- vor 2 Stunden
On his wedding day, Juan faces greedy blackmail: cash, balloons stuffed with money, and a demand to add his bride’s brother to his parents' house deed. He calls off the wedding at once. The bride’s family smears him online, but Julian reveals hidden recordings and shocking secrets—gambling, drugging, and a cruel trap. One week of total chaos, and a brutal truth no one saw coming.
Kategorie
🎥
KurzfilmeTranskript
00:00On the wedding day, the bride resolutely refused to step into the hotel and insisted we play a
00:04little game, telling me to meet them outside the hotel. Every step in the hotel, from the
00:08ground floor to the top, must be covered with $50 bills. I didn't think it's much, just a silly bit
00:14of fun for the occasion, but when we completed it, that money on the floor is for passers-by.
00:18The fees to my daughter is separate. Stuff $100 into each one. She gestured at the balloons
00:25filling the hotel. There are 999 balloons in total. That added up to $100,000 in cash.
00:32I pleaded relentlessly and ended up transferring the last $50,000 I had in my account. By then,
00:37I was a little angry, but the worst was yet to come. Mom says we're family once we're married,
00:42and my brother's name has to be added to the wedding house deed. My parents bought that house
00:47with their own money. Why would I do that? No name on the deed means you're not serious
00:51about this marriage. You can just marry the heir instead.
00:57Marry the heir? I stared at the woman in front of me, gorgeous in her wedding dress,
01:01but her face twisted with cruelty. This was Alice, the woman I'd loved for five years.
01:06To marry her, my family had drained all our savings to buy a wedding house,
01:10just to give her a comfortable home. And now, just because I refused to add her brother's name
01:14to the deed, she was telling me to marry the heir. Margaret kept fussing with her handbag,
01:19looking as if this was all perfectly reasonable. Carter stood nearby.
01:22Yes, marry the heir. Julian, don't think that $50,000 is enough. I'm not stepping inside for
01:29the wedding unless his name's on that deed. My parents bought this house with every penny they
01:34had. Their retirement money, what's it got to do with your family? Of course it does. We're family
01:39once we're married. Why are you being so petty? Besides, Carter's your brother-in-law. He's going
01:44to take care of you when you're old. Rely on him? Rely on him to blow through every penny
01:50I own? Julian, watch your mouth! Are you going to apologize or not if you don't? This wedding's
01:55off! The bouquet hit my chest, sharp and painful, but the ache in my heart was a thousand times
02:00worse. You're sure? No name on the deed, no wedding? I'm sure.
02:04Sure. We're not just adding his name. We're getting it notarized, too. Carter gets half
02:11this house. Fine. I nodded and pulled out my phone.
02:19Should have done this earlier. Hurry up and call the property office.
02:22That's right, Julian. We're already a family.
02:26Julian, I live in the master bedroom!
02:29I ignored them all and dialed the number I knew by heart.
02:32Hey, Mom. Julian, are you coming in? All the guests are seated. Everyone's waiting.
02:40I'm sorry, Mom. I'm not getting married. With that, I hung up and turned to leave.
02:45I left the three of them frozen in shock. Julian! Don't you dare walk away! If you leave
02:52today, I'll never marry you, not even if you beg me in the future! I paused for a split second
02:56and turned around. Alice, you're right. I'd rather marry the heir than be with you. And I'll
03:01get that $50,000 back through legal means. You're on your own. I walked without looking back into the
03:06elaborately decorated hotel. I stepped on the steps covered with $50 and walked up step by step.
03:11Every move I made was unshakable.
03:18Julian, where's your wife? No wife anymore.
03:22My phone started blowing up. It was all texts from Alice.
03:26Julian, you think you're tough now? Embarrassing me in public? I'm telling you, get back here right
03:31now. Get on your knees and apologize to my mom and Carter. And bring me $20,000 for emotional damage
03:36or this isn't over. You really think I won't call off the wedding? Guys chase me all the way to
03:40France!
03:41I stared at the words flashing on the screen and the last bit of warmth in my heart died.
03:47Andrew, help me to check the status of that $50,000 transfer I just made.
03:51Just sent it. What's wrong? It was a scam transfer. Can you freeze it?
03:57Scam? I thought you were getting married. Wedding's off. They blackmailed me for it.
