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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,
00:14they'd still walk away with a million-dollar breakup fee. People all laughed at me, saying
00:19I was the most miserable, wealthy wife in history. They all thought I'd endure it for the rest of my
00:24life. I was going to, until Ryan brought a college student named Kelly Smith home. The girl looked
00:31ordinary, yet she was the first woman he kept longer than a month. Ryan gave me two choices,
00:37agree to an open marriage and let Kelly be on equal terms with me, or just divorce him,
00:42split the assets evenly, and go our separate ways for good. His friends were there, watching the show.
00:48They were sure I'd just keep being a pushover, putting up with everything, but to their surprise,
00:52I chose the latter without hesitation. In my previous life, I chose to endure,
00:58and what I got in return was Kelly pushing her luck further and further.
01:02She forbade Ryan from touching me or giving me any of his assets. In my later years,
01:07I couldn't help but envy Kelly, who ended up with everything—money, children, the whole package.
01:14Even after Ryan died, his will didn't grant me anything. All his inheritance was left under
01:19Kelly's control. I had been his lawful wife, but ended up with nothing at last. Reborn into this
01:26life, I finally figured everything out. This time, I just wanted to take the money and leave.
01:34I picked up the divorce agreement, read it carefully from beginning to end,
01:38and 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
02:18me 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 him
02:30personally. I was just tired of her and didn't want things to get too ugly, so I staged the whole
02:37thing. There wasn't a shred of guilt in his clouded eyes. That way, all I did later seemed completely
02:44defensible. So that was it. No wonder every time I desperately tried to explain, all I got was his
02:51cold disbelief. Because from beginning to end, he knew the truth. He didn't love me, yet he used a
02:58fabricated 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
03:20door, the faint sounds of whispering abruptly stopped. The next second, my distinguished parents-in-law
03:26rushed in cheerfully. Oh my, look at her. So young and so energetic. My father-in-law, who had always
03:34treated me with hostility, was smiling kindly at this moment. Finally, we can send away that useless
03:40one. 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
04:03same 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
04:15bastards. Just past thirty, yet plenty of white hair had already crept into my temples. I did look
04:22kinda 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 tomorrow.
04:46Isn't the villa in the west of the city still empty? You can stay there for now. I'll visit
04:52you when I'm free you. Anna, you're just being emotional. Calm down. I know how much you love
05:00me, okay? But I really can't let you be my legal wife anymore. I can't let my child grow
05:08up being labeled as illegitimate. I didn't respond. I just picked up my suitcase, walked past him, and
05:15headed straight for the door. There's nothing left to say between us. I'm very happy we're divorced.
05:22If you really still have a conscience, hurry up and pay me what you owe.
05:27The night wind carried fine snow as it rushed toward me, biting cold, yet unable to extinguish the fire
05:33burning in my heart. Ryan's efficiency was, as always, impressive. When I woke up,
05:40three billion was already in my bank account. With the money, the first thing I did was book
05:44Harbor City's most luxurious private club. Haircut, full-body spa, and everything. The haggard
05:50woman with graying temples in the mirror was gone. In her place stood a sharp-eyed beauty with
05:55flamboyant 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? The
06:12headlines are full, are full of Ryan and that woman at some banquet. He said in front of all the
06:19reporters, that woman is his only wife. He even said they're holding a wedding soon. Your stuck-up
06:27in-laws were right there too, saying that girl had it coming. Are you okay? I never got such
06:33public acknowledgement, such recognition. Ryan had now given it to her. I'm fine. We're already
06:39divorced. What? Divorced? She'd watched me love Ryan for more than 10 years. She watched me bend
06:47over backward for this marriage, give up myself like a servant begging for scraps, begging for scraps of
06:52affection. Are 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.
07:10Holy shit, I believe it now. You really have let go. You were never like this before.
07:16Back 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. Now, sitting in this
07:28luxurious, private room, I looked at the woman reflected in the mirrored glass. The flamboyant
07:33red hair, the perfectly tailored haute couture dress, was strange, yet familiar. Iris raised her
07:40glass and clinked it hard against mine. You look a bit like that once-in-a-century genius beauty from
07:46the finance department at Ace University. She downed a huge gulp of wine and then complained.
