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My Husband Wanted An Open Marriage — This Time, I Said No Ep 2026- Hot
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00:00Ryan Carter, the famous Playboy heir, openly declared that he only dated women on short-term
00:05arrangements. However, there were still lots of women eager to be his temporary girlfriend,
00:10because if he was in a good mood, he'd reward them with a villa. If he wasn't, they'd still
00:15walk away with a million-dollar breakup fee. People all laughed at me, saying I was the most
00:20miserable, wealthy wife in history. They all thought I'd endure it for the rest of my life.
00:25I was going to, until Ryan brought a college student named Kelly Smith home.
00:30The girl looked ordinary, yet she was the first woman he kept longer than a month.
00:35Ryan gave me two choices. Agree to an open marriage and let Kelly be on equal terms with me,
00:40or just divorce him, split the assets evenly, and go our separate ways for good.
00:45His friends were there, watching the show. They were sure I'd just keep being a pushover,
00:50putting up with everything. But to their surprise, I chose the latter without hesitation.
00:54In my previous life, I chose to endure, and what I got in return was Kelly pushing her luck further
01:01and further. She forbade Ryan from touching me or giving me any of his assets. In my later years,
01:07I couldn't help but envy Kelly, who ended up with everything—money, children, the whole package.
01:14Even after Ryan died, his will didn't grant me anything. All his inheritance was left under Kelly's
01:20control. I had been his lawful wife, but ended up with nothing at last. Reborn into this life,
01:27I finally figured everything out. This time, I just wanted to take the money and leave.
01:31I picked up the divorce agreement, read it carefully from beginning to end,
01:36and was about to sign my name. Ryan finally spoke.
01:40Anna Taylor, think this through. Once you sign, there's no turning back.
01:44I didn't stop. I quickly wrote my name down. I'll pack my things and leave right now.
01:54In my previous life, I thought bringing Kelly home was just another one of his tricks to mess
01:59with me. Naively, I believed that after all these years of marriage, he must have had at least a
02:05little affection for me. I was a fool. He and Kelly had kids one after another and grew old together
02:11in love. And I, in that house, was like an awkward outsider, mocked and ridiculed by everyone around
02:19me for my whole life. Not until my later years did I hear him talking with Kelly in a hospital
02:24room.
02:25He said that back then, the dramatic scene of catching a guy in my bed had been arranged by
02:30him personally. I was just tired of her and didn't want things to get too ugly.
02:36So I staged the whole thing. There wasn't a shred of guilt
02:40in his clouded eyes. That way, all I did later
02:43seemed completely defensible. So that was it.
02:47No wonder every time I desperately tried to explain,
02:50all I got was his cold disbelief.
02:53Because from beginning to end, he knew the truth.
02:56He didn't love me, yet he used a fabricated crime
03:00to trap me for 50 years.
03:01He could have ended it cleanly with one stroke, but instead chose to slowly torture me to death.
03:08Looking at the young, yet still cold face before me, I felt nothing but hatred.
03:12He stared blankly at the signed agreement, his eyes filled with shock.
03:17Outside the door, the faint sounds of whispering abruptly stopped.
03:21The next second, my distinguished parents-in-law rushed in cheerfully.
03:28Oh my, look at her. So young and so energetic.
03:33My father-in-law, who had always treated me with hostility, was smiling kindly at this moment.
03:38Finally, we can send away that useless one.
03:42It's been so many years, but there's no kid at all.
03:47Sir?
03:50Sir, madam, please don't say that.
03:54I don't want to disrespect.
03:56Actually, I'm already one month expecting.
03:59It's just still early, so I plan to tell you about it later.
04:02As expected, still the same familiar sarcasm, the same nauseating tone.
04:07All these years, in order to be a useful wife,
04:10I worked myself to the bone at Carter Group during the day.
04:13At night, I still had to serve these two picky bastards.
04:17Just past thirty, yet plenty of white hair had already crept into my temples.
04:22I did look kinda old.
04:23I turned back to my room and began packing my pitiful little bit of luggage.
