A gripping drama about rebirth, betrayal, and breaking free from toxic relationships.
Trapped in an open marriage filled with pain and deception, she gets a second chance to rewrite her fate.
This time, she refuses to be controlled. With strength and clarity, she rises to reclaim her freedom and dignity.
As secrets unravel and power shifts, those who once hurt her must face the consequences.
This story blends emotional intensity, revenge, and a powerful female comeback.
#Reborn #RevengeStory #StrongFemaleLead #BreakFree #Empowerment #RomanceDrama #ToxicRelationship #DramaStory #Storytelling #ViralVideo
Trapped in an open marriage filled with pain and deception, she gets a second chance to rewrite her fate.
This time, she refuses to be controlled. With strength and clarity, she rises to reclaim her freedom and dignity.
As secrets unravel and power shifts, those who once hurt her must face the consequences.
This story blends emotional intensity, revenge, and a powerful female comeback.
#Reborn #RevengeStory #StrongFemaleLead #BreakFree #Empowerment #RomanceDrama #ToxicRelationship #DramaStory #Storytelling #ViralVideo
Category
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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.
00:14Until Ryan brought a college student named Callie Smith home.
00:17The 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.
01:01All his inheritance was left under Callie's control.
01:04I had been his lawful wife, but ended up with nothing at last.
01:07Reborn into this life, I finally figured everything out.
01:11This 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.
01:19Anna, Taylor, think this through.
01:21Once you sign, there's no turning back.
01:26I 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.
01:47I was a fool.
01:48He and Kelly had kids one after another and grew old together in love.
01:52And I, in that house, was like an awkward outsider.
01:55Not 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.
02:07So I staged the whole thing.
02:10There 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.
02:19No 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.
02:44Outside 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.
03:20Sir, 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.
03:40As 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.
03:57Just past 30, yet plenty of white hair had already crept into my temples.
04:01I did look kinda old.
04:02I turned back to my room and began packing my pitiful little bit of luggage.
04:07And I was already planning where I should go first to properly relax after getting the money.
04:11Didn'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.
04:22I don't free to that you're fine.
04:24Anna.
04:25You'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.
04:40There's nothing left to say between us.
04:42I'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!
05:25What's going on between you and Ryan?
05:27Have 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?
05:38The 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 care-me were right there, too.
05:48But 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.
06:07She'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.
06:24In 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.
06:40Holy shit, I believe it now.
06:43You really have let go.
06:45You were never like this before.
06:48Back 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.
06:57Now, 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 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.
07:41In 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.
08:09I swore I would get back at them.
08:11Without me, could they really live so well?
08:15The very next day, news of my group registration spread like wildfire, stirring the entire circle.
08:21Some 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.
08:37I 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?
08:55That 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 man 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.
09:15At Carter Group, although I was the president, my monthly salary was only $1,000.
09:20All 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 housemaid 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.
09:49After 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.
10:10Days of exhaustion, plus years of unfamiliarity with group affairs, have left him truly overwhelmed lately.
10:16Kelly 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.
10:30You'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.
10:38Anna Taylor could be the president! Why can't I?
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,
10:59I'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.
11:46But 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.
11:55Meanwhile, 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.
12:30I 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? You've really grown bold now.
12:45A little impatient, I looked at him coldly and said,
12:48Sir, do you need something?
12:49He seemed slightly taken aback by my attitude, but still got straight to the point.
12:54Issuing 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. 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.
13:26Mr. Ryan, we're already divorced. Please don't interfere with my life anymore.
13:31I've already compromised. What 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. I have no obligation to clean up your mess.
13:52He seemed to have realized something and said,
13:55You 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. Get lost. Don't let me see you again.
14:13I'm never getting back together with you. Ever.
14:17Ryan's face darkened with rage.
14:19Anna Taylor, don't push your luck. Don'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? Mr. Ryan sure has a bad temper.
14:35Not 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.
14:53Darling, I've been waiting in the parking lot forever.