04:02Got it. If it hasn't hit their account or they haven't withdrawn it yet, I can hold it. Call
04:06the police right away and bring me the receipt.
04:09I hung up and let out a long breath. That $50,000 was my hard-earned cash, made from working
04:14day and night for years. I'd saved it to start our family. But I'd been forced to send it
04:19to Margaret. Want to take my money? Dream on. I walked into the hall. My parents were looking
04:24around anxiously. When they saw me alone, no bride, their faces turned pale instantly.
04:30Dad, Mom, I'm sorry. Our family is definitely going to be shamed today.
04:38Julian, what happened? Did they ask for more money again?
04:41They said, if I want to marry their daughter, I have to add her name to my housetet.
04:46Ridiculous. Ridiculous. Ridiculous. This marriage, cancel it. Let's go inside. We're still having
04:52the feast. Just treat it for all I'm chent up in front.
04:54The three of us walked to the ceremony area. Hundreds of pairs of eyes stared straight at us.
04:59Groom, where's the bride? It's time for the wedding.
05:01I took the microphone from his hand and stepped onto the stage. The spotlight hit me, bright and harsh.
05:06The room went dead silent. I took a deep breath.
05:10Dear all, I'm so sorry. Today's wedding is cancelled.
05:18I just bowed deeply. Just then, a stream of shouts came from the hall entrance.
05:24Julian! You bastard!
05:27Alice stormed in, still in her wedding dress, hair messy, fuming with rage.
05:31Margaret and Carter stumbled in behind her, out of breath.
05:35Everyone! This heartless man left us outside the hotel and came here to enjoy himself!
05:40He played with my daughter's feelings and dumped her!
05:43Julian, you don't give my sister an explanation today! I'll wreck this hotel!
05:46Everyone was watching me. Some whispered and pointed. Others looked confused.
05:50I stared at the three clowns in front of me and suddenly laughed. How did I ever think they were
05:55just straightforward?
05:56They're just plain shameless. I held up the microphone, my voice cold.
06:00Since you're here, let's make it clear in front of everyone.
06:06Alice rushed onto the stage, trying to snatch the microphone from me.
06:10The $100,000 of cash, and the $50,000 transfer, and the house name.
06:15The big screen in the banquet hall suddenly lit up. I told Connor to get it ready.
06:19On the screen were my chat logs with Alice, plus the audio recording from outside the hotel earlier.
06:24A hundred bucks per balloon, $999 total. My brother's name has to go on the house deed.
06:29No name on the deed means no commitment. Go marry the heir.
06:33The clear recording echoed throughout the hall.
06:35My god, this isn't a marriage. So greedy. Not even hiding it.
06:39This family's crazy for money.
06:40The murmurs grew louder, filled with mockery.
06:43Alice's face turned bright red with shame and rage.
06:46Alice pointed at me, her fingers shaking.
06:48You- you're shameless!
06:50I'm shameless?
06:53You weren't shameless when you demanded an extra $100,000?
06:56When you forced me to drain my savings?
06:58When you tried to take my parents' house?
07:00Julian, stop slandering us!
07:01So what if we ask for money?
07:03Raising a daughter, Otter, isn't easy.
07:05We need more to make sure she lives well after marriage.
07:08You wanted the money for her?
07:09It's for your son to buy a house and a car.
07:12Those designer clothes he wears, the car he drives, all my money.
07:15I put up with it before because I loved Alice.
07:18But you should never have targeted my parents.
07:21I turned around and looked at my parents in the crowd.
07:23They were angry.
07:24Today, in front of all our family and friends, I announced this.
07:28The wedding is completely off.
07:30I will get that $50,000 back no matter what.
07:34As for you, get out.
07:38You telling me to get out?
07:39How dare you hurt my sister and mom?
07:41I'll kill you!
07:45Let go of me!
07:47You can't hit me!
07:48I'm calling the cops!
07:53Carter thrashed wildly like a trap turtle.
07:57Go ahead and call.
07:58Perfect time to tell the police about the $100,000 you owe from gambling?
08:02How are you going to pay that back?
08:06How do you know about that?
08:07Alice and Margaret froze too.
08:09What are you saying?
08:10You think you were extorting me for what?
08:11To pay off his debts, right?
08:13You had no clue, did you, Alice?
