- 17 minutes ago
Engsub Checked Into My Marriage, Stole My Life
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Short filmTranscript
00:01The hotel just alerted me that a condom charge from the previous night had been posted to my bill.
00:07When I confronted my husband, Rex Dillon, he stared back at me with a look of utter bewilderment plastered across
00:14his face.
00:15Sweetheart, this has got to be a system glitch, or someone keyed in the wrong membership number.
00:20I'll call and lodge a formal complaint first thing tomorrow.
00:25Little does he know, the hotel's lead investor is my ride-or-die best friend.
00:30Hey, can you pull up who Rex checked into the hotel with last night?
00:34I'm gonna catch them red-handed.
00:35The card was linked exclusively to my personal information, meaning no one else could use it.
00:40Yet the hotel had called, claiming I'd checked into the presidential suite the night before and used the condoms in
00:47the room.
00:48I asked three times to confirm, and the person on the line insisted it was Leela Ruth herself who'd checked
00:53in.
00:53I couldn't swallow this humiliation.
00:56What made it worse was that once, when I'd mention using the card...
00:59What do you want me to say?
01:01Rex had looked utterly annoyed and snapped.
01:03Is our home not good enough for you? Why would you rather sleep elsewhere? I'm so sick of your ridiculous
01:08spending habits!
01:09I didn't get it. Why was he so pissed off just cause I wanted to use a free card?
01:14The angrier I grew, the faster I drove.
01:17Heading straight for the hotel.
01:19Hello, I'm Leela Ruth. You called me this morning.
01:24My anger simmering just beneath the surface.
01:27The receptionist looked up, her face clouding with confusion.
01:31Mrs. Ruth? I thought you just went back to your room.
01:33You made it clear that no housekeeping service was needed a moment ago.
01:37My face darkened instantly.
01:39The reception went on.
01:41Just ten minutes ago, Mrs. Ruth called and activated the Do Not Disturb service.
01:45I was so furious that I trembled all over.
01:49That woman had the nerve to check in under my name.
01:53Grinting my teeth.
01:56But I am the real Leela Ruth.
01:59The receptionist eyed me up and down impatiently.
02:04Madam, if you don't have a reservation, please leave.
02:07We have many guests today.
02:09Please don't cause a scene here.
02:11It hit me like a bolt of lightning.
02:13My husband had become someone else's husband?
02:17The irony was bitter enough to choke on.
02:21At that moment, the elevator dinged open.
02:24Tiffany Butler stepped out, clad in the latest Chanel suit of the season.
02:27The diamond necklace around her neck was the one I bought at auction for 1.8 million a.
02:31As far as I knew, she was just my husband's newly graduated junior.
02:34The receptionist's face lit up as if she'd spotted a savior.
02:38She pointed straight at Tiffany and said to me.
02:40This is the real Mrs. Ruth, the rightful one.
02:43I suggest you leave immediately and stop making trouble.
02:45Tiffany's face blanched the second she saw me.
02:47But she recovered fast, forcing a sickly sweet smile.
02:50What a coincidence.
02:52Are you staying here too?
02:54I coldly shook off her outstretched hand.
02:57Tiffany, don't you think you owe me an explanation?
02:59Why did you check in under my name?
03:01And why were the condoms you used charged to my account?
03:07Also, why are my shoes on your feet?
03:09And when did my husband become yours?
03:13My voice cut through the lobby, and the previously noisy crowd fell dead silent.
03:17Every pair of eyes locked onto Tiffany.
03:19Tiffany glanced around nervously, then her eyes immediately welled with tears.
03:24What are you talking about?
03:25My husband gave me this card because he felt bad about my frequent business trips,
03:29and he bought me these shoes as well, as for the condoms.
03:33She feigned shyness and lowered her head.
03:35What's wrong with me using them with my husband?
03:38Are you upset because your husband doesn't treat you well?
03:42Need my help to get you a psychiatrist?
03:46Look at her haggard face.
03:48Her husband must not want to touch her.
03:50A card like that starts at $300,000.
03:53She doesn't seem like someone who could afford it.
03:55Are they seriously letting in just anybody at such a high-end place?
04:00I was only wearing casual clothes today, hardly the shabby mess they made me out to be.
04:05I never realized you were so good with words.
04:12Did you verify her identity when the co-called Mrs. Ruth checked in?
04:17The receptionist hesitated, her face flushing.
04:20She said she didn't have her ID, but Mr. Dylan is a regular, so...
04:24So you just broke the rules?
04:26Your hotel security is a joke.
04:31She's just a receptionist.
04:33Why are you picking on her?
04:35People stay at hotels they can't afford.
04:38Don't make a scene here.
04:46Answer it.
04:47Put it on speaker.
04:48Let's hear how Rex is going to spin this.
04:52As she tapped the speaker button, she burst into fake, heaving sobs.
04:56Honey, come to the hotel, quick!
04:59There's a crazy woman saying I'm not your wife and trying to kick me out!
05:02She wailed dramatically, and Rex's furious voice exploded from the phone at once.
05:08A crazy woman?
05:09Dare she bully you?
05:10Don't be skied.
05:11I'm on my way.
05:12A crazy woman?
05:13So that was what I was to him now.
