- 4 hours ago
After My Husband Cheated, I Left Him with Nothing Episode Golden Scene Media
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.
00:06I'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.
00:21After 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.
00:40Mrs. 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 temporarily 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.
01:29I'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.
02:23A 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.
02:53My 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,
04:46Liam 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.
05:00Wearing 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.
05:14He then turned to look at me,
05:15his 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!
06:32He 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!
06:53You'll end up just like your mom,
06:56a servant assistant.
06:58The guests knocking on the door
07:00for an even more person.
07:02The young master has such ambition!
07:05Just then,
07:06several hotel waitstaff in uniform
07:08passed by carrying trays,
07:10and one of them
07:11was the front desk manager
07:13who had assisted me last time.
07:15When he saw me,
07:16he deliberately raised his voice
07:18and 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
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.
07:34Sophie's frivolous 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,
07:46his greasy gaze sizing up Ava and me,
07:48his tone frivolous.
07:50You 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.
08:07Pretty 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 wrestled 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,
08:32as 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.
08:40Claire, 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,
08:54and 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,
09:06my heart ached so fiercely
09:07I could barely breathe.
09:0912 years of devotion and sacrifice,
09:12and what I got in return
09:13was 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,
09:29we 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,
09:59and in the end,
10:01I never told him that the big client
10:03was actually a long-time business partner
10:05of my uncle.
10:06Later, the company gradually got on track,
10:08and I became pregnant with Ava.
10:10Liam, out of concern for me,
10:12had 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
10:21the life of a princess.
10:22But now, I looked down
10:24at 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
10:33in designer brands.
10:34The two of them stood together,
10:36basking in everyone's flattery,
10:38looking perfectly matched.
10:39And 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
10:47already 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-Dawamanshan.
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,
11:13then 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?
11:23The 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.
11:34The bills smacked across my face
11:37and scattered all over the floor.
11:39Sophia smiled without a trace of apology,
11:42her gaze condescending.
11:43Sorry, my hand slipped.
11:46The pot-bellied vice president
11:47immediately 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,
11:58Pick 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,
12:07do 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
12:16and this illegitimate child over the years
12:19is our marital property.
12:20If I want,
12:21I can take it all back.
12:23That'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
12:32on being the original wife.
12:34But Liam was clearly hit where it hurt.
12:36His 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,
12:44if 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.
13:14His grip grew tighter and tighter,
13:16and 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.
13:30Liam,
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
13:46made me understand in that instant,
13:48his 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.
14:19The timed projector flickered on,
14:21and 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.
14:29His birth,
14:30his first birthday,
14:31his first day of school.
14:33All were recorded,
14:35and in every single one,
14:37Liam and Sophia were there by his side.
14:39Yet in my daughter Ava's life,
14:41Liam as a father was 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.
14:56So you say he's your father?
14:58Then take out the photo and let us see.
15:01Mom,
15:02does 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,
15:17the two of them cheek to cheek,
15:19intimately.
15:20I 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.
15:31Liam 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, I 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.
15:56Slapped Ava hard across the face
15:58and shouted,
15:59Because your mom isn't among the top
16:02where and 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,
16:13and at an age where children
16:15are 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,
16:23squeezing her wrists forcefully,
16:25and scolded her harshly.
16:27Acting so insilent at such a young age,
16:30you truly lack manners and upbringing.
16:33Seeing my daughter restrained,
16:35Noah rushed forward at once
16:36and began kicking and hitting her.
16:38Children strike without any sense of restraint,
16:41and soon bruises and marks
16:43appeared all over my daughter's body.
16:44She 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.
17:02Nothing will happen.
17:03I had reached my breaking point
17:05and screamed almost hoarsely,
17:07Liam Hudson, that is your own daughter!
17:10How can you just stand by
17:12and watch others bully her?
17:13How can you be so heartless?
17:16But Noah's my son.
17:19But Noah's my son.
17:20His voice was very soft,
17:22yet every word pierced my heart like a blade.
17:25But Noah is my son.
17:27Just then, Noah kicked Ava viciously in the stomach.
17:30My daughter immediately doubled over in pain,
17:33her little face turning deathly pale.
17:35AVA!
17:36I shrieked, my heart nearly stopping.