04:28And I was already planning where I should go first to properly relax after getting the money.
04:33Didn't notice Ryan following me in.
04:36It's so late. There's no need to move out immediately.
04:40Leave tomorrow.
04:43Isn't the villa in the west of the city still empty?
04:47You can stay there for now.
04:49I'll visit you when I'm free you.
04:52Ana, you're just being emotional.
04:55Calm down.
04:56I know how much you love me, okay?
05:00But I really can't let you be my legal wife anymore.
05:04I can't let my child grow up being labeled as illegitimate.
05:07I didn't respond.
05:09I just picked up my suitcase, walked past him, and headed straight for the door.
05:14There's nothing left to say between us.
05:16I'm very happy we're divorced.
05:19If you really still have a conscience, hurry up and pay me what you owe.
05:24The night wind carried fine snow as it rushed toward me, biting cold, yet unable to extinguish the fire burning
05:30in my heart.
05:32Ryan's efficiency was, as always, impressive.
05:35When I woke up, three billion was already in my bank account.
05:39With the money, the first thing I did was book Harbor City's most luxurious private club.
05:44Haircut, full-body spa, and everything.
05:47The haggard woman with graying temples in the mirror was gone.
05:50In her place stood a sharp-eyed beauty with flamboyant red hair.
05:53Just as I finished changing, my best friend Iris Allen called.
05:57Anna Taylor, what's going on between you and Ryan?
06:00Have you lost your minds?
06:02What the hell happened?
06:04What's wrong?
06:05And you still ask what's wrong?
06:07Haven't you seen the news yourself?
06:09The headlines are full, are full of Ryan and that woman at some banquet.
06:14He said in front of all the reporters, that woman is his only wife.
06:20He even said they're holding a wedding soon.
06:23Your stuck-up in-laws were right there, too, saying that girl had it coming.
06:27Are you okay?
06:29I never got such public acknowledgement, such recognition.
06:32Ryan had now given it to her.
06:34I'm fine.
06:35We're already divorced.
06:37What?
06:39Divorced?
06:40She'd watched me love Ryan for more than ten years.
06:42She watched me bend over backward for this marriage.
06:45Give up myself like a servant begging for scraps.
06:48Begging for scraps of affection.
06:50Are you few-free tonight?
06:53Let's go get a drink.
06:55My treat.
06:56In Harbor City's most extravagant bar, the booths were piled high with the priciest wine.
07:01Several young, handsome male models surrounded me, attentively pouring drinks for me.
07:09Holy shit, I believe it now.
07:12You really have let go.
07:13You were never like this before.
07:16Back then, to prove to Ryan that I wasn't after money, I calculated cost performance for everything.
07:21I had been afraid he'd think I was wasteful or didn't care about the family.
07:25Now, sitting in this luxurious, private room, I looked at the woman reflected in the mirrored glass.
07:31The flamboyant red hair, the perfectly tailored haute couture dress, was strange, yet familiar.
07:38Iris raised her glass and clinked it hard against mine.
07:41You look a bit like that once-in-a-century genius beauty from the finance department at Ace University.
07:47She downed a huge gulp of wine and then complained.
07:51Back then, so many venture capital firms were fighting to invest in you.
07:55If you'd started your own group, you'd have crushed Carter Group long ago.
07:59Spending over a decade being a servant for his family?
08:02And after the divorce, you only got this much money.
08:05Girl, I really think you deserve better.
08:07I had been a servant for them for more than a decade.
08:10In my previous life, Carter Group, under my control, once dominated the national rankings as the strongest enterprise.
08:17Yet in my old age, I couldn't even afford a box of painkillers.
08:20In the end, I was thrown out by Kelly's children and died of illness beside a trash heap on a
08:25winter night.
08:26The business empire I built with my entire life went to Kelly and her children.
08:30Thinking of this, I drained the wine in my glass in one go.
08:33The spicy liquid burned down my throat, yet ignited the fire deep in my heart.
08:38I swore I would get back at them.