05:15The onlookers stared at me with open disdain.
05:17Some even stepping forward to comfort Tiffany.
05:21Don't take it to heart.
05:22She's insane.
05:23Tiffany murmured her thanks, then turned to me with a look of feigned concern.
05:26My husband will be here soon.
05:29He has a terrible temper.
05:31You better leave fast.
05:32Who knows what he might do to you?
05:34He just gave me that $300,000 VIP card, you know?
05:37Shows how much he spoils me.
05:39If he gets here, who knows what he might do to you?
05:41It sounded like a warning, but it was nothing but a slap in the face, a bare-faced provocation.
05:46I trembled with rage.
05:47Every fiber of me screaming to tear off her hypocritical mask right then and there.
05:51Rex arrived faster than I'd expected and he burst through the hotel doors.
05:56The second his eyes landed on me, they turned cold and vicious.
06:00He roughly shoved me aside, then pulled Tiffany into a tight, protective embrace.
06:05Don't be afraid, I'm here.
06:07The way he gently stroked Tiffany's hair was so tender it hurt to watch.
06:10Pushed by him, I stumbled backward, my waist slamming hard into the sofa arm behind me.
06:15If not for the furniture, I would have crashed straight to the ground.
06:18Meanwhile, Tiffany stood on tiptoes, wrapped her arms around his neck, and the two locked
06:22in a long, wet, lingering kiss.
06:25You're so good to me, honey.
06:26Tiffany panted, her voice thick with coquetry.
06:28You need to set this woman straight.
06:30She won't believe I'm your wife.
06:33Only then did Rex turn his gaze to me.
06:35There was no flicker of guilt.
06:37Only pure disgust thought he released Tiffany and strode over, then slapped me hard across
06:41the face.
06:43Tiffany, have you no shame?
06:45Just cause I turned you down when you tried to hint for a permanent position, you've held
06:49a grudge ever since.
06:50Now you dare to bully my wife in public?
06:52I clapped a hand to my cheek, which flared red, swollen, and burning hot.
06:56I stared at him in disbelief.
06:58The man before me was a stranger, terrifyingly unfamiliar.
07:02Before I'd come to the hotel, he'd feigned ignorance on the phone, using his usual gentle
07:06patience to tell me not to go there.
07:08Yet, in the blink of an eye, he could twist the truth without batting an eye and even hurt
07:13me.
07:13He'd always had two faces, it turned out.
07:16Now that I thought back, the signs had been there all along.
07:19He'd only lit up at the latest gaming console I'd bought him, but dismissed my painstakingly
07:24developed scientific research as nothing but scrap.
07:26His so-called concern had always circled.
07:29Back to my bank card, maybe he'd never loved me.
07:32Maybe he'd never even tried to understand the real me out.
07:34A strange sense of calm rose from the depths of my chest, drowning out all the anger.
07:38I lowered my hand from my face and looked straight at him, my voice shockingly steady,
07:43even to myself.
07:44Rex, repeat what you just said.
07:47Tell me who am I, and who is she?
07:50A flicker of panic crossed Rex's eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it came.
07:54You really are crazy!
07:55Wasn't I clear enough?
07:57She is my lawfully wedded wife, Leela.
08:00And you?
08:01You're just some intern who failed to climb the ladder, Tiffany.
08:05He raked his eyes over me, his voice cold and cruel.
08:11Look at yourself.
08:13You're pushing 40, aren't you?
08:15How could I possibly marry someone like you?
08:18Don't embarrass yourself, okay?
08:20Can't get a man herself, so she's jealous of others' happiness.
08:25I told you she must be crazy.
08:27Didn't think she'd start having delusions too.
08:29That's really scary.
08:30Poor couple.
08:31They're so unlucky to run into a nutshed like this.
08:34I stayed quiet, just watching their little show.
08:37Rex was clearly dead set on protecting Tiffany,
08:40even if it meant grinding me into the dirt.
08:42But did he really think he could twist the truth with just a few lies, slowly?
08:46I pulled my ID card and marriage certificate out of my bag.
08:51These should be enough to prove who I am.
08:53Rex and Tiffany's faces froze at once,
08:55but Tiffany's eyes went wide with shock.
08:58Rex lunged forward,
08:59snatched the ID and marriage certificate out of my hand,
09:02and without even glancing at them,
09:04hurled them straight out the hotel's revolving glass door.
09:07Will you just stop?
09:08Last time, you waved a fake ID at me to disgust me,
09:11and now this new trick?
09:13Forging an ID and a marriage certificate?
09:16Tiffany, have some shame.
09:18Do you think I won't call the cops
09:20and report you for harassment and forging official documents?
09:23The on-liver's stares shifted from disdain to outright aggression,
09:26and they echoed immunity.
09:28Call the police! Do it now!
09:32She's a fraud.
09:33She should be arrested.
09:35She's not welcome here.
09:36Kick her out, or we'll complain about the hotel!
09:40Tiffany visibly relaxed at that.
09:42She snuggled back into Rex's eyes
09:43and spoke to me in a tone that sounded concerned but oozed malice.
09:47You've been so abused by your husband
09:49that you've lost your mind.
09:50I can introduce you to a good psychiatrist
09:54and a top divorce lawyer if you need.
