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Short filmTranscript
00:00My fiancé's girl best friend stole my student ID, burned through my dining dollars all over campus,
00:05then called me a gold drigger in the locker room.
00:06So I logged into the portal and shut her card off.
00:09That same afternoon, she walked up to the register and got declined.
00:14Three times, in front of the whole lunch rush.
00:17She was dragged to the Student Affairs Deem's office for an entire hour for theft.
00:22Then came the all-school notice.
00:24Dominic Ashfield, my fiancé, found out, and said absolutely nocted like it was just another Tuesday.
00:29Then, on my 22nd birthday, Dominic took me to Oak Hall, Westbrook's most exclusive restaurant, and said he'd planned a
00:35surprise.
00:36The table was already set when we arrived, with everything I liked, every dish.
00:40He said he had something special to grab. Be right back.
00:44I waited until the dining room closed.
00:49He never came back.
00:51I pulled out my card to cover the bill.
00:53The cashier scanned it, paused, and slid it back across the counter.
00:57I'm sorry, Ms. Sinclair.
00:59Your card is showing as invalid in the system.
01:02Invalid?
01:03I stared at the card in my hand.
01:05My fingers went cold.
01:06This was the card Dominic had given me right before we left.
01:11After we got engaged, he'd added me to the Ashford family meal plan.
01:16Every purchase on campus, charged to the family account, billed directly to them.
01:21But tonight, right before we walked out the door, he'd reached into my bag and taken the card.
01:27He'd said, kissing my forehead.
01:29This one's on me.
01:32It's your 22nd.
01:34Dominic wasn't picking up.
01:3612 calls.
01:3712 voicemails left.
01:38The cashier drummed her fingers on the card reader.
01:41Ms. Sinclair, do you have another form of payment?
01:44We don't do tabs here.
01:45And I'm sure you remember last month's incident.
01:48I remembered.
01:50Last month, Dominic's childhood best friend, Bianca Harlow, took my dining dollars and treated her entire Pi Beta chapper to
01:55a $2,000 dinner.
01:57Then went and ran her mouth in the girls' locker room.
01:59I was a clout haster with a pretty face.
02:01Dominic's gonna drop her the second he's bored.
02:02So I logged into the portal and killed her access.
02:05The next day, she stepped up to the register and got declined.
02:09Once.
02:10Twice.
02:11Three times.
02:12The line behind her stretched to the door.
02:14Her face went beet red in front of her sisters.
02:16She never forgave me for that.
02:19Now I stood there, phone in a death grip, and my knuckles turned white.
02:24Then the doors swung open.
02:26Bianca walked in, tucked under Dominic's arm.
02:29Chin up.
02:30Blue eyes absolutely glowing with satisfaction.
02:33Behind them, 14, maybe 15 people.
02:38The entire inner circle of Westbrook College.
02:41Phi Kippa's executive board.
02:43Pi Beta's social chars.
02:45Every single one of them was already staring.
02:48Dominic let go of Bianca's arm and walked toward me.
02:50The light caught him.
02:51Honestly, wasn't far off.
02:52The Ashverns were East Coast old money.
02:53The oldest kind.
02:54And Dominic was their only son.
02:55President of Phi Kapper.
02:56The guy Westbrook was basically built around.
02:58And right now, he was looking at me in a way I had never seen before.
03:00Elena.
03:01He said.
03:01Low.
03:03Measured.
03:03Loud enough for every table in Oak Hall to hear.
03:06You get a real kick out of sabotaging people on the low, huh?
03:08Freezing someone's card?
03:10Making them stand at a register and choke in front of everyone?
03:12So, now you know how it feels.
03:14The room cracked open.
03:15Wait, is he serious?
03:16It's her birthday.
03:17They've been together three years.
03:19Why would he-
03:19Three years doesn't mean anything.
03:21Bianca's known him since they were kids.
03:22And Elena?
03:23She transferred from the West Coast.
