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Timestonez
  • 4 hours ago
My Husband Wanted An Open Marriage — This Time, I Said No Ep- Hot
Transcript
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,
00:14they'd still walk away with a million-dollar breakup fee. People all laughed at me, saying
00:19I was the most miserable, wealthy wife in history. They all thought I'd endure it for the rest of my
00:24life. I was going to, until Ryan brought a college student named Kelly Smith home. The girl looked
00:31ordinary, yet she was the first woman he kept longer than a month. Ryan gave me two choices,
00:37agree to an open marriage and let Kelly be on equal terms with me, or just divorce him,
00:42split the assets evenly, and go our separate ways for good. His friends were there, watching the show.
00:48They were sure I'd just keep being a pushover, putting up with everything, but to their surprise,
00:53I chose the latter without hesitation. In my previous life, I chose to endure, and what I got
00:59in return was Kelly pushing her luck further and further. She forbade Ryan from touching me or giving
01:04me any of his assets. In my later years, I couldn't help but envy Kelly, who ended up with everything,
01:11money, children, the whole package. Even after Ryan died, his will didn't grant me anything. All his
01:19inheritance was left under Kelly's control. I had been his lawful wife, but ended up with nothing at
01:24last. Reborn into this life, I finally figured everything out. This time, I just wanted to take
01:30the money and leave. I picked up the divorce agreement, read it carefully from beginning to end,
01:36and was about to sign my name. Ryan finally spoke. Anna Taylor, think this through. Once you sign,
01:43there's no turning back. I didn't stop. I quickly wrote my name down. I'll pack my things and leave
01:51right now. In my previous life, I thought bringing Kelly home was just another one of his tricks to
01:59mess with 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 him
02:31personally. I was just tired of her and didn't want things to get too ugly. So I staged the whole
02:38thing. There wasn't a shred of guilt in his clouded eyes. That way, all I did later seemed completely
02:45defensible. So that was it. No wonder every time I desperately tried to explain, all I got was his cold
02:52disbelief. Because from beginning to end, he knew the truth. He didn't love me, yet he used a fabricated
02:59crime to trap me for 50 years. He could have ended it cleanly with one stroke, but instead chose to
03:06slowly torture me to death. Looking at the young yet still cold face before me, I felt nothing but
03:12hatred. He stared blankly at the signed agreement, his eyes filled with shock. Outside the door, the faint
03:18sounds of whispering abruptly stopped. The next second, my distinguished parents-in-law rushed in
03:24cheerfully.
03:28Oh my, look at her. So young and so energetic. My father-in-law, who had always treated me with
03:35hostility, was smiling kindly at this moment. Finally, we can send away that useless one.
03:50Sir? Sir, madam, please don't say that. I don't want to disrespect. Actually, I'm already one month
03:58expecting. It's just still early, so I plan to tell you about it later. As expected, still the same
04:04familiar sarcasm, the same nauseating tone. All these years, in order to be a useful wife,
04:10I worked myself to the bone at Carter Group during the day. At night, I still had to serve these
04:15two
04:15picky bastards. Just past 30, yet plenty of white hair had already crept into my temples.
04:22I did look kinda old. I 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.
04:37It's so late. There's no need to move out immediately. Leave tomorrow.
04:43Isn't the villa in the west of the city still empty?
04:47You can stay there for now. I'll visit you when I'm free you.
04:52Ana, you're just being emotional. Calm down. I know how much you love me, okay?
05:00But I really can't let you be my legal wife anymore. I can't let my child grow up being labeled
05:06as
05:06illegitimate. I didn't respond. I just picked up my suitcase, walked past him, and headed straight for
05:13the door. There's nothing left to say between us. I'm very happy we're divorced. If you really still have
05:20a conscience, hurry up and pay me what you owe. The night wind carried fine snow as it rushed toward
05:27me,
05:27biting cold, yet unable to extinguish the fire burning in my heart.
05:32Ryan's efficiency was, as always, impressive. When I woke up, three billion was already in my bank
05:38account. With the money, the first thing I did was book Harbor City's most luxurious private club.
05:44Haircut, full body spa, and everything. The 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? Have you lost your minds? What the hell happened?
06:04What's wrong? And you still ask what's wrong? Haven't you seen the news yourself? The headlines are full,
06:11are full of Ryan and that woman at some banquet. He said in front of all the reporters,
06:17that woman is his only wife. He even said they're holding a wedding soon. Your stuck-up in-laws were
06:24right there too, saying that girl had it coming. Are you okay?
06:29I never got such public acknowledgement, such recognition. Ryan had now given it to her.
06:34I'm fine. We're already divorced.
