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PsychologicalPics
  • 9 hours ago
My Grandmother Saw Everything
Transcript
00:14Hello?
00:15Hi, is this Mr. Robert?
00:17He's tied up right now. This is his daughter, Aria.
00:20Who's calling?
00:21This is the Beverly Hills Hotel.
00:23We're just calling to check if your brother, Leo,
00:25had any allergic reactions to the gluten-free treats in the suite.
00:28Brother?
00:30I don't have a brother. My dad is 53. My mom is 51.
00:34I'm an only child.
00:35Just last weekend, he told us face-to-face.
00:38I'm heading to SF for a real estate deal.
00:41Aria? Are you still there?
00:43He's fine, thanks.
00:46Right then, my dad walked in from the pool.
00:48Who was that?
00:49Nobody. Wrong number.
00:51Where's your mom?
00:52Gilson's. Getting steaks.
00:54She wanted to cook you a nice dinner since you've been working so hard.
00:56She always spoils me.
00:58Four days of back-to-back meetings during this trip, I'm wiped out.
01:01The lie just came out automatically,
01:03but the penthouse at the Beverly Hills Hotel isn't in San Francisco.
01:07It's right on Sunset Boulevard, less than two miles from our house.
01:11Dad.
01:12What's up, sweetie?
01:14Where did you stay, anyway?
01:16Some friends and I are hitting SF next month looking for recommendations.
01:21Just some cheap motel they booked.
01:23Nothing fancy.
01:24If you want to go, dad'll get you a way better place.
01:26He was lying through his teeth.
01:28I didn't press him.
01:29I just turned around, headed upstairs, and checked his credit card bills on my laptop.
01:34I major in finance, so a lot of the family bills go straight to my email.
01:37Last weekend, $8,500 spent on food at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
01:43Valentine's Day, $23,000 at Tiffany & Co.
01:46And my mom.
01:47She just got a $120 bouquet of white tulip.
01:51I sank into my chair, my head spinning.
01:53Robert!
01:54Aria!
01:55Can I get some help down here?
01:56I took a deep breath and opened the door.
01:58My dad had already grabbed the grocery bags from her.
02:01You bought so much stuff.
02:03You should have waited for me.
02:04I'm coming with you next time.
02:05But you just got back from that crazy trip.
02:07Besides, Aria loves your steaks.
02:10Standing at the top of the stairs, my stomach burned like acid.
02:13During dinner, my dad kept pouring wine for my mom.
02:16Oh, by the way, Elena, I picked up some skincare stuff for you.
02:19Aria can show you how to use it tomorrow.
02:21You're wasting money again.
02:22After dinner, my dad went to his office to work.
02:25I brought a plate of fruit inside.
02:27Hey, Dad.
02:28I saw this crazy story online today.
02:31This guy hit a mistress and a secret kid from his wife and ended up losing everything.
02:36Aria, what exactly are you trying to say?
02:38What's done in the dark always comes to light.
02:41Right, Dad?
02:45The internet is full of that clickbait trash.
02:48Look, you just graduated.
02:50Stop reading that garbage and focus on finding a job.
02:55But...
02:55No buts.
02:57Mind your own business and stay out of grown-up affairs.
03:00Got it?
03:01Got it.
03:02There wasn't a drop of warmth left in his eyes.
03:04The next day was Saturday, and my dad said he had to go to the office for some paperwork.
03:09The second he left, I jumped in my car and drove straight to the Beverly Hills Hotel.
03:14The receptionist was a Latina girl with flawless makeup.
03:17Hi, I need to check the records for Mr. Robert from last week.
03:20I'm his daughter.
03:21He left something here.
03:22Sorry, but that's against our privacy policy.
03:25Can you at least tell me what the woman with him looked like?
03:28She was pretty young, under 30, long brown hair, dressed super classy, like she was into art or design.
03:35I walked out and looked up the Tiffany store in Beverly Hills right away.
03:3920 minutes later, I found a nice black sales associate.
03:42Hi, I'm trying to check a purchase made by Mr. Robert on Valentine's Day.
