- 5 hours ago
The Girl Who Refused To Be A Victim ENGSUB
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Short filmTranscript
00:00:00Everyone at the University of San Francisco's law school knew me, striking, bold, and passionate.
00:00:09I was also a scholarship winner year after year.
00:00:16Then a link about me went viral from the dark web.
00:00:20Overnight, it spread across campus.
00:00:24Everyone who clicked and signed up could earn points to do certain things with me.
00:00:32A thousand points would secure a movie date with me.
00:00:36Three thousand points would unlock a video of me in a suggestive bunny outfit, moaning and cooing.
00:00:43Ten thousand points would earn a passionate night with me.
00:00:49This trended on the campus network for three straight days and my reputation was left in tatters.
00:00:56Girls stormed into my classes, calling me shameless and demanding that the school expel me, while
00:01:02guys took every chance to grope me.
00:01:06Blinking back tears, I clicked the trending link.
00:01:09Every video in the reward list was real.
00:01:15The only person who could have gotten those videos was my boyfriend, Ezekiel Willard, who
00:01:21was also my classmate.
00:01:24My heart aching, I ran to Ezekiel's place to confront him.
00:01:32Outside the door, I heard one of his friends say,
00:01:35Hey Zek, you're a legend. Now all my friends are asking for the link, talking about the fastest way to
00:01:39rack up points.
00:01:40Not only do you get revenge for Aaliyah, but you also get all that free labor.
00:01:43Another guy said,
00:01:45Come on, Zek is a trust fund kid, he doesn't make bad deals. Serves her right for stealing Aaliyah's scholarship.
00:01:50True.
00:01:51She deserves to be destroyed.
00:01:53But damn, her voice and her body, top treat. Every time I watch her video on my screen, I'm about
00:02:01to lose it.
00:02:02But Zek, her mom is a murderer. Aren't you worried she'll figure out it's you and cause trouble?
00:02:08Ezekiel swirled his wine glass, his gaze cold and detached.
00:02:12She's boring. Once this is over, you can have your fun with her.
00:02:16As for trouble, she has severe depression and always gets on her knees begging me not to leave after every
00:02:21fight.
00:02:22What kind of trouble can she possibly cause? Find some place to go die?
00:02:26Who'd feel sorry for trash like her? With a murderer mother and a stepdad who almost assaulted her?
00:02:37Just keep your mouth shut.
00:02:41No one leaks anything until I'm finished. Got it?
00:02:48My whole body went cold.
00:02:50I slumped to the floor, my clothes was soaked with cold sweat.
00:02:55Years ago, after my mother remarried, my stepfather started harassing me.
00:03:03On my birthday, he spiked my drink.
00:03:13When I realized what was happening, the heat was already spreading through my limbs.
00:03:25I bit his ear hard enough to break free and fled the house.
00:03:33Half conscious, I collapsed into Ezekiel's arms.
00:03:37I was tearing at my own clothes, desperate for relief.
00:03:41But he held me tight, his voice soft.
00:03:44A girl's reputation is everything. Hang on, I'm taking you to the hospital.
00:03:52The whole way there, I was in such torment that I bit his arm until it bled.
00:04:01He never made a sound and stayed by my hospital bed all night.
00:04:08Finally, as dawn broke and my mind cleared, I saw his tired, bloodshot eyes.
00:04:15I knew right then I was gone for him.
00:04:18We started dating after that.
00:04:25He treated me like I was the most precious thing in the world,
00:04:28tending to my every need and slowly helping me heal from my trauma.
00:04:34I thought I'd finally found happiness.
00:04:38Instead, I'd walked straight into something even more twisted.
00:04:44Every moment we'd shared, he'd been using it to get back at me for another woman.
00:04:53A crack of thunder split the sky.
00:04:56The power went out, plunging everyone.
00:05:03I curled on the dark floor.
00:05:05I didn't know how I got home.
00:05:10When my senses returned, I realized my palms were bleeding from where my nails had dug in.
00:05:19Blankly, I opened my phone.
00:05:24The screen showed several missed calls.
00:05:28With trembling fingers, I called back.
00:05:31Mr. Smithson, I've changed my mind.
00:05:34I'll join the legal department at Rodway Group in New York after graduation.
00:05:42I didn't go back to school that day.
00:05:45And instead, I locked myself in the bathroom and scrubbed my skin raw,
00:05:49ten times over, trying to wash away every trace of him.
00:05:54But he wouldn't just let me disappear.
00:06:00Later that evening, Ezekiel came back to our apartment.
00:06:05He didn't even ask why I had skipped class.
00:06:07He was only desperate to cover his own tracks.