14:55Turns out you were here stopped by a bastard.
14:58Ryan trembled with fury, pointing at me.
15:00Anna Taylor, give me an explanation. Why 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. You're acting, aren't you?
15:14You deliberately found Alex to piss me off.
15:17Alex rolled his eyes dramatically and dragged me away.
15:20Let's just not waste time with him.
15:22Stop right there!
15:23Ryan tried to chase after us, but he was too agitated,
15:27and with his recent chaotic schedule, his abdomen suddenly seized with sharp pain.
15:32He doubled over in pain, clutching his stomach, cold sweat beating on his forehead.
15:36Anna! My stomach hurts!
15:39I 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 panicked 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.
16:03Well, not bad acting, right?
16:05I didn't speak. Just watched the cityscape speeding passed outside the window.
16:09Hey, Anna, don't be so indifferent.
16:12He 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.
16:28That very night, the headlines of Harbor City's financial and entertainment sections were all dominated by Ryan Carter.
16:34Hashtag Carter Group President Chasing Former Love,
16:37Supper Stomach Spasms and His Hospitalized Hashtag.
16:40The accompanying photos showed him being taken into an ambulance by his assistant and bodyguards.
16:44The comment section exploded.
16:47Some mocked Ryan for bringing it on himself,
16:49saying he should have expected this day back when he flaunted his mistress.
16:53Others claimed Kelly Smith was inferior to me,
16:55which was why Ryan turned back, and that the two of us would soon remarry.
16:59In the VIP ward of Harbor City First Hospital,
17:02Kelly Smith, eyes bloodshot, grabbed the glass cup from the bedside table and smashed it viciously onto the floor,
17:07shards flying everywhere.
17:08Why did you go to find her?
17:11Why?
17:12She glared fiercely at the pale-faced Ryan on the hospital bed.
17:15Didn't you say having me alone was enough?
17:18The sharp, shattering sound startled Ryan,
17:20and a dull ache crept through his abdomen.
17:22He rubbed his temples tiredly,
17:24even opening his eyes feeling like an effort.
17:27His voice was very light.
17:28What are you yelling for?
17:31I went to see her for Group Matters.
17:34Group Matters?
17:35Are Group Matters more important than me?
17:38Kelly rushed to the bedside, her eyes filled with obsessive possessiveness.
17:42I don't care!
17:43You swear right now!
17:45Promise you'll never go see Anna Taylor again!
17:48Never!
17:50Never!
17:53Ryan was irritated and flustered.
17:55He suddenly shoved her away.
17:57Shut up!
17:58If you hadn't messed the group up so badly,
18:01would I need to warnin' lower myself to go beg her?
18:04His voice shot up sharply, tinged with hysteria.
18:07I...
18:08But then the ward door was pushed open.
18:12Ryan's mother walked in carrying a thermal food container.
18:15When she saw the mess all over the floor and her son's pale face,
18:18her anger instantly flared.
18:20Kelly Smith!
18:21You're really becoming more and more outraging!
18:24She slammed the container heavily onto the table.
18:26Can't you see Ryan isn't feeling well?
18:29Why are you still yelling at him?
18:31If Anna were here,
18:32she'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.
18:44I'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 poor in Zetows.
18:55I 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?
19:09Other than spending money and causing trouble, what else did you do?
19:15What trouble did I cause?
19:16Get out!
19:17Both of you!
19:19Get out!
19:20Ryan forced himself upright,
19:21grabbed the pillow by the bed,
19:23and hurled it at them with all his strength.
19:25Get out!
19:27Now!
19:28The ward fell into dead silence in an instant.
19:31Ryan's mother and Kelly were both stunned.
19:33Ryan collapsed weakly back onto the bed,
19:35burying his face into the blanket as suppressed sob seeped out muffled.
19:38This was the first time he regretted it.
19:41Regretted divorcing Anna.
19:43When Anna was around,
19:44the group never had any problems,
19:46and the household was always in perfect order.
19:48Anna would arrange everything properly,
19:50and Ryan could just enjoy his life.
