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my father is the top investor
my father is the top investor drama
my father is the top investor
my father is the top investor drama
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Hi, this is Mrs. Hudson. I'm here to swipe my card for the $3,000 a table 10-year-old
00:05birthday party I reserved.
00:06I'm terribly sorry, Mrs. Hudson. This card has less than $500 available credit.
00:12I poured everything I had into helping my husband build his tech startup from nothing,
00:17turning it into one of Silicon Valley's red-hot unicorns.
00:20After that, I stepped back from the spotlight without a second thought and became a full-time mother.
00:26On my daughter Ava's 10th birthday, I wanted to throw her a grand party
00:30and booked a luxury banquet package at the Hotel Bel Air in Beverly Hills at $3,000 per table.
00:36But when I swiped the card, the front desk staff apologized.
00:40Mrs. Hudson, I'm very sorry, but the available balance on this card is less than $500.
00:46Embarrassed, I went home and confronted my husband.
00:49He put on an apologetic face and said,
00:52The company is bidding on the Silicon Valley Corley Tech Park, a competitor militially stirring up trouble,
00:56so I advanced a huge amount of money for components guarantees, and I'm a cash flowed Zemparelli tut.
01:00When the funds come through, I promise to throw Ava the most decent birthday party Los Angeles has ever seen.
01:05I considerately expressed my understanding, then immediately turned around and started liquidating our assets.
01:11Because the new chair of the review panel leading this bidding project is none other than my father,
01:16and I had just spoken with him on the phone last night.
01:18He made it clear, there have been no recent requests for any private financial transactions.
01:25The entire process is open and compliant.
01:28I'm going to find out exactly who he's been spending the money on.
01:32This black card was our family's joint account.
01:35Just last month, it still had over $2 million in it.
01:39The transaction history had been deliberately deleted,
01:42so I went to the bank specifically and requested the full statement.
01:45The single largest charge was, incredibly, at the very same Hotel Bel Air I had just been to.
01:52$140,000, and the details read,
01:56Private Birthday Party All-Inclusive Package.
01:58Daddy must be planning a surprise for us, right?
02:05Mommy, let's hurry over and give Daddy a surprise too.
02:08Looking at my daughter Ava's innocent eyes, I couldn't bring myself to think badly of Liam.
02:14When we rushed to the hotel banquet, I spotted him immediately Liam, sharply dressed in a suit,
02:20standing at the entrance, laughing and chatting with guests.
02:23A woman in a red evening gown was intimately holding his arm, looking just like a perfect golden couple.
02:30She was Sophia, Liam's chief assistant, and practically a company veteran.
02:34Liam, your son looks exactly like you, so outstanding.
02:39Who wouldn't envy you? Still so in love with a child this old.
02:43Listening to the guests' flattering words, I then noticed a little boy standing between them,
02:49with a striking resemblance to Liam around the eyes and brows.
02:52My daughter suddenly wrenched her hand free from mine and ran toward Liam.
02:57Daddy, the name up there is wrong! My name is Ava, not Noah!
03:02That was when I realized she had seen the welcome sign nearby,
03:06which boldly read,
03:08Happy 7th birthday to our beloved son, Noah Hudson.
03:13Before I could even begin to process this,
03:16I heard a loud thud Sophia had reached out and shoved my daughter to the ground.
03:20Where did this child come from?
03:22No manners at all.
03:24I rushed forward and scooped up my daughter.
03:27The moment I saw the blood beating on her scraped knee,
03:30rage completely overpowered reason.
03:33Liam Hudson!
03:35You used our family money to keep a woman and an illegitimate child on the side!
03:39And now you're letting her hurt Ava?
03:41My voice trembled with fury as I held my sobbing daughter tightly.
03:45Sophia muttered under her breath,
03:47What joint property?
03:48Every single penny of this company was earned with me fighting by his side.
03:52Some people have been playing housewife for so long,
03:55they actually think they're the company's owner.
03:58The surrounding guests buzzed with discussion,
04:01their eyes swiveling back and forth between us.
04:03Is this the mistress coming to stir up trouble?
04:06How dare she crash the real partner's party?
04:09Absolutely outrageous.
04:11Had nothing but a daughter and still tries to make a scene truly pathetic.
04:16Those probing, contemptuous, mocking stares fell on my daughter and me,
04:20piercing like countless needles.
04:22I said angrily,
04:24Are you kidding me?
04:26Sophia is the mistress!
04:27This boy is the dirty little secret no one was supposed to know about!
04:31A few snickers rippled through the crowd.
04:33A man with a beer belly swirled his wine glass and said,
04:37Sophia and Liam have been together for ages.
04:41Everyone knows she's the one who holds everything together for him.
04:44Another woman chimed in,
04:45Liam and Sophia have such a great relationship.
04:48This woman clearly just wants to scam him because he's loaded.
04:52I turned my gaze to Liam and said icily,
04:55Liam, tell me, who am I?
04:58Liam finally spoke.
05:00Wearing a helpless smile, he turned to the guests.
05:03My apologies for this little scene, everyone.
05:06This is Claire, our household assistant.
05:09She spends all her time reading romance novels
05:11and has a hard time telling fantasy from reality.
05:13He then turned to look at me, his eyes filled with warning.
05:17Claire, take your daughter Ava back to rest.
05:21Stop embarrassing yourselves here.
05:23I felt as if I had been struck by lightning.
05:25I couldn't believe that the man who had shared my bed for 12 years
05:29would actually slap such an absurd identity onto me right to my face.
05:34Seeing that Liam had taken her side,
05:36Sophia immediately found her confidence, her voice rising.
05:40Claire, I know it's not easy raising a daughter on your own,
05:43but you can't try to extort money like this.
05:48Tell you what, why don't you go back for now
05:51and I'll have the butler pay you an extra three months' salary.
05:53Bursts of mocking laughter erupted from the guests.
05:56Oh, so the assistant is trying to move up?
05:58That's a joke.
06:00People do anything for money these days.
06:04That poor little girl, stuck with a mother like that.
06:07A mother who acts like that, the child is bound to pick it up.
06:11She's probably going anywhere in life.
06:14Sophia smiled smugly.
06:16She crouched down and said to Noah,
06:19You see?
06:20Study hard, so you won't become a laughing out.