07:52Back 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,
08:00spending over a decade being a servant for his family. And after the divorce, you only got this
08:06much money. Girl, I really think you deserve better. I had been a servant for them for more
08:10than a decade. In my previous life, Carter Group, under my control, once dominated the national
08:16rankings as the strongest enterprise. Yet in my old age, I couldn't even afford a box of
08:21painkillers. In the end, I was thrown out by Kelly's children and died of illness beside a
08:25trash heap on a winter night. The business empire I built with my entire life went to Kelly and her
08:30children. Thinking of this, I drained the wine in my glass in one go. The spicy liquid burned down my
08:36throat, yet ignited the fire deep in my heart. I swore I would get back at them. Without me,
08:42could they really live so well? The very next day, news of my group registration spread like wildfire,
08:49stirring the entire circle. Some people sensed opportunity and rushed overnight with proposals,
08:54hoping to invest. But more people mocked and waited on the sidelines, waiting for the Carter
09:00family's reaction. Someone clearly gave instructions to the media, so paparazzi articles were all
09:05belittling me for overestimating myself. I looked at the push notifications on my phone and swiped them
09:10away expressionlessly. I just didn't expect to receive a call from Ryan.
09:15Anna, can't you be a bit more understanding? I've just found true love. Besides, instead of starting some
09:24small, broken group, wouldn't it be better to stay at Carter Group, that Southern District merger you
09:29were handling before? I hung up the phone directly, as expected. He had just remembered that I was still
09:35useful. That Southern District project was a tough nut I'd been working on for over half a year.
09:40I drank until my stomach perforated for it. Without me, Carter Group wouldn't even know where to start.
09:46At 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
09:56calculative. I once naively believed that was his test for me. Now it seemed I was nothing more than
10:02an exceptionally capable, yet ridiculously cheap housemaid they had recruited. The more I thought
10:08about it, the angrier I became. I made up my mind at that time, I would take over all those
10:14projects I
10:14brought to Carter Group in my previous life. Even if my new group couldn't deal with them, I would
10:19personally hand them over to Carter Group's deadliest rivals. After the call was cut off,
10:24Ryan slammed his phone to the ground in fury. All these years, he had grown used to my obedience,
10:29expecting me to show up on command and disappear at his whim. Now that I'd hung up on him so
10:34decisively, he felt really mad. At that moment, his special assistant awkwardly came in holding a stack
10:40of documents he couldn't even understand, asking him to sign them. Days of exhaustion, plus years of
10:46unfamiliarity with group affairs, had left him truly overwhelmed lately. Kelly followed
10:51the assistant in, took Ryan's hand, and said with eyes full of concern,
10:56Ryan, don't work yourself too hard. I'm your wife now. Let me help share your burden.
11:02He hesitated, somewhat uneasy.
11:04You're still young and unfamiliar with group operation. Go rotate through the department first.
11:11Anna Taylor could be the president.
11:15Why can't I?
11:16Ryan subconsciously wanted to say that at least Anna was a top graduate from Ace University's
11:20finance department. But the moment he met Kelly's eyes, all his rationality was thrown away.
11:25His heart softened, and he just nodded. Kelly broke into a smile through her tears,
11:31hugged him, and said affectionately,
11:32I'm just worried about you. Look 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.
11:46Just some petty tricks, all of which I brushed aside with ease.
11:50After 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
12:01after hearing I'd gone solo. Especially since after Kelly started working there.
12:05She kept suppressing them, making their days suffocating.
12:09I didn't rush to bring them over. I had them stir up a little chaos before they left.
12:13A small token of allegiance to me. Kelly 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. Some of them were critical for the group.
12:26Projects fell through one after another, and Carter Group's stock price plunged again and again.
12:32Meanwhile, on my side, with capable team members, we unleashed astonishing power,
12:38consecutively 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 O.T.K. Club, it's all on me! No one leaves sober!
