- 17 hours ago
The Wife Who Never Existed - Hot
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00Ethan loves this flavor. Figured you might need it.
00:03Happy anniversary, Grace. This is for you.
00:06I froze when I saw the box of condoms that Jane, Ethan's assistant, handed me.
00:10She said this with a tiny smirk on her face, her eyes never flinching as I stared at her face.
00:15It suddenly hit me. She knew my husband better than I did.
00:17The irony part was, I only found out three days later.
00:20I was actually the other woman in his real marriage, three days ago.
00:23Sorry, ma'am. I can't renew your license.
00:26The clerk didn't even look up, her voice as flat and cold as a robotic reply.
00:30Why? I filed a marriage status update.
00:32I stood at the DMV counter thinking I had misheard.
00:35Ignoring me, she just frowned at her screen.
00:37There's no marriage record for you and Ethan Crawford in the system.
00:40Your visa expired two years ago.
00:43Currently, your status is overstayed visa, no green card, no valid visa, and no record of my marriage.
00:49I once appraised million-dollar artworks, but at that moment, I didn't even have the legal right to stand here.
00:54I was shaking as I called Ethan, the man who had promised to handle all my legal papers.
00:58It had to be a mistake, just a paperwork error.
01:00Once he answers, everything could be explained.
01:03He hung up on me.
01:04I kept calling, but he declined every single time.
01:06I stared at the dark screen, seeing the reflection of my own face.
01:09A security guard started toward me, one hand on his radio, the other hovering near his taser.
01:14Ma'am, please come with me.
01:15We need to verify your ID.
01:19I used to be the youngest curatorial consultant in Boston's luxury art scene.
01:24And at that moment, I was just one step away from being taken away by immigration enforcement.
01:29Just before the guard could force me out, Ethan finally picked up.
01:36Ethan!
01:37The DMV says we don't have a marriage record, and my visa is invalid!
01:42What the hell is going on?
01:44I screamed into the phone, completely ignoring the strange looks from the people around me.
01:48But on the other end, Ethan's voice was dead flat.
01:51Grace, I'm in a meeting right now.
01:53Just quiet down for a second.
01:54Stop calling me, okay?
01:55I fled the DMV in a panic and bolted all the way home.
01:58Only one thought consumed my mind.
02:00Find the marriage certificate.
02:02Find the documents.
02:03And prove this was just a damn system bug.
02:05I rushed to the front door and pressed my thumb against the fingerprint lock.
02:10Verification failed.
02:11I tried it again.
02:13Verification failed.
02:14I stood at my own front door.
02:16Verification failed.
02:16Locked out like a total stranger.
02:18I began to pound on the door like crazy.
02:20The door opened, but it was Jane standing there in a robe, holding a cup of coffee.
02:25Grace?
02:26What are you doing here?
02:27She looked me up and down like she owned the place.
02:30This is my house!
02:31I pushed past her and stormed in.
02:33Ethan was sitting on the sofa.
02:35Reviewing documents.
02:36Without even looking up.
02:38I revoked your access.
02:39Jane needs to handle a confidential merger for the company recently.
02:43For security reasons, I updated the access list.
02:46An access list?
02:47I'm your wife, not some visitor!
02:51He didn't show a single second of guilt.
02:54Didn't you hear me?
02:56Jane needs to handle sensitive company files at home.
02:58For security, I changed the permits.
03:01Security.
03:02In my own home.
03:03I'm his wife.
03:04And he removed my fingerprint access to my own home.
03:06All for his assistance security.
03:09Ethan, what about my stuff?
03:11My clothes?
03:12My documents?
03:13In the garage.
03:14I packed it all for you.
03:16He had packed up three years of my life and shoved it into the garage like trash.
03:19Jane stood behind him, looking at me with a half smile.
03:22Ethan pulled a card from his pocket and handed it to me.
03:24There's a motel nearby.
03:26Jane booked you a room.
03:27Stay there for a few days until this is settled.
03:30The way he looked at me, it was like he was dismissing a stranger.
03:32Grace, you're out of status right now.
03:35Don't go around making trouble for me.
03:36Three years ago, he knelt on one knee in the Boston snow one night.
03:40Slipped a ring on my finger and promised me the world.
03:43The first time we walked into this house, he squatted to change my shoes.
03:46This is your home now.
03:47He used to squeeze toothpaste for me every morning and blow.
03:50Dry my hair after my shower every night.
03:53All you need to do is stay beautiful.
03:55Now, he said.
03:56You're out of status.
