- 9 hours ago
Checked Into My Marriage, Stole My Life EP - Hot
Category
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Short filmTranscript
00:00The hotel just alerted me that a condom charge from the previous night had been posted to my bill.
00:05When I confronted my husband, Rex Dillon, he stared back at me with a look of utter bewilderment
00:11plastered across his face.
00:13Sweetheart, this has got to be a system glitch, or someone keyed in the wrong membership number.
00:18I'll call and lodge a formal complaint first thing tomorrow.
00:22Little does he know, the hotel's lead investor is my ride-or-die best friend.
00:28Hey, can you pull up who Rex checked into the hotel with last night?
00:31I'm gonna catch them red-handed.
00:33The card was linked exclusively to my personal information, meaning no one else could use it.
00:38Yet the hotel had called, claiming I'd checked into the presidential suite the night before
00:43and used the condoms in the room.
00:45I asked three times to confirm, and the person on the line insisted it was Leela Ruth herself who'd checked
00:50in.
00:51I couldn't swallow this humiliation.
00:53What made it worse was that once, when I'd mention using the card,
00:57What do you want me to say?
00:58Rex had looked utterly annoyed and snapped.
01:00Is our home not good enough for you? Why would you rather sleep elsewhere?
01:03I'm so sick of your ridiculous spending habits!
01:06I didn't get it. Why was he so pissed off just cause I wanted to use a free card?
01:11The angrier I grew, the faster I drove.
01:14Heading straight for the hotel.
01:16Hello, I'm Leela Ruth. You called me this morning.
01:20My anger simmering just beneath the surface.
01:23The receptionist looked up, her face clouding with confusion.
01:27Mrs. Ruth? I thought you just went back to your room.
01:30You made it clear that no housekeeping service was needed a moment ago.
01:34My face darkened instantly.
01:36The reception went on.
01:38Just ten minutes ago, Mrs. Ruth called and activated the Do Not Disturb service.
01:42I was so furious that I trembled all over.
01:46That woman had the nerve to check in under my name.
01:50Grinting my teeth.
01:52But I am the real Leela Ruth.
01:55The receptionist eyed me up and down impatiently.
02:00Madam, if you don't have a reservation, please leave.
02:03We have many guests today.
02:05Please don't cause a scene here.
02:07It hit me like a bolt of lightning.
02:09My husband had become someone else's husband?
02:13The irony was bitter enough to choke on.
02:17At that moment, the elevator dinged open.
02:20Tiffany Butler stepped out, clad in the latest Chanel suit of the season.
02:23The diamond necklace around her neck was the one I bought at auction for 1.8 million.
02:27As far as I knew, she was just my husband's newly graduated junior.
02:30The receptionist's face lit up as if she'd spotted a savior.
02:33She pointed straight at Tiffany and said to me.
02:36This is the real Mrs. Ruth.
02:37The rightful one.
02:38I suggest you leave immediately and stop making trouble.
02:41Tiffany's face blanched the second she saw me.
02:43But she recovered fast, forcing a sickly sweet smile.
02:46What a coincidence.
02:48Are you staying here too?
02:49I coldly shook off her outstretched hand.
02:52Tiffany, don't you think you owe me an explanation?
02:54Why did you check in under my name?
02:57And why were the condoms you used charged to my account?
03:02Also, why are my shoes on your feet?
03:05And when did my husband become yours?
03:08My voice cut through the lobby, and the previously noisy crowd fell dead silent.
03:12Every pair of eyes locked onto Tiffany.
03:14Tiffany glanced around nervously, then her eyes immediately welled with tears.
03:19What are you talking about?
03:20My husband gave me this card because he felt bad about my frequent business trips.
03:24And he bought me these shoes as well.
03:26As for the condoms.
03:27She feigned shyness and lowered her head.
03:29What's wrong with me using them with my husband?
03:33Are you upset because your husband doesn't treat you well?
03:36Need my help to get you a psychiatrist?
03:41Look at her haggard face.
03:43Her husband must not want to touch her.
03:45A card like that starts at $300,000.
03:47She doesn't seem like someone who could afford it.
03:50Are they seriously letting in just anybody at such a high-end place?
03:55I was only wearing casual clothes today.
03:57Hardly the shabby mess they made me out to be.
03:59I never realized you were so good with words.
04:07Did you verify her identity when the co-called Mrs. Ruth checked in?
04:11The receptionist hesitated, her face flushing.
04:14She said she didn't have her ID, but Mr. Dillon is a regular, so...
04:18So you just broke the rules?
04:20Your hotel security is a joke.
04:25She's just a receptionist.
04:27Why are you picking on her?
04:29People stay at hotels they can't afford.
04:32Don't make a scene here.
04:39Answer it.
04:40Put it on speaker.
04:42Let's hear how Rex is going to spin this.