17:39Ava 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
17:50and 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 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.
18:12Mommy, it hurt so much.
18:16Noah, having 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!
18:27Our Noah is going to inherit
18:29the 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, how could you be so vicious?
18:39Liam couldn't hold back and raised his hand.
18:42Just 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.
18:49A middle-aged man in a dark, bespoke suit,
18:53exuding an aura of commanding authority,
18:55strode in.
18:56His eyes were razor sharp,
18:58and his entire presence radiated a quiet,
19:01intimidating power.
19:03Flanking him were a bodyguard and a senior assistant.
19:05The pot-bellied Richard,
19:07who had made those insolent remarks to me earlier,
19:10instantly switched to a fawning expression.
19:13He trotted over to greet the newcomer,
19:15bowing and scraping obsequiously.
19:17Mr. Anderson,
19:18your presence here is a true honor
19:20for the entire banquet.
19:22Liam, come over here.
19:23Let me introduce you.
19:25This is Silicon Valley's top angel investor,
19:28the lead investor in the tech company's first round,
19:30Mr. Robert Anderson!
19:32Liam stared at the newcomer in utter disbelief,
19:35his face instantly turning deathly pale.
19:38Father-in-law?
19:41Holding my injured daughter in my arms
19:43and gazing at that familiar face,
19:45my tears finally burst forth uncontrollably.
19:48I called out through my sobs.
19:50Dad!
19:53Mr. Robert ignored Richard,
19:55who 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
20:03and stopped in front of me.
20:05When his eyes fell on Ava in my arms,
20:07her 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
20:18seemed to plummet to freezing in an instant.
20:21What's going on here?
20:23His voice was not loud,
20:24but 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,
20:32was now drenched in sweat,
20:34the back of his shirt soaked through
20:36with cold perspiration.
20:38He stammered,
20:39trying to explain.
20:40Mr. Anderson,
20:41this is all a misunderstanding.
20:42This mother and daughter
20:43are Liam's household elders.
20:45They came to Noah's birthday party
20:46trying to extort money
20:47and cause bus blanks,
20:48and I'm so embarrassed
20:49that you have to see this.
20:50And next time you come,
20:50please your assistant notify me in advance,
20:52and I'll suddenly pick you up at the airport.
20:54Are you saying
20:55that my daughter and grandbotter
20:57are extorting money
20:59and causing trouble?
21:01His gaze slowly swept over Liam
21:04and Sophia's arms
21:05still tightly intertwined
21:06and finally came to rest on Ava.
21:09His tone softened considerably.
21:11Ava,
21:12tell grandpa who hit you.
21:14Dad, let me explain.
21:16Things are not as you think.
21:17Ava,
21:18speak.
21:19Mr.
21:20Robert's tone was firm
21:21and brooked no argument,
21:23giving Liam no chance
21:25to defend himself whatsoever.
21:26Ava timidly peeked out from my arms.
21:29Her little finger pointed first at Noah,
21:31still sniffling in Sophia's arms.
21:33Then 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
21:48broke out on Liam's temples.
21:50He quietly pulled Richard aside,
21:53ducking away.
21:54Richard,
21:55is this really the newly director
21:56of the fine patroker department?
21:57Are you sure you've got the right person?
22:00Richard was now utterly terrified.
22:02He kept wiping the sweat
22:03from his forehead with a handkerchief,
22:05his voice trembling.
22:07Absolutely.
22:07He invested in Google,
22:09Tesla.
22:09He's a titan of Silicon Valley.
22:11How could I be mistaken?
22:15This,
22:16this is really your father-in-law?
22:17Liam,
22:18you never told me
22:18you had such a big shot
22:19as a father-in-law.
22:20Why didn't you tell me
22:22her father's top Silicon Valley investor?
22:27How was I supposed to know?
22:28I thought he was just
22:29some reclusive retired old man
22:30who only goes fishing
22:31and reads books every day.
22:32He never talks about
22:33who he really is.
22:35And he rarely asked
22:36about Claire's affairs,
22:37so I assumed.
22:38I thought.
22:39While the two were still whispering,
22:41Noah,
22:42sheltered in Sophia's arms,
22:43had absolutely no inkling
22:45of how tense
22:45the atmosphere had become.
