- 1 day ago
Reborn- Break The Cage Of Your Open Marriage Episode
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Ryan Carter, the famous playboyer, openly declared that he only dated women on short-term arrangements.
00:06People all laughed at me, saying I was the most miserable wealthy wife in history.
00:11They all thought I'd endure it for the rest of my life.
00:13Until Ryan brought a college student named Callie Smith home.
00:16The girl looked ordinary, yet she was the first woman he kept longer than a month.
00:21Ryan gave me two choices.
00:23Agree to an open marriage and let Callie be on equal terms with me.
00:26Or just divorce him, split the assets evenly, and go our separate ways for good.
00:31His friends were there, watching the show.
00:33They were sure I'd just keep being a pushover, putting up with everything.
00:37But to their surprise, I chose the latter without hesitation.
00:41In my previous life, I chose to endure, and what I got in return was Callie pushing her luck further
00:46and further.
00:47She forbade Ryan from touching me or giving me any of his assets.
00:50In my later years, I couldn't help but envy Callie, who ended up with everything, money, children, the whole package.
00:57Even after Ryan died, his will didn't grant me anything.
01:00All his inheritance was left under Callie's control.
01:03I had been his lawful wife, but ended up with nothing at last.
01:07Reborn into this life, I finally figured everything out.
01:10This time I just wanted to take the money and leave.
01:13I picked up the divorce agreement, read it carefully from beginning to end, and was about to sign my name.
01:18Anna, Taylor, think this through.
01:21Once you sign, there's no turning back.
01:25I didn't stop.
01:27I quickly wrote my name down.
01:29I'll pack my things and leave right now.
01:33Why the hell would I turn back?
01:35In my previous life, I thought bringing Kelly home was just another one of his tricks to mess with me.
01:41Naively, I believe that after all these years of marriage, he must have had at least a little affection for
01:46me.
01:46I was a fool.
01:47He and Kelly had kids one after another and grew old together in love.
01:51And I, in that house, was like an awkward outsider.
01:54Not until my later years did I hear him talking with Kelly in a hospital room.
01:58He said that back then, the dramatic scene of catching a guy in my bed had been arranged by him
02:03personally.
02:04I was just tired of her and didn't want things to get too ugly, so I staged the whole thing.
02:09There wasn't a shred of guilt in his clotted eyes.
02:12That way, anything I did afterward seemed completely justified.
02:17So that was it.
02:18No wonder every time I desperately tried to explain, all I got was his cold disbelief.
02:23Because from beginning to end, he knew the truth.
02:26He didn't love me, yet he used a fabricated crime to trap me for 50 years.
02:30He could have ended it cleanly with one stroke, but instead chose to slowly torture me to death.
02:35Looking at the young yet still cold face before me, I felt nothing but hatred.
02:39He stared blankly at the signed agreement.
02:42His eyes filled with shock.
02:43Outside the door, the faint sounds of whispering abruptly stopped.
02:49My distinguished parents-in-law rushed in cheerfully.
02:52My mother-in-law grabbed Kelly's hand, looking her up and down, clicking her tongue in praise.
02:57Oh my, look at her!
02:59So young and so energetic!
03:02My father-in-law, who had always treated me with hostility, was smiling kindly at this moment.
03:07He shot me a pointed glance.
03:09Finally, we can send away that useless one.
03:12It's been so many years, but there's no kid at all.
03:15Kelly lowered her head shyly, pretending to be modest.
03:19Sir, madam, please don't say that.
03:23I don't want to disrespect Anna, especially since I'm not much younger than Madam Anna.
03:28She paused, her face flushing.
03:31Actually, I'm already one month pregnant.
03:34It's just still early, so I plan to tell you about it later.
03:37I looked at her and frowned.
03:39As expected, still the same familiar sarcasm, the same nauseating tone.
03:44Only this time, I didn't care anymore.
03:47All these years, in order to be a useful wife, I worked myself to the bone at Carter Group during
03:52the day.
