- 7 hours ago
Until Fate Gave Us A Second Chance
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Short filmTranscript
00:01I'm a model. Well, a different kind. In this line of work, most of us have sugar daddies.
00:08They usually hop from one to another. I have one too. His name is Jacob Griffin Wood. Come
00:15to think of it, it's been almost a year since we met. Our contract expires in six months.
00:23By industry rules, we need to decide whether to renew or part ways. After all, youth is
00:28my only asset. A good sugar daddy is hard to find. If we don't renew, I'll have to find
00:33someone new. Honestly, I'm happy with Jacob. If he wants to stay together, I'll celebrate
00:39with champagne. However, knowing Jacob is hard to say. He's just too attractive. When a man
00:45is this rich and powerful, people flock to him in droves. I can charm Jacob all I want. Alas,
00:52I've reached my body's limit. Over the year, we've tried everything in bed. Jacob isn't
00:57interested in me anymore. He gave me a mountain villa that's almost five, 300 square feet.
01:02His previous lovers lived there too. I don't know how many there were, but the thought of
01:06leaving in two weeks makes me depressed. Late at night, Mary Atkins, the maid, wakes me.
01:11She says, Jacob is here. I have to go serve him. This life isn't as easy as it looks. I
01:17have
01:18to do so much. You need charm and a lot of luck. With a bad sugar daddy, you lose your
01:25money and
01:26your health. I've been a model for three years. Some of my colleagues have to wear diapers now.
01:31I'm one of the lucky ones. Jacob's only flaw is how he treats me in the bedroom, but he's generous.
01:37I rush downstairs in a robe. Jacob is passed out on the couch. He reeks of alcohol. Mary hands me
01:44some honey tea. I hold it to his lips lovingly. I coo. Have some tea, Mr. Wood. He's surnamed Griffin
01:51Wood, but he has a quirk. He hates his last name. I'm a woman with no education. I didn't know
01:58compound surnames exist. That's how I caught his eye. He says when people call him Mr. Griffin Wood
02:05out of respect, he just wants to slap them. Jacob takes a sip and frowns. I quickly pull the cup
02:12away.
02:12The smell of booze and perfume makes my stomach turn. Still, I strip him down and fetch a basin
02:18of warm water. I wash him with a straight face. Jacob is still conscious. He moves his limbs for me.
02:26Georgia, how long has it been? Almost a year. Mr. Wood. Jacob nods. The contract's up soon,
02:32right? My heart skips a beat. He wants to talk about it now. If the renewal is a no-go,
02:37I wonder how much I'll get. Jacob is a generous man. If the payout is big enough, I'll quit being
02:43a model. But he doesn't say another word. I wait for him to speak, but he's already fallen asleep.
02:49The next day, Alice Lane invites me to the salon. As a kid, I never thought I'd visit a place
02:55like
02:55this so often. Models are competitive. We earn a lot, but we spend a lot. New girls are always
03:03joining. As I get older, maintenance costs more. I get the full head-to-toe package. I spend thousands
03:10every visit. I spend a ton at the salon. Once I spent $200,000 on a package. I was heartbroken
03:16that day. Then again, it was worth it. Jacob couldn't resist me at all. That's rare for him.
03:22His self-control is insane. I give it my all in bed, but he always holds back at the last
03:28second.
03:28Alice asks about my future. She knows a decent sugar daddy in high society, but she offers to
03:35take me to meet him. I turn her down. Although the renewal might not happen, I'm still within
03:42the contracted period. Looking for a new daddy in secret is a death wish. I wonder who's lucky
03:47enough to become Jacob's next lover. Alice sounds jealous. No idea. I snap back. Jacob hates being
03:55speculated, but guessing. Client thoughts is habitual. This past year, Jacob has had many
04:02playthings, men or women. Sugar daddies care not about genders. As long as they're happy,
04:08the models get paid. Jacob used to be passionate, but now he's just cold. The honeymoon phase is over.
04:15He's lost interest in me. He'll likely replace me next year. Mid-facial, Jacob calls me. He gives me an
04:22address and tells me to get there now. It's a private estate. Members only. Very discreet. I know
04:29what's coming. When I arrive, Jacob is with clients from Halmion. I'm there to entertain them in
04:35alternative ways. This is my job. I'm in my element. I drink and flirt with the clients. The party is
04:43getting wild. One client hands me his card. He tells me he likes me right in front of Jacob. I
04:50glance at
04:50Jacob, trying to gauge his reaction, but I can never guess what he's thinking or how he's feeling.
04:57I'm not that smart, but I am cautious. I won't do anything to upset him, not right in front of
05:03him.
05:04I turn the client down tactfully. I even tell him I belong to Jacob. Everyone is amused by that.
05:10Everyone except Jacob. He just sits there, nonchalant, watching me with those mysterious eyes.
05:16I just give him a bright smile. When the first party ends, the night is actually just beginning.
05:23Everyone moves on. In the private room, the table is covered in pricey booze. Soon, a group of young
05:29people is led in. Like products on a shelf, they waited to be picked out. I spot a few fresh
05:36faces.
05:36In this business, you need sharp eyes. I can tell who's truly young at a glance.
05:42Jacob draws out lazily. The fresh one can stay. I'm instantly on guard. Shady tricks don't scare
05:49me, but I can never win against age. My purity is a facade. That girl is the real deal. Is
05:55this
05:55your first? Jacob asks. She nods, looking anxious. She tries to serve him a drink, but she's so nervous,
06:02she spills it. Jacob isn't even angry. He shoots me a look. I knew it. I'm the one who has
06:08to clean up.
06:08As for the entertainment, the newbie can handle that. I keep an eye on everything. I boost the
06:14mood with drinks and song. I'll dance too if they want. I hear Jacob talking to that girl in that
06:20languid tone of his. He asks her name and her age. She's Mila Jones, 18, and from some far off
06:25coastal
06:25town. Her family is sick and she's broke. That poor me story is so overused. It's so cliche, I never
06:32used
06:32it. When Jacob asked why I do this, I said I was lazy and hated working. I thought being honest
06:38was refreshing and that was why he liked me, but apparently he believes Mila. He even pulls out
06:45his checkbook and writes her a check. I'm stunned. I didn't know pity was so effective. He could have
06:51just said he wanted sad. In school, my grades were great. I was an essayist. Making up sad stories is
06:58easy for me. It's already 3am by the time the party is over. Jacob has already left with Mila. At
07:05least
07:05he remembered me. He got me a ride home as a reward for my work tonight. The AC in the
07:10car is
07:11perfect, but I overdrank. I'm warmer than usual. I try to hold it together, but I can't. I stop the
07:19car. I'm out before he stops. I cling to a trash can and retch. One year with Jacob and my
07:25alcohol
07:26tolerance has dropped. After only 8 bottles of mixed red and white wine tonight, I've reached my limit.
07:30The driver kindly gets out and hands me some tissues. The bile I'm throwing up fills my mouth
07:34with bitterness. I awkwardly thank the driver. Are you okay? Should I take you to the hospital?
07:41It's okay. I wave it off. I'm fine. I know my body. I've gotten drunk like this before.
07:46I'm not that delicate. I force myself to head home. My brain feels like complete mush. I feel like I'll
07:51fall into a deep sleep when I close my eyes. Yet, the second I hit the mattress, all traces of
07:56sleep
07:56vanish. I have this strong feeling that my position is about to be taken by Mila. How is she so
08:01lucky?
08:01It was her first time out, and she met Jacob? I'm freaking jealous. Turns out, I was right.
08:07For the next week, I don't see Jacob, but I hear about him from everyone. Mila has,
08:13unsurprisingly, become Jacob's new favorite. She's the talk of the town now. Every time I hear it,
08:18I just curse myself for choosing to be the understanding type back then. If I had been
08:22more demanding, I could have confidently marched up to Jacob and told him to not have a new woman
08:26replace me. Days pass, and eventually, the contract ends. I'm smart. Before Jacob even asks me to
08:32leave, I've already packed my bags. I know that he hasn't mentioned renewing the contract because
08:38he doesn't want to continue, but what can I do? Going from luxury to simplicity is hard. I don't
08:42want to give up this villa or the housekeepers. Jacob sends his secretary to talk to me. He offers
08:46me an apartment. It's a full-floor flat downtown worth around $6 million. My first thought is to sell
08:51it and cash out. I'm not exactly flush with cash, and my expenses are high. If I stay there a
08:56few
08:56months, I'll struggle to even pay the fees. The day after I move out of the villa, a business card
09:02comes into my hands. It's the one I turn down at Jacob's dinner. Alice tells me, I think he makes
09:07a good sugar daddy. You're done with Jacob now, so you need to grab this chance. I hesitate. He's
09:12from Halmyon. I'm not keen on going there. I don't know that place. Oh, come on. You're worrying
09:17about nothing. A guy with his status? You won't be his only woman. He's probably got
09:22women stashed here and there, maybe even a dozen more overseas. Just have him rent you
09:25a place and stay here. If he's ever in town for business, you can take care of him. Listen,
09:30you can't rest now. In our line of work, once you stop, you'll never get back up. You have
09:34to keep networking and contact your sugar daddies. They're thousands of beautiful and fun women.