19:54But now,
19:55because of several useless relatives Kelly had stuffed into the group,
19:59accidents happened again and again,
20:01and several projects had already been cancelled.
20:03By the time he realized something was wrong,
20:06most of the capable backbones in the group had already left.
20:08And his parents,
20:09who once praised Kelly non-stop,
20:12now constantly complained and expressed dissatisfaction.
20:14Life seemed to have gone back to years ago,
20:17when his group was on the brink of bankruptcy,
20:19besieged on all sides.
20:20The difference was,
20:21back then,
20:22when he turned around,
20:23I was always there.
20:25Don't be afraid,
20:26you've got me.
20:27But now,
20:28behind him,
20:29there was no one at all.
20:31A few days later,
20:33the 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.
20:42Alex White attended in person.
20:43After signing,
20:45he tossed the pen aside and smiled brightly at me.
20:48President Anna,
20:49to celebrate our successful cooperation,
20:51how about dinner together?
20:52I looked at his handsome face and declined politely.
20:58No, I still have something to do tonight.
21:00His smile faded.
21:02He leaned forward,
21:03bracing his hands on the table.
21:05Anna Taylor,
21:06how long are you going to keep running?
21:08You clearly know what I mean.
21:11Ever since that day in the parking lot when he helped me out,
21:14Alex White had launched a fierce pursuit.
21:16Flowers,
21:17gifts,
21:18and endless invitations.
21:19It was impossible to ignore,
21:21but I remained distant the entire time.
21:24Mr. Alex,
21:25if you're just trying to provoke Ryan,
21:27there's really no need to waste your effort on me.
21:28Alex looked at me with his big eyes.
21:30He suddenly smiled,
21:32with a touch of childish pride.
21:33I'm not that boring.
21:35I really do like you.
21:38His gaze was far too intense.
21:41I subconsciously stepped back,
21:43but he grabbed my sleeve.
21:44Alex's fingers were long and warm.
21:46He gently shook my arm and softened his voice.
21:49Come on,
21:49just give me a chance.
21:51Have dinner with me,
21:52okay?
21:54He winked playfully at me and lowered his voice.
21:57I'll tell you a secret about Ryan.
21:59I wanted to say no,
22:00but unconsciously agreed.
22:04Both of us were startled.
22:08The receptionist then hurried in anxiously.
22:10President Anna,
22:11I'm sorry.
22:12This gentleman insisted on barging in.
22:14We couldn't stop him.
22:16I waved my hand,
22:17signaling her to step out first.
22:19The uninvited guests were right behind the receptionist.
22:22The one in front sat in a wheelchair,
22:24which was Ryan.
22:25Only a few days had passed,
22:26yet he looked as if all vitality had been drained from him,
22:29his face sallow and his eye socket sunken.
22:31Anna,
22:32I'm here to take you home.
22:34I looked at him,
22:36not feeling sorry for him,
22:37but only mad at him for interrupting me.
22:39I reached out and pressed the internal line on the desk.
22:43Security?
22:45Please come here and take these uninvited people out.
22:48Ryan looked kind of stunned.
22:49He probably hadn't expected me to be this ruthless.
22:52His eyes instantly reddened.
22:55Anna Taylor,
22:55how can you treat me like this?
22:57I've already thought it through these past few days.
22:59Most suitable for each other.
23:02I'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.
23:10Please,
23:10don't come disturb my life again.
23:12I don't want to be your servant anymore.
23:14The decisiveness in my words left his face full of hurt.
23:17We've been married for so many years,
23:20remember?
23:21You won't even give me one chance?
23:23He stared at me in disbelief
23:24until he confirmed that there was only indifference left in my eyes.
23:28Only then did he understand.
23:29I wasn't saying this out of spite.
23:32He stopped faking tears.
23:34Anna Taylor,
23:35don't forget.
23:36If I hadn't sponsored you back then,
23:38you would even have been able to go to college.
23:41Now you're leaving me after your achievements?