06:24Noah jutted out his chin,
06:26his eyes full of a meanness far beyond his years.
06:29How dare you shout at mom like that?
06:33He reached out and shoved me hard.
06:35Caught completely off guard,
06:37I staggered back two steps,
06:39nearly falling down together with my daughter.
06:41Noah said arrogantly,
06:43My dad said the tech company will be mine to control someday.
06:48You don't deserve to take my dad from me.
06:51Hey, you'll end up just like your mom,
06:56a servant assistant.
06:58The guests knocking on the door
07:00being even more patient.
07:02The young master has such ambition.
07:05Just then, several hotel waitstaff in uniform
07:09passed by carrying trays,
07:10and one of them was the front desk manager
07:13who had assisted me last time.
07:15When he saw me,
07:16he deliberately raised his voice
07:18and said to the colleague beside him,
07:20Well, well, if it isn't Mrs. Hudson,
07:22the one who reserved a 3,000-a-table birthday party
07:24but couldn't even get $500 out of her card.
07:27Told you.
07:28Some people just love to put on airs
07:30pretending to be a rich wife,
07:31and they have to slink off
07:33with their tail between their legs.
07:34Sophia's nervous and went out of scum.
07:36Broke is a joke.
07:38Can't even scrape up 500 bucks?
07:40No surprise she's throwing a fit.
07:42The bare-bellied man Richard from earlier
07:44also swayed forward,
07:45his greasy gaze sizing up Ava and me,
07:48his tone frivolous.
07:51You have to admit that Nancy at Liam's place
07:53is actually quite good-looking,
07:54and the little girl is kind of cute, too.
07:56You definitely don't stand a chance with Liam,
07:58so why not come with me?
08:00I'll give you $3,000 a month,
08:01plus room and bear for you and your daughter.
08:03What do you say?
08:04You won't have to worry about $500 anymore.
08:06I'm willing to be the one to take over.
08:08Pretty decent of me, don't you think?
08:09Hearing this,
08:10the other guests laughed even harder.
08:12Richard, you're so generous!
08:15But seriously,
08:16isn't $3,000 a bit too much for someone like her?
08:19Sophia messaged up to Liam
08:21and joined the crowd in the jury.
08:23I demanded sharply,
08:25Liam, are you just going to stand there
08:27and watch them insult me and Ava like this?
08:29Liam looked at me expressionlessly,
08:31as if I truly were a complete stranger.
08:35After everyone had laughed their fill,
08:37he finally spoke again,
08:38his tone cold and impatient.
08:41Claire, stop embarrassing yourself here.
08:43This is my son's birthday party.
08:45Take your daughter and go back
08:46or I'll call security.
08:48Ava trembled even more violently in my arms.
08:51Her tiny hands clutched tightly
08:53at the hem of my clothes,
08:55and she buried her face against my chest,
08:57too afraid to look at those malicious faces.
09:00Mom, is it really like what they said?
09:03Hearing my daughter's terrified question,
09:05Liam, my heart ached so fiercely I could barely breathe.
09:0912 years of devotion and sacrifice.
09:12And what I got in return was being trampled
09:14and humiliated by my own husband in public like this.
09:19No, no, Ava.
09:21I covered Ava's ears.
09:22My heart filled with bitterness.
09:24How was I supposed to explain this to her?
09:27Back when Liam first started his business,
09:29we were crammed into a run-down garage
09:31of less than 100 square feet.
09:33The company couldn't afford to hire anyone,
09:36so I took on multiple roles.
09:38Admin, bookkeeper, order tracking.
09:41To help him bring in clients,
09:43I cast aside every shred of dignity
09:45and begged every single person I knew.
09:48I remember the day he signed
09:49his first million dollar contract.
09:51He excitedly spun me around in circles
09:54and then used that money
09:55to buy me a very expensive dress.
09:57I saw the sparkle in Liam's eyes.
10:00And in the end,
10:01I never told him that the big client
10:03was actually a long-time business partner of my uncle.
10:06Later, the company gradually got on track
10:08and I became pregnant with Ava.
10:10Liam, out of concern for me,
10:13had me go home to rest
10:14and take care of the pregnancy in peace.
10:16From now on, I'll take care of you.
10:18You've suffered so much for me.
10:20Now it's turn to give you the life of a princess.
10:22But now,
10:23I looked down at the old dress I was wearing,
10:26the one I had worn for three years.
10:28Meanwhile, Liam was in a sharp suit
10:31and Sophia was draped head to toe in designer brands.
10:34The two of them stood together,
10:36basking in everyone's flattery,
10:38looking perfectly matched.
10:40And I was called the assistant
10:41and no one even doubted it.
10:43Ma'am, I know life hasn't been easy for you,
10:46but children at this age already understand things.
10:49If you don't care about your own dignity,
10:51at least don't embarrass the child.
10:53As Sophia spoke,
10:55she pulled a small stack of green bills
10:57out of her exquisite designer wallet.
10:59She held it out to me with utter arrogance.
11:02Durgar Zion, the D-Dawah man's hand.
11:04I don't have much cash on me
11:06and I don't know what kind of trouble you're in,
11:08but take these $2,000.
11:11Buy a one-way ticket to the Midwest
11:13and go see a psychiatrist
11:14and get your head examined.
11:16As she leaned in close,
11:17Sophia said in a voice so low
11:19only the two of us could hear.
11:20Claire, what does it matter
11:22that you met Liam first?
11:24The one not loved
11:25is the one who doesn't belong.
11:28Right in front of everyone's watching eyes,
11:30she suddenly let out an
11:32oh dear
11:33and her fingers loosened.
11:35The bills smacked across my face
11:37and scattered all over the floor.
11:39Sophia smiled without a trace of apology,
11:42her gaze condescending.
11:44Sorry, my hand slipped.
11:46The pot-bellied vice president
11:48immediately chimed in.
11:49What a classy lady Sophia is!
11:53No wonder she's Liam's most trusted partner.
11:56Liam glanced at me indifferently and commanded,
11:59Pick it up and hurry along.
12:00I was so enraged that I actually laughed.
12:03$2,000 trying to get rid of me?
12:06Liam,
12:08do you think back then
12:09your crappy garage company,
12:10what made you think you could get
12:12those multi-million dollar defense contracts?