04:46As she tapped the speaker button, she burst into fake, heaving sobs.
04:49Honey, come to the hotel, quick!
04:52There's a crazy woman saying I'm not your wife and trying to kick me out!
04:56She wailed dramatically, and Rex's furious voice exploded from the phone at once.
05:01A crazy woman?
05:02Dare she bully you?
05:04Don't be skied.
05:04I'm on my way.
05:06A crazy woman to S.O.
05:07That was what I was to him now.
05:08The onlookers stared at me with open disdain, some even stepping forward to comfort Tiffany.
05:14Don't take it to heart.
05:15She's insane.
05:16Tiffany murmured her thanks, then turned to me with a look of feigned concern.
05:19My husband will be here soon.
05:21He has a terrible temper.
05:24You better leave fast.
05:25Who knows what he might do to you?
05:26He just gave me that $300,000 VIP card, you know?
05:30Shows how much he spoils me.
05:31If he gets here, who knows what he might do to you?
05:34It sounded like a warning, but it was nothing but a slap in the face, a bare-faced provocation.
05:39I trembled with rage.
05:40Every fiber of me screaming to tear off her hypocritical mask right then and there.
05:44Rex arrived faster than I'd expected.
05:46He burst through the hotel doors.
05:48The second his eyes landed on me, they turned cold and vicious.
05:52He roughly shoved me aside, then pulled Tiffany into a tight, protective embrace.
05:57Don't be afraid, I'm here.
05:59The way he gently stroked Tiffany's hair was so tender it hurt to watch.
06:02Pushed by him, I stumbled backward, my waist slamming hard into the sofa arm behind me.
06:07If not for the furniture, I would have crashed straight to the ground.
06:10Meanwhile, Tiffany stood on tiptoes, wrapped her arms around his neck, and the two locked in a long, wet, lingering
06:15kiss.
06:17You're so good to me, honey.
06:18Tiffany panted, her voice thick with coquetry.
06:20You need to set this woman straight, she won't believe I'm your wife.
06:25Only then did Rex turn his gaze to me.
06:27There was no flicker of guilt.
06:29Only pure disgust thought he released Tiffany and strode over, then slapped me hard across the face.
06:35Tiffany, have you no shame?
06:37Just cause I turned you down when you tried to hint for a permanent position, you've held a grudge ever
06:41since.
06:42Now you dare to bully my wife in public?
06:44I clapped a hand to my cheek, which flared red, swollen, and burning hot.
06:48I stared at him in disbelief, the man before me was a stranger, terrifyingly unfamiliar.
06:53Before I'd come to the hotel, he'd feigned ignorance on the phone, using his usual gentle patience to tell me
06:58not to hurt him.
07:00Yet, in the blink of an eye, he could twist the truth without batting an eye and even hurt me.
07:04He'd always had two faces, it turned out.
07:07Now that I thought back, the signs had been there all along.
07:10He'd only lit up at the latest gaming console I'd bought him, but dismissed my painstakingly developed scientific research as
07:16nothing but scrap.
07:18His so-called concern had always circled.
07:20Back to my bank card, maybe he'd never loved me.
07:23Maybe he'd never even tried to understand the real me out.
07:25A strange sense of calm rose from the depths of my chest, drowning out all the anger.
07:29I lowered my hand from my face and looked straight at him, my voice shockingly steady, even to myself.
07:35Rex, repeat what you just said.
07:38Tell me who am I, and who is she?
07:40A flicker of panic crossed Rex's eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it came.
07:44You really are crazy!
07:46Wasn't I clear enough?
07:47She is my lawfully wedded wife, Lila.
07:50And you?
07:51You're just some intern who failed to climb the ladder, Tiffany.
07:55He raked his eyes over me.
07:58His voice cold and cruel.
08:02Look at yourself.
08:03You're pushing 40, aren't you?
08:06How could I possibly marry someone like you?
08:09Don't embarrass yourself, okay?
08:11Can't get a man herself, so she's jealous of others' happiness.
08:15I told you she must be crazy.
08:17Didn't think she'd start having delusions too, that's really scary.
08:20Poor couple, they're so unlucky to run into a nutjed like this.
08:24I stayed quiet, just watching their little show.
08:27Rex was clearly dead set on protecting Tiffany, even if it meant grinding me into the dirt.
08:32But did he really think he could twist the truth with just a few lies, slowly?
08:36I pulled my ID card and marriage certificate out of my bag.
08:41These should be enough to prove who I am.
08:43Rex and Tiffany's faces froze at once that Tiffany's eyes went wide with shock.
08:48Rex lunged forward, snatched the ID and marriage certificate out of my hand, and without even
08:52glancing at them, hurled them straight out the hotel's revolving glass door.
08:56Will you just stop?
08:58Last time, you waved a fake ID at me to disgust me, and now this new trick?
09:02Forging an ID and a marriage certificate?
