- 2 hours ago
Category
🦄
CreativityTranscript
00:00I grew up abroad. My mother feared I might marry a foreign man, so she arranged an engagement for
00:05me with a talented and handsome man in Float On. She insisted that I return home to get engaged.
00:10I came back and started shopping for an engagement dress at a luxury boutique.
00:14I selected an off-white strapless gown and decided to try it on.
00:19Suddenly, a woman nearby glanced at the dress in my hand and told the saleswoman,
00:23that's a unique design. Let me try it. The saleswoman immediately yanked it out of my
00:30hands. I protested indignantly. Excuse me, I was here first. Don't you understand the principle
00:35of first come, first served? Or do you just not care about common decency? The woman scoffed and
00:41retorted, this dress costs $188,000. Do you really think a broken body like you can even afford it?
00:48I'm Lucas Goodwin's sister in All But Blood. He's the chairman of Goodwin's group. In Float On,
00:54the Goodwin family sets the rules. What a coincidence. Lucas Goodwin was my fiancé.
01:00I immediately called him and said, hey, your sister in All But Blood just stole my engagement dress.
01:05Do something about it. The term sister in All But Blood implied less than innocent connotations.
01:10If Lucas Goodwin failed to give me a proper explanation on that day, I would cancel the
01:15engagement banquet. To my surprise, Lucas responded coldly. Who are you? Since when does a stranger
01:22like you get to question my relationship with Vivian? I was about to tell him that I was his
01:26fiancé, but he hung up abruptly. I became angry. How dare he not save my contact information?
01:32Meanwhile, Vivian Morrow, who was standing beside me, grinned triumphantly. You wench. Did you really
01:40think having Lucas's number makes you special? Keep dreaming. She looked at me with open contempt.
01:46Even the Janners at Goodwin's group dress better than you. I had always preferred simple,
01:51comfortable clothes and never cared about brand names. I never thought that would give people
01:55a reason to look down on me. What era are you even living in? To think you'd still be judging
02:00people by their looks. Lucas must be out of his mind to call you his sister in All But Blood.
02:05My mood for shopping was ruined, thanks to her antics. I grabbed the gown and headed straight
02:10to the checkout counter. The saleswoman hesitated before saying,
02:14Miss, I'm sorry, but we prioritize our members first. Vivian smirked and slammed her shiny gold
02:19membership card onto the counter. Only people who've spent over a million get this card.
02:24What's a broke loser like you even doing here? I was not usually one to pick fights, but on that
02:30day,
02:30Vivian had really crossed a line. I pulled out a black card and handed it to the saleswoman.
02:35I suppressed my anger and said, sign me up for a membership, then bagged the gown.
02:41Vivian glared at the saleswoman and threatened, the Goodwin's own Floaten. If you sell her that
02:47gown today, I'll have Luke's buy this store out tomorrow. The saleswoman shrank back timidly and
02:52said, Miss, I'm just an employee. I can't risk offending Goodwin's group. Several onlookers turned to
02:58me and offered me advice in whispers. That's Mrs. Moreau. I've seen her around. Lucas Goodwin's
03:04rotten. You should just let it go. The last time someone crossed her, Goodwin's group drove them
03:09into bankruptcy. You may have some money, but it's pocket change compared to Goodwin's group. Just
03:13apologize to Mrs. Moreau now and beg her to spare you. Flattered by their words, Vivian's ego swelled
03:19like a balloon. You wench, get on your knees and say, I'm a worthless poser and I'm sorry. Maybe then
03:27I'll
03:27consider letting you off the hook. At 26 years of my life, I had never encountered anyone audacious
03:33enough to act so arrogantly in front of me. Pardon? What did you just ask me to say?
03:40What? What are you deaf? Say I'm a worthless poser. I'm sorry. Do I need to spell it out for
03:46you? I
03:47smirked. I heard you. Since you're aware that you're a worthless poser, get out of my sight.