12:15Every penny you've spent on Sophia
12:17and this illegitimate child over the years
12:19is our marital property.
12:20If I want,
12:21I can take it all back!
12:24That's quite a story, Claire.
12:26With that imagination,
12:27you should try writing
12:28some rich family romance for fun.
12:30Times have changed.
12:31No need to be so hung up
12:33on being the original wife.
12:34But Liam was clearly hit where it hurt.
12:37His face instantly turned ashen,
12:38and he was just about to shout,
12:41Claire, stop it!
12:42A crisp sound of a slap cut him off.
12:44Liam,
12:45if you dare slander me one more word,
12:46if you dare call me an assistant again,
12:48I'll take you to court immediately.
12:50I'll make Hudson Technology
12:51vanish from Silicon Valley for good.
12:56Liam was stunned by the slap.
12:58The moment he registered what had happened,
13:00fury ignited in his eyes.
13:01He grabbed me by the throat,
13:03his knuckles turning white from the force,
13:05his tone vicious.
13:06You think I wouldn't hit a woman?
13:09Don't push your luck.
13:10In a corner where no one could see,
13:12he suddenly clamped down on my neck.
13:15His grip grew tighter and tighter,
13:17and I felt the air being slowly squeezed out of me.
13:20My vision began to darken,
13:21and I could only claw helplessly at his wrist.
13:24Just when I thought I was truly going to die right there,
13:27Sophia stepped forward with feigned concern to intervene.
13:31Liam,
13:31it's not worth getting angry over someone like that.
13:34What if you end up hurting yourself?
13:36Only then did Liam release his grip.
13:38I collapsed to the floor,
13:40gasping for breath,
13:41tears streaming down my face uncontrollably.
13:44The ruthlessness in his eyes just moments ago
13:47made me understand in that instant,
13:49his gaze was filled with pure rage,
13:51and he struck without the slightest regard
13:53for the bond we once shared.
13:55Sophia tenderly stroked the red mark on Liam's face,
13:58and then,
13:59right in front of everyone,
14:00she stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
14:02All right,
14:03don't be upset.
14:05Today is Noah's birthday.
14:08Don't let people like that ruin our good mood.
14:11Liam's expression softened slightly,
14:13and he wrapped an arm around Sophia's waist.
14:15Just then,
14:16the banquet hall lights suddenly dimmed.
14:20The timed projector flickered on,
14:22and photos began to play across the screen.
14:24There,
14:25on the screen,
14:26in vivid detail,
14:27were the moments of Noah's life from birth to now.
14:30His birth,
14:31his first birthday,
14:32his first day of school.
14:34All were recorded,
14:35and in every single one,
14:37Liam and Sophia were there by his side.
14:40Yet in my daughter Ava's life,
14:41Liam,
14:42as a father,
14:43was always absent.
14:44My daughter and Noah share the same birthday.
14:46So after Noah turned three,
14:48meaning from the very year Noah was born,
14:50my daughter never saw her father on her birthday again.
14:53Noah made,
14:54a face at my daughter,
14:56and taunted.
14:57So you say he's your father?
14:59Then take out the photo and let us see.
15:02Mom,
15:03does daddy not care about me at all?
15:05Am I just an unwanted child?
15:07I shook my head,
15:08but photos of them started playing on the screen,
15:11seeing several familiar backgrounds.
15:13I couldn't help but freeze.
15:15The backgrounds were the deck and the ocean,
15:18the two of them cheek to cheek,
15:20intimately.
15:21I remembered that cruise ship.
15:22It was the luxury cruise I had booked
15:24for my fifth wedding anniversary with Liam.
15:26So Liam had booked a ticket for Sophia too.
15:29And that family photo at the amusement park.
15:32Liam and Sophia tightly embracing the date
15:34stamped on the photo
15:35was the very same day Liam had been at the park
15:38with me and our daughter.
15:39Finally,
15:40I understood why.
15:41Every time we went out,
15:43Liam always had some urgent,
15:45unavoidable meeting.
15:46The happy marriage I had cherished in my heart
15:48was already full of cracks,
15:50rotten on the inside.
15:51While I was still lost in shock,
15:53Noah suddenly rushed over,
15:57slapped Ava hard across the face,
15:59and shouted,
16:00Cause your mom isn't a mommy top wearing dad it.
16:03Your mom just dared to hit my dad,
16:05so I'm going to bully you.
16:07My daughter's head was struck to the side,
16:09her cheek instantly flushing bright red.
16:12She was a head taller than Noah,
16:14and at an age where children are naturally competitive
16:16and eager to stand their ground.
16:18So her instinct was to hit back.
16:20But Sophia immediately grabbed hold of Ava's hands,
16:24squeezing her wrists forcefully,
16:25and scolded her harshly.
16:27Acting so in silent at such a young age,
16:31you truly lack manners and upbringing.
16:33Seeing my daughter restrained,
16:35Noah rushed forward at once
16:36and began kicking and hitting her.
16:39Children strike without any sense of restraint,
16:41and soon bruises and marks
16:43appeared all over my daughter's body.
16:45She was in so much pain
16:46that tears streamed down her face,
16:48but she stubbornly bit her lip
16:50and refused to let herself cry out loud.
16:52Stop!
16:54Desperate, I tried to pull Noah away,
16:56but Liam seized my arm in a death grip.
16:58They're just children playing.
16:59Why are you getting involved?
17:00Noah's very sensible.
17:01He knows his limits.
17:03Nothing will happen.
17:04I had reached my breaking point
17:05and screamed almost hoarsely,
17:07Liam Hudson, that is your own daughter!
17:11How can you just stand by
17:12and watch others bully her?
17:14How can you be so heartless?
17:16But Noah's my son.
17:19But Noah's my son.
17:21His voice was very soft,
17:22yet every word pierced my heart like a blade.
17:25But Noah is my son.
17:27Just then,
17:28Noah kicked Ava viciously in the stomach.
17:30My daughter immediately doubled over in pain,
17:33her little face turning deathly pale.
17:35AVA!
17:37I shrieked,
17:38my heart nearly stopping.
17:40Ava tried to shield her stomach with her hands,
17:42but Sophia was still clamping down on her tightly,
17:45leaving her utterly unable to protect herself.