03:25Nobody can even find her people.
03:26She's here on a scholarship, right?
03:28Like, a full ride?
03:29That's what you get for clout chasing.
03:31When Domic's done with her, she won't even have a seat at the table.
03:33I dug my nails into my palm.
03:35Exactly what I thought.
03:37He'd set this whole thing up.
03:39On my birthday.
03:40Just to get back at me for Bianca.
03:42Dominic walked Bianca to the table, and Nguanga pulled out her chair.
03:46Like I wasn't even in the room.
03:48Bianca.
03:49His voice was quiet, but the whole room heard it.
03:50Whatever she did to you, I'm returning it.
03:52Every bit of it.
03:53Bianca's face broke open.
03:54She leaned over and kissed the corner of his mouth.
03:56Thank you, Dom.
03:57Then she looked at me.
03:58Getting the picture now, Elena?
03:59That account belongs to the Ashford family?
04:00You're not family yet.
04:01What gave you the right to touch my access in the first place?
04:03She dropped her bag onto the table.
04:05Then shoved it.
04:06Hard.
04:06My water glass-tipped liquid spilled across my shoes, seeping through the fabric.
04:10She said, covering her mouth.
04:12Oops.
04:13Slipped.
04:13Sorry about that.
04:14Though those shoes weren't worth much anyway, right?
04:17Scattered laughter from behind her.
04:18Dominic didn't look at the spill.
04:20Didn't look at me.
04:20He just slipped his arm around Bianca's waist and looked straight at the cashier.
04:23Whatever Bianca orders tonight, put it on the Ashford account.
04:26Then he looked at me.
04:27That smirk.
04:28Wide open.
04:29Not even trying to hide it.
04:30As for her, if she can't pay, go buy the book.
04:33I stood there.
04:34The room shrank.
04:35Inch by inch.
04:36Dominic stood up.
04:38He wanted to make sure I had nowhere left to go.
04:40He swept the room with one slow, deliberate look.
04:43Then pulled out his phone, typed something, and held the screen up for everyone to see.
04:47The Phi Kappa group chat.
04:48Anyone who helps Elena Sinclair tonight is out.
04:51All event access?
04:52Gone.
04:52Everyone in that room knew exactly what that meant.
04:56Cross Dominic Ashvin, and you were done.
04:58No party invites.
05:00No frat events.
05:01No senior gala.
05:03Full stop.
05:03A few people who actually knew me, I watched something flicker across their faces.
05:07One girl actually reached into her bag.
05:09Bianna caught it.
05:10She stared that girl down.
05:11Hard.
05:12The hand slipped back out.
05:13Empty.
05:14I looked at Dominic.
05:15Three years of feelings.
05:16Gone.
05:17Just like that.
05:18Dominic Ashforth?
05:19You really want to do this?
05:21He held my gaze without blinking.
05:23When you froze her card and humiliated her in front of everyone, what did you think was
05:27going to happen?
05:29This is your lesson.
05:30Remember it.
05:31She's mine.
05:33Engaged or not, you don't get to come after her.
05:36She's mine.
05:38Those two words hit like a knife.
05:40Straight in.
05:41Three years ago, I just transferred to Westbrook.
05:43Bumped straight into him on the steps outside the student union building.
05:46Full collision.
05:47Books everywhere.
05:48He spent the whole next semester on my case.
05:51Empus Cafe.
05:51My exact order.
05:52Every time.
05:53On rainy days, he'd pull off his own hoodie and drop it over my head, then sprint across
05:58the entire football field in just a t-shirt.
06:00When a group of Pai Bada upper classes cornered me in the library hallway, I don't even know
06:05how he found out, but he showed up, walked straight through all of them, and put himself
06:09between me and the girl running her mouth, looked her dead in the eye, and said,
06:13She's with me.
06:15I was gone after that.
06:16Not because of his last name, because I actually believed him.
06:20And now he'd just use those same words for her.