03:53Don't waste my time. When Vivian finally realized she was being mocked, she flailed her arms and
03:59charged at me. It was laughable to see her trying to attack me. I had a black belt in taekwondo.
04:05Did
04:05she really think her flimsy punches would scare me? I sent Vivian crashing to the floor with a single
04:10kick. She howled in pain. The onlookers stared at me in horror. Onlooker gosh, did she just do that
04:20to Mrs. Morley? Mr. Goodwin is going to tear her to pieces once he hears about this.
04:25Yeah, good luck to her. Not even God can save her. I felt nothing when I heard their whispers.
04:32The Goodwin family had only achieved their current status through my mother's support.
04:36No one in this city could intimidate me. I slammed my card on the counter again and said to the
04:41cashier,
04:43ring me up. The cashier, visibly shaken, fumbled as she processed my payment and wrapped up the gown.
04:49I turned to leave with the bag in hand. Vivian scrambled to stand up and blocked my path again.
04:55You're not going anywhere! I raised my fist and waved it in front of her face.
05:00What's the matter? Do you want to taste my fist again? Vivian clenched instinctively.
05:05I scoffed and strode past her. Just then, a black car pulled up in front of the store.
05:11A man stepped out. I felt my heart skip a beat. Vivian immediately rushed over tearfully to tattle.
05:17Luke! She stole my gown from me! And even hit me!
05:22So, this was my fiancé. I had always been a sucker for good looks, and Lucas' appearance was exactly my
05:28type.
05:29Based on his looks alone, I felt I could forgive his previous rudeness. I gave him my best smile.
05:36Hi!
05:38I'm Lily Winson, your fiancé. It was no wonder my mother said I would be satisfied with the man she
05:44had picked this time.
05:45She really knew me inside out. The onlookers immediately erupted in gasps.
05:50What? She's Mr. Goodwin's fiancé?
05:54Lucas looked at me coldly.
05:56Don't get ahead of yourself. My father arranged this engagement without my consent. I never agreed to it.
06:03Vivian, who stood beside him, wrapped her arm around his and leaned intimately against his shoulder.
06:08She shot me a provocative glance.
06:10Look at yourself. There is no way Lukes would ever marry an ugly creature like you!
06:15Someone chimed in.
06:17Exactly!
06:18If Mr. Goodwin were to marry, it would be to some rich girl from a proper family with equal status,
06:22not some country bumping like you.
06:24With her looks, Goodwin's group wouldn't even hire her to mop floors.
06:27I had never considered myself a stunning beauty, but I was certainly not ugly.
06:31How could they describe me in such derogatory terms?
06:34This proved how people instinctively curry favor with the powerful and took advantage of those in Misfortune.
06:40Lucas Goodwin.
06:41Go home and tell your father that I'm calling off this engagement.
06:47You don't deserve me.
06:50According to my mother, his father had pulled countless strings to arrange this marriage alliance with our family.
06:56If he learned that his own son had ruined it, he'd skin Lucas alive.
07:00The thought lifted my mood a little.
07:02I could not be bothered to waste more time on these idiots, so I turned to leave.
07:07But Vivian, knowing that Lucas would back her up, refused to let it go.
07:11She blocked my path again.
07:13Don't even try to run, you wench.
07:15We're not done here.
07:17You stole my gown and hit me.
07:20I looked at her disdainfully.
07:21What exactly do you want?
07:23Mistaking my calm for fear, she raised her hand to slap me.
07:26I'll slap you until I feel satisfied.
07:28I caught her wrist mid-swing and slapped her across the face without hesitation.
07:33She stared at me in shock.
07:36Had enough?
07:37Vivian said angrily.
07:39Those two slaps wiped the arrogant look off Vivian's face.
07:42She burst into tears and cowered behind Lucas.
07:46Lukes, do something.
07:48Lucas shielded her protectively and snarled.
07:51Touch my girl again and I'll end you.