08:15Your brother owes a fortune out there.
08:17They said they'd break his arm if he didn't pay today.
08:19That's why you rushed so hard for the $100,000, the $50,000, even the house.
08:23The crowd erupted in shock.
08:25Everyone stared at Carter.
08:27Carter, is it true?
08:28Alice, don't listen to him!
08:29He's trying to split us up!
08:33Check his phone if you don't believe him.
08:35I nodded at the phone on the floor.
08:36The screen lit up, showing a clear debt collection text.
08:40Carter, last two hours.
08:42No money.
08:42Get a wheelchair ready.
08:44Alice picked up the phone, glanced at it, and staggered back.
08:47Mom, did you know about this?
08:49Alice turned to Margaret.
08:50Margaret looked panicked.
08:53Carter was tricked!
08:54We're family!
08:55We have to help him!
08:56Help?
08:57So you used my marriage to fill this bottomless hole?
08:59Alice, you only have one brother.
09:02Who else will help him if you don't?
09:03Besides, Julian's family is rich.
09:06This is nothing to them.
09:08A loud, sharp slap.
09:10It was Alice.
09:11She slapped Carter hard across the face.
09:14Then she slapped herself.
09:18I'm an idiot.
09:19A complete and utter idiot.
09:22She stared at me, tears streaming uncontrollably.
09:24Julian, I was wrong.
09:26I really didn't know it was for his gambling debt.
09:30I thought, I thought Mom just wanted a better life for me.
09:34Julian, I won't ask for the house anymore.
09:36I won't take the money.
09:38I'll make him return the money to you.
09:40Let's get married, please.
09:41I love you.
09:42Looking down at her, I felt nothing.
09:45Once, even a frown from her would have wrecked me.
09:48Love me?
09:49Love me by trampling my dignity?
09:51Love me while your family bleeds me dry?
09:53Alice, your love's too expensive.
09:56I can't afford it.
09:57No, that's all change.
09:58I won't listen to Mom anymore, just you.
10:01Too late.
10:02A broken mirror can't be fixed without cracks.
10:05And with them, you'll never change.
10:07The second you soften, they'll lash back on like leeches, sucking me dry.
10:12Julian, you heartless bastard!
10:15You slept with my daughter for years, and now you'll just walk away?
10:18That 50,000's already in Carter's account.
10:21Sue us if you dare, and Al is pregnant.
10:23Abandon your wife and child, and I'll ruin you.
10:26Banners at your office, your reputation, gone.
10:29My parents paled.
10:30Mom, Mom, what are you?
10:32Shut up!
10:33Yes, two months.
10:35Julian, if you're any kind of man, marry her.
10:38Add Carter's name to the deed.
10:40Or watch your life burn.
10:42I stared at her twisted face and laughed.
10:44Pregnant?
10:45Perfect.
10:46I've got something to show everyone.
10:48The doctor had called me aside privately.
10:51I'd kept it secret, not wanting to hurt Alice.
10:53Now?
10:56Read it yourself.
10:57I tossed it at Alice.
10:58She picked it up, trembling.
11:00One glance, and her face went ghost white.
11:05This, this can't be fake!
11:08You're lying!
11:11Bilateral fallopian tube blockage.
11:13Extremely low natural conception probability.
11:15You forged this to escape responsibility!
11:18Fake?
11:18A hospital can confirm it.
11:20And these past months, I've been too busy planning this wedding to even sleep with her.
11:24Where'd this two-month pregnancy come from?
11:26Did air knock her up?
11:28Alice collapsed, hollow-eyed.
11:29Mom, how could you?
11:34You're killing me.
11:36I'm doing this for Carter!
11:38Who cares how we get the money?
11:40Enough!
11:41Money, money, money!
11:43That's all you see!
11:45If you want it so badly, die for it!
11:49Alice!
11:50Stop!
11:50I'm sorry!
11:53Next life, I won't scam you for my brother.
11:56I'll just be your wife.
11:59Alice!
12:01You're insane!
12:03Drop the weapon!
12:04Now!
12:06Connor had called them earlier.
12:07They tackled her, disarming the glass.
12:11Carter, you're under arrest for illegal gambling.
12:15No, I didn't!
12:17Mom, help!
12:19You can't take him!
12:21He's innocent!
