- 6 hours ago
My Father Is The Top Investor💖.Drama
Category
🎥
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.
00:07I'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.
00:21After 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.
00:41Mrs. 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. He 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,
00:57so I advanced a huge amount of money for comparance guarantees and I'm a cash flow exemplary tut.
01:01When 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.
01:19He made it clear, there have been no recent requests for any private financial transactions.
01:25The entire process is open and compliant.
01:29I'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, $140,000.
01:54And the details read, private birthday party all-inclusive package.
01:59Daddy 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.
02:15When 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.
02:24A 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.
02:53My daughter suddenly wrenched her hand free from mine and ran toward Liam.
02:57Daddy, the name up there is wrong!
03:00My 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.
03:21Where did this child come from?
03:23No manners at all.
03:24I rushed forward and scooped up my daughter.
03:27The moment I saw the blood beating on her scraped knee,
03:31rage, completely overpowered reason.
03:34Liam 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?
03:49Every single penny of this company was earned with me fighting by his side.
03:52Some people have been playing housewife for so long,
03:56they 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.
04:23I said angrily,
04:24Are you kidding me?
04:26Sophia is the mistress!
04:28This boy is the dirty little secret no one was supposed to know about!
04:31A few snickers rippled through the crowd.
04:34A 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,
04:46Liam 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?
04:59Liam finally spoke.
05:01Wearing a helpless smile, he turned to the guests.
05:04My 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.
05:14He then turned to look at me,
05:16his 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.
05:26I 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,
05:37Sophia 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?
05:59That'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.
06:36Caught completely off guard,
06:37I staggered back two steps,
06:39nearly falling down together with my daughter.
06:42Noah 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!
06:53You'll end up just like your mom,
06:56a servant assistant.
06:58The guests knocking laughter for even more patience.
07:02The young master has such ambition!
07:06Just then, several hotel waitstaff in uniform passed by carrying trays,
07:11and one of them was the front desk manager who had assisted me last time.
07:15When he saw me, he deliberately raised his voice and sent 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 but couldn't even get $500 out of her card.
07:27Told you, some people just love to put on airs,
07:30pretending to be a rich wife,
07:31and they have to slink off with their tail between their legs.
07:34Sophia's frivolous and went out of scum.
07:37Broke is a joke!
07:38Can't even scrape up $500?
07:40No surprise she's throwing a fit.
07:42The bare-bellied man Richard from earlier also swayed forward,
07:46his greasy gaze sizing up Ava and me,
07:48his tone frivolous.
07:51You have to admit that Nancy at Liam's place is 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,
08:02plus 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, the other guests laughed even harder.
08:13Richard, you're so generous!
08:14But seriously, isn't $3,000 a bit too much for someone like her?
08:20Sophia wrestled up to Liam and 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?
08:30Liam looked at me expressionlessly,
08:32as if I truly were a complete stranger.
08:35After everyone had laughed their fill,
08:37he finally spoke again,
08:39his 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 or I'll call security.
08:49Ava trembled even more violently in my arms.
08:51Her tiny hands clutched tightly at the hem of my clothes,
08:55and she buried her face against my chest,
08:57too afraid to look at those malicious faces.
09:01Mom, is it really like what they said?
09:03Hearing my daughter's terrified question,
09:06my heart ached so fiercely I could barely breathe.
09:09Twelve years of devotion and sacrifice,
09:12and what I got in return was being trampled and humiliated
09:15by 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,
09:30we were crammed into a run-down garage of 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
09:46and begged every single person I knew.
09:48I remember the day he signed his first million dollar contract.
09:52He excitedly spun me around in circles
09:54and then used that money to buy me a very expensive dress.
09:58I 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,
10:09and I became pregnant with Ava.
10:11Liam, out of concern for me,
10:12had me go home to rest and take care of the pregnancy in peace.
10:17From 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,
10:24I looked down at the old dress I was wearing,
10:26the one I had worn for three years.
10:28Meanwhile,
10:30Liam was in a sharp suit,
10:31and Sophia was draped head to toe in designer brands.
10:34The two of them stood together,
10:37basking in everyone's flattery,
10:38looking perfectly matched.
10:40And I was called the assistant,
10:42and no one even doubted it.