06:22So what's it gonna be?
06:23Bianca's voice pulled me back.
06:25She leaned back.
06:26Legs crossed.
06:28You gonna call someone to bail you out, or...
06:30She let it hang, eyes dragging slowly over my dress.
06:34I felt myself shrink.
06:36Nice piece.
06:37Couture.
06:38Right?
06:39Maybe the boys can auction it off right here, piece by piece, to cover your tab.
06:45The room lost it.
06:47Dominic really said this is for Bianca and meant it.
06:49Elena is cooked.
06:51I told y'all, Cinderella stories don't exist in real life.
06:54The Ashvins were never gonna bring home a girl with no pedigree.
06:56Bianca's always been their people.
06:57The higher they build you up, the harder you fall, sis.
07:00That's just how it goes.
07:02The Phi Keper core, the ones clustered around Dominic,
07:05were watching me with that specific look.
07:08A few of them already had their phones out.
07:10My whole body was shaking.
07:13Before we'd left, Dominic had taken my dining dollars.
07:16On purpose.
07:19Right now, I had nothing but the dress on my back.
07:22And my phone had just died.
07:24Battery gone.
07:26That's when it hit me.
07:28My phone.
07:29My card.
07:30The reservation.
07:31The timing.
07:32None of it was an accident.
07:34And to gird the so-trick.
07:36He didn't forget my birthday.
07:39He planned it.
07:41Bianca moved toward me, smiling like she'd already won.
07:44It's getting late, Elena.
07:45The cashier's waiting to close out your tab.
07:47Don't tell me you're actually broke.
07:50Because a tab this size, if you can't cover it, this goes straight to the Student Conduct Committee.
07:56I felt it in my stomach.
07:57The Student Conduct Committee at Westbrook College.
08:00The one line nobody crossed.
08:01One formal strike, and I could lose my scholarship, lose my housing, get pulled from the honors track, or get
08:07kicked out for good.
08:09Dominic didn't just want to humiliate me.
08:12He wanted to erase me.
08:16Bianca took another step forward.
08:17Close enough that I could smell her perfume.
08:20She tilted her chin up and looked at me like I was already done.
08:22There is one other option.
08:24That smile ale never moved.
08:26Say please.
08:27Mean it.
08:28Maybe I'll make this easier for you.
08:30She reached out and poked my shoulder.
08:33Dom listens to me.
08:35Always has.
08:36I reached up and blocked her hand.
08:39Just that.
08:40Bianca reacted like she'd been hit by a truck.
08:43Grabbed her cheek and screamed.
08:46She hit me!
08:47I watched Dominic's eyes shift.
08:50No, that's not what...
08:52He grabbed my shoulder and shoved.
08:54Hard.
08:56I went down backward.
08:57Caught the corner of the table on the way.
09:00The pain shot straight up my spine.
09:02The edge caught my arm.
09:04Sharp.
09:05Clean.
09:06And I felt the warmth before I saw the blood.
09:08I hit the floor and looked up.
09:11Furious.
09:12For just a second something moved across Dominic's face.
09:15Then it was gone.
09:17Elena.
09:18You hit her in front of everyone.
09:20That doesn't just go away.
09:21Bianca gets that back.
09:23He jutted his chin at two FICUP members standing nearby.
09:26Both of them built like they belonged on the offensive line.
09:30They grabbed my arms, one on each side, and hauled me off the floor.
09:35Bianca walked toward me slowly.
09:37My heart mummered.
09:40Not from fear.
09:41From disbelief.
09:43The Ashfords hadn't always been East Coast royalty.
09:46Dominic hadn't always been untouchable.
09:49Because of me.
09:50I was the one who'd convinced my dad to use our family's connections to open every door for them.
09:55Rivals who would have gone after the Ashfords.
09:57And to tell Dominic tonight.
09:58On my birthday.
09:59Tell him I wasn't some scholarship girl from the West Coast with no pedigree.