17:47Seeing this,
17:49Noah grew even more smug
17:51and raised his foot again,
17:52aiming straight for Ava's already scraped and injured knee.
17:56I finally wrenched myself free from Liam,
17:59threw myself forward,
18:01and shoved Noah aside,
18:02gathering my daughter protectively into my arms.
18:05Ava was trembling violently in my embrace.
18:08Her tiny hands clutched tightly at the hem of my clothes,
18:11and her voice was feeble.
18:13Mommy,
18:14it hurts so much.
18:16Noah,
18:16having been pushed away,
18:18knocked into a nearby table,
18:19and started wailing loudly in pain.
18:22Sophia was beside herself with distress.
18:26My precious son!
18:28Our Noah is going to inherit the entire Hudson Technology Empire one day!
18:32Can you even afford it if you break him?
18:34Seeing Sophia and her son crying in each other's arms,
18:38Claire,
18:39how could you be so vicious?
18:40Liam couldn't hold back and raised his hand,
18:43just as his slap was about to land on me.
18:45The sound of synchronized footsteps suddenly rang out from the entrance of the banquet hall.
18:50A middle-aged man in a dark, bespoke suit,
18:53exuding an aura of commanding authority,
18:56strode in.
18:57His eyes were razor sharp,
18:58and his entire presence radiated a quiet, intimidating power.
19:03Flanking him were a bodyguard and a senior assistant.
19:06The pot-bellied Richard, who had made those insolent remarks to me earlier,
19:10instantly switched to a fawning expression.
19:13He trotted over to greet the newcomer,
19:16bowing and scraping obsequiously.
19:17Mr. Anderson,
19:18your presence here is a true honor for the entire banquet.
19:22Liam, come over here.
19:24Let me introduce you.
19:25This is Silicon Valley's top angel investor,
19:28the lead investor in the tech company's first round,
19:31Mr. Robert Anderson!
19:33Liam stared at the newcomer in utter disbelief,
19:36his face instantly turning deathly pale.
19:39Father-in-law?
19:41Holding my injured daughter in my arms and gazing at that familiar face,
19:45my tears finally burst forth uncontrollably.
19:49I called out through my sobs,
19:51Dad!
19:53Mr. Robert ignored Richard,
19:56who had rushed up to him first,
19:57and didn't even glance at Liam,
19:59whose face was as pale as paper.
20:01He walked straight through the crowd and stopped in front of me.
20:05When his eyes fell on Ava in my arms,
20:08her face pallid,
20:09her arms and calves covered in purplish bruises,
20:12and then swept over the clear,
20:14glaring strangulation marks on my neck,
20:16the temperature in the entire banquet hall
20:19seemed to plummet to freezing in an instant.
20:22What's going on here?
20:23His voice was not loud,
20:25but it carried an unquestionable authority
20:27that struck everyone's heart like a heavy hammer.
20:29Richard,
20:30who had been so unbearably arrogant moments ago,
20:33was now drenched in sweat,
20:35the back of his shirt soaked through with cold perspiration.
20:38He stammered,
20:40trying to explain.
20:41Mr. Anderson,
20:42this is all a misunderstanding.
20:43This mother and daughter are Liam's household elders.
20:45They came to Noah's birthday party
20:46trying to extort money and cause bus blanks,
20:48and I'm so embarrassed that you have to see this.
20:50And next time you come,
20:51please your assistant notify me in advance,
20:52and I'll suddenly pick you up at the airport.
20:54Are you saying that my daughter and grandbotter
20:58are extorting money and causing trouble?
21:02His gaze slowly swept over Liam and Sophia's arms
21:05still tightly intertwined,
21:07and finally came to rest on Ava.
21:09His tone softened considerably.
21:12Ava, tell grandpa who hit you.
21:15Dad, let me explain.
21:16Things are not as you think.
21:18Ava, speak.
21:19Mr.
21:20Robert's tone was firm,
21:22and brooked no argument,
21:24giving Liam no chance to defend himself whatsoever.
21:27Ava timidly peeked out from my arms.
21:29Her little finger pointed first at Noah,
21:32still sniffling in Sophia's arms.
21:34Then at Sophia,
21:35tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.
21:38It was him.
21:39He hit my face,
21:41kicked my stomach,
21:42and she held my hand so I couldn't die.
21:45Listening to Ava's tearful accusation,
21:47fine beads of cold sweat
21:49broke out on Liam's temples.
21:51He quietly pulled Richard aside,
21:53ducking away.
21:54Richard, is this really the newly director
21:56of the fine retroker department?
21:58Are you sure you've got the right person?
22:00Richard was now utterly terrified.
22:02He kept wiping the sweat from his forehead
22:05with a handkerchief,
22:06his voice trembling.
22:07Absolutely.
22:08He invested in Google, Tesla.
22:10He's a titan of Silicon Valley.
22:12How could I be mistaken?
22:15This is really your father-in-law?
22:18Huh? Liam, you never told me
22:19you had such a big shot as a father-in-law.
22:21Why didn't you tell me
22:22her father is a top Silicon Valley investor?
22:27How was I supposed to know?
22:28I thought he was just some reclusive,
22:30retired old man
22:31who only goes fishing
22:31and reads books every day.
22:33He never talks about who he really is.
22:36And he rarely asked about Claire's affairs,
22:38so I assumed...
22:39I thought.
22:40While the two were still whispering,
22:42Noah, sheltered in Sophia's arms,
22:43had absolutely no inkling
22:45of how tense the atmosphere had become.
22:47He had just bumped his head
22:48and was already feeling full of grievance.
22:50Now, seeing this strange old man
22:53siding with Ava
22:54and even letting Ava tattle,
22:55his anger flared instantly.
23:10As he spoke,
23:12he even reached out his little hand
23:13to shove his father's leg,
23:15but the assistant swiftly stopped him
23:17with sharp reflexes.
23:18Sophia was scared out of her wits.
23:21She rushed forward in a panic,
23:23wrapped her arms around Noah,
23:24and clamped her hand tightly over his mouth,
23:26forcing a smile that was worse
23:28than a grimace onto her face.
23:30Please don't take it to heart, sir.
23:32The child is young
23:33and doesn't know what he's saying.
23:35Yes, Dad.