07:53He signaled his bodyguards to grab me.
07:57I managed to take down the first bodyguard with a quick strike, but the second one pinned
08:01me down.
08:02After a barrage of blows, I collapsed to the floor.
08:05The two bodyguards hauled me up and forced me to my knees before Vivian and Lucas.
08:09They looked down at me.
08:11Lucas backed Vivian up and said,
08:13Vivi.
08:15Do whatever you want to her.
08:18I've got your back.
08:19With Lucas' reassurance, Vivian immediately gained confidence.
08:23She slapped me twice, then spat in my face.
08:26You wench.
08:27Where's all that attitude now?
08:30Huh?
08:31Come on.
08:33Show me how tough you are.
08:35Then she kicked me hard in the stomach.
08:38Clutching my aching abdomen, I raised my gaze to glare at her and Lucas.
08:43You'll regret this.
08:45I swear you'll pay for this.
08:49Vivian laughed arrogantly.
08:50The Goodwin family is one of the top three powerful families running this city.
08:54What can a broke loser like you even do against me?
08:58Today, I'll teach you what happens when you mess with me.
09:01She pulled out a nail clipper from her bag and slashed it across my face.
09:04Searing pain shot through my cheek as the skin swelled and I felt blood seeping out.
09:09Someone sighed in pity.
09:10I told her not to cross the Goodwin family.
09:13Guess she had to learn the hard way.
09:15What a shame.
09:17Her pretty face is ruined now.
09:19Folks like us can't afford trouble.
09:21We'd better swallow our pride when we're out here.
09:23Vivian raised the nail clipper again, aiming for another slash at my face.
09:28Terror at the thought of disfigurement overwhelmed me, and I quickly begged for mercy.
09:33Fine, fine.
09:34I'm sorry.
09:36Take the dress.
09:37I shouldn't have fought you for it.
09:40Revenge could wait.
09:41At that moment, saving my face was the priority.
09:44However, Vivian still slashed the blade across my face again.
09:48Oh, now you're sorry.
09:51Well, it's too late now.
09:54Wench, I won't let you go until I've vented every ounce of my rage.
09:58I screamed in pain and turned to Lucas for help.
10:01Lucas, you know my background.
10:03Aren't you afraid of the consequences?
10:06If you keep letting her humiliate me like this, you'll regret it.
10:09Lucas sneered.
10:10What status could you possibly have?
10:13Your mother bewitched my father into forcing this engagement on me.
10:17A vicious gleam flashed in Vivian's gaze.
10:20Your mother is a witch, and I bet you are one too.
10:26Strip off and let me see clearly.
10:29No!
10:30Just then, my phone rang from inside my bag.
10:32I struggled desperately to reach it, but Vivian snatched it first.
10:36She swiped to answer, and my mother's voice came through immediately.
10:40Lillabelt, how's the gown shopping going?
10:43I hurriedly shouted for help.
10:44Mom!
10:46Save me!
10:47Someone's hurting me!
10:49She's trying to strip me off!
10:51My mother panicked.
10:52What?
10:53Who's doing this to you?
10:55Vivian cut in arrogantly.
10:57Me!
10:58Your little witch daughter has been begging for attention, so I'm putting her in her place.
11:02My mother snapped.
11:03I don't care who you are.
11:04Let my daughter go now, or you'll pay for this when I get there.
11:08Try me.
11:08I'll be right here to catch you, you witch!
11:11With that, Vivian hung up my phone and furled it to the floor.
11:14It shattered into pieces.
11:16She slapped me across the face again and sneered.
11:19The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
11:22Huh?
11:23When your mother shows up, I'll strip her down too.
11:26Time crawled by.
11:27It felt like half a century, but in reality, it had only been five minutes.
11:32Finally, a familiar stretched limousine appeared.
11:36My mother stepped out of the car and demanded,
11:38Let me see who dares threaten to strip me down.
11:41The instant I saw my mother, a wave of pent-up grievances surged through me.
