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