male lead loves this kind of thing, playing hard to get.]
[It won't ruin anything. In the end, for the big picture, the supporting female lead will step up and clarify things for them and keep investing.]
[She’s a tool, confirmed.]Tears slipped down my cheeks involuntarily.
My eyes met Ivy’s. She gave me a provocative smirk.
She won.
She hadn't just won Felix’s body; my proudest career was filled with her shadow.
Felix carried Ivy away hastily. The ceremony venue descended into chaos.
I sat alone backstage.
[The supporting female lead's dead-fish face... No wonder the male lead isn't interested. Even kissing her feels like overtime.]
[Fast forward! I want to see our Ivy getting pinned against a wall and kissed by the director!]
I wiped my tears, numb to those comments.
She was the female lead. Everyone thought she was fiery and captivating, blaming me for being dull and lifeless.
Others might not know, but doesn’t Felix understand?
Three years ago, we ventured deep into the mountains for a location shoot and were hit by a flash flood.
I carried him on my back through the mudslide for an entire night before we found rescue.
After that day, my knee was left permanently damaged, aching terribly whenever the weather turns damp.
For my health, Felix swore he’d take care of me for life.
But I hadn't known he’d long since become smitten with Ivy’s naive passion.
I told myself, from this day on, this man was no longer worth my worry.
I ignored all calls and messages from the Fairchild family, and simply informed my parents I was ending the engagement.
My decisions were always met with their unconditional support.
I returned to the studio. It was empty inside.
As I packed up my files, a clamor erupted outside the door.
“Director Fairchild, aren't you going to explain things to Producer Sullivan?”
Felix was holding Ivy as a crowd clustered around them, entering.
“Let her cool off for a few days. Can’t indulge that princess temper!”
“The wrap party is on as planned tonight!”
The music was cranked to maximum volume.
In the chaos, Felix and Ivy were kissing passionately by the office door, completely trapping me, about to walk out, behind it.
“Me? Or Lena?” Ivy hooked her arms around his neck.
“Ivy, I can give you everything except marriage.” Felix’s voice was hoarse.
“I swear, after marriage, I won’t lay a finger on her!”
“Why should my man nominally belong to someone else?”
“The one who isn’t loved is the third party. On what grounds does she get to keep you?” Ivy said.
I laughed coldly.
I’d had enough. I kicked the door open.
Felix and Ivy, disheveled, were exposed before everyone's eyes.
Seeing it was me, Felix shielded Ivy.
“Lena, you were following me?”
I lifted my suitcase and left without looking back.
“Don’t flatter yourself. I’m here to get my things.”
“Felix, from today on, we’re even.”
“Who you want to promote, who you want to marry, none of it is my concern anymore.”
A flash of triumph crossed Ivy’s face, but was extinguished by Felix’s next words.
“Lena, stop causing a scene! Can you stop being so childish?”
“I promise I won’t let her appear in front of you again.”
“Yeah, Producer Sullivan,” the others chimed in, “This kind of thing happens all the time in the industry. Is it really necessary to make such an ugly scene?”
“Director Fairchild is committed enough to you. What more do you want?”
“Lena, I’ll renegotiate the wedding date with your parents. This ends here!”
Felix grabbed my suitcase.
I pulled back hard, but he refused to let go.
Enraged, I suddenly let go, shoving the suitcase forcefully toward him.
“Ah!”
With a scream, Ivy collapsed to the floor, her forehead cut by the corner of the suitcase.
“Lena! You can't beat me, so you take it out on Ivy. I never knew you were this vicious!”
Felix scooped up Ivy, his eyes filled with disappointment.A crowd rushed out after him.
In the chaos, I was knocked against a nearby shelf.
A metal award trophy fell, striking my hand hard. Blood instantly soaked through my sleeve.
But no one looked back.
Except Ivy. At the moment she was carried out, she glanced back with a victor’s smile.
[The female lead is so clever, deliberately provoking the supporting female lead to get injured. Now the male lead is completely disgusted with the supporting female lead.]
[Wait, this part is different from the original novel? The supporting female lead is injured?]
I went to the hospital alone, but the doctor didn't come for ages.
Nurses were all hurriedly rushing towards the VIP wing.
“Quick! Everyone to the 6th floor! Mr. Lennox of Lennox Group is here.”
“What’s going on?”
“I heard Director Fairchild’s new darling scraped her scalp. Director Fairchild called Mr. Lennox in to throw his weight around.”
“Scraped her scalp? That serious?”
“If we waited any longer, the wound would’ve healed on its own.”
“Who cares, Director Fairchild is the hot new thing right now. Even Mr. Lennox has to give him some face.”