11:46Mom!
11:47I cried as my voice broke with emotion.
11:49My mother's heart broke at the sight of me.
11:52She immediately rushed toward me and pulled me into her embrace.
11:55I finally felt safe when I leaned against my mother's chest.
11:58The surrounding onlookers gasped in astonishment at my mother's vehicle.
12:02Look!
12:03That's a limited edition stretch limousine!
12:05Only the extremely rich and powerful can own that car.
12:09It seems Vivian messed with the wrong person this time.
12:12Wrong person?
12:13Please.
12:14Even if she's got connections, nobody could possibly outrank the Goodwin family in this city.
12:20Vivian thought the same too.
12:21She charged toward my mother.
12:23So you're the witch who raised this brat?
12:25She dared to steal my dress and hit me.
12:28Tell me, how are you going to make this right?
12:31My mother raised her eyes to look at her.
12:33How am I going to make this right?
12:35Oblivious to my mother's murderous glare,
12:37Vivian made her demands without restraint.
12:40This was my dress until your trashy daughter put her hands on it.
12:45Now it's ruined.
12:46You'll pay ten times the price.
12:49And for those slaps, she'll kneel right here
12:51and slap herself twenty times in front of everyone.
12:55Most importantly, cancel her engagement with Luke.
12:58Do everything I say and maybe I'll let you walk out of here in one piece.
13:02Otherwise, you're not leaving this store alive.
13:05My mother laughed in disbelief when she heard Vivian's outrageous demands.
13:10She gave my shoulder a reassuring pat before walking toward Vivian.
13:13The engagement between Lillebeau and the Goodwin family will most certainly be cancelled.
13:18Lucas could never measure up to being part of our family.
13:22As for the rest of your demands...
13:23My mother raised her hand and slapped her face hard.
13:26Don't even dream about it.
13:28You're the ones who won't be walking out today.
13:31Vivian stood stunned for a second before attempting to retaliate.
13:34My mother's bodyguard kicked her to her knees, then pinned her arms down.
13:38After struggling futilely, Vivian lifted her head to plead with Lucas.
13:43Lucas!
13:44It hurts!
13:46Help me!
13:47Lucas signaled his bodyguards to intervene,
13:49but within seconds they were overpowered and slammed to the floor.
13:53The most satisfying part followed.
13:55Lucas himself was forced to my knees before me.
13:58My mother did not hold back and slapped Lucas.
14:00I've never laid a finger on Lillibeth since she was born.
14:04And you dare humiliate her like this today?
14:07You'll repay this a thousand times over.
14:10My mother did not hold back and slapped Lucas.
14:13You old hag!
14:14How dare you hit me?
14:16I'm the chairman of Goodwin's group.
14:18You have no idea what consequences you'll face.
14:20How dare you hurt my daughter?
14:22I'd slap your father just like I slapped you if he's here.
14:25The onlookers grew even more shocked.
14:27Who does this woman think she is?
14:29Mr. Goodwin Sr. ran the underworld in his youth.
14:32After leaving that life behind, he built the Goodwin's group.
14:35Even now, everyone in Floaten shows him respect.
14:38She just struck Mr. Goodwin Sr.'s golden boy.
14:42There's no way she's walking away from this.
14:44My mother ignored their whispers.
14:46She gently touched my swollen, bleeding cheek.
14:49Oh, Lillibeth, you've suffered enough.
14:52But I'm here now.
14:54Don't be afraid.
14:55Do you want payback?
14:56Just say the word.
14:58I was not the type to turn the other cheek to begin with.
15:00I certainly would not be after what Vivian just called.
15:03I stared at her with a furious gaze.
15:06First, I struck her repeatedly across the face to vent my anger.
15:10Then, I picked up the nail clipper she had used to slash my cheek
15:14and slowly brought it closer to her face.
15:16Vivian trembled violently.
15:18Don't!
