Chapter 1
**Title: The Ultimate Comeback Guide** **Synopsis:** One-liner: My ex's life just turned into a wild mess. In a twist of fate, former superstar Edward Blackwood, suffering from a terminal illness, awakens to discover he has been reborn three years into the future. Shockingly, he has taken over the life of Elena Westwood, a B-list actress who has been discarded by her heartless boyfriend and is now infamous in the entertainment world. From that moment on, a certain notorious playboy ex-boyfriend begins to notice the name "Elena Westwood" popping up more frequently — from his new girlfriend, his long-lost love, and even his cousin. Everything comes to a head at his engagement party, where the renowned superstar Elena Westwood strides in on the arm of her current boyfriend. As Edward spots the aloof and distinguished figure next to her, he gasps, "Father." # After being dumped by my ex, I became his stepfather! # My ex’s life has turned into a chaotic mess! # Slapping my ex in the face is just a side quest; our real goal is to rule the entertainment industry together. **Warnings:** Set in a fictional modern entertainment industry, brace for intense drama, heart-thumping romance, and serious power plays as various suitors vie for the leading man's affection. Consider yourselves warned! **Main Lead:** A former icon now navigating the cutthroat world of showbiz, ready to overturn the shattered coalitions of his past. **Characters:** - **Elena Westwood:** The dazzling little-known star whose rise to fame is fueled by a thirst for revenge… and a sprinkle of love. - **Edward Blackwood:** The regal figure with a past, now embroiled in a persona he never expected to embody. - **William Fairchild:** The charming cousin who can't help but dance around Elena's orbit. - **Lucius Rivers:** The supportive friend who always has Elena's back. - **Henry Alden:** The wise old mentor trying to keep the chaos to a minimum. - **Cecil Fairchild:** The sweet innocent who’s caught in the path of the heated drama. - **Alaric Stone:** A rival vying for the crown of love and fame. **Synopsis of the Story:** Once a celebrated film star, Edward's life came crashing down due to a fatal illness. Upon awakening as Elena Westwood, he is thrust into a world where he must navigate backstabbing media and flirtation that never hints at the dark past he left behind. With a determined heart, Elena aims not only to reclaim her tarnished dignity but to rise spectacularly within the entertainment industry—seeking not just career success but a chance to reshape her choices. Those who once neglected her soon realize their mistake as she becomes a formidable force. As Edward’s ex-boyfriend witnesses his beloved rise into prominence, he grapples with the harsh truth: while he was cruel, she has now become an unstoppable bright star in a constellation of complex relationships. The former lines of love and ambition blur in exhilarating displays of power moves and clashing desires. This sensational tale mirrors the dramatic tension of a gripping reality show, where nothing is quite what it seems, and every corner of the entertainment world is ripe for a scandal. With clever wit and unexpected twists, the story showcases how someone's fight against fate can turn into a vibrant saga of love, loss, and spectacular second chances.
Chapter 2
Edward Blackwood's mind throbbed with a dull pain, his throat parched as if he'd just traversed a desert. Slowly emerging from a tangled nightmare, he realized he had fallen asleep at his desk. “Ugh...” He rubbed his aching temples and squinted, leaning back into the plush chair. His voice, raspy in the empty room, broke the silence: “Pearl, has the investment plan for The Black Mist been submitted yet?” To his surprise, the secretary he relied upon was uncharacteristically silent. The air hung thick for a moment. Edward frowned, his wrist instinctively lifting to check the time, only to find he wasn't wearing the watch he'd carried for decades. Instead, he was confronted with a delicate, pale arm. Subtle blue veins threaded across the alabaster wrist, a sight that stung his eyes painfully. He had been gravely ill for years, bedridden and emaciated. How could he be seeing this slender form? Suddenly wide awake, Edward turned to the mirror and was greeted by an impossibly handsome face—soft tousled hair pushed back, revealing a high forehead, skin unnaturally pale, and alluring almond-shaped eyes glinting with playful energy. The soulful eyes seemed to gaze back at him, stirring feelings he hadn't felt in ages. Even though he was used to being surrounded by beautiful people, he found himself momentarily spellbound. But this body—this wasn't his. Edward took a deep breath, systematically surveying the unfamiliar bedroom. A dim light radiated from the overhead chandelier, casting shadows on walls adorned with mirrored panels that reflected his new appearance in disorienting multiples. A cluttered desk overflowed with scripts, while a stack of tattered books lay haphazardly to the side. He caught a glimpse of their titles: **Actor's Self-Cultivation** **Fundamentals of Acting** Hesitation flickered in his mind as he extended his hand. Upon touching