10:44Ma'am,
10:44I 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,
10:52at least don't embarrass the child.
10:54As Sophia spoke,
10:55she pulled a small stack of green bills
10:58out of her exquisite designer wallet.
10:59She held it out to me with utter arrogance.
11:02Durgar Zion, the Didawa Mansan.
11:05I 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
11:13than go see a psychiatrist
11:15and 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,
11:21Claire,
11:22what does it matter that 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,
11:31she 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,
11:45my 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.
11:57Liam glanced at me indifferently and commanded,
11:59Pick it up and hurry along.
12:00I was so enraged that I actually laughed.
12:04$2,000 trying to get rid of me?
12:06Liam,
12:08do you think back then
12:09your crappy garage company,
12:11what 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.
12:21If I want,
12:22I 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,
12:39and 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,
12:47if you dare call me an assistant again,
12:48I'll take you to court immediately.
12:50I'll make Hudson Technology
12:52vanish 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,
13:13he 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,
13:22and I could only claw helplessly at his wrist.
13:25Just when I thought I was truly going to die right there,
13:28Sophia 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.
13:42Tears 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.
14:03All right,
14:04don't be upset.
14:06Today 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,
14:42Liam as a father was always absent.
14:44My daughter and Noah share the same birthday.
14:47So 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,
14:55a 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?
15:06Am I just an unwanted child?
15:08I shook my head,
15:09but photos of them started playing on the screen,
15:11seeing several familiar backgrounds.
15:14I couldn't help but freeze.
15:16The 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,
15:33tightly embracing the date stamped on the photo,
15:36was the very same day Liam had been at the park
15:38with me and our daughter.
15:40Finally,
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.
15:52While I was still lost in shock,
15:54Noah suddenly rushed over,
15:57slapped Ava hard across the face,
15:59and shouted,
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.
16:19So her instinct was to hit back.
16:21But Sophia immediately grabbed hold of Ava's hands,
16:24squeezing her wrists forcefully,
16:26and scolded her harshly.
16:27Acting so insilent at such a young age,
16:31you truly lack manners and upbringing.
16:34Seeing my daughter restrained,
16:35Noah rushed forward at once
16:37and 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.
16:53Stop!
16:54Desperate,
16:55I 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?
17:01Noah's very sensible.
17:02He knows his limits.
17:03Nothing will happen.
17:04I had reached my breaking point
17:05and screamed almost hoarsely,
17:07Liam Hudson!
17:09That is your own daughter!
17:11How can you just stand by
17:12and watch others bully her?
17:14How can you be so heartless?
17:17But Noah's my son.
17:19But Noah's my son.
17:21His voice was very soft,
17:23yet 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.
17:31My daughter immediately doubled over in pain,
17:33her little face turning deathly pale.
17:36AVA!
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.
17:48Seeing 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,
18:00threw myself forward and 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,
18:17having been pushed away,
18:18knocked into a nearby table
18:20and 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
18:47suddenly 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,
18:59and his entire presence radiated a quiet,
19:02intimidating power.
19:03Flanking him were a bodyguard and a senior assistant.
19:06The pot-bellied Richard,
19:08who 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.
19:18Mr. Anderson,
19:19your 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,
19:29the 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,
19:46my tears finally burst forth uncontrollably.
19:49I called out through my sobs,
19:51Dad!
19:54Mr. Robert ignored Richard,
19:56who had rushed up to him first,
19:57and didn't even glance at Liam,
20:00whose face was as pale as paper.
20:02He walked straight through the crowd,
20:04and 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.
20:17The 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.
20:30Richard,
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.
20:39He 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,
20:47trying 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,
20:56that my daughter and grandbotter,
20:58are extorting money,
20:59and causing trouble?
21:02His gaze slowly swept over Liam and Sophia's arms,
21:06still tightly intertwined,
21:07and finally came to rest on Ava.
21:10His tone softened considerably.
21:12Ava,
21:13tell grandpa who hit you.
21:15Dad,
21:15let me explain.
21:16Things are not as you think.
21:18Ava,
21:18speak.
21:20Mr.
21:21Robert'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.
21:30Her little finger pointed first at Noah,
21:32still sniffling in Sophia's arms.