15:19Don't you dare touch my face!
15:21I'll fight you to the death!
15:23Without hesitation, I made the first cut.
15:25She let out a blood-curdling scream as a bleeding gash swelled along one cheek.
15:30I slashed the blade repeatedly.
15:32Soon, her face was swollen beyond recognition.
15:34It looked bruised and bloody.
15:36She could do nothing but wail in helpless agony as she was pinned down by the bodyguards.
15:42My face!
15:44My face is ruined!
15:46It was true that a person would not know the pain until it was theirs to bear.
15:50When she tried to disfigure me, she should have expected retribution.
15:53Lucas, who was nearby, snarled at me.
15:56You psychotic wench!
15:58When my father finds out what you did to Vivi, he'll make you pay!
16:02My mother said coldly,
16:04Good.
16:04Let Bernard come.
16:06We'll see who he punishes.
16:08You or us.
16:09My mother immediately took out her phone and called Bernard Goodwin.
16:13He answered instantly.
16:15Hello, Denia.
16:16What's the matter?
16:18My mother replied coldly,
16:19Bernard,
16:20you've certainly raised an exceptional son.
16:23Recognizing her displeasure,
16:25Bernard responded with forced laughter,
16:28Denia,
16:28what has my useless son done now?
16:30Just say the word and I'll punish him severely.
16:33You know, Lilliville is my only daughter.
16:36I've cherished her like the apple of my eye since she was born.
16:38Yes, of course.
16:40Rest assured,
16:41when Mrs. Winsone marries into our family,
16:43I won't let her suffer even the slightest griefs.
16:46My mother's voice trembled with suppressed rage.
16:49Well,
16:50your precious boy, Lucas,
16:52has let Lilliville suffer a terrible humiliation.
16:55He tied her up and allowed her to be beaten and insulted
16:58for the sake of some pretend sister.
17:00How are you going to make this right?
17:03Bernard was in disbelief when he heard this.
17:05He then said,
17:06What?
17:07That brat hurt Mrs. Winsone.
17:10Skin him alive for all I care.
17:12Do whatever you want with him.
17:14Lucas, who was kneeling on the floor, shouted,
17:16Dad,
17:17has this witch cast a spell on you?
17:19These two witches are evil.
17:21They ruined Vivi's face
17:23and made me kneel.
17:25Instead of saving me,
17:26you're letting them have their way with me.
17:28I'm your son!
17:30Bernard roared furiously.
17:32You're a disgrace.
17:33After this disaster you've caused,
17:36I wish I'd never had you!
17:38Lucas tried to speak again.
17:39My mother ended the call deliberately.
17:41She looked at him with contempt.
17:43Do you still think your father is going to save you?
17:46You black widow.
17:48Don't get cocky.
17:49He's just blowing off steam.
17:51I'm his flesh and blood.
17:52When he comes for me,
17:54you're dead.
17:55Ever since I could remember,
17:57my father's memory was my mother's most tender spot.
17:59No one would dare broach it.
18:01Lucas truly had a death wish
18:03and was walking straight into the line of fire.
18:06As expected,
18:07my mother's expression darkened.
18:09She looked at him with a murderous gaze.
18:11I swiftly kicked Lucas in the back.
18:13He sprawled face first onto the floor.
18:16Mom,
18:16don't waste your anger on this worthless fool.
18:19Let me handle him.
18:20I know exactly how to deal with them.
18:22With that,
18:22I ordered the bodyguards to take both of them away.
18:24I sidled up to Mom and whined.
18:27Mom,
18:28my face really hurts.
18:29Will you come with me to get it treated first?
18:32My coaxing tone successfully snapped my mother back to rationality.
18:36She gently touched my injured cheek
18:38and accompanied me to the hospital.
18:40Floodon's top dermatologists and plastic surgeons gathered to examine me.
18:43After disinfecting my facial wounds,
18:46they discussed treatment plans to ensure no scars would remain.