06:37What? Divorced? She'd watched me love Ryan for more than 10 years. She watched me bend
06:44over backward for this marriage. Give up myself like a servant begging for scraps. Begging for
06:49scraps of affection. Are you few free tonight? Let's go get a drink. My 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. You really have let go. You 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. Now, sitting in this
07:26luxurious private room, I looked at the woman reflected in the mirrored glass. The flamboyant
07:32red hair, the perfectly tailored haute couture dress, was strange, yet familiar. Iris raised her
07:39glass and clinked it hard against mine. You look a bit like that once-in-a-century genius beauty from
07:45the finance department at Ace University. She downed a huge gulp of wine and then complained.
07:51Back then, so many venture capital firms were fighting to invest in you. If you'd started your
07:57own group, you'd have crushed Carter Group long ago. Spending over a decade being a servant for his
08:02family, and after the divorce, you only got this much money. Girl, I really think you deserve better.
08:07I had been a servant for them for more than a decade. In my previous life, Carter Group, under
08:13my control, once dominated the national rankings as the strongest enterprise. Yet in my old age,
08:18I couldn't even afford a box of painkillers. In the end, I was thrown out by Kelly's children
08:23and died of illness beside a trash heap on a winter night. The business empire I built with
08:27my entire life went to Kelly and her children. Thinking of this, I drained the wine in my glass in
08:32one go. The spicy liquid burned down my throat, yet ignited the fire deep in my heart. I swore I
08:39would get back at them. Without me, could they really live so well? The very next day, news of
08:45my group registration spread like wildfire, stirring the entire circle. Some people sensed opportunity and
08:51rushed overnight with proposals, hoping to invest. But more people mocked and waited on the sidelines,
08:57waiting for the Carter family's reaction. Someone clearly gave instructions to the media,
09:01so paparazzi articles were all belittling me for overestimating myself. I looked at the push
09:07notifications on my phone and swiped them away expressionlessly. I just didn't expect to receive
09:11a call from Ryan.
09:16Anna, can't you be a bit more understanding? I've just found true love. Besides, instead of starting some
09:24small, broken group, wouldn't it be better to stay at Carter Group, that Southern District merger you
09:30were handling before? I hung up the phone directly, as expected. He had just remembered that I was
09:36still useful. That 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. Without 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. All because my
09:54distinguished father-in-law said we were family and shouldn't be so calculative. I once naively believed
09:59that was his test for me. Now it seemed I was nothing more than an exceptionally capable,
10:05yet ridiculously cheap housemaid they had recruited. The more I thought about it, the angrier I became.
10:11I made up my mind at that time, I would take over all those projects I brought to Carter Group
10:16in my
10:16previous life. Even if my new group couldn't deal with them, I would personally hand them over to
10:21Carter Group's deadliest rivals. After the call was cut off, Ryan slammed his phone to the ground in
10:26fury. All these years, he had grown used to my obedience, expecting me to show up on command and
10:32disappear at his whim. Now that I'd hung up on him so decisively, he felt really mad. At that moment,
10:38his special assistant awkwardly came in holding a stack of documents he couldn't even understand,
10:43asking him to sign them. Days of exhaustion, plus years of unfamiliarity with group affairs,
10:48had left him truly overwhelmed lately. Kelly followed the assistant in, took Ryan's hand,
10:53and said with eyes full of concern, Ryan, don't work yourself too hard. I'm your wife now. Let me help
11:01share your burden. He hesitated, somewhat uneasy. You're still young and unfamiliar with group operation.
11:09Go rotate through the department first. Anna Taylor could be the president. Why can't I?
11:20Ryan subconsciously wanted to say that at least Anna was a top graduate from Ace University's
11:24finance department. But the moment he met Kelly's eyes, all his rationality was thrown away. His heart
11:30softened, and he just nodded. Kelly 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. During this
11:46time, Kelly sent people over more than once to cause trouble. Just some petty tricks, all of which I
11:52brushed aside with ease. After all these years, the connections I'd built were far beyond what a
11:57little girl like her could compare to. Those senior employees at Carter Group whom I personally trained,
12:02had long wanted to leave after hearing I'd gone solo. Especially since after Kelly started working
12:08there. She kept suppressing them, making their days suffocating. I didn't rush to bring them over.
12:13I had them stir up a little chaos before they left. A small token of allegiance to me. Kelly thought
12:19losing
12:19a few people was no big deal, even secretly rejoicing that she'd cleared out some remnants of me. But she
12:25didn't understand. Some of them were critical for the group. Projects fell through one after another,
12:30and Carter Group's stock price plunged again and again. Meanwhile, on my side, with capable team
12:36members, we unleashed astonishing power, consecutively 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...
12:49Tonight at OTK Club, it's all on me! No 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. I didn't even glance his
13:10way, leading my people straight ahead. Anna Taylor? What do you mean? Didn't you see me?