12:53Amid the thunderous cheers, I led everyone out of the group building in a grand procession.
12:58At 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? What do you mean? Didn't you see me?
13:16You've really grown bold now.
13:18A little impatient, I looked at him coldly and said,
13:21Sir, 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.
13:38Anna, I've really been exhausted lately. Don'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.
14:22In 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, get lost.
14:59Don't let me see you again.
15:04I'm never getting back together with you.
15:06Ever.
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 cut 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.
15:56Anna Taylor!
15:57Give me an explanation!
15:59Why did you betray me?
16:01Then, 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.
16:13Alex rolled his eyes dramatically and dragged me away.
16:16Let's just not waste time with him.
16:25Stop right there!
16:26Ryan tried to chase after us, but he was too agitated.
16:29And 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.
16:42Anna.
16:44My stomach hurts.
16:45I didn't slow down. In 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.
16:56Alex 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.
17:05Only then did he take off his sunglasses and smile at me sideways.
17:09Well, not bad acting, right?
17:12I didn't speak. Just watched the cityscape speeding past outside the window.
17:16Hey, Anna, don't be so indifferent.
17:20I helped you out, you know. Not even a thank you.
17:25I kept it brief.
17:26He pouted, clearly dissatisfied with my coldness.
17:29But he didn't say more.
17:30Only turned up the volume of the car music.
17:32That very night, the headlines of Harbor City's financial and entertainment sections were all dominated 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 when he flaunted his
17:55mistress.
17:56Others claimed Kelly Smith was inferior to me, which was why Ryan turned back, and that the two of us
18:01would soon remarry.
18:04In the VIP ward of Harbor City First Hospital, Kelly Smith, eyes bloodshot, grabbed the glass cup from the bedside
18:12table and smashed it viciously onto the floor, shards flying everywhere.
18:16Why did you go to find her? Why? Didn't you say having me alone was enough?
18:20The 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.
18:30His voice was very light, heavy with irritation.
18:34What are you yelling for? I went to see her for Group Matters.
18:38Are Group Matters more important than me? I don't care!
18:41You swear right now, promise you'll never go see Anna Taylor again! Never!
18:46She was shouting too loudly, with a suffocating pressure.
18:49Shut up!
18:50He 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.
19:17She 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? Why 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 steam.
19:50Anna Taylor?
19:51You're talking about her again?
19:55Kelly 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.
20:13I'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, what 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!
20:44The 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, burying his face into the blanket as suppressed sobs seeped out muffled.
20:56This was the first time he regretted it.
20:59Regretted divorcing Anna.
21:01When 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.
21:26And his 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.
21:40The 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.
22:39Flowers, gifts, and endless invitations. It was impossible to ignore.
22:45But I remained distant the entire time. I frowned and said,
22:49Mr. Alex, if you're just trying to provoke Ryan, there's really need combated Shinonem or Neen.
22:55Alex looked at me with his big eyes. He suddenly smiled.
22:59I'm not that boring. I really do like you.
23:03His gaze was far too intense. I 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. Have 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. We 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.
23:51Only a few days had passed, yet he looked as if all vitality had been drained from him,
23:56his face sallow and his eye socket sunken.
24:00Anna, I'm here to take you home.
24:01I 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.
24:20Anna Taylor, how can you treat me like this?
24:24I'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.
24:38But 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.
24:50Please 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?
25:03You 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.
25:38Alright?
25:38At last, he pulled out this trump card.
25:40The so-called debt of gratitude had weighed me down for a full ten years.
25:44I 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.
25:54Ryan 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,
26:14Why 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.
26:46The one who sponsored you,
26:48was always me.
26:50My mind buzzed,
26:52turning completely blank.
26:53On the screen,
26:55rows 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,
27:13I had always believed it was Ryan.
27:15In my freshman year,
27:17he had taken the initiative to find me and told me he was the anonymous sponsor.
27:21Because of that debt of gratitude,
27:23I was deeply thankful to him,
27:24and, after graduation,
27:26threw 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.
