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00:00Ryan Carter, the famous Playboy heir, openly declared that he only dated women on short-term
00:05arrangements. However, there were still lots of women eager to be his temporary girlfriend,
00:10because if he was in a good mood, he'd reward them with a villa. If he wasn't, they'd still
00:15walk away with a million-dollar breakup fee. People all laughed at me, saying I was the most
00:20miserable, wealthy wife in history. They all thought I'd endure it for the rest of my life.
00:25I was going to, until Ryan brought a college student named Kelly Smith home.
00:30The girl looked ordinary, yet she was the first woman he kept longer than a month.
00:35Ryan gave me two choices. Agree to an open marriage and let Kelly be on equal terms with me,
00:40or just divorce him, split the assets evenly, and go our separate ways for good.
00:45His friends were there, watching the show. They were sure I'd just keep being a pushover,
00:50putting up with everything. But to their surprise, I chose the latter without hesitation.
00:55In my previous life, I chose to endure, and what I got in return was Kelly pushing her luck
01:01further and further. She forbade Ryan from touching me or giving me any of his assets.
01:06In my later years, I couldn't help but envy Kelly, who ended up with everything—money,
01:11children, the whole package. Even after Ryan died, his will didn't grant me anything.
01:18All his inheritance was left under Kelly's control. I had been his lawful wife,
01:22but ended up with nothing at last. Reborn into this life, I finally figured everything out.
01:31This time, I just wanted to take the money and leave. I picked up the divorce agreement,
01:36read it carefully from beginning to end, and was about to sign my name. Ryan finally spoke.
01:42Anna Taylor, think this through. Once you sign, there's no turning back.
01:47I didn't stop. I quickly wrote my name down.
01:51I'll pack my things and leave right now.
01:54In my previous life, I thought bringing Kelly home was just another one of his tricks to mess with me.
02:00Naively, I believed that after all these years of marriage, he must have had at least a little
02:05affection for me. I was a fool. He and Kelly had kids one after another and grew old together in
02:11love. And I, in that house, was like an awkward outsider, mocked and ridiculed by everyone around
02:19me for my whole life. Not until my later years did I hear him talking with Kelly in a hospital
02:24room.
02:25He said that back then, the dramatic scene of catching a guy in my bed had been arranged by
02:30him personally. I was just tired of her and didn't want things to get too ugly. So I staged the
02:37whole
02:38thing. There wasn't a shred of guilt in his clouded eyes. That way, all I did later seemed completely
02:45defensible. So that was it. No wonder every time I desperately tried to explain, all I got was his
02:52cold disbelief. Because from beginning to end, he knew the truth. He didn't love me, yet he used a
02:59fabricated crime to trap me for 50 years. He could have ended it cleanly with one stroke, but instead
03:05chose to slowly torture me to death. Looking at the young yet still cold face before me, I felt
03:11nothing but hatred. He stared blankly at the signed agreement, his eyes filled with shock. Outside the
03:21door, the faint sounds of whispering abruptly stopped. The next second, my distinguished parents-in-law
03:27rushed in cheerfully. Oh my, look at her. So young and so energetic. My father-in-law, who had always
03:35treated me with hostility, was smiling kindly at this moment. Finally, we can send away that useless
03:41one. It's been so many years, but there's no kid at all. Sir, madam, please don't say that. I don't
03:51want to
03:51disrespect Anna, especially since I'm not much younger than Madam Anna. Actually, I'm already one
03:57month expecting. It's just still early, so I plan to tell you about it later. As expected, still the
04:04same familiar sarcasm, the same nauseating tone. All these years, in order to be a useful wife, I worked
04:10myself to the bone at Carter Group during the day. At night, I still had to serve these two picky
04:16bastards. Just past thirty, yet plenty of white hair had already crept into my temples. I did look
04:23kinda old. I turned back to my room and began packing my pitiful little bit of luggage. And I
04:31was already planning where I should go first to properly relax after getting the money. Didn't
04:36notice Ryan following me in. It's so late. There's no need to move out immediately. Leave
04:43tomorrow. Isn't the villa in the west of the city still empty? You can stay there for now.