21:34Then at Sophia,
21:36tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.
21:38It was him.
21:40He 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,
21:48fine beads of cold sweat broke out on Liam's temples.
21:51He quietly pulled Richard aside,
21:53ducking away.
21:55Richard,
21:55is this really the newly director of the fine retroker department?
21:58Are you sure you've got the right person?
22:00Richard was now utterly terrified.
22:03He kept wiping the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief,
22:06his voice trembling.
22:07Absolutely.
22:08He invested in Google,
22:10Tesla.
22:10He's a titan of Silicon Valley.
22:12How could I be mistaken?
22:16This is really your father-in-law?
22:18Liam,
22:18you never told me you had such a big shot as a father-in-law.
22:21Why didn't you tell me?
22:22Her father is top Silicon Valley investor.
22:27How was I supposed to know?
22:29I thought he was just some reclusive retired old man
22:31who only goes fishing and 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,
22:42sheltered in Sophia's arms,
22:44had absolutely no inkling of how tense the atmosphere had become.
22:47He had just bumped his head
22:48and was already feeling full of grievance.
22:51Now,
22:51seeing this strange old man siding with Ava
22:54and even letting Ava tattle,
22:55his anger flared instantly.
22:58Hey,
22:59you old man!
23:00How dare you meddle in my business!
23:02Believe me,
23:03I'll have my dad call the security guards to throw you out!
23:07My dad is a billionaire!
23:11As he spoke,
23:12he even reached out his little hand to shove his father's leg,
23:15but the assistant swiftly stopped him with sharp reflexes.
23:18Sophia
23:19was 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 than a grimace onto her face.
23:30Please don't take it to heart, sir.
23:32The child is young and doesn't know what he's saying.
23:35Yes, Dad.
23:36He's just a little boy with no filter.
23:38Please don't hold it against him.
23:39It seems Mr. Hudson has a rather unique approach
23:42to disciplinating his child on a regular basis.
23:45But Noah was still struggling,
23:47making muffled sounds through the hand over his mouth,
23:50his eyes still glaring fiercely at Mr. Robert.
23:53Clearly, he didn't regard this old man as 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 on Mr. Robert's face,
24:18a surge of fury ignited within Liam.
24:20It's all thanks to the way you've raised your son!
24:23Look at what you've spoiled him into!
24:26Sophia's head was knocked sideways by the blow,
24:29her hair falling loose in disarray,
24:31and clear finger marks surfaced 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, don't you bear any responsibility
24:42for the way no one has turned out?
24:44Dad, it was this woman who seduced me.
24:46Noah only exists because of her careful scheme.
24:48You're a man too.
24:50What man doesn't make mistakes?
24:52But Claire has always been the one I truly love.
24:54From now on,
24:55I'll cut all ties completely with this mother and son.
24:58You promised me you'd divorce Claire!
25:00Now that your father-in-law is here,
25:02you want to kick us out?
25:04There's no way I'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 and divorced her!
25:13Crazy woman!
25:14How could I possibly divorce Claire for you?
25:16Don't even dream about it!
25:18You're so heartless.
25:20Liam, with you all these years,
25:22gave you a son and this is how you treat me?
25:25The two of them were completely heedless of the setting,
25:27tangled in an all-out brawl,
25:29the scene utterly unsightly.
25:31The surrounding guests watched in stunned disbelief.
25:38Some quietly took out their phones to record videos,
25:41while others stepped backward,
25:43afraid of getting caught in the fray.
25:45Noah's earlier arrogance had vanished entirely.
25:48He stood rooted to the spot, wailing loudly.
25:51Just as the two of them were locked in their ugly,
25:54inextricable fight,
25:55the doors of the banquet hall were pushed open once again.
25:58Several police officers in Los Angeles Police Department uniforms walked in.
26:02The lead officer scanned the room and asked in a deep voice.
26:06We received a report that someone here is suspected of intentional assault,
26:10child abuse,
26:11and disturbing public order.
26:14Who is Liam Hudson?
26:15Who is Sophia Miller?
26:17Liam and Sophia instantly froze in place.
26:20Liam frantically straightened his twisted tie.
26:22Officer, this is all a misunderstanding.