12:22Arrest him!
12:23He's the gambling fraud mastermind!
12:26But when the police saw me, his face froze.
12:30I'm a shadow operative in the Red Organization, specializing in cybersecurity at home and abroad.
12:35Three months ago, I secretly worked with a few polices to take down an illegal wildlife trafficking ring.
12:41Long before that operation, they'd already vetted me inside out.
12:44When the officers saw me, they exchanged knowing glances, then ignored Margaret's screams and hauled Carter away.
12:50Standing on the stage, watching the circus, I just felt exhausted.
12:54Alice looked at me one last time, her eyes full of regret, despair, and something like relief.
12:59The police took all three of them, Alice, Margaret, Carter.
13:02Disorderly conduct charges for the scene they caused, plus Carter's gambling and fraud.
13:06As the key witness, I gave my statement.
13:08By the time I left the station, it was night.
13:10Connor waited outside, handing me a cigarette.
13:13Julian?
13:14You good?
13:14I took a deep drag.
13:16Yeah, just...what a joke.
13:18Five years of love, ending in this trash fire.
13:21What about the 50,000?
13:22Frozen.
13:23Andrew moved fast.
13:25They hadn't transferred it yet.
13:26Good.
13:27That's your hard-earned cash.
13:29Connor clapped my shoulder.
13:31The guys are taking you drinking.
13:33I got obliterated that night.
13:34Dreams flickering between Alice's gentle past and Margaret's smiling face.
13:40Woke up with a skull-splitting hangover.
13:42Dozens of missed calls.
13:43All unknown numbers.
13:44Frowning, I answered one.
13:48Julian, you scoundrel!
13:49You sent that family to prison!
13:51You have no mercy at all!
13:52Alice loved you so much, but you ruined her!
13:55You will not get away with this!
13:56A woman's voice, screeching obscenities.
13:59I hung up.
14:00So, Alice's side had launched their smear campaign.
14:03Checked social media.
14:04Sure enough, trending number one.
14:06Heartless groom cancels wedding, drives bride to suicide, frames brother.
14:10The edited clip showed only Alice's glass-to-throat moment and Carter's arrest.
14:14The caption painted me as a cruel, rich playboy.
14:17Comments were a hate tsunami.
14:19Death penalty for this trash.
14:20Rich men think they own the world?
14:22Poor girl deserved better.
14:24I smirked.
14:25Expected this.
14:26Instead of reacting, I texted Connor.
14:29Compile the full wedding footage and audio.
14:31Add Carter's gambling evidence and the loan shark texts.
14:34If they want war, we'll give them war.
14:35That afternoon, I went to the hospital, not as a patient, but to see Alice.
14:40Minor cuts from her meltdown, under observation.
14:43Two cops stood guard.
14:44They let me in after I explained.
14:46Alice lay in bed, bandaged wrists, face pale.
14:49Her eyes flickered when she saw me, then dimmed.
14:52Here to glow.
14:53I pulled up a chair.
14:56No.
14:57I'm here for what's mine.
15:00The 50,000's frozen, but the jewelry, bags, and car I bought you?
15:05No marriage means they get returned.
15:09Julian, after everything, you're counting this?
15:13I almost died.
15:15Your choice.
15:16My voice stayed flat.
15:18Alice, drop the act.
15:21That edited video online, you're doing.
15:24Her gaze darted.
15:25I don't know what you mean.
15:27Really?
15:27I played the clip.
15:29This angle's from your aunt's table.
15:30And the bot comments?
15:32Identical scripts.
15:34You're trying to pressure me into dropping charges against Carter.
15:38Julian, he's my only brother.
15:40A prison record ruins his life.
15:43Just forgive him this once.
15:46Sign a waiver saying it was a gift, not fraud.
15:49Please.
15:50She tried to kneel.
15:52I stopped her, Icy.
15:53Alice, wake up.
15:55You ruined him.
15:56You and Margaret, enabling his bullshit.
16:00And it's not just fraud.
16:03Cops found drugs in my system from that family dinner where I blacked out.
16:08What drugs?
16:09It was Carter who put the drug in my drink.
16:13Just before you forced me to add your name.
16:17This is a criminal offense.
16:18It's not something I can just forgive.
16:20Alice collapsed against the pillows.