04:52I'll visit you when I'm free you. Anna, you're just being emotional. Calm down. I know how much
05:00you love me, okay? But I really can't let you be my legal wife anymore. I can't let my child
05:08grow up being labeled as illegitimate. I didn't respond. I just picked up my suitcase, walked
05:14past him, and headed straight for the door. There's nothing left to say between us. I'm
05:20very happy we're divorced. If you really still have a conscience, hurry up and pay me what
05:25you owe. The night wind carried fine snow as it rushed toward me, biting cold yet unable
05:32to extinguish the fire burning in my heart. Ryan's efficiency was, as always, impressive.
05:39When I woke up, three billion was already in my bank account. With the money, the first
05:44thing I did was book Harbor City's most luxurious private club. Haircut, full-body spa, and everything.
05:50The haggard woman with graying temples in the mirror was gone. In her place stood a sharp-eyed
05:54beauty with flamboyant red hair. Just as I finished changing, my best friend Iris Allen called,
06:00Anna Taylor, what's going on between you and Ryan? Have you lost your minds? What the hell
06:06happened? What's wrong? And you still ask what's wrong? Haven't you seen the news yourself?
06:12The headlines are full, are full of Ryan and that woman at some banquet. He said in front
06:19of all the reporters, that woman is his only wife. He even said they're holding a wedding
06:25soon. Your stuck-up in-laws were right there too, saying that girl had it coming.
06:30Are you okay?
06:32I never got such public acknowledgement, such recognition. Ryan had now given it to her.
06:37I'm fine. We're already divorced.
06:40What? Divorced?
06:43She'd watched me love Ryan for more than ten years. She watched me bend over backward for
06:48this marriage. Give up myself like a servant begging for scraps. Begging for scraps of affection.
06:54Are you few free tonight? Let's go get a drink. My treat.
07:00In Harbor City's most extravagant bar, the booths were piled high with the priciest wine.
07:06Several young, handsome male models surrounded me, attentively pouring drinks for me.
07:11Holy shit, I believe it now. You really have let go. You were never like this before.
07:17Back then, to prove to Ryan that I wasn't after money, I calculated cost performance for everything.
07:23I had been afraid he'd think I was wasteful or didn't care about the family.
07:26Now, sitting in this luxurious private room, I looked at the woman reflected in the mirrored glass.
07:32The flamboyant red hair, the perfectly tailored haute couture dress, was strange, yet familiar.
07:40Iris raised her glass and clinked it hard against mine.
07:43You look a bit like that once-in-a-century genius beauty from the finance department at Ace University.
07:48She downed a huge gulp of wine and then complained.
07:53Back then, so many venture capital firms were fighting to invest in you.
07:57If you'd started your own group, you'd have crushed Carter Group long ago.
08:01Spending over a decade being a servant for his family?
08:04And after the divorce, you only got this much money.
08:06Girl, I really think you deserve better.
08:08I had been a servant for them for more than a decade.
08:11In my previous life, Carter Group, under my control, once dominated the national rankings as the strongest enterprise.
08:19Yet in my old age, I couldn't even afford a box of painkillers.
08:22In the end, I was thrown out by Kelly's children and died of illness beside a trash heap on a
08:26winter night.
08:27The business empire I built with my entire life went to Kelly and her children.
08:31Thinking of this, I drained the wine in my glass in one go.
08:34The spicy liquid burned down my throat, yet ignited the fire deep in my heart.
08:39I swore I would get back at them.
08:42Without me, could they really live so well?
08:45The very next day, news of my group registration spread like wildfire, stirring the entire circle.
08:51Some people sensed opportunity and rushed overnight with proposals, hoping to invest.
08:56But more people mocked and waited on the sidelines, waiting for the Carter family's reaction.
09:01Someone clearly gave instructions to the media, so paparazzi articles were all belittling me for overestimating myself.
09:08I looked at the push notifications on my phone and swiped them away expressionlessly.
09:12I just didn't expect to receive a call from Ryan.
09:16Anna, can't you be a bit more understanding?
09:18I've just found true love.
09:22Besides, instead of starting some small, broken group, wouldn't it be better to stay at Carter Group, that Southern District
09:29merger you were handling before?
09:30I hung up the phone directly, as expected.
09:34He had just remembered that I was still useful.
09:36That Southern District project was a tough nut I'd been working on for over half a year.
09:41I drank until my stomach perforated for it.
09:44Without me, Carter Group wouldn't even know where to start.
09:47At Carter Group, although I was the president, my monthly salary was only $1,000.
09:52All because my distinguished father-in-law said we were family and shouldn't be so calculative.
09:57I once naively believed that was his test for me.
10:01Now it seemed I was nothing more than an exceptionally capable, yet ridiculously cheap housemaid they had recruited.