09:05Tiffany, have some shame.
09:07Do you think I won't call the cops and report you for harassment and forging official documents?
09:13The onlooker stairs shifted when disdained outright aggression, and they echoed immunity.
09:17Call the police!
09:18Do it now!
09:21She's a fraud.
09:23She should be arrested.
09:24She's not welcome here.
09:25Kick her out, or we'll complain about the hotel!
09:29Tiffany visibly relaxed with that.
09:31She snuggled back into Rex's arms and spoke to me in a tone that sounded concerned but oozed malice.
09:36You've been so abused by your husband that you've lost your mind.
09:39I can introduce you to a good psychiatrist and a top divorce lawyer if you need.
09:45She stressed the word divorce extra hard.
09:47After all, once I was gone, she could step right into the role of Mrs.
09:51Dylan to ASA response, Rex kissed her forehead, then turned back to me, his eyes as cold as ice.
09:57Get out of here now, or I'm calling the police!
09:59Immediately!
10:00He snapped at the receptionist.
10:02Never here!
10:02If noodley it, call security to drive this crazy woman out!
10:05Who knows what else she might do?
10:07What if she hurts other guests?
10:09Kick her out!
10:10We'll complain about the hotel there!
10:12Go!
10:12Go!
10:13Go!
10:13Go!
10:14Go!
10:14Go!
10:15Go!
10:15Go!
10:16Go!
10:17Go!
10:18Go!
10:18Go!
10:19Go!
10:19Go!
10:32Go!
10:33Go!
10:37Go!
10:38Go!
10:39Go!
10:40Go!
10:40Go!
10:41Go!
10:43Go!
10:45Go!
10:46Go!
10:46Go!
10:46Go!
10:48Go!
10:49Go!
10:49and a wide patch of skin was scraped raw on my knee, blood seeping out at once.
10:54My face paled with agony as I tried to stand, only to collapse back down.
10:58Rex stood there, watching coldly, as if I were a total stranger.
11:02My heart turned to ice at that moment.
11:04Any last shred of hope for him was snuffed out, with trembling hands.
11:07I fumbled in my pocket for my phone, desperate to call 911.
11:11But the second I unlocked it, Rex lunged forward and snatched it away.
11:15What are you trying to do? Call the police? He accused me falsely.
11:19Let me tell you, everyone here saw clearly that you fell on purpose.
11:23Don't even think about framing my wife and the hotel!
11:26I have a bleeding disorder! Call an ambulance now!
11:30I shouted through the pain, but Rex remained indifferent.
11:32Instead, hurling my phone forcefully across the lobby, left alone, I endured the searing pain.
11:37Using my uninjured leg to prop myself up and crawl towards my phone,
11:41just then, a delicate high heel stomped down hard on my palm.
11:44Tiffany looked down at me condescendingly.
11:46Sign a statement and admit everything today was your fault.
11:49Then I'll call an ambulance for you.
11:50Otherwise, she paused for effect.
11:53She pressed down harder.
11:54The excruciating pain in my hand, mixed with the agony from my knee and ankle,
11:58nearly made me black out.
11:59I could barely speak, trembling violently from both pain and rage,
12:02my consciousness growing hazy.
12:04Just as I thought I would pass out,
12:05a series of rapid, sharp high heel clicks echoed from the hotel entrance.
12:10My best friend Vivian was striding in.
12:12Lila, I found out. Rex really did cheat.
12:15He's checked into this hotel more times than you have in the past few years.
12:18He even dared to use the exclusive membership card I gave you with that mistress.
12:22Her voice, however, cut off abruptly,
12:24the moment she saw me kneeling on the ground in such a miserable state.
12:29The receptionist, who had been so arrogant just moments ago, now turned pale,
12:34her voice trembling as she timidly called out,
12:36Dear Director Carter,
12:38affirmed Vivian's identity as the hotel's investor beyond any doubt.
12:41What? So she wasn't lying after all?
12:44The husband really brought his mistress to impersonate the real wife?
12:47Is this guy even human?
12:49My god, he helped the lover bully his own wife and even hit her!
12:52What a piece of trash!
12:53This disgusting pair is truly repulsive!
12:56Public opinion flipped on a dime.
12:58Anyone traveling with family or a partner instinctively recoiled at infidelity,
13:02and their words grew sharper by the second.
13:04Awkwardly, the security guards let go of me,
13:07not daring to lay a finger on me anymore.
13:08Vivian's face crumbled with pity as she tried to squat down and help me,
13:12but before her hand could touch me, Rex grabbed it.
13:15His face was plastered with a sip-of-horshick,
13:18panico smile as he shook her hand roughly.
13:21Miss Carter, I'm so sorry for causing trouble at your hotel.
13:24Don't worry, I'll take this troublemaker away right now.
13:26She just has a habit of acting crazy.
