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