23:44I don't want much.
23:47Just help me hold Carter group together for five years, alright?
23:51At last,
23:52he pulled out this trunk card.
23:55The so-called debt of gratitude had weighed me down for a full ten years.
23:59I fell silent.
24:00At the moment I hesitated,
24:02a warm hand covered the back of my hand.
24:04Alex had somehow come to stand beside me.
24:07Ryan Carter,
24:08do you have no shame at all?
24:09His voice was clear,
24:11with undisguised contempt.
24:12Using my credit to blackmail others?
24:15How can you be so utterly shameless?
24:18Alex White?
24:19Why are you here?
24:22Why can't I be here?
24:24If I weren't,
24:26I wouldn't have known that you've been taking my credit.
24:29Using my kindness to threaten the woman I love?
24:33You're talking nonsense!
24:34Shut up!
24:36I did sponsor her!
24:38Is that so?
24:39Alex took out his phone,
24:41and presented it to me.
24:42Anna,
24:43see for yourself.
24:45Then,
24:45through an anonymous charitable organization,
24:47to your accounts from high school through university,
24:50the one who sponsored you is always me.
24:53My mind buzzed,
24:55my mind buzzed,
24:55turning completely blank.
24:56On the screen,
24:57rows of transfer records were displayed with crystal clarity.
25:00Dates and amounts.
25:02Every single one matched exactly the scholarships I had received back then.
25:06The recipient account was my high school financial aid fund account,
25:09and the designated beneficiary was Anna Taylor.
25:13In both my past and present lives,
25:15I had always believed it was Ryan.
25:17In my freshman year,
25:18he had taken the initiative to find me and told me he was the anonymous sponsor.
25:22Because of that debt of gratitude,
25:24I was deeply thankful to him and,
25:26after graduation,
25:27threw myself into his group without hesitation.
25:29It was also because of that gratitude that I developed feelings for him.
25:34Even when he trampled my dignity time and time again,
25:36I endured it because of that supposed kindness.
25:39I thought it was something I owed him.
25:41So from the very beginning,
25:43it had all been a lie.
25:44Ryan looked terrible,
25:45but he still wanted to make a final.
25:47I stayed by your side for four years in college,
25:49and always encouraged you.
25:52Doesn't that count as emotional support?
25:55Then he tried to move me again.
25:57Yeah, I didn't sponsor you financially,
26:00but we were husband and wife for ten years.
26:03Isn't that bond enough for you to help me just once?
26:07Have you forgotten how you used to love me?
26:10I promise I won't care about your past affair anymore.
26:14You 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,
26:25he 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,
26:32but it froze the air in the entire conference room.
26:35Back then I sobered up from after the man in my bed was sent by you.
26:41Even I drugged a glass of water
26:42those prepared by you chinsed, 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
26:53is being with a man like you,
26:55full of lies.
26:56Those words became the final straw that crushed him.
26:59He slumped weakly in his wheelchair,
27:01tears rolling down in big drops.
27:03No,
27:04it's not like that.
27:07How can you regret it?
27:09You love me!
27:11You clearly love me!
27:13At that moment,
27:15the security guards who had arrived late
27:17finally broke through Ryan's box-seated bodyguards.
27:19Together with the wheelchair,
27:21they pushed the whole group out.
27:23The world finally became quiet.
27:25In the conference room,
27:26only Alex White and I remained.
27:28And it was super awkward.
27:30He didn't look at me,
27:31his gaze drifting to the patterns on the carpet.
27:34Well,
27:35I still have some things to deal with at my group.
27:38I'll head out first.
27:39After saying that,
27:40he 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,
27:52you don't have to force yourself to be with me
27:54just because I sponsored you.
27:56Seeing his awkward yet proud demeanor,
27:58I wasn't so upset anymore.
27:59I couldn't help but laugh a bit.
28:02I won't.
28:03I softened my tone,
28:05still holding his wrist.
28:06I just really, really want to have a meal with you.
