Chapter 4

Sage's POV

Instantly, an ominous feeling washed over me. "Got it."

I rushed to the makeup room. As soon as I entered, I saw Ashton standing like a star surrounded by admirers, with Kara in the center of the crowd of staff.

And Kara was wearing the new haute couture gown that the luxury brand had sent to me.

My manager beside me sighed helplessly.

My face instantly darkened. I shot Kara a glare and ordered harshly, "Take it off right now!"

But Kara's lips curved upward. She looked at Ashton with a coquettish plea, her voice dripping with sweetness. "Ashton, this dress is so beautiful. Can I wear it?"

That voice seemed to have invisible hooks, trying to snatch away everything precious to me.

A mocking smile played at my lips. "Are you a beggar? Constantly begging for other people's things?"

At my words, Kara's face instantly crumpled, tears quickly filling her eyes.

Seeing this, Ashton frowned at me reproachfully. "Do you have to be so harsh? It's just a dress. What's wrong with letting Kara have it?"

I laughed coldly. "I dare to give it. Does she dare to wear it? This is Chanel's new haute couture piece, and I'm Chanel's global ambassador. At an awards ceremony, if a minor celebrity wears haute couture sent to their ambassador without the brand's permission, do you think she'll have any future in the fashion industry?"

Kara's face instantly turned deathly pale, tears spilling from her eyes. "I won't wear it."

Ashton pulled Kara into his arms, coaxing her gently. "Don't cry. It's just a luxury endorsement. I'll get you one. Will that make you happy?"

In that instant, I felt a sharp pain in my heart.

When I entered the entertainment industry, no one supported me. I got to where I am today entirely on my own.

I didn't say another word. I turned to my stylist. "Where's the backup dress? This one's dirty. Change it."

At my words, Kara's face looked even worse.

"Sage!" Ashton's voice carried a trace of anger.

I didn't even give him a glance as I walked straight into the fitting room.

At the awards ceremony, I won the Best Actress award. In the spotlight of thousands, I made a stunning appearance in the new haute couture gown.

Below the stage, Kara stared at me with hateful eyes, her nails digging into her palms from jealousy.

After the ceremony, Ashton approached me with two glasses of wine. "Congratulations."

I didn't want to talk to him, so I took the glass and downed it in one gulp, saying politely, "Thank you."

However, after walking just a few steps, I felt like a fire had been lit inside me. The discomfort was unbearable.

Then that burning sensation rapidly spread throughout my body.

"Ashton..."

Just because I wouldn't give the dress to Kara, he drugged me?

But by the time I realized it, it was too late.

I kept drinking ice water, trying to cool myself down, but the fire only burned hotter.

The heat came in waves, attacking my nerves. I clutched my dress, breathing heavily.

"Water..."

Suddenly, I remembered there was a pool in the back garden.

I quickly lifted my dress and stumbled outside. The moment I saw the pool, I jumped in without hesitation.

As soon as I hit the water, a wave of coolness washed over me. The burning sensation seemed to ease a little.

But before I could catch my breath, suddenly a swarm of reporters rushed in.

They raised their cameras and started photographing me frantically.

"Stop taking pictures!" I shouted anxiously.

But those reporters acted as if they couldn't hear me, constantly pressing their shutters.

I'd always been spoiled and willful. I climbed out of the water and started smashing reporters' cameras like a madwoman. I roared, "I said stop taking pictures! Can't you hear me?"

The entire scene fell silent for a second, as if time had frozen.

Then someone shouted, "Sage assaulted someone!"