23:35He's just a little boy with no filter.
23:38Please don't hold it against him.
23:39It seems Mr. Hudson has
23:41a rather unique approach
23:42to disciplinating his child
23:44on a regular basis.
23:45But Noah was still struggling,
23:47making muffled sounds
23:48through the hand over his mouth,
23:50his eyes still glaring fiercely
23:52at Mr. Robert.
23:53Clearly, he didn't regard this old man
23:56as anyone important at all.
23:58Sophia, frantic,
24:00secretly pinched his arm several times
24:02before he finally settled down a little,
24:04yet he still kept his neck stiff,
24:06wearing a defiant, unyielding expression.
24:12Seeing his son's reckless arrogance
24:14and catching the increasingly cold look
24:16on Mr. Robert's face,
24:18a surge of fury ignited within Liam.
24:20It's all thanks to the way
24:22you've raised your son!
24:23Look at what you've spoiled him into!
24:26Sophia's head was knocked sideways
24:27by the blow,
24:28her hair falling loose in disarray,
24:31and clear finger marks
24:32surfaced on her face.
24:34She covered her face in disbelief,
24:36her eyes instantly reddening.
24:38Liam Hudson, you actually hit me?
24:40Ask yourself,
24:41don't you bear any responsibility
24:42for the way no one has turned out?
24:43Dad, it was this woman
24:44who seduced me.
24:45Noah only exists
24:46because of her careful scheme.
24:48You're a man too.
24:50What man doesn't make mistakes?
24:51But Claire has always been
24:53the one I truly love.
24:54From now on,
24:55I'll cut all ties completely
24:56with this mother and son.
24:58You promised me
24:59you'd divorce Claire!
25:00Now that your father-in-law is here,
25:01you want to kick us out?
25:03There's no way
25:04I'm letting this go!
25:06So what if her dad is a big shot?
25:08You're a wealthy boss too.
25:10Take this opportunity,
25:11they everything out on the table
25:12and divorced her!
25:12Crazy woman!
25:14How could I possibly
25:15divorce Claire for you?
25:16Don't even dream about it!
25:18You're so heartless.
25:19Liam,
25:20with you all these years,
25:22gave you a son
25:23and this is how you treat me?
25:24The two of them
25:25were completely heedless
25:26of the setting,
25:27tangled in an all-out brawl,
25:29the scene utterly unsightly.
25:31The surrounding guests
25:33watched in stunned disbelief.
25:38Some quietly took out
25:39their phones to record videos,
25:41while others stepped backward,
25:43afraid of getting caught
25:44in the fray.
25:45Noah's earlier arrogance
25:46had vanished entirely.
25:48He stood rooted to the spot,
25:50wailing loudly.
25:51Just as the two of them
25:52were locked in their ugly,
25:54inextricable fight,
25:55the doors of the banquet hall
25:56were pushed open once again.
25:58Several police officers
25:59in Los Angeles Police Department
26:01uniforms walked in.
26:02The lead officer scanned the room
26:04and asked in a deep voice,
26:06We received a report
26:07that someone here
26:08is suspected of
26:09intentional assault,
26:10child abuse,
26:11and disturbing public order.
26:14Who is Liam Hudson?
26:15Who is Sophia Miller?
26:17Liam and Sophia
26:17instantly froze in place.
26:19Liam frantically
26:20straightened his twisted tie.
26:22Officer,
26:23this is all a misunderstanding.
26:25Dad,
26:26please put in
26:26a good word for me.
26:27No amount of pleading
26:28will help.
26:29Misunderstanding or not,
26:31you're coming to the station
26:32with us
26:32for investigation.
26:34Mr.
26:34Robert's assistant
26:35stepped forward
26:36and said calmly,
26:38Officer,
26:39I'm the one
26:39who called the police.
26:40I'll cooperate
26:41and go back
26:41to give a full statement.
26:43Fully cooperate
26:43with the police investigation.
26:45Submit all collected evidence
26:46truthfully and completely,
26:47leaving nothing out.
26:51Under the shocked stares
26:53of the entire banquet
26:54of guests,
26:55Liam and Sophia
26:56were handcuffed
26:57and taken away.
26:58Noah stood there
26:59where he was,
27:00his face smeared
27:01with tears and snot,
27:03but he no longer
27:04dared to cry
27:04or throw a tantrum.
27:05He just stood there
27:06timidly,
27:07like an abandoned child.
27:09Off to the side,
27:10Richard remembered
27:11his own earlier behavior,
27:12how he had jeered
27:13and mocked me
27:14so brazenly
27:15and his face
27:16instantly turned
27:16ashen as death.
27:18He hunched over
27:19and bowed his head
27:20in utter terror,
27:21apologizing profusely
27:22with deep regret.
27:24Mrs. Hurtson,
27:25my previous words
27:26and actions
27:26were rude and offensive.
27:28I sincerely ask
27:29for your forgiveness.
27:31All those disrespectful
27:32remarks were my fault.
27:33It was my lack of insight
27:35and failure
27:35to see the truth.
27:36Watching him grovel
27:37with the tide like this,
27:39I felt nothing
27:40but disgust.
27:41I turned my face away,
27:43unwilling to look
27:43any longer.
27:44My father merely
27:45cast him a cold glance,
27:47then carefully
27:48took Ava from my arms.
27:49His eyes were filled
27:50with heartache.
27:51Ava, be good.
27:53Grandpa
27:54is taking you
27:55to the hospital
27:56for a checkup
27:57and treatment.
28:01After a few days
28:02of quiet recuperation
28:03in the hospital,
28:04Ava's complexion
28:05improved considerably,
28:07but her spirit
28:08was still somewhat listless.
28:09She would often
28:10startle awake
28:11from nightmares,
28:12so I stayed at the hospital
28:13with her the whole time.
28:15In this sordid drama,
28:17all the blame
28:17had been pinned
28:18on Sophia.
28:19Liam did not bear
28:20the primary responsibility
28:21and was quickly
28:22bailed out of jail
28:23before long.
28:24Soon after,
28:26Liam appeared
28:26at the door
28:27of the hospital room,
28:28carrying an exquisite
28:29fruit basket
28:30and a bouquet
28:30of Ava's favorite
28:32pale pink daisies.