13:28Please don't mind her.
13:29He even pretended to be chummy,
13:31leaning in like they were old friends.
13:33By the way, Miss Carter, who's your friend here?
13:35We'll all look out for her when you're not around.
13:39Tiffany chimed in fast, putting on a sickly sympathetic face.
13:42Yeah, Mrs. Carter, your friend is really pitiful,
13:44running into a man like him.
13:46It's so sad that she's betrayed.
13:48I froze for a beat,
13:49before realizing that these idiots still didn't believe
13:51the best girl Vivian was talking about was me.
13:54What are you waiting for?
13:55The investor's here,
13:56and you still haven't dragged this crazy troublemaker out?
14:02The guards exchanged nervous looks,
14:04glancing back and forth between Vivian and me,
14:06unsure what to do.
14:07Vivian was absolutely livid.
14:09With a sudden, sharp motion,
14:11she wrenched her hand free from Rex's grip.
14:13Her voice was glacial.
14:16Stay away from me.
14:17But Rex held on stubbornly.
14:19He planted himself directly in front of Vivian,
14:21blocking her view of me,
14:22and continued his tirade without an ounce of shame.
14:24Miss Carter, please don't be upset.
14:25This woman is clearly trying to extort money.
14:28Her injuries may look serious,
14:30but she's perfectly fine.
14:31I said, stay away from me.
14:34Someone clean this up immediately.
14:35It's an eyesore.
14:36Are you deaf?
14:37I said, stay away from me.
14:39If anything happens to Leela,
14:41I will make sure you regret it.
14:43With that, she shoved both Rex and Tiffany aside
14:46and rushed to meet AT the sight of the blood
14:48staining my skirt and my deathly pale complexion.
14:50Her voice wavered.
14:51Blood loss was clouding my vision.
14:53I clung to the last shreds of consciousness
14:55and gripped her wrist.
14:59Call an ambulance.
15:01Without hesitation,
15:03Vivian dialed emergency services around us.
15:05The whispers among the onlookers grew louder.
15:07So, this guy hasn't even met his wife's best friend?
15:11Unbelievable.
15:12He brings his lover here to bully his wife,
15:15and now they targeted her friend,
15:17the hotel investor.
15:18Miss Carter, just teach them a lesson.
15:20They disgusting.
15:22Rex was really embarrassed,
15:23but he still refused to accept what was unfolding before him.
15:27Tiffany tugged at his sleeve, unwilling to back down.
15:29Rex, something's not right.
15:31If she really is Miss Carter's best friend,
15:34why don't any of the hotel staff recognize her?
15:36Miss Carter owns this place.
15:38It doesn't make any sense.
15:40Sensing the cracks in Rex's confidence,
15:43Tiffany leaned in,
15:44pressing her point with growing boldness.
15:45Besides, I went through Miss Carter's social media recently.
15:49There wasn't a single post or mention of anyone named Lella.
15:54Do you think Lella might have fooled Miss Carter somehow?
15:58Rex's gaze darkened with renewed suspicion.
16:00Turning back to Vivian,
16:01he said with certainty,
16:02Miss Carter,
16:03surely you've been misled.
16:04This woman knows exactly how to play the victim.
16:07She's mastered the art of manipulation.
16:09You have to see that.
16:10You have to see...
16:12No way she's your friend.
16:13The reinforces point, he gestured to Tiffany.
16:15Miss Carter,
16:16this is Miss Tiffany Burtler.
16:18She's the heiress to Ruth Group,
16:20Mr. Ruth's daughter.
16:21I'm sure you've crossed paths before.
16:22She'll vouch that you've never met Lella.
16:25His words landed like a slap.
16:26I blinked in disbelief.
16:27Even Vivian looked momentarily speechless.
16:29Caught between disbelief and fury.
16:31The heiress to Ruth Group?
16:32I was the only daughter of the Ruth family.
16:35After choosing to pursue a career in science
16:37rather than take over the company,
16:38I'd fallen out with my father
16:39and stepped away from the public eye.
16:41Keeping my identity...
16:42Get the hell out of my office!
16:43And yet,
16:44this imposter had the nerve to claim it?
16:46Oh?
16:47The heiress to Ruth Group?
16:48Then why does she have the last name Butler?
16:51It's due to a complicated family matter.
16:53But make no mistake,
16:54Tiffany truly is Ruth Group's heiress.
16:57Vivian let out a cold, sharp snore.
16:59She immediately pulled out her phone,
17:01dialed my father's number,
17:02and tapped the speaker button
17:04for the entire lobby to hear.
17:06Hello, Mr. Ruth?
17:08Hello, Mr. Ruth?
17:09I heard you suddenly have a daughter named Tiffany.
17:12Are you aware she's the mistress of Lila's husband
17:14and they're bully Nicolette together?
17:16Vivian!
17:17What nonsense are you talking about?