03:53At night, I still had to serve these two picky bastards.
03:56Just past 30, yet plenty of white hair had already crept into my temples.
04:00I did look kinda old.
04:02I turned back to my room and began packing my pitiful little bit of luggage,
04:06and I was already planning where I should go first to properly relax after getting the money.
04:10I didn't notice Ryan following me in.
04:13It's so late.
04:14There's no need to move out immediately.
04:16Leave tomorrow.
04:18Isn't the villa in the west of the city still empty?
04:20You can stay there for now.
04:22Adonfritza, that you're fine.
04:25Anna, you're just being emotional.
04:27Calm down.
04:28I know how much you love me, okay?
04:29But I really can't let you be my legal wife anymore.
04:31I can't let my child grow up being labeled as illegitimate.
04:34I didn't respond.
04:35I just picked up my suitcase, walked past him, and headed straight for the door.
04:39There's nothing left to say between us.
04:41I'm very happy we're divorced.
04:44If you really still have a conscience, hurry up and pay me what you owe.
04:48The night wind carried fine snow as it rushed toward me, biting cold,
04:51yet unable to extinguish the fire burning in my heart.
04:56Ryan's efficiency was, as always, impressive.
05:00When I woke up, 3 billion was already in my bank account.
05:03With the money, the first thing I did was book Harbor City's most luxurious private club.
05:08Haircut, full-body spa, and everything.
05:11The haggard woman with graying temples in the mirror was gone.
05:14In her place stood a sharp-eyed beauty with flamboyant red hair.
05:17Just as I finished changing, my best friend Iris Allen called.
05:21She immediately burst into a fit of shouting.
05:23Anna Taylor!
05:24What's going on between you and Ryan?
05:26Have you lost your minds?
05:28What the hell happened?
05:30I held the phone a little farther away and asked lazily.
05:33What's wrong?
05:34And you still ask what's wrong?
05:36Haven't you seen the news yourself?
05:37The headlines are all the photos of Ryan's attemptly with nermosinals.
05:41He said front to Jesus that they bidges his lonely life.
05:44He even said they bailed in quitting.
05:46Your snobby carry were right there too, but that bidget deserves it.
05:50Her voice dropped, filled with cautious concern.
05:53Well, are you okay?
05:54Such recognition.
05:55Ryan had now given it to her.
05:57I'm fine.
05:58Admiring my brand new look, I spoke calmly.
06:01We're already divorced.
06:05Iris didn't believe it.
06:06She'd watched me love Ryan for more than 10 years.
06:09She watched me bend over backward for this marriage, give up myself.
06:13Like a servant begging for scraps, begging for scraps of affection.
06:17I didn't explain further.
06:19I just laughed and said.
06:21Are you free tonight?
06:22Let's go get a drink.
06:23In Harbor City's most extravagant bar, the booths were piled high with the priciest wine.
06:29Several young, handsome male models surrounded me, attentively pouring drinks for me.
06:36Enjoy it.
06:39Iris stared at me.
06:47Back then, to prove to Ryan that I wasn't after money, I calculated cost performance for everything.
06:53I had been afraid he'd think I was wasteful or didn't care about the family.
06:56Now, sitting in this luxurious private room, I looked at the woman reflected in the mirrored glass.
07:02The flamboyant red hair, the perfectly tailored haute couture dress, was strange, yet familiar.
07:08Iris raised her glass and clinked it hard against mine.
07:12You look a bit like that once-in-a-century genius beauty from the finance department at Ace University.
07:16She downed a huge gulp of wine and then complained.
07:19Back then, so many venture capital firms were fighting to invest in you.
07:26If you'd started your own group, you'd have crushed Carter Group long ago.
07:30Spending over a decade being a servant for his family, and after the divorce, you only got this much money?
07:36Girl, I really think you deserve better.
07:38I had been a servant for them for more than a decade.