28:33He was wearing
28:34a simple shirt
28:34and trousers,
28:35with a shadow
28:36of bluish stubble
28:37on his chin
28:38and prominent
28:39dark circles
28:39under his eyes,
28:40his whole appearance
28:41considerably haggard.
28:43He stood at the doorway,
28:45his voice carrying
28:45a cautious,
28:46testing tone.
28:48Honey,
28:49Ava,
28:50I've come to see you.
28:51Ava,
28:51who had been leaning
28:52against me reading a book,
28:54saw Liam,
28:55and her eyes
28:56flickered faintly.
28:57She called out softly.
29:00I could see clearly
29:01that in her heart,
29:02my daughter still longed
29:04for fatherly love.
29:08Even after being hurt,
29:10she hadn't completely
29:11let it go.
29:12As if granted redemption,
29:14Liam immediately
29:15walked into the room
29:16and placed the flowers
29:17in Ava's hands.
29:18Do you like it, sweetie?
29:20Daddy has always remembered.
29:22Your favorite flowers
29:23are light pink daisies.
29:24Ava took the flowers
29:25and nodded lightly,
29:26but her eyes
29:27were full of evasiveness,
29:29tinged with
29:30unmistakable timidity.
29:31I didn't know
29:32what you'd like,
29:33so I also bought
29:35your favorite mango pudding,
29:36the signature dessert
29:38from that trendy
29:38sweet shop
29:39you always go to.
29:40Claire,
29:41it's your favorite flavor, too.
29:42I sat quietly
29:44to the side,
29:45not uttering
29:45a single word.
29:46The damage from that day
29:48had nearly upended
29:48my daughter's
29:49entire worldview.
29:50I didn't want
29:51to provoke her further
29:52and could only remain
29:53silent for the time being.
29:55Over the following
29:56half month,
29:57Liam came to the hospital
29:58on time
29:59every single day
30:00to visit.
30:01Sometimes he brought
30:02carefully prepared meals,
30:04sometimes new toys,
30:05and sometimes he would
30:06just sit quietly
30:07by the bedside,
30:08chatting with Ava
30:09to cheer her up.
30:10He never once
30:11mentioned Sophia
30:12or Noah
30:13as if that unbearable,
30:15ugly farce
30:16had never happened.
30:17Seeing that I showed
30:18no obvious resistance,
30:20Liam grew bolder.
30:21He probed gently.
30:22Claire,
30:23I know I've made
30:24unforgivable mistakes.
30:25Please,
30:26for Ava's sake,
30:27give me another chance
30:28to turn over
30:28a new sheaf,
30:29will you?
30:32With Ava right beside us,
30:34I gave no response,
30:36simply lowering my head
30:37and quietly peeling
30:38an apple in silence.
30:40My silence gave Liam
30:41a glimmer of hope.
30:42Starting the next day,
30:44rare and expensive
30:45flowers,
30:46haute couture clothing,
30:48and designer jewelry
30:49poured into the hospital
30:50room in an endless stream,
30:52piling up in every corner.
30:53I accepted every single item
30:55without the slightest hesitation.
30:56By the time Ava was discharged
30:58from the hospital,
31:00Liam showed up holding
31:01two exclusive invitations
31:02to a top-tier fashion show,
31:05his eyes earnest
31:06and tinged with excitement.
31:08Claire,
31:08do you remember
31:09when I landed
31:10my first business order?
31:12I bought you
31:13your first
31:14affordable luxury dress.
31:16Back then I told you,
31:17once I made it big,
31:19I'd book the entire
31:20fashion show
31:20and give you
31:21every hauteur gown.
31:23Now,
31:23this show
31:24is specially prepared
31:25for you.
31:26It wasn't that he was
31:27incapable of being
31:27thoughtful and considerate,
31:29nor that he had
31:30forgotten his past promises.
31:32It was simply that,
31:33before,
31:34he had never been willing
31:35to put in the effort for me.
31:37I finally spoke,
31:38my tone flat
31:39and unruffled.
31:41Liam,
31:41do you really think
31:42doing all this
31:43can erase all the hurt
31:45and make up for everything?
31:46He immediately stepped forward
31:47and clutched my hand,
31:48urgent and earnest.
31:50Claire,
31:50I know this is far from enough,
31:52but I'm willing to spend
31:53the rest of my life
31:54making it up to you
31:55and Ava.
31:56I'll completely cut off
31:57all ties with Sophia
31:58and arrange for her
32:00and her son to go abroad.
32:01They will never come
32:02had to disturb
32:03our lives as anyone.
32:07Just as he was envisioning
32:08the future
32:09with a heart full of hope,
32:10I directly pulled out
32:12a divorce agreement
32:12I had long since drafted
32:14and placed it in front of him.
32:16The moment Liam
32:17saw the agreement,
32:18the invitations in his hand
32:19fell to the ground.
32:20He stared at me blankly.
32:22Nobody can go through
32:23life without making mistakes.
32:25I was just confused
32:26for a moment.
32:27Claire,
32:28do you have to be so heartless?
32:29Let's part on good terms
32:31and not make things awkward
32:32for each other in the end.
32:34Liam quickly scanned
32:35the contents of the agreement
32:36and his face instantly
32:38turned ashen and contorted.
32:40Claire,
32:40you're so heartless!
32:41Why should I have to give up
32:41the vast majority
32:42of my property and assets?
32:43Then see you in court.
32:45Liam took a deep breath,
32:46suppressing the fury
32:47rising in his heart.
32:48I can give you
32:49all the family assets,
32:50but not the company.
32:51This is the enterprise
32:51I built with my own hand,
32:53my life's work.
32:54I can't give it to you.
32:55As for the shares you hold,
32:56I'm willing to buy them
32:57all back at full market price.
32:59I looked at him,
33:00my words deeply meaningful.
33:02Okay.
33:03Landry,
33:03you recover all the
33:04dzechants
33:05of the Wendidgin Sophia
33:06and her Urzen Express.
33:07I will never interfere
33:09with your company.
33:12Liam agreed on the spot
33:13and his execution
33:14was swift.
33:16The very next day,
33:17he retained a top-tier
33:18law firm
33:19and formally filed
33:20a lawsuit against Sophia,
33:22demanding the return
33:23of all property
33:24gifted to her
33:24during the marriage.