17:19I only have one daughter, Lila.
17:21Where did this Tiffany come from?
17:24Who's spreading laws about my girl?
17:28Where are you?
17:29I'm on my way.
17:30The lobby fell into a deathly silence.
17:32Rex, who'd been oozing smutness moments earlier,
17:35froze mid-step.
17:36He whirled around abruptly,
17:38snatching Tiffany's arm
17:39as she tried to slink away unnoticed.
17:44Tiffany, come on.
17:45Call your father right now.
17:47What the hell is going on here?
17:50I never said I was the heirate of Ruth Group.
17:52You just assumed it yourself.
17:55Rex looked as if he'd been struck by lightning.
17:57What?
17:58But when I pressed you about your background,
18:00you never denied it.
18:01You even hinted you could help me land
18:02that cooperation project with Ruth Group.
18:04Mocking laughter erupted around them,
18:06cutting through the tense air.
18:07A cold chill seeped into my bones.
18:10Settling deep in my chest,
18:11IT turned out that Rex had believed all this time
18:13that his shot at that crucial Ruth Group partnership
18:15came from Tiffany.
18:16He had no clue it was me,
18:18pulling strings and smoothing paths.
18:20Who'd paved the way for every opportunity
18:22he'd gotten.
18:22AT that moment,
18:23the wail of an ambulance grew louder.
18:25Echoing closer to the hotel,
18:27blood loss blurred my vision.
18:28And a violent shiver wracked my body.
18:30As the paramedics lifted me onto the stretcher,
18:33I stared up at the hotel's opulent crystal chandelier,
18:35its light refracting into a dizzying haze.
18:37The whole scene felt like an absurd,
18:39cruel nightmare.
18:41Rex made a move as if to rush over,
18:42seemingly he had nothing to say,
18:44but Vivian stopped him sharply.
18:46The last thing I heard before darkness swallowed me
18:48was Vivian's unyielding promise.
18:50I'm here.
18:51This time,
18:51I'll make sure they pay for everything they did.
18:53The hospital room reeked of sterile disinfectant.
18:56And four drip trickled slowly
18:58from the blood transfusion bag into my veins.
19:00I stared out the window at the gray,
19:02overcast sky.
19:03My heart feeling far colder than my body.
19:05Giving my love to a man like Rex
19:07had been the cruelest irony of my life.
19:09Vivian sat beside me,
19:11holding my uninjured hand gently.
19:12Her voice soft with comfort.
19:14He's not worth your tears, Leela.
19:17You deserve better.
19:19I forced a faint smile,
19:21but before I could say anything,
19:22the ward door slammed open with a crash.
19:24Rex stood in the doorway.
19:25His face livid with rage.
19:28There was no trace of guilt in his eyes.
19:30Only raw, bitter accusation.
19:31He strode to the bedside,
19:33jabbing a finger inches from my nose.
19:34His voice a snarl.
19:36Leela, why didn't you tell me earlier
19:37your parents ran Ruth Group?
19:38If you had,
19:39how could I have offended
19:41both Ruth Group and Carter Group?
19:44Now look what you've done.
19:45I've been fired from the company,
19:47and everything I've worked for is ruined.
19:49Are you satisfied?
19:50His shamelessness disgusted me.
19:52I told you more than once.
19:54You were just too impatient to listen.
19:57Too busy disclissings my family affairs as trivial.
20:00Rex, you basted by cameling a loafer.
20:02You did this to yourself.
20:04You deserve it.
20:05Stung by my words,
20:07he flew into a more hysterical rage.
20:09Blame me?
20:10If you hadn't spent all your time in that lab,
20:12neglecting yourself and turning into someone
20:14who no longer fit your expectations,
20:16would I have strayed?
20:17You never cared if I was tired after work.
20:20Even with all these family resources,
20:22you never once lifted a finger to help me.
20:24You never cared if I was tired after work.
20:26Even with all these family resources,
20:27you never once lifted a finger to help me.
20:30At that moment, Tiffany walked in.
20:31Yeah, Leela.
20:32Two become one flesh in marriage.
20:34Rex's love for you faded a long time ago,
20:37but he still stayed with you out of duty.
20:39Yet you schemed against him like this.
20:41His layoff was your doing too, right?
20:44That's so mean.
20:45Rex was such a fool.
20:47Immediately, he was emboldened by her few words,
20:49and his gaze towards me turned even more venomous.
20:52I looked at this dramatic pair with utter scorn.
20:54I didn't help you.
20:56Why do you think your little company
20:57could manage to connect with Ruth Group?
20:59All on your own.
21:00Or was it through Tiffany's fake identity
21:02as the Ruth Arnress?
21:03Rex, the resources you stole from me
21:05didn't just feed you.
21:06They inflated your greed and your audacity.
21:09Rex's face paled, and he fell silent.