09:39You need to give them a reason to spend big money on you. Noticing my silence, Alice narrows
09:44her eyes. Georgia, don't tell me you've fallen for Jacob. You're right, I finally say. I need
09:49to get myself together. I need to make more money. There's a golf event this weekend. I'll
09:53bring you along. Alice is pleased. You better seize the chance. I learn about Lance's preferences.
09:59He's my sugar daddy from Halmyon. On the day of the golf event, the moment I see him, I can
10:03feel the weight of his gaze on me. I know right away that my business for the year is set.
10:07I make Lance laugh with my charm. Pretending I don't know how to play, I lean in close to
10:12him. I'm busy with the club, while he's busy with me. We both get what we need. From a distance,
10:17a golf cart approaches. I look up and see Jacob holding Mila in his arms. He's looking at me
10:23indifferently. I'm nestled in Lance's arms. The two of us move like a single entity as we swing
10:29the club. Following a solid thwack, the ball takes a nonsensical path. It flies up in the air and lands
10:35on Jacob's head. At that moment, I've already picked out where my grave should be. I must have committed
10:40some horrible crime against this ball. This golf course is huge. So why does it have to hit Jacob's
10:45head specifically? Lance behind me. Immediately lets go. He looks like he can't wait to cut ties
10:50with me. I get it. In this place, nobody wants to get on Jacob's bad side. Whether I actually hit
10:56that ball today doesn't matter. The result can only be that I hit it. Mr. Griffin would. I'm so sorry.
11:03Let me take you to the hospital. Lance rushes over, looking guilty. This is all my fault. I wasn't
11:09watching her closely enough. I raise my hand and rub my eyes. They instantly turn red. Looking
11:14panicked, I drop to my knees in front of Jacob. My voice shakes. Mr. Wood, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
11:20I really don't know what happened. Honestly though, this grass is pretty soft to kneel on. It doesn't
11:25hurt my knees at all. My head stays down, so I can't see Jacob's face. But everything around us
11:30goes silent. The mood is clearly serious. I was kind of hoping Jacob might go easy on me since I've
11:35served him for a whole year. It seems like that's not happening. His bodyguards yank me up. Two guys,
11:41one on each side, grab my arms and practically drag me another step toward Jacob. Jacob sits there on
11:46his golf cart, looking down at me. His eyes are full of disgust. Looks like Mr. Corti's quite taking
11:52the Georgia. He says it with a smile, but his voice is ice cold. Guess today I'll be taking what
11:57belongs
11:57to you. Taking what belongs to me? She's just a plaything. How dare she hurt you? As long as you're
12:03satisfied, Mr. Griffin would. Do whatever you want. Lance sells me out without hesitation.
12:07You rarely visit. I wouldn't want you getting lonely. Jacob gives Mila a gentle nudge toward
12:13Lance. Think of her as a little gift from me. I hope you won't mind. People like us only exist
12:19to
12:19please others. So being treated like objects traded or given away happens all the time. I lost my new
12:25sugar daddy and pissed off my old one. My mind goes dark. I have no idea how Jacob will punish
12:29me.
12:29I'm scared of pain. I'm terrified of it, but I can't just end it all either because I want to
12:34live. I want to live so desperately. Jacob takes me to his actual home, a place I've never been.
12:40All of his homes are mansions. This one doesn't look that different from the one I used to stay in.
12:46The bodyguards throw me on the floor. Footsteps echo all around me. I press myself to the ground,
12:51too scared to move. After a while, everything goes quiet. Jacob's voice comes from above me.
12:57Georgia, look up. I flinch, then slowly lift my head to look at him. My face is covered in tears.
13:04Showing weakness is sometimes a tactic. It has nothing to do with gender. I never used to cry.
13:09I knew no one would care if I did, so I refused to let myself shed tears.
13:12Then I got into this line of work and realized that men actually love watching us cry.
13:16They love being worshipped by the weak. Even more, they love crushing the weak.
13:20Grinding them down.
13:22Why are you crying? Jacob asks me.
13:24Subconsciously, I think his mood seems a bit better now, because his posture is clearly
13:29more relaxed than when he was with Lance. I crawl toward him. Looking pitiful, I place
13:32my hands on his knees. My face is full of hurt.
13:35Mr. Wood, please forgive me. I really didn't mean to.
13:38Jacob's eyes darken. He reaches out and grabs my chin.
13:41His grip isn't hard. His thumb strokes my neck gently.
13:45Your new sugar daddy abandoned you.
13:47New sugar daddy, old sugar daddy, I only want you, Mr. Wood.
13:50I blink and tears fall. But you don't want me anymore. You have someone new.
13:55An old toy like me isn't good enough for you anymore. Funny? I've never heard you say this
13:59before. Jacob says to me, I force a smile and lower my eyes. Someone in my position has no
14:06right to say such things. Then why say it today all of a sudden? If not now, I'd never get
14:10another chance. In your mind, am I really that cruel and heartless? Jacob forces me to look
14:15at him. Any idiot knows this is absolutely not the time to tell the truth. But if I lie,
14:20Jacob won't believe me either. What do I do? My life depends on this.
14:24I grip my teeth, straighten my back, tilt my head up, and kiss Jacob's thin lips. They say
14:29people with thin lips are heartless. I think there's truth to that saying. Jacob doesn't
14:32push me away, but he doesn't kiss me back either. I close my eyes, kissing him carefully.
14:37My hands shake as I undo Jacob's belt. When it comes to pleasing men with my body,
14:41I'm way too good at it. As long as Jacob lets me see this through, today's incident will be
14:45forgiven. I work hard to please him. After a year with him, I know exactly how to satisfy him.
14:51Move back in tomorrow, he says. Don't bother packing your things. I'll have someone buy you
14:55new stuff. I don't know if this counts as a blessing. I'm back by Jacob's side, but this time
15:00he doesn't make me sign a contract. Not only that, he no longer just visits the mansion once in a
15:05while.
15:05He moves in completely. My friends praise my tactics. I actually won Jacob back,
15:10and by the looks of it, I might actually become permanent. Going permanent doesn't mean becoming
15:14his wife. It means I'm qualified to stay with Jacob, not on a contract basis, but long-term and
15:19stable. The kind where I can rely on him for the rest of my life. That kind of relationship.
15:23Too bad I'm on pills. I can't have kids. Otherwise, if I gave Jacob a kid or two,
15:28my position would be completely secure. I don't really buy into all that. Never mind that I can't
15:33have kids. Even if I could, I would never have Jacob's child. At airport arrivals, I'm waiting eagerly.
15:39Jacob's been away for almost a month. Honestly, I actually kind of miss him. The display screen
15:44showed the plane had landed. I count down every second until finally I spot Jacob in the distance.
15:49Mr. Wood! I throw my arm up excitedly, waving hard. Jacob looks over. It's rare, but his eyes hold a
15:55hint of warmth. Every once in a while, I catch myself thinking maybe we're just a normal couple.
16:00No different from the other couples in the world. Lost in that thought, my gaze drifts to the side.
16:06My eyes meet someone else's. What a surprise. Of all places, I'm running into my mother here.
16:11My birth wasn't exactly honorable. Getting into this line of work wasn't voluntary either.
16:16But trauma has a way of clustering. My story might earn a few tears if it were on TV,
16:20but in this industry, it's nothing special. So, I never play the victim. Many people have it worse.
16:26Who am I to complain? The airport is crowded. I look away naturally and rush toward Jacob,
16:30throwing my arms around him to show how much I missed him. Jacob wraps one arm around me.
16:34His tone is casual, but his expression is soft. That happy to see me? Very happy. I nod
16:40enthusiastically. He chuckles, clearly pleased. Unusually, in front of others, he takes my hand.
16:47I'm completely floored. Jacob always travels with an entourage. My existence is an open secret,
16:52but my status was never respectable. He rarely shows affection to someone like me in public.
16:57I focus entirely on him, partly to show how much I missed him, partly to keep my gaze from
17:02wondering where it shouldn't. But in the end, I can't help myself. I glance back.
17:06My birth mother is chatting intimately with a young woman while smiling.
17:10That's probably my stepsister, someone I've never met before.
17:13What are you looking at? Jacob asks.
17:15Nothing. I quickly turn my gaze away and cautiously say,
17:19Mr. Wood, if you're going on a business trip again for so long, could you take me along?
17:23He doesn't answer.
17:24I suddenly realize that what I've said seems inappropriate.
17:26While I'm trying to think of a cover-up, he asks,
17:29Why? Do you want to come with me?
17:31No.
17:31I wrinkle my nose and say,
17:33I haven't seen you in a while, so I've missed you.
17:35How clingy.
17:36Jacob sighs.