07:40In my previous life, Carter Group, under my control, once dominated the national rankings as the strongest enterprise.
07:48Yet in my old age, I couldn't even afford a box of painkillers.
07:52In the end, I was thrown out by Kelly's children and died of illness beside a trash heap on the
07:56internet.
07:57The business empire I built with my entire life went to Kelly and her children.
08:01Thinking of this, I drained the wine in my glass in one go.
08:04The spicy liquid burned down my throat, yet ignited the fire deep in my heart.
08:08I swore I would get back at them.
08:10Without me, could they really live so well?
08:15The very next day, news of my group registration spread like wildfire, stirring the entire circle.
08:20Some people sensed opportunity and rushed overnight with proposals, hoping to invest.
08:26But more people mocked and waited on the sidelines, waiting for the Carter family's reaction.
08:30Someone clearly gave instructions to the media, so paparazzi articles were all belittling me for overestimating myself.
08:36I looked at the push notifications on my phone and swiped them away expressionlessly.
08:41I just didn't expect to receive a call from Ryan.
08:44Anna, can't you be a bit more understanding?
08:47I've just found true love.
08:50Besides, instead of starting some small, broken group, wouldn't it be better to stay at Carter Group?
08:54That Southern District merger you were handling before?
08:58I hung up the phone directly.
09:00As expected, he had just remembered that I was still useful.
09:04That Southern District project was a tough nut I'd been working on for over half a year.
09:08I drank until my stomach perforated for it.
09:11Without me, Carter Group wouldn't even know where to start.
09:14At Carter Group, although I was the president, my monthly salary was only $1,000.
09:19All because my distinguished father-in-law said we were family and shouldn't be so calculative.
09:24I once naively believed that was his test for me.
09:27Now it seemed I was nothing more than an exceptionally capable yet ridiculously cheap housemate they had recruited.
09:32The more I thought about it, the angrier I became.
09:35I made up my mind at that time.
09:37I would take over all those projects I brought to Carter Group in my previous life.
09:41Even if my new group couldn't deal with them, I would personally hand them over to Carter Group's deadliest rivals.
09:48After the call was cut off, Ryan slammed his phone to the ground in fury.
09:53All these years, he had grown used to my obedience, expecting me to show up on command and disappear at
09:58his whim.
09:59Now that I'd hung up on him so decisively, he felt really mad.
10:03At that moment, his special assistant awkwardly came in holding a stack of documents he couldn't even understand, asking him
10:09to sign them.
10:09Days of exhaustion, plus years of unfamiliarity with group affairs, had left him truly overwhelmed lately.
10:15Kelly followed the assistant in, took Ryan's hand, and said with eyes full of concern,
10:20Ryan, don't work yourself too hard. I'm your wife now. Let me help share your burden.
10:27He hesitated, somewhat uneasy.
10:29You're still young and unfamiliar with group operations. Go rotate through the departments first.
10:35Kelly's eyes immediately reddened with grievance as she questioned him.
10:42Ryan subconsciously wanted to say that at least Anna was a top graduate from Mace University's finance department.
10:47But the moment he met Kelly's eyes, all his rationality was thrown away.
10:51His heart softened, and he just nodded.
10:54Kelly broke into a smile through her tears, hugged him, and said affectionately,
10:58I'm just worried about you. Look at you. You've lost so much weight lately.
11:05Less than half a month after my group started up, everything was already running smoothly.
11:10During this time, Kelly sent people over more than once to cause trouble.
11:14Just some petty tricks, all of which I brushed aside with ease.
11:17After all these years, the connections I'd built were far beyond what a little girl like her could compare to.
11:22Those senior employees at Carter Group whom I personally trained had long wanted to leave after hearing I'd gone solo.
11:28Especially since after Kelly started working there, she kept suppressing them, making their days suffocating.
11:33I didn't rush to bring them over.
11:35I had them stir up a little chaos before they left, a small token of allegiance to me.