13:20You've really grown bold now. A little impatient, I looked at him coldly and said,
13:25Sir, do you need something? He seemed slightly taken aback by my attitude,
13:29but still got straight to the point, issuing an order. Shut down your group and come back to Carter
13:34Group. I was so angered by his self-righteousness that I laughed. He took my laughter as hesitation,
13:40tone softened a little. Anna, I've really been exhausted lately. Don't keep fighting with me,
13:46all right? He paused, as if making a huge concession. If you really mind, Kelly,
13:51I can have her move somewhere else for now. Looking at this pompous man before me,
13:55I couldn't help but question my own judgment back then. I'm not throwing a tantrum. I cut him off
14:00coldly. Mr. Ryan, we're already divorced. Please don't interfere with my life anymore. His patience ran
14:08out, his voice suddenly rising. I've already compromised. What more do you want? The group
14:16needs you right now, and you choose this moment to put on airs? I suddenly felt there was no reasoning
14:23with him at all. In his world, everyone was supposed to revolve around him. If you've got any issues,
14:30sir, why don't you go bother your precious wife? Kelly Smith, I'm just an outsider. I have no obligation
14:37to clean up your mess. You care about the status? Anna, once Kelly gives birth, I'll think about it.
14:49But you have to promise me, no going public. I don't want Kelly to be hurt.
14:55I stared at him, enunciating every word. I'll say it one last time. Get lost. Don't let me see you
15:02again.
15:06I'm never getting back together with you. Ever. Anna Taylor, don't push your luck.
15:14Don't forget this is Harbor City. If I want to crush a low-tier little group like yours, it's easy
15:21as pie.
15:21Just then, a clear, slightly lazy male voice cut in.
15:26Oh? Mr. Ryan sure has a bad temper. Not only openly harassing my fiancé, but also threatening to destroy
15:34her group.
15:38Ryan turned his head and was totally stunned. It was Alex White, another rich young man, and Ryan's nemesis.
15:45Alex strolled over lazily and naturally wrapped an arm around my waist.
15:48Leaning his head intimately against my shoulder, he whined.
15:54Darling, I've been waiting in the parking lot forever. Turns out you were here stopped by a bastard.
16:01Anna Taylor! Give me an explanation! Why 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. You're acting, aren't you? You deliberately found out Alex to piss me off.
16:18Alex rolled his eyes dramatically and dragged me away.
16:21Let's just not waste time with him.
16:29Stop right there!
16:31Ryan tried to chase after us, but he was too agitated, and with his recent chaotic schedule,
16:35his abdomen suddenly seized with sharp pain.
16:39Damn.
16:41He doubled over in pain, clutching his stomach, cold sweat beating on his forehead.
16:48Anna, my stomach hurts.
16:50I didn't slow down. In 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. He directly shoved me into the passenger seat of his flashy
17:05red Ferrari.
17:06The sports car roared out of the parking lot. Only then did he take off his sunglasses and smile at
17:11me sideways.
17:12Well, not bad acting, right?
17:18I didn't speak. Just watch the cityscape speeding past outside the window.
17:22Hey, Anna, don't be so indifferent.
17:26I helped you out, you know? Not even a thank you.
17:30I kept it brief. He pouted, clearly dissatisfied with my coldness.
17:35But he didn't say more. Only turned up the volume of the car music.
17:39That very night, the headlines of Harbor City's financial and entertainment sections were all dominated 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 when he flaunted his
18:01mistress.
18:02Others claimed Kelly Smith was inferior to me, which was why Ryan turned back, and that the two of us
18:07would soon remarry.
18:08In the VIP ward of Harbor City First Hospital, Kelly Smith, eyes bloodshot, grabbed the glass cup from the bedside
18:16table and smashed it viciously onto the floor, shards flying everywhere.
18:20Why did you go to find her? Why? Didn't you say having me alone was enough?
18:25The sharp, shattering sound startled Ryan, and a dull ache crept through his abdomen.
18:29He rubbed his temples tiredly, even opening his eyes, feeling like an effort. His voice was very light, heavy with
18:37irritation.
18:38What are you yelling for?
18:42I went to see her for Group Matters.
18:45Are Group Matters more important than me? I don't care!
18:48You swear right now, promise you'll never go see Anna Taylor again! Never!
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.
19:21Kelly 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? Why 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? You're talking about her again?
19:46Kelly instantly bristled, letting out a cold snort.
19:49I'm not her. I 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? There are so many servants at home. Why 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. You don't want him anymore?
20:09Ryan's mother? How 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, what else did you do?
20:22What trouble did I cause?
20:25Get out! Both of you, get out!
20:27A sharp roar instantly drowned out all the arguing.
20:30Ryan forced himself upright, grabbed the pillow by the bed, and hurled it at them with all his strength.
20:36Get out! Now!
20:37The ward 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.
20:51Regretted divorcing Anna.
20:56When Anna was around, the group never had any problems,
20:59and 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,
21:11accidents happened again and again, and several projects had already been cancelled.
