Chapter 2

The crowd erupted.

Claire lunged forward to grab the mic, glaring at me with venom in her eyes as she hissed a low warning.

"Do you have any idea where you are? Making a scene helps no one."

"Logan, you're a smart guy. If you don't want to destroy your entire career right here, shut your mouth!"

She looked nothing like the sweet, gentle girlfriend she had been before the fight.

To protect Austin's stolen glory, she didn't hesitate to threaten my future.

I stared into her eyes and slowly rolled up my sleeves.

Facing the live broadcast cameras, I raised my arms, showing everyone the fresh, brutal bruises from the final match.

"I may have worn a mask during the tournament, but anyone who watched the finals knows where these injuries came from. The committee can easily check the registration database and see if Austin Vance's name was ever on that roster!"

Beside me, Austin didn't say a single word. He just glared at me with a sullen, shadowed expression.

I didn't even bother looking at him.

A pathetic fake like him wasn't worthy of being my rival.

Just then, a spectator pointed toward the massive screen behind us and gasped.

"Look at the registration list! It clearly says Austin Vance!"

"I knew it! There's always some clout-chaser trying to steal the spotlight. What a shameless loser—he even painted on fake bruises!"

I spun around in disbelief. Austin's name was boldly displayed on the official database on screen.

A split second later, I turned back to Claire.

She had planned this all along.

The mastermind walked up to me casually, taking my hand and whispering softly:

"Logan, do you really have to make a complete fool of yourself before you let this go?"

I stared at her pretty face, my heart crumbling.

This was the woman I had loved for eight years. The woman I had planned to propose to right after winning the title!

My throat tightened. I couldn't get a single word out.

Claire brushed past my shoulder, stepping toward the cameras to calm the audience.

"Apologies for that little interruption, everyone. Please don't let it ruin our ceremony."

"My boyfriend is a huge boxing fan. It's always been his dream to stand on this stage and hold a gold medal. He just got a little carried away by his obsession. Please don't hold it against him."

The drama blew over in seconds.

Security dragged me off the stage. Watching the two of them being hailed as the arena's golden couple, I let out a bitter, mocking laugh.

A golden couple?

Then what was I?

Just a delusional fan obsessed with a fantasy?

With a few careless words, she had completely erased years of my relentless sacrifice.

Resentment and agony tore through my chest until I could taste copper on my tongue.

But I refused to back down.

I was going to take back everything that belonged to me!