08:40Without me, could they really live so well?
08:43The very next day, news of my group registration spread like wildfire, stirring the entire circle.
08:49Some people sensed opportunity and rushed overnight with proposals, hoping to invest.
08:53But more people mocked and waited on the sidelines, waiting for the Carter family's reaction.
08:59Someone clearly gave instructions to the media, so paparazzi articles were all belittling me for overestimating myself.
09:05I looked at the push notifications on my phone and swiped them away expressionlessly.
09:09I just didn't expect to receive a call from Ryan.
09:16Anna, can't you be a bit more understanding?
09:19I've just found true love.
09:23Besides, instead of starting some small, broken group,
09:26wouldn't it be better to stay at Carter Group, that Southern District merger you were handling before?
09:31I hung up the phone directly, as expected.
09:34He had just remembered that I was still useful.
09:37That Southern District project was a tough nut I'd been working on for over half a year.
09:41I drank until my stomach perforated for it.
09:44Without me, Carter Group wouldn't even know where to start.
09:47At Carter Group, although I was the president, my monthly salary was only $1,000.
09:53All because my distinguished father-in-law said we were family and shouldn't be so calculative.
09:58I once naively believed that was his test for me.
10:01Now it seemed I was nothing more than an exceptionally capable, yet ridiculously cheap housemaid they had recruited.
10:08The more I thought about it, the angrier I became.
10:11I made up my mind at that time.
10:13I would take over all those projects I brought to Carter Group in my previous life.
10:17Even if my new group couldn't deal with them, I would personally hand them over to Carter Group's deadliest rivals.
10:23After the call was cut off, Ryan slammed his phone to the ground in fury.
10:27All these years, he had grown used to my obedience, expecting me to show up on command and disappear at
10:32his whim.
10:33Now that I'd hung up on him so decisively, he felt really mad.
10:37At that moment, his special assistant awkwardly came in holding a stack of documents he couldn't even understand, asking him
10:44to sign them.
10:44Days of exhaustion, plus years of unfamiliarity with group affairs, had left him truly overwhelmed lately.
10:51Kelly followed the assistant in, took Ryan's hand, and said with eyes full of concern,
10:56Ryan, don't work yourself too hard. I'm your wife now. Let me help share your burden.
11:02He hesitated, somewhat uneasy.
11:05You're still young and unfamiliar with group operation.
11:09Go rotate through the department first.
11:11What? Anna Taylor could be the president.
11:15Why can't I?
11:20Ryan subconsciously wanted to say that at least Anna was a top graduate from Ace University's finance department.
11:25But the moment he met Kelly's eyes, all his rationality was thrown away.
11:29His heart softened, and he just nodded.
11:32Kelly broke into a smile through her tears, hugged him, and said affectionately,
11:36I'm just worried about you. Look at you, you've lost so much weight lately.
11:41Less than half a month after my group started up, everything was already running smoothly.
11:46During this time, Kelly sent people over more than once to cause trouble.
11:49Just some petty tricks, all of which I brushed aside with ease.
11:53After all these years, the connections I'd built were far beyond what a little girl like her could compare to.
11:59Those senior employees at Carter Group, whom I personally trained, had long wanted to leave after hearing I'd gone solo.
12:06Especially since after Kelly started working there, she kept suppressing them, making their days suffocating.
12:12I didn't rush to bring them over.
12:13I had them stir up a little chaos before they left.
12:16A small token of allegiance to me.
12:18Kelly thought losing a few people was no big deal,
12:21even secretly rejoicing that she'd cleared out some remnants of me.
12:24But she didn't understand.
12:26Some of them were critical for the group.
12:28Projects fell through one after another, and Carter Group's stock price plunged again and again.
12:34Meanwhile, on my side, with capable team members, we unleashed astonishing power,
12:39consecutively landing several deals worth tens of millions.
12:43Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window in the conference room, looking at the jubilant team below,
12:48Tonight at OTT Club, it's all on me!
12:52No one leaves sober!