09:56She stressed the word divorce extra hard.
09:58After all, once I was gone,
10:01she could step right into the role of Mrs.
10:03Dylan to ASA response,
10:04Rex kissed her forehead,
10:05then turned back to me,
10:07his eyes as cold as ice.
10:08Get out of here now,
10:09or I'm calling the police!
10:11Immediately!
10:11He snapped at the receptionist.
10:13Never here!
10:14If noodley it,
10:15call security to drive this crazy woman out!
10:17Who knows what else she might do?
10:18What if she hurts other guests?
10:27She grabbed her walkie-talkie
10:28and called for security at once.
10:30Two tall guards marched over,
10:32grabbed my arms from either side,
10:34and began dragging me roughly towards the exit.
10:36I struggled desperately,
10:38my elbows throbbing from the rough tugging.
10:40Amid the chaos,
10:41Tiffany had somehow slipped close to me.
10:43Seizing the split second
10:45when everyone's attention was elsewhere,
10:47she tripped me.
10:48Already off balance,
10:49I crashed hard to the marble floor.
10:51Oops!
10:51Tiffany gasped in feigned innocence.
10:53I just wanted to help you up,
10:54and you deliberately fell to blame me?
10:57On the stand,
10:58only to collapse back down.
11:00Rex stood there,
11:01watching coldly,
11:02as if I were a total stranger.
11:04My heart turned to ice at that moment.
11:06Any last shred of hope for him
11:08was snuffed out,
11:08with trembling hands,
11:09I fumbled in my pocket for my phone,
11:12desperate to call 911.
11:13But the second I unlocked it,
11:15Rex lunged forward and snatched it away.
11:17What are you trying to do?
11:19Call the police?
11:20He accused me falsely.
11:21Let me tell you,
11:23everyone here saw clearly
11:24that you fell on purpose.
11:26Don't even think about framing my wife and the hotel!
11:29I have a bleeding disorder!
11:31Call an ambulance now!
11:32I shouted through the pain,
11:34but Rex remained indifferent.
11:35Instead hurling my phone forcefully across the lobby,
11:38left alone,
11:39I endured the searing pain.
11:40Using my uninjured leg to prop myself up
11:42and crawl towards my phone,
11:44just then,
11:44a delicate high heel stomped down hard on my palm.
11:47Tiffany looked down at me condescendingly.
11:49Sign a statement and admit everything today was your fault,
11:52then I'll call an ambulance for you.
11:53Otherwise,
11:54she paused for effect.
11:56She pressed down harder.
11:57The excruciating pain in my hand,
11:59mixed with the agony from my knee and ankle,
12:01nearly made me black out.
12:02I could barely speak,
12:03trembling violently from both pain and rage,
12:05my consciousness growing hazy.
12:07Just as I thought I would pass out,
12:09a series of rapid,
12:10sharp high heel clicks
12:11echoed from the hotel entrance.
12:13My best friend Vivian was striding in.
12:16Lila, I found out.
12:17Rex really did cheat.
12:19He's checked into this hotel more times
12:20than you have in the past few years.
12:21He even dared to use the exclusive membership card
12:24I gave you with that mistress.
12:25Her voice, however,
12:27cut off abruptly
12:27the moment she saw me kneeling on the ground
12:30in such a miserable state.
12:33The receptionist,
12:34who had been so arrogant just moments ago,
12:36now turned pale,
12:37her voice trembling as she timidly called out,
12:40Dear Director Carter,
12:41affirmed Vivian's identity
12:42as the hotel's investor beyond any doubt.
12:45What?
12:46So she wasn't lying after all?
12:48The husband really brought his mistress
12:50to impersonate the real wife?
12:51Is this guy even human?
12:53My God,
12:53he helped the lover bully his own wife
12:55and even hit her!
12:56What a piece of trash!
12:57This disgusting pair is truly repulsive!
13:00Public opinion flipped on a dime.
13:03Anyone traveling with family or a partner
13:04instinctively recoiled at infidelity,
13:06and their words grew sharper by the second.
13:09Awkwardly,
13:09the security guards let go of me,
13:11not daring to lay a finger on me anymore.
13:13Vivian's face crumbled with pity
13:14as she tried to squat down and help me,
13:17but before her hand could touch me,
13:19Rex grabbed it.
13:20His face was plastered with a sip-a-forshick,
13:23panic-o-smile as he shook her hand roughly.
13:25Miss Carter,
13:26I'm so sorry for causing trouble at your hotel.
13:28Don't worry,
13:29I'll take this troublemaker away right now.
13:31She just has a habit of acting crazy.
13:32Please don't mind her.
13:33He even pretended to be chummy,
13:35leaning in like they were old friends.
13:37By the way, Miss Carter,
13:39who's your friend here?
13:40We'll all look out for her when you're not around.
13:44Tiffany chimed in fast,
13:45putting on a sickly sympathetic face.
13:47Yeah, Mrs. Carter,
13:48your friend is really pitiful,
13:49running into a man like him.
13:50It's so sad that she's betrayed.
13:53I froze for a beat,
13:54before realizing that these idiots
13:55still didn't believe the best girl
13:57Vivian was talking about was me.
13:59What are you waiting for?