16:22Someone will inventory the items.
16:24Expect court papers soon.
16:26Good luck.
16:28I didn't look back.
16:29Fake tears deserve no pity.
16:33When I got home, I posted all the evidence I'd put together online.
16:36The title was simple.
16:38The truth about the heartless groom scandal.
16:40The video was unedited, showing everything exactly as it happened.
16:43From them demanding more money outside the hotel, to the confrontation inside, to the text messages proving Carter's gambling debts.
16:49I also included a blurred version of the premarital checkup report, and the police notice about Carter drugging me, with
16:55key information redacted.
16:57As soon as the video went up, public opinion flipped completely.
17:00Everyone who had been bashing me started deleting their comments and turning against them.
17:04Holy shit.
17:05This is the real truth.
17:06This whole family is just a bunch of leeches.
17:09Drugging the groom?
17:10That's attempted murder.
17:11The bride was playing the victim.
17:13She was in on it.
17:14Anyone who marries someone who spoils her brother like this is screwed.
17:17The story blew up.
17:18Netizens dug up everything about Alice's family.
17:20A video of Margaret getting beaten for stealing vegetables at a market years ago resurfaced.
17:25Footage of Carter gambling illegally was also exposed.
17:28Someone even found out that Alice had paid off Carter's debts several times when they were in college.
17:32Under public pressure, the police sped up the investigation.
17:35Carter was charged with fraud, poisoning, and gambling.
17:38With combined sentences, he'd be locked up for at least 8 to 10 years.
17:42Margaret was detained for provoking trouble and covering up a crime.
17:45As for Alice, she didn't directly take part in the poisoning.
17:49But she hid what she knew and was involved in the fraud.
17:51The 50,000 yuan had gone into her bank account.
17:54She was also facing prosecution.
17:56A few days later, Alice's father Charles came to see me.
18:01Who'd never had a say in the family looked like he'd aged 10 years overnight.
18:04He held a bag of fruit, stood at my door, and didn't dare come in.
18:08Julian.
18:09Looking nervous.
18:09I'm begging you for something.
18:12Could you drop the charges?
18:14If you do, we'll pay back the 50,000 right away.
18:17We won't claim the house either.
18:21Alice, she can't go to jail.
18:23Looking at this pitiful, ordinary man, I sighed inwardly.
18:26In this family, he was a victim too.
18:28He'd been pushed around by his wife his whole life and drained by his son.
18:32Uncle, it's not I won't drop them.
18:34It's a public prosecution case.
18:36I can't.
18:38What Carter did broke criminal law.
18:40The light in Charles's eyes died.
18:42He squatted down, held his head, and cried bitterly.
18:46I told her again and again not to spoil Carter, not to...
18:49Now look what happened.
18:51Our family is destroyed.
18:52I just watched quietly.
18:54Those who seem pitiful must have their own faults.
18:56If he'd stood up for himself and controlled his wife and son earlier,
18:59none of this would have happened.
19:01After I sent Charles away, Connor called me.
19:05Julian, uh...
19:05Alice wants to see you one last time.
19:07I hesitated for a moment.
19:09I'll go.
19:11I need to end this properly.
19:14We were in the visiting room at the detention center, separated by thick glass.
19:18She picked up the phone, looked at me, and tears rolled down silently.
19:22Alice was wearing a prison uniform, her hair cut short, and she'd lost a lot of weight.
19:26Without her fancy makeup, she looked completely worn out.
19:29Julian, I'm sorry.
19:30That was the first thing she said to me.
19:32This time, I could hear she actually meant it.
19:35It's all in the past now.
19:37I said calmly.
19:37I know I'm done for.
19:39Alice gave a bitter smile.
19:40Carter got 12 years.
19:42My mom got one year.
19:43I'll probably get three.
19:45My dad sold our old house and is raising money to pay you back.
19:50Julian, I really did love you.
19:53But I was raised to believe my brother was everything to the family,
19:56that I had to help him no matter what.
19:57I thought that was family love.
19:59Until that day, when he tried to hit you on stage and grab my phone.
20:02To him, I wasn't his sister.
20:04I was just an ATM.
20:07Alice wiped her tears.
20:10Thank you, Julian.
20:12I looked at her, my heart full of mixed feelings.
20:14The girl who used to smile so brightly had finally been eaten alive by her own family.