17:38Despite his troubled expression,
17:39his gentle tone tells me he isn't upset by my request.
17:43Next time, I'll have my secretary notify you.
17:45He says, while scratching my chin, almost like petting a dog.
17:48There's nothing wrong with that.
17:50After all, a rich person's dog lives a better life than the people from poor families.
17:53The sextonite leaves me exhausted.
17:55Jacob is like a wolf that hasn't eaten for a long time.
17:57Not a single part of me is left untouched.
18:00I guess his schedule this month must be very tight,
18:03and he can't release his needs.
18:05After all, he is a workaholic.
18:07Work always comes first for him, even when it conflicts with his needs.
18:11I'm so tired, my eyes hurt and won't stay open.
18:14I wake briefly as he pulls away.
18:16He sees me looking at him, so he explains,
18:19I have work.
18:20Go ahead and sleep.
18:21In the past, I didn't have the right to spend the night in the same bed as Jacob.
18:25But ever since I return to his side, occasionally when it gets too late,
18:28Jacob stays in my room to rest.
18:30Didn't you just return from your trip?
18:31I rub my eyes, forcing myself to sit up.
18:33My sugar daddy isn't sleeping, so how can I be?
18:35I don't have the guts for that.
18:37Sleep.
18:37Be good.
18:38Jacob says firmly, pushing me back down.
18:40When he sees, I won't close my eyes.
18:42He sighs softly and leaves the bedroom.
18:44I hesitate between getting up and giving in to the drowsiness.
18:47But Jacob returns, holding a thick file, filled with professional terms in Aspirean.
18:53Just a glance makes my head hurt.
18:54Sleep, I'll stay here and read.
18:56He half reclines beside me and turns on the desk lamp.
18:58With glasses on the bridge of his nose, he even puts an arm around me, so I can sleep while
19:03hugging it.
19:03I am over the moon.
19:04Then I fall asleep.
19:06The next morning, when I wake up, Jacob is no longer in the bedroom.
19:09I reflect deeply, thinking it is because Jacob has been a little too indulgent with me lately.
19:14People are like that.
19:15We easily get carried away.
19:16Although I deeply fear Jacob's power and influence, the tenderness he occasionally shows is really hard to resist.
19:22I remind myself repeatedly not to let my guard down, but still find myself doing so without realizing it.
19:27While lost in thought, I sit on the bed and do a simple stretch to relieve the strain from last
19:32night's exertion.
19:33I casually pick up the phone from the table.
19:35I notice I have several missed calls from my birth father and mother.
19:39Ever since I get into this line of work, they only call me for one reason, and it is money.
19:43I am their cash machine.
19:45It was my birth father who led me into this line of work.
19:48He owed debts and used me as collateral.
19:50My first sugar daddy is my father's creditor.
19:53Back then, I was inexperienced and didn't know how to charm men, so I suffered a lot.
19:56Not long after, my first sugar daddy grew tired of me, and he sent me off for training.
20:00At a banquet, he handed me to my second sugar daddy.
20:03The second one had some fetishes, but he was very generous.
20:06With him, I paid off my father's gambling debts.
20:09Later, my biological mother heard that I was making a lot of money, so she called to say she needed
20:13some.
20:13I refused, so she came to my place and caused trouble.
20:16That interrupted my work, and for that, my second sugar daddy slapped me and made me lose a tooth.
20:21After I got involved with Jacob, I always did whatever they asked.
20:24I was afraid they would cause trouble.
20:26Earning money is hard, but living well is even harder.
20:29I make a lot, but I also spend a lot.
20:32Along with my parents' bottomless needs, I am living a very hard life.
20:35I actually consider giving up this line of work, but it is hard to get out.
20:39Truthfully, I am used to this luxurious lifestyle too.
20:42Without any skills, I can't make money if I leave this work.
20:45I won't be able to survive.
20:47Thinking about this, I expressionlessly call them back.
20:49Sure enough, my mother wants money.
20:51She saw me at the airport yesterday with Jacob.
20:53She believes I have gotten myself a rich guy.
20:56She feels what I give her isn't enough and asks me to double it.
21:00I don't have that much, I say.
21:02I checked with a friend at the housing bureau.
21:03You have a property under your name.
21:05You can transfer it to me.
21:06My mother says haughtily, your sister just graduated.
21:10She needs a place to stay.
21:11Not possible, I refuse.
21:13Georgia, don't think that just because you found a strong backer that I won't deal with you.
21:16Trust me, if I make trouble outside Jacob's company for a few days, Jacob will immediately dump you.
21:21I believe her.
21:22After all, I lost my previous sugar daddy in the same way.
21:25They are only looking for fun and to relieve stress, not to clean up my mess.
21:29I sigh deeply.
21:30Give me some time.
21:31Hurry up.
21:32I don't have much patience.
21:33She huffs in frustration and hangs up.
21:35I steady myself, then call my father.
21:38Lately, Jacob likes you a lot, huh?
21:40My father says.
21:41I have something I need you to do.
21:42Once it's done, I promise I won't ask you for money again.
21:45What is it?
21:46You need to steal a document.
21:48It's related to X company's merger plan.
21:50I am not highly educated, but I know that whatever he wants me to steal is definitely not just a
21:56simple merger document.
21:57How simple?
21:57What if I refuse?
21:58I ask.
21:59If you refuse, I'll die.
22:01My father grits his teeth.
22:02If I die, I'll take you down with me.
22:04I end the call.
22:05Why are you lost in thought?
22:06The bedroom door is open, and Jacob is staring at me with his arms crossed.
22:11I don't know how long he has been there.
22:13I feel uneasy.
22:14I don't know how much he has heard.
22:16Nothing.
22:17Get up if you're awake, Jacob says.
22:19Come downstairs.
22:19I groggily get up and wash my face.
22:21When I got downstairs, I freeze at the site.
22:24The living room has been redecorated.
22:26There are balloons everywhere.
22:27The wall in the center usually holds a painting worth billions, but it is now removed and replaced with balloons
22:33spelling happy birthday.
22:34Jacob stands by the stairs holding a party popper.
22:36With a loud bang, the confetti sprays all over me.
22:39Georgia, happy birthday.
22:40I rarely celebrate my birthday, so when I see all the gift boxes and the two-tier cake in the
22:45middle of the living room, my first reaction isn't joy.
22:48It is unfamiliarity.
22:50Is today my birthday?
22:51I don't think so.
22:52Confused, I instinctively reach for my phone.
22:55Why aren't you happy?
22:57Jacob keenly notices my mood, and the smile on his face fades.
23:01Panicking at once, I rush up and force a bright smile.
23:05No, no, I'm just so surprised that I didn't know how to react at first.
23:08Mr. Wood, you're the first person to celebrate my birthday.
23:11I'm really, really happy.
23:13My own thoughts don't matter.
23:15What matters is not spoiling his mood.
23:17I am the main character of the birthday party, but Jacob is the director.
23:21As an actress, I have to follow the director's requests and perform according to the script.
23:25Jacob has prepared many gifts for me.
23:26Among them are luxurious goods, sports cars, and even landed properties.
23:30His gifts have solved the urgent problem.
23:32If I accept these gifts, I'll have bound myself to Jacob permanently.
23:35That means I'll have to deal with my birth parents for the rest of my life.
23:37I'll have to live in constant fear.
23:39But if I don't accept these gifts, I won't have any money at all.
23:41That means I won't be able to survive.
23:43Heck, I don't even know how long I can last without money.
23:45Thing is, I really love the khakis that are printed with luxurious logos,
23:47and the watches that have sparkling jewels embedded on them.
23:49Yes, I'm just that realistic and materialistic.
23:51The gifts are placed before me.
23:52It's impossible for me to push them away.
23:54Happily, I reach out and accept the gifts.
23:56Then, I give Jacob a loud and deep kiss on his cheek.
23:58I don't care anymore.
23:59Even if I die, I'll die with these assets in my arms.
24:01I celebrate the grandest birthday I've ever known.
24:04Jacob is satisfied with my cooperation, too.
24:06He's supposed to be extremely busy,
24:08and yet he's able to block out a full day in his schedule to spend time with me.
24:10He's been spoiling me the whole time, but I've always been insecure my whole life.
24:13I can't help but wonder where exactly Jacob's bottom line lies.
24:16He's able to tolerate my occasional spoiled antics,
24:18just like how he's treating a pet dog that he adores.
24:20He can spare some time and effort to keep me company.
24:23In fact, he even prepares a pot of seafood boil for me on that very night.
24:26Ever since I joined this line of work, I've never had spicy and greasy food ever again.
24:29I need to remain healthy to avoid having rushes marring my skin.
24:32I don't want any dark circles either.
24:33God knows just how much suffering I go through whenever I eat bland salads
24:35while watching others devouring amazing food.
24:37It's not an exaggeration to call it the greatest torture methods.
24:39The smell of the spices keeps me drooling, uncontrollably.