33:26In the courtroom,
33:27Sophia's face
33:28was streaked with tears.
33:30She sobbed emotionally,
33:32making every possible excuse.
33:33All the money
33:35was voluntarily paid
33:36by Liam
33:36as living expenses
33:37and child support,
33:38which constitute
33:39voluntary gifts
33:40and do not need
33:40to be returned.
33:41Over the years,
33:43the total value
33:44of the property
33:44Liam had lavished on
33:46and gifted to Sophia
33:47and Noah
33:47amounted to
33:48three million dollars.
33:50In the end,
33:51the court ruled
33:52that Sophia
33:53must return
33:54140,000 dollars.
33:55Although not all
33:57the money was recovered,
33:58this sum was enough
33:59to completely bankrupt her
34:01and leave her
34:02with nothing.
34:03The moment the verdict
34:04was handed down,
34:05Sophia completely lost
34:07control in the courtroom,
34:08screaming hysterically.
34:12Liam!
34:14You are cold
34:15and heartless
34:16with no trace
34:16of affection!
34:17Ah!
34:19I worked hard
34:21by your side
34:21for years,
34:22gave you a son,
34:24and this is how
34:25cruelly you treat me?!
34:26These things were
34:27never yours
34:27to begin with.
34:28Walking out
34:29of the courthouse,
34:30Liam quickly
34:30caught up to me,
34:31a trace of hope
34:33and wishful thinking
34:33in his eyes.
34:35Claire,
34:36I've made up my mind.
34:37I can't lose you
34:38and Ava.
34:39I'll spend the rest
34:40of my life
34:41proving my sincerity.
34:42Just give me
34:43one more chance.
34:45All right,
34:46we'll talk after
34:47you've got the company
34:47running smoothly.
34:48Not long after,
34:50Liam still showed up
34:51at my door.
34:52This time,
34:53his eyes were
34:53bloodshot,
34:54his hair
34:55a disheveled mess.
34:56The spirited air
34:57of a Silicon Valley
34:58young entrepreneur
34:59had been completely
35:00stripped away,
35:01leaving him looking
35:02utterly wretched
35:03and defeated.
35:04Claire!
35:05Was this your scheme
35:06all along?
35:07I've already returned
35:08all of Sophia's money
35:09and given you
35:10all the marital assets
35:11as you demanded!
35:12Why won't you
35:13just let me go?!
35:14The company
35:15has recently lost
35:16three key clients
35:17in a row.
35:17All our partners
35:18have annually terminated
35:19cooperation
35:19without even giving
35:20a reason.
35:20No thanks to
35:21Wall Street banks
35:21we worked
35:22have thrown like Titan
35:22all sedent lines
35:23and are completely
35:24squeezing our
35:25Subint Len.
35:25You've pushed me
35:26a boopy dead
35:27in Ted's end.
35:27You determined
35:28to drive a corner
35:29with no way out.
35:32Take a good look.
35:34Every major client
35:35and every core
35:35investment that has
35:36kept you standing
35:37in Silicon Valley
35:37all these years,
35:38who do you think
35:39has been paving
35:39the way behind
35:40the scenes?
35:41If I didn't win
35:42them on my own merit
35:43what, you handed
35:44them to me
35:44as charity?
35:45Claire, don't go
35:46too far.
35:47Sure, you have
35:47a father in a
35:48high position,
35:49but Hudson Technology?
35:51I built it myself
35:52working countless
35:53nights.
35:54Do you remember
35:54that first Lifeline
35:55order in the early
35:56days of the company?
35:58You always thought
35:59it was because
35:59your business proposal
36:00brilliant enough,
36:01didn't you?
36:02That was my uncle's
36:03long-time business
36:04friend.
36:05Back then,
36:06to secure that
36:07opportunity,
36:08I went to their
36:09door every day
36:10for a month,
36:10curding favor
36:11with their family
36:12and swallowing
36:13all my pride.
36:14Just to buy you
36:15a Lifeline for
36:16your startup.
36:17And what about
36:17Mr. White,
36:18the company's
36:19biggest venture
36:19partner?
36:20In Silicon Valley
36:21circles, he's
36:22always been
36:22notoriously tough
36:23and rarely
36:24willing to
36:24collaborate.
36:25I went to
36:26his door three
36:27times and got
36:27rejected every
36:28time.
36:29I had to ask
36:30my father's
36:31former colleague
36:31from the
36:31Defense Department
36:32to make the
36:33introduction,
36:33using that kind
36:34of top-line
36:34connection to get
36:35you that $10
36:36million venture
36:36capital.
36:37Without me,
36:38who would have
36:38given your tiny
36:39startup which
36:40had nothing at
36:40the time,
36:41the time of
36:41day.
36:42All these
36:42years, Liam
36:43had been
36:44completely immersed
36:45in his own
36:45myth of building
36:46a business from
36:47scratch, priding
36:48himself on his
36:49achievements.
36:50A faint bitterness
36:51rose in my
36:52heart.
36:53Do you know why
36:54my father has
36:55never meddled in
36:56our family affairs
36:57or interfere in
36:58your career all
36:59these years we
36:59got Heman?
37:00Throughout his
37:01life, he has
37:03always adhered to
37:04his principles and
37:05acted with
37:06integrity.
37:07He can't bear
37:08the most, is
37:10watching his own
37:11daughter set
37:11aside all her
37:12pride and
37:13dignity, running
37:14around begging
37:15for favors and
37:16clinging to
37:16connections, just
37:18to help her
37:19husband get
37:19ahead.
37:20Every night he
37:21had stayed up
37:21battling through
37:22the grind, I
37:23had been there
37:23the whole time,
37:25silently supporting
37:26him.
37:26Back then, I
37:28always felt that
37:28as long as I
37:29could help him
37:29steady his
37:30career and hold
37:31together our
37:32little family, all
37:33the sacrifice was
37:34worth it.
37:35Liam opened his
37:35mouth as if to
37:36argue, but his
37:37throat tightened and
37:38he had no words.
37:39Did I orchestrate
37:40this scheme to
37:41trap you?
37:42Liam, without
37:44me, you're
37:45nothing.