12:55Amid the thunderous cheers, I led everyone out of the group building in a grand procession.
13:00At the entrance, a familiar black Rolls Royce was parked quietly by the roadside.
13:04The car door opened, and Ryan stepped out with an arrogant look, waving at me.
13:09I didn't even glance his way, leading my people straight ahead.
13:16Anna Taylor, what do you mean?
13:18Didn't you see me?
13:20You've really grown bold now.
13:22A little impatient, I looked at him coldly and said,
13:25Sir, do you need something?
13:27He seemed slightly taken aback by my attitude, but still got straight to the point, issuing an order.
13:32Shut down your group and come back to Carter Group.
13:35I was so angered by his self-righteousness that I laughed.
13:38He took my laughter as hesitation, and his tone softened a little.
13:42Anna, I've really been exhausted lately.
13:45Don't keep fighting with me, alright?
13:46He paused, as if making a huge concession.
13:49If you really mind, Kelly, I can have her move somewhere else for now.
13:53Looking at this pompous man before me, I couldn't help but question my own judgment back then.
13:58I'm not throwing a tantrum.
13:59I cut him off coldly.
14:01Mr. Ryan, we're already divorced.
14:04Please don't interfere with my life anymore.
14:07His patience ran out, his voice suddenly rising.
14:11I've already compromised.
14:13What more do you want?
14:15The group needs you right now, and you choose this moment to put on airs?
14:21I suddenly felt there was no reasoning with him at all.
14:24In his world, everyone was supposed to revolve around him.
14:28If you've got any issues, sir, why don't you go bother your precious wife?
14:33Kelly Smith, I'm just an outsider.
14:36I have no obligation to clean up your mess.
14:39You care about the status?
14:42Anna, once Kelly gives birth, I'll think about it.
14:49But you have to promise me, no going public.
14:53I don't want Kelly to be hurt.
14:55I stared at him, enunciating every word.
14:58I'll say it one last time.
15:00Get lost.
15:01Don't let me see you again.
15:06I'm never getting back together with you.
15:09Ever.
15:10Anna Taylor, don't push your luck.
15:14Don't forget this is Harbor City.
15:17If I want to crush a low-tier little group like yours, it's easy as pie.
15:22Just then, a clear, slightly lazy male voice cut in.
15:26Oh?
15:27Mr. Ryan sure has a bad temper.
15:30Not only openly harassing my fiancé, but also threatening to destroy her group.
15:38Ryan turned his head and was totally stunned.
15:40It was Alex White, another rich young man, and Ryan's nemesis.
15:45Alex strolled over lazily and naturally wrapped an arm around my waist.
15:49Leaning his head intimately against my shoulder, he whined.
15:54Darling, I've been waiting in the parking lot forever.
15:57Turns out you were here stopped by a bastard.
16:01Anna Taylor!
16:02Give me an explanation!
16:03Why did you betray me?
16:06Then, as if he suddenly figured something out, he put on a smug, all-knowing expression.
16:10I get it now.
16:12You're acting, aren't you?
16:14You deliberately found out Alex to piss me off.
16:18Alex rolled his eyes dramatically and dragged me away.
16:20Let's just not waste time with him.
16:29Stop right there!
16:31Ryan tried to chase after us, but he was too agitated.
16:34And with his recent chaotic schedule, his abdomen suddenly seized with sharp pain.
16:39Damn.
16:40He doubled over in pain, clutching his stomach, cold sweat beating on his forehead.
16:48Anna, my stomach hurts.
16:50I didn't slow down.
16:51In fact, I walked even faster, not turning my head even once.
16:55Behind me were his suppressed groans of pain and his assistant's panicked screams.
16:59Alex didn't give me any chance to look back.
17:02He directly shoved me into the passenger seat of his flashy red Ferrari.
17:06The sports car roared out of the parking lot.
17:08Only then did he take off his sunglasses and smile at me sideways.
17:12Well, not bad acting, right?
17:18I didn't speak.
17:19Just watched the cityscape speeding past outside the window.