24:43I take a deep breath and gulp loudly before turning the seafood boil down as much as it pains me.
24:47No thank you, Mr. Wood.
24:48You don't like seafood boil, Jacob then adds.
24:50I remember you telling me you come from Corville.
24:52Corville is known for having the best seafood boil.
24:54I do like it, I reply, clearly embarrassed.
24:56Then again, my sugar daddy has prepared so many surprises for my sake.
24:59Tonight, I must do my best to show my gratitude in bed,
25:01but it's been far too long since I had spicy food.
25:03What if my stomach can't handle the spice?
25:04What if I ruin everything when the time comes?
25:06I can't possibly imagine how disastrous things will be.
25:08Jacob can tell the reason behind my hesitation, so he tells me to sit down.
25:11Don't worry.
25:12He bends down and murmurs into my ear.
25:14I'll be very busy these few days, so I'll spare you from your duties.
25:17My eyes light up.
25:19The table is laden with all my favorite dishes.
25:21I only hate that after years of dieting, my stomach had shrunk and I couldn't fit all the food in.
25:27Jacob prefers lighter food, so this meal isn't for him.
25:30Most of the time, he drops food into my bowl.
25:32Not gonna lie, with the broth on the table, the warm lights overhead,
25:35and Jacob's reminders for me to eat slowly.
25:38The scene was pretty cozy, but after some time, he stopped me.
25:42He says it's cause my stomach is puffed up like a balloon that will pop if I keep going.
25:46I'm really embarrassed.
25:47My belly's pretty flat, so it's painfully obvious when it juts out, even just a bit.
25:51When he helps me upstairs, he looks disappointed in me.
25:54I've never once restricted what you eat, so just eat whatever you want.
25:58Why make yourself suffer?
25:59As if, men are all liars.
26:01Once, I craved something cold and ate half an ice cream.
26:04I'd gotten a stomach ache, so I couldn't give Jacob what he wanted.
26:07He'd frowned in displeasure and said I was unprofessional.
26:10Didn't I know what I should and shouldn't be eating?
26:13Later, after Jacob falls asleep, I'm still awake because I'm stuffed.
26:16I climb out of bed and take out the gifts, looking over them again.
26:19I love them.
26:20They make me feel secure and keep me standing.
26:23I quietly put them all away in the drawer, then slip out of the bedroom and head to the study.
26:28It's a room full of mystery to me.
26:31Jacob hates being disturbed when he's working.
26:33His business is massive, and the amounts are huge.
26:35I'm always afraid I'll see things that I shouldn't.
26:37Plus, it's packed with books that are all foreign texts that I can't understand.
26:41It's always been a place of awe, fear, and respect for me.
26:43I can feel my heart pounding way too fast.
26:46I stand at the door, giving myself a full-on pep talk.
26:48But in the end, I don't go in.
26:50I'm not stupid.
26:51In this city, if I offend my father, and whatever big shot backing him, I can still run.
26:55But if I offend Jacob, I'll be better off dead.
26:58After that day, I don't answer any more calls from my father.
27:01I also come up with a plan.
27:02I go to Alice for help and pay her to hire some thugs to teach my parents a lesson they
27:06won't forget.
27:06I've never done this before.
27:08Staying alive was hard enough.
27:09All I ever thought about was how to get through each day.
27:12But now, things are different.
27:14If I obey Jacob, I'll still have a way out, even if he grows sick of me.
27:17He won't make things hard for me.
27:19Alice asks me how far I want to take this.
27:22I ask how far things can go.
27:23A verbal threat, a warning, or some violence, or permanent injuries, or maybe stage a car crash to take them
27:30out.
27:31Different levels, different prices.
27:33I think about it.
27:35My father is gonna need a beating, or he won't take this seriously.
27:38As for my mother, get a few guys who look extra fierce and have them tail my half-sister for
27:42a few days, then threaten her.
27:44She's my mother's whole world.
27:46Her pain would kill my mother.
27:48Oh, one more thing.
27:49When the guys make their move, make sure my parents are aware that this is all my idea.
27:53Okay, wait for my good news.
27:55Alice works fast.
27:56In just a few days, my mother calls me.
27:59She swears to make me pay.
28:01Better not threaten me, I say calmly.
28:03The money's with me.
28:04Put me in a good mood, and I might give you some, but if you piss me off, this time,
28:08I just scared your daughter.
28:10Next time, I won't stop there.
28:12My mother curses me out, but in the end, all she can do is hang up.
28:15Why was I so dumb before?
28:17Why didn't I think of doing this?
28:18I'd wasted so much money.
28:20Honestly, they were all bark and no bite, like balloons that would burst once poked.
28:24Meanwhile, my father doesn't call me at all.
28:25I heard those thugs roughed him up bad, so he'd been recuperating and hadn't even left the house.
28:30I let out a shallow breath, thinking that maybe I can finally have peace.
28:35Unfortunately, in my life, peace never seems to last long.
28:38I leave the house for a quick trip to the spa when a van suddenly comes screaming down the street.
28:42The door flies open, and several guys in masks drag me into the vehicle.
28:46I don't even have time to scream before a damp towel is pressed over my mouth and nose.
28:51I'm genuinely surprised that someone like me is getting kidnapped.
28:54My life so far hasn't been smooth sailing, but a kidnapping is definitely a first.
28:58After all, I'm not rich, nor am I powerful.
29:01Why bother kidnapping me?
29:02I wake up to water in my face.
29:04It's pretty dark around me, so I'm guessing I'm in a basement or something.
29:07I shiver from the cold water.
29:09I force my eyes open and squint at the guy before me.
29:12I don't know him, but my father stands behind him.
29:14He looks as repulsive as ever.
29:16When he sees I'm awake, viciousness flashes in his eyes.
29:19He wants to teach me a lesson but doesn't dare to do anything due to the pressure from the man
29:23in front of him.
29:24Georgia Lodge?
29:25I'm too scared to speak.
29:26This guy radiates that ruthless dominance those in power do.
29:30I can't afford to offend him.
29:31You don't look special.
29:32I wonder why you caught Jacob Griffinwood's eye.
29:35My father hurries to flatter him and says in a low voice,
29:37She was personally trained by Bob Jones.
29:40Bob Jones, my very first sugar daddy.
29:42Oh, him.
29:43I guess she's got some skills.
29:45The man sizes me up.
29:46Someone next to him steps forward to light a cigar for him.
29:49He takes a drag and exhales, blowing the smoke into my face.
29:52So, what do you think?
29:54Consider being mine.
29:55It's as good as being with Jacob.
29:57I'm terrified, but I still force a smile.
29:59Don't say that, sir.
30:00You and Mr. Wood are both outstanding men who are way out of my league.
30:03I can't pick and choose.
30:06If you know you can't cross me, then why are you saying no?
30:09He suddenly presses his lit cigar straight to one of my cheeks.
30:12The pain makes me tear up.
30:14Before the sting even fades, a hard slap lands across my other cheek.
30:18The blow leaves me woozy.
30:20How dare you provoke me?
30:21You've got some nerve.
30:23I didn't...
30:24I tried to deny it.
30:25How dare you deny it?
30:26My father steps forward, looking arrogant and smug.
30:29I work for Mr. Lowell.
30:31Laying a hand on me means laying a hand on him.
30:33Know who you're dealing with.
30:34Shame.
30:35You weren't much of a looker.
30:37Now that you're disfigured, you think Jacob will still want you?
30:40Mr. Lowell's rough palm slides over my neck, then suddenly tightens around it.
30:44The suffocation hits immediately.
30:45I instinctively struggle, but my wrists and ankles are bound.
30:49I can't fight back at all.
30:50Maybe I'm gonna die here.
30:51I don't want that.
30:53I don't wanna die.
30:54Being alive is painful,
30:55but in this exact second,
30:57I realize I'm desperate to live.
30:59Forget it.
31:00Mr. Lowell abruptly lets go.
31:02I collapse to the floor and gasp for air.
31:04Do you wanna live?
31:05He asks with a smile.
31:06I nod vigorously.
31:07That depends on you.
31:09He waves a hand lazily.
31:10And the men surrounding us immediately step forward.
31:13If you can satisfy all of them,
31:15I might consider letting you live.
31:17I curl up on the floor,
31:19unable to do anything but watch.
31:20A camera is set up and aimed right at me.
31:22I hear Mr. Lowell say,
31:25give it your best shot.
31:26This blockbuster's first viewer will be Jacob Griffin Wood.
31:29You know what to do, right?
31:30I lower my eyes.
31:31No, I don't.
31:32Look at my men.
31:33They're all young and strong.
31:35Jacob's almost 40.
31:36Can he compare to them?
31:37Just look into the camera and tell everyone the truth.
31:40No man can take being mocked for not being good in bed.
31:43I'm Jacob's sugar baby.
31:44We've slept together.
31:46If I face that camera and look like I'm enjoying myself,
31:49while saying that Jacob is no match for these thugs,
31:51I can already imagine how utterly humiliated he'll be.