18:49Once the treatment plan was finalized,
18:52the doctors gradually dispersed.
18:54Only my mother and I remained in the ward.
18:56I leaned my head against her shoulder and murmured reassuringly.
19:00Mom,
19:00don't take Lucas's words to heart.
19:03Lilibelt,
19:03your father really did die because of me.
19:05Do you hate me for making you grow up without a father?
19:08Her voice thickened with guilt and regret.
19:10I shook my head and hugged her tighter.
19:12I knew better than anyone how much she had suffered these years.
19:15My father had been part of the underworld.
19:17He had countless subordinates.
19:19Bernard was just one of his underlings.
19:22Everything changed when he met my mother.
19:24They fell in love at first sight.
19:26The violent womanizer who lived for fights and flings finally settled down.
19:30From that moment,
19:31his heart belonged only to my mother.
19:33But this gave my father a weakness.
19:35His enemies repeatedly targeted my mother.
19:38In the end,
19:38he sacrificed his life protecting her.
19:41I was less than a year old at the time.
19:43My grandparents said she would have followed my father in death had I not existed.
19:47For my sake,
19:48she dragged herself through the grief.
19:50She dissolved my father's underworld organization.
19:53From its members,
19:54she selected those with business acumen and funded their ventures.
19:57My mother understood the danger of drawing attention.
20:00To shield me from becoming a target,
20:02she maintained a low profile and never appeared before the media or public.
20:06It was no exaggeration to say my mother built three of Flodan's major financial empires.
20:11Only a few knew this truth.
20:13This explained why idiots like Lucas remained ignorant of her true status.
20:17That was why he dared spew nonsense.
20:20After a week of medical treatment,
20:22my facial injuries healed completely.
20:24My skin became even smoother and more radiant than before.
20:27One day,
20:28the housekeeper brought over another gift from Bernard.
20:31It was a 1945 Chateau Lafite.
20:34It was one of only a few left in the world.
20:36It was clear Bernard had gone to great lengths to save his son.
20:40After locking Lucas and Vivian up for a week,
20:42it was about time I paid them a visit.
20:44I instructed the housekeeper to inform Bernard who was waiting outside.
20:49Then,
20:49I had the bodyguards bring Lucas and Vivian up from the basement.
20:52Those seven short days had transformed them beyond recognition.
20:56Their hair was matted and their bodies reeked of foul odors.
21:00Vivian's facial wounds were left untreated.
21:02It had festered and swollen.
21:04Her entire face had turned into a bloated mess and was ruined beyond repair.
21:09When Lucas spotted Bernard,
21:11tears of relief streamed down his face.
21:13He scrambled over on hands and knees.
21:16Dad,
21:16you're finally here.
21:18You have no idea what I've been through these days.
21:21He pointed a shaking finger at me.
21:23It was her.
21:24She locked me in that water cell.
21:27She deprived me of sleep,
21:30starved me,
21:31and forced me to eat rotten food.
21:34I smiled slightly as I looked at him.
21:36Yet you always licked the bowl clean though,
21:39didn't you Mr. Goodwin?
21:41Human survival instincts were truly remarkable.
21:44I had ordered the guards to deliver just one meal of cold,
21:47rancid oatmeal per day.
21:48At first,
21:49Lucas proudly declared he would rather starve than touch such food.
21:53He was the chairman of Goodwin's group, after all.
21:56But after three days without food,
21:57pride became meaningless.
21:59They fought over that putrid oatmeal and even licked their bowls for him.
22:03Lucas glared at me savagely.
22:05You vicious witch.
22:07Now that my father is here,
22:10your little game is over.
22:11Sometimes I marveled at life scales of balance.
22:14When it gave you one thing,
22:16it would always take away another.
22:17Clearly, Lucas' intelligence had been traded for his looks.
22:21Before he could finish his threat,
22:23Bernard struck him across the head.
22:25You disgrace!