21:12I pressed on,
21:13my voice trembling with barely suppressed rage.
21:15You claimed to stay with me out of duty.
21:17Then why did you cheat?
21:20Why did you let others call me a lunatook
21:22and hit me, your legitimate wife?
21:24Rex, you destroyed your bright future
21:27with your own hands.
21:28I'd already prepared the documents
21:30to promote you to vice president of the company.
21:34Now, you don't deserve it.
21:41Tiffany shrieked in defense.
21:43We didn't hit you.
21:44You fell on your own.
21:46Yeah, right.
21:47Leela, don't be so dramatic.
21:49I stared at him,
21:50a crushing sense of sadness washing over me.
21:53I have a bleeding disorder,
21:54and you're aware of it.
21:56A small cut while chopping vegetables
21:58can make me bleed uncontrollably,
22:00yet you never cared.
22:02I lost so much blood this time,
22:05and you call me delicate.
22:07Do you know what I'm most grateful for now?
22:09That we don't have children.
22:12Otherwise, how pitiful they would be.
22:15I, I, I didn't mean it.
22:17Whether intentional or not,
22:19it doesn't matter anymore.
22:20Vivian spoke coldly,
22:22holding up her phone screen for us all to see.
22:24I found something interesting.
22:25Rex, the luxury goods you've given Tiffany over the years
22:28far exceed your legitimate income.
22:29You stole many of the gifts Leisha's father and I gave her
22:33to please that woman.
22:34As for the money you spent,
22:35I stared at the clear transfer records on the screen,
22:38stunned by Rex's audacity.
22:41You dared to embezzle company funds?
22:44I didn't.
22:45My father stood there with a stern face,
22:47two uniformed police officers behind him.
22:49Whether it's a false accusation,
22:51we'll find out soon.
22:54His gaze swept over Rex and Tiffany,
22:56finally resting on me with a look of tender concern.
23:02Officers,
23:02the evidence has been handed over.
23:04Go ahead and deal with them.
23:06The facade of hypocrisy on his face collapsed instantly,
23:08replaced by sheer terror.
23:10He lunged at Tiffany,
23:11frantically trying to tear off the diamond necklace around her neck
23:14and the luxury watch on her wrist.
23:15His movements were so rough that he almost knocked her over.
23:21Leela,
23:22Leela,
23:22believe me.
23:23I didn't know anything.
23:26I didn't do any of that?
23:29Leave.
23:30What's not,
23:31Dulan?
23:31I do any of that?
23:32I only gave her these pieces of jewelry
23:34because I thought they were cheap replicas.
23:35They're yours.
23:36Here,
23:36I'm giving them back to you.
23:37Rex,
23:38what are you doing?
23:39You're hurting me.
23:39The bodyguard beside my father reacted instantly,
23:42stepping forward and hitting Rex's kneecap hard.
23:45With a sickening thug,
23:46Rex crumpled to the ground,
23:48letting out a sharp cry of pain.
23:49Daring to bully my daughter.
23:51My father's voice was like ice.
23:53Do you take me as nothing?
23:55He took a step forward,
23:56looking down at the cowering man on the floor,
23:58then took a folder from his assistant
23:59and threw it directly into Rex's face.
24:10Papers scattered across the floor,
24:11revealing clear bank statements
24:13and account details
24:14that left Rex's face drained of all color.
24:16He looked up in panic,
24:17his gaze darting wildly to Tiffany,
24:19who was pale-faced beside him,
24:21and shouted,
24:21Mr. Ruth,
24:22it's not my fault.
24:23It's all Tiffany.
24:24She told me to do it all.
24:26She claimed to be your daughter,
24:29saying that it didn't matter
24:30if we use the company's money.
24:31But my tostand,
24:33I didn't,
24:33they gotta maver this money's money.
24:35I were thoughted you, Andra Lee.
24:37No one would dare question it.
24:40She deceived me.
24:41Her lips trembled,
24:43but no sound came out.
24:44A cold dread crept from the soles of my feet
24:46to the top of my head when I heard that.
24:48It dawned on me that this man,
24:50no matter who stood beside him,
24:52could be so utterly selfish,
24:54so quick to discard anyone
24:55without a second thought.
24:56The love he once claimed ran deep.
24:58In his heart,
24:59it likely weighed less
25:00than the empty promises
25:01scribbled on paper.
25:02Rex was still scrambling
25:04to prove his loyalty.
25:05He even dropped to his knees
25:06and moved toward my father.
25:08Dad,
25:09we're family.
25:10Please forgive me this once.
25:12I'll treat Leela well
25:13from now on,
25:13I swear.
25:14His gaze suddenly fell
25:16on the blood transfusion bag
25:17beside my hand,
25:18and as it struck by a wonderful idea,
25:20he blurted out urgently,
25:21Leela has lost too much blood.