03:45I'm his daughter, just trying to double-check the style he bought.
03:48Oh, yes.
03:49Mr. Robert is our VIP here.
03:51He came in that day with a gorgeous lady, bought our seasonal diamond necklace for $23,000.
03:57Do you know her name?
03:58I think it was Scarlett.
04:00Yeah, Scarlett.
04:01They seemed so in love.
04:03She said it was too pricely, but Mr. Robert insisted.
04:09When I got home, my mom was in the front yard trimming her roses.
04:13Hey, Aria, you're back.
04:15What do you want for dinner?
04:15Looking at those blooming roses, my heart sank.
04:18I couldn't just tell her.
04:19My mom has high blood pressure.
04:21She can't take this kind of shock.
04:22I had to find solid proof first.
04:24That night, I sat in front of my computer, scrolling through endless social media accounts.
04:29Finally, I found an Instagram account called Scarlett Art.
04:32I clicked on her profile, art shows, high tea, designer bags, and a photo of a little boy
04:37from behind.
04:38Everything matched up perfectly with what I knew about Scarlett.
04:41Most of her posts were tagged in Crystal Cove, a gated community in Newport Beach.
04:45The next day, I skipped work and staked out the coffee shop right outside Crystal Cove.
04:50At two, a white Porsche Cayenne pulled out and parked in front of a flower shop.
04:55A woman in a long linen dress got out.
04:57It was Scarlett.
04:58She bought some white roses and walked into the private preschool next door.
05:02Ten minutes later, she walked out holding a three-year, old boy's hand.
05:06Mommy, is Daddy coming to see me today?
05:10Daddy's super first that he's safe in this.
05:14Daddy's super busy with work.
05:15He's making money to buy building blocks.
05:19Can I help you?
05:22Scarlett, right?
05:24I'm Robert's daughter, Aria.
05:28She avoided my eyes, pulling her kid away.
05:31I don't know any Robert.
05:33I blocked her again.
05:35Where the D?
05:37Don't know him?
05:39How about I post your Beverly Hills hotel bills and that Tiffany necklace seat all over Instagram?
05:43What the hell do you want?
05:45Let's talk.
05:47Scarlett hesitated, told the nanny to take the kid to the car, and sat down.
05:51Since you found me, I won't even hide it.
05:53Your dad and I?
05:55We're in love.
05:56In love?
05:57Spending my family's money and living in a mansion?
06:01Is that your true love?
06:04Disgusting.
06:05Why do you think I got all this?
06:08I give him what your mom never could.
06:11Passion.
06:13Adoration.
06:14And a whole new world.
06:16That mansion?
06:17Robert bought it?
06:19Paid in full, under my name.
06:21Oh, by the way, your dad said once he wraps things up at home, he's filing for divorce.
06:26He said your mom does nothing but blow his cash.
06:28But you seem pretty smart.
06:30Tell your mom to get a lawyer ASAP.
06:32Maybe she can still get a piece of the pie.
06:37That night, Robert came home right on time.
06:40Elena, go upstairs.
06:41I need to talk to Ari alone.
06:43What's going on?
06:45Just go upstairs.
06:46She shot me a worried look, then turned around and headed up.
06:50It was just the two of us left in the living room.
06:52You went to see Scarlett today, didn't you?
06:54Yes, I did.
06:57Ari, I always thought you were a smart girl.
06:59But what you did today, I'm deeply disappointed in you.
07:05When you logged into my Amex account, I got a notification from the system.
07:09I didn't stop you because I wanted to see if you knew when to stop.
07:13Honestly, you're no different from Scarlett.
07:16Both of you are living off of me.
07:18I paid for your tuition, I bought your car, and every single piece of clothing on your back
07:22was charged to my card.
07:23What makes you think you have any right to question my choices?
07:25Dad, I just wanted to protect this family.
07:29This family doesn't need your protection.
07:31This family needs you to shut your mouth.
07:34I was going to wait another two weeks, but now I see there's no point.