10:03I was a St. Clair, the sole heir to a West Coast dynasty that made the Ashterns look like new
10:07money.
10:08I was going to take him home to meet my family.
10:10I just didn't see this coming.
10:11I'd read him wrong.
10:12Bianca turned to the table and picked up a heavy plate of lobster marinara.
10:16The exact dish Dominic had ordered for me.
10:19She stepped right into my space.
10:21Raised the plate.
10:22And didn't hesitate.
10:23Splash.
10:23A wet, sickening sound echoed across the dining room.
10:26She had flipped the entire plate directly over my head.
10:28Scalding pasta hit my crown.
10:30Thick red sauce slid down my hair and cling to my cheeks.
10:33The empty plate slipped from her hand.
10:35Hitting the hardwood floor with a sharp crack and shattering at my feet.
10:38Rich tomato sauce dripped from my eyelashes, bleeding rapidly into the pale fabric of my
10:44couture dress.
10:45I didn't flinch.
10:46I didn't even lift a hand to wipe my face.
10:48I just dug my nails into my palm and looked straight through the mess at Dominic.
10:52No anger.
10:53No tears.
10:54Dominic, this is on you.
10:56When the Ashfords go under and everything you've built comes crashing down.
11:01Remember, you chose this.
11:08Girl, you've been watching too many dramas.
11:11Look at you.
11:13Pursed out laughing.
11:14Look at you.
11:15What, you think you're some secret rich heiress?
11:17She might actually be losing it.
11:19Like, brah.
11:21Dominic looked at me like I was wasting his time.
11:23Cold.
11:24Checked out.
11:26Drop the act.
11:27The Ashfords going bankrupt?
11:29That's cute.
11:30...to me in class.
11:31Studied with me in the library.
11:32Heads down.
11:33All of them.
11:34One girl, someone I actually considered a real friend, snuck a glance at me, then looked
11:38away the second our eyes met, scared of being seen.
11:41Nobody moved.
11:42The Ashfords ran this campus, the board of trustees, the student conduct committee, the
11:46entire Greek council.
11:47And outside?
11:48City Hall, the banks, every law firm that mattered.
11:51Cross Dominic Ashford and you'd cross the entire East Coast Old Money Network.
11:54I walked toward that girl.
11:56She saw me coming, shot up from her seat, and backed away.
11:59Elena, don't!
12:00I can't help you pay!
12:01I'm not asking you to pay, I said.
12:03I just need your phone.
12:05Five minutes.
12:06I need someone to come down here.
12:07Ha ha!
12:08She's still fronting!
12:09Dom already put the word out across every frat on campus.
12:12Who's coming to save you?
12:15Let her call.
12:17Twenty minutes.
12:17She still can't cover it.
12:19The dress comes off.
12:22Clock's ticking, princess.
12:24Can't pay up?
12:26Time to strip.
12:30Bianca turned toward the guys who'd been watching a little too, too eagerly.
12:35The girl hesitated.
12:38Looked at Dominic.
12:40Looked back at me.
12:44Then she held out her phone.
12:48I dialed the number I knew by heart but had never once called.
12:52Every second felt longer than the last.
12:55Less than ten minutes left.
12:56Bianca was done waiting.
12:58She stood up.
12:59I'm such an idiot.
13:01I actually believed you.
13:04Nobody's coming for you, girl.
13:06Hey!
13:07She turned to the cashier.
13:08Have your guys hold her down.
13:10Nobody's risking the Aschams over this girl.
13:12The guards moved in.
13:13Big.
13:14Mean.
13:15Done with waiting.
13:16I put my hand up.
13:17Wait.
13:18There's still time.
13:19Someone's coming.
13:21Bianca laughed.
13:22Still?
13:23Okay, bet.
13:24Someone walks through that door in time.
13:27I'll eat everything on this table.
13:30And I'll step down from Pi Beta.