20:19Reform well.
20:20When you get out, live for yourself for once.
20:25Don't be anyone's accessory ever again.
20:27I will.
20:30Julian, I wish you happiness.
20:33Find a good girl.
20:35Not someone like me.
20:37She couldn't finish speaking.
20:38She was sobbing too hard.
20:40A guard walked over and signaled that time was up.
20:43Alice hung up the phone, gave me one deep look, then turned and left.
20:46I watched her figure disappear behind the iron gate.
20:49A huge weight finally lifted off my chest.
20:51This five-year relationship had ended in the worst way possible.
20:54But I didn't regret it.
20:55Because I'd kept my bottom line.
20:57And I'd kept my dignity.
21:00Three years later, my company went public.
21:03That same day, I got married again.
21:05My bride was Chloe, my business partner.
21:08She was independent, confident, and generous.
21:10Most importantly, she had a reasonable, understanding family.
21:14No one kept asking me for money non-stop.
21:16And certainly no criminal brother.
21:18The wedding was simple, held at the same hotel.
21:20No fancy formalities, just sincere blessings.
21:23During the toast, Connor came over sneakily.
21:26Julian, look who's here.
21:28I followed his gaze and saw a figure at the hotel entrance.
21:30She was wearing plain work clothes and a mask, but I recognized her at once.
21:34Alice.
21:35She held a bag, as if she wanted to come in but didn't dare.
21:38When she saw me, she quickly lowered her head, left the bag on a table near the door, and ran
21:42off.
21:43I walked over and picked up the bag.
21:45Inside was a painting.
21:46It was a portrait of Chloe and me.
21:48The style was a little rough, but it could tell she'd put her heart into it.
21:51Beneath it was a note.
21:52Wish you two be together forever.
21:54This time, I've learned to love myself, Dot.
21:58I handed the painting to Chloe.
22:00Yes.
22:01Chloe asked curiously.
22:02A gift from an old friend.
22:04I took Chloe's hand.
22:06Let's go.
22:07The guests are still waiting for us.
22:09Good.
22:09The sun shone down on us, warm and bright.
22:12I thought.
22:13This is what life is supposed to be like.
22:15No more dealing with cold, empty relationships.
22:17No more leeches.
22:19Just a steady, honest life with the right person.
22:22As for the past, let it go with the wind.
22:24After all, people have to move forward.
22:26What should keep rising isn't money on some staircase, but our lives.
22:30Three years later.
22:32Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the river flowed endlessly.
22:35And the air smelled faintly of agarwood.
22:38I sat on a handmade wool carpet, holding a pink rattle.
22:41My two-year-old daughter Eliza lay on my lap, her dribbles soaking my pants.
22:44Say, Daddy.
22:45I shook the rattle.
22:47Eliza blew a bubble and mumbled,
22:48Mommy.
22:49On the sofa not far away, Chloe was wearing silk loungewear, a slim laptop on her lap.
22:54She heard us but didn't look up.
22:56The first word Eliza utters is definitely Mom.
22:59Chloe typed away, the screen showing data for the company's second-half acquisition plan.
23:03I lifted Eliza up and wiped her drool with a tissue.
23:06Taking care of a baby was harder than reading stock charts.
23:09The doorbell rang.
23:10The maid went to open the door.
23:12Connor walked in with two fancy gift boxes.
23:14He was now the company's vice president, dressed in a suit, with a belly a bit bigger than three years
23:18ago.
23:19Julian.
23:19Chloe.
23:20Connor set the boxes on the coffee table.
23:22Candy from a client in South Africa.
23:24Chloe closed her laptop and picked up her coffee cup.
23:27Connor.
23:28How is the project The South City Logistics Player coming along?
23:31They had originally intended to negotiate the price.
23:34But after seeing our financial chain report, they immediately signed it.
23:39After a bit of business talk, Chloe took Eliza upstairs to bathe her.
23:43Only Connor and I were left in the living room, his face turning strange.
23:46He glanced toward the stairs and lowered his voice.
23:49Julian, there's something I don't know if I should tell you.
23:53I leaned back on the sofa and picked up a pack of cigarettes from the table.
23:57Yesterday I went to inspect the Old City Renovation Project, and I saw Alice.
