Reborn from a tragic end of betrayal and ruin at the hands of her playboy husband Ryan, Anna Taylor is forced to relive the worst choice of her life: an open marriage with his mistress, or a divorce. This time, she chooses divorce—no more obedience, no more silence. As she builds her empire and fights back, long-buried lies about Ryan’s “kindness” surface, and a mysterious wealthy ally stands by her side. Will Anna’s revenge destroy the Carter family for good? And what fate awaits her in this new life, far from the cage of her past?
#RebornDrama #OpenMarriage #RevengeDrama #AnnaTaylor #CarterFamily #DivorceAndRevenge #ModernDrama2024 #FightingBack #EmpireBuilding #RyanAndAnna #MysteriousAlly
#RebornDrama #OpenMarriage #RevengeDrama #AnnaTaylor #CarterFamily #DivorceAndRevenge #ModernDrama2024 #FightingBack #EmpireBuilding #RyanAndAnna #MysteriousAlly
Catégorie
🎥
Court métrageTranscription
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.
00:10They all thought I'd endure it for the rest of my life.
00:13Until Ryan brought a college student named Kelly 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 Kelly be on equal terms with me.
00:26Or just divorce him, split the assets evenly, and go our separate ways for good.
00:30His 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 Kelly pushing her luck further
00:46and further.
00:46She forbade Ryan from touching me or giving me any of his assets.
00:50In my later years, I couldn't help but envy Kelly, 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 Kelly'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.
02:16So 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.
02:25He 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.
02:34Looking at the young yet still cold-faced before me, I felt nothing but hatred.
02:39He stared blankly at the signed agreement.
02:41His 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!
03:01My 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.
03:22I don't want to disrespect Anna, especially since I'm not much younger than Madam Anna.
03:28She paused, her face flushing.
03:30Actually, I'm already one month pregnant.
03:33It'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.
03:52At 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, and I was
04:07already 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, there's no need to move out immediately.
04:16Leave tomorrow.
04:17Isn't the villa in the west of the city still empty?
04:20You can stay there for now.
04:22I don't free to say that you're fine.
04:24Anna, you're just being emotional.
04:26Calm down.
04:27I 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.
04:47The night wind carried fine snow as it rushed toward me, biting cold, yet unable to extinguish
04:52the fire burning in my heart.
04:56Ryan's efficiency was, as always, impressive.
04:59When 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 a tinfully 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 caring were right there too, so I meant bidger deserves it.
05:49Her voice dropped, filled with cautious concern.
05:52Well, are you okay?
05:54Such recognition.
05:55Ryan had now given it to her.
05:57I'm fine.
05:57Admiring my brand new look, I spoke calmly.
06:00We're already divorced.
06:04Iris 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.
06:16I didn't explain further.
06:18I 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.
07:11You 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.
07:25If 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?
07:35Girl, 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.
07:51In the end, I was thrown out by Kelly's children and died of illness beside a trash heap on a
07:56winter night.
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.
08:25But 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 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.
09:48After 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.
10:02At 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, 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.
10:23I'm your wife now.
10:25Let me help share your burden.
10:27He hesitated, somewhat uneasy.
10:29You're still young and unfamiliar with group operations.
10:32Go rotate through the departments first.
10:34Kelly's eyes immediately reddened with grievance as she questioned him.
10:38Anna Taylor could be the president!
10:40Why 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.
10:53Kelly broke into a smile through her tears, hugged him, and said affectionately,
10:58I'm just worried about you.
11:00Look at you.
11:01You'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.
11:27Especially 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!
12:13Amid 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? You'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.
12:54Shut 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?
13:10He 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.
13:23I'm not throwing a tantrum.
13:25Mr. Ryan, we're already divorced. Please don't interfere with my life anymore.
13:30I've already compromised. What more do you want?
13:33The 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?
13:48I'm just an outsider. I 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. Get lost!
14:10Don'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.
14:27Oh? Mr. Ryan sure has a bad temper.
14:34Not only openly harassing my fiancée, 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.
14:59Anna Taylor, give me an explanation.
15:03Why did you betray me?
15:04Then, 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, but he was too agitated,
15:27and with his recent chaotic schedule, his 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.
15:43Behind me were his suppressed groans of pain, and his assistant's panic screams.
15:49Alex didn't give me any chance to look back.
15:52He directly shoved me into the passenger seat of his flashy red Ferrari.
15:56The 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?
16:04I didn't speak.
16:05Just watched the cityscape speeding passed outside the window.
16:08Hey, Anna, don't be so indifferent.
16:11He nudged me lightly with his elbow.
16:14I helped you out, you know.
16:16Not even a thank you?
16:19I kept it brief.
16:20He 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, suffers stomach spasms, and is hospitalized
16:38hashtag.
16:39The 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.
16:53Others claimed Kelly Smith was inferior to me, which was why Ryan turned back, and that
16:57the two of us would soon remarry.
16:58In 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!
17:50Never!
