Chapter 1

"Today, I'm standing here on this stage because someone has given me the courage and belief to persevere over the past seven years."

My girlfriend, Lesley Cohen, stood at the podium in a white dress, holding her award trophy with composure as she delivered her speech.

"That person is none other than my soulmate…"

Before she could even finish her sentence, all eyes in the hall turned directly toward me.

A smile curved the corner of my mouth, my eyes shining with happiness.

Everyone in the hall knew I was planning to propose to my girlfriend of seven years moments later.

I'd fallen deeply in love with Lesley after she saved my life seven years ago.

She came from a very impoverished family in the village, so I sponsored her entire education.

She was also very sensitive and easily hurt, so I gave up my affluent lifestyle, used a cheap second-hand flip phone, and rode a rented bicycle to take her to and from work.

Today, I'd gathered all the media outlets in the city and invested millions of dollars into this competition to fulfill her lifelong dream of breaking into the art world.

Proposing to her right as she received her award was supposed to be the climax of it all.

Clutching the engagement ring in my pocket, I straightened my suit and stood up to head toward the stage.

A split second later, Lesley's next words shattered my heart.

"He is… Archie Gould!"

Instantly, the spotlight swung away from me and illuminated a young man in the audience.

Amidst the bewildered gazes of the crowd, he rose to his feet and slowly walked up the steps toward Lesley.

Lesley met him halfway, took his hand, and looked at him with eyes brimming with love.

I stood there, rooted to the spot, feeling like a complete clown as I struggled to process what had just happened.

I was the one who had given her everything she owned.

Yet now, Lesley was holding another man's hand, turning everything I'd prepared for her into a joke.

"Ms. Cohen! According to our sources, shouldn't your boyfriend be Mr. Calvin Gardner?"

"How can you dump him the moment you win your award? Don't you think that's a bit—"

Hearing the reporters shouting questions from below the stage, Lesley turned to glare at me, her eyes filled with open hatred and disgust.

"Are you done making a scene, Calvin Gardner? Just because you invested in this competition, did you really think you could manipulate it and dismiss all the hard work Archie put in?

"Archie has studied painting for 12 years, yet he never received a single award! You were jealous of his talent, so you bribed the judges to deliberately eliminate him!"

I stared at Lesley's icy expression, completely stunned.

Bribed the judges?

I did invest millions in the competition, but only to ensure that Lesley—who'd missed the initial registration deadline—could still participate.

I had never once interfered with the judging panel.

I quickly explained myself to her.

"It's not what you think, Lesley! He was eliminated because he plagiarized—"

Before I could finish, she rushed straight up to me and delivered a sharp, stinging slap across my face.

"Calvin Gardner! I won't let you dismiss Archie's hard work!

"Just because you're rich, you think you can do whatever you want? Well, I'm telling you right now—you'll never win my heart. Never!"

With that, she hurled the trophy to the floor, smashing it into a million pieces under the horrified gazes of the audience.

An uproar erupted across the hall instantly.

Before I could even process what was happening, Archie suddenly dropped to his knees in front of me and began to sob.

"Mr. Gardner! If you want to hit me just like you used to, go ahead! You can even blacklist me from the industry if it makes you happy! I'll take whatever punishment you dish out!"