Hollywood Heir My Cheating Ex Begs for Mercy

To climb the Hollywood ladder, my girlfriend hooked up with an industry heavyweight and cut me out of her life completely. Before kicking me out, she used his influence to seize my sports car, my Beverly Hills villa, and every cent in my bank account. "Julian, I’m with a kingmaker now. I’m destined to be an A-list superstar. You’re just a bottom-feeder indie director stuck in the dirt. Did you really think we were ever in the same league?" I couldn't help but find her words utterly ridiculous. After all, wasn't that "industry titan" she worshiped just an employee handpicked by my family? At the star-studded press launch for a massive blockbuster, my girlfriend, Chloe, walked center stage arm-in-arm with the famous director, Marcus Vance. Dressed in a pristine white evening gown, she looked like the brightest star in the night sky. Even though the man she was clinging to was a greasy, bloated forty-something creep, she showed him the exact same breathless affection she used to give me. My gaze hardened. A sharp ache pierced my chest. Just this morning, Chloe had slapped an eviction notice down and thrown me out of our villa. "Julian, do you have any idea how much of my time you’ve wasted? How many career-making roles I’ve missed because of you? Did you actually think I’d have the patience to sit around and wait for you to make it?" "Consider all your savings my compensation for the years I lost on you. Now pack your crap and crawl back to whatever ditch you came from." When she locked me out and I tried to text her, I found out she had already blocked my number and frozen me out of our shared assets. I was left standing on the curb without a single dollar. I honestly didn't understand. Why was she acting like this out of nowhere? Why throw me out? When Chloe and I first got together, I told her point-blank that if she ever needed high-level connections or studio backing, I could provide them in a heartbeat. Back then, she just laughed, telling me that indie directors already had it tough enough, and she didn't want me humiliating myself begging executives for favors on her behalf. For three years, everything had been wonderful between us. So why the sudden, vicious betrayal this morning? I wanted answers, but she had already sped off in my car. After tracking her down through my family’s private network, I arrived here at the studio launch. Up on the stage, Marcus was beaming, basking in the spotlight. "Thank you all for coming to our production launch," Marcus announced into the mic. "More importantly, today also marks our official engagement party! We hope you will all share in our happiness." With that, Marcus gave a smug smile and took Chloe's delicate hand. The crowd below instantly erupted into cheers and wild applause. Chloe nestled against Marcus’s arm even closer, beaming with a radiant smile. "Thank you, everyone! Marcus and I are going to be together forever." Three years ago, she had whispered those exact same words into my ear. Why was she saying them to another man now? Did she have some kind of unavoidable problem she couldn't tell me about? I pushed through the crowd toward the stage and yelled out: "Chloe! Did you break up with me just for this guy?" Seeing me appear out of nowhere, a flicker of panic flashed across Chloe's face. But it vanished just as quickly, replaced by a cold sneer. "Who are you? Do I even know you?" My mind went blank. We had lived together for three full years. How could she say that? The first time I met Chloe was on a gritty indie set. Back then, fresh out of film school, I poured my passion into setting up an independent production to shoot my very first feature film. I deliberately chose not to ask my family for a single cent. I wanted to build my career from the ground up, entirely on my own merits. In the beginning, several experienced extras showed zero respect for me, shouting over my directions and trying to walk all over me. It was Chloe who stepped up. She told me a director needed to stand his ground, and she tore into those disrespectful extras until they fell in line. After that, our conversations grew deeper. We grew closer, day by day, until we fell in love. Yet this morning, she dumped me without a shred of mercy. I had to know the truth. Up on the stage, Marcus glared down at me, his face twisting into a scowl. "Where the hell did this piece of garbage crawl out of? Crashing my engagement party? You got a death wish, kid?" The rolls of fat on his cheeks wobbled as a sinister grin spread across his face. "Babe, do you know this clown? Or is he an ex-boyfriend? Because if he is, I’d love to give him a proper welcome." In an instant, every camera and pair of eyes in the hall turned toward me. Many of those gazes were laced with icy cruelty. Chloe’s face turned slightly pale. She hurried to grip Marcus’s hand, rubbing it affectionately. "Marcus, don't be ridiculous! You're the only man I've ever loved in my life. I don't know this weirdo at all! Where is security? What do we pay them for, letting some stalker wander in here? Throw him out!"Looking at Chloe on that stage, my eyes filled with utter disbelief. With the entire room watching, she would rather clutch Marcus's arm than admit she had