14:00The investor's here,
14:02and you still haven't dragged
14:03this crazy troublemaker out?
14:07The guards exchanged nervous looks,
14:09glancing back and forth
14:10between Vivian and me.
14:12Unsure what to do,
14:12Vivian was absolutely livid.
14:14With a sudden, sharp motion,
14:16she wrenched her hand free
14:17from Rex's grip.
14:18Her voice was glacial.
14:21Stay away from me.
14:23But Rex held on stubbornly.
14:24He planted himself directly
14:25in front of Vivian,
14:26blocking her view of me,
14:27and continued his tirade
14:28without an ounce of shame.
14:30Miss Carter,
14:30please don't be upset.
14:31This woman is clearly
14:32trying to extort money.
14:34Her injuries may look serious,
14:35but she's perfectly fine.
14:37I said, stay away from me.
14:39Someone clean this up immediately.
14:41It's an eyesore.
14:42Are you deaf?
14:43I said, stay away from me.
14:45If anything happens to Leela,
14:47I will make sure you regret it.
14:49With that,
14:50she shoved both Rex
14:51and Tiffany aside
14:52and rushed to meet AT,
14:53the sight of the blood
14:53staining my skirt
14:54and my deathly pale complexion.
14:56Her voice wavered.
14:57Blood loss was clouding my vision.
14:59I clung to the last shreds
15:01of consciousness
15:01and gripped her wrist.
15:05Call an ambulance.
15:07Without hesitation,
15:09Vivian dialed emergency services
15:10around us.
15:11The whispers among the onlookers
15:13grew louder.
15:14So, this guy
15:15hasn't even met
15:16his wife's best friend?
15:17Unbelievable.
15:18He brings his lover here
15:20to bully his wife,
15:21and now they targeted her friend,
15:23the hotel investor.
15:25Miss Carter,
15:26just teach them a lesson.
15:27They disgusting.
15:28Rex was really embarrassed,
15:30but he still refused
15:31to accept what was
15:32unfolding before him.
15:33Tiffany tugged at his sleeve,
15:35unwilling to back down.
15:36Rex,
15:37something's not right.
15:38If she really is
15:39Miss Carter's best friend,
15:40why don't any of the hotel
15:41staff recognize her?
15:43Miss Carter owns this place.
15:45It doesn't make any sense.
15:47Sensing the cracks
15:48in Rex's confidence,
15:49Tiffany leaned in,
15:50pressing her point
15:51with growing boldness.
15:52Besides,
15:53I went through
15:53Miss Carter's
15:54social media recently.
15:56There wasn't a single
15:57post or mention
15:58of anyone named Lella.
16:01Do you think
16:02Lella might have
16:03fooled Miss Carter
16:04somehow?
16:05Rex's gaze darkened
16:06with renewed suspicion.
16:07Turning back to Vivian,
16:08he said with certainty,
16:09Miss Carter,
16:10surely you've been misled.
16:12This woman knows
16:13exactly how to play
16:13the victim.
16:14She's mastered
16:15the art of manipulation.
16:16You have to see that.
16:18You have to see.
16:19No way she's your friend.
16:20The reinforces point,
16:21he gestured to Tiffany.
16:22Miss Carter,
16:23this is Miss Tiffany Burtler.
16:25She's the heirate
16:26to Ruth Group,
16:27Mr. Ruth's daughter.
16:28I'm sure you've
16:29crossed paths before.
16:30She'll vouch
16:30that you've never met Lella.
16:32His words landed
16:33like a slap.
16:34I blinked in disbelief.
16:35Even Vivian looked
16:36momentarily speechless,
16:37caught between disbelief
16:38and fury.
16:39The heiress to Ruth Group?
16:40I was the only daughter
16:41of the Ruth family.
16:43After choosing to pursue
16:44a career in science
16:44rather than take over
16:45the company,
16:46I'd fallen out with my father
16:47and stepped away
16:48from the public eye.
16:49Keeping my identity
16:50Get the hell out
16:51of my office!
16:51And yet,
16:52this imposter
16:52had the nerve to claim it.
16:53Oh?
16:55The heiress to Ruth Group?
16:56Then why does she
16:57have the last name Butler?
16:59It's due to a complicated
17:00family matter.
17:01But make no mistake,
17:02Tiffany truly is
17:03Ruth Group's heiress.
17:05Vivian let out
17:06a cold,
17:06sharp snore.
17:07She immediately
17:08pulled out her phone,
17:09dialed my father's number,
17:11and tapped the speaker button
17:12for the entire lobby
17:13to hear.
17:14Hello, Mr. Ruth?
17:16Hello, Mr. Ruth?
17:17I heard you suddenly
17:19have a daughter
17:19named Tiffany.
17:20Are you aware
17:21she's the mistress
17:22of Lila's husband
17:23and their bully Nicolette
17:24together?
17:25Vivian!
17:25What nonsense
17:26are you talking about?
17:27I only have one daughter,
17:29Lila!
17:29Where did this Tiffany
17:31come from?
17:32Who's spreading laws
17:33about my girl?
17:36Where are you?
17:37I'm on my way.
17:39The lobby fell into
17:39a deathly silence.
17:41Rex,
17:42who'd been oozing
17:42smutness moments earlier,
17:44froze mid-step.
