My Actress Girlfriend Helped My Rival Destroy MeChapter 1
The Grand Pianist Excellence Awards were supposed to be the crowning moment of my career. But instead of celebrating, it turned into my worst nightmare.
The international prize I had poured my heart and soul into, which I had sacrificed countless hours for, wasn’t mine. No, it was handed over to my biggest rival, Steven Jackson, like some gift wrapped in a shiny bow.
Frustrated and furious, I confronted the organizers.
My attempt to demand answers ended badly—very badly. By the time I got home, my left hand was in a cast, fractured from the chaos. All I wanted was to vent to Margot, my girlfriend of two years. Margot, the shining star of the screen, is an award-winning actress everyone adores.
But as I approached the door, I froze in my tracks. Her voice—and his—filtered through the thin walls.
“Are you happy now?” Margot’s tone was light, almost teasing. “Whatever you want, Steven, it’s yours.”
“Of course, I’m happy,” Steven responded smugly. “This proves I matter more to you than that Frank Carmichael.”
I stood there, stunned. My pulse roared in my ears, anger and disbelief coursing through me. Before I knew it, I had my phone out, recording their intimate little exchange.
Later that night, I posted the video online with the caption:
[My first real experience with rigging. Lesson learned.]
And, for good measure, I tagged The Grand Pianist Excellence Awards.
Predictably, the video exploded, going viral almost instantly.
...
Months later, on the night of my engagement to the daughter of a prominent oil tycoon, Margot showed up uninvited.
Tears streaming down her face, she begged me to reconcile with her, to take her back.
I told her to get lost.
——
That same night, she stormed into my apartment, fury written across her face.
“Frank, are you out of your damn mind? Take down that fake video of Steven and me right now!”
I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. “Margot, don’t you think you owe me an explanation first?”
For a moment, she froze, her mask slipping.
Then, as if I was the one inconveniencing her, she replied sharply, “Wait, you were home that day?”
Her annoyance was infuriating. “Yes, I was home. I heard everything.”