22:46He had just bumped his head
22:48and was already feeling
22:49full of grievance.
22:50Now,
22:51seeing this strange old man
22:52siding with Ava
22:53and 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
23:03call the security guards
23:05to throw you out!
23:06My dad is a billionaire!
23:10As he spoke,
23:11he even reached out
23:12his little hand
23:13to shove his father's leg,
23:14but the assistant
23:15swiftly stopped him
23:16with sharp reflexes.
23:18Sophia,
23:18was scared out of her wits.
23:20She rushed forward
23:21in a panic,
23:22wrapped her arms around Noah,
23:24and clamped her hand
23:24tightly over his mouth,
23:26forcing a smile
23:27that was worse
23:27than a grimace
23:28onto her face.
23:30Please don't take it
23:31to heart, sir.
23:31The child is young
23:32and doesn't know
23:33what he's saying.
23:34Yes, dad.
23:35He's just a little boy
23:36with no filter.
23:37Please don't hold it
23:38against him.
23:39It seems Mr. Hudson
23:40has a rather unique approach
23:42to disciplinating his child
23:43on a regular basis.
23:45But Noah was still struggling,
23:47making muffled sounds
23:48through the hand
23:49over his mouth,
23:50his eyes still glaring
23:51fiercely at Mr. Robert.
23:53Clearly,
23:53he didn't regard
23:54this old man
23:55as anyone important
23:56at all.
23:58Sophia,
23:58frantic,
23:59secretly pinched his arm
24:01several times
24:01before he finally
24:02settled down a little,
24:03yet he still kept
24:04his neck stiff,
24:06wearing a defiant,
24:07unyielding expression.
24:11Seeing his son's
24:12reckless arrogance
24:13and catching the
24:14increasingly cold look
24:16on Mr. Robert's face,
24:17a surge of fury
24:18ignited within Liam.
24:20It's all thanks
24:21to the way
24:21you've raised your son!
24:22Look at what
24:23you've spoiled him into!
24:25Sophia's head
24:26was knocked sideways
24:27by the blow,
24:28her hair falling loose
24:29in disarray,
24:30and clear finger marks
24:32surfaced on her face.
24:33She covered her face
24:34in disbelief,
24:35her eyes instantly reddening.
24:37Liam Hudson,
24:38you actually hit me?
24:39Ask yourself,
24:40don't you bear
24:41any responsibility
24:41for the way
24:42no one has turned out?
24:43Dad,
24:43it was this woman
24:44who seduced me.
24:45Noah only exists
24:46because of her
24:46careful scheme.
24:48You're a man too.
24:49What man doesn't
24:50make mistakes?
24:51But Claire has always
24:52been the one
24:53I truly love.
24:54From now on,
24:54I'll cut all ties
24:55completely with this
24:56mother and son.
24:57You promised me
24:58you'd divorce Claire!
24:59Now that your
25:00father-in-law is here,
25:01you want to kick us out?
25:03There's no way
25:04I'm letting this go!
25:05So what if her dad
25:07is a big shot?
25:08You're a wealthy boss too.
25:09Take this opportunity,
25:10they everything out
25:11on the table
25:11and divorced her!
25:12Crazy woman!
25:13How could I possibly
25:14divorce Claire for you?
25:16Don't even dream about it!
25:17You're so heartless.
25:19Liam,
25:20with you all these years,
25:21gave you a son
25:22and this is how
25:23you treat me?
25:24Liam, Liam!
25:24The two of them were
25:25completely heedless
25:26of the setting,
25:27tangled in an all-out brawl,
25:29the scene utterly unsightly.
25:31The surrounding guests
25:32watched in stunned disbelief.
25:37Some quietly took out
25:39their phones
25:39to record videos,
25:40while others
25:41stepped backward,
25:42afraid of getting
25:43caught in the fray.
25:44Noah's earlier arrogance
25:45had vanished entirely.
25:47He stood rooted
25:48to the spot,
25:49wailing loudly.
25:50Just as the two of them
25:52were locked in their
25:52ugly,
25:53inextricable fight,
25:54the doors of the banquet
25:56hall were pushed open
25:57once again.