31:54But I want to stay alive,
31:55even if it's just a few extra days.
31:57I drop my gaze,
31:58then put on a chastened, fawning smile.
32:01Mr. Lowell,
32:01I know what to do now,
32:02but I want to serve you first.
32:04My cheek still burns,
32:05but I don't dare touch it.
32:06I only look up at Mr. Lowell.
32:08He lets out a mocking laugh.
32:09You're such a whore.
32:11Don't think your price goes up
32:12just because you've served me.
32:13I'm not like Jacob Griffin Wood.
32:15People of your level don't even catch my eye.
32:17Despite his words,
32:19he has someone untie my vines.
32:21I grind my pride into the dirt
32:23and crawl over to him.
32:24Dignity means nothing to me.
32:26If it did,
32:26I wouldn't have survived this long.
32:28As a kid,
32:29I shamelessly begged,
32:30flattered,
32:31and grinned like an idiot
32:31despite getting beaten,
32:33all for a single bite of food.
32:35Now,
32:35to stay alive,
32:36I can lose my backbone
32:38and do every degrading thing.
32:39This is my line of work anyway.
32:41To me,
32:42I'm just serving a different man.
32:45I look up at Mr. Lowell
32:46and smile faintly.
32:47Then,
32:47I kick him hard between his legs.
32:49Ah!
32:50A scream tears through the air.
32:52Fists and random objects
32:53rain down on me.
32:54Blood drips on my forehead,
32:56blurring my vision.
32:56I let out a ragged laugh
32:58and watch as the men
32:58rush to Mr. Lowell in a hurry.
33:00They're too scared to touch him.
33:02He roars that he wants me
33:03tortured and abused.
33:04I really do want to live.
33:06I do,
33:06but when I was with Jacob,
33:07I lived like a human,
33:08just barely.
33:09I can't go back to living like a rat.
33:10Maybe all he gave me
33:11were useless scraps of warmth,
33:13insincere greetings,
33:14and perfunctory kindnesses,
33:15but even that was enough.
33:16It hurts.
33:18Every inch of me is in agony.
33:19My heart is deliriously alive,
33:21but I still can't ignore
33:22the physical pain.
33:23I collapse to the ground
33:24and curl up into a tight ball.
33:26Jacob,
33:27my life probably means nothing to you,
33:29but I'm about to lose it
33:31because of you.
33:31So,
33:32if it's not too much to ask,
33:33I hope you take a little longer
33:34to forget me.
33:35I wake up in a hospital.
33:37When I come to,
33:38I'm surprised I'm still alive.
33:40Am I that tough?
33:41Has my luck turned around
33:42after all this suffering?
33:43My gaze shifts
33:44and I see Jacob.
33:46Oh,
33:46I get it now.
33:48Jacob wrenched me
33:49right out of death's hands.
33:51Wait,
33:51something's off.
33:52Why does he look so worn out?
33:54I didn't steal his files.
33:56Did someone else leak
33:57his confidential papers
33:58and bankrupt him?
33:59I want to ask what happened.
34:01After all,
34:01I still have some savings.
34:03I'm worried he'll try
34:04to take back whatever I have.
34:05I would have taken death over that.
34:07But before I can speak,
34:09Jacob leans in
34:10and carefully cups my cheek.
34:11I blink dazedly
34:12and watch him lean over me
34:14to press a kiss to my forehead.
34:15He says,
34:16hoarsely,
34:17you're awake.
34:18Something warm
34:19slides down my cheek.
34:20It must be coming
34:20from Jacob's eyes.
34:22All in all,
34:22the long and short of it
34:23is that I survived.
34:24I don't know how it happened.
34:26According to Jacob's secretary,
34:27he'd never seen Jacob
34:28lose control like that
34:29or look so wrecked.
34:30Ever since I woke up,
34:32Jacob hasn't left my line of sight.
34:33Even during video conferences,
34:34he sits somewhere,
34:35he can see me at a glance
34:36and every 10 minutes or so
34:38he looks at me
34:39to see what I'm doing.
34:40I'm really not used to
34:41him being like this.
34:42He's acting like I matter to him.
34:43The two things I care most about
34:45are money and my face.
34:47Thankfully,
34:47both are okay.
34:49The doctor saved my face.
34:50My cheek had a cigar burn,
34:51but I don't scar easily.
34:53With proper care,
34:54my looks won't be affected.
34:56As for money,
34:57as long as Jacob stays afloat,
34:59I probably won't go broke.
35:00I'm in the hospital for a month.
35:02Only when I'm about to go crazy
35:03does Jacob agree to my discharge.
35:05After getting out,
35:07Jacob keeps me at home
35:08for two more months to recover.
35:09And from that point on,
35:11anytime I set foot outside,
35:13I have a security detail.
35:14Friends say I'm in for good things
35:16now that I've cheated death.
35:17They can't believe
35:18that I managed to
35:19go legit with Jacob.
35:21Before this,
35:22everyone thought I was set for life
35:23for as long as I stuck with him,
35:25but nobody expected
35:26that I'd become his wife.
35:27From what I remember,
35:28Jacob has never once
35:29acknowledged my status.
35:31How is this counted as legit?
35:32The night the doctor announced
35:33that I had fully recovered,
35:35I can't hold back anymore
35:36and try to give myself to Jacob.
35:38I don't believe men
35:38can have platonic relationships.
35:40I've seen so many men in my life.
35:42Shouldn't I know better
35:43how much they're ruled
35:44by what's below the waist?
35:45Jacob has been abstinent.
35:46In three months,
35:47other than toilet breaks,
35:48I wasn't out of his sight,
35:49even for showers.
35:50More than once,
35:51I've caught his dark gaze on me.
35:52Each time I think
35:53he's about to lose control,
35:54he still manages to hold back.
35:56I worry that if he keeps this up,
35:57he'll have problems.
35:58This is directly related
35:59to my happiness,
36:00so I have to take it seriously.
36:01I do all my prep work.
36:03I set up a nice scent,
36:04slip into something sheer
36:05and lie on the bed
36:06to wait for him.
36:07Taking care of Jacob in bed
36:08is something I'm familiar with.
36:09I know every one
36:10of his sensitive spots.
36:11I'm sure this will be
36:12a scorching,
36:12no-holds-barred night,
36:13but to my surprise,
36:15Jacob turns me down.
36:16It's not his first time
36:17rejecting me,
36:18but it is the only time
36:19that I'm caught off guard.
36:20I quickly adjust though
36:22and back off,
36:23giving Jacob space.
36:24In my softest voice,
36:25I say,
36:26I'm sorry, Mr. Wood.
36:27I overstepped.
36:28Ultimately,
36:28I'd overestimated myself.
36:30I'd assumed that
36:30with his recent treatment of me,
36:32I'd found a spot in his heart,
36:34even if he hadn't fallen for me.
36:35But the truth is,
36:37I can't even read him.
36:38Why would I be special to him?
36:39I thought my near-death
36:41to protect Jacob's business
36:42was a big deal,
36:43but in reality,
36:44I was probably more like a pet
36:45that had locked a tiny pebble
36:47for its owner.
36:47I'd almost died for him,
36:49but it wasn't notable to him.
36:51Jacob tells me not to overthink it
36:53and to focus on my recovery.
36:55I'd do as I'm told
36:56and don't dwell on the matter.
36:57Then,
36:58he slowly stopped coming to the villa.
37:00Even contact is rare.
37:01When I meet my friends,
37:02they tease me,
37:04saying I've got a job I can't lose.
37:06They say I'm set for life
37:07as long as I stick with Jacob.
37:09I don't tell them
37:10that I'm going to lose the job.
37:11This time,
37:12things are different
37:12from when our contract expired.
37:14Back then,
37:15Jacob acted the same,
37:16despite the contract's expiration.
37:17This time,
37:18I can clearly feel him
37:20pulling away on purpose.
37:21One day,
37:22I go to the spa.
37:23When I get home,
37:24I find Jacob on the couch
37:26with a document in his hand.
37:28In that moment,
37:29I get it.
37:29Mr. Wood,
37:30I smile and walk over to him.
37:32Sit.
37:32He looks up at me,
37:33then slides the document toward me.
37:35Take a look.
37:36I obediently pick it up.
37:37Is this my severance pay?
37:39He sure is generous.
37:40Thanks, Mr. Wood.
37:41I accept the contract
37:42and don't cause a scene.
37:44Who am I to throw a fit?
37:45Jacob's face is devoid of emotion.
37:47I've given you plenty of money.
37:49Turn over a new leaf
37:50and live a decent life.
37:52Don't stay in this line of work.
37:54He doesn't need to be here.
37:55He could have sent someone else,
37:57like before.
37:58I will.
37:59I stand up and curtsy to him.
38:01I'll move out tomorrow.
38:03And this time,
38:04after leaving,
38:04I won't be coming back.
38:05Our relationship is ending,
38:07but I wrap things up properly.
38:09Jacob spends the night here.