25:22Then let Tiffany make up
25:23for it with her blood.
25:24She can give blood instead.
25:29I shuddered all over,
25:31a wave of nausea crashing over me.
25:33How could he suggest
25:34something like that so casually?
25:35It was as if Tiffany
25:36weren't a living,
25:37breathing person,
25:38but just an object
25:39to be tossed aside
25:40whenever he pleased.
25:41We're not family.
25:42My voice was cold,
25:43frayed with the exhaustion
25:44of having used up
25:45every last ounce of strength.
25:47Rex,
25:48we're getting a divorce.
25:50No,
25:50we can't!
25:51he struggled
25:51to push himself up
25:52from the ground.
25:54I won't agree,
25:55Leela.
25:56I know I messed up,
25:57I'm sorry.
25:58Just give me another chance.
26:00It doesn't matter
26:00whether you agree or not.
26:02I closed my eyes,
26:03no longer able to bear
26:04the sight of his repulsive face.
26:06It's not your call to make.
26:08Later,
26:09Rex and Tiffany
26:09were taken away
26:10by the police.
26:11During my stay
26:12in the hospital,
26:13my parents and Vivian
26:14took turns looking after me.
26:15They were careful around me
26:16and never once
26:17mentioning Rex's name.
26:18They tried everything
26:19to lift my spirits.
26:20Terrified that the ordeal
26:22would leave a permanent
26:23mark on me.
26:23Then came the day
26:24I was discharged.
26:26My mother took my hand,
26:27her eyes glistening
26:28with unshed tears.
26:30Leela,
26:31come home
26:32and live with us.
26:34Your father,
26:36he misses you terribly.
26:40What do you say
26:40we have a family
26:41reunion dinner?
26:45Life had been easy
26:46for me since childhood
26:47because they got
26:48everything taken care of.
26:50Their only wish
26:51had always been
26:52for my safety
26:53and happiness.
26:54But as I got older,
26:55I became headstrong,
26:56devoting myself entirely
26:57to the world
26:58of scientific research.
27:00Sometimes,
27:00research could be dangerous.
27:02When they'd objected,
27:03I'd simply left home
27:04for five years,
27:06even refusing to invite them
27:07to my wedding
27:07out of sheer stubbornness.
27:09I'd known they were
27:10only afraid I'd get hurt,
27:11but I'd been too willful
27:12back then.
27:14They'd said that
27:14if I found someone
27:15reliable to marry,
27:16they'd let me continue
27:17my research
27:18without pressuring me
27:19to quit.
27:19Without a second thought,
27:21I'd married Rex,
27:22who'd seemed gentle
27:23and thoughtful at the time.
27:24But after we got married,
27:25my mother-in-law
27:26despised me
27:27for not having a child
27:28in five years,
27:29and Rex grew colder
27:30towards me with the passing year.
27:32I realized then
27:33that the only people
27:33who truly loved me
27:34unconditionally
27:35were my parents.
27:37I hadn't dared
27:38tell them what I'd been through,
27:39afraid to see
27:40the disappointment
27:40in their eyes
27:41and terrified they'd blame me
27:42for not following
27:43their advice.
27:44Rex owed his so-called
27:45triumph with the Ruth group
27:46entirely to me.
27:48I was the one
27:49who persuaded Vivian
27:49to pull strings for him
27:50when he had nothing to offer.
27:52But that very act of mine
27:53had stoked Rex's ambition
27:55and, in the end,
27:56revealed what kind of person
27:57he truly was.
27:58Back in the early days
27:59of our marriage,
28:00he had indeed been kind to me,
28:01caring and attentive.
28:03But everything changed
28:04after Tiffany appeared.
28:05Although my parents
28:06had never approved
28:07of my involvement
28:07in scientific research,
28:09they still pulled me
28:10into a proud hug
28:10whenever I won
28:11an important award.
28:12Rex, by contrast,
28:14always found a way
28:15to downplay my achievements.
28:16This time,
28:17I couldn't bear
28:18to break my parents' hearts again.
28:20I squeezed my mother's hand
28:21in return,
28:22my voice thick with emotion.
28:24Mom,
28:24I'm willing to go home.
28:26When I arrived at the house,
28:27I hadn't stepped foot in
28:28for five years.
28:29Everything felt
28:30just as it had been.
28:31My father,
28:32once so imposing
28:32in the business mart,
28:34teared up the moment
28:34he saw me walked in.
28:35He stepped forward,
28:37pulled me into a tight embrace,
28:38his shoulders trembling slightly,
28:39and finally let his tears
28:41fall freely.
28:41It's good you're back.
28:43I'm so glad.
28:44With my parents in my arms,
28:46the grievances I'd bottled up
28:47for five years
28:48burst forth like a flood.
28:49They didn't mention Rex at all,
28:51not a word.