26:25Dad, please put in a good word for me.
26:27No amount of pleading will help.
26:29Misunderstanding or not,
26:30You're coming to the station with us,
26:33for investigation.
26:34Mister.
26:35Robert's assistant stepped forward,
26:36and said calmly,
26:39Officer, I'm the one who called the police.
26:40I'll cooperate and go back to give a full statement.
26:43Fully cooperate with the police investigation.
26:45Submit all collected evidence,
26:46truthfully and completely,
26:47leaving nothing out.
26:51Under the shocked stares of the entire banquet of guests,
26:55Liam and Sophia were handcuffed,
26:57and taken away.
26:58Noah stood there where he was,
27:00his face smeared with tears and snot.
27:03But he no longer dared to cry or throw a tantrum.
27:06He just stood there timidly,
27:07like an abandoned child.
27:09Off to the side,
27:10Richard remembered his own earlier behavior,
27:12how he had jeered and mocked me so brazenly,
27:15and his face instantly turned ashen as death.
27:18He hunched over and bowed his head in utter terror,
27:21apologizing profusely with deep regret.
27:23Mrs. Hurtson,
27:25my previous words and actions were rude and offensive.
27:28I sincerely ask for your forgiveness.
27:31All those disrespectful remarks were my fault.
27:33It was my lack of insight and failure to see the truth.
27:37Watching him grovel with the tide like this,
27:39I felt nothing but disgust.
27:41I turned my face away,
27:43unwilling to look any longer.
27:45My father merely cast him a cold glance,
27:47then carefully took Ava from my arms.
27:49His eyes were filled with heartache.
27:51Ava, be good.
27:54Grandpa is taking you to the hospital for a checkup and treatment.
28:01After a few days of quiet recuperation in the hospital,
28:05Ava's complexion improved considerably,
28:07but her spirit was still somewhat listless.
28:10She would often startle awake from nightmares,
28:12so I stayed at the hospital with her the whole time.
28:15In this sordid drama,
28:17all the blame had been pinned on Sophia.
28:19Liam did not bear the primary responsibility
28:22and was quickly bailed out of jail before long.
28:25Soon after,
28:26Liam appeared at the door of the hospital room,
28:28carrying an exquisite fruit basket
28:30and a bouquet of Ava's favorite pale pink daisies.
28:33He was wearing a simple shirt and trousers,
28:36with a shadow of bluish stubble on his chin
28:38and prominent dark circles under his eyes,
28:41his whole appearance considerably haggard.
28:43He stood at the doorway,
28:45his voice carrying a cautious, testing tone.
28:47Honey, Ava, I've come to see you.
28:51Ava, who had been leaning against me reading a book,
28:54saw Liam,
28:55and her eyes flickered faintly.
28:57She called out softly.
29:00I could see clearly that in her heart,
29:02my daughter still longed for fatherly love.
29:09Even after being hurt,
29:10she hadn't completely let it go.
29:12As if granted redemption,
29:14Liam immediately walked into the room
29:16and placed the flowers in Ava's hands.
29:18Do you like it, sweetie?
29:20Daddy has always remembered.
29:22Your favorite flowers are light pink daisies.
29:25Ava took the flowers and nodded lightly,
29:27but her eyes were full of evasiveness,
29:29tinged with unmistakable timidity.
29:31I didn't know what you'd like, so...
29:34I also bought your favorite mango pudding,
29:37the signature dessert from that trendy sweet shop
29:39you always go to.
29:41Claire, it's your favorite flavor, too.
29:43I sat quietly to the side,
29:45not uttering a single word.
29:46The damage from that day
29:48had nearly upended my daughter's entire worldview.
29:51I didn't want to provoke her further
29:52and could only remain silent for the time being.
29:55Over the following half month,
29:57Liam came to the hospital on time
29:59every single day to visit.
30:01Sometimes he brought carefully prepared meals,
30:04sometimes new toys,
30:05and sometimes he would just sit quietly by the bedside,
30:09chatting with Ava to cheer her up.
30:11He never once mentioned Sophia or Noah,
30:13as if that unbearable, ugly farce had never happened.
30:17Seeing that I showed no obvious resistance,
30:20Liam grew bolder.
30:21He probed gently.