11:40Kelly thought losing a few people was no big deal, even secretly rejoicing that she'd cleared out some remnants of
11:45me.
11:45But she didn't understand, some of them were critical for the group.
11:49Projects fell through one after another, and Carter Group's stock price plunged again and again.
11:54Meanwhile, on my side, with capable team members, we unleashed astonishing power, consecutively landing several deals worth tens of millions.
12:02Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window in the conference room, looking at the jubilant team below, I announced loudly.
12:08Tonight at OTK Club, it's all on me. No one leaves sober. Awesome!
12:14Amid the thunderous cheers, I led everyone out of the group building in a grand procession.
12:19At the entrance, a familiar black Mercedes was parked quietly by the roadside.
12:23The car door opened, and Ryan stepped out with an arrogant look, waving at me.
12:29I didn't even glance his way, leading my people straight ahead.
12:33His special assistant stopped me.
12:35Ryan followed, his face openly showing displeasure and restrained anger.
12:39Anna Taylor, what do you mean? Didn't you see me?
12:43You've really grown bold now.
12:44A little impatient, I looked at him coldly and said,
12:47Sir, do you need something?
12:49He seemed slightly taken aback by my attitude, but still got straight to the point.
12:53Issuing an order.
12:55Shut down your group, and come back to Carter Group.
12:58I was so angered by his self-righteousness that I laughed.
13:01He took my laughter as hesitation, and his tone softened a little.
13:06Anna, I've really been exhausted lately.
13:08Kelly, don't keep fighting with me, okay?
13:11He paused, as if making a huge concession.
13:14If you really mind Kelly, I can have her move somewhere else for now.
13:18Looking at this pompous man before me, I couldn't help but question my own judgment back then.
13:24I'm not throwing a tantrum.
13:25Mr. Ryan, we're already divorced.
13:28Please don't interfere with my life anymore.
13:31I've already compromised.
13:32What more do you want?
13:34The group needs you right now, and you choose this moment to put on airs?
13:38I suddenly felt there was no reasoning with him at all.
13:41In his world, everyone was supposed to revolve around him.
13:44If you've got any issues, sir, why don't you go bother your precious wife, Kelly Smith?
13:49I'm just an outsider.
13:50I have no obligation to clean up your mess.
13:52He seemed to have realized something and said,
13:54You care about the status?
13:56Anna, once Kelly gives birth, I'll think about it.
14:00But you have to promise me, no going public.
14:03I don't want Kelly to be hurt.
14:05I stared at him, enunciating every word.
14:08I'll say it one last time.
14:10Get lost.
14:11Don't let me see you again.
14:13I'm never getting back together with you.
14:15Ever.
14:16Ryan's face darkened with rage.
14:18Anna Taylor, don't push your luck.
14:21Don't forget this is Harbor City.
14:23If I want to crush a low-tier little group like yours, it's easy as pie.
14:28Oh?
14:28Mr. Ryan sure has a bad temper.
14:34Not only openly harassing my fiancé, but also threatening to destroy her group.
14:39Ryan turned his head and was totally stunned.
14:42It was Alex White, another rich young man, and Ryan's nemesis.
14:46Alex strolled over lazily and naturally wrapped an arm around my waist,
14:50leaning his head intimately against my shoulder.
14:52Darling, I've been waiting in the parking lot forever.
14:55Turns out you were here stopped by a bastard.
14:57Ryan trembled with fury, pointing at me.
15:00Anna Taylor!
15:01Give me an explanation!
15:03Why did you betray me?
15:05Then, as if he suddenly figured something out, he put on a smug, all-knowing expression.
15:11I get it now.
15:12You're acting, aren't you?
15:14You deliberately found Alex to piss me off.
15:16Alex rolled his eyes dramatically and dragged me away.
15:19Let's just not waste time with him.
15:22Stop right there!
15:23Ryan tried to chase after us.