10:07The more I thought about it, the angrier I became.
10:11I made up my mind at that time, I would take over all those projects I brought to Carter Group
10:15in my previous life.
10:17Even if my new group couldn't deal with them, I would personally hand them over to Carter Group's deadliest rivals.
10:23After the call was cut off, Ryan slammed his phone to the ground in fury.
10:27All these years, he had grown used to my obedience, expecting me to show up on command and disappear at
10:32his whim.
10:33Now that I'd hung up on him so decisively, he felt really mad.
10:37At that moment, his special assistant awkwardly came in holding a stack of documents he couldn't even understand, asking him
10:43to sign them.
10:44Days of exhaustion, plus years of unfamiliarity with group affairs, had left him truly overwhelmed lately.
10:50Kelly followed the assistant in, took Ryan's hand, and said with eyes full of concern,
10:56Ryan, don't work yourself too hard.
10:59I'm your wife now.
11:00Let me help share your burden.
11:02He hesitated, somewhat uneasy.
11:04You're still young and unfamiliar with group operation.
11:08Go rotate through the department first.
11:11Anna Taylor could be the president.
11:16Ryan subconsciously wanted to say that at least Anna was a top graduate from Ace University's finance department.
11:22But the moment he met Kelly's eyes, all his rationality was thrown away.
11:26His heart softened, and he just nodded.
11:29Kelly broke into a smile through her tears, hugged him, and said affectionately,
11:33I'm just worried about you.
11:35Look at you, you've lost so much weight lately.
11:38Less than half a month after my group started up, everything was already running smoothly.
11:43During this time, Kelly sent people over more than once to cause trouble.
11:47Just some petty tricks, all of which I brushed aside with ease.
11:51After all these years, the connections I'd built were far beyond what a little girl like her could compare to.
11:56Those senior employees at Carter Group, whom I personally trained, had long wanted to leave after hearing I'd gone solo.
12:03Especially since after Kelly started working there, she kept suppressing them, making their days suffocating.
12:09I didn't rush to bring them over.
12:11I had them stir up a little chaos before they left.
12:13A small token of allegiance to me.
12:15Kelly thought losing a few people was no big deal.
12:18Even secretly rejoicing that she'd cleared out some remnants of me.
12:21But she didn't understand.
12:23Some of them were critical for the group.
12:27Projects fell through one after another, and Carter Group's stock price plunged again and again.
12:33Meanwhile, on my side, with capable team members, we unleashed astonishing power, consecutively landing several deals worth tens of millions.
12:42Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window in the conference room, looking at the jubilant team below.
12:47Tonight at OTK Club, it's all on me!
12:51No one leaves sober!
12:53Amid the thunderous cheers, I led everyone out of the group building in a grand procession.
12:59At the entrance, a familiar black Rolls Royce was parked quietly by the roadside.
13:03The car door opened, and Ryan stepped out with an arrogant look, waving at me.
13:07I didn't even glance his way, leading my people straight ahead.
13:11Anna Taylor?
13:13What do you mean?
13:14Didn't you see me?
13:16You've really grown bold now.
13:18A little impatient, I looked at him coldly and said,
13:22Sir, do you need something?
13:24He seemed slightly taken aback by my attitude, but still got straight to the point, issuing an order.
13:29Shut down your group and come back to Carter Group.
13:32I was so angered by his self-righteousness that I laughed.
13:35He took my laughter as hesitation, and his tone softened a little.
13:39Anna, I've really been exhausted lately.
13:41Don't keep fighting with me, alright?
13:43He paused, as if making a huge concession.
13:46If you really mind, Kelly, I can have her move somewhere else for now.
13:50Looking at this pompous man before me, I couldn't help but question my own judgment back then.
13:54I'm not throwing a tantrum.
13:56I cut him off coldly.
13:58Mr. Ryan, we're already divorced.
14:01Please don't interfere with my life anymore.
14:05His patience ran out, his voice suddenly rising.
14:09I've already compromised.
14:11What more do you want?
14:13The group needs you right now, and you choose this moment to put on airs?
14:19I suddenly felt there was no reasoning with him at all.
14:21In his world, everyone was supposed to revolve around him.
14:26If you've got any issues, sir, why don't you go bother your precious wife?
14:31Kelly Smith, I'm just an outsider.
14:34I have no obligation to clean up your mess.
14:37You care about the status?