25:57Several police officers
25:59in Los Angeles
26:00Police Department
26:00uniforms walked in.
26:02The lead officer
26:03scanned the room
26:04and asked in a deep voice,
26:05We received a report
26:06that someone here
26:07is suspected of
26:08intentional assault,
26:09child abuse,
26:11and disturbing
26:11public order.
26:13Who is Liam Hudson?
26:14Who is Sophia Miller?
26:16Liam and Sophia
26:17instantly froze in place.
26:19Liam frantically
26:20straightened his
26:20twisted tie.
26:22Officer,
26:22this is all
26:23a misunderstanding.
26:24Dad,
26:25please put in
26:25a good word for me.
26:26No amount of pleading
26:27will help.
26:29Misunderstanding or not,
26:30you're coming to the
26:31station with us
26:32for investigation.
26:33Mister.
26:34Robert's assistant
26:35stepped forward
26:36and said calmly,
26:38Officer,
26:38I'm the one
26:38who called the police.
26:39I'll cooperate
26:40and go back
26:41to give a full statement.
26:42Fully cooperate
26:43with the police investigation,
26:44submit all collected
26:45evidence truthfully
26:46and completely,
26:47leaving nothing out.
26:51Under the shocked
26:52stares of the entire
26:53banquet of guests,
26:54Liam and Sophia
26:55were handcuffed
26:56and taken away.
26:58Noah stood there
26:59where he was,
26:59his face smeared
27:00with tears and snot,
27:02but he no longer
27:03dared to cry
27:04or throw a tantrum.
27:05He just stood there
27:06timidly,
27:07like an abandoned child.
27:08Off to the side,
27:10Richard remembered
27:10his own earlier behavior,
27:12how he had jeered
27:13and mocked me
27:13so brazenly,
27:14and his face
27:15instantly turned
27:16ashen as death.
27:17He hunched over
27:18and bowed his head
27:19in utter terror,
27:20apologizing profusely
27:22with deep regret.
27:23Mrs. Hurtson,
27:24my previous words
27:25and actions
27:25were rude
27:26and offensive.
27:27I sincerely ask
27:29for your forgiveness.
27:30All those disrespectful
27:31remarks were my fault.
27:33It was my lack of insight
27:34and failure
27:35to see the truth.
27:36Watching him grovel
27:37with the tide like this,
27:38I felt nothing
27:39but disgust.
27:40I turned my face away,
27:42unwilling to look
27:43any longer.
27:44My father merely
27:45cast him a cold glance,
27:46then carefully took
27:47Ava from my arms.
27:49His eyes were filled
27:50with heartache.
27:50Ava,
27:51be good.
27:52Grandpa
27:54is taking you
27:55to the hospital
27:56for a checkup
27:56and treatment.
28:00After a few days
28:01of quiet recuperation
28:03in the hospital,
28:04Ava's complexion
28:05improved considerably,
28:06but her spirit
28:07was still somewhat listless.
28:09She would often
28:10startle awake
28:10from nightmares,
28:12so I stayed at the hospital
28:13with her the whole time.
28:14In this sordid drama,
28:16all the blame
28:17had been pinned
28:17on Sophia.
28:19Liam did not bear
28:20the primary responsibility
28:21and was quickly bailed
28:22out of jail
28:23before long.
28:24Soon after,
28:25Liam appeared
28:26at the door
28:26of the hospital room,
28:27carrying an exquisite
28:28fruit basket
28:29and a bouquet
28:30of Ava's favorite
28:31pale pink daisies.
28:32He was wearing
28:33a simple shirt
28:34and trousers,
28:35with a shadow
28:36of bluish stubble
28:37on his chin
28:37and prominent dark circles
28:39under his eyes,
28:40his whole appearance
28:41considerably haggard.
28:42He stood at the doorway,
28:44his voice carrying
28:45a cautious,
28:46testing tone.
28:47Honey,
28:48Ava,
28:49I've come to see you.
28:50Ava,
28:51who had been leaning
28:52against me reading a book,
28:53saw Liam,
28:54and her eyes flickered faintly.
28:56She called out softly.
28:59I could see clearly
29:00that in her heart,
29:02my daughter still longed
29:03for fatherly love.