24:02I paused for a second and lifted my eyes to look at him.
24:05Connor sighed.
24:05She's living a terrible life.
24:07I didn't reply.
24:08I set the cigarette pack aside and didn't light one.
24:11She said she'd start over.
24:13Connor shook his head.
24:14She hooked up with some loser running a fake company.
24:17The guy talked big, said he'd make her rich and give her a home.
24:20She believed him.
24:21All the money she'd saved from working tens of thousands, she poured into it.
24:25She even took out online loans behind his back.
24:27Then she got pregnant.
24:28When he saw she was no use to him, he took what was left and ran off.
24:32Connor's voice was full of pity.
24:33She had a premature baby last month, heavy bleeding.
24:36They treated her at a small clinic.
24:38She lived, but they had to remove her uterus.
24:41The baby was born unhealthy, stayed in an incubator for a few days, and didn't make it.
24:45When I saw her yesterday, she was cornered outside her rental by loan sharks.
24:50She's skin and bones.
24:51I listened, then picked up my coffee cup and took a sip.
24:54The coffee was warm, just right.
24:56Done.
24:56I set the cup down.
24:58Julian, you're not responding at all?
25:00What kind of reaction should I have?
25:02The lewd was fans of Verti.
25:05Seven years ago, I thought her to be a mirror beer independence.
25:09But she didn't know it changed her mind.
25:11Yes, dogs can never stop eating feces.
25:13She will always rely on others throughout her life.
25:16First it was you, then her brother, and now it's that man who deceives and manipulates
25:20women's emo.
25:21She brought all this upon herself.
25:23All right, let's not talk at her anymore.
25:25Just stay and have dinner.
25:26No, I have a business meeting with a partner tonight.
25:28I have to go.
25:29After Connor left, the villa went quiet again.
25:32I walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows and looked out at the river.
25:35I felt nothing at all.
25:37Some people, once they're gone, are gone for good.
25:39Even if they rot in the mud, it has nothing to do with me.
25:42At 10 p.m., Eliza was asleep.
25:44Chloe and I leaned against the headboard.
25:46I was going through tomorrow's meeting schedule, and she was reading a management book.
25:50My private phone suddenly vibrated.
25:52The screen showed an unknown number, local area.
25:54I pressed answer and held it to my ear.
26:00Hello?
26:00No sound came from the other end, only heavy breathing and the creaking of a cheap fan spinning
26:05in the background.
26:06Who's this?
26:06A voice so hoarse and weak it could barely be heard choked with tears.
26:10Julian?
26:10My fingers tightened around the phone.
26:12My voice turned cold.
26:14What do you want?
26:15Julian, help me.
26:17I'm gonna die.
26:19I'm really gonna die.
26:22Wrong number.
26:23I was about to hang up.
26:24Don't hang up!
26:25Please don't!
26:26Her voice tearing.
26:27It hurts.
26:28My stomach hurts so bad.
26:29My wounds is infected, and I have no money for medicine.
26:32The landlord's kicking me out tomorrow.
26:34Julian, I have nothing left.
26:35I lost my baby.
26:36My body's broken, and they're gonna cut my hand off.
26:39I'm so sorry.
26:40I really am so sorry.
26:42He lied to me.
26:43He said he'd take care of me forever.
26:45He took all my money.
26:47Julian, I thought he'd be nice to me like you were,
26:50but no one in this world will ever treat me as well as you did.
26:53Alice rambled and cried, every word full of pain.
26:56I listened quietly, my eyes growing colder.
26:59Alice.
27:01The line went silent for a second, only sobbing left.
27:04You thought he'd treat you like I did?
27:06So you went to him just to find a replacement?
27:09Someone else you could leech off?
27:11No.
27:12I was just so lonely.
27:14I was scared to be alone.
27:15You never learned to love yourself.
27:17You just keep looking for someone to cling to.
27:19First me, then your brother, now this liar.
27:22You ended up like this, not because you met the wrong people.
27:26Violent coughing came from the phone.
27:28Julian, for the sake of the five years we had, lend me $500.
27:33Just $500.
27:35I'll buy antibiotics.
27:36I don't want to die in my rental room.
27:39I'm married.
27:43I looked at Chloe beside me.
27:44I have a wife and a daughter.
27:46Every penny I own belongs to my family.