38:11I draw him a bath
38:12and give him a full body spa.
38:14The bathtub faces the windows.
38:17The glass is one way,
38:18so when he's in the tub,
38:19he can enjoy the view in privacy.
38:21How long have you done this?
38:22I don't remember.
38:23Maybe five years?
38:25That's good.
38:25You're not worn out yet,
38:27so you can still find a husband.
38:29Mr. Wood,
38:30after being with a man like you,
38:31I'm afraid it's going to be hard for me
38:32to be interested in other men.
38:34Oh?
38:34Is that a hint not to let you go?
38:36I wouldn't dare.
38:37I'm just being honest.
38:38I actually know exactly
38:39why Jacob is letting me go.
38:40It's because he discovered
38:41my feelings for him.
38:42I have never claimed
38:43to be some morally noble person.
38:44In a life or death situation,
38:46I shouldn't be sacrificing my own life
38:47to protect Jacob's interests,
38:49but that's exactly what I did.
38:50I've fallen for him,
38:51so he can't keep me around.
38:53Money and profits
38:54make the most solid bonds.
38:55Jacob can give me all of that,
38:56but he won't give me
38:57even the slightest bit of love.
38:58I love him,
38:59so I can give up my life for him,
39:01but I might hurt him
39:02because he doesn't love me.
39:03I get that,
39:04so I accept this outcome.
39:06After moving out of the villa,
39:07my life settles.
39:08Jacob really is generous.
39:10Including this last payout,
39:12I now have three properties,
39:14tens of millions in cash,
39:15and even some stocks.
39:17As long as I don't slurge
39:18in ways that might break the law,
39:20what I have now
39:21has me set for life.
39:22After grinding for so long,
39:24I can finally start my retirement early.
39:26Alice comes over to hang out.
39:27She has a new sugar daddy.
39:29He's from Hutton
39:30and treats her pretty well.
39:31In just a few short months,
39:33he's already spent plenty on her.
39:35After cashing out on this job,
39:36I'm gonna retire too.
39:37She takes a drag of her cigarette.
39:38The smoke curls around her face,
39:40so I can't make out her expression.
39:41I'm not getting any younger.
39:42It's time to settle down
39:43and actually live a normal life.
39:45You?
39:45Saying stuff like that?
39:46That's not like you at all.
39:48You remember my previous sugar daddy,
39:49right?
39:50The one from Jarton.
39:51Yeah,
39:51he's the only one
39:52who prematurely terminated
39:53his contract with you.
39:54I remember you cleaned him out
39:55right before you walked away.
39:56You were really proud
39:57and kept bragging to me about it.
39:58He went bankrupt.
39:59Alice looks despondent.
40:01I only found out recently.
40:02That money I took from him
40:03was probably everything
40:04that he had left.
40:05What?
40:05I'm stunned.
40:06He knew he was going under.
40:07That's why he ended things
40:08and handed over pretty much
40:09all the liquid assets
40:10he had left to me.
40:11She stubs out her cigarette
40:12and lets out a bitter laugh.
40:13If he were gonna pull that,
40:14he should have hidden it better
40:15and kept it under wraps.
40:16Look at the situation I'm in now.
40:18It feels wrong to return,
40:19but it's also wrong if I don't.
40:20You want to do it though?
40:21I can see right through her.
40:23That's not all.
40:24You're even thinking of
40:25handing over all the money
40:25you've made to help him
40:26make a comeback.
40:27Alice looks miserable,
40:28but doesn't deny it.
40:29You're out of your mind.
40:30I shoot to my feet
40:31frustrated by her idiocy.
40:33You know what you're doing.
40:34With our history,
40:35we'll never be the kind
40:35who get to sit at the nice table.
40:37How much of that friendship
40:39between men is real?
40:40And how long does it last?
40:42Right now,
40:43you're remembering his kindness.
40:44But once you spend the money,
40:45once he makes a comeback
40:46and once you're old and ugly,
40:47there'll be a line of fresh faces,
40:49prettier than you,
40:50sweeter than you,
40:50and wilder than you.
40:51When that time comes,
40:53how will you fare against them?
40:54And what about you?
40:55It's the same with Jacob, no?
40:57I'm at a loss for words.
40:59Women really are soft.
41:00We can't love in our work,
41:01so it's all about
41:02each getting what we need.
41:03It's a simple transaction.
41:05The lessons of those before us
41:06are still fresh in our minds,
41:07yet we somehow still end up
41:08making the mistakes they did.
41:10At least I took the money.
41:11I'll never have to worry about money,
41:12I say.
41:13I won't pay to be with him.
41:14That makes me better than you.
41:15That's because you got lucky
41:16and ran into Jacob.
41:17That guy is a businessman
41:18who never makes a losing deal.
41:20Believe it or not,
41:20if he goes bankrupt right now,
41:21you'll give him all your money.
41:23Don't jinx me.
41:24I quickly stop the conversation.
41:25Some things just can't be said.
41:28I learn about Jacob's bankruptcy
41:29from the news.
41:30In the past,
41:31I never watched the news.
41:33People like me
41:33were barely even educated.
41:35Why keep up with the news?
41:36But since splitting up with Jacob,
41:38I've started watching it.
41:39Because every now and then
41:40he shows up on the screen,
41:41how can you go bankrupt?
41:42But as the reports pile up,
41:44it starts looking real.
41:45I go around asking
41:46a few friends in the industry.
41:47Their sugar daddies
41:48all have connections,
41:49so they help me ask around.
41:51Turns out,
41:51the rumors are true.
41:53Alice also calls me.
41:54I asked around.
41:55It's probably by the same guys
41:56who kidnapped you last time.
41:58They're out to get Jacob.
41:59Jacob is far too influential
42:00in this city.
42:01It's practically his monopoly.
42:02Unless someone drags him down,
42:04everyone else will be stuck
42:05fighting over scraps.
42:06It's the result of standing out.
42:08I spend a few days at home
42:09before starting to go over
42:11all my assets.
42:12Everything I have
42:12is because of Jacob.
42:14I know that to him,
42:15what I've got is a drop in the bucket.
42:16But at least it's something
42:17to show where my loyalties lie.
42:19As Alice predicted,
42:20I was righteous with her,
42:21but when I was in her shoes,
42:22I was throwing all my money in
42:24and even more desperate
42:25than she ever was.
42:26At least Alice dreamed about
42:27being with her sugar daddy.
42:28I didn't even dare
42:29entertain a thought like that.
42:31I have Jacob's private number,
42:32but he doesn't answer when I call.
42:34So,
42:34I sent him a message,
42:36weighing every word carefully.
42:39In the end,
42:40Jacob's secretary calls me back
42:41and turns me down.
42:42Miss Lodge,
42:44Mr. Wood said to tell you
42:45that he appreciates the gesture.
42:46He hopes you'll live well
42:48and that you'll stop worrying
42:48about those from your past.
42:50I'd figured as much.
42:52Jacob's refusal of my kindness
42:53is not for my sake.
42:54His pride is in the way,
42:55making him refuse
42:56to accept charity from me.
42:58I'm prepared for that outcome,
42:59but I still feel disappointed.
43:02I know all too well
43:03the huge gap between us.
43:04I can't even do
43:05the smallest things for him,
43:06but I still go ahead
43:07and do what I want to do.
43:08In all my years alive,
43:09I've rarely gotten to be willful
43:11and to follow my heart.
43:12So,
43:13I'm more than willing
43:14to throw myself at him.
43:15When Alice loans me money,
43:16she prods me in the forehead
43:17and grumbles nonstop
43:18about how I can't repay her
43:19after borrowing so much from her.
43:21Some other friends
43:21also feel bad for me.
43:23When they lend me the money,
43:24they even suggest
43:24getting me a new sugar daddy.
43:26He's not exactly a great guy,
43:27but he's generous.
43:28I just need a year with him.
43:30I turn them all down.
43:31I take that card
43:31holding everything I own
43:32and mail it to Jacob.
43:34Then,
43:34I tell myself we're even
43:35and to stop thinking about him.
43:37I get an ordinary job
43:38and I start online content creation.
43:40After being with sugar daddies
43:41for years,
43:42I'd at least seen
43:42a lot of the world.
43:43I picked up some things
43:44about aesthetics and makeup.
43:46I didn't have a proper education,
43:47so I had to make money differently.
43:49Thankfully,
43:50my second video blew up.
43:52I've always felt like
43:52my luck was never really that bad.
43:54Sure,
43:55my parents neglected me,
43:56but at least I didn't starve.
43:58Later,
43:59I became an escort.
44:00It wasn't a respectable job,
44:01but I only suffered at the start.
44:03I got used to it after blending in.
44:05Then,
44:05when Jacob no longer wanted me,
44:07he still made sure
44:08I was taken care of for life.
44:10Food and bills were settled.
44:11And now,
44:12I may be broke again,
44:13but my career,
44:14which has never taken off before,
44:15is on the verge of blowing up.