17:45He whirled around abruptly,
17:46snatching Tiffany's arm
17:47as she tried
17:48to slink away unnoticed.
17:53Tiffany,
17:54come on,
17:54call your father
17:55right now.
17:55What the hell
17:56is going on here?
17:58I,
17:59I,
17:59I never said
18:00I was the heir
18:00out of Ruth Group.
18:01You just assumed
18:02it yourself.
18:04Rex looked as if
18:04he'd been struck
18:05by lightning.
18:06What?
18:07But when I pressed
18:08you about your background,
18:09you never denied it.
18:10You even hinted
18:11you could help me
18:11land that cooperation
18:12project with Ruth Group.
18:13Mocking laughter
18:14erupted around them,
18:15cutting through
18:16the tense air.
18:17A cold chill
18:18seeped into my bones.
18:19Settling deep
18:20in my chest,
18:20IT turned out
18:21that Rex had believed
18:22all this time
18:22that his shot
18:23at that crucial
18:24Ruth Group partnership
18:24came from Tiffany.
18:26He had no clue
18:27it was me,
18:27pulling strings
18:28and smoothing paths,
18:29who'd paved the way
18:30for every opportunity
18:31he'd gotten.
18:32AT that moment,
18:33the wail of an ambulance
18:34grew louder,
18:34echoing closer
18:35to the hotel.
18:36Blood loss blurred
18:37my vision,
18:37and a violent shiver
18:38racked my body.
18:39As the paramedics
18:41lifted me onto the stretcher,
18:42I stared up at the hotel's
18:43opulent crystal chandelier,
18:45its light refracting
18:45into a dizzying haze.
18:47The whole scene
18:48felt like an absurd,
18:49cruel nightmare.
18:50Rex made a move
18:51as if to rush over,
18:52seemingly he had
18:53nothing to say,
18:54but Vivian stopped
18:55him sharply.
18:56The last thing
18:56I heard before
18:57darkness swallowed me
18:58was Vivian's
18:59unyielding promise.
19:00I'm here,
19:01this time,
19:01I'll make sure
19:02they pay for
19:02everything they did.
19:03The hospital room
19:04reeked of sterile
19:05disinfectant,
19:06and four drip
19:07trickled slowly
19:08from the blood
19:08transfusion bag
19:09into my veins.
19:10I stared out the window
19:11at the gray,
19:12overcast sky,
19:13my heart feeling
19:14far colder than my body.
19:16Giving my love
19:16to a man like Rex
19:17had been the cruelest
19:18irony of my life.
19:19Vivian sat beside me,
19:21holding my uninjured
19:22hand gently,
19:23her voice soft with
19:23comfort.
19:24He's not worth your tears,
19:26Leela.
19:27You deserve better.
19:29I forced a faint smile,
19:31but before I could
19:32say anything,
19:32the ward door slammed
19:33open with a crash.
19:35Rex stood in the doorway,
19:36his face livid with rage.
19:38There was no trace
19:39of guilt in his eyes,
19:40only raw,
19:41bitter accusation.
19:42He strode to the bedside,
19:43jabbing a finger
19:44in inches from my nose,
19:45his voice a snarl.
19:46Leela,
19:47why didn't you tell me
19:47earlier your parents
19:48ran Ruth Group?
19:49If you had,
19:50how could I have offended
19:51both Ruth Group
19:52and Carter Group?
19:54Now look what you've done!
19:56I've been fired
19:57from the company,
19:58and everything I've
19:58worked for is ruined!
19:59Are you satisfied?
20:01His shamelessness
20:02disgusted me.
20:03I told you,
20:04more than once.
20:05You were just too
20:06impatient to listen,
20:08too busy
20:08disclissings my family
20:09affairs as trivial.
20:10Rex,
20:11you basted by
20:12cameling a loafer.
20:13You did this to yourself,
20:14you deserve it.
20:16Stung by my words,
20:18he flew into
20:18a more hysterical rage.
20:20Blame me?
20:21If you hadn't spent
20:22all your time in that lab,
20:23neglecting yourself
20:24and turning into someone
20:25who no longer fit
20:26your expectations,
20:27would I have strayed?
20:29You never cared
20:29if I was tired
20:30after work.
20:31Even with all these
20:32family resources,
20:33you never once
20:34lifted a finger
20:34to help me.
20:35You never cared
20:36if I was tired
20:36after work.
20:37Even with all these
20:38family resources,
20:39you never once
20:39lifted a finger
20:40to help me!
20:41At that moment,
20:42Tiffany walked in.
20:43Yeah, Leela.
20:44Two,
20:44become one flesh
20:45in marriage.
20:46Rex's love for you
20:47faded a long time ago,
20:48but he still stayed
20:49with you out of duty.
20:50Yet you schemed
20:51against him like this.
20:53His layoff
20:54was your doing too,
20:55right?
20:56That's so mean.
20:57Rex was such a fool.
20:58Immediately,
20:59he was emboldened
21:00by her few words,
21:01and his gaze towards me
21:02turned even more venomous.
21:03I looked at this
21:04dramatic pair
21:05with utter scorn.
21:06I didn't help you.