03:57Don't cause trouble for me.
03:59I stood at my own doorstep, clutching a motel key card.
04:02As I turned, I glimpsed the shoe rack by the door.
04:05My shoes were already gone.
04:06In their place sat a pair of high heels.
04:08Not my size.
04:09But they were there, looking like they had been for a long time.
04:15The ceiling in this motel was leaking.
04:17Water dripping onto the carpet.
04:19Beat by beat.
04:20I hadn't left this room in three days.
04:22Out of status.
04:24No license.
04:25No job.
04:26Even going to the grocery store was terrifying.
04:28I was always afraid someone would check my ID.
04:31At 2am, unable to sleep.
04:33I scrolled through Instagram.
04:35Then, I saw Jane's latest post.
04:37A selfie at an Herma's boutique.
04:38A limited edition, Birkin slung over her arm.
04:40I slammed my phone onto the pillow.
04:42My chest so tight I could barely breathe.
04:45Staring at the ceiling and listening to the dripping water.
04:47My mind began to replay everything, frame by frame.
04:50When did Jane start showing up in our lives?
04:52A year ago, Ethan said the firm was expanding.
04:54He needed a personal assistant.
04:56Since then, she got our front door code.
04:58The garage clicker.
04:59Every hour of Ethan's schedule.
05:01On my own anniversary, she knew what flavor of condoms Ethan preferred better than I did.
05:06My home's access was revoked.
05:07For her security.
05:09She's just an assistant.
05:11Since when does she get all that?
05:13Unless, she was never just an assistant.
05:15I bolted up right.
05:17If something was going on between them from the start, then what about the DMV?
05:20My visa?
05:21My marriage record?
05:22Were those accidents or setups?
05:25I opened my laptop and dug out the copy of the marriage certificate from the bottom of my back.
05:30Back then, Ethan told me the lawyer was keeping the original.
05:33And this copy was just for sentimental value.
05:35I logged into the county clerk's database.
05:38Names, dates, locations.
05:40I enter them all.
05:41The page loaded for a few seconds.
05:43No record found.
06:05You did apply for a marriage license.
06:11That document is real.
06:12But there's no marriage certificate on file.
06:14The confirmation signed by the manister, the one that was supposed to be mailed back to the state, it's just
06:19not there.
06:20Who was supposed to mail it?
06:22Then it clicked.
06:22The day after the wedding, Ethan held me and told me to enjoy the honeymoon while his assistant would handle
06:27the tedious paperwork.
06:28It was Ethan.
06:29I let out a self-deprecating laugh.
06:31But tears burst from my eyes.
06:33Sarah fell silent for a long time.
06:34Grace, there's more bad news.
06:36A year ago, Ethan registered a new marriage.
06:39The name in the spouse, Belalem, is Jane Holloway.
06:42My mind went completely blank after the call hung up.
06:45I had to get some air, but not daring to wander too far.
06:48I just walked around the nearby blocks.
06:50Then, I passed by a gallery.
06:51A promotional poster for a new exhibition was hanging in the window.
06:54I stopped.
06:55I knew that proposal inside and out.
06:57It was mine.
06:58I did it, but the credit on the poster wasn't mine.
07:00It was Jane's.
07:02I thought I was seeing things.
07:03I leaned in closer.
07:04Curator, Jane Holloway, and Small Below.
07:07Special thanks to Ethan Crawford.
07:09I didn't even know how I walked inside.
07:11Ethan stood there in a sharp suit, holding a glass of champagne, looking like a decent patron.
07:16Jane was right there next to him, all dressed up and laughing with some gallery folks.
07:20I stormed up to them.
07:22This is my proposal.
07:23I wrote every single word of this.
07:28Everyone looked at me in shock.
07:30Ethan set down his glass, walked over, and lowered his voice.
07:38Grace, can you stop embarrassing yourself here?
07:40This is my work, and you know it!
07:44Grace, can you just leave for now?
07:46Don't humiliate me in front of these people.
07:49I'll explain everything when I get home.
07:51Ethan!
07:52He ignored me and had security escort me out in front of everyone.
07:55To him, my rage was just a tantrum.
07:57He thought I'd crawl back eventually.
07:59No status.
08:00No job.
08:00Where could I go?
08:01I was shoved out the back door, stumbled a few steps as my legs went weak, and fell forward.
08:06A hand firmly caught my arm.
08:08Careful.
08:08I looked up.
08:09It was Hudson Carter, chairman of the largest art foundation in San Francisco.