13:32The president's seat is yours.
13:34You sure?
13:35I looked at her.
13:37Everyone in this room is a witness.
13:39Absolutely.
13:40She didn't even blink.
13:41Something lit up dappens me.
13:43She had absolutely no idea what she'd just walked into.
13:46With a few minutes left on the clock, one of the Phi Keeper guys, big, sloppy, clearly
13:52had too much to drink, reached over and grabbed at my dress.
13:56I smacked his hand away.
13:58Yo, Dominic.
13:59Your fiancé's got a temper.
14:01Dominic smiled and swirled his wine.
14:04Completely unbothered.
14:06She can't fair game.
14:07Have at it.
14:08I stared at him.
14:09Something inside me went completely cold.
14:12This was my fiancé.
14:14Watching other men put their hands on me.
14:17And he didn't even flinch.
14:18He caught my eyes and shrugged.
14:20Don't look at me like that.
14:21I'm not helping you.
14:22I just want Bianca happy.
14:25That was all they needed to hear.
14:26They grabbed me, arms, shoulders, and started pulling at my dress.
14:31I fought back hard.
14:32Every single face.
14:34Every one of you who touched me.
14:36I remember faces.
14:38Not one of you.
14:39Bianca didn't even look up.
14:41Phone out.
14:42Already recording.
14:43Waiting to put this all over the internet.
14:45Time's up.
14:46Take it.
14:47Bang.
14:48The heavy oak doors were practically kicked off their hinges.
14:51Every head snapped toward the entrance.
14:53And the second they saw him, the whole room locked up.
14:56Wait.
14:57Is that Nathan Thorne?
14:59Why the hell is the bored sheriff here?
15:00Dominic and Bianca shot to their feet.
15:02Completely thrown.
15:04Bianca actually rubbed her eyes.
15:05Like she couldn't trust what she was seeing.
15:07Nathan Thorne walked in wearing a navy blazer.
15:10Tie slightly crooked.
15:12Like he dressed on the way here.
15:13President Wiltmore was behind him.
15:16Mr. Thorne.
15:17President Whitmore.
15:18What are you doing here?
15:19Nathan didn't look at him.
15:21Didn't look at Bianca.
15:22He walked straight to me.
15:24I apologize for the delay, Miss St. Clair.
15:28Mr. Sterling is on his way.
15:30He asked me to come ahead and handle things.
15:33He took one look at my torn dress.
15:35The dirt on my hands.
15:37The cut on my arm.
15:38He swallowed it.
15:39Then he turned around slowly.
15:41The whole room felt it.
15:42He kept his voice level when he spoke to the president.
15:44Shut this down.
15:45Tonight.
15:46And I want a full explanation.
15:47One I'm actually satisfied with.
15:49Otherwise the board will be reassessing its investment in West College Fect immediately.
15:52The president went white.
15:54Speechless.
15:55Oak Hall, which 30 seconds ago had been loud enough to rattle the windows, went dead.
16:00The whole room.
16:02Locked up.
16:03Nobody even knew what they were looking at.
16:06They all knew the name-name Nathan Thorne.
16:08The Ashford's were East Coast royalty, sure.
16:11But the network behind Nathan Thorne?
16:14It could swallow ten Ashford families' hold.
16:19People had always wondered how the Ashford's pulled it off.
16:22How a fading old money family suddenly rocketed to the top of the East Coast in just a few years.
16:27They never knew new.
16:28The answer was me.
16:31When I take over as the Ashford heir and rebuild this family...
16:36I was so gone for him, I asked my dad to quietly back the Ashfords.
16:41New contracts.
16:42Big ones.
16:43Every door they needed opened.
16:45And just like that, they climbed.
16:48I'd been about to tell him everything.
16:50Then tonight happened.
16:51Nobody whispered.
16:53Nobody moved.
16:54Just blank stares.
16:56Then it hit Bianca.
16:58She flinched.
16:59Like something just clicked.
