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