30:23Claire, I know I've made unforgivable mistakes.
30:25Please, for Ava's sake,
30:27give me another chance to turn over a new sheaf, will you?
30:32With Ava right beside us,
30:34I gave no response,
30:36simply lowering my head
30:37and quietly peeling an apple in silence.
30:40My silence gave Liam a glimmer of hope.
30:43Starting the next day,
30:44rare and expensive flowers,
30:47haute couture clothing,
30:48and designer jewelry poured into the hospital room
30:50in an endless stream,
30:52piling up in every corner.
30:53I accepted every single item
30:55without the slightest hesitation.
30:57By the time Ava was discharged from the hospital,
31:00Liam showed up holding two exclusive invitations
31:03to a top-tier fashion show,
31:05his eyes earnest and tinged with excitement.
31:08Claire, do you remember
31:09when I landed my first business order?
31:13I bought you your first affordable luxury dress.
31:16Back then I told you,
31:17once I made it big,
31:19I'd book the entire fashion show
31:21and give you every haute couture gown.
31:23Now, this show is specially prepared for you.
31:26It wasn't that he was incapable
31:27of being thoughtful and considerate,
31:29nor that he had forgotten 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 and unruffled.
31:40Liam,
31:42do you really think doing all this
31:43can erase all the hurt
31:45and make up for everything?
31:46He immediately stepped forward
31:47and clutched my hand,
31:49urgent and earnest.
31:50Claire,
31:51I know this is far from enough,
31:52but I'm willing to spend the rest of my life
31:54making it up to you and Ava.
31:56I'll completely cut off all ties with Sophia
31:59and arrange for her and her son to go abroad.
32:01They will never come had to disturb our lives as anyone.
32:07Just as he was envisioning the future
32:09with a heart full of hope,
32:10I directly pulled out a divorce agreement
32:13I had long since drafted
32:14and placed it in front of him.
32:16The moment Liam saw the agreement,
32:18the invitations in his hand fell to the ground.
32:21He stared at me blankly.
32:22Nobody can go through life without making mistakes.
32:25I was just confused for a moment.
32:28Claire, do you have to be so heartless?
32:30Let's part on good terms
32:31and not make things awkward for each other in the end.
32:34Liam quickly scanned the contents of the agreement,
32:36and his face instantly turned ashen and contorted.
32:40Claire, you're so heartless.
32:41Why should I have to give up
32:42the vast majority of my property and assets?
32:44Then see you in court.
32:45Liam took a deep breath,
32:46suppressing the fury rising in his heart.
32:48I can give you all the family assets,
32:50but not the company.
32:51This is the enterprise I 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 all back at full market price.
32:59I looked at him,
33:00my words deeply meaningful.
33:02Okay.
33:03Lander, you recover all the dze chance
33:05at the Wendigan Sophia and her Urzen Express.
33:08I will never interfere with your company.
33:12Liam agreed on the spot,
33:14and his execution was swift.
33:16The very next day,
33:17he retained a top-tier law firm
33:19and formally filed a lawsuit against Sophia,
33:22demanding the return of all property
33:24gifted to her during the marriage.
33:26In the courtroom,
33:27Sophia's face was streaked with tears.
33:30She sobbed emotionally,
33:32making every possible excuse.
33:34All the money was voluntarily paid by Liam
33:36as living expenses and child support,
33:38which constitute voluntary gifts
33:40and do not need to be returned.
33:42Over the years,
33:43the total value of the property
33:45Liam had lavished on
33:46and gifted to Sophia and Noah
33:48amounted to $3 million.
33:50In the end,
33:51the court ruled that Sophia must return $140,000.
33:56Although not all the money was recovered,
33:58this sum was enough to completely bankrupt her
34:01and leave her with nothing.
34:03The moment the verdict was handed down,
34:06Sophia completely lost control in the courtroom,
34:09screaming hysterically.
34:13Liam!
34:14Liam!
34:14You are cold and heartless
34:16with no trace of affection!
34:20I worked hard by your side for years,
34:23gave you a son,
34:24and this is how cruelly you treat me?
34:26These things were never yours to begin with.
34:28Walking out of the courthouse,
34:30Liam quickly caught up to me,
34:31a trace of hope and wishful thinking in his eyes.