17:01Went white.
17:02Lips shaking.
17:03She actually...
17:04She actually called someone?
17:06My bet!
17:07No.
17:07No way.
17:08How is the board chair even friends with her?
17:10That's not possible.
17:11Nobody answered.
17:12Nobody breathed.
17:13The guys who'd been grabbing at my dress had already vanished into the crowd.
17:18Nathan looked straight at Bianca.
17:20Cold.
17:21The injuries on Miss St. Clair, you ordered that?
17:25Bianca's knees gave out.
17:27Dominic caught her.
17:28Hey.
17:29I got you.
17:30And just like that, Bianca straightened up.
17:33Shoulders back.
17:35Right.
17:35The Ashherds run the East Coast.
17:37Even the board answers to them.
17:40Dominic looked at me.
17:41That smirk was back.
17:43I don't know what you and Nathan Thorne have going on, but let me be clear.
17:46At Westbrook, the Ashfords run things.
17:48With all due respect, Mr. Thorne, this is a private matter.
17:52Stay in your lane.
17:53At Westbrook, the Ashfords pull the strings.
17:56Nathan smiled.
17:57Cold.
17:58Practiced.
17:58The kind you can't fake.
17:59Bold words, Mr. Ashford.
18:01If it weren't for Miss St. Villet, your family would have been eaten alive a long time ago.
18:05Everything the Ashfords have today, she handed that to you.
18:07And you didn't even know it.
18:09Dominic scoffed.
18:10I was done.
18:11Done with the room.
18:12While Nathan was talking, I'd already called my dad.
18:15Told him everything.
18:16The Ashfords had no idea what was coming.
18:18Nathan walked to the cashier and handed over his card.
18:21Miss St. Clair's tab is on me.
18:23Miss St. Clair, no more dining dollars.
18:25Your account has been upgraded.
18:26Face ID access only from now on.
18:28No spending cap.
18:30Half the room actually stepped back.
18:32I took the tablet, confirmed my info, and looked up at Bianca.
18:37Bianca, that bet you made, you remember that, right?
18:40She grabbed his arm, forcing herself to look calm, but her voice gave her away.
18:44So what if I lost?
18:46You got the board chair to show up for you.
18:48You've been playing him this whole time.
18:50Who the hell did you screw to get the board chair to show up for you?
18:54His jaw tightened.
18:55I could see it in his face.
18:56This had gone in control of the whole night.
18:58Elena, last chance.
18:59Apologize to Bianca.
19:00Do that, and tonight never happened.
19:02Don't, and I'm calling off the engagement.
19:04I smiled, colder than the room.
19:06You really think I still want to marry you?
19:07And while you're at it, call your father.
19:09Ask him how Ashford Group Stock is doing right now.
19:12His eyes sharpened.
19:13He pulled out his phone.
19:14Is she actually losing it?
19:16The Ashfords would never...
19:17The laugh died in her throat, because his screen lit up with an internal family alert.
19:22The air stopped moving.
19:23His fingers froze mid-air.
19:25He called his father.
19:26Dad, what's going on?
19:28Why are we dropping?
19:29You absolute idiot!
19:30You crossed the St. Clairs, didn't you?
19:33The St. Clair family.
19:34West Coast.
19:35Every fund they control is shorting us right now.
19:37All of it.
19:38If this doesn't stop, Ashford Group files for bankruptcy in three days.
19:41The oak hall like a grenade.
19:43The arrogant sneers vanished, replaced by sheer terror.
19:48The St. Clairs weren't just old money.
19:51They were the kind of name that made the Ashfords look new.
19:55Bianca's smile dissolved.
19:56The color drained from her lips.
19:59Dominic's hand started shaking around the phone.
20:02Dominic snapped his head up and looked at me.
20:04And for the first time all night, fear.
20:07You... you're actually...
20:10I smoothed out my dress.
20:13The one they'd grabbed at.