21:07Why do you think
21:08your little company
21:09could manage to connect
21:09with Ruth Group?
21:11All on your own?
21:12Or was it through
21:13Tiffany's fake identity
21:14as the Ruth Ernrest?
21:15Rex,
21:16the resources you stole
21:17from me didn't just feed you.
21:18They inflated your greed
21:20and your audacity.
21:21Rex's face paled,
21:22and he fell silent.
21:24I pressed on,
21:25my voice trembling
21:26with barely suppressed rage.
21:27You claimed to stay
21:28with me out of duty.
21:29Then why did you cheat?
21:32Why did you let others
21:33call me a lunatook
21:34and hit me,
21:35your legitimate wife?
21:36Rex,
21:37you destroyed
21:38your bright future
21:39with your own hands.
21:41I'd already prepared
21:42the documents
21:43to promote you
21:44to vice president
21:44of the company.
21:46Now,
21:47you don't deserve it.
21:54Tiffany shrieked
21:55in defense.
21:56We didn't hit you.
21:57You fell on your own.
21:59Yeah,
21:59right, Leela.
22:00Don't be so dramatic.
22:01I stared at him,
22:02a crushing sense
22:03of sadness
22:04washing over me.
22:06I have a bleeding disorder
22:07and you're aware of it.
22:09A small cut
22:10while chopping vegetables
22:11can make me bleed
22:12uncontrollably,
22:13yet you never cared.
22:15I lost so much blood
22:17this time,
22:18and you call me delicate.
22:20Do you know what
22:21I'm most grateful for now?
22:22That we don't have children.
22:25Otherwise,
22:26how pitiful they would be.
22:29I didn't mean it.
22:30Whether intentional or not,
22:32it doesn't matter anymore.
22:34Vivian spoke coldly,
22:35holding up her phone screen
22:36for us all to see.
22:37I found something interesting.
22:39Rex,
22:39the luxury goods
22:40you've given Tiffany
22:41over the years
22:41far exceed
22:42your legitimate income.
22:43You stole many of the gifts
22:45Leisha's father and I
22:46gave her to please that woman.
22:47As for the money you spent,
22:49I stared at the clear
22:50transfer records on the screen,
22:51stunned by Rex's audacity.
22:55You dared to embezzle
22:57company funds?
22:58I didn't.
22:59My father stood there
23:00with a stern face,
23:01two uniformed police officers
23:02behind him.
23:03Whether it's a false accusation,
23:05we'll find out soon.
23:08His gaze swept over Rex and Tiffany,
23:10finally resting on me
23:11with a look of tender concern.
23:15Officers,
23:16the evidence has been handed over.
23:18Go ahead and deal with them.
23:20The facade of hypocrisy
23:21on his face collapsed instantly.
23:22Replaced by sheer terror,
23:24he lunged at Tiffany,
23:25frantically trying to tear off
23:26the diamond necklace
23:27around her neck
23:28and the luxury watch
23:29on her wrist.
23:30His movements were so rough
23:31that he almost knocked her over.
23:35Leela, Leela,
23:36believe me,
23:37I didn't know anything.
23:40I didn't do any of that?
23:44Leave.
23:44What's knocked her on?
23:46I'd do any of that?
23:47I only gave her
23:47these pieces of jewelry
23:48because I thought
23:49they were cheap replicas.
23:50They're yours.
23:51Here, I'm giving them
23:51back to you.
23:52Rex, what are you doing?
23:53You're hurting me.
23:54The bodyguard beside my father
23:56reacted instantly,
23:57stepping forward
23:58and hitting Rex's
23:58neck hard.
24:00With a sickening thug,
24:01Rex crumpled to the ground,
24:02letting out a sharp cry of pain.
24:04Daring to bully my daughter.
24:06My father's voice
24:07was like ice.
24:08Do you take me as nothing?
24:09He took a step forward,
24:11looking down at the
24:11cowering man on the floor,
24:13then took a folder
24:13from his assistant
24:14and threw it directly
24:15into Rex's face.
24:16Embezzling company funds,
24:18falsifying accounts,
24:19siphling project money
24:20to support your lover.
24:22Rex Dillon,
24:23you must have a death wish.
24:25Papers scattered
24:26across the floor,
24:27revealing clear bank statements
24:28and account details
24:29that left Rex's face
24:30drained of all color.
24:31He looked up in panic,
24:32his gaze darting wildly
24:33to Tiffany,
24:34who was pale-faced
24:35beside him,
24:36and shouted,
24:37Mr. Ruth,
24:37it's not my fault.
24:38It's all Tiffany.
24:40She told me to do it all.
24:42She claimed to be your daughter,
24:44saying that it didn't matter
24:45if we used the company's money.
24:47But might have stand I didn't
24:48they gotta maver this money's money.
24:50I were thoughted you,
24:51Andra Lee.
24:52No one would dare question it.
24:55She deceived me.
24:57Her lips trembled,
24:58but no sound came out.
25:00A cold dread crept
25:01from the sauls of my feet
25:02to the top of my head
25:03when I heard that.
25:04It dawned on me
25:05that this man,
25:06no matter who stood beside him,
25:07could be so utterly selfish,
25:09so quick to discard anyone
25:11without a second thought.
25:12The love he once claimed ran deep.