27:48I'm not giving you a cent.
27:50Don't call this number again.
27:51I was about to hang up when a pale hand reached over and took my phone.
27:55She'd put her book down at some point and had been listening quietly.
27:58She put the phone on speaker.
28:00Alice, is it?
28:01Chloe's voice was calm and cold, with the quiet confidence of someone who held power.
28:06You're Chloe?
28:06Chloe leaned back against the headboard.
28:09I'm Julian's wife.
28:10Connor told me about you.
28:12Alice said nothing.
28:13Only heavy breathing.
28:15You could almost feel her shame and helplessness through the line.
28:18Send me your bank account number.
28:20I turned to Chloe.
28:21She gave me a reassuring look.
28:23You- you're gonna lend me money?
28:25Alice's voice trembled in disbelief.
28:27Not lend.
28:28Give.
28:29I'll send you $1,000.
28:32This $1,000 isn't from Julian.
28:34It's from me.
28:36I feel sorry for what you're going through.
28:38And I thank you for not marrying him back then, so Julian could find me.
28:41Take the money, go to the hospital, fix your wound, pay your landlord.
28:44The rest will be enough for a ticket back to your hometown.
28:46Chloe's words were like a cold scalpel, cutting through Alice's last hope.
28:49But listen carefully, Alice.
28:50Chloe's voice turned sharp, authoritative, and unarguable.
28:53This is the first and last time.
28:55This $1,000 buys every last connection you have with Julian.
28:58From now on, if you dare call this number again, or show up near Julian or my family,
29:03the company's legal team will charge you with blackmail and harassment.
29:06You just got out three years ago.
29:07You don't want to go back, do you?
29:09Complete silence on the line.
29:10Only the creaking fan echoed.
29:13Send the account.
29:14Half a minute later, my screen lit up.
29:16A text with a string of numbers.
29:18Chloe picked up her own phone, opened the banking app, entered the account, and transferred $1,000.
29:23She did it smoothly, without a single pause.
29:26The transfer success sound played.
29:29Chloe hung up immediately and blocked the number right away.
29:32The whole thing took less than two minutes.
29:34She tossed my phone back onto the nightstand and picked up her management book again.
29:37I stared at her and smiled.
29:39You're cool, Mrs. Chloe.
29:41I leaned in and kissed her cheek.
29:43$1,000 for peace and to cut off all future trouble.
29:46Good investment.
29:47Talking sense to people like her is useless.
29:49Hit them with money to kill their hope.
29:51Warn them with the law, that's what works.
29:53You're not mad?
29:55Why would I be?
29:59Chloe finally looked up at me.
30:01Mad over a loser calling for help?
30:04Julian, I'm better than that.
30:06She's just a pathetic woman stuck in a rental who can't even afford antibiotics.
30:10I'm a business partner.
30:11Your wife.
30:12We were never in the same world.
30:14Chloe closed her book and turned off the bedside lamp.
30:17Sleep.
30:18We have a meeting with the South City Project investors tomorrow morning.
30:21I lay down and pulled her into my arms.
30:23The river wind blew outside.
30:24But inside the villa it was warm like spring.
30:27I closed my eyes.
30:28The last thing I thought of was what Connor had described.
30:30The shabby rental, the paint splattered door, the woman lying on a moldy bed.
30:34The world is cruel.
30:35But it's also fair.
30:36Everyone pays for their choices.
30:38Alice chose to cling to others.
30:39And in the end she was drained dry.
30:41I chose to stand up.
30:42And that's why I have this good life now.
30:44The next morning, Eliza sat in her high chair, waving her tiny spoon and clinking it against
30:50her bowl.
30:50I wore a tailored suit and stood in front of the mirror tying my tie.
30:54Chloe walked over, took it naturally, and fixed my collar.
30:57Your tie clip's crooked.
31:00The South City Project signing is today.
31:02There might be media.
31:04Legal and PR are all set.
31:06Ready for your new battlefield, Julian?
31:09Absolutely.
31:09I held her hand.
31:11We walked out the front door.
31:12The driver had already opened the Maybach door, and we drove toward the downtown CBD.
31:17As for the woman in that rental room, that late night phone call, they were like falling
31:21leaves flashing past the car window, gone with the wind, never to be seen again.
Kommentare