37:48He collapsed
37:49weakly onto the
37:50floor, every shred
37:51of his arrogance
37:52and confidence
37:53dissolving in an
37:53instant.
37:54A moment later,
37:56Liam, utterly
37:56shattered, got to
37:58his feet.
37:58He stumbled
37:59toward the door,
38:00his back hunched
38:01and bent.
38:02As if he had
38:03aged ten years
38:04overnight.
38:05Just as he
38:05raised his hand to
38:06push the door
38:07open, a figure
38:08burst out suddenly
38:09from around the
38:10corner of the
38:10villa block and
38:11blocked his path
38:12with deadly
38:13determination.
38:13It was Sophia.
38:15So you two
38:16really got back
38:16together!
38:17Sophia's hair was
38:18disheveled, her
38:19eyes shot through
38:20with blood-red
38:21veins.
38:21Haggard and
38:22wretched, she
38:23had long since
38:24lost the polished,
38:25capable look she
38:26once wore.
38:27Seeing Liam walk
38:28out of my villa,
38:29she completely lost
38:30control of her
38:31emotions.
38:32screaming hysterically,
38:34Then what am I
38:35to you?
38:36What does our
38:36son Noah count
38:37for?
38:38Now I'm drowning
38:39in debt with
38:40nothing left!
38:42You turn around
38:43to cozy up to
38:45this woman?!
38:46Haven't you
38:46caused enough
38:47trouble?
38:48What happens
38:49between me and
38:49her is none
38:50of your business!
38:52Worry to
38:53try!
38:54You're the one
38:55who insisted on
38:56clinging to this.
38:56Ending up like
38:57this?
38:58You deserve it!
38:59Deserve it?!
39:01When I risked
39:02everything to
39:03give you a son,
39:03you didn't call
39:04me deserving
39:05back then!
39:06Now you want
39:06to go back
39:07and beg
39:07for her forgiveness
39:08and you're
39:08tossing us
39:09away like
39:10garbage?!
39:10Liam, let me
39:11tell you,
39:12don't you dare
39:13think you'll
39:13get away with
39:14it!
39:17her shouting
39:18grew louder
39:19and louder,
39:20drawing passers-by
39:21in the villa
39:21community to
39:22stop and watch,
39:23whispering among
39:24themselves.
39:25Liam's face
39:26cycled from
39:27ashen to
39:27pale.
39:28Wanting nothing
39:29more than to
39:29escape this
39:30farce, he gave
39:31Sophia a hard,
39:32impatient shove.
39:34Don't make
39:34unreasonable
39:35trouble here and
39:36disturb public
39:36order!
39:37That shove
39:38thoroughly ignited
39:39the despair and
39:40hatred that had
39:41been festering
39:41inside Sophia.
39:42She stared
39:43deathly at
39:44Liam's cold,
39:45merciless face
39:46and a crazed,
39:47ferocious
39:48ruthlessness
39:48suddenly surged
39:49in her eyes.
39:50Having completely
39:51lost all reason,
39:52she abruptly
39:53pulled a portable
39:54sharp knife from
39:55her handbag.
39:56If I can't
39:57have a good
39:57life, none
39:58of you will
39:59either!
40:02Sophia, don't
40:03do anything rash!
40:05But it was
40:05already too late.
40:06Sophia raised
40:07the knife high
40:08and stabbed it
40:09viciously into
40:10Liam's chest.
40:11Liam let out
40:12an agonized cry
40:13of pain.
40:13He collapsed
40:14to the ground,
40:15clutching the
40:15gushing wound
40:16tightly, the
40:17bright red blood
40:18instantly soaking
40:19through his
40:19light-colored
40:20shirt.
40:21In the very
40:21moment she
40:22struck, Sophia
40:23was also utterly
40:24stunned.
40:25She stood
40:26frozen in place,
40:27the knife clattering
40:28from her hand
40:28onto the ground.
40:30I calmly and
40:31immediately dialed
40:32emergency services
40:33and the police.
40:34Through the
40:35courtyard fence,
40:36I watched Liam's
40:37breathing grow
40:37weaker and weaker.
40:39He struggled to
40:40lift his eyes.
40:41All that was
40:42left in them
40:42was bone-deep
40:43remorse.
40:44His breath
40:44fading to a
40:45whisper, he
40:46murmured,
40:51Claire, I'm
40:52sorry.
40:54I truly, I
40:56truly, I'm
40:57so sorry for
40:58you.
40:59Those were the
40:59last words he
41:00ever spoke to
41:01me.
41:01Police cars and
41:02ambulances quickly
41:03arrived at the
41:04scene, but Liam
41:05had lost too much
41:06blood and succumbed
41:07to his injuries
41:08en route to the
41:08hospital.
41:09Sophia was
41:10arrested on the
41:11spot by police
41:11for intentional
41:12assault resulting
41:13in death.
41:14Years of tangled
41:15love and hatred
41:16ended at last in
41:17tragedy, one dead,
41:18the other behind
41:19bars.
41:20The bonds of love
41:21and entanglement
41:22that had bound us
41:23for 12 years were
41:24thus completely and
41:25utterly severed.
41:26I turned and went
41:27back inside the
41:28house, tightly
41:29embracing my
41:30daughter, who had
41:30rushed out upon
41:31hearing the
41:32commotion.
41:33Ava had just been
41:34startled awake from
41:35her sleep.
41:36Rubbing her drowsy
41:37eyes, she said
41:38softly, Mom, I
41:39think I heard
41:40dad's voice.
41:41I was silent for
41:42a moment, then
41:42spoke gently.
41:43Dad has gone to
41:44a place far, far
41:45away and he'll
41:46never come back.
41:48Ava, will you
41:50miss daddy?
41:50My daughter
41:51hesitated for a
41:52few seconds, then
41:53reached out and
41:54wrapped her arms
41:55tightly around my
41:56waist.
41:56Her voice was
41:57soft and sweet,
41:58yet utterly
41:59resolute.
42:00I don't.
42:01Actually, Ava
42:02understands everything.
42:04Daddy is a bad
42:05daddy.
42:05He loves his
42:06little brother
42:07more.
42:07I don't want
42:08daddy.
42:09I only want
42:10mommy and
42:10grandpa.
42:11I know.
42:12We only want
42:13each other and
42:14grandpa.
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