00:06:11About the dark web listing, he brushed it off with a flimsy explanation.
00:06:15Lena, listen.
00:06:17I sent my laptop in for repair.
00:06:19Some intern there must have stolen the hard drive and sold it.
00:06:22It's all my fault.
00:06:23I promise I'll do everything to find whoever leaked that link and make this right.
00:06:26He sounded so sincere.
00:06:28But the hidden videos I had already copied onto my USB drive made a complete mockery of his words.
00:06:34I remained completely silent the whole time, just watching him put on his little show.
00:06:43My suffocating silence was broken by a sudden ding from my laptop.
00:06:48It was an email from the Rodway group, confirming my start date in New York in exactly one week.
00:06:54It was the escape route I desperately needed.
00:07:01What's that?
00:07:03Ezekiel was annoyed by my silence and indifference.
00:07:07Just spram.
00:07:12I wouldn't tell him my decision, and there was no need to.
00:07:16He pushed me onto the couch, murmuring against my ear as he kissed it.
00:07:23Lena, it's been days.
00:07:25I want you.
00:07:32His voice was as tender as ever, but his hands were rougher than I'd ever felt.
00:07:38I pushed him off with force.
00:07:43Not tonight.
00:07:44I can't.
00:07:45Ezekiel froze.
00:07:46It was the first time I had ever refused him so bluntly.
00:07:50His brow frowdled.
00:07:52Still upset about the trending thing?
00:07:55Don't worry, I'll always love you.
00:07:57A shiver ran through me, my stomach turning with nausea.
00:08:02But I couldn't let on that I knew.
00:08:04Who knew what this lunatic would do then?
00:08:08I stood and straightened my clothes.
00:08:11I really don't feel well.
00:08:12I'm going to bed.
00:08:15Ezekiel studied me for a long moment, but found nothing in Smith's.
00:08:20About tomorrow's law school debate, you think you could take it easy on them?
00:08:24The negative team has a friend of mine.
00:08:28I already told her you'd go easy on them.
00:08:30You wouldn't let me look bad, right?
00:08:33I knew instantly who that friend was.
00:08:37My hands clenched into fists behind my back.
00:08:42Fine.
00:08:44I'll send you my prepared arguments.
00:08:46Your friend can use them to figure out how to counter.
00:08:49I just knew you loved me the most!
00:08:52Getting what he wanted, Ezekiel planted a loud kiss on my cheek.
00:08:56I'll forwards it now.
00:08:58Can't wait to watch you kill it tomorrow.
00:09:00Without another word, he grabbed his car keys and left the apartment.
00:09:06I let out a bitter laugh, my eyes falling on the box of gifts I'd left by the door.
00:09:13If he had paid just a little more attention, he would have noticed and sensed what I was planning.
00:09:26Ezekiel never truly cared about those things, just as he had never truly cared about me.
00:09:37...under my eyes, every person in the room turned to look, their gazes full of contempt, their whispers pointed.
00:09:52...for the affirmative team.
00:09:55Soon, the negative team entered.
00:09:58A bright, smiling female student was at the center, flanked by Ezekiel.
00:10:04She said something, playfully punching his chest, and he caught her fist.
00:10:11That was Felicia Veer.
00:10:16I forced my eyes down to my debate notes.
00:10:23I just finished presenting my point, when Felicia rose from her seat, a smug smile curling her lips.
00:10:31Does the affirmative team have no respect for this debate?
00:10:35Why else would you decide to let a student with no morals compete?
00:10:41This wasn't the first time Felicia had come after me.
00:10:46A spoiled trust fund kid from San Francisco, Felicia skipped class and barely studied.
00:10:53Once, her father promised her a sports car, if she won a scholarship.
00:10:58So, she paid off a professor for the exam answers.
00:11:04The top place still went to me.
00:11:08As a student council member, when I gave her standard de menis for misconduct,
00:11:12Felicia saw it as a personal attack.
00:11:16That's when the bad blood started.
00:11:20This is a formal debate.
00:11:23Besides, there's no proof for those online rumors.
00:11:32I couldn't let my anger cost my team the win, but wouldn't let it go.
00:11:37With a cold snort, she stood.
00:11:40I refuse to talk to a cheap slut.
00:11:42It's disgusting.
00:11:44The audience erupted.
00:11:48The head judge stood up, slamming his hand on the table.
00:11:53Order!
00:11:55Order in the hall!
00:11:57Miss Vale, personal attacks and foul language are strict violations of debate rules.
00:12:04Sit down immediately, or your team will be disqualified.
00:12:12Felicia pouted, her eyes red, shooting me a hateful glare before finally sitting back down.