22:26Are you trying to give me a heart attack?
22:29Get on your knees and apologize to Ms. Windshow right now!
22:34Lucas turned to his father,
22:35his face twisted in betrayal.
22:37Why should I apologize?
22:39She tortured me for days!
22:43Instead of having my back,
22:44why are you taking her side?
22:45Bernard looked at his clueless son in despair.
22:48He was truly at his wit's end.
22:50Since my mother had given strict instructions,
22:53Bernard could not reveal my identity.
22:55He could only vent his frustration
22:56by kicking Lucas behind the knees
22:58and forcing him to kneel before me.
23:00Bernard spoke with cautious deference.
23:03Mrs. Wingsway,
23:04I know this worthless son of mine has angered you.
23:07Nothing he does will ever make up for it.
23:10But he's my only child.
23:13Please, spare his life.
23:15Witnessing his father's humiliating submission,
23:18Lucas finally realized that I was not just some nobody.
23:21Dad, who is she?
23:25We're the Goodwin family.
23:27One of the three most powerful families running this city.
23:30Since when has there been anyone we can't afford to offend?
23:33Bernard glared at him with disgust.
23:35You stupid brat!
23:36How many times have I told you there's always someone above us?
23:40I told you to behave, but you never listened!
23:43Let me make this clear.
23:45Mrs. Winsaw is exactly who we can't afford to offend.
23:51Whether you walk out of here depends entirely on her.
23:55Finally comprehending the gravity of the situation,
23:58Lucas' expression shifted from resentment to pure terror.
24:01He stammered and said,
24:02Mrs. Winsfone,
24:04I've been a fool.
24:07Please, forgive me.
24:09I sat in my chair as I slowly sipped the coffee beside me before addressing them.
24:14Bernard, you're actually wrong about Lucas.
24:17He wasn't the one who offended me.
24:19It's his sister in all but blood that did.
24:21Lucas merely wanted to stand up for her.
24:23You're such a disgrace!
24:25Instead of learning proper conduct,
24:27you're messing around with some pretend sister.
24:30Get that woman out of my sight.
24:31Now.
24:32Seeing this,
24:33Vivian instantly realized
24:35Lucas was barely keeping his own head above water at the moment.
24:38He could not save himself,
24:39much less her.
24:40Just remembering her time in the water cell,
24:43she vowed never to suffer like that again.
24:45Her legs gave out.
24:46She collapsed to her knees with a thud
24:48and started apologizing frantically.
24:50Mrs. Winsaw,
24:51I'm sorry!
24:53I'm sorry!
24:54I'm the worthless poser!
24:56Please forgive me!
24:58Please spare me just this once.
25:01Please.
25:02Please.
25:03I beg you!
25:04Please spare my miserable life!
25:07Her words echoed in the room
25:09as she repeatedly begged for forgiveness on her knees.
25:12Lucas finally lowered his proud head in submission.
25:15Mrs. Winsbone,
25:16I was blind and foolish to wrong you.
25:18I won't bully people
25:20or pull that privileged nonsense again.
25:23Please just give me this one chance.
25:24After finishing my coffee,
25:26I set the cup aside.
25:27I looked at the people around me and said calmly,
25:29My, you are all speaking as if I'm some homicidal maniac.
25:34This is a society governed by law.
25:37Do I really look like a criminal to you?
25:39Bernard ventured cautiously.
25:41Mrs. Winsbone,
25:42does this mean you're forgiving this idiot?
25:45I smiled.
25:46Of course.
25:47Though they'd hurt me,
25:49I've hurt them too.
25:51An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.
25:53I'll let this matter end here.
25:55Lucas and Vivian resumed frantically thanking me for their mercy.
25:59I cleared my throat before continuing,
26:01Not only do I forgive you,
26:03I intend to grant you a blessing.
26:06The three of them looked confused.
26:08After some digging,
26:09I discovered Vivian and Lucas have been dating all along.