07:37I picked it up.
07:38It was an amendment to the family trust.
07:40He had completely removed my name from the beneficiaries
07:43and changed everything to Leo's name instead.
07:46Weren't you the one who always wanted to make it on your own?
07:49Congrats.
07:50Now you got your wish.
07:54I'm staying at Newport Beach tonight.
07:56Leo's preschool has a family day tomorrow, and Scarlett wants me there.
08:00So, Aria, you better stay away from Scarlett and Leo, or else...
08:05That smile was worse than any threat.
08:06The door shut.
08:08I am sitting on the living room sofa, clutching the trust paper, shaking all over.
08:12Suddenly, the couch sank next to me.
08:15Silly girl, why are you crying?
08:17Sorry, Mom, I thought I was protecting this family, but I ended up blowing it all.
08:21Instead, I lost your only safety net.
08:23You really think you got that follow-up call by accident?
08:26Your father must have forgotten what I used to do 30 years ago.
08:32This ends now.
08:39My mom plugged the flash drive into the computer and typed in a password.
08:43A hidden folder popped open, packed with spreadsheets and scanned files.
08:47Mom, what is all this?
08:48The complete trail of your dad hiding of assets for the past three years.
08:51Every wire transfer, every bill, and every offshore account.
08:54When did you find out?
08:56A year and a half before you did.
08:57I knew the second he used Scarlett's art gallery to run fake invoices.
09:01Then why didn't you say anything?
09:02Because I didn't have enough proof yet.
09:05Plus, I know Robert.
09:06If I called him out back then, he would have destroyed the evidence, moved the cash, and left us with
09:10nothing.
09:11Looking at the endless rows of numbers on the screen, my head started spinning.
09:14So this whole year, you were just taking it?
09:17I wasn't taking it.
09:18I was waiting.
09:19Waiting for what?
09:20Waiting for him to slip up.
09:22Last month, he wired $800,000 straight from the company account to Scarlett's gallery.
09:26He used to hide it through multiple accounts, but this time he got sloppy.
09:29He was in too much of a rush to pay off her mortgage.
09:31She turned around to look at me.
09:32From that second, he wasn't just a cheating husband anymore.
09:34He became a criminal stealing company funds.
09:39I was completely speechless.
09:41Mom, for over a year, you've just been acting every single day?
09:45You think I'm just acting?
09:47Aria, I've been married to Robert for 30 years.
09:49For the first 25, I thought I was happy.
09:51For the last five, I knew he didn't love me anymore, but I told myself it was fine.
09:55At least he still respected this family.
09:57Until I found out about Scarlett.
09:59That's when he stopped caring about giving us any respect at all.
10:03Then why didn't you just get a divorce?
10:04Because divorce is way too easy on him.
10:07Plus, I needed time to get ready, and I needed you to see him for who he really is.
10:11Suddenly, everything made sense.
10:12That call from the hotel?
10:14Was that just a fluke?
10:15My mom didn't say a word.
10:16She just smirked.
10:17That look was all the answer I needed.
10:19Mom, did you set that up?
10:22I didn't have to set anything up.
10:23I just made sure you answered when his phone rang.
10:27You knew he was at the hotel that day?
10:30Last month, when he said he was heading to San Francisco, I was actually in the hotel parking lot.
10:34I watched him carry that little boy straight into the lobby.
10:37Then why didn't you walk in?
10:38Catching him would only mess with him for a minute.
10:41The next day, he'd just put on his suit, go to work, and keep playing Mr. Robert.
10:44And everyone would just say, oh well, guys will be guys.
10:47But stealing company money is a different story.
10:50And money laundering?
10:52That changes everything.
10:56Looking at her, I suddenly felt like this woman was a stranger.
11:00Not scary, just powerful.
11:01So this whole year, you've been collecting evidence?
11:04Not just collecting evidence.
11:05I was waiting for him to dig his own grave.
11:07Every extra dollar he wires makes his crime worse.
11:09Every fake invoice adds another year to his prison time.
11:12So, what am I supposed to do now?