08:13Not even daring to step inside.
08:15Ethan stood at the doorway and dialed 9-11.
08:17Someone broke into my house.
08:19The lock is destroyed.
08:21Accompanied by the officers, he cautiously checked every room.
08:25Living room.
08:26The television was there.
08:27The speakers were there.
08:28The study the laptop was there.
08:30The equipment was there.
08:32The bedroom.
08:33Luxury watches were in the cabinet.
08:34The safe was untouched.
08:36Nothing was missing.
08:37Sir, there's no property loss here.
08:39But someone ripped off my lock.
08:42Something must be missing.
08:43Ethan frowned and insisted the officers check again.
08:46He knew something was wrong.
08:47The officers followed him through every corner of the house.
08:49He entered the bedroom and opened the closet.
08:51It was half empty.
08:52He froze for a moment, then checked the bathroom.
08:55My toiletries, all gone.
08:56My daily mug in the kitchen, gone.
08:58My shoes in the rack, not a single pair left.
09:00In the entire house, only my things had vanished.
09:03You're saying the missing items are all a woman's personal belongings?
09:08Yes.
09:10What's your relationship with this lady?
09:13My wife.
09:17Your wife?
09:18Do you mean Miss Jane?
09:20I don't know.
09:21Sir, this doesn't look like a burglary.
09:23It seems more like someone entered legally, took only what belonged to them, and left.
09:26In this case, we can't file a report.
09:28I suggest you contact your wife.
09:32But judging by this, she made a very clean break.
09:36After the police left, Ethan stood in the center of the living room and dialed my number.
09:41We're sorry.
09:42The number you have dialed is no longer in service.
09:49We're sorry.
09:50The number you have dialed is no longer in service.
09:53He opened Instagram and searched for my handle, deactivated LinkedIn.
09:56He went into his contacts and started calling anyone who might know something.
09:59Haven't heard from her in forever.
10:04My college roommate.
10:05She hasn't reached out to me.
10:08A friend I knew in San Francisco.
10:10I've been trying to reach her too.
10:11Is everything okay?
10:12No one knew where I was.
10:14He sank down onto the floor, leaning his back against the bed like all the air had been
10:17let out of him.
10:19I was the one who hired someone to take that walk apart, and then I took every single thing that
10:23belonged to me.
10:23He thought I had nowhere else to go, but he was dead wrong.
10:26That grace, the one who had nothing left, was truly gone this time.
10:29He looked around the room and spotted the fake marriage certificate on the nightstand.
10:35He picked it up and read the note I'd left.
10:37Happy anniversary, stranger.
10:43Three days ago.
10:44Your work shouldn't have someone else's name on it.
10:46In the alley behind the gallery, Hudson Carter stood in front of me.
10:49His tone was flat, but every word drove into me like a nail.
10:53I was such a mess, I couldn't look him in the eye.
10:55How did you know the proposal was mine?
10:57Because the version in there is full of holes.
10:59The flow is inconsistent.
11:01The logic is mismatched.
11:02He paused.
11:03But the framework is brilliant.
11:04Too brilliant for the person who signed it.
11:06I stood there shivering, whether from the cold or the sheer grievance.
11:09I didn't know.
11:10For the first time in three years, someone saw my work and said, this is good.
11:15What's your legal status?
11:16The question hit me like a cold splash of water.
11:18I stayed silent for a long time.
11:20Out of status.
11:21He looked at me.
11:22No pity.
11:23No surprise.
11:24Overstayed visa.
11:25Marriage fraud.
11:27I was set up.
11:28I don't know why I was pouring my heart out to a stranger.
11:31Hudson didn't dig for details.
11:32He just pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
11:35David, I have a case.
11:37O-1 visa, arts.
11:38Yes, extraordinary ability.
11:40I'll prepare the materials, set the appointment as soon as possible.
11:45I was stunned.
11:47Why help me?
11:48You don't even know me.
11:49I don't need to know you.
11:51I only need to see your work.
11:53He put his phone away, his voice steady.
11:55Your proposal was the best I've seen in five years.
11:58That's not a compliment.
11:59It's a fact.
12:00In my foundation, talent is the only ticket.
12:03Not a visa.
12:04Not a marriage.
12:05And certainly not a man's charity.
12:07I bit my lip.
12:08My eyes burning.
12:09But I didn't cry.
12:10I was done with tears.
12:11He turned to leave.
12:12Then stopped.
12:13By the way, that exhibition in there has its opening reception in three days.