14:40Anna, once Kelly gives birth, I'll think about it.
14:47But you have to promise me, no going public.
14:51I don't want Kelly to be hurt.
14:53I stared at him, enunciating every word.
14:56I'll say it one last time.
14:58Get lost.
14:59Don't let me see you again.
15:04I'm never getting back together with you.
15:07Ever.
15:08Anna Taylor, don't push your luck.
15:12Don't forget this is Harbor City.
15:15If I want to crush a low-tier little group like yours, it's easy as pie.
15:20Just then, a clear, slightly lazy male voice put in.
15:24Oh?
15:25Mr. Ryan sure has a bad temper.
15:28Not only openly harassing my fiancé, but also threatening to destroy her group.
15:34Ryan turned his head and was totally stunned.
15:36It was Alex White, another rich young man, and Ryan's nemesis.
15:41Alex strolled over lazily and naturally wrapped an arm around my waist.
15:45Leaning his head intimately against my shoulder, he whined.
15:50Darling, I've been waiting in the parking lot forever.
15:53Turns out you were here stopped by a bastard.
15:57Anna Taylor!
15:58Give me an explanation!
15:59Why did you betray me?
16:02Then, as if he suddenly figured something out, he put on a smug, all-knowing expression.
16:06I get it now.
16:08You're acting, aren't you?
16:10You deliberately found out Alex to piss me off.
16:14Alex rolled his eyes dramatically and dragged me away.
16:16Let's just not waste time with him.
16:25Stop right there!
16:27Ryan tried to chase after us, but he was too agitated.
16:30And with his recent chaotic schedule, his abdomen suddenly seized with sharp pain.
16:35Damn.
16:36He doubled over in pain, clutching his stomach, cold sweat beating on his forehead.
16:44Anna, my stomach hurts.
16:46I didn't slow down.
16:47In fact, I walked even faster, not turning my head even once.
16:51Behind me were his suppressed groans of pain, and his assistant's panicked screams.
16:57Alex didn't give me any chance to look back.
16:59He directly shoved me into the passenger seat of his flashy red Ferrari.
17:03The sports car roared out of the parking lot.
17:06Only then did he take off his sunglasses and smile at me sideways.
17:10Well, not bad acting, right?
17:12I didn't speak.
17:13Just watched the cityscape speeding past outside the window.
17:17Hey, Anna, don't be so indifferent.
17:20I helped you out, you know.
17:22Not even a thank you.
17:25I kept it brief.
17:26He pouted, clearly dissatisfied with my coldness.
17:29But he didn't say more.
17:31Only turned up the volume of the car music.
17:33That very night, the headlines of Harbor City's financial and entertainment sections were all
17:37dominated by Ryan Carter.
17:39Carter Group president, chasing former love, suffers stomach spasms and is hospitalized.
17:44The accompanying photos showed him being taken into an ambulance by his assistant and bodyguards.
17:49The comment section exploded.
17:51Some mocked Ryan for bringing it on himself, saying he should have expected this day back
17:55when he flaunted his mistress.
17:56Others claimed Kelly Smith was inferior to me, which is why Ryan turned back, and that
18:01the two of us would soon remarry.
18:04In the VIP ward of Harbor City First Hospital, Kelly Smith, eyes bloodshot, grabbed the glass
18:11cup from the bedside table and smashed it viciously onto the floor, shards flying everywhere.
18:16Why did you go to find her?
18:18Why?
18:19Didn't you say having me alone was enough?
18:21The sharp, shattering sound startled Ryan, and a dull ache crept through his abdomen.
18:26He rubbed his temples tiredly, even opening his eyes, feeling like an effort.
18:31His voice was very light, heavy with irritation.
18:34What are you yelling for?
18:36I went to see her for Group Matters.
18:38Are Group Matters more important than me?
18:40I don't care!
18:41You swear right now, promise you'll never go see Anna Taylor again!
18:45Never!
18:46She was shouting too loudly, with a suffocating pressure.
18:50Shut up!
18:51He suddenly shoved her away.
18:52If you hadn't messed the group up so badly, would I need to lower myself to go beg her?
18:59Kelly still wanted to say something.
19:01I...
19:02But then the ward door was pushed open.
19:04Ryan's mother walked in, carrying a thermal food container.
19:07When she saw the mess all over the floor and her son's pale face, her anger instantly flared.
19:14Kelly Smith, you're really becoming more and more outrageous.