15:25But he was too agitated, and with his recent chaotic schedule,
15:29his abdomen suddenly seized with sharp pain.
15:31He doubled over in pain, clutching his stomach, cold sweat beating on his forehead.
15:36Anna!
15:37My stomach hurts!
15:38I didn't slow down, in fact I walked even faster, not turning my head even once.
15:44Behind me were his suppressed groans of pain, and his assistant's panic screams.
15:50Alex didn't give me any chance to look back.
15:53He directly shoved me into the passenger seat of his flashy red Ferrari.
15:57The sports car roared out of the parking lot.
15:59Only then did he take off his sunglasses and smile at me sideways.
16:02Well, not bad acting, right?
16:05I didn't speak, just watched the cityscape speeding passed outside the window.
16:08Hey, Anna, don't be so indifferent.
16:11He nudged me lightly with his elbow.
16:15I helped you out, you know.
16:17Not even a thank you?
16:19I kept it brief.
16:21He pouted, clearly dissatisfied with my coldness.
16:24But he didn't say more, only turned up the volume of the car music.
16:27That very night, the headlines of Harbor City's financial and entertainment sections were all
16:32dominated by Ryan Carter.
16:34Hashtag Carter Group President Chasing Former Love, Suffer Stomach Spasms, and His Hospitalized
16:39Hashtag.
16:40The accompanying photos showed him being taken into an ambulance by his assistant and bodyguards.
16:44The comments section exploded.
16:46Some mocked Ryan for bringing it on himself, saying he should have expected this day back
16:51when he flaunted his mistress.
16:52Others claimed Kelly Smith was inferior to me, which was why Ryan turned back, and that
16:57the two of us would soon remarry.
16:59In the VIP ward of Harbor City First Hospital, Kelly Smith, eyes bloodshot, grabbed the glass
17:04cup from the bedside table and smashed it viciously onto the floor, shards flying everywhere.
17:08Why did you go to find her?
17:10Why?
17:11She glared fiercely at the pale-faced Ryan on the hospital bed.
17:14Didn't you say having me alone was enough?
17:17The sharp, shattering sound startled Ryan, and a dull ache crept through his abdomen.
17:22He rubbed his temples tiredly, even opening his eyes feeling like an effort.
17:26His voice was very light.
17:28What are you yelling for?
17:31I went to see her for Group Matters.
17:33Group Matters?
17:35Are Group Matters more important than me?
17:37Kelly rushed to the bedside, her eyes filled with obsessive possessiveness.
17:41I don't care!
17:42You swear right now!
17:44Promise you'll never go see Anna Taylor again!
17:48Never!
17:52Ryan was irritated and flustered.
17:55He suddenly shoved her away.
17:57Shut up!
17:58If you hadn't messed the group up so badly, would I need to warnin' lower myself to go
18:03beg her?
18:04His voice shot up sharply, tinged with hysteria.
18:07I...
18:08But then the ward door was pushed open.
18:11Ryan's mother walked in carrying a thermal food container.
18:14When she saw the mess all over the floor and her son's pale face, her anger instantly
18:19flared.
18:19Kelly Smith!
18:21You're really becoming more and more outraged.
18:23She slammed the container heavily onto the table.
18:26Can't you see Ryan isn't feeling well?
18:28Why are you still yelling at him?
18:31If Anna were here, she'd have already gone home to make dinner for Ryan by now.
18:36You only know how to make a scene!
18:39Anna Taylor!
18:40You're talking about her again!
18:42Letting out a cold snort.
18:43I'm not her!
18:45I don't want to do that kind of servant work!
18:48She crossed her arms over her chest and stubbornly talked back.
18:52What do you mean?
18:53There's no mother porins at Tau's.
18:54I maybe have to go up myself!
18:56I think you just pick on fight and girly you and how I stack!
19:00I'm parrying your grandson.
19:02You don't want him anymore?
19:03How dare you talk back!
19:06What have you ever done for Ryan?