12:16Every major collector and gallery owner in San Francisco will be there.
12:19Do you still have the original version of that proposal?
12:22Yes.
12:23Every single draft.
12:24He nodded.
12:25That's enough.
12:25He took a few steps, then said without looking back.
12:28Come in three days.
12:29This time, use your own name.
12:32I only have three days, David.
12:34The immigration lawyer Hudson recommended met me the next day.
12:37I sat in the conference room across from a stern middle-aged man in gold-rimmed glasses.
12:41He was leafing through my documents, page by page, very slowly.
12:45The Boston Museum of Contemporary Art, youngest curatorial assister, three international journals,
12:52two solo projects.
12:54He closed the file and looked up.
12:59Grace, with your curriculum vitila, an O-1 visa is a non-issue.
13:03The question is, why did you wait three years to apply?
13:06Because Ethan told me I didn't need to, and I was stupid enough to believe him.
13:10David adjusted his glasses.
13:12I need an honest answer to one question.
13:14Was there ever a legal marriage between you and Ethan Crawford?
13:17No.
13:18He never filed the marriage certificate.
13:20But a year ago, he registered a marriage with another woman.
13:23David was silent for a few seconds, jotting something down.
13:27Do you realize what this means?
13:29He used a sham marriage promise to make you give up your visa and career.
13:34This isn't just civil.
13:35He looked at me, emphasizing every word.
13:38This is immigration fraud at the federal level.
13:41I sat there, my heart racing.
13:43Can I sue him?
13:44Sure, but not yet.
13:45David closed his notebook and leaned back.
13:48You're currently overstaying.
13:50If you sue first, the authorities will focus on you.
13:53Step one, get you legal.
13:55Once that O-1 is approved, you'll have the standing to fight in court.
13:59Until then, you only have to do one thing.
14:02Prove that your talent makes you worth keeping in this country.
14:08I walked out of the office, and my phone buzzed out a message from Hudson.
14:12The guest list for the opening is confirmed.
14:14I added a title next to your name.
14:15I open the attachment.
14:16The last line of the guest list, Grace Winslow, independent curator.
14:20Special advisor to Carter Foundation.
14:21I stared at the screen, my fingers trembling dot before I could even smile.
14:25Another message popped up, from an unknown number.
14:27Grace, I know where you are.
14:29We need to talk.
14:30Three days ago, he didn't even know where I was.
14:32He was calling around like crazy, trying to find me.
14:35Now, he suddenly knew.
14:36Who told him he didn't reply?
14:37I just blocked the number.
14:39The next day, I stepped out of the motel and saw a car in the parking lot.
14:42Ethan's card.
14:43He leaned against the door, hands in his pockets, looking like nothing had ever happened.
14:46Grace, you've lost weight.
14:48I walked right past him without stopping.
14:50He reached out and grabbed my arm.
14:52Can you stop being so childish?
14:53I'm here to help you fix this.
14:55Fix what?
14:56Your forvigery?
14:58Your sham marriage?
14:59Or the fact that you stole my work and gave it to someone else?
15:02His expression froze.
15:06Grace, calm down.
15:07You're out of status right now.
15:09If Icy finds out...
15:10Are you threatening me?
15:12I'm protecting you.
15:13He looked at me, slipping back into that.
15:15I'm doing this for your own good act.
15:16Come home.
15:17We can sit down and talk through everything.
15:19Three years ago, I would have believed him.
15:21But now...
15:22Ethan, do you have any idea how serious immigration fraud is under federal law?
15:26His face froze.
15:27What are you talking about?
15:28You never filed our marriage certificate.
15:31You let me believe we were legally married while you registered with Jane a year ago.
15:36You used a fake marriage to make me drop my work visa, leaving me undocumented for three years.
15:42I said each word slowly and clearly.
15:44That's immigration fraud.
15:45A federal offense.
15:47For the first time since I'd known Ethan, I left him speechless.
15:50He stayed quiet for a long beat, then let out a laugh.
15:53Grace, who do you think would believe you?
15:54An illegal immigrant who's overstayed for three years, suing a Silicon Valley executive with a clean tax record?
15:59You don't even have the legal standing to suit me.
16:01He got into his car, rolled down the window, and just gave me this smug look.
16:05Don't blow this up.
16:07It won't end well for you.
16:11The car drove off.
16:12I stood in the parking lot, clenching my fists.
16:15He was right.
16:16I don't have legal standing yet.
16:18But what he didn't know was this.
16:20At tomorrow night's opening reception,
16:22my name will be on Hudson Carter's guest list.