17:52Ryan was irritated and flustered.
17:54He suddenly shoved her away.
17:56Shut up!
17:58If you hadn't messed the group up so badly, would I need to warnin' lower myself to go
18:02beg her?
18:03His 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
18:18flared.
18:19Kelly Smith!
18:21You're really becoming more and more outraging!
18:23She slammed the container heavily onto the table.
18:25Can't you see Ryan isn't feeling well?
18:28Why are you still yelling at him?
18:30If Anna were here, she'd have already gone home to make dinner for Ryan by now.
18:35You only know how to make a scene!
18:38Anna Taylor!
18:40You're talking about her again!
18:41Letting out a cold snort.
18:43I'm not her!
18:44I don't want to do that kind of servant work!
18:48She crossed her arms over her chest and stubbornly talked back.
18:51What do you mean?
18:52There's no mother poor-ins at Tau's.
18:54I maybe have to go up myself!
18:56I think you just pick on fight and girly Yoon Hao I stack!
19:00I'm parrying your grandson.
19:01You 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!
19:26Now!
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 sobs 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?
19:55Well, because of several useless relatives Kelly had stuffed into the group, accidents happened again and again, and several projects
20:01had already 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.
20:14Life 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.
20:26But 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.
20:43After signing, he tossed the pen aside and smiled brightly at me.
20:47President Anna, to celebrate our successful cooperation, how about dinner together?
20:51I 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.
21:04Anna 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?
21:53He winked playfully at me and lowered his voice.
21:56I'll tell you a secret about Ryan.
21:58I wanted to say no, but unconsciously agreed.
22:03Both of us were startled.
22:07The receptionist then hurried in anxiously.
22:10President Anna, I'm sorry.
22:11This gentleman insisted on barging in.
22:14We couldn't stop him.
22:15I waved my hand, signaling her to step out first.
22:18The uninvited guests were right behind the receptionist.
22:21The one in front sat in a wheelchair, which was Ryan.
22:24Only 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.
22:33I 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.
22:42Security?
22:44Please come here and take these uninvited people out.
22:47Ryan looked kinda stunned.
22:49He probably hadn't expected me to be this ruthless.
22:51His eyes instantly reddened.
22:54Anna Taylor, how can you treat me like this?
22:56I'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?
23:20You won't even give me one chance?
23:22He 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?
23:50At last, he pulled out this trump card.
23:54The 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.
24:06Ryan 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?
24:17Alex 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!
24:37Is 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.
24:52My 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, and the designated beneficiary was Anna Taylor.
25:12In 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, after graduation, threw myself into his group
25:28without hesitation.
25:29It was also because of that gratitude that I developed feelings for him.
25:33Even when he trampled my dignity time and time again, I endured it because of that supposed kindness.
25:38I thought it was something I owed him.
25:40So, 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.
25:51Doesn'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?
26:06Have you forgotten how much 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.
26:23At this point, he was still trying to bind me with his twisted logic.
26:27Ryan 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 drug the glass of water those prepared by you, Chinser, wasn't it?
26:43Ryan'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.
27:03No, it's not like that.
27:07How can you regret it?
27:09You love me!
27:10You clearly love me!
27:13At that moment, the security guards who had arrived late finally broke through Ryan's black-seated bodyguards.
27:19Together with the wheelchair, they pushed the whole group out.
27:22But the world finally became quiet.
27:24In 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.
27:34Well, 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?
27:46I didn't mean to use this to pressure you.
27:49Don't misunderstand.
27:50If you don't like me, you don't have to force yourself to be with me just because I sponsored you.
27:55Seeing his awkward yet proud demeanor, I wasn't so upset anymore.
27:59I couldn't help but laugh a bit.
28:01I won't.
28:02I softened my tone, still holding his wrist.
28:06I just really, really want to have a meal with you.
28:10I looked into his eyes and asked again seriously.
28:14So 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 of Carter Group's
28:28overseas projects.
28:29I 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 the gates of the Carter family
29:02go up.
29:02Kelly Smith, the once gentlewoman who had obeyed Ryan in everything, realized that Carter Group was absolutely going down.
29:09She immediately turned around and filed a lawsuit, demanding a divorce and division of Ryan's assets.
29:15The two of them made a huge scene.
29:17The former lovers faced each other in court, hurling accusations.
29:21All of Harbor City was watching Ryan make a fool of himself, laughing at how he ditched his good wife
29:26only to marry that bitch.
29:27I 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.
29:37What I cared about more was Alex, sitting across from me.
29:41Our relationship slowly became better through dinners, movies, and visits to art exhibitions.
29:46On Christmas Day, Harbor City saw its first snowfall of the winter.
29:50I booked out the mountaintop revolving restaurant.
29:55Through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, we could overlook the dazzling lights of the entire city.
30:00Alex, 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.
30:24I want to 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.
30:39After 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.
30:55Only 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 leaking trade secrets.
31:09Now arrested by police.
Commentaires