"And the award for Best Newcomer goes to… Serena Mancini!"
As the announcement echoed across the auditorium, her headshot flashed across the massive LED screens hanging above the stage. A wave of blinding camera flashes shifted toward her in an instant.
Gathering the heavy silk skirt of her evening gown in one hand to keep from tripping, she walked on the narrow aisle and climbed the stairs to the main stage, where an industry legend stood waiting with the trophy.
Her fingers closed around the golden statuette with her name engraved on it. Her eyes turned misty as she moved closer to the microphone.
"Thank you so much for this incredible honor," Serena said, her voice carrying clearly through the speakers. "I dedicate this first to my fans—your love got me here. To my best friend, who stayed in my corner when I didn't know the first thing about acting and to my entire management team, thank you. This belongs to all of us."
An applause echoed through the hall as she bowed her head, clutching the award tightly against her chest before stepping off the platform.
When the main event finally wrapped and the crowd began milling about the auditorium, Serena made her way back to her assigned row.
She scanned the surrounding cluster of executives and actors, expecting to find her manager waiting to celebrate.
"Where on earth did Elena go?" Serena muttered under her breath, her eyes searching the moving crowd.
"Excuse me, have you seen my manager?" Serena asked, stopping one of the event coordinators in the lobby.
"Ah, yes. Shortly before the show began, Miss Elena headed up to the presidential suite on the 40th floor," the staff member replied, gesturing toward the private tower access.
"Thank you." Clutching the trophy against her side, Serena walked toward the VIP elevators. 'What on earth is Elena doing in the presidential suite?' she thought, pressing the button.
When the elevator doors slid open on the 40th floor, she was met with a silent corridor. She went to the end of the hall and found the door slightly ajar. Pushing it open, Serena stepped inside, eager to share the win with her best friend.
She crossed the foyer into the dimly lit living room, but the words died in her throat.
Elena was straddling Nathan on the leather sofa, both of them half-naked, their tangled limbs and breathless gasps filled the entire room.
Serena's knees buckled. Her back hit the wall as she stumbled backward, her grip tightening around the trophy so hard her knuckles turned white.
"Can Serena satisfy you like this?" Elena gasped, tilting her head back to expose her neck.
"Don't speak her name while I'm inside you," Nathan muttered, pressing his mouth against her skin.
Serena's grip slipped on the statuette, her vision blurring as hot tears streamed down her face.
"How long?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "How long have the two of you been cheating on me?" she finally shouted in anger.
Nathan's eyes snapped open at the sound. Elena froze, her head snapping around to face the entryway.
The two of them scrambled apart instantly. Elena grabbed her top from the edge of the sofa, hastily pulling it over her head, while Nathan bent to retrieve his discarded shirt from the floor.
"How did you—" Elena began, her voice shaking.
"Answer me!" Serena's command cut straight through the room. "How long have the two of you been doing this behind my back? You were my best friend, Elena! We grew up together. How could you betray me like this?" Her chest heaved, her heart hammering violently against her ribs as she walked toward her.
"Serena… I can explain—"
SNAP.
The sound of Serena's palm striking Elena's cheek echoed through the quiet suite, forcing Elena's face to the side.
"Serena!" Nathan shouted, stepping forward to intervene.
"Shut your mouth, you bastard!" Serena turned on him, her eyes burning through tears.
Without hesitation, she yanked the diamond engagement ring from her left hand and threw it straight at his face.
"You two have been sleeping together this entire time," Serena said as a bitter laugh escaped her chest. She aggressively wiped the hot tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand. "I trusted you both. I spent years thinking—"
"Enough with the drama, Serena!" Nathan stepped directly between her and Elena, blocking her path. "I've been wanting to end things with you for months anyway."
"Really? Because you were cheating on me, Nathan!" Serena screamed, the betrayal tearing through her voice. "You proposed to me eight months ago! Tell me why you insisted on keeping our engagement a secret this whole time? All those late-night 'work commitments' were just excuses so you could sleep with Elena!"
She bit her bottom lip, taking a small pause before continuing,
"You lied to me this whole time. I just stood on that stage giving an acceptance speech, thanking my best friend and my fiancé for supporting me, and you two were up here!"
Driven by rage, she slammed her fists against his chest. Nathan shoved her back, sending her staggering.
"And who made you a star?" Nathan asked, his voice turning cold as he straightened his collar. "Without my funding and Elena's management, you'd still be begging for minor walk-on roles."
"I worked for every single role I got!" Serena spat back.
Nathan let out a mocking laugh. "Seriously? You are nothing, Serena. You honestly believe you won that award tonight on talent alone? I made one phone call to the panel so they'd throw a dummy award your way."
"You bribed the judging panel?" Serena's voice cracked. "How could you—"
"To raise your market value, obviously," Nathan sneered. "You're nothing without us, Serena. Get that through your head."
Serena's hands curled into fists as he took a step closer.
"Actually, it's a good thing you caught us. Saves me the trouble of pretending to tolerate you," Nathan said. "You're fired from my agency."
Elena stepped out from behind him, a malicious smile spreading across her face as she folded her arms across her chest.
"I already processed your contract termination this morning, darling. Enjoy your cheap little trophy tonight because starting tomorrow, you're a nobody."