20:15Slowly.
20:17Nathan stepped forward.
20:19Composed.
20:20Respectful.
20:21Get the names of every student in this room who touched her or participated.
20:25The student contact committee will be calling their families first thing tomorrow morning.
20:29Fine.
20:30I gave her one she'd never recover from.
20:33That's how old money plays it.
20:35Before Nathan even finished speaking, hurried footsteps echoed outside.
20:39Then the doors flew open again.
20:41Edward Ashford stumbled in.
20:43Shirt untucked.
20:44Tie loose.
20:45With several stone-faced family aides behind him.
20:47His eyes swept the room.
20:49The mess on the floor.
20:50The cut on my arm.
20:52One look at Dominic.
20:54And Edward looked like he could have killed him right there.
20:57Edward's shoulder slumped.
20:58The arrogant billionaire practically shrunk in front of me.
21:01His hands shaking slightly as he stepped forward.
21:04Miss St. Clair.
21:06My son is an embarrassment.
21:08The Ashford family owes you a formal apology.
21:10Please, let us make tonight right.
21:12The butler stepped forward and opened a velvet box.
21:15Pink diamond necklace.
21:16The Ashford family heirloam.
21:18Mr. Ashford.
21:19That's not necessary.
21:20Edward didn't even flinch.
21:21I glanced at it.
21:22I just want what you took from me tonight.
21:24My dignity.
21:25Edward's expression hardened.
21:27He looked at Bianca still crumpled on the floor, then back at his son, like he couldn't
21:30believe what he'd raised.
21:32Dominic.
21:32I have never been more ashamed of you in my life.
21:35You turned on your own fiancé with outsiders.
21:37How am I supposed to trust you with this family after tonight?
21:39Edward swung.
21:40His knuckles connected with Dominic's jaw.
21:43Dominic hit the floor, tasting blood, but didn't dare make a sound.
21:47Effective today.
21:48You are no longer the Ashford heir.
21:51I'd sooner leave everything to a kid I've never met than hand it to you.
21:54He turned to be Ionka.
21:56And the Harlow family, every West Coast partnership, is done.
22:02See how long you last without us.
22:04Bianca dropped to the floor, grabbing at Dominic's pants leg, sobbing.
22:09Dominic, please.
22:11If my dad finds out about this, I'm dead.
22:15I am so dead.
22:17Dominic looked down at her.
22:18Something moved across his face.
22:20Complicated.
22:21Distant.
22:21With his entire inheritance on the line, whatever this was, didn't matter anymore.
22:26Bianca.
22:27You ruined me.
22:30She completely fell apart.
22:32Edward turned back to me.
22:33He helped Dominic up, carefully, and pushed him toward me.
22:36Miss Sinclair.
22:36My son knows he was wrong.
22:38He let Bianca manipulate him.
22:40You're above this.
22:41Please, give him one more chance.
22:42Whatever it takes.
22:43Name it.
22:44He will spend the rest of his miserable life making this up to you.
22:47Dominic looked up at me.
22:48His eyes were full.
22:49Like he was one word away from breaking.
22:51Elena.
22:52I'm sorry.
22:52I was wrong.
22:53I was so wrong.
22:54I never should have doubted you.
22:55Never should have let her lay a hand on you.
22:56Just forgive me.
22:57Please.
22:57We'll get married.
22:58I'll make this right.
22:59I swear.
22:59He reached for my hand.
23:00I turned away before he could.
23:02I looked at his face.
23:03No hate.
23:03No tears.
23:04Just quiet.
23:05The kind that comes after something dies.
23:06You know what actually destroyed me?
23:08When I spoke, the whole room heard every word.
23:10Not the slap.
23:11Not any of it.
23:12It was when they had me pinned down and you looked me dead in the eyes and said,
23:14I just want Bianca happy.
23:16I meant less to you than her ego.
23:19Love runs out.
23:20You burned through all of mine tonight.