29:08Even after being hurt,
29:09she hadn't completely
29:10let it go.
29:11As if granted redemption,
29:13Liam immediately
29:14walked into the room
29:15and placed the flowers
29:16in Ava's hands.
29:17Do you like it, sweetie?
29:19Daddy has always remembered.
29:21Your favorite flowers
29:22are light pink daisies.
29:24Ava took the flowers
29:25and nodded lightly,
29:26but her eyes
29:27were full of evasiveness,
29:28tinged with
29:29unmistakable timidity.
29:30I didn't know
29:31what you'd like,
29:32so I also bought
29:34your favorite mango pudding,
29:36the signature dessert
29:37from that trendy
29:38sweet shop you always go to.
29:40Claire,
29:40it's your favorite flavor, too.
29:41I sat quietly to the side,
29:44not uttering a single word.
29:45The damage from that day
29:47had nearly upended
29:48my daughter's entire worldview.
29:50I didn't want to provoke her further
29:52and could only remain silent
29:53for the time being.
29:55Over the following half month,
29:57Liam came to the hospital
29:58on time every single day
29:59to visit.
30:00Sometimes he brought
30:01carefully prepared meals,
30:03sometimes new toys,
30:04and sometimes he would just
30:06sit quietly by the bedside,
30:08chatting with Ava
30:09to cheer her up.
30:09He never once mentioned Sophia
30:11or Noah,
30:12as if that unbearable,
30:14ugly farce
30:15had never happened.
30:16Seeing that I showed
30:17no obvious resistance,
30:19Liam grew bolder.
30:20He probed gently.
30:22Claire,
30:22I know I've made
30:23unforgivable mistakes.
30:24Please,
30:25for Ava's sake,
30:26give me another chance
30:27to turn over a new sheaf,
30:28will you?
30:31With Ava right beside us,
30:33I gave no response,
30:35simply lowering my head
30:36and quietly peeling
30:37an apple in silence.
30:38My silence gave Liam
30:40a glimmer of hope.
30:42Starting the next day,
30:43rare and expensive flowers,
30:46haute couture clothing,
30:47and designer jewelry
30:48poured into the hospital room
30:49in an endless stream,
30:51piling up in every corner.
30:52I accepted every single item
30:54without the slightest hesitation.
30:56By the time Ava was discharged
30:58from the hospital,
30:59Liam showed up holding
31:00two exclusive invitations
31:02to a top-tier fashion show,
31:04his eyes earnest
31:05and tinged with excitement.
31:06Claire,
31:08do you remember
31:09when I landed
31:09my first business order?
31:12I bought you
31:12your first
31:13affordable luxury dress.
31:15Back then,
31:16I told you,
31:17once I made it big,
31:18I'd book the entire
31:19fashion show
31:20and give you
31:20every how-tour gown.
31:22Now,
31:23this show
31:24is specially prepared for you.
31:25It wasn't that he was
31:26incapable of being
31:27thoughtful and considerate,
31:28nor that he had
31:29forgotten his past promises.
31:31It was simply that,
31:32before,
31:33he had never been willing
31:34to put in the effort for me.
31:36I finally spoke,
31:37my tone flat
31:38and unruffled.
31:40Liam,
31:41do you really think
31:42doing all this
31:42can erase all the hurt
31:44and make up for everything?
31:45He immediately stepped forward
31:46and clutched my hand,
31:48urgent and earnest.
31:49Claire,
31:50I know this is far from enough,
31:51but I'm willing to spend
31:52the rest of my life
31:53making it up to you and Ava.
31:55I'll completely cut off
31:57all ties with Sophia
31:58and arrange for her
31:59and her son to go abroad.
32:00They will never come
32:01had to disturb
32:02our lives as anyone.
32:06Just as he was envisioning
32:08the future
32:08with a heart full of hope,
32:09I directly pulled out
32:11a divorce agreement
32:12I had long since drafted
32:13and placed it in front of him.
32:15The moment Liam
32:16saw the agreement,
32:17the invitations in his hand
32:18fell to the ground.
32:20He stared at me blankly.
32:21Nobody can go through life
32:23without making mistakes.
32:24I was just confused
32:25for a moment.