17:22Hey, Anna, don't be so indifferent.
17:26I helped you out, you know.
17:28Not even a thank you.
17:30I kept it brief.
17:31He pouted, clearly dissatisfied with my coldness.
17:35But he didn't say more.
17:36Only turned up the volume of the car music.
17:38That very night, the headlines of Harbor City's financial and entertainment sections were all
17:43dominated by Ryan Carter.
17:45Carter Group president, chasing former love, suffers stomach spasms and is hospitalized.
17:50The accompanying photos showed him being taken into an ambulance by his assistant and bodyguards.
17:54The comment section exploded.
17:57Some mocked Ryan for bringing it on himself, saying he should have expected this day back
18:00when he flaunted his mistress.
18:02Others claimed Kelly Smith was inferior to me, which is why Ryan turned back, and that
18:06the two of us would soon remarry.
18:08In the VIP ward of Harbor City First Hospital, Kelly Smith, eyes bloodshot, grabbed the glass
18:15cup from the bedside table and smashed it viciously onto the floor, shards flying everywhere.
18:20Why did you go to find her?
18:22Why?
18:22Didn't you say having me alone was enough?
18:25The sharp, shattering sound startled Ryan, and a dull ache crept through his abdomen.
18:30He rubbed his temples tiredly, even opening his eyes, feeling like an effort.
18:34His voice was very light, heavy with irritation.
18:38What are you yelling for?
18:42I went to see her for Group Matters.
18:45Are Group Matters more important than me?
18:47I don't care!
18:48You swear right now, promise you'll never go see Anna Taylor again!
18:52Never!
18:53She was shouting too loudly, with a suffocating pressure.
18:56Shut up!
18:57He suddenly shoved her away.
18:59If you hadn't messed the group up so badly, would I need to lower myself to go beg her?
19:06Kelly still wanted to say something.
19:08I...
19:09But then the ward door was pushed open.
19:11Ryan's mother walked in, carrying a thermal food container.
19:14When she saw the mess all over the floor and her son's pale face, her anger instantly flared.
19:20Kelly Smith, you're really becoming more and more outrageous.
19:24She slammed the container heavily onto the table and pointed at Kelly's nose as she scolded.
19:29Can't you see Ryan isn't feeling well?
19:31Why are you still yelling at him?
19:33The more she spoke, the angrier she became.
19:36If Anna were here, she'd have Aldi gone home to make dinner for Ryan by now.
19:40You only know how to make a steen.
19:42Anna Taylor?
19:44You're talking about her again?
19:46Kelly instantly bristled, letting out a cold snort.
19:49I'm not her.
19:50I don't want to do that kind of servant work.
19:53She crossed her arms over her chest and stubbornly talked back.
19:57What do you mean?
19:58There are so many servants at home.
20:00Why do I have to cook myself?
20:02I think you're just picking a fight on purpose, deliberately using her to put me down.
20:06I'm carrying your grandson.
20:07You don't want him anymore?
20:09How dare you talk back?
20:11Ryan's mother was shaking with anger.
20:13What have you ever done for Ryan?
20:16Other than spending money and causing trouble?
20:20What else did you do?
20:22What trouble did I cause?
20:25Get out!
20:26Both of you, get out!
20:27A sharp roar instantly drowned out all the arguing.
20:31Ryan forced himself upright, grabbed the pillow by the bed, and hurled it at them with all his strength.
20:35Get out!
20:36Now!
20:37The roar fell into dead silence in an instant.
20:39Ryan's mother and Kelly were both stunned.
20:42Ryan collapsed weakly back onto the bed,
20:45burying his face into the blanket as suppressed sobs seeped out muffled.
20:49This was the first time he regretted it.
20:51Ryan regretted divorcing Anna.
20:55When Anna was around, the group never had any problems, and the household was always in perfect order.
21:02Anna would arrange everything properly, and Ryan could just enjoy his life.
21:06But now, because of several useless relatives Kelly had stuffed into the group, accidents happened again and again, and several
21:13projects had already been cancelled.