19:08Other than spending money and causing trouble, what else did you do?
19:14What trouble did I cause?
19:16Get out!
19:17Both of you!
19:18Get out!
19:19Ryan forced himself upright, grabbed the pillow by the bed, and hurled it at them with all his strength.
19:25Get out!
19:27Now!
19:27The ward fell into dead silence in an instant.
19:30Ryan's mother and Kelly were both stunned.
19:33Ryan collapsed weakly back onto the bed, burying his face into the blanket as suppressed sob seeped out muffled.
19:38This was the first time he regretted it.
19:41Regretted divorcing Anna.
19:42When Anna was around, the group never had any problems, and the household was always in perfect order.
19:48Anna would arrange everything properly, and Ryan could just enjoy his life.
19:54But now?
19:55Because of several useless relatives Kelly had stuffed into the group, accidents happened again and again, and several projects had
20:02already been cancelled.
20:03By the time he realized something was wrong, most of the capable backbones in the group had already left.
20:08And his parents, who once praised Kelly non-stop, now constantly complained and expressed dissatisfaction.
20:15Life seemed to have gone back to years ago, when his group was on the brink of bankruptcy, besieged on
20:19all sides.
20:20The difference was, back then, when he turned around, I was always there.
20:24Don't be afraid, you've got me.
20:27But now, behind him, there was no one at all.
20:31A few days later, the contract with the white group was officially signed.
20:35This was the biggest deal I'd landed since leaving Carter Group.
20:38It meant my small group had finally gained a firm foothold.
20:41Alex White attended in person.
20:44After signing, he tossed the pen aside and smiled brightly at me.
20:47President Anna, to celebrate our successful cooperation, how about dinner together?
20:52I looked at his handsome face and declined politely.
20:57No, I still have something to do tonight.
21:00His smile faded.
21:01He leaned forward, bracing his hands on the table.
21:05Anna Taylor, how long are you going to keep running?
21:08You clearly know what I mean.
21:10Ever since that day in the parking lot when he helped me out, Alex White had launched a fierce pursuit.
21:16Flowers, gifts, and endless invitations.
21:19It was impossible to ignore, but I remained distant the entire time.
21:24Mr. Alex, if you're just trying to provoke Ryan, there's really no need to waste your effort on me.
21:28Alex looked at me with his big eyes.
21:30He suddenly smiled, with a touch of childish pride.
21:33I'm not that boring.
21:35I really do like you.
21:38His gaze was far too intense.
21:40I subconsciously stepped back, but he grabbed my sleeve.
21:44Alex's fingers were long and warm.
21:46He gently shook my arm and softened his voice.
21:48Come on, just give me a chance.
21:51Have dinner with me, okay?
21:54He winked playfully at me and lowered his voice.
21:56I'll tell you a secret about Ryan.
21:59I wanted to say no, but unconsciously agreed.
22:04Both of us were startled.
22:07The receptionist then hurried in anxiously.
22:10President Anna, I'm sorry.
22:12This gentleman insisted on barging in.
22:14We couldn't stop him.
22:15I waved my hand, signaling her to step out first.
22:19The uninvited guests were right behind the receptionist.
22:22The one in front sat in a wheelchair, which was Ryan.
22:25Only a few days had passed, yet he looked as if all vitality had been drained from him,
22:29his face sallow and his eye socket sunken.
22:31Anna, I'm here to take you home.
22:34I looked at him, not feeling sorry for him but only mad at him for interrupting me.
22:39I reached out and pressed the internal line on the desk.
22:43Security, please come here and take these uninvited people out.
22:47Ryan looked kind of stunned.
22:49He probably hadn't expected me to be this ruthless.
22:52His eyes instantly reddened.
22:54Anna Taylor, how can you treat me like this?
22:57I've already thought it through these past few days.
22:59Most suitable for each other.
23:01I've already brought up divorce with Kelly Smith.
23:04I don't have any feelings for you anymore.