ever been with me. We had loved each other for three years. It hadn't been a wild, tabloid-style romance, but the simple, tender moments of everyday life had made us inseparable. On set, people always said that my films did so well only because of her acting, and that if she just had real studio backing, her career would skyrocket. She used to comfort me, saying she just wanted to hone her craft and didn't need Hollywood studio politics. I respected her choice. After three years of hard work, I had planned to propose to her next year. And on our engagement day, I was going to reveal my true identity to her. "Boss, don't let her fool you! I just looked him up—this guy really is her ex-boyfriend!" "Oh, so this is that broke, nobody indie director? Gotta admire the balls on him, tracking down his ex all the way here!" Marcus's entourage burst into loud, mocking laughter, looking me up and down like I was roadkill. "Chloe, I need an explanation," Marcus grunted, his brow furrowing with impatient anger. Chloe shuddered on the stage. Knowing she couldn't squirm out of it, she turned toward me, her tone dripping with venom. "Julian, we're over! Why the hell did you follow me here? Don't you have any dignity left?" "Marcus is an elite Hollywood director, a summit you will never reach in your entire pathetic life! With just a snap of his fingers, he can turn me into an A-list star!" "I was sick of you a long time ago. Did you really believe me when I said I didn't want big studio resources? That was just my way of pushing you to step up! Who knew you'd stay a useless nobody for three whole years?" So, that was what she really thought all along? My chest tightened, my breath catching in my throat. A smug, mocking glint flashed in Marcus's eyes. "So she was dating a two-bit loser from the middle of nowhere. Hey kid, ever heard of me? I'm the godson of Arthur Sterling, the top mogul in this town!" "A single word from me can give Chloe the kind of blockbuster deals you couldn't dream of touching in ten lifetimes." I didn't spare Marcus a single glance. My eyes remained fixed on Chloe. "You dumped me without a word, just for studio connections? What was the last three years to you?" Chloe scowled in disgust. "People climb up, Julian. That's life. We belong to two completely different worlds now. Why are you clinging to me like a leech? You crawled out of the dirt, now go back to it!" "I must have been blind to waste three years on you. Make sure you remember this: I am Marcus's woman now." "If you've got that through your thick skull, never show your pathetic face around me again. Now get the hell out of here!" Marcus suddenly stepped forward, a nasty smirk spreading across his face. "Leave? Did I say he could leave? He crashed my engagement party. He doesn't get to walk away without paying the price." "Security! Drag this bastard up here. I'm going to teach him a little lesson myself." At Marcus's command, a heavy squad of bulky guards rushed forward, surrounding me with cold, ruthless sneers.The guards forced me onto the stage. Marcus looked at me with smug arrogance. He reached out and tapped my cheek with the back of his hand, laughing. "Chloe's ex, huh? Running all the way here like a lost puppy—you must really love her, right? Come on, Chloe. Let's give your ex a nice show. Kiss me." Chloe shot me a look of pure revulsion before leaning up and planting a passionate kiss right on Marcus's cheek. Watching them flaunt their intimacy, the last ember of warmth in my heart died out. My eyes turned ice-cold as I looked at the two of them. "So that's how it is. In that case, I wish you two the best. We're done." Three years of love was gone. Since she had thrown it away, I had no intention of begging. "You little punk, did I give you permission to leave?" Marcus grabbed my wrist tightly, sneering with open contempt. "As Chloe's ex, shouldn't you give her a proper blessing?" "I had a special segment planned for today anyway, and I think you're the perfect fit to hold the ring tray. You hand the ring to me, and Chloe takes it from my hands." I let out a soft laugh. "Acting tough, are we? You think you can keep me here against my will?" Marcus tilted his chin up, sneering down his nose at me. "You worthless piece of trash, you clearly have no idea who you're dealing with, do you? Let me make this clear: you only leave when I tell you to leave!" "If I say you stay, even God couldn't get you out of this room!" The guards beside him were massive, muscle-bound men, their stares dead and threatening. The smile on my face only widened. It had been a very long time since anyone had dared to threaten me so openly to my face. I still remembered years ago, an influential industry titan had said something insulting to me behind closed doors. By the next morning, that man had vanished from the entire entertainment industry. Ever since then, whenever people in the elite circles spoke of my name, they instinctively lowered their voices to a whisper. Chloe held onto Marcus's arm. Seeing the mocking smile on my face, anger surged within her. She lunged forward and slapped me hard across the face. "Julian! What the hell are you smiling at? Marcus is speaking to you! Show some damn respect!" I didn't bother dodging. The slap