21:15By the time he realized something was wrong, most of the capable backbones in the group had already left.
21:21And his parents, who once praised Kelly non-stop, now constantly complained and expressed dissatisfaction.
21:28Life seemed to have gone back to years ago, when his group was on the brink of bankruptcy, besieged on
21:34all sides.
21:35The difference was, back then, when he turned around, I was always there.
21:41And I would gently tell him,
21:43Don't be afraid. You've got me.
21:45But now, behind him, there was no one at all.
21:49A few days later, the contract with the white group was officially signed.
21:53This was the biggest deal I'd landed since leaving Carter Group.
21:56It meant my small group had finally gained a firm foothold.
21:59Alex White attended in person.
22:03President Anna, to celebrate our successful cooperation, how about dinner together?
22:09I looked at his handsome face and declined politely.
22:12No, I still have something to do tonight.
22:15His smile faded. He leaned forward, bracing his hands on the table, staring straight at me.
22:19Anna Taylor, how long are you going to keep running? You clearly know what I mean.
22:27Ever since that day in the parking lot when he helped me out, Alex White had launched a fierce pursuit.
22:33Flowers, gifts, and endless invitations.
22:36It was impossible to ignore.
22:38But I remained distant the entire time.
22:40I frowned and said,
22:42Mr. Alex, if you're just trying to provoke Ryan, there's really need combated Shin-o-nem-or-Nin.
22:48Alex looked at me with his big eyes.
22:50He suddenly smiled.
22:52I'm not that boring.
22:54I really do like you.
22:56His gaze was far too intense.
22:58I subconsciously stepped back, but he grabbed my sleeve.
23:02Alex's fingers were long and warm.
23:05He gently shook my arm and softened his voice, his tone full of coquettish pleading.
23:10Come on, just give me a chance.
23:13Have dinner with me, okay?
23:15He winked playfully at me and lowered his voice.
23:18A secret about Ryan.
23:20I wanted to say no, but unconsciously agreed.
23:23All right.
23:24With a loud bang, both of us were startled.
23:28The receptionist then hurried in anxiously.
23:31President Anna, I'm sorry this gentleman insisted on barging in.
23:34We couldn't stop him.
23:38I waved my hand, signaling her to step out first.
23:42The uninvited guests were right behind the receptionist.
23:44The one in front sat in a wheelchair, which was Ryan.
23:48Only a few days had passed, yet he looked as if all vitality had been drained from him, his face
23:53sallow and his eye socket sunken.
23:55Anna, I'm here to take you home.
23:57I looked at him, not feeling sorry for him, but only mad at him for interrupting me.
24:03I reached out and pressed the internal line on the desk.
24:06Security, come here and take these uninvited people out.
24:10Ryan looked kind of stunned.
24:11He probably hadn't expected me to be this ruthless.
24:15His eyes instantly reddened.
24:17Anna Taylor, how can you treat me like this?
24:20I've already thought it through these past few days.
24:23We're the most suitable for each other.
24:25I've already brought up divorce with Kelly Smith.
24:28Come back to my side, okay?
24:30If this were my previous life, I probably would have softened after seeing this.
24:34But now, I only found it noisy.
24:37Don't have any feelings for you anymore.
24:39Who you marry or divorce has nothing to do with me.
24:43My voice was cold as ice.
24:46Please don't come disturb my life again.
24:49I don't want to be your servant anymore.
24:52The decisiveness in my words left his face full of hurt.
24:55We've been married for so many years, remember?
24:59You won't even give me one chance?
25:01He stared at me in disbelief.
25:03Until he confirmed that there was only indifference left in my eyes.
25:07Only then did he understand.
25:08I wasn't saying this out of spite.
25:11He stopped faking tears and his eyes were filled with fierceness.
25:14Anna Taylor, don't forget.
25:16If I hadn't sponsored you back then, you would even have been able to go to college.
25:21Now you're leaving me after your achievements?
25:25I don't want much.
25:27Just help me hold Carter Group together for five years.