16:24And that O-1 visa application.
16:27It's already been filed.
16:28The opening reception.
16:29I stood at the gallery entrance in a black dress borrowed from Sarah.
16:32And my palms were sweating.
16:34The last time I went to something like this was three years ago in Boston.
16:38Back then, I was a curatorial advisor.
16:41Everyone knew my name.
16:42Now, I'm undocumented.
16:44Even the sight of the check.
16:46In list makes my heart race.
16:48I took a deep breath and stepped inside.
16:50The staff at the desk scanned the list and smiled at me.
16:52Ms. Winslow, welcome.
16:54Mr. Carter is expecting you.
16:55Hudson stood in the center of the hall, surrounded by a crowd.
16:59When he saw me walk in, he politely ended his conversation and came toward me.
17:03Here you are?
17:04Yeah.
17:05He doesn't say much, just leads me in.
17:07As people greeted him along the way, he stopped every time to introduce me.
17:11This is Grace Winslow, special advisor to the Carter Foundation.
17:18The second they heard that, their eyes shift.
17:20No more pity or doubt, only respect.
17:23Everything was going smoothly, until I saw the two of them walking in through the door.
17:28Ethan and Jane.
17:29Jane's clinging to him, wearing that dress from her Instagram.
17:32Smiling perfectly.
17:34Ethan scans the room.
17:35He freezes when he sees me.
17:37He hadn't expected to see me here.
17:39And definitely not with Hudson Carter.
17:41He recovers fast, grabbing champagne and acting natural.
17:45But I noticed his gaze wandering toward me every few seconds.
17:48Hudson seemed to notice it too.
17:50Without looking at Ethan, he leans in.
17:53You know him?
17:54My ex-husband.
17:55I paused for a second.
17:56If he even counts as one.
17:58Hudson doesn't push.
18:00He turns to the room and takes the microphone.
18:02Thank you all for coming tonight.
18:04Before we begin, there's someone I'd like to introduce.
18:07The room goes silent.
18:09The version of tonight's exhibition you saw in the brochure was not the original curial plan.
18:15I saw Jane's smile freeze.
18:16The real creator is here tonight.
18:18Hudson turned to me.
18:20Grace Winslow.
18:25Every eye fell on me.
18:26The entire room fell silent.
18:29Jane's face turned pale.
18:31Ethan set his glass down.
18:32His lips pressed into a thin line.
18:34And there I was, standing beside Hudson, finally in the spotlight under my own name, before I could speak.
18:40Jane suddenly laughed, holding her glass.
18:42She walked over to me, her voice not loud, but just enough for the people around us to hear.
18:46Grace, it's been ages.
18:49Wait, weren't you supposed to be out of the country by now?
18:51Jane, you're right.
18:53According to Ethan's plan, I should have disappeared by now.
18:56Her smile froze for a split second.
18:58I turned to the crowd, my voice not loud and steady.
19:01What most of you don't know is that I completed this curatorial proposal two years ago, entirely on my own.
19:06Every revision record, every time stand was still on my laptop.
19:10If anyone has questions about who really owns this, I'd be happy to show the original files right now.
19:14The room broke into whispers.
19:16Jane's hand trembled as she held her glass.
19:18She turned to Ethan.
19:19But Ethan ignored her.
19:20Ethan set his glass down, walked up to me, and lowered his voice.
19:23Grace, enough. What do you want?
19:25What do I want?
19:26I want back what belongs to me.
19:27My work, my credit, my three years.
19:31Can you even pay me back for that?
19:35His jaw tightened. Hudson stepped forward, his voice calm and flat.
19:39If the original author of this proposal is someone else, we will launch a formal copyrighted audit.
19:45He shot a glance at Ethan.
19:47I trust you won't mind?
19:48Ethan's face turned extremely ugly instantly.
19:50Knowing better, he walked away.
19:52As guests departed, three gallery owners sought me out to offer their cards.
19:55Ms. Winslow, your vision was remarkable.
19:58Could we find a time to discuss a collaboration?
20:00I took the cards.
20:02My fingers still trembling slightly.
20:03I walked out of the gallery, and my phone rang.
20:06It was a message from David.
20:08Grace, your O1 Premium Processing was approved.
20:10You should have the approval notice sometime next week.
20:12I stared at the words, leaned against the wall, and looked up at the San Francisco night sky.
20:17Three years.
20:19Three years.
20:19Finally, I could stand on this soil legally and proudly.
20:22But my phone buzzed again.