23:21I took one step back.
23:23Nathan was already beside me.
23:25I turned, unhurring.
23:26I'm not interested in the Ashford future anymore.
23:29And us?
23:30We're done.
23:31Bianca stood in the middle of the room like someone had cut her strings.
23:35Then, the doors opened again.
23:38The air changed.
23:40He walked in wearing a dark green varsity jacket with the St. Paul's crest stitched over the chest.
23:46Half a head taller than Dominic.
23:49Broader.
23:50Jawline like something out of a Renaissance painting.
23:52He didn't look at Dominic.
23:54He walked straight to me, glanced down at my wrist.
23:58And frowned.
24:00You're bleeding.
24:02He pulled a perfectly folded white handkerchief from his pocket and pressed it gently against my wrist.
24:11Then, only then, he turned and seemed to notice Dominic for the first time.
24:17Ah, you must be Ashford.
24:19He extended his hand, but not to shake.
24:22He just casually straightened his cufflinks.
24:24Sebastian Sterling.
24:26Elena and I grew up together.
24:28She transferred here.
24:29The corner of his mouth lifted.
24:32To get away from me.
24:33Like it was an inside joke.
24:36Looks like she trusted the wrong family.
24:39Dominic's lips were trembling.
24:40Sterling?
24:41You're a Sterling?
24:42He finally looked at Dominic directly.
24:45No.
24:46I'm the one who's going to pull every Sterling capital asset from your father's next board vote.
24:51He turned, and his arm settled around my waist like it belonged there.
24:55Let's go, Elena.
24:57Your father's plane is waiting.
24:58At the door, he stopped.
25:00Didn't turn around.
25:02One more thing, Ashford.
25:04That plaque by the entrance?
25:06Ashford Family Banquet Hall?
25:08You should take it down yourself.
25:11The crew we send to remove it will charge you for the trouble.
25:16He followed me out.
25:17I could hear him.
25:18The uneven footsteps.
25:20The way he was half running, half stumbling.
25:22Elena!
25:23I stopped.
25:24Didn't turn around.
25:25Elena, I had no idea.
25:27I swear, I had no idea you were a St. Clair.
25:30If I'd known from the start...
25:31Then what?
25:32Looked him dead in the eyes.
25:34You would have treated me better?
25:36He opened his mouth.
25:37Nothing came out.
25:38Or, if I were still just the scholarship girl, would all of that have been okay?
25:44Freezing my meal plan?
25:46Letting Bianca slap me?
25:48Letting those guys tear my clothes off?
25:50No, that's not what I meant.
25:52Then what did you mean, Dominic?
25:54Silence.
25:55Sebastian stood behind me.
25:56No rush.
25:57Just waiting.
25:58Arms crossed.
25:59Like he had all night.
26:01Dominic, listen to me.
26:02I built the Ashford's up.
26:04I can tear them down just as fast.
26:07We're done.
26:08As of right now.
26:10I turned and took Sebastian's arm.
26:12Don't know it's...
26:16Let's go.
26:17Behind me, Dominic's voice came out horsey.
26:19Broken.
26:20Like he was already crying.
26:22Elena, if none of this had happened, if I hadn't let Bianca, would you have ever brought
26:27me home?
26:28Introduced me to your family?
26:30I didn't answer.
26:32There was nothing left to say.
26:35Some questions don't deserve one.
26:41The Oak Hall doors closed behind us.
26:44The hallway was quiet.
26:45Just our footnaps.
26:48Your taste in men is awful.
26:52Shut up.
26:53I'm being serious.
26:54What did you even see in that guy?
26:57Sebastian.
26:58Yeah?
26:59Thanks for coming.
27:00He didn't say anything for a second.
27:02Then he reached over and messed up my hair.
27:04Stop running from me.
27:06There are plenty of good schools back home, you know?
27:08I didn't say anything, but I smiled.
27:12First time all night.
27:14Come on, let's go home.
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