23:06Who you marry or divorce has nothing to do with me.
23:09Please, don't come disturb my life again.
23:12I don't want to be your servant anymore.
23:13The decisiveness in my words left his face full of hurt.
23:17We've been married for so many years, remember?
23:21You won't even give me one chance?
23:23He stared at me in disbelief, until he confirmed that there was only indifference left in my eyes.
23:27Only then did he understand.
23:29I wasn't saying this out of spite.
23:31He stopped faking tears.
23:34Anna Taylor, don't forget.
23:35If I hadn't sponsored you back then, you would even have been able to go to college.
23:40Now you're leaving me after your achievement?
23:44I don't want much.
23:47Just help me hold Carter Group together for five years, alright?
23:51At last, he pulled out this trump card.
23:55The so-called debt of gratitude had weighed me down for a full ten years.
23:58I fell silent.
24:00At the moment I hesitated, a warm hand covered the back of my hand.
24:04Alex had somehow come to stand beside me.
24:07Ryan Carter, do you have no shame at all?
24:09His voice was clear, with undisguised contempt.
24:12Using my credit to blackmail others?
24:14How can you be so utterly shameless?
24:18Alex White?
24:18Why are you here?
24:22Why can't I be here?
24:24If I weren't, I wouldn't have known that you've been taking my credit.
24:29Using my kindness to threaten the woman I love?
24:32You're talking nonsense!
24:34Shut up!
24:35I did sponsor her!
24:38Is that so?
24:39Alex took out his phone, and presented it to me.
24:42Anna, see for yourself.
24:44Then, through an anonymous charitable organization, to your accounts from high school through university,
24:50the one who sponsored you was always me.
24:53My mind buzzed, turning completely blank.
24:56On the screen, rows of transfer records were displayed with crystal clarity.
25:00Dates and amounts.
25:01Every single one matched exactly the scholarships I had received back then.
25:05The recipient account was my high school financial aid fund account,
25:08and the designated beneficiary was Anna Taylor.
25:13In both my past and present lives, I had always believed it was Ryan.
25:17In my freshman year, he had taken the initiative to find me and told me he was the anonymous sponsor.
25:22Because of that debt of gratitude, I was deeply thankful to him and,
25:26after graduation, threw myself into his group without hesitation.
25:30It was also because of that gratitude that I developed feelings for him.
25:33Even when he sampled my dignity time and time again,
25:36I endured it because of that supposed kindness.
25:38I thought it was something I owed him.
25:41So, from the very beginning, it had all been a lie.
25:44Ryan looked terrible, but he still wanted to make a final.
25:47I stayed by your side for four years in college, and always encouraged you.
25:52Doesn't that count as emotional support?
25:54Then he tried to move me again.
25:57Yeah, I didn't sponsor you financially, but we were husband and wife for ten years.
26:02Isn't that bond enough for you to help me just once?
26:07Have you forgotten what you used to love me?
26:10I promise I won't care about your past affair anymore.
26:13You forgive me this once, too.
26:16We can still live a happy life together, okay?
26:21I almost laughed from sheer anger.
26:24At this point, he was still trying to bind me with his twisted logic.
26:28Ryan Carter, do you really think I'm an idiot?
26:30My voice wasn't loud, but it froze the air in the entire conference room.
26:34Back then, I sobered up from after the man in my bed was sent by you.
26:40Even I drugged a glass of water those prepared by you, chinser, wasn't it?
26:44Ryan's face instantly turned deathly pale.
26:46I shook my head in disappointment.
26:48The last shred of lingering feeling in my heart turning to ashes.
26:51The thing I regret most in this life is being with a man like you, full of lies.
26:56Those words became the final straw that crushed him.
26:59He slumped weakly in his wheelchair, tears rolling down in big drops.
27:13At that moment, the security guards who had arrived late finally broke through Ryan's box-suited bodyguards.
27:19Together with the wheelchair, they pushed the whole group out.