11:14She looked at me, and there was something in her eyes I had never seen before.
11:18Not pity, not comfort.
11:19Just a stone-cold, brutal reality check.
11:21Stand up, wipe your tears, and go to bed.
11:24Starting tomorrow, you do exactly what I say.
11:27At three in the morning, I heard a faint noise upstairs.
11:29My mom wasn't asleep either.
11:31I crept upstairs to her bedroom door.
11:33The door was cracked open.
11:34I could see her sitting on the edge of the bed, holding a picture frame.
11:37It was her and my dad's wedding photo.
11:38Thirty years ago, two young people stood outside City Hall, smiling like they owned the world.
11:43She stared at it for so long.
11:45I thought she was gonna cry.
11:47But she didn't.
11:47She just flipped the frame face down, opened her nightstand drawer, and tossed it inside.
11:52In the dark, I heard her let out a long, slow breath, like she had finally let go of a
11:56heavy weight.
11:57I went back to my room, lay down, and stared at the ceiling.
12:00By the time the sun came up, I finally drifted off.
12:06My dad didn't come home for three days straight.
12:08He just texted my mom saying he was slammed at work.
12:11On the afternoon of the fourth day, my mom called.
12:13Aria, get to Hoag Hospital right now.
12:15Hoag Hospital is in Newport Beach.
12:17It's the best private hospital around.
12:19I jumped in my car and sped over.
12:21In the ER hallway, my mom stood there, staring stone-faced at the desk.
12:25I looked over.
12:25My dad was at the front desk, looking totally panic-headed.
12:28Scarlet was on a bench nearby, clutching her stomach and looking pale, while Leo was throwing a tantrum.
12:34What happened?
12:35Scarlet has pregnancy complications.
12:37Robert walked out of a meeting to rush her to the ER.
12:40She's pregnant again?
12:41Yep.
12:43Guess what Robert needs most right now?
12:44She pulled a paper from her bag and handed it to me.
12:47I took it.
12:47It was an internal financial report.
12:49He's broke.
12:50He dumped every cent into that mansion in Scarlet's gallery.
12:53The company's cash flow has dried up.
12:55He can't even pay for next month's projects.
12:56So what's he gonna do?
12:57He wants to mortgage our house.
13:00Yesterday, his lawyer called me to sign the papers.
13:03He claimed he needed help with the cash flow.
13:06You didn't sign it, did you?
13:08Of course not.
13:09Not only that, I'm about to give him a huge surprise.
13:16My mom pulled out her phone and made a call.
13:18Hey Richard, it's Elena.
13:19Is Robert at the office?
13:20On the other end was Richard, his partner.
13:23No, Elena.
13:23Robert said he was meeting a big client and left for the day.
13:25A client?
13:26But I just saw him at Hoke Hospital's OBGYM.
13:29He was with some young girl.
13:30I thought she was an employee's family or something.
13:32The line went dead silent.
13:33Richard's voice dropped.
13:34Elena, you sure he's at the OBGYM?
13:36Yeah, I even snapped a picture.
13:38Oh well, maybe I'm seeing things.
13:40Don't mention it to him, Richard.
13:41I don't want him thinking I'm paranoid.
13:43My mom hung up and smirked.
13:44I looked at her totally lost.
13:46Mom, why would Richard side with you?
13:48Because Richard's been tracking every dime Robert stole.
13:51He's a partner.
13:52When the company loses money, he loses money.
13:54He's been waiting for a shot like this.
13:56So he's been backing you up?
13:58Not backing me.
13:59Saving himself.
14:00My proof plus his books.
14:02More than enough to destroy Robert.
14:03Across the hall, my dad finished checking in and helped Scarlet toward the rooms.
14:08Scarlet leaned into him, crying.
14:09Robert, is the baby going to be okay?
14:11Don't worry.
14:12The doctor said it's nothing major.
14:14Just get some rest.
14:15The whole scene made me want to puke.
14:16Let's go.
14:17The real show hasn't even started yet.