44:17Good,
44:18isn't it?
44:18That's why we need to stay alive.
44:20There's a future to look forward to.
44:21I work a day job,
44:23shoot at night,
44:24and life keeps getting better.
44:25But one day,
44:26Alice suddenly calls me
44:27and says Jacob is back on top.
44:29I've gone out of my way
44:30to avoid news about him.
44:32Hearing about him again
44:33feels surreal.
44:34Really?
44:35That's good.
44:36I say earnestly,
44:37we will never be together,
44:39but I still hope he does well.
44:41You really are hopeless.
44:42I'm doing pretty great,
44:43and I'm pretty happy too.
44:44I even tried to talk Alice into it.
44:46If you're gonna quit for good,
44:47then come work with me.
44:49I have a decent following now.
44:50I can send traffic your way,
44:51maybe when I hit rock bottom.
44:53I'm just calling you today
44:54to update you,
44:55so you can stop worrying.
44:56Forget about Jacob.
44:57This call is unnecessary.
44:58I probably won't ever
45:00stop thinking about Jacob,
45:01but I'm also prepared
45:02to never see him again,
45:03and to never check
45:05any news about him.
45:05I may seem like an idiot,
45:07but I'm actually really smart.
45:08With anything or anyone
45:09that may disappoint me,
45:10I never let myself
45:11expect anything from them.
45:12Just like I never once hoped
45:14that my parents would love me,
45:15I also didn't dare hope
45:16that Jacob would fall for me.
45:17After expanding my horizons,
45:19I make a lot of new friends.
45:20They don't know what I used to do
45:21and that I had sugar daddies.
45:23To them, I'm the best.
45:25Their comments are full of praise.
45:26Deep down, I'm uneasy.
45:28Maybe there's a name for it.
45:30Something like PTSD,
45:31post-traumatic stress disorder.
45:33Someone like me shouldn't have
45:34things go smoothly,
45:35or be disliked.
45:36They think I'm perfect and flawless,
45:39but I know I'm tainted.
45:41Then, one day,
45:42the dirt on me spreads online
45:44along with hate and insults.
45:46I suddenly feel at peace.
45:47Part of me mocks myself
45:48for being happy about the hate.
45:49The other part makes a video
45:50of a sincere chat about myself.
45:51The whole process is even fun.
45:53I have nothing about my past
45:54that I feel the need to hide.
45:56Each and every one of those incidents
45:58shaped who I am today.
45:59Life can knock me down,
46:01but I will never stay down.
46:02I'm prepared to not be accepted.
46:04I tell myself
46:04that at least I've made good money lately.
46:06The debt I'd originally planned
46:07to pay off in 10 years,
46:08I can now clear in just two.
46:10That's good enough.
46:11To my surprise,
46:12I'm accepted.
46:13Many called me shameless
46:14and said I had no dignity
46:15for making such dirty money
46:16before cleaning myself up now.
46:17But even more people leave comments
46:19to cheer me on
46:19and tell me not to give up on life.
46:21They message me privately
46:22to share their own stories with me.
46:23It's like sharing the suffering
46:24makes it less unbearable.
46:26I cry a lot, to be honest.
46:27In front of my sugar daddies,
46:29I would always whine,
46:30put on a pitiful act
46:31or play the victim
46:31just to spark their sense of conquest.
46:33But that was a survival tactic,
46:35not who I really was.
46:36I don't know what I ever did
46:37to deserve being accepted and liked.
46:39This world can actually be beautiful.
46:40If I hadn't had the nerve
46:41to take that first step,
46:43maybe I never would have seen
46:44this side of the world's kindness.
46:45At the end of the year,
46:46a platform invites me
46:47to attend an awards ceremony.
46:49I dress to the nines for it.
46:50The ceremony is a grand one.
46:52Besides big influencers,
46:54there are also several celebrities.
46:55I already know which award I'm getting,
46:57so I've prepared a speech.
46:58I'm about to go on stage,
47:00but I'm still memorizing it.
47:01I do have a terrible memory.
47:03It's only a few lines,
47:03but they just won't stick.
47:05Next, let's welcome our award presenter,
47:07Griffinwood Group CEO,
47:08Mr. Jacob Griffinwood.
47:10The host beams at the crowd
47:11and the audience is surprised.
47:13My smile freezes on my face.
47:15Influencers run the economy now,
47:16and every influencer here
47:17easily makes tens of millions a year.
47:19But why would Jacob?
47:21I stand there and follow
47:22the host's line of sight.
47:23Under the spotlight,
47:24Jacob walks toward me
47:26with all eyes on him.
47:27He still looks the way I remember.
47:29He's lofty,
47:30untouchable,
47:31and immaculate.
47:32Congratulations.
47:32He takes the trophy
47:34and passes it to me.
47:35Thanks,
47:36I say in a small voice.
47:37You've done very well,
47:38better than I expected.
47:40He shakes my hand,
47:41and we stand side by side,
47:42facing the audience.
47:44I've never imagined a day like this,
47:45when I can openly stand by Jacob's side,
47:48accepting applause.
47:49Georgia,
47:50Jacob calls my name.
47:51Yeah?
47:52Do you want to be with me?
47:53I don't answer.
47:54This time,
47:55you have every right
47:56to stand by me openly
47:57as my fiancée.
47:58Jacob Griffin Wood
47:59first met Georgia Lodge
48:00at an ordinary cocktail party.
48:01Many wanted to suck up to him,
48:02but not everyone
48:03was qualified to do so.
48:05Everyone else addressed him
48:06as Mr. Griffin Wood.
48:07Only Georgia,
48:08like an uneducated brute,
48:09had called him Mr. Wood.
48:11Because he rarely heard
48:12that form of address,
48:13he'd given her a second glance.
48:14When someone held power,
48:16even a single look from them
48:17would be dissected
48:18and analyzed by the people below.
48:19That one look at Georgia
48:20made someone decide
48:21he must have taken a liking to her.
48:23And so,
48:24in no time at all,
48:25Georgia was delivered to his side
48:26along with a background check
48:27and a medical report.
48:28He didn't have a companion then.
48:30Georgia stood in front of him,
48:31smiling stiffly.
48:33She hid it well,
48:34but he still caught the disgust
48:35and resentment in her eyes.
48:37The women sent to him
48:38were always thoroughly trained.
48:40He was a little curious
48:41how long someone like Georgia
48:42could survive
48:43in this world of power and profit.
48:45Unfortunately,
48:45she turned out to be a bore.
48:46Jacob later realized
48:48that whatever emotions
48:49Georgia had felt that day
48:50would never have
48:51any real impact on his life.
48:52He could tell
48:53that she was trying her best
48:54to blend into his circle.
48:55She fawned,
48:56acted cute,
48:57and bowed and scraped.
48:58To keep herself attractive to men,
49:00she splurged on cosmetic procedures,
49:02even going in
49:03for those so-called
49:03tightening packages
49:04that sounded magical,
49:06but didn't even have
49:07basic safety guaranteed.
49:08He'd lost control that one time.
49:10It wasn't because
49:11of the tightening treatment.
49:12Jacob just happened to pass by
49:13and saw Georgia
49:14limping out of the spa,
49:15dressed to the nines,
49:16but with her face
49:17twisted in pain.
49:18She looked so gaudy.
49:20People around her
49:20threw her strange looks,
49:21but she seemed oblivious.
49:23But when she turned the corner,
49:24Jacob saw her
49:25with her arms around her knees
49:26and her head buried.
49:27She crouched there
49:27for a long time.
49:28She had a thin figure
49:29and she looked so lonely.
49:32Jacob had seen
49:32way too many women like her.
49:34Whether they made a fortune,
49:35they always ended in tragedy.
49:37Almost none got happy ending.
49:38In that instant,
49:39Jacob suddenly had a thought.
49:41It wasn't impossible
49:42to keep Georgia
49:42by his side forever.
49:43He could just treat her
49:44like a pampered pet
49:45and a distraction.
49:46Not that he'd ever
49:47told her about it.
49:48As the last day
49:49of their contract
49:49crept closer,
49:50Jacob watched as Georgia
49:51found it harder and harder
49:53to quiet her growing anxiety.
49:54He kept wondering
49:55when she would come to him
49:56and ask to renew the contract.
49:58Unfortunately,
49:58she was just too well behaved,
49:59so much so
50:00that she never overstepped.
50:02Even when he openly
50:03brought in someone new,
50:04all Georgia did
50:05was swallow her hurt
50:05in silence
50:06and play her part
50:07to perfection.
50:08Jacob saw Georgia's mockery
50:09when the newcomer
50:10told her sob story.
50:11He also saw the despair
50:12in her eyes
50:13when the golf ball
50:13came crashing down on him.
50:14At the time,
50:15he'd wondered
50:16why he was being
50:16so harsh with her.
50:17Since he was invested
50:18in her,
50:19he would just keep her around.
50:20What Georgia really thought
50:21didn't matter much.