32:27Claire,
32:27do you have to be so heartless?
32:28Let's part on good terms
32:30and not make things awkward
32:31for each other in the end.
32:33Liam quickly scanned
32:34the contents of the agreement
32:35and his face instantly
32:37turned ashen and contorted.
32:39Claire,
32:39you're so heartless.
32:40Why should I have to give up
32:41the vast majority
32:41of my property and assets?
32:43Then see you in court.
32:44Liam took a deep breath,
32:45suppressing the fury
32:46rising in his heart.
32:47I can give you
32:48all the family assets,
32:49but not the company.
32:50This is the enterprise
32:51I built with my own hand.
32:52My life's work,
32:53I can't give it to you.
32:54As for the shares you hold,
32:55I'm willing to buy them
32:56all back at full market price.
32:58I looked at him,
32:59my words deeply meaningful.
33:01Okay.
33:02Landry,
33:03you recover all the
33:03dzechants
33:04of the Wendidgin Sophia
33:05and her Erzenexpess.
33:07I will never interfere
33:08with your company.
33:11Liam agreed on the spot
33:12and his execution was swift.
33:15The very next day,
33:16he retained a top-tier law firm
33:18and formally filed a lawsuit
33:20against Sophia,
33:21demanding the return
33:22of all property gifted to her
33:24during the marriage.
33:25In the courtroom,
33:26Sophia's face was streaked
33:28with tears.
33:29She sobbed emotionally,
33:31making every possible excuse.
33:33All the money was
33:34voluntarily paid by Liam
33:35as living expenses
33:36and child support,
33:37which constitute voluntary gifts
33:39and do not need to be returned.
33:40Over the years,
33:42the total value
33:43of the property
33:43Liam had lavished on
33:45and gifted to Sophia and Noah
33:47amounted to $3 million.
33:49In the end,
33:50the court ruled
33:51that Sophia must return $140,000.
33:55Although not all the money
33:57was recovered,
33:57this sum was enough
33:59to completely bankrupt her
34:00and leave her with nothing.
34:02The moment the verdict
34:03was handed down,
34:05Sophia completely lost control
34:06in the courtroom,
34:07screaming hysterically.
34:12Liam!
34:13You are cold and heartless
34:15with no trace of affection!
34:17Ah!
34:19I worked hard by your side
34:21for years,
34:22gave you a son,
34:23and this is how cruelly
34:24you treat me?
34:25These things were never yours
34:26to begin with.
34:27Walking out of the courthouse,
34:29Liam quickly caught up to me,
34:30a trace of hope
34:32and wishful thinking
34:33in his eyes.
34:34Claire,
34:35I've made up my mind.
34:36I can't lose you and Ava.
34:38I'll spend the rest of my life
34:40proving my sincerity.
34:41Just give me one more chance.
34:44All right.
34:45We'll talk after you've got
34:46the company running smoothly.
34:48Not long after,
34:49Liam still showed up at my door.
34:51This time,
34:52his eyes were bloodshot,
34:53his hair a disheveled mess.
34:55The spirited air
34:56of a Silicon Valley
34:57young entrepreneur
34:58had been completely stripped away,
35:00leaving him looking
35:01utterly wretched and defeated.
35:03Claire!
35:04Was this your scheme all along?
35:06I've already returned
35:07all of Sophia's money
35:08and given you
35:09all the marital assets
35:10as you demanded.
35:11Why won't you just let me go?
35:14The company has recently lost
35:15three key clients in a row.
35:17All our partners
35:17have annually terminated
35:18cooperation without even
35:19giving a reason.
35:19No thanks to the Wall Street banks
35:20we worked have thrown
35:21like Titan all sedent lines
35:22and are completely squeezing
35:23our Subint Len.
35:24You've pushed me
35:25a boopy dead in Ted's end.
35:26You determined to drive
35:28a corner with no way out.
35:31Take a good look.
35:33Every major client
35:34and every core investment
35:35that has kept you standing
35:36in Silicon Valley
35:36all these years.
35:37Who do you think
35:38has been paving the way
35:39behind the scenes?
35:40If I didn't win them
35:41on my own merit,
35:43what, you handed them
35:43to me as charity?
35:44Claire, don't go too far.