I called my father and had him contact the hospital director.
Soon, the city’s best orthopedic surgeon rushed over to treat me.
As my cast was being set, my mother arrived. After hearing what happened, she trembled with fury.
“Who the hell does the Fairchild family think they are?”
“If it weren’t for you liking him, Felix Fairchild wouldn’t even be worthy of shining our shoes!”
“Break it off! You must break it off! I’ll introduce you to someone much better!”
I silently agreed to her arrangement.
That evening, as I stood at the hospital entrance waiting for my mother to pull the car around, an unexpected person approached me.
Lucas Lennox. The head of Lennox Group, and the owner of this private hospital.
“Ms. Sullivan, you did that on purpose, didn’t you?” His voice was cold.
“You knew perfectly well Ivy needed stitches, yet you deliberately pulled the best surgeon away to treat your hand.”
I took a step back in disgust, unwilling to even look at him.
“Come on. Go apologize to Ivy.” He reached out to grab my arm.
I grunted in pain. Blood seeped through my newly changed bandages.
“You’re really hurt?” Lucas released my hand, but there wasn’t a trace of guilt on his face.
“With a hand injury that bad, you can't go to the wrap party.”
“Here’s the deal. Have Felix accompany Ivy to the event. Consider it your compensation to her.”
“Ivy missed a huge chance to be seen because of you. This is what you owe her.”
I spoke indifferently, “Who you want to accompany whom is your business. No need to inform me.”
“Felix and I have already called off the engagement.”
“Don’t be stubborn.” Lucas assumed I was playing hard to get.
“I’ve already had Felix announce to the media that you two will attend the charity gala together this weekend. Don’t be late.”
Lucas spotted my mother's car and turned to leave.
My mother snorted dismissively. “Don’t mind that Lucas Lennox. He and Felix are two of a kind.”
“The blind date I found for you? I’m sending you his contact info right now!”[Can’t wait! The charity gala is the turning point where the male and female leads' relationship heats up!]
[The supporting female lead is still stupidly waiting for the male lead to pick her up, but he shows up with the female lead looking stunning!]
[The original novel never gave the supporting female lead a new man. Am I the only one noticing the plot is going off script?]
[Paid content ahead! Unlock the supporting female lead’s face-slapping arc.]
The comments piqued my interest. I didn’t refuse my mother’s arrangement.
The man only identified himself as Mr. Thorne, recently returned from overseas, wanting to discuss a project I’d absolutely be interested in.
The meeting place was set at the charity gala venue.
Just as I arrived at the entrance, Felix blocked my way.
“What took you so long? Ivy’s dress got accidentally stained. Go get her a new one.”
He gave the order.
I tried to walk around him, but he persisted. “Lena, what’s your problem?”
“Getting all dressed up like that on purpose? Trying to compete with Ivy?”
“I admit you look beautiful tonight, but tonight, Ivy is the star.”
I couldn't be bothered to deal with him and headed straight for the venue.
But Ivy slipped out from behind him and intimately linked her arm with his.
“Felix, I want some of that champagne over there, but Ms. Sullivan is blocking the way.”
Though he favored Ivy, this petty act embarrassed even him.
But to spite me, he still spoke up. “You hear that? Move! Stop being an eyesore.”
They played off each other perfectly.
Just as I was getting annoyed, a voice came from behind me.
“I’d like to see who dares to move a guest of mine, Noah Thorne’s.”
“Noah Thorne?” Felix’s face drained of color.
Noah Thorne was rumored to have been convalescing abroad for years and rarely appeared in public, but no one in the circle dared underestimate his presence.
Ivy sized me up. “How could Mr. Thorne possibly be interested in a workaholic like Lena?”
I dialed Felix’s father on speakerphone.
A roar came from the other end. “Lena Sullivan already broke off our engagement a long time ago!”
“I told you to apologize, and what did you do?!”
“Stop dragging our name through the mud and get your ass back home now!”
All color left Felix's face.
“Then is she really with Noah...”
“Who she’s with is none of your damned business!”
“You worthless fool, you single-handedly ruined a perfect match!” Mr. Fairchild hung up in fury.
Noah slipped his suit jacket off and draped it over my shoulders.
With a single look from him, the bodyguards behind him escorted the unsightly couple out.
The entire venue fell into silence.
“That sci-fi script you’ve been wanting to make? I hold the copyright.” Noah handed me a glass of warm water.
“I read your project proposal. If you’re interested, the Thorne Group can invest.”
I directly voiced my doubt. “How do you know about me? Have we met before?”
Chapters (4)
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Watch & Promotions
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