She Took My Contract, I Won the National Award

When I opened my eyes and found myself back on the very day I was to sign my agency contract, I was dazed for only a few seconds before regaining my composure. Lifting my gaze, I met the eyes of Lina Morgan, which burned with intense fire. Within those eyes swirled a joy of regaining what was lost, and a determination to claim victory at all costs. She glared at me fiercely, then moved like a dancing butterfly toward the elegant and distinguished figure standing at the far end of the conference room. It was David Mercer, a top director at Apex Media, the man Lina had always admired from afar, and the man who, in my past life, had been my lover. "David!" Lina's voice caught in a sob as she wrapped her arms tightly around his lean waist, her tears soaking the fabric of his expensive suit. "I love you. This time, I will never let anyone take you away from me again!" David was momentarily stunned by this sudden confession. Surprise flickered in his eyes, quickly melting into deep, tender warmth. He gently held her in return, his hand patting her back in a soothing rhythm, his voice low and affectionate. "Very well. I have been waiting a long time to hear you say that." The sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows cast a dreamlike halo around the embracing pair, making the scene as beautiful as a movie frame. At that moment, the live comments section on the screen exploded with activity, filled with undisguised malice. A: [YES! This is the perfect match! Top star and genius director, they belong together forever!] B: [Elena Reed is nothing but a thief! She stole Lina's contract, stole Lina's life, and even stole Lina's man! Disgusting!] C: [Lina has finally woken up! She's definitely going to rise to the top now! As for that fake Elena? Without that exclusive contract from Apex, I'd love to see how she survives!] Reading these ridiculous remarks, I curled my lips into a cold, mocking smile. Memories from my previous life flooded back like a tide. After Lina was recognized and brought back into the Morgan family, she hated the constraints of wealthy life and yearned for what she called a free spirit. She became infatuated with Jasper Knox, a rapper who performed in underground clubs. In her pursuit of what she believed was authenticity, she tore up her agency contract right here on signing day and publicly announced her withdrawal from the industry. It caused such a scandal that it sent her father to the hospital and became a huge joke throughout the entertainment world. Meanwhile, I, the substitute brought in to clean up the mess caused by the real daughter's reckless behavior, picked up the elite contract she had discarded like trash, along with the engagement she had found beneath her dignity, while enduring the judgmental or pitying gazes of everyone around me. For ten years, I worked my way up from an anonymous stand-in, to a workaholic who nearly worked herself to death on set, and finally to an award-winning actress holding three major industry trophies. Every step I took was soaked in sweat, hard work, and careful planning. When I finally stood at the very top of the industry, I was no longer the substitute who had to beg for scraps or please anyone. Now, given a second chance at life, I wanted to see if I could carve out my own path to success, without the luck of picking up what others threw away, and without the heavy backing of Apex Media. A moment later, the talent agent walked into the room with a broad smile, holding a gilded contract folder. The comments section flared up again. A: [Here it comes! The exclusive, top-tier contract that belongs to Lina!] B: [In the last life, Elena used theft to get ahead. Now that Lina is smart, let's see how she steals it this time!] I remained calm as the agent announced cheerfully: "Congratulations, Miss Lina Morgan! You are now officially signed with Apex Media. We will provide you with our absolute best resources and build your career path specifically for you!" Warm applause broke out in the conference room. Envious eyes turned toward Lina. In this life, she did not reject the contract. Instead, she gracefully took the pen and signed her name across the document. "I am honored to join Apex. I look forward to our future collaboration." She turned her head to look at me, her eyes shining with undisguised triumph. Leaning close to my ear, she whispered, "Disappointed? Did you think I would be foolish enough to repeat the mistakes of the past?" The comments scrolled rapidly. A: [Haha! Look at Elena's face, she must be furious!] B: [Serves her right! The contract is back where it belongs! It's time for the thief to wake up from her dream!] C: [Lina is brilliant! She dumped that useless rapper, teamed up with Director David, and took back everything that was hers! This is what a real heiress story looks like!] I remained silent. Lina took a deep breath, as if releasing all the frustration she had carried since being reborn. "Elena Reed, I am truly sorry. This contract was never meant for you. It was always mine," she said, her tone sharp and unapologetic. "It feels wonderful to have things returned to their rightful owner," she added, a smug smile playing on her lips. "Without Apex's resources, tell me what possible future do you have left in this industry?" She stared intensely into my eyes, hoping to find despair or resentment, but found nothing. Her expression turned sour instantly. But I truly did not care. The entertainment industry is ruthless. While resources and connections are important stepping stones, true strength and smart choices matter far more. Calmly, I pulled out another contract, Apex's standard contract for new talent, and signed my name on the signature line. With ten years of experience navigating this industry in my past life, I knew this contract offered fewer restrictions and far more freedom. It was actually a much better fit for my current plans. When viewers saw my choice, the comments section went wild again. A: [Haha! The thief lost the exclusive deal and had to settle for this beginner contract?] B: [A standard contract? I heard the base salary is barely enough to live on! She probably won't even get cast in low-budget web dramas!] C: [See? She can't handle real resources. Without the Morgan family background and Apex's support, her true colors show. I can't wait to see how she survives now!] I didn't even bother to give them a cold smile. They mocked this contract as the path to obscurity, but in my past life, it was exactly this path that led me to winning those three major awards. I gathered my things to leave, but suddenly the door to the conference room was thrown open with a loud bang. A man wearing a leather jacket covered in metal studs and sporting an outrageously bright hair color stormed in, furious. It was Jasper Knox, the rapper Lina had loved in her previous life. "Lina Morgan!" His eyes were fierce, like an enraged beast, as he marched straight up to her. "What is the meaning of this? Last night you swore you'd make underground music with me and said all these companies were garbage! And today you sign with Apex? Are you playing me for a fool?" The room erupted in whispers and gasps. Every eye turned to Lina. Her face turned pale instantly. The elegance and confidence she had displayed moments ago vanished, replaced by panic at being exposed in public. "Jasper Knox, what nonsense are you talking about!" She instinctively stepped back. "Nonsense?" Jasper laughed darkly in his rage and kicked a nearby chair over. It crashed loudly, landing right at my feet. The noise silenced the entire room. He pointed a shaking finger at her. "Liar! We promised to pursue pure art together! Did you betray our ideals just to be with that commercial sellout David Mercer?" His anger surged, and he raised his hand as if to slap her across the face. "Stop right there!" A clear, cold voice cut through the tension.