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