14:22The next few days, the house was dead silent.
14:25Robert called every day, nagging my mom to get the papers ready.
14:28She always had an excuse a dentist today, a friend tomorrow, a migraine the day after.
14:32By Friday night, he finally snapped.
14:35He stormed into the house, completely losing it.
14:38Elena!
14:38What the hell is taking so long?
14:40The company is going under and you can't even sign a paper?
14:44My mom didn't even look up.
14:46She just kept watching her gardening class on her iPad.
14:49What's the rush?
14:50The house is under both our names.
14:51I have to sign in person.
14:53I have a migraine.
14:54I can't go.
14:55My dad pointed at her, too pissed to speak, listening from my room.
14:58My heart raced.
14:59He took a few deep breaths, trying to keep his temper in check.
15:03Elena, if the company goes under, this whole family is ruined.
15:06My mom set her iPad down and wiped her hands.
15:09Robert, doesn't the company have 1.2 million in cash?
15:12How can you not even cover next month's bills?
15:14His face dropped instantly.
15:16Who told you that?
15:17That money is tied up in a new project.
15:18I can't touch it.
15:20Oh, really?
15:21And here I thought you used it to buy a mansion in Newport Beach.
15:23My dad froze, his eyes widening.
15:25What did you just say?
15:30Crystal Cove, Newport Beach.
15:32The mansion you bought for Scarlet.
15:33Do I need to give you the address?
15:34My dad stared at her.
15:36You spied on me?
15:37Did you really think you could keep everyone in the dark?
15:40Secrets always come out.
15:42His face twitched.
15:43His years of acting like a perfect dad were blown to pieces.
15:47Elena, don't push your luck!
15:49My mom didn't move or say a word.
15:51Her calm just drove him insane.
15:54You're not signing?
15:55Fine!
15:56If the company goes down, we all go down together!
16:00I couldn't take it anymore.
16:01I ran out and blocked my mom.
16:03Don't you dare!
16:04Those corporate debts are under your name.
16:06They have nothing to do with my mom.
16:08Nothing to do with her?
16:09Go ask a lawyer what community debt means.
16:13California is a community property state, Aria.
16:16You think you're smart?
16:18You and your mom aren't even in my league.
16:20My mom didn't even flinch.
16:22She gently pushed me aside and stood her ground.
16:26Robert, are you sure you want to go there?
16:28The smirk froze on his face.
16:31Damn right I am!
16:32He growled, trying to fake his last bit of power.
16:34Fine.
16:35Then we have nothing left to talk about.
16:37She turned and walked straight toward the office.
16:43Over the weekend, my mom took me to Crystal Bay in Newport Beach.
16:46Instead of entering, we stopped in front of a high-end private club
16:49at the entrance of the residential complex.
16:51Mom, what are we doing here?
16:53Meeting someone.
16:54A few minutes later, a black Mercedes S-Class pulled up.
16:57The window rolled down, showing Richard's dark face.
17:00Richard is his partner and the second largest shareholder.
17:03He'd built the business with my dad for 15 years,
17:05handling construction while keeping his hands off the book.
17:07But lately, the numbers weren't adding up, and he was already suspicious.
17:11Elena, get in. Let's talk.
17:12Richard's opening the door.
17:13My mom and I hopped into the back.
17:15Everything is in here.
17:17All the bank records of Robert using Scallery to make fake incises
17:20and Slim Company money for the past three years.
17:232.3 million in total.
17:25Richard scrolled through a few files, his face getting uglier by the second.
17:29Son of a bitch!
17:30I treated him like a brother, and he treated me like an ATM.
17:33No wonder he said we were broke when vendors were calling last month.
17:36The bastard stole it all.
17:38Richard, now he wants to mortgage our house to cover his tracks.
17:41If he gets that loan, he wipes the slate clean, and you'll never catch him.
17:45Not on my watch.
17:47Elena, what's the play?
17:49I want him kicked out with nothing.
17:50Every cent he stole, he spits it back out.
17:56Richard stayed quiet for a few seconds and nodded.