25:14In his heart,
25:15it likely weighed less
25:16than the empty promises
25:17scribbled on paper.
25:18Rex was still scrambling
25:19to prove his loyalty.
25:21He even dropped to his knees
25:22and moved toward my father.
25:24Dad,
25:25we're family.
25:26Please forgive me this once.
25:28I'll treat Leela well
25:29from now on,
25:29I swear.
25:30His gaze suddenly fell
25:32on the blood transfusion bag
25:33beside my hand,
25:34and as it struck by a wonderful idea,
25:36he blurted out urgently.
25:37Leela has lost too much blood.
25:38Then let Tiffany make up
25:39for it with her blood.
25:40She can give blood instead.
25:43She's young.
25:44She should be able to handle it.
25:46I shuddered all over,
25:47a wave of nausea
25:48crashing over me.
25:49How could he suggest
25:50something like that so casually?
25:51It was as if Tiffany
25:53weren't a living,
25:53breathing person,
25:54but just an object
25:55to be tossed aside
25:56whenever he pleased.
25:57We're not family.
25:58My voice was cold,
26:00frayed with the exhaustion
26:01of having used up
26:01every last ounce of strength.
26:04Rex,
26:04we're getting a divorce.
26:06No,
26:07we can't!
26:07He struggled
26:08to push himself up
26:09from the ground.
26:11I won't agree,
26:12Leela.
26:12I know I messed up.
26:14I'm sorry.
26:14Just give me another chance.
26:16It doesn't matter
26:17whether you agree or not.
26:18I closed my eyes,
26:20no longer able to bear
26:21the sight of his repulsive face.
26:23It's not your call to make.
26:25Later,
26:25Rex and Tiffany
26:26were taken away
26:26by the police.
26:28During my stay
26:29in the hospital,
26:29my parents and Vivian
26:30took turns looking after me.
26:32They were careful around me
26:33and never once
26:34mentioning Rex's name.
26:35They tried everything
26:36to lift my spirits,
26:38terrified that the ordeal
26:39would leave a permanent
26:40mark on me.
26:40Then came the day
26:41I was discharged.
26:42My mother took my hand,
26:44her eyes glistening
26:45with unshed tears.
26:47Leela,
26:48come home
26:49and live with us.
26:51Your father,
26:53he misses you terribly.
26:57What do you say
26:58we have a family reunion dinner?
27:02Life had been easy
27:03for me since childhood
27:05because they got
27:05everything taken care of.
27:07Their only wish
27:09had always been
27:09for my safety
27:10and happiness.
27:11But as I got older,
27:13I became headstrong,
27:14devoting myself entirely
27:15to the world
27:16of scientific research.
27:17Sometimes,
27:18research could be dangerous.
27:20When they'd objected,
27:21I'd simply left home
27:22for five years,
27:23even refusing to invite them
27:25to my wedding
27:25out of sheer stubbornness.
27:27I'd known they were
27:28only afraid I'd get hurt.
27:29But I'd been too willful
27:30back then.
27:31They'd said that
27:32if I found someone
27:33reliable to marry,
27:34they'd let me continue
27:35my research
27:36without pressuring me
27:36to quit.
27:38Without a second thought,
27:39I'd married Rex
27:40who'd seemed gentle
27:41and thoughtful at the time.
27:42But after we got married,
27:43my mother-in-law
27:44despised me
27:45for not having a child
27:46in five years,
27:47and Rex grew colder
27:48towards me with the passing year.
27:50I realized then
27:51that the only people
27:51who truly loved me
27:53unconditionally
27:53were my parents.
27:55I hadn't dared
27:56tell them what I'd been through,
27:57afraid to see
27:58the disappointment
27:59in their eyes
27:59and terrified
28:00they'd blame me
28:00for not following
28:01their advice.
28:02Rex owed his so-called
28:03triumph with the Ruth group
28:05entirely to me.
28:06I was the one
28:07who persuaded Vivian
28:08to pull strings for him
28:09when he had nothing to offer.
28:10But that very act of mine
28:12had stoked Rex's ambition
28:13and, in the end,
28:14revealed what kind of person
28:15he truly was.
28:16Back in the early days
28:17of our marriage,
28:18he had indeed been kind to me,
28:20caring and attentive.
28:21But everything changed
28:22after Tiffany appeared.
28:24Although my parents
28:25had never approved
28:25of my involvement
28:26in scientific research,
28:28they still pulled me
28:28into a proud hug
28:29whenever I won
28:30an important award.
28:31Rex, by contrast,
28:33always found a way
28:33to downplay my achievements.
28:35This time,
28:36I couldn't bear
28:37to break my parents'
28:38hearts again.
28:39I squeezed my mother's
28:40hand in return,
28:41my voice thick with emotion.
28:43Mom,
28:43I'm willing to go home.
28:45When I arrived at the house,
28:47I hadn't stepped foot in
28:47for five years.
28:48Everything felt
28:49just as it had been.
28:50My father,
28:51once so imposing
28:52in the business mark,
28:53teared up the moment
28:53he saw me walked in.
28:54He stepped forward,
28:56pulled me into a tight embrace,
28:57his shoulders trembling slightly,
28:59and finally let his tears
29:00fall freely.