the aged yellowing pages, unfamiliar memories surged forth—vivid fragments of a life lived by the original owner of this body—parading across his consciousness. This body was belonging to someone named Elena Westwood, an actress. Elena had grown up in poverty, leaving high school to juggle a series of odd jobs. She was soon discovered by a talent scout due to her striking looks and catapulted into the entertainment industry, landing a breakout role as a supporting actor in a popular teen drama. Natural talent, a few lucky breaks, and the backing of a prominent agency—Elena's career should have skyrocketed without a hitch. Yet, all that glitz turned to gloom after a bitter fallout with Cecil Fairchild, the former head of The Patron. This rift decimated her once-flourishing acting career. It was astonishing that things could spiral so low, transforming her from a rising star to someone notorious for all the wrong reasons, largely due to a controversial reality show. **I Am an Actor**, a groundbreaking series produced by Maple Entertainment, claimed to blend actors with everyday people in competitive acting challenges. When the show invited her to join, she was still on amicable terms with Cecil Fairchild, and despite her agent’s ardent advisement against it, she foolishly accepted. Not long after, as Elena's relationship with Cecil soured, her ill-fated appearance on the show became a catastrophe—allegations of poor acting flourished, and the producers manipulated the footage to ensure her elimination, all while flashing the title of “Once-Revered Rising Star Now Critically Panned” across every screen. With these thoughts unraveling at the forefront of his mind, Edward felt a blend of empathy and determination surge within him. Now, living in this new reality, he knew it was time for change. He would need to gather the shards of this broken life—this acting career that had been sabotaged—and reclaim the spotlight.
Chapter 3
"Buzz... Buzz..." The sudden vibration of his phone shattered Edward Blackwood's train of thought. His silver phone lay quietly on the desk, the screen marred with numerous cracks—each one a testament to its owner's fits of rage. It wasn’t hard to imagine what Edward had done in his moments of frustration. He casually unlocked the phone with his fingerprint, and it automatically opened the Town Crier app. The latest comment thread on Elena Westwood was a disaster zone. A barrage of sharp, scathing comments flew at him; only a handful of fans attempted to defend him, but they were quickly drowned out by the flood of negativity. Edward raised an eyebrow in response. “Acting is just a frozen face trying to look cool. Don’t you feel embarrassed?” “Thanks to 'I Am an Actor', I finally see you for the talentless hack you really are. Your fame is all because of The Patron pushing you, haha.” “Get off the show! You’re just a bad apple ruining the whole pot.” When he first entered the industry, Edward was no stranger to conflict. His blunt demeanor had earned him many enemies; he had stood up to invasive paparazzi and amateurish directors, accumulating enough negative press to support a magazine. Yet, despite all that, his films continued to be box office hits, racking up awards by the dozens. His impressive achievements made it clear that the haters were just getting served their just desserts. But this moment, witnessing this relentless online mocking, was a first for him; there was an oddly fresh feeling to it. The Town Crier chatter focused on two main topics: first, his continuous eliminations from the show for three episodes straight, painting him as utterly talentless and unworthy of the industry; second, his ridiculous decision to engage with online haters after being called a pretty boy, leading to a further nosedive in his popularity, reducing him to a laughingstock. His agents had vehemently opposed him joining this program, but Edward had turned a deaf ear to their concerns and had insisted on pursuing it. Now it seemed their fears had come true. The show aired to a fiery response, questioning Edward's acting chops while 'I Am an Actor' capitalized on his notoriety and gained acclaim for its fair elimination of him. Not willing to let himself be outdone, Edward was determined to fight his way back into the competition, unaware that he would face defeat after defeat, ultimately sealing his fate and reputation in utter disgrace. He eyed his reflection in the mirror. From a professional standpoint, this was a highly malleable face. In modern slang, he'd be termed as having a "premium look," his exquisite and grand features perfect for the big screen. With a slight raise of his brow and a curl of his lip, the charming young man looked gentle and romantic, like a dashing hero ready to sweep anyone off their feet. But as he wiped the smile away, tightly pursing his lips, he transformed into something ominous, his piercing gaze suggesting that he might devour someone whole at any moment. Edward Blackwood couldn't help but lament how this face was destined for the silver screen. If it weren't for the endless self-sabotage, it was only a matter of time until he would shine brightly in films, becoming a sought-after