17:58I have his records for the last two years, too.
18:01I was going to wait, but now I don't have to.
18:03He shot a look at my mom.
18:04Elena, you're ruthless.
18:06My mom didn't say a word.
18:07She just smirked.
18:08But I can't pull this off alone looking at Richard.
18:10I need you in.
18:11Richard let out a cold laugh.
18:13Don't worry, Elena.
18:14I hate scum ads who steal company cash for a miss.
18:16Just tell me what you need.
18:17My mom pulled another paper out of her bag.
18:19This is a list of the sketchy deals I flagged.
18:21Take this to legal and the audit team.
18:23Tell them you're starting a full forensic audit of the last three years.
18:26Richard took the paper and flipped through it, his face tightening.
18:30Elena, how did you get these numbers?
18:31My mom glanced at him.
18:33Her voice calm like she was talking about a stranger.
18:35I've been a housewife for 30 years, but before that I got my MBA from Wharton,
18:39worked as a quant at Goldman, and was a manager at BlackRock.
18:42The car went dead silent.
18:43The look in Richard's eyes completely changed.
18:45Wharton, Goldman, BlackRock?
18:49Yep.
18:50So I know where the money goes, and I know how to drag it back.
18:52Richard packed the files into his briefcase.
18:56Elena, have you been faking it all these years?
18:58Not faking.
18:59It was a choice.
19:00I chose to be a wife and a mother.
19:02But now, I'm done.
19:03Richard looked at her and nodded.
19:05He started the engine, and the black Mercedes slowly rolled away.
19:11Richard moved way faster than I expected.
19:13At nine on Monday morning, right after my dad left, two court cars pulled up.
19:19Are you Elena?
19:20We're from the court.
19:20This is an asset freezing order for you to sign.
19:23My mom took the papers, scanned them, and signed.
19:26Ma'am, we need the deed to this house.
19:28Please cooperate.
19:29My mom nodded and turned to get the papers from the office.
19:31I stood in the living room, my mind spinning as the bailiffs took photos and slapped seals
19:36on the door.
19:38Mom, I thought you said we were waiting.
19:41Why so fast?
19:42If we wait, this house is going to be gone to bail him out.
19:44I filed for a pre-lawsuit asset freeze.
19:47Everything under his name, including that Newport Beach mansion, is locked down.
19:51Right then, my dad's call came through.
19:53I picked up, but before I could say a word, he was screaming.
19:55Aria, is your mom out of her mind?
19:57She just froze my company accounts.
19:59Where is she?
20:00Put her on.
20:00My mom took the phone and hit speaker.
20:02Elena, what the hell are you doing?
20:04The accounts are frozen.
20:05All projects are dead.
20:06If clients sue, I am ruined.
20:07Good, Robert.
20:08I'm suing you for cheating, hiding assets, and stealing company money.
20:12The court already took the case.
20:16The line went dead silent.
20:18What did you just say?
20:19My dad's voice cracked.
20:20I said I'm divorcing you.
20:21And this isn't some clean break.
20:23I'm taking every cent.
20:24You're crazy!
20:25On what ground?
20:26On the grounds of the 2.3 million you hid and the 2.3 million you stole.
20:30My mom said her voice ice cold.
20:32On the grounds of every receipt I kept on you.
20:34Something smashed on the other end.
20:35Elena, you think you can win this?
20:37Let me tell you.
20:38My mom hung up on him.
20:39Aria, from this second on, don't believe a word out of his mouth.
20:43The day after the freeze, Scarlet showed up.
20:45She stood downstairs, pale, wearing a wrinkled white dress.
20:48The second she saw me, she rushed me.
20:50Aria, tell your mom to drop the lawsuit!
20:52I leaned against the door, crossing my arms.
20:54And why would she?
20:55If your dad goes to prison, what do you and your mom get out of it?
20:58He's your dad!
20:59You're just gonna watch him rot!
21:01My dad?
21:02The guy who screwed over his wife and kicked his own daughter out of the trust?
21:06That's not my dad.