29:01It's good you're back.
29:02I'm so glad.
29:04With my parents in my arms,
29:05the grevances I'd bottled up
29:06for five years
29:07burst forth like a flood.
29:09They didn't mention Rex at all,
29:10not a word.
29:11They just gently patted my back,
29:13wordlessly telling me
29:14this place would always
29:15be my safe haven.
29:16Later,
29:17the verdict was finally delivered.
29:18Rex was sentenced
29:19to seven years in prison
29:20for embezzlement
29:20and related charges,
29:21and Tiffany,
29:22as his accomplice,
29:23received a five-year term.
29:24Most of the jewelry
29:24Rex had stolen
29:25and gifted to Tiffany
29:26was recovered.
29:27Before the sentencing,
29:28Rex sent a message
29:29through his lawyer,
29:30begging to see me
29:30one last time.
29:31I refused flatly.
29:33The very thought
29:33of laying eyes on him
29:34now made my stomach churn.
29:36I once asked my father
29:37how much of the embezzled funds
29:38could be recovered.
29:39He sighed and shook his head.
29:41It can't be recovered.
29:42I share part of the blame.
29:44If I hadn't opened those doors
29:45for him,
29:46handed him control
29:46of the key projects
29:48for your sake,
29:49he never would have been able
29:51to siphon off the money
29:52so smoothly.
29:55He looked at me,
29:56his eyes gentle yet resolute.
29:58But it's okay.
29:59The foundation of Ruth Group
30:00won't be shaken by this amount.
30:02But I want you to know this.
30:03I'll support you
30:04continuing your scientific research.
30:06Feel free to do
30:07whatever you want, sweetie.
30:08I've got your back.
30:10Later,
30:11I threw myself back
30:11into my scientific research,
30:13diving headfirst
30:14into a new project
30:15and leading my team
30:16with renewed focus.
30:17Vivian later told me
30:18that after the incident,
30:19the hotel had overhauled
30:20its entire security system
30:22and implemented stricter
30:23identity verification procedures.
30:25Around that time,
30:26my mother started showing up
30:27at my lab almost daily
30:28with homemade lunches.
30:30She knew how easily
30:31I lost track of time
30:32once I was immersed in research,
30:33so she appointed herself
30:34my personal alarm clock.
30:36Every day at mealtime,
30:37she appeared right on schedule,
30:38gently nudging me away
30:39from my microscope
30:40and reminding me
30:41to nourish myself.
30:42Later,
30:42I led my team
30:43in developing
30:44an automated intelligent
30:45medical device.
30:46Soon after it hit the market,
30:47it sent shockwaves
30:48through the industry,
30:49hailed as a groundbreaking innovation.
30:51Standing on stage
30:52at the product launch,
30:53I explained our achievements
30:54with confidence and calm,
30:55facing countless astonished
30:56and admiring glances.
30:58As soon as I finished my speech
30:59and stepped off the stage,
31:01a tall, elegant man
31:02with a refined caminer stopped me.
31:03He wore a well-fitted dark suit,
31:05his bright eyes filled
31:06with undisguised admiration.
31:08Dr. Ruth,
31:08your presentation
31:09was truly wonderful.
31:10Handing me his business card.
31:12I'm Darnell Pansy,
31:13head of Corey Medical.
31:14I was wondering
31:15if I might have the honor
31:15of getting to know you better?
31:17I took his card
31:18and,
31:18meeting his clear,
31:19sincere gaze,
31:20nodded.
31:20Of course.
31:21From then on,
31:22we crossed classes
31:23at various industry events
31:25and academic conferences.
31:26He always took the initiative
31:28to talk to me,
31:28offering insightful opinions
31:30and showing great respect
31:31and passion
31:31for scientific research.
31:33Later,
31:33at a charity gala,
31:34he invited me to dance.
31:36In the ballroom,
31:37he was graceful and courteous,
31:38his steps steady
31:39and his gaze warm.
31:40After the gala,
31:41he confessed to me,
31:42saying he admired my talent
31:43and felt sympathy
31:44for my past experiences,
31:46hoping to have the chance
31:47to take care of me.
31:48I didn't drown
31:49in the new romance
31:50and replied calmly,
31:51Thank you for your kind offer,
31:52but it's too early
31:53to talk about this now.
31:54He showed no sign
31:55of frustration or pressure,
31:57only quiet understanding.
31:58And though he kept his distance,
32:00his concern was constant,
32:01but we kept it that way
32:02for two years.
32:03In the sterile world
32:04of her lab,
32:04his quiet presence
32:05was a gentle Androsian,
32:06a reminder
32:07that she was not alone.
32:08He would bring her tea
32:09when she was lost
32:10in her research
32:10and tidy her desk
32:11when she was too focused
32:12to notice.
32:13My parents met him
32:14a few times
32:15and spoke highly of him,
32:16saying he had his eyes
32:17set on me,
32:18genuinely,
32:18not for status or gain
32:19on a sunny afternoon.
32:20He formally asked me
32:21to date again,
32:22looking into his eyes,
32:23as sincere as ever,
32:24and thinking of his
32:25quiet vigilance
32:26over these two years.
32:27I smiled and nodded.
32:28Okay.
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