talent among the world’s most prestigious directors. At that moment, a new unread text notification popped up on his phone. Opening the message, he saw a dry, businesslike notification from his agent regarding the time and location for the next episode's filming, devoid of any warmth. It was clear that the agent had given up on him. This show had used Elena Westwood as a stepping stone to climb up, and now that he had outlived his usefulness, they planned to discard him in favor of public opinion, squeezing out whatever value was left to him. The official Town Crier posted: “Rising star Elena Westwood is on shaky ground after three consecutive poor performances. The seventh episode will introduce a new challenge guest—acclaimed actor @Lucius Rivers, setting the stage for a fierce competition where winners thrive and losers leave.” Coinciding with the anniversary of Edward Blackwood's tragic passing three years ago, the show chose to feature highlights from Sir Actor’s famous work, 'The Blade of the Sword Spring'. In less than three hours since this post, as fans mourned the fallen star, the trending topics soared past a hundred thousand shares. “I can’t believe he’s been gone for three years. So heartbreaking.” “Did anyone else notice how Lucius Rivers resembles Sir Actor? Can’t wait to see him bring back those classic vibes, forget that pretty boy.” “Lucius Rivers’s talent is undeniable—the production team is making a wise choice!” Edward’s gaze darkened. Something sinister brewed in his deep eyes, and the corner of his lips twisted into a sly smirk, his striking features shrouded in shadow, obscuring any visible emotion. Interesting. If this had fallen into his hands, then letting it go was not an option. That day, the Town Crier exploded once more as another repost by an infamous has-been caused the recently waning hype to spike again. Elena Westwood's post screamed, “I’m going to give it my all! 😊”
Chapter 4
In just a few months, "I Am an Actor" has skyrocketed from obscurity to become the hottest reality show on air, hailed as a benchmark within the industry. Countless actors regard a chance to appear on this show as a badge of honor. With the elimination of Elena Westwood, a fresh opportunity has opened up. As many cast glances at this coveted spot, Lucius Rivers' sudden emergence speaks volumes about the powerful network backing him. At that moment, Lucius sat in the chair, listening to Katherine Bright, the executive producer, incessantly flattering him. Growing impatient, he furrowed his brow and lifted his chin slightly, his handsome features exuding an air of arrogance. With a terse, yet pointed question, he asked, "When does this start?" Katherine paused, and a crew member quickly whispered to her, "One guest hasn't arrived yet." "Who?" "Elena Westwood." Upon hearing her name, a chill washed over Lucius' gaze, a rare display of disdain crossing his face. The thought of sharing the limelight with someone devoid of real talent—a pretty face without skills—left him thoroughly uninterested. Katherine, skilled at reading moods, immediately noticed his displeasure. She straightened up and sternly addressed the crew, "What’s taking so long? Do you all even want to record this? If someone isn’t prepared to show up for their job, then maybe they shouldn’t be here at all." No one dared to respond as the atmosphere thickened with tension. It was simple: Lucius Rivers was angry. In his two years in the industry, Lucius had snagged multiple awards: Best Newcomer, Best Supporting Actor, and the Most Popular Actor award—he was the rising star tipped to become the next leading man. The fact that he was left waiting for a no-talent beauty was infuriating, especially for someone with a reputation for a short fuse. Lucius was multifaceted, with bigwigs supporting him. Elena Westwood was merely a pawn discarded by Cecil Fairchild, unworthy to even be compared. Yet, as moments dragged on and the start time approached, Elena still had not arrived, and Lucius’ expression grew increasingly sour. A few crew members shared glances, whispers starting to circulate: "Maybe Elena Westwood is too scared to come." "Her acting is so poor, what’s the point of her even showing up?" With a disdainful laugh, Lucius tossed his script aside. His eyes, long and slanted, held no warmth. "If she doesn’t want to be here, she should just leave—permanently." Gasps echoed throughout the room; the implication of his words was effectively a ban. Just then, the doors to the Reception Hall opened, and a bright voice shattered the oppressive silence like fresh spring water: "Who made our Riverboy mad?" Lucius looked up, only to see a young man walking in, framed against the light. His stunning features shone even brighter than the sun, a playful smile dancing on his lips, peach blossom eyes slightly narrowing in a hazy allure. As he strolled in casually, his very presence felt like a beacon, impossible to ignore. "…Elena Westwood." Katherine gasped, unable to reconcile the confident, radiant figure before her with the sullen, withdrawn Elena Westwood of the past. Elena nodded slightly, her gaze turning toward Lucius Rivers, the very individual she was about to confront.