19:18She slammed the container heavily onto the table and pointed at Kelly's nose as she scolded.
19:22Can't you see Ryan isn't feeling well?
19:24Why are you still yelling at him?
19:26The more she spoke, the angrier she became.
19:29If Anna were here, she'd have Aldi gone home to make dinner for Ryan by now.
19:33You only know how to make a steen.
19:50Anna Taylor?
19:51You're talking about her again?
19:54Kelly instantly bristled, letting out a cold snort.
19:57I'm not her.
19:58I don't want to do that kind of servant work.
20:01She crossed her arms over her chest and stubbornly talked back.
20:05What do you mean?
20:06There are so many servants at home.
20:08Why do I have to cook myself?
20:09I think you're just picking a fight on purpose, deliberately using her to put me down.
20:14I'm carrying your grandson.
20:15You don't want him anymore?
20:17How dare you talk back!
20:19Ryan's mother was shaking with anger.
20:21What have you ever done for Ryan?
20:24Other than spending money and causing trouble?
20:27What else did you do?
20:29What trouble did I cause?
20:32Get out!
20:34Both of you, get out!
20:35A sharp roar instantly drowned out all the arguing.
20:38Ryan forced himself upright, grabbed the pillow by the bed, and hurled it at them with all his strength.
20:43Get out!
20:44Now!
20:45The ward fell into dead silence in an instant.
20:47Ryan's mother and Kelly were both stunned.
20:50Ryan collapsed weakly back onto the bed, bearing his face into the blanket as suppressed sobs seeped out muffled.
20:57This was the first time he regretted it.
20:59Regretted divorcing Anna.
21:00When Anna was around, the group never had any problems, and the household was always in perfect order.
21:07Anna would arrange everything properly, and Ryan could just enjoy his life.
21:11But now, because of several useless relatives Kelly had stuffed into the group, accidents happened again and again, and several
21:18projects had already been cancelled.
21:20By the time he realized something was wrong, most of the capable backbones in the group had already left, and
21:27his parents, who once praised Kelly non-stop, now constantly complained and expressed dissatisfaction.
21:33Life seemed to have gone back to years ago, when his group was on the brink of bankruptcy, besieged on
21:39all sides.
21:41The difference was, back then, when he turned around, I was always there.
21:46And I would gently tell him,
21:48Don't be afraid. You've got me.
21:50But now, behind him, there was no one at all.
21:59A few days later, the contract with the White Group was officially signed.
22:02This was the biggest deal I'd landed since leaving Carter Group.
22:06It meant my small group had finally gained a firm foothold.
22:10Alex White attended in person.
22:13President Anna, to celebrate our successful cooperation, how about dinner together?
22:18I looked at his handsome face and declined politely.
22:21No, I still have something to do tonight.
22:24His smile faded. He leaned forward, bracing his hands on the table, staring straight at me.
22:29Anna Taylor, how long are you going to keep running? You clearly know what I mean.
22:34Ever since that day in the parking lot when he helped me out, Alex White had launched a fierce pursuit.
22:40Flowers, gifts, and endless invitations.
22:43It was impossible to ignore.
22:45But I remained distant the entire time.
22:48I frowned and said,
22:49Mr. Alex, if you're just trying to provoke Ryan, there's really need combated Shinonem or Neen.
22:56Alex looked at me with his big eyes.
22:58He suddenly smiled.
23:00I'm not that boring.
23:02I really do like you.
23:04His gaze was far too intense.
23:06I subconsciously stepped back, but he grabbed my sleeve.
23:09Alex's fingers were long and warm.
23:12He gently shook my arm and softened his voice, his tone full of coquettish pleading.
23:18Come on, just give me a chance.
23:21Have dinner with me, okay?
23:23He winked playfully at me and lowered his voice.
23:25A secret about Ryan.
23:27I wanted to say no, but unconsciously agreed.
23:31All right.
23:32With a loud bang, both of us were startled.
23:35The receptionist then hurried in anxiously.
23:38President Anna, I'm sorry this gentleman insisted on barging in.
23:42We couldn't stop him.
23:43I waved my hand, signaling her to step out first.
23:46The uninvited guests were right behind the receptionist.
23:49The one in front sat in a wheelchair, which was Ryan.
23:52Only a few days had passed, yet he looked as if all vitality had been drained from him,
23:57his face sallow and his eye socket sunken.
24:00Anna, I'm here to take you home.