27:22The world finally became quiet.
27:25In the conference room, only Alex White and I remained.
27:28And it was super awkward.
27:29He didn't look at me, his gaze drifting to the patterns on the carpet.
27:35Well, I still have some things to deal with at my group.
27:37I'll head out first.
27:38After saying that, he turned around.
27:41Wait.
27:42I grabbed his wrist.
27:44Didn't you say we were going to have dinner?
27:47I didn't mean to use this to pressure you.
27:49Don't misunderstand.
27:51If you don't like me, you don't have to force yourself to be with me just because I sponsored you.
27:56Seeing his awkward yet proud demeanor, I wasn't so upset anymore.
27:59I couldn't help but laugh a bit.
28:01I won't.
28:03I softened my tone, still holding his wrist.
28:06I just really, really want to have a meal with you.
28:11I looked into his eyes and asked again seriously.
28:15So Mr. Alex, would you like to?
28:17Under my gaze, his cheeks grew redder and redder, and then he nodded gently.
28:23To prevent Ryan from coming back to pester me again, I threw a few obstacles into some
28:28of Carter Group's overseas projects.
28:30I didn't intend to do anything drastic to Carter Group.
28:33I just wanted to keep him busy, keep him from bothering me.
28:36But the foundation of Carter Group had long rotted.
28:39My small move was nearly the first domino to fall.
28:42Carter Group's stock price plunged without warning.
28:45Several major projects under negotiation blew up one after another.
28:49Partners withdrew their investments, and the capital chain snapped on the spot.
28:53When the first domino fell, the whole thing wouldn't last for long.
28:57Bank collection notices piled up like mountains, and every day there were creditors blocking
29:01the gates of the Carter family go up.
29:03Kelly Smith, the once gentle woman who had obeyed Ryan in everything, realized that Carter
29:08Group was absolutely going down.
29:10She immediately turned around and filed a lawsuit, demanding a divorce and division of Ryan's
29:14assets.
29:15The two of them made a huge scene.
29:17The former lovers faced each other in court, hurling accusations.
29:22All of Harbor City was watching Ryan make a fool of himself, laughing at how he ditched
29:26his good wife only to marry that bitch.
29:28I saw all this news while on dates with Alex, through push notifications on my phone.
29:32I only glanced at them before immediately locking the screen.
29:35It had nothing to do with me anymore.
29:38What I cared about more was Alex, sitting across from me.
29:41Our relationship slowly became better through dinners, movies, and visits to art exhibitions.
29:47On Christmas Day, Harbor City saw its first snowfall of the winter.
29:50I booked out the mountaintop revolving restaurants.
29:55Through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, we could overlook the dazzling lights of the entire
30:00city.
30:01Alex, dressed in a bespoke suit, sat quietly across from me.
30:05The snowy glow outside reflected on his face, making him look kinda unreal.
30:09Amid the gentle sound of violin music, I knelt on one knee.
30:13He froze for a moment, a hint of panic in his eyes.
30:17Alex White.
30:18I looked up at him, holding his cold hand.
30:21These past few months, every day I've spent with you has made me very happy.
30:25I wanna turn this happiness into a lifetime.
30:28So, would you be willing to be my boyfriend?
30:31His eyes instantly turned red, his lips trembling, unable to utter a single word.
30:36The surrounding diners had gone quiet, all watching us.
30:40After a long while, he finally lowered his hand in disbelief and nodded hard.
30:44Thunderous applause erupted throughout the restaurant.
30:47I put the ring on his finger and threw myself into his arms.
30:50My phone vibrated on the table, but I ignored it.
30:53The person I was holding was my whole world.
30:56Only later did I find out that those notifications were the final headlines of that night.
31:00Carter Group officially announces bankruptcy and liquidation.
31:04Former Carter Group president's lover Kelly Smith suspected of commercial embezzlement and
31:08leaking trade secrets.
31:09Now arrested by police.
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