25:31Alright?
25:32At last, he pulled out this trump card.
25:34The so-called debt of gratitude had weighed me down for a full ten years.
25:38I fell silent.
25:40At the moment I hesitated, a warm hand covered the back of my hand.
25:44Alex had somehow come to stand beside me.
25:51Ryan Carter, do you have no shame at all?
25:55His voice was clear, with undisguised contempt.
25:58Using my credit to blackrail others?
26:03How can you be so utterly shameless?
26:06Ryan's expression changed abruptly.
26:08Alex White, why are you here?
26:10Alex laughed and said,
26:11Why can't I be here?
26:13If I weren't, I wouldn't have known that you've been taking my to my credit.
26:17Using my kindness to threaten the woman when I love.
26:21You're talking nonsense!
26:23Shut up!
26:25I did sponsor her!
26:27Is that so?
26:29Alex took out his phone and presented it to me.
26:33Anna, see for yourself.
26:36These are all the records of payments I made back then,
26:39through an anonymous charitable organization,
26:41to your accounts from high school through university.
26:43The one who sponsored you was always me.
26:46My mind buzzed, turning completely blank.
26:48On the screen, rows of transfer records were displayed with crystal clarity.
26:53Dates and amounts.
26:54Every single one matched exactly the scholarships I had received back then.
26:59The recipient account was my high school financial aid fund account,
27:02and the designated beneficiary was Anna Taylor.
27:05In both my past and present lives, I had always believed it was Ryan.
27:10In my freshman year, he had taken the initiative to find me
27:13and told me he was the anonymous sponsor.
27:16Because of that debt of gratitude, I was deeply thankful to him,
27:19and, after graduation, threw myself into his group without hesitation.
27:24It was also because of that gratitude that I developed feelings for him.
27:28Even when he trampled my dignity time and time again,
27:30I endured it because of that supposed kindness.
27:34I thought it was something I owed him.
27:36So from the very beginning, it had all been a lie.
27:39Ryan looked terrible, but he still wanted to make a final, desperate struggle.
27:44I stayed by your side for four years in college,
27:47and always encouraged you.
27:51Doesn't that count as emotional support?
27:58Yeah, I didn't sponsor you financially.
28:02But we were husband and wife for ten years.
28:05Isn't that bond enough for you to help me just once?
28:09Have you forgotten how much you used to love me?
28:12I promise I won't care about your past affair anymore.
28:15You forgive me this once, too.
28:17We can still live a happy life together, okay?
28:20I almost laughed from sheer anger.
28:23At this point, he was still trying to bind me with his twisted logic.
28:27Ryan Carter, do you really think I'm an idiot?
28:30My voice wasn't loud, but it froze the air in the entire conference room.
28:34Back then, after I sobered up from drinking,
28:38the man in my bed was sent by you.
28:41Even the drugged glass of water I drank was prepared by you personally.
28:46Ryan's face instantly turned deathly pale.
28:48I shook my head in disappointment,
28:50the last shred of lingering feeling in my heart turning to ashes.
28:54The thing I regret most in this life
28:57is being with a man like you,
28:59full of lies.
29:01Those words became the final straw that crushed him.
29:04He slumped weakly in his wheelchair,
29:06tears rolling down in big drops.
29:09It's not like that.
29:11How can you regret it?
29:12You love me.
29:13You clearly love me.
29:14You clearly love me.
29:16He muttered to himself, looking deranged.
29:18You clearly love me.
29:19At that moment, the security guards who had arrived late
29:22finally broke through Ryan's black-suited bodyguards.
29:25Together with the wheelchair, they pushed the whole group out.
29:28The world finally became quiet.
29:30In the conference room, only Alex White and I remained,
29:33and it was super awkward.
29:35He didn't look at me,
29:36his gaze drifting to the patterns on the carpet.
29:41Well, I still have some things to deal with at my group.
29:45I'll head out first.
29:46After saying that, he turned around, about to slip away.
29:50Wait!
29:51I grabbed his wrist.