28:11I looked into his eyes
28:12and asked again seriously.
28:15So Mr. Alex,
28:17would you like to?
28:18Under my gaze,
28:19his cheeks grew redder and redder,
28:20and then he nodded gently.
28:24To prevent Ryan from coming back
28:25to pester me again,
28:27I threw a few obstacles
28:28into some of Carter Group's overseas projects.
28:30I didn't intend to do anything drastic
28:32to Carter Group.
28:33I just wanted to keep him busy,
28:35keep him from bothering me,
28:37but the foundation of Carter Group
28:38had long rotted.
28:39My small move was nearly
28:41the first domino to fall.
28:43Carter Group's stock price
28:44plunged without warning.
28:45Several major projects
28:47under negotiation
28:47blew up one after another.
28:49Partners withdrew their investments,
28:51and the capital chain
28:52snapped on the spot.
28:53When the first domino fell,
28:55the whole thing
28:56wouldn't last for long.
28:57Bank collection notices
28:58piled up like mountains,
28:59and every day there were
29:00creditors blocking the gates
29:01of the Carter family go up.
29:03Kelly Smith,
29:04the once gentle woman
29:05who had obeyed Ryan in everything,
29:07realized that Carter Group
29:08was absolutely going down.
29:10She immediately turned around
29:11and filed a lawsuit,
29:13demanding a divorce
29:14and division of Ryan's assets.
29:15The two of them
29:16made a huge scene.
29:18The former lovers
29:19faced each other in court,
29:20hurling accusations.
29:22All of Harbor City
29:23was watching Ryan
29:24make a fool of himself,
29:25laughing at how he ditched
29:26his good wife
29:26only to marry that bitch.
29:28I saw all this news
29:29while on dates with Alex,
29:30through push notifications
29:31on my phone.
29:32I only glanced at them
29:34before immediately
29:34locking the screen.
29:35It had nothing
29:36to do with me anymore.
29:38What I cared about more
29:39was Alex,
29:40sitting across from me.
29:41Our relationship
29:42slowly became better
29:43through dinners,
29:44movies,
29:44and visits to art exhibitions.
29:47On Christmas Day,
29:48Harbor City
29:49saw its first snowfall
29:50of the winter.
29:51I booked out
29:52the mountaintop
29:52revolving restaurant.
29:55Through the huge
29:57floor-to-ceiling windows,
29:58we could overlook
29:59the dazzling lights
30:00of the entire city.
30:01Alex,
30:02dressed in a bespoke suit,
30:03sat quietly across from me.
30:05The snowy glow outside
30:06reflected on his face,
30:08making him look
30:08kinda unreal.
30:09Amid the gentle sound
30:11of violin music,
30:12I knelt on one knee.
30:13He froze for a moment,
30:15a hint of panic
30:16in his eyes.
30:17Alex White.
30:18I looked up at him,
30:19holding his cold hand.
30:21These past few months,
30:22every day I've spent with you
30:23has made me very happy.
30:25I want to turn this happiness
30:26into a lifetime.
30:28So,
30:28would you be willing
30:29to be my boyfriend?
30:31His eyes instantly turned red,
30:33his lips trembling,
30:35unable to utter a single word.
30:36The surrounding diners
30:38had gone quiet,
30:39all watching us.
30:40After a long while,
30:41he finally lowered his hand
30:43in disbelief
30:43and nodded hard.
30:44Thunderous applause
30:45erupted throughout the restaurant.
30:47I put the ring on his finger
30:49and threw myself
30:49into his arms.
30:50My phone vibrated
30:52on the table,
30:52but I ignored it.
30:53The person I was holding
30:55was my whole world.
30:56Only later did I find out
30:58that those notifications
30:59were the final headlines
31:00of that night.
31:00Carter Group officially announces
31:02bankruptcy and liquidation.
31:04Former Carter Group
31:05president's lover Kelly Smith
31:06suspected of commercial embezzlement
31:08and leaking trade secrets.
31:09Now arrested by police.
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