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