35:46Sure, you have a father
35:47in a high position,
35:48but Hudson Technology?
35:50I built it myself
35:51working countless nights.
35:53Do you remember
35:53that first Lifeline order
35:55in the early days
35:55of the company?
35:57You always thought
35:58it was because
35:58your business proposal
35:59brilliant enough,
36:00didn't you?
36:01That was my uncle's
36:02longtime business friend.
36:04Back then,
36:05to secure that opportunity,
36:07I went to their door
36:08every day for a month,
36:10curting favor
36:10with their family
36:11and swallowing
36:12all my pride
36:13just to buy you
36:14a Lifeline
36:15for your startup.
36:16And what about
36:16Mr. White,
36:17the company's
36:18biggest venture partner?
36:19In Silicon Valley circles,
36:21he's always been
36:21notoriously tough
36:22and rarely willing
36:23to collaborate.
36:24I went to his door
36:25three times
36:26and got rejected
36:27every time.
36:28I had to ask
36:29my father's
36:30former colleague
36:30from the Defense Department
36:31to make the introduction
36:32using that kind
36:33of top-line connection
36:34to get you
36:35that $10 million
36:35venture capital.
36:36Without me,
36:37who would have given
36:38your tiny startup
36:38which had nothing
36:39at the time
36:40the time of day?
36:41All these years,
36:42Liam had been
36:43completely immersed
36:44in his own myth
36:45of building a business
36:46from scratch,
36:47priding himself
36:48on his achievements.
36:49A faint bitterness
36:51rose in my heart.
36:52Do you know
36:53why my father
36:54has never meddled
36:55in our family affairs
36:56or interfere in your career
36:57all these years
36:58we got Heman?
36:59Throughout his life,
37:01he has always adhered
37:03to his principles
37:03and acted with integrity.
37:06He can't bear the most
37:08is watching his own daughter
37:10set aside
37:11all her pride
37:12and dignity,
37:13running around
37:14begging for favors
37:15and clinging to connections
37:17just to help
37:18her husband get ahead.
37:19Every night
37:20he had stayed up
37:20battling through the grind.
37:22I had been there
37:23the whole time,
37:24silently supporting him.
37:25Back then,
37:26I always felt
37:27that as long as
37:28I could help him
37:29steady his career
37:30and hold together
37:31our little family,
37:32all the sacrifice
37:33was worth it.
37:34Liam opened his mouth
37:35as if to argue,
37:36but his throat tightened
37:37and he had no words.
37:38Did I orchestrate
37:39this scheme
37:40to trap you?
37:41Liam,
37:43without me,
37:44you're nothing.
37:47He collapsed
37:48weakly onto the floor,
37:50every shred
37:50of his arrogance
37:51and confidence
37:52dissolving in an instant.
37:53A moment later,
37:55Liam,
37:55utterly shattered,
37:56got to his feet.
37:58He stumbled
37:58toward the door,
37:59his back hunched
38:00and bent,
38:01as if he had aged
38:02ten years overnight.
38:04Just as he raised
38:05his hand
38:05to push the door open,
38:07a figure burst out
38:08suddenly from around
38:09the corner of the villa block
38:10and blocked his path
38:11with deadly determination.
38:13It was Sophia.
38:14So you two
38:15really got back together!
38:16Sophia's hair
38:17was disheveled,
38:18her eyes shot through
38:19with blood-red veins.
38:21Haggard and wretched,
38:22she had long since
38:23lost the polished,
38:24capable look
38:25she once wore.
38:26seeing Liam
38:27walk out of my villa,
38:28she completely
38:29lost control
38:30of her emotions,
38:31screaming hysterically,
38:33Liam!
38:33Then what am I to you?
38:35What does our son Noah
38:36count for?
38:37Now I'm drowning
38:38in debt
38:39with nothing left!
38:41You turn around
38:42to cozy up
38:44to this woman?!
38:45Haven't you caused
38:46enough trouble?
38:47What happens
38:48between me and her
38:49is none of your business!
38:51Where are you to try?
38:53You're the one
38:54who insisted on
38:55clinging to this.
38:56Ending up like this?
38:57You deserve it.
38:58Deserve it?