20:24A text from an unknown number.
20:26Grace, you think you won?
20:28Go check who Hudson Carter really is.
20:30Jane.
20:33I stared at the message standing on the midnight street for a long time.
20:37Why did Jane send this to me?
20:39Was she scared?
20:40Did the reception mess with her head?
20:42But a panicked person doesn't warn you about your ally for no reason.
20:45Unless she knew something I didn't.
20:47I hesitated all night.
20:48The next morning, I opened my laptop anyway.
20:51I searched for Hudson Carter, chairman of the San Francisco Art Foundation.
20:54Old Money Air.
20:55Forbes regular.
20:56Everything public about him was spotless, gleaming like a meticulously crafted resumption.
21:01I scrolled down and clicked on a report from three years ago.
21:04Former partner accuses Hudson Carter of manipulating art valuations.
21:08My hand froze on the trackpad.
21:10The article said Hudson had been accused of using the foundation's clout to manipulate the market value of his artist's
21:15work.
21:15All for his own investment returns.
21:17The case was dropped.
21:18No conviction.
21:19But the very last line read,
21:21The plaintiff was represented by Crawford and Associates.
21:27Crawford.
21:27I read the name three times.
21:29Crawford and Associates' Ethan's last name.
21:31I checked the firm's site.
21:32The founder was Richard Crawford, Ethan's father three years ago.
21:36Ethan's father led the lawsuit against Hudson.
21:38So Hudson knew Ethan.
21:40Had he helped me because of my talent?
21:41Or was it because of Ethan?
21:43I sat on the motel bed, my head spinning.
21:45Was I really his curatorial advisor?
21:47Or just another pawn in his game?
21:48I picked up my phone and found Hudson's number.
21:51Before I could decide, it rang.
21:53It was Hudson.
21:53Grace, come to my office tomorrow at 10.
21:56He paused for a second.
21:57There are things I should tell you.
21:59The next morning, I stood outside the Carter Foundation building.
22:01I took a deep breath and stepped inside.
22:03The receptionist saw me and said,
22:05Mr. Carter is expecting you.
22:07Top floor.
22:07As the elevator climbed, my heart raced.
22:10I had no idea what he was about to tell me.
22:15Hudson's office was huge,
22:17with the Golden Gate Bridge framed perfectly by the massive windows.
22:20Take a seat.
22:22So you know Ethan?
22:24I do.
22:25Three years ago, his father's firm led a lawsuit against you.
22:29That's correct.
22:30So you're helping me to get back at him?
22:32Hudson walked over to his desk,
22:33pulled a file out of a drawer,
22:35and handed it to me.
22:36This is the full case file from that lawsuit.
22:38Take a look.
22:39I took it and opened the first page.
22:41Plaintiff, Marcus Hale.
22:42Former partner at the Carter Foundation.
22:44Allegation.
22:44Art valuation manipulation.
22:45I scrolled through the pages.
22:47The evidence section was filled with transaction records forged by Marcus himself.
22:51The final page was a voluntary dismissal.
22:53Marcus admitted the claims were false and issued a public apology.
22:56The lawsuit was a setup by Marcus to split the Foundation's assets.
23:00Ethan's father knew the evidence was fake, but he took the case anyway.
23:08The Crawfords had business ties with Marcus.
23:11They didn't care about the truth.
23:12They just wanted to take me down.
23:14I closed the file.
23:15My finger's still trembling.
23:17So, you're helping me really just for my work?
23:20Hudson was silent for a moment.
23:23At first, I did notice your last name.
23:26My heart sank.
23:28But when I caught you, I had no idea who you were to Ethan.
23:32He walked toward me, his voice flat.
23:34I read your proposal because it was there.
23:36I chose to help you because it was worth it.
23:40As for Ethan, if crushing him is a side effect, I don't mind.
23:44But you are not my tool.
23:46I stood there, speechless.
23:48Hudson turned back to the window.
23:49Grace, you can choose not to believe me.
23:52You can walk out right now.
23:54But if you stay, I need you to be clear on one thing.
23:57Every step from here will push Ethan into a corner.
24:00He won't go down without a fight.
24:02Are you ready for that?
24:03I looked into his eyes and remembered what Ethan had said in the parking lot.
24:07Don't make a scene.
24:10It won't end well for you.
24:13I took a deep breath.
24:14I'm ready.
24:17I took a deep breath.
24:18I took a deep breath.
24:19I took a deep breath.
24:19I took a deep breath.
24:19I took a deep breath.
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