26:13They adopted the pretend siblings' pretense
26:15because you wouldn't approve, Bernard.
26:18Well, congratulations, lovebirds.
26:21You'll be heading straight to the city hall after this.
26:23You've got exactly seven days to throw a wedding and float on.
26:26My words were met with mixed reactions.
26:29Some were delighted,
26:30others horrified.
26:31Vivian had never expected this misfortune
26:33to turn into her lucky break.
26:35Her long-held dream of climbing society's ladder
26:38by marrying a wealthy man was finally coming true.
26:40A thrill of victory rose in her chest,
26:43and she could not help but smile.
26:45However, that smile was particularly grotesque
26:48and unsettling on her nearly disfigured face.
26:50The one displeased by this turn of events
26:52was naturally Bernard.
26:54He had always looked down on Vivian's background and behavior.
26:57This disaster involving Lucas
26:59had been partly caused by her,
27:01deepening his disdain toward her.
27:02I observed the three of them,
27:04each lost in their own thoughts,
27:06and asked,
27:08Well, can you do it?
27:11When they gave me their agreement,
27:13I waved them off with a smile.
27:15There's a car waiting outside
27:17to take you love-largs to the city hall.
27:20They scrambled to their feet and dashed out,
27:23as if afraid I might change my mind
27:24if they delayed even a second.
27:26The filthy, foul-smelling Lucas and Vivian
27:28were delivered straight to the city hall's entrance.
27:31A staff member approached them.
27:33She suppressed her disgust at the stench.
27:36Sir, miss, how may I assist you?
27:39Lucas glanced at Vivian's swollen face
27:41and could not help but feel repulsed.
27:44Still high on the thrill of bagging a good one,
27:46Vivian blurted out,
27:48We're here to get married!
27:49even after years of handling registrations.
27:52This was the most bizarre couple
27:54the staff had ever encountered.
27:56Most couples dress their best
27:57when registering for marriage,
27:59but these two looked like refugees
28:01fleeing a disaster.
28:02The groom looked especially disgusted and reluctant.
28:05The staff processed their paperwork dutifully
28:07despite their appearance.
28:08When my driver reported
28:10they had successfully tied a knot,
28:12I felt the wicked satisfaction
28:13of a prankster seeing their scheme succeed.
28:16This particular prank, however,
28:18would haunt them for life.
28:20A week later,
28:22their wedding had the whole internet
28:23talking about the Goodwin family.
28:25The viral wedding coverage
28:26caused Goodwin's group stocks to plummet.
28:28Their assets were halved,
28:29knocking them out of Float On's top three spots.
28:32Though my orchestrated behind the scenes
28:34certainly helped.
28:35Bernard blamed Vivian entirely.
28:37He was convinced
28:38she had brought misfortune
28:40to the Goodwin family.
28:41From the moment she married in,
28:42he never showed her
28:43even a hint of kindness.
28:45After marriage,
28:46Lucas became a habitual womanizer
28:48who refused to go home
28:49and face Vivian's disfigured face
28:51due to the result of untreated wounds.
28:54Initially, Vivian had been overjoyed
28:56about marrying into the Goodwin family.
28:57As time passed,
28:59she realized even the housemaids
29:00did not regard her
29:01as Lucas's legitimate wife.
29:03Her influence within the Goodwin family
29:05was negligible.
29:06The meager monthly allowance
29:07she received
29:08was not even close
29:09to her imagined aristocratic lifestyle.
29:11They fought constantly
29:12about Lucas's repeated affairs.
29:14Through these constant fights,
29:16Vivian grew increasingly paranoid
29:17and unstable.
29:19After one particularly vicious quarrel,
29:21she snapped.
29:22She stabbed Lucas
29:23before ending her own life.
29:25I was vacationing abroad
29:27with my mother
29:27when we heard the news
29:28of their deaths.
29:29Sunlight sifted through the branches.
29:31A new day began in tranquility.
Comments
1