00:12:19Just then, Ezekiel stood from the audience and spoke to the school dean.
00:12:24Mr. Yatin, I think Felicia has a point.
00:12:27There are videos of Paulina circulating, and no one has confirmed-
00:12:36The words cut me deeply.
00:12:38I tried to defend myself.
00:12:41Those videos were-
00:12:42Ezekiel cut me off before I could finish.
00:12:45He held up his phone to the dean.
00:12:48See for yourself.
00:12:49Felicia isn't lying.
00:12:51I'm concerned for the school's reputation.
00:12:53Then he looked at the other judges.
00:12:55The Willard family was one of USF's major donors.
00:12:59A lot of the faculty had reasons to stay in Ezekiel's good graces.
00:13:03They were quick to chime in.
00:13:06One said.
00:13:09Mr. Yatin, our law school has been strict.
00:13:13This sort of scandal invites criticism.
00:13:17Another chimed in.
00:13:18We've all heard rumors about this student's conduct.
00:13:23Some even say she engages in compensated dating.
00:13:29I got caught in the teeth of the storm, feeling hurt.
00:13:34The dean said to me.
00:13:37In that case, Paulina, please step down now.
00:13:42You're graduating soon anyway.
00:13:45Finish this week's specialized courses and leave before the school ends.
00:13:49Under the hostile stares of hundreds, I stumbled out of the auditorium.
00:13:54Someone held up their phone, showing one of the screenshots from the viral post, waving it at me.
00:14:00Better run, or we'll project it on the big screen.
00:14:07I broke into a frantic run.
00:14:09Every last shred of my dignity violated.
00:14:11My foot caught on a loose piece of pavement.
00:14:14I crashed down hard, skinning my palm.
00:14:18Blood dripped onto the ground, but I felt no pain.
00:14:24Tears streamed down my face as I silently talked to myself.
00:14:27Just hold on a little longer, Paulina.
00:14:30Hang in there.
00:14:31You're leaving soon anyway.
00:14:32It can't get any worse.
00:14:33You're about to start over.
00:14:37I had no idea this was only the beginning of the storm.
00:14:42I returned to the dormitory in the afternoon, humiliated and dejected.
00:14:48In the hallway, Felicia was insulting me before a crowd.
00:14:52Look at her! A slut and a disgrace to our university!
00:14:55She even tried to seduce that professor for exam answers!
00:14:59Everyone knows what she does at night.
00:15:01Trash like her doesn't belong here.
00:15:04She spoke with utmost spite and made things up.
00:15:10Watching from a distance, I felt like I had been thrown into the snow naked.
00:15:15Fed up, I darted over, shoved Felicia, and roared hysterically.
00:15:19Liar! I didn't do it!
00:15:24Seeing me, she dashed to me with a sneer,
00:15:27grabbed my hair, and conned my head against the wall.
00:15:31A thud came, and blood was everywhere.
00:15:36I felt woozy instantly. It hurt like hell.
00:15:40You didn't do it? Who cares? Felicia G'd and strutted away, laughing.
00:15:47Right. It was the rich kid's words against mine.
00:15:50Although it was slander, I didn't stand a chance of winning this battle.
00:16:01In the evening, the university released a notice.
00:16:04I was punished for attacking a classmate and broken campus rules.
00:16:09The students present all witnessed Paulina hitting Felicia.
00:16:13What Felicia did was self-defense. It wasn't a fight. So, Paulina must apologize openly,
00:16:19or she'll be expelled.
00:16:21Downstairs at the dormitory, over 10 department directors and university leaders surrounded me
00:16:27and looked at me disdainfully. Holding Felicia's hand, Ezequiel announced loudly,
00:16:37I looked at him. I couldn't believe my ears. The hurt was unbearable. Bumped into the wall,
00:16:49my forehead was lacerated. The injury was plain. Anyone with eyes could see it. It didn't take a
00:16:55doctor to tell them that. On the other hand, Felicia was standing there intact. Yet I was
00:17:03severely assaulted. It was absurd. The director of their department listened to Ezequiel with a grim
00:17:11face and said, In this case, Paulina deserves harder punishment. Wait! I interrupted him. My phone
00:17:20camera was on when it happened. I recorded everything. You'll know the truth after watching the video.
00:17:27The gloat on Felicia's face froze. She stomped her feet anxiously and pulled hard at Ezequiel's clothes.
00:17:35He patted her head gently and comforted her in a soft voice. I'm here. Don't worry.
00:17:46Slowly, he walked to the director and smiled.
00:17:51Sir, I know how adept she is at video splessing and editing. Her so-called evidence is dubious.