24:02I looked at him, not feeling sorry for him, but only mad at him for interrupting me.
24:07I reached out and pressed the internal line on the desk.
24:10Security, come here and take these uninvited people out.
24:14Ryan looked kind of stunned.
24:16He probably hadn't expected me to be this ruthless.
24:19His eyes instantly reddened.
24:21Anna Taylor, how can you treat me like this?
24:25I've already thought it through these past few days.
24:27We're the most suitable for each other.
24:29I've already brought up divorce with Kelly Smith.
24:32Come back to my side, okay?
24:34If this were my previous life, I probably would have softened after seeing this.
24:39But now, I only found it noisy.
24:41Don't have any feelings for you anymore.
24:44Who you marry or divorce has nothing to do with me.
24:48My voice was cold as ice.
24:51Please don't come disturb my life again.
24:53I don't want to be your servant anymore.
24:56The decisiveness in my words left his face full of hurt.
25:00We've been married for so many years, remember?
25:04You won't even give me one chance.
25:07He stared at me in disbelief until he confirmed that there was only indifference left in my eyes.
25:13Only then did he understand.
25:15I wasn't saying this out of spite.
25:17He stopped faking tears and his eyes were filled with fierceness.
25:20Anna Taylor, don't forget.
25:23If I hadn't sponsored you back then, you would even have been able to go to go college.
25:28Now you're leaving me after your achievements?
25:32I don't want much.
25:33Just help me hold Carter Group together for five years.
25:38All right?
25:38At last, he pulled out this trump card.
25:41The so-called debt of gratitude had weighed me down for a full ten years.
25:45I fell silent.
25:46At the moment I hesitated, a warm hand covered the back of my hand.
25:51Alex had somehow come to stand beside me.
25:55Ryan Carter, do you have no shame at all?
25:58His voice was clear, with undisguised contempt.
26:01Using my credit to blackrail others?
26:06How can you be so utterly shameless?
26:09Ryan's expression changed abruptly.
26:11Alex White, why are you here?
26:13Alex laughed and said,
26:15Why can't I be here?
26:16If I weren't, I wouldn't have known that you've been taking my to my credit.
26:21Using my kindness to threaten the woman when I love.
26:25You're talking nonsense!
26:27Shut up!
26:28I did sponsor her!
26:31Is that so?
26:32Alex took out his phone and presented it to me.
26:36Anna, see for yourself.
26:39These are all the records of payments I made back then,
26:42through an anonymous charitable organization,
26:44to your accounts from high school through university.
26:47The one who sponsored you was always me.
26:51My mind buzzed, turning completely blank.
26:54On the screen, rows of transfer records were displayed with crystal clarity.
26:58Dates and amounts.
26:59Every single one matched exactly the scholarships I had received back then.
27:04The recipient account was my high school financial aid fund account,
27:07and the designated beneficiary was Anna Taylor.
27:10In both my past and present lives, I had always believed it was Ryan.
27:16In my freshman year, he had taken the initiative to find me and told me he was the anonymous sponsor.
27:21Because of that debt of gratitude, I was deeply thankful to him.
27:25And, after graduation, threw myself into his group without hesitation.
27:29It was also because of that gratitude that I developed feelings for him.
27:33Even when he trampled my dignity time and time again,
27:36I endured it because of that supposed kindness.
27:39I thought it was something I owed him.
27:41So from the very beginning, it had all been a lie.
27:44Ryan looked terrible, but he still wanted to make a final, desperate struggle.
27:48I stayed by your side for four years in college, and always encouraged you.
27:56Doesn't that count as emotional support?
28:00Yeah, I didn't sponsor you financially.
28:04But we were husband and wife for ten years.
28:07Isn't that bond enough for you to help me just once?
28:11Have you forgotten how much you used to love me?
28:14I promise I won't care about your past affair anymore.
28:18You forgive me this once, too.
28:20We can still live a happy life together, okay?
28:23I almost laughed from sheer anger.
28:26At this point, he was still trying to bind me with his twisted logic.
28:30Ryan Carter, do you really think I'm an idiot?
28:33My voice wasn't loud, but it froze the air in the entire conference room.
28:37Back then, after I sobered up from drinking, the man in my bed was sent by you.
28:44Even the drugged glass of water I drank was prepared by you personally.
28:49Ryan's face instantly turned deathly pale.
28:51I shook my head in disappointment, the last shred of lingering feeling in my heart turning to ashes.
