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