50:23As long as he felt satisfied,
50:24that was good enough.
50:26After getting back together,
50:27Jacob would sometimes
50:28spend the night
50:28in Georgia's room.
50:29Seeing her so sleepy
50:31that she couldn't
50:31open her eyes
50:32and kept nodding off
50:32while swearing she wasn't tired
50:34was pretty cute in his eyes.
50:35He'd never seriously considered
50:36what exactly Georgia
50:37meant to him.
50:38In any case,
50:39as long as he wanted her,
50:40she wouldn't be able
50:41to leave him.
50:42Later,
50:42he realized he was wrong.
50:44Georgia could leave.
50:45After all,
50:45in this world,
50:46no one could bridge the gap,
50:47bridge the gap between
50:48life and death.
50:49At first,
50:50when Jacob heard
50:50that Georgia had been kidnapped,
50:51he didn't panic.
50:52Kidnapping was always
50:53about profit
50:54and Georgia had always
50:55known when to give in.
50:56They had an intimate relationship
50:58and she knew a thing or two
50:59about his affairs.
51:00She could tell them
51:01what she knew
51:01and that would keep her alive.
51:03And with her skills,
51:05she could easily find
51:06another sugar daddy.
51:07So,
51:08when Jacob's subordinates
51:09reported the news
51:10of Georgia's kidnapping,
51:11he hadn't even paused
51:12his meeting.
51:13She was just a pet he kept.
51:15If a bag went missing,
51:16he'd have the maids
51:16look for it.
51:17If it couldn't be found,
51:18he would simply buy
51:20another one.
51:20Things changed
51:21when his men found Georgia.
51:23They didn't know
51:23if she was alive
51:24and her face was so swollen
51:25they couldn't even tell
51:26what she used to look like.
51:27If anything,
51:28she should be glad
51:28she'd only had cosmetic treatments
51:30and not plastic surgery.
51:31Otherwise,
51:32the implants alone
51:32would have pierced
51:33through her skull.
51:33She had several broken ribs,
51:35some organ damage,
51:36and her limbs abused
51:37to the point of being
51:37twisted out of shape.
51:39When a video was sent back,
51:40Jacob took one look
51:40and tossed his phone aside.
51:42Then,
51:43he headed to the hospital.
51:44Georgia was in the operating room
51:45for a full nine hours,
51:46from nightfall until dawn.
51:48When she was finally wheeled out,
51:49she had tubes everywhere.
51:51Jacob was busy,
51:52busy putting out fires
51:53at the company
51:53and dealing with
51:54his rival's attacks.
51:55Once Georgia was in the ICU,
51:57visits were limited
51:57to specific hours.
51:59So,
51:59staying at the hospital
52:00wasn't of much use.
52:01Still,
52:02Jacob chose to follow
52:03what his heart told him to do
52:04and remained at the hospital.
52:05The accommodations there
52:06were far from comfortable.
52:08Even someone as tireless as Jacob
52:10couldn't help looking worn out.
52:11Yet,
52:12the rate at which he grew haggard
52:13was nothing compared to Georgia.
52:15She just lay there silently
52:16on that hospital bed
52:17and grew weaker with each day.
52:18The doctors said
52:19her will to live was weak,
52:21which was why she was still out.
52:22Jacob secretly mocked them
52:24for lying.
52:25If she really didn't want to live,
52:26why would she afford to cling
52:27to that last breath
52:28and hold on
52:29until he could save her?
52:30Jacob had never bothered
52:31to figure out
52:31what exactly he felt for Georgia.
52:33But in that moment,
52:33he suddenly started
52:34to understand his own heart.
52:35The fact that,
52:36deep down,
52:37he'd allowed Georgia
52:38to trade his secrets
52:39in exchange for her own life
52:40already meant he'd fallen for her.
52:42With Georgia,
52:43Jacob did indeed experience
52:44many emotions
52:45that were useless
52:45yet novel to him.
52:46Like the joy and agitation
52:48he'd felt
52:48the moment Georgia
52:49finally woke up.
52:50Like the heartache he'd felt
52:51when she pushed through rehab
52:52and pretended to be fine,
52:53even making herself smile at him.
52:55He'd nursed Georgia
52:56back to health,
52:57throwing everything at her
52:57to rebuild her body.
52:58And he'd assigned
53:01bodyguards,
53:01to make sure
53:01she was always safe.
53:03Only he knew
53:04the genuine emotions
53:05he'd poured into all of that.
53:06To him,
53:07love was useless.
53:08Small doses
53:09were a fun distraction,
53:11but too much of it
53:11would only limit his efficiency.
53:13And so,
53:13after thinking it through,
53:14Jacob ultimately decided
53:16to end the relationship.
53:17He knew he'd fallen for her,
53:18and he knew Georgia
53:19had also fallen for him.
53:21But this was what
53:21the world was often like.
53:23Pure interest
53:23could keep a relationship going
53:25and even make it unbreakable.
53:26But when feelings got tangled up,
53:28the whole thing became fragile.
53:29Cutting their losses early
53:30was the best choice
53:31for both him and her.
53:32Georgia left without hesitation.
53:34She was never the type to cling,
53:35and she vanished from his life.
53:37She knew better.
53:38The first few days,
53:40Jacob hadn't been used to it.
53:41But as work piled up,
53:43he no longer had the time for romance.
53:45The traps he'd laid for so long
53:46were finally starting to work
53:48per his plan.
53:49News of his bankruptcy
53:50spread across the entire country.
53:52After that,
53:52he got a call from Georgia.
53:53He didn't answer it.
53:54So she sent him a message instead,
53:57sounding as she always did
53:58with her familiar flattery,
53:59afraid of upsetting him.
54:01Jacob had his secretary reply for him.
54:02But not long after,
54:03he'd still received a bank card.
54:05The amount on it
54:06was higher than he'd expected.
54:07Maybe Georgia's friends had helped.
54:09They all had their own sugar daddy,
54:10so even if they weren't filthy rich,
54:12it was still a sizable sum overall.
54:14Still, Georgia had promised him
54:15she would quit that line of work.
54:16If she borrowed so much money,
54:17how was she going to pay it back?
54:19Jacob later had his answer.
54:20She'd gone into doing online content
54:21and had gotten somewhat popular.
54:22Per your instructions,
54:23I staged an encounter
54:24with Miss Lodge yesterday.
54:25His assistant reported,
54:27she seems to be in pretty good spirits.
54:29She said her career's on track.
54:30She has lots of fans who like her
54:31and she's making good money.
54:32Is that so?
54:33But as far as Jacob knew,
54:34every single one of her videos
54:36had hate comments.
54:37People called her ugly and flashy
54:39and just a few days ago,
54:40someone had exposed her past
54:41and how she used to be an escort.
54:43Her haters flooded the internet.
54:44If not for that,
54:46Jacob wouldn't have gone out of his way
54:47to arrange the chance encounter.
54:49He'd worried she would hurt herself
54:50because that was what she was like.
54:52Whenever it came to her own pain,
54:53she always brushed it off.
54:55Maybe it was because she knew
54:56no one really cared about her
54:57and that looking sad
54:58wouldn't change anything.
55:00But he knew perfectly well
55:01she had pills hidden in her cabinet.
55:03The pills had been saved up one by one
55:04and over a long time,
55:05but Georgia had never taken them.
55:07When the contract had expired,
55:08Jacob had brought her back out of fear
55:10that she would take them.
55:11Later, he'd let her go
55:12because he'd feared she'd be more attached.
55:14If he couldn't love her,
55:15she might ultimately still end up
55:17taking those pills.
55:18And after that,
55:19when Georgia had given him money,
55:20he hadn't returned it
55:20so it would tie her to this world.
55:23If she remembered her debt,
55:24she wouldn't give up on herself.
55:25She needed to have a bit of hope
55:26so she had a reason to keep living.
55:28Don't clean up the mess online too perfectly.
55:30Jacob said,
55:32Georgia is smart.
55:33Overwhelmingly positive comments
55:34will only make her suspicious.
55:36Understood so.
55:37Jacob knew then that in the end,
55:38he really did treat Georgia differently.
55:40Different enough that he was willing
55:41to break his own rules for her
55:42and pay attention to these details.
55:44He was willing to give Georgia time
55:45and wait for her to be remade.
55:47She had to look at the world again.
55:48There would be good and bad
55:50but the good outnumbered the bad.
55:52At the end of the year,
55:53Jacob received word
55:54that Georgia had agreed
55:55to attend the awards ceremony.
55:57He had shares in the platform
55:59but it was just one of his many assets.
56:01It wasn't particularly important.
56:03Even so,
56:03Jacob still showed up
56:04in full formal attire.
56:06He did it to stand before Georgia again
56:08and give her an opening.
56:09This time,
56:10he wanted her to have the courage
56:11to speak up
56:12and keep hold of what she truly wanted.
56:14I took hold of what she has
56:14to be treated as a child.
56:14He wanted to be a good girl
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