39:00When I risked
39:01everything to give you
39:02a son,
39:02you didn't call me
39:03deserving back then.
39:05Now you want to go back
39:06and beg for her forgiveness
39:07and you're tossing
39:08us away like garbage?!
39:10Liam, let me tell you,
39:11don't you dare
39:12think you'll get away
39:13with it!
39:16Her shouting
39:17grew louder and louder,
39:19drawing passers-by
39:20in the villa community
39:21to stop and watch,
39:22whispering among themselves.
39:24Liam's face cycled
39:26from ashen to pale.
39:27Wanting nothing more
39:28than to escape this farce,
39:30he gave Sophia
39:31a hard, impatient shove.
39:33Don't make unreasonable
39:34trouble here
39:34and disturb public order!
39:36That shove
39:37thoroughly ignited
39:38the despair and hatred
39:39that had been festering
39:40inside Sophia.
39:41She stared deathly
39:43at Liam's cold,
39:44merciless face
39:45and a crazed,
39:46ferocious ruthlessness
39:47suddenly surged
39:48in her eyes.
39:49Having completely
39:50lost all reason,
39:52she abruptly pulled
39:53a portable sharp knife
39:54from her handbag.
39:55If I can't have
39:56a good life,
39:57none of you will either!
40:01Sophia,
40:02don't do anything rash!
40:04But it was already
40:04too late.
40:05Sophia raised
40:06the knife high
40:07and stabbed it
40:08viciously into Liam's chest.
40:09Liam let out
40:11an agonized cry
40:12of pain.
40:12He collapsed
40:13to the ground,
40:14clutching the gushing
40:15wound tightly,
40:16the bright red blood
40:17instantly soaking
40:18through his light-colored
40:19shirt.
40:20In the very moment
40:21she struck,
40:22Sophia was also
40:23utterly stunned.
40:24She stood frozen
40:25in place,
40:26the knife clattering
40:27from her hand
40:28onto the ground.
40:29I calmly and
40:30immediately dialed
40:31emergency services
40:32and the police.
40:33Through the courtyard fence,
40:34I watched Liam's breathing
40:36grow weaker
40:37and weaker.
40:38He struggled
40:39to lift his eyes.
40:40All that was left
40:41in them was
40:41bone-deep remorse.
40:43His breath fading
40:44to a whisper,
40:45he murmured,
40:49Claire,
40:51I'm sorry.
40:53I truly,
40:54I truly,
40:56I'm so sorry for you.
40:58Those were the last words
40:59he ever spoke to me.
41:00Police cars and ambulances
41:02quickly arrived at the scene,
41:03but Liam had lost
41:04too much blood
41:05and succumbed to his injuries
41:07en route to the hospital.
41:08Sophia was arrested
41:09on the spot by police
41:10for intentional assault
41:12resulting in death.
41:13Years of tangled love
41:14and hatred
41:15ended at last in tragedy,
41:17one dead,
41:18the other behind bars.
41:19The bonds of love
41:20and entanglement
41:21that had bound us
41:22for 12 years
41:23were thus completely
41:24and utterly severed.
41:25I turned and went back
41:26inside the house,
41:28tightly embracing my daughter,
41:29who had rushed out
41:30upon hearing the commotion.
41:32Ava had just been
41:33startled awake
41:33from her sleep.
41:35Rubbing her drowsy eyes,
41:36she said softly,
41:38Mom, I think I heard
41:39Dad's voice.
41:40I was silent for a moment,
41:41then spoke gently.
41:42Dad has gone to a place
41:44far, far away
41:44and he'll never come back.
41:47Ava,
41:48will you miss Daddy?
41:49My daughter hesitated
41:51for a few seconds,
41:52then reached out
41:53and wrapped her arms
41:54tightly around my waist.
41:55Her voice was soft
41:57and sweet,
41:57yet utterly resolute.
41:59I don't.
42:00Actually,
42:01Ava understands everything.
42:03Daddy is a bad daddy.
42:04He loves his little brother more.
42:06I don't want Daddy.
42:08I only want Mommy and Grandpa.
42:10I know.
42:11We only want each other
42:13and Grandpa.
42:14Dads for you.
42:14I love you.
42:15Don't want to say
Comments