28:58The thing I regret most in this life is being with a man like you, full of lies.
29:04Those words became the final straw that crushed him.
29:07He slumped weakly in his wheelchair, tears rolling down in big drops.
29:12It's not like that.
29:14How can you regret it?
29:15You love me.
29:16You clearly love me.
29:17You clearly love me.
29:19He muttered to himself, looking deranged.
29:21You clearly love me.
29:24At that moment, the security guards who had arrived late finally broke through Ryan's black-suited bodyguards.
29:30Together with the wheelchair, they pushed the whole group out.
29:33The world finally became quiet.
29:35In the conference room, only Alex White and I remained, and it was super awkward.
29:40He didn't look at me, his gaze drifting to the patterns on the carpet.
29:46Well, I still have some things to deal with at my group.
29:50I'll head out first.
29:51After saying that, he turned around, about to slip away.
29:55I grabbed his wrist.
29:57Didn't you say we were going to have dinner?
30:00He looked a little annoyed and said,
30:02I didn't use this to pressure you.
30:04Don't misunderstand.
30:05If you don't like me, you don't have to force yourself to be with me.
30:12Just because I sponsored you.
30:14Seeing his awkward yet proud demeanor, I wasn't so upset anymore.
30:18I couldn't help but laugh a bit.
30:20I won't, Alex.
30:22I softened my tone, still holding his wrist.
30:24I just really, really want to have a meal with you.
30:28I looked into his eyes and asked again seriously.
30:32So, Mr. Alex, would you like to?
30:36Under my gaze, his cheeks grew redder and redder, and then he nodded gently.
30:44To prevent Ryan from coming back to pester me again, I threw a few obstacles into some of Carter Group's
30:49overseas projects.
30:50I didn't intend to do anything drastic to Carter Group.
30:53I just wanted to keep him busy.
30:55Keep him from bothering me.
30:56But the foundation of Carter Group had long rotted.
30:59My small move was merely the first domino to fall.
31:02Carter Group's stock price plunged without warning.
31:05Several major projects under negotiation blew up one after another.
31:09Partners withdrew their investments, and the capital chain snapped on the spot.
31:13When the first domino fell, the whole thing wouldn't last for long.
31:17Bank collection notices piled up like mountains, and every day there were creditors blocking the gates of the Carter family
31:23villa.
31:24Kelly Smith, the once gentlewoman who had obeyed Ryan in everything, realized that Carter Group was absolutely going down.
31:30She immediately turned around and filed a lawsuit, demanding a divorce and division of Ryan's assets.
31:36The two of them made a huge scene.
31:38The former lovers faced each other in court, hurling accusations.
31:42All of Harbor City was watching Ryan make a fool of himself, laughing at how he ditched his good wife
31:47only to marry that bitch.
31:48I saw this news while on dates with Alex, through push notifications on my phone.
31:53I only glanced at them before immediately locking the screen.
31:56It had nothing to do with me anymore.
31:58What I cared about more was Alex, sitting across from me.
32:01Our relationship slowly became better through dinners, movies, and visits to art exhibitions.
32:08On Christmas Day, Harbor City saw its first snowfall of the winter.
32:12I booked out the mountaintop-revolving restaurant.
32:15Through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, we could overlook the dazzling lights of the entire city.
32:20Alex, dressed in a bespoke suit, sat quietly across from me.
32:24The snowy glow outside reflected on his face, making him look kinda unreal.
32:29Amid the gentle sound of violin music, I knelt on one knee.
32:32He froze for a moment, a hint of panic in his eyes.
32:37I looked up at him, holding his cold hand.
32:39These past few months, every day I've spent with you has made me very happy.
32:44I want to turn this happiness into a lifetime.
32:47So, would you be willing to be my boyfriend?
32:50His eyes instantly turned red, his lips trembling, unable to utter a single word.
32:56The surrounding diners had gone quiet, all watching us.
32:59After a long while, he finally lowered his hand in disbelief and nodded hard.
33:05Thunderous applause erupted throughout the restaurant.
33:07I put the ring on his finger and threw myself into his arms.
33:12My phone vibrating on the table, but I ignored it.
33:15The person I was holding was my whole world.
33:19Only later did I find out that those notifications were the final headlines of that night.
33:23Carter Group officially announces bankruptcy and liquidation.
33:27Former Carter Group president's lover Kelly Smith suspected of commercial embezzlement and leaking trade secrets.
33:33Now arrested by police.
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