landed squarely on my cheek. "Chloe, that slap settles our past. From this moment on, we are completely even." Turning my eyes toward Marcus, I smiled faintly. "Take my advice and let me walk while I still feel like leaving. Because if I decide to stay, even if you beg on your knees, it won't save you." Marcus's expression instantly darkened. "I've changed my mind. Chloe, what kind of punishment should this punk get for disrespecting our engagement?" The disgust in Chloe's eyes grew even more intense. "Julian, I never knew you were so shameless. Who do you think you are, talking back to Marcus like that? Get on your knees and apologize to him right now!" Seeing that I hadn't moved an inch, Chloe leaned sweetly against Marcus's arm, her voice dripping with venomous spite. "Julian, on your knees! Being in the same room as Marcus is the greatest honor your family will ever see! He runs this town. Do you really think you can defy him?" "If you keep acting like a stubborn idiot, a single snap of Marcus's fingers will have you carried out of here in a body bag!" Hearing Chloe's flattering words, Marcus swelled with pride, boasting loudly: "Chloe is right! In this room, my word is law! Even if I have you killed right here, nobody would dare say a word!" "But I'm a generous man. If you drop to your knees right now and give me nine hundred and ninety-nine head-to-the-floor bows, apologizing with every single one, I might just let you off the hook!" Chloe clung to Marcus, purring with sickening adoration. "You're so merciful, Marcus. I love you more and more every second." Hearing her nauseating flattery, I actually clapped my hands in amusement. "So powerful. Forcing me to bow and scrape with a single word. What's next? Are you going to blackball me from the whole industry with another word? Gosh, I'm terrified."Seeing that I still dared to mock Marcus, Chloe raised her hand to slap me again, but this time I dodged with ease. "You stubborn bastard! You won't cry until you see your own coffin, will you? Guards! Hold him down and slap his filthy mouth until it bleeds!" "That mouth of his stinks! Who the hell gave you permission to talk to me like that?" At Marcus's furious command, a dozen guards closed in around me. Yet my eyes remained calm, without the slightest hint of panic. Chloe quickly tugged on Marcus's sleeve, whispering in a low voice: "Marcus, Arthur Sterling is arriving any minute. If there's blood all over the stage, it might ruin his mood. Remember, we spent an entire month begging him just to make an appearance today." Marcus frowned and held up a hand, stopping the guards in their tracks. Checking the time, he realized it was indeed about time. Marcus quickly adjusted his collar and smoothed out his suit. Once he was sure he looked respectable, he waved his hand dismissively at the guards. "Drag this piece of trash backstage for now. Once my godfather, Arthur Sterling, leaves, bring him back out to deal with." Hearing Marcus mention that name, I thought for a moment before finally remembering who that irrelevant old man was. That "industry titan" title was nothing more than an empty, honorary label my family had casually tossed to one of our subordinates. If I wanted to, I could strip him of that title and ruin his life at any given second. Suddenly, a group of imposing bodyguards in sharp black suits marched into the venue. A long, luxurious red carpet was rolled out across the floor in a massive display of grandeur. Marcus grabbed Chloe's hand and sprinted toward the entrance. Right at that moment, Arthur Sterling, the revered mogul of the industry, walked through the double doors. Arthur cast a cold glance at Marcus, but when his eyes landed on Chloe, a warm, polite smile appeared on his weathered face. "You must be Chloe, correct? I've heard your name before. Seeing you in person, you truly are exceptional. A young woman with a very bright future." Chloe froze in shock. This top-tier mogul actually knew who she was? Arthur then raised a hand, signaling for everyone in the room to bow and show proper respect. Instantly, every single guest, crew member, and venue guard lowered their heads and bent at the waist, showing supreme reverence toward Arthur Sterling. Just then, Marcus glanced around and spotted me standing alone in the distance, completely upright and refusing to bow. I stuck out like a sore thumb. Marcus instantly bellowed in fury: "You insolent bastard, get on your knees right now! Who gave you the guts to stand upright in front of Arthur Sterling? Do you want me to break both your legs?" Terrified that Arthur would take his anger out on them, Chloe immediately chimed in, shrieking: "Julian! Drop to your knees and beg Mr. Sterling for forgiveness this instant!" Seeing that I still didn't move a muscle, Chloe became hysterical. "Security! What the hell are you waiting for? Break his legs!" Arthur’s eyes followed their furious pointing and landed directly on me. The moment our eyes met, Arthur's heart skipped a violent beat. His face drained of all color, his knees turned to absolute jelly, and he crashed straight onto his knees before me. I met Arthur’s trembling gaze and smiled faintly. "Arthur Sterling. Since when does a little errand boy like you deserve a bow from me?"