34:35Claire,
34:36I've made up my mind.
34:37I can't lose you and Ava.
34:39I'll spend the rest of my life proving my sincerity.
34:42Just give me one more chance.
34:45All right.
34:46We'll talk after you've got the company running smoothly.
34:49Not long after,
34:50Liam still showed up at my door.
34:52This time,
34:53his eyes were bloodshot,
34:54his hair a disheveled mess.
34:56The spirited air of a Silicon Valley young entrepreneur
34:59had been completely stripped away,
35:01leaving him looking utterly wretched and defeated.
35:04Claire!
35:05Was this your scheme all along?
35:07I've already returned all of Sophia's money
35:09and given you all the marital assets as you demanded.
35:13Why won't you just let me go?
35:15The company has recently lost three key clients in a row.
35:18All our partners have annually terminated cooperation
35:19without even giving a reason.
35:20No thanks to Wall Street banks we worked
35:22have thrown light tight in all sedent lines
35:23and are completely squeezing our subent len.
35:26You've pushed me a boopy dead in Ted's end.
35:28You determined to drive a corner with no way out.
35:32Take a good look.
35:34Every major client and every core investment
35:36that has kept you standing in Silicon Valley all these years,
35:38who do you think has been paving the way behind the scenes?
35:41If I didn't win them on my own merit,
35:44what, you handed them to me as charity?
35:45Claire, don't go too far.
35:47Sure, you have a father in a high position,
35:49but Hudson Technology?
35:51I built it myself working countless nights.
35:54Do you remember that first lifeline order
35:56in the early days of the company?
35:58You always thought it was because
35:59your business proposal brilliant enough, didn't you?
36:02That was my uncle's longtime business friend.
36:05Back then, to secure that opportunity,
36:08I went to their door every day for a month,
36:11herding favor with their family
36:12and swallowing all my pride
36:15just to buy you a lifeline for your startup.
36:17And what about Mr. White,
36:18the company's biggest venture partner?
36:20In Silicon Valley circles,
36:22he's always been notoriously tough
36:23and rarely willing to collaborate.
36:25I went to his door three times
36:27and got rejected every time.
36:29I had to ask my father's former colleague
36:31from the defense department
36:32to make the introduction
36:33using that kind of top-line connection
36:35to get you that $10 million venture capital.
36:37Without me,
36:38who would have given your tiny startup
36:40which had nothing at the time,
36:41the time of day?
36:42All these years,
36:43Liam had been completely immersed
36:45in his own myth of building a business from scratch,
36:48priding himself on his achievements,
36:50a faint bitterness rose in my heart.
36:53Do you know why my father
36:55has never meddled in our family affairs
36:57or interfere in your career
36:59all these years we got Heman?
37:00Throughout his life,
37:02he has always adhered to his principles
37:04and acted with integrity.
37:07He can't bear the most
37:09is watching his own daughter
37:11set aside all her pride and dignity,
37:14running around begging for favors
37:16and clinging to connections
37:18just to help her husband get ahead.
37:20Every night he had stayed up
37:21battling through the grind.
37:23I had been there the whole time,
37:25silently supporting him.
37:27Back then,
37:28I always felt that as long as I could help him
37:30steady his career
37:31and hold together our little family,
37:33all the sacrifice was worth it.
37:35Liam opened his mouth as if to argue,
37:37but his throat tightened
37:38and he had no words.
37:39Did I orchestrate this scheme
37:41to trap you?
37:42Liam,
37:44without me,
37:45you're nothing.
37:48He collapsed weakly onto the floor,
37:51every shred of his arrogance
37:52and confidence dissolving in an instant.
37:54A moment later,
37:56Liam,
37:56utterly shattered,
37:58got to his feet.
37:59He stumbled toward the door,
38:00his back hunched and bent,
38:02as if he had aged 10 years overnight.
38:04Just as he raised his hand
38:06to push the door open,
38:08a figure burst out suddenly
38:09from around the corner of the villa block
38:11and blocked his path
38:12with deadly determination.
38:14It was Sophia.
38:15So you two really got back together?
38:17Sophia's hair was disheveled.
38:19Her eyes shot through
38:20with blood-red veins.
