Chapter 3

Every word stung Natalie so much that she ached deeply.

A chain, huh?

It turned out that their marriage was suffocating him.

Sitting beside her, Yvonne held her hand. Her eyes were filled with concern.

Natalie shook her head. Her gaze fell on Lester's hand, carefully holding the hems of Irene's gown, and her lips curved into a self-deprecating smile.

Actually, their marriage was nothing less than a chain to her too.

She already knew their love for each other had expired, but she ignored that fact, trying to deceive herself and others into believing otherwise.

Thankfully, they would both be free from the chain of marriage after a month.

The ceremony soon began.

When the Best Female Lead award was about to be announced, Natalie's palm became sweaty.

She had thought "Before the End" would be her last movie, so she poured endless effort into portraying her role.

If she could win the award tonight, it would mark the perfect end to her acting career in Caledon.

Namelist in hand, the host purposefully swept his gaze across the hall before he slowly announced, "The Best Female Lead of the Golden Frame Award goes to…Irene Sterling!"

A thunderous applause ensued.

Smiling, Irene pecked Lester's cheek before going to the stage to take her trophy.

Though disappointed, Natalie quickly regained her composure.

Peeved, Yvonne leaned closer to her. She muttered, "Nat, I've been asking around, and it seems the judges gave overwhelmingly positive feedback on your role in the movie. You were supposed to win the award. Could Mr. Garrison have bribed the—"

Before she could finish, Natalie instinctively retorted, "No, he wouldn't."

Lester wasn't someone who would sacrifice his principles for personal gain, and neither would he pull dirty tricks like that.

Even when they were deeply in love, he'd never used his connections to help her.

She continued, "New talents emerge every day and may someday surpass those before them. Perhaps her acting resonated better with the judges."

Yvonne was still displeased. "How could her role in that commercial film possibly win against yours?"

Natalie patted her arm, trying to calm her down.

"It doesn't matter anymore—I'll be heading to Echalon next month."

Yvonne's eyes widened in surprise. Her voice was laced with excitement. "Echalon? To work with Allen, the same director who'd approached you many times?"

Natalie nodded, smiling.

"That's wonderful! Allen is a world-renowned director! Don't forget me when you become an international film star!"

Natalie had to assure Yvonne she would never forget her before Yvonne finally left to attend to other matters.

After the Best Female Lead award was announced, Natalie no longer needed to stay. She got up to leave.

As she walked past the backstage area, she spotted Lester standing beside the stage with a bouquet of red roses.

Her fingers curled reflexively. Pretending she didn't see him, she turned to leave.

Then, she heard a voice speaking in an ingratiating tone. "Mr. Garrison, we've done as you instructed and presented the Best Female Lead award to Ms. Sterling. Do you need anything else?"

Natalie halted in her tracks.

Lester then said nonchalantly, "Just keep it to yourself. Irene doesn't have to know that Nat was the one who originally won the award."