29:53Didn't you say we were going to have dinner?
29:57He looked a little annoyed and said,
29:59I didn't use this to pressure you.
30:01Don't misunderstand.
30:03If you don't like me,
30:05you don't have to force yourself
30:06to be with me
30:09just because I sponsored you.
30:11Seeing his awkward yet proud demeanor,
30:14I wasn't so upset anymore.
30:15I couldn't help but laugh a bit.
30:18I won't, Alex.
30:19I softened my tone,
30:21still holding his wrist.
30:22I just really, really
30:24want to have a meal with you.
30:26I looked into his eyes and asked again seriously,
30:30So, Mr. Alex,
30:32would you like to?
30:34Under my gaze,
30:35his cheeks grew redder and redder
30:36and then he nodded gently.
30:39To prevent Ryan from coming back to pester me again,
30:42I threw a few obstacles
30:43into some of Carter Group's overseas projects.
30:46I didn't intend to do anything drastic to Carter Group.
30:49I just wanted to keep him busy,
30:51keep him from bothering me.
30:52But the foundation of Carter Group had long rotted.
30:55My small move was merely the first domino to fall.
30:58Carter Group's stock price plunged without warning.
31:00Several major projects under negotiation
31:03blew up one after another.
31:05Partners withdrew their investments
31:06and the capital chain snapped on the spot.
31:09When the first domino fell,
31:11the whole thing wouldn't last for long.
31:13Bank collection notices piled up like mountains
31:15and every day there were creditors
31:17blocking the gates of the Carter family villa.
31:19Kelly Smith,
31:20the once gentlewoman who had obeyed Ryan in everything,
31:23realized that Carter Group was absolutely going down.
31:26She immediately turned around and filed a lawsuit
31:29demanding a divorce and division of Ryan's assets.
31:32The two of them made a huge scene.
31:34The former lovers faced each other in court,
31:36hurling accusations.
31:38All of Harbor City was watching Ryan make a fool of himself,
31:41laughing at how he ditched his good wife
31:42only to marry that bitch.
31:46I saw all this news while on dates with Alex,
31:49through push notifications on my phone.
31:51I only glanced at them before immediately locking the screen.
31:54It had nothing to do with me anymore.
31:56What I cared about more was Alex,
31:58sitting across from me.
32:00Our relationship slowly became better
32:02through dinners, movies,
32:03and visits to art exhibitions.
32:05On Christmas Day,
32:07Harbor City saw its first snowfall of the winter.
32:09I booked out the mountaintop-revolving restaurant.
32:12Through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows,
32:14we could overlook the dazzling lights of the entire city.
32:17Alex, dressed in a bespoke suit,
32:20sat quietly across from me.
32:21The snowy glow outside reflected on his face,
32:24making him look kinda unreal.
32:26Amid the gentle sound of violin music,
32:28I knelt on one knee.
32:29He froze for a moment,
32:30a hint of panic in his eyes.
32:33Alex White.
32:34I looked up at him,
32:35holding his cold hand.
32:36These past few months,
32:38every day I've spent with you
32:39has made me very happy.
32:41I wanna turn this happiness into a lifetime.
32:44So, would you be willing to be my boyfriend?
32:47His eyes instantly turned red,
32:49his lips trembling,
32:51unable to utter a single word.
32:53The surrounding diners had gone quiet,
32:55all watching us.
32:56After a long while,
32:57he finally lowered his hand in disbelief
33:00and nodded hard.
33:01Thunderous applause erupted throughout the restaurant.
33:04I put the ring on his finger
33:06and threw myself into his arms.
33:08My phone vibrating on the table,
33:11but I ignored it.
33:12The person I was holding was my whole world.
33:16Only later did I find out
33:17that those notifications
33:18were the final headlines of that night.
33:21Carter Group officially announces
33:22bankruptcy and liquidation.
33:25Former Carter Group president's lover,
33:26Kelly Smith,
33:27suspected of commercial embezzlement
33:28and leaking trade secrets,
33:30now arrested by police.
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