28:52They just gently patted my back,
28:53wordlessly telling me
28:54this place would always
28:55be my safe haven.
28:56Later,
28:57the verdict was finally delivered.
28:58Rex was sentenced
28:59to seven years in prison
29:00for embezzlement
29:01and related charges,
29:02and Tiffany,
29:02as his accomplice,
29:03received a five-year term.
29:04Most of the jewelry
29:05Rex had stolen
29:06and gifted to Tiffany
29:07was recovered.
29:07Before the sentencing,
29:09Rex sent a message
29:09through his lawyer,
29:10begging to see me
29:11one last time.
29:11I refused flatly.
29:13The very thought
29:14of laying eyes on him
29:15now made my stomach churn.
29:16I once asked my father
29:17how much of the embezzled
29:18funds could be recovered.
29:19He sighed and shook his head.
29:21It can't be recovered.
29:22I share part of the blame.
29:24If I hadn't opened those doors
29:25for him handed him control
29:26of the key projects
29:28for your sake,
29:29he never would have been able
29:31to siphon off the money
29:32so smoothly.
29:34He looked at me,
29:35his eyes gentle yet resolute.
29:37But it's okay.
29:38The foundation of Ruth Group
29:40won't be shaken by this amount.
29:41But I want you to know this.
29:43I'll support you continuing
29:44your scientific research.
29:46Feel free to do
29:47whatever you want, sweetie.
29:48I've got your back.
29:50Later,
29:50I threw myself back
29:51into my scientific research,
29:53diving headfirst
29:53into a new project
29:54and leading my team
29:55with renewed focus.
29:56Vivian later told me
29:57that after the incident,
29:59the hotel had overhauled
30:00its entire security system
30:01and implemented stricter
30:02identity verification procedures.
30:04Around that time,
30:05my mother started showing up
30:06at my lab almost daily
30:08with homemade lunches.
30:09She knew how easily
30:10I lost track of time
30:11once I was immersed in research,
30:12so she appointed herself
30:13my personal alarm clock.
30:15Every day at mealtime,
30:16she appeared right on schedule,
30:17gently nudging me away
30:18from my microscope
30:19and reminding me
30:20to nourish myself.
30:21Later,
30:21I led my team
30:22in developing
30:23an automated,
30:24intelligent medical device.
30:25Soon after it hit the market,
30:26it sent shockwaves
30:27through the industry,
30:28hailed as a groundbreaking innovation.
30:30Standing on stage
30:31at the product launch,
30:32I explained our achievements
30:33with confidence and calm,
30:34facing countless astonished
30:35and admiring glances.
30:37As soon as I finished my speech
30:38and stepped off the stage,
30:39a tall, elegant man
30:40with a refined caminer
30:41stopped me.
30:42He wore a well-fitted dark suit,
30:44his bright eyes filled
30:45with undisguised admiration.
30:46Dr. Ruth,
30:47your presentation
30:48was truly wonderful.
30:49Handing me his business card.
30:51I'm Darnell Pansy,
30:52head of Corey Medical.
30:53I was wondering
30:53if I might have the honor
30:54of getting to know you better?
30:55I took his card
30:56and, meeting his clear,
30:57sincere gaze,
30:58nodded.
30:59Of course.
31:00From then on,
31:01we crossed classes
31:02at various industry events
31:03and academic conferences.
31:05He always took the initiative
31:06to talk to me,
31:07offering insightful opinions
31:08and showing great respect
31:09and passion
31:10for scientific research.
31:11Later,
31:12at a charity gala,
31:13he invited me to dance.
31:14In the ballroom,
31:15he was graceful and courteous,
31:16his steps steady
31:17and his gaze warm.
31:18After the gala,
31:19he confessed to me,
31:20saying he admired my talent
31:21and felt sympathy
31:22for my past experiences,
31:24hoping to have the chance
31:25to take care of me.
31:26I didn't drown in the new romance
31:28and replied calmly,
31:29thank you for your kind offer,
31:30but it's too early
31:31to talk about this now.
31:32He showed no sign
31:33of frustration or pressure,
31:35only quiet understanding.
31:36And though he kept his distance,
31:38his concern was constant,
31:39but we kept it that way
31:40for two years.
31:41In the sterile world of her lab,
31:42his quiet presence
31:43was a gentle Androsian,
31:44a reminder that she was not alone.
31:46He would bring her tea
31:47when she was lost in her research
31:48and tidy her desk
31:49when she was too focused to notice.
31:51My parents met him a few times
31:52and spoke highly of him,
31:54saying he had his eyes set on me,
31:55genuinely,
31:56not for status or gain
31:57on a sunny afternoon.
31:58He formally asked me to date again,
32:00looking into his eyes,
32:01as sincere as ever.
32:02And thinking of his quiet vigilance
32:04over these two years,
32:05I smiled and nodded.
32:06Okay.
32:06Okay.
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