00:17:58I, on the other hand, can prove the attack was premeditated. She's always jealous of Felicia.
00:18:04We both know the law. I believe you value the validity of evidence more than I do.
00:18:10What evidence do you have? The director asked. Looking at me, Ezequiel said slowly.
00:18:18Paulina works outside the university as an escort. Felicia caught her in the act.
00:18:24She's been holding a grudge since. Everyone present was dumbfounded.
00:18:29The students passing by walked over and talked about it, causing an uproar.
00:18:35Everyone look. This is the video. The screen displayed the muddle-headed me
00:18:41snuggling in a man's arms in a dim private room of a bar. It looked like I was drunk.
00:18:50The man took out a wad of banknotes from his wallet, counted them, and put them in my school bag.
00:18:57The next second, Felicia flung the door open, pointed at them, and said,
00:19:03Paulina! You're such a disgrace to our university!
00:19:07That was all the video showed. It was brief, but it turned my heart into an ice cellar.
00:19:15I remembered the background of the video, of course. It was Ezequiel's birthday several months ago.
00:19:23That day, he kept urging me to drink. Now I knew why. He set me up to fabricate this video.
00:19:33As much as I had seen through Ezequiel, I still felt my heart being wrung and torn. It hurt so
00:19:39much I couldn't breathe.
00:19:41People were pointing and calling my names. Under such humiliation, I just wanted to run.
00:19:48If only the ground would crack and give me a way out.
00:19:54In the end, I was to write a 5,000-word self-critical and apologetic letter and read it at
00:19:59the assembly.
00:20:03Finally, the crowd disperted. I was left alone.
00:20:09I couldn't go to the dorm. More humiliation would await me.
00:20:16I could only go back to my apartment. Hardly had I walked out of the gate,
00:20:21when a vehicle sped over from the opposite direction and almost hit me.
00:20:29Terrified, I slept onto the ground. The angry driver craned his head out of the car window and cursed.
00:20:35Unable to take it anymore, I sobbed. All this was too painful.
00:20:41What was I living for, anyway? My life was meaningless. Looking through my blurry vision
00:20:47at the heavy traffic, I stood up and walked toward the middle of the road.
00:20:55Are you out of your mind? Someone suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the
00:20:59speeding vehicles and into a firm chest. A familiar refreshing scent wafted into my nostrils.
00:21:04What's the big deal? You were giving up on your own life because of such a trifle?
00:21:11Ezekiel glossed it over, as if the torment from a while ago was just my delusion.
00:21:16Pinching my cheek, he pressed his nose against mine.
00:21:20Knock it off. I'm taking you to your favorite restaurant, alright?
00:21:23How could he? How could he pretend nothing had happened after hurting me deeply and making me
00:21:28miserable? I broke free from him, took several steps back, and glared at him.
00:21:33Ezekiel, are you happy now? He shrugged, looking relaxed, but his face dartened.
00:21:45I was only telling the truth. You were hurting someone innocent. I couldn't be biased in your
00:21:53favor just because you're my girlfriend. The truth? I sneered, trembling all over with rage.
00:22:01You mean the video you forged by setting me up? You're shameless!
00:22:06With a livid face, Ezekiel stared at me, his eyes sinister.
00:22:11Paulina, enough is enough. I must have indulged you too much.
00:22:17I wouldn't have released the video if you hadn't attacked Aaliyah like a crazy woman.
00:22:23It was just a final. Would it have killed me if I had let Felicia come first?
00:22:28He didn't understand why I made such a fuss over it.
00:22:33As a result, there was still tension between Felicia and her father to this day,
00:22:38and there was no way to easy it.
00:22:45Lena, you know what? Elia's mother passed away when she was little.
00:22:49Her stepmother is never nice to her. Her family doesn't give her birthday presents unless she does
00:22:54well on exams. But you killed her hope. She's so devastated she doesn't want to live.
00:23:00Why doesn't she die? Is it my fault that she don't work hard? Everyone earns what they want.
00:23:07Why do I have to give her what she wants?
00:23:10I shouted hysterically, unleashing the penned-up anguish in my chest.
00:23:15Losing control, I ran toward Ezekiel and showered him with punches.
00:23:20Ezekiel, leave me alone! I don't want you anymore!
00:23:24Stay the hell out of my life with Felicia!
00:23:27He had never seen me in such despair.
00:23:34Graduation is around the corner.
00:23:39Even though your reputation is ruined in the law industry in San Francisco,
00:23:43you still have me.
00:23:46I can help you get a job at my family's company.
00:23:49Okay?
00:23:50