Chapter 5
The young man stood out in the crowd, his piercing gaze fixed firmly ahead, exuding an air of superiority despite the chill in the room. His striking features resembled a fierce little lion, more endearing than anything Lucius Rivers had ever witnessed in the mundane memories of his former life. Suddenly, Lucius found himself caught in a pair of enchanting, almond-shaped eyes that sparkled with mischief. The deep warmth in their depths sent a shiver through him, tingling in his chest and spreading like wildfire through his veins. However, he quickly shook off the enchantment, his expression darkening as a wave of disdain washed over him. No surprise that this one managed to flirt her way into Cecil Fairchild's bed. Though her acting skills were abysmal, her talent for ingratiating herself had clearly never wavered. Anger bubbled up inside him, a mixt of disgust and irritation that made him particularly uncomfortable. Without a word, he stood up, breaking off the eye contact and striding away. “Get ready,” he said coldly, leaving Elena Westwood behind as though she were invisible. If one were to forget how he just had been put off balance by her flirtation a moment earlier. The stage lights illuminated the large screen reading “I Am an Actor” in bold letters. The next scene would be from **"Chronicles of the Blade"**, a classic martial arts drama depicting blood-soaked battles over an ancient scroll, the **"Spring and Autumn"** manual that changed the fates of many who sought its power. In a randomly selected segment, the audience witnessed a gripping confrontation between brothers turned foes. The protagonist, Tang Xun, ambushed while returning to his mountain sanctuary, found himself in a bitter fight to the death with the demonic sect. It was during this intense standoff that he was shocked to discover that his adversary was none other than his sworn brother, Qin Shuyan. The plot wasn’t particularly complex; Tang Xun’s turmoil deepened as he faced the anguish of betrayal. He hurled angry accusations, claiming Qin had sold out their friendship, bringing shame upon the Qin family. Yet, Qin Shuyan pushed back, blaming Tang Xun for the destruction of the Qin household and vowing to upend the entire martial arts world, declaring that they could never stand side by side again. As the scene reached its climax, the segment ended with Qin Shuyan piercing the blade into Tang Xun’s body. Cheers erupted from the audience, echoing “Lucius Rivers” throughout the venue, intensifying as many fans leaped to their feet, inspiring a palpable surge of enthusiasm that electrified the atmosphere. The host read out the final line from the script: “Please welcome our next guests—Lucius Rivers and Elena Westwood.” At the sound of the latter's name, a momentary hush fell over the crowd before voices of disdain filled the air, “Ugh, Elena Westwood, what can she possibly contribute other than tarnishing a classic?” “Thank goodness she's playing a villain; if she were the hero, I might just throw my water bottle at her,” one fan said, laughter erupting from nearby supporters. “The way she embodies that nasty, foolish antagonist suits her. Maybe she’ll even infuse some authenticity into the role.” Amidst the growing chatter, Elena Westwood entered the stage in a stunning white outfit, a sword in hand, radiating an ethereal grace. Her radiant beauty silenced the negative murmurs, drawing all eyes to her. Few had the heart to hurl insults when confronted with such captivating splendor.
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