21:15By the time he realized something was wrong, most of the capable backbones in the group had already left.
21:22And 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,
21:33besieged on all 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.
21:44You'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.
22:00Alex 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.
22:16He leaned forward, bracing his hands on the table, staring straight at me.
22:19Anna Taylor, how long are you going to keep running?
22:22You clearly know what I mean.
22:27Ever since that day in the parking lot when he helped me out,
22:30Alex 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,
22:46there'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,
23:08his 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,
23:52his face sallow 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.
24:12He 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 until he confirmed that there was only indifference left in my eyes.
25:07Only then did he understand.
25:09I 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 go college.
25:22Now 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?
26:28Alex 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.
26:49On 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 and 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,
27:31I endured it because of that supposed kindness.
27:33I 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, and 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.
28:16You 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.
28:55The thing I regret most in this life
28:57is being with a man like you,
29:00full 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.
29:08It'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.
29:20At that moment, the security guards who had arrived late
29:22finally broke through Ryan's black-suited bodyguards.
29:25Together with the wheelchair,
29:27they pushed the whole group out.
29:28The world finally became quiet.
29:30In the conference room,
29:32only 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.
29:42Well, I still have some things to deal with at my group.
29:45I'll head out first.
29:46After saying that,
29:47he turned around,
29:48about 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.
30:12Seeing 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
30:27and 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
30:41to 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
30:48to Carter Group.
30:49I just wanted to keep him busy,
30:51keep him from bothering me.
30:52But the foundation of Carter Group
30:53had long rotted.
30:55My small move was merely
30:56the first domino to fall.
30:58Carter Group's stock price
30:59plunged without warning.
31:01Several major projects
31:02under negotiation
31:03blew up one after another.
31:05Partners withdrew their investments,
31:06and the capital chain
31:08snapped on the spot.
31:09When the first domino fell,
31:11the whole thing
31:11wouldn't last for long.
31:13Bank collection notices
31:14piled up like mountains,
31:15and every day there were creditors
31:17blocking the gates
31:18of the Carter family villa.
31:19Kelly Smith,
31:20the once gentlewoman
31:21who had obeyed Ryan in everything,
31:23realized that Carter Group
31:24was absolutely going down.
31:26She immediately turned around
31:28and filed a lawsuit,
31:29demanding a divorce
31:30and division of Ryan's assets.
31:32The two of them
31:33made a huge scene.
31:34The former lovers
31:35faced each other in court,
31:36hurling accusations.
31:38All of Harbor City
31:39was watching Ryan
31:39make a fool of himself,
31:41laughing at how he ditched
31:42his good wife
31:42only to marry that bitch.
31:46I saw this news
31:48while on dates with Alex,
31:49through push notifications
31:50on my phone.
31:51I only glanced at them
31:52before immediately
31:53locking the screen.
31:54It had nothing to do
31:55with me anymore.
31:56What I cared about more
31:57was Alex,
31:58sitting across from me.
32:00Our relationship
32:01slowly became better
32:02through dinners,
32:03movies,
32:03and visits to art exhibitions.
32:05On Christmas Day,
32:07Harbor City saw
32:07its first snowfall
32:08of the winter.
32:09I booked out
32:10the mountaintop
32:11revolving restaurant
32:11through the huge
32:13floor-to-ceiling windows.
32:14We could overlook
32:15the dazzling lights
32:16of the entire city.
32:17Alex,
32:18dressed in a bespoke suit,
32:20sat quietly across from me.
32:21The snowy glow outside
32:22reflected on his face,
32:24making him look
32:25kinda unreal.
32:26Amid the gentle sound
32:27of violin music,
32:28I knelt on one knee.
32:29He froze for a moment,
32:31a hint of panic
32:31in 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 want to turn
32:42this happiness
32:43into a lifetime.
32:44So,
32:45would you be willing
32:46to be my boyfriend?
32:47His eyes instantly
32:48turned red,
32:49his lips trembling,
32:51unable to utter
32:51a single word.
32:53The surrounding diners
32:54had gone quiet,
32:55all watching us.
32:56After a long while,
32:57he finally lowered
32:58his hand in disbelief
33:00and nodded hard.
33:02Thunderous applause
33:02erupted
33:03throughout the restaurant.
33:04I put the ring
33:05on his finger
33:06and threw myself
33:07into his arms.
33:08My phone vibrating
33:10on the table,
33:11but I ignored it.
33:12The person I was holding
33:13was my whole world.
33:16Only later
33:17did I find out
33:17that those notifications
33:18were the final headlines
33:20of that night.
33:21Carter Group officially
33:22announces bankruptcy
33:23and liquidation.
33:25Former Carter Group
33:26president's lover,
33:26Kelly Smith,
33:27suspected of commercial
33:28embezzlement
33:28and leaking trade secrets,
33:30now arrested by police.
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