38:22Haggard and wretched,
38:23she had long since lost
38:24the polished,
38:25capable look she once wore.
38:27Seeing Liam walk out of my villa,
38:29she completely lost control
38:31of her emotions,
38:32screaming hysterically,
38:33Liam!
38:34Then what am I to you?
38:36What does our son Noah count for?
38:38Now I'm drowning in debt
38:40with nothing left.
38:42You turn around
38:44to cozy up to this woman?
38:46Haven't you caused enough trouble?
38:48What happens between me and her
38:50is none of your business.
38:52Where are you to try?
38:55You're the one who insisted
38:56on clinging to this.
38:57Ending up like this?
38:58You deserve it.
38:59Deserve it?
39:01When I risked everything
39:02to give you a son,
39:04you didn't call me deserving back then.
39:06Now you want to go back
39:07and beg for her forgiveness
39:08and you're tossing us away
39:10like garbage?
39:11Liam, let me tell you,
39:12don't you dare think
39:13you'll get away with it!
39:17Her shouting grew louder and louder,
39:20drawing passers-by in the villa community
39:22to stop and watch,
39:24whispering among themselves.
39:25Liam's face cycled from ashen to pale.
39:28Wanting nothing more than to escape this farce,
39:31he gave Sophia a hard, impatient shove.
39:34Don't make unreasonable trouble here
39:36and disturb public order!
39:37That shove thoroughly ignited
39:39the despair and hatred
39:41that had been festering inside Sophia.
39:43She stared deathly
39:44at Liam's cold, merciless face
39:46and a crazed, ferocious ruthlessness
39:49suddenly surged in her eyes.
39:51Having completely lost all reason,
39:53she abruptly pulled a portable sharp knife
39:55from her handbag.
39:56If I can't have a good life,
39:58none of you will either!
40:02Sophia, don't do anything rash!
40:05But it was already too late.
40:07Sophia raised the knife high
40:08and stabbed it viciously
40:10into Liam's chest.
40:11Liam let out an agonized cry of pain.
40:14He collapsed to the ground,
40:15clutching the gushing wound tightly,
40:17the bright red blood instantly soaking
40:19through his light-colored shirt.
40:21In the very moment she struck,
40:23Sophia was also utterly stunned.
40:25She stood frozen in place,
40:27the knife clattering from her hand
40:29onto the ground.
40:30I calmly and immediately dialed
40:32emergency services and the police.
40:35Through the courtyard fence,
40:36I watched Liam's breathing grow weaker
40:38and weaker.
40:39He struggled to lift his eyes.
40:41All that was left in them
40:42was bone-deep remorse.
40:44His breath fading to a whisper,
40:46he murmured,
40:58those were the last words
41:00he ever spoke to me.
41:01Police cars and ambulances
41:03quickly arrived at the scene,
41:05but Liam had lost too much blood
41:06and succumbed to his injuries
41:08en route to the hospital.
41:09Sophia was arrested on the spot
41:11by police for intentional assault
41:13resulting in death.
41:14Years of tangled love and hatred
41:16ended at last in tragedy,
41:18one dead,
41:19the other behind bars.
41:20The bonds of love and entanglement
41:22that had bound us for 12 years
41:24were thus completely and utterly severed.
41:26I turned and went back inside the house,
41:29tightly embracing my daughter,
41:30who had rushed out upon hearing the commotion.
41:33Ava had just been startled awake
41:35from her sleep.
41:36Rubbing her drowsy eyes,
41:38she said softly,
41:39Mom, I think I heard Dad's voice.
41:41I was silent for a moment,
41:42then spoke gently.
41:44Dad has gone to a place far, far away
41:46and he'll never come back.
41:49Ava, will you miss Daddy?
41:51My daughter hesitated for a few seconds,
41:53then reached out and wrapped her arms
41:55tightly around my waist.
41:56Her voice was soft and sweet,
41:59yet utterly resolute.
42:00I don't.
42:02Actually, Ava understands everything.
42:04Daddy is a bad daddy.
42:05He loves his little brother more.
42:07I don't want Daddy.
42:09I only want Mommy and Grandpa.
42:12I know.
42:13We only want each other and Grandpa.
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