21:07Scarlet bit her lip, tears streaming down her face.
21:10This baby needs a father!
21:12Please, just tell your mom to drop the charges!
21:15I stared at her, feeling nothing.
21:17Scarlet, let me ask you a question.
21:19She looked up through her tears.
21:20Is Leo actually my dad's son?
21:26Is Leo actually my dad's son?
21:28Of course he is!
21:29What the hell are you talking about?
21:30Oh, really?
21:32Then let's wait for the court de denuner test.
21:34Everything will be crystal clear.
21:36Scarlet turned white.
21:37She turned around and bolted.
21:38That night, my mom came back from the lawyer with a smile.
21:41Richard called the cops.
21:42The DA just opened a case for embezzlement.
21:45Your dad could be in cuffs tomorrow.
21:47I stared at her.
21:48Mom, how many more secrets are you hiding?
21:51She sat down and poured a cup of coffee.
21:56Aria, the biggest mistake of my life, was giving up my career for this family.
22:01She took a sip, staring off into space.
22:03When I got my Wharton MBA, I was a quant at Goldman.
22:06I was an AVP by 27.
22:08Your dad was just starting out, a manager at some tiny real estate firm.
22:12He didn't even have a desk.
22:13Then I got pregnant.
22:15Your dad told me, you're working too hard.
22:16You need a break.
22:17I'll take care of you.
22:18And I bought it.
22:20She set her mug down and looked at her hands.
22:22For 30 years, I buried my CFA at the bottom of a drawer.
22:25I swapped my Bloomberg terminal for shopping sites and my risk models for household budgets.
22:29I thought that was happiness.
22:31I don't regret marrying your father.
22:32I just regret letting myself become a nobody who did nothing but cook clean.
22:36I squeezed her hand.
22:37Mom, you're the most badass woman I've ever met.
22:39She smiled, her eyes welling up.
22:41Silly girl, I'm not badass.
22:42I just didn't want you to think that when a woman gets screwed over, she just has to take it.
22:49The next day, the cops marched my dad out of his office in cuffs.
22:52Richard called my mom the second it happened.
22:55Elena, they got Robert.
22:56The guy broke and spilled everything.
22:58He kept begging Richard, save me.
23:00Like, seriously?
23:01Too late for that.
23:02My mom just gave a call.
23:03That mansion is under Scarlett's name, but the down payment and mortgages came out of the company account.
23:08Richard, I already sorted out the proof.
23:09Don't worry, Elena.
23:11She's not getting away.
23:12We're talking money laundering and conspiracy.
23:15My mom hung up and let out a long breath.
23:17Let's go.
23:17Come with me to the jail.
23:19The jail?
23:19To see dad?
23:20No.
23:21She grabbed her purse.
23:22I'm serving him divorce papers face to face.
23:24In the visitor room, my dad sat in an orange jumpsuit.
23:27His hair a mess.
23:28His face covered in stubble the second.
23:30He saw my mom.
23:31His eyes welled up.
23:32Elena, I messed up.
23:33Please drop the charges, okay?
23:34I can't do prison.
23:35My mom sat on the other side of the glass.
23:37Her back perfectly straight.
23:39I have the divorce papers here.
23:40Sign them and you give up everything.
23:41The house, the cash, the cars, the shares, all mine.
23:44Or don't sign.
23:44But with 2.3 million stolen, California law will give you at least 10 years.
23:48You'll be in a cell and I'll get the divorce anyway.
23:50Tears streamed down my dad's face.
23:51Elena, we've been married for 30 years.
23:54Aria is my daughter.
23:57Ruthless?
24:00When you were with another woman at the hotel and buying her necklaces,
24:03did you think about our 30 years?
24:05My dad opened his mouth but nothing came out.
24:07When you cut Aria's name off the trust and handed everything to that other kid,
24:11did you care that she was your daughter?
24:13My dad dropped his head, his shoulders shaking.
24:16Just sign it.
24:17My mom slid the papers against the glass.
24:19You have zero leverage here.
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