27:40So, from the very beginning,
27:42it had all been a lie.
27:44Ryan looked terrible,
27:46but he still wanted to make a final, desperate struggle.
27:48I stayed by your side for four years in college,
27:52and always encouraged you.
27:56Doesn't that count as emotional support?
28:00Yeah, I didn't sponsor you financially.
28:03But we were husband and wife for ten years.
28:06Isn'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.
28:17You forgive me this once, too.
28:19We can still live a happy life together, okay?
28:23I almost laughed from sheer anger.
28:25At 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,
28:34but it froze the air in the entire conference room.
28:37Back then, after I sobered up from drinking,
28:41the man in my bed was sent by you.
28:44Even the drugged glass of water I drank,
28:47was prepared by you personally.
28:49Ryan's face instantly turned deathly pale.
28:51I shook my head in disappointment,
28:53the last shred of lingering feeling in my heart turning to ashes.
28:57The thing I regret most in this life
29:00is being with a man like you,
29:02full 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
29:27finally 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,
29:38and it was super awkward.
29:39He didn't look at me,
29:41his 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?
29:59He looked a little annoyed and said,
30:01I didn't use this to pressure you.
30:03Don't misunderstand.
30:05If you don't like me,
30:07you don't have to force yourself to be with me.
30:11Just because I sponsored you.
30:13Seeing his awkward yet proud demeanor,
30:16I wasn't so upset anymore.
30:17I couldn't help but laugh a bit.
30:20I won't, Alex.
30:21I 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,
30:38and then he nodded gently.
30:44To prevent Ryan from coming back to pester me again,
30:46I threw a few obstacles into some of Carter Group's overseas projects.
30:50I didn't intend to do anything drastic to Carter Group.
30:53I just wanted to keep him busy, keep him from bothering me.
30:56But the foundation of Carter Group had long rotted.
30:58My 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,
31:10and the capital chain snapped on the spot.
31:13When the first domino fell,
31:15the whole thing wouldn't last for long.
31:17Bank collection notices piled up like mountains,
31:19and every day there were creditors blocking the gates of the Carter family villa.
31:23Kelly Smith, the once gentlewoman who had obeyed Ryan in everything,
31:27realized that Carter Group was absolutely going down.
31:30She immediately turned around and filed a lawsuit,
31:33demanding 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,
31:45laughing at how he ditched his good wife only to marry that bitch.
31:48I saw all this news while on dates with Alex,
31:50through push notifications on my phone.
31:52I only glanced at them before immediately locking the screen.
31:55It had nothing to do with me anymore.
31:58What I cared about more was Alex,
32:00sitting across from me.
32:01Our relationship slowly became better through dinners,
32:04movies, 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,
32:17we could overlook the dazzling lights of the entire city.
32:20Alex, dressed in a bespoke suit,
32:23sat quietly across from me.
32:24The snowy glow outside reflected on his face,
32:27making him look kinda unreal.
32:29Amid the gentle sound of violin music,
32:31I knelt on one knee.
32:32He froze for a moment,
32:34a hint of panic in his eyes.
32:37I looked up at him,
32:38holding his cold hand.
32:39These past few months,
32:41every 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,
32:52his lips trembling,
32:54unable to utter a single word.
32:56The surrounding diners had gone quiet,
32:58all watching us.
32:59After a long while,
33:00he finally lowered his hand in disbelief
33:03and nodded hard.
33:05Thunderous applause erupted throughout the restaurant.
33:07I put the ring on his finger
33:09and threw myself into his arms.
33:11My phone vibrating on the table,
33:14but I ignored it.
33:15The person I was holding was my whole world.
33:19Only later did I find out
33:20that those notifications
33:21were the final headlines of that night.
33:23Carter Group officially announces bankruptcy
33:26and liquidation.
33:27Former Carter Group president's lover,
33:29Kelly Smith,
33:30suspected of commercial embezzlement
33:31and leaking trade secrets,
33:33now arrested by police.
33:34And I'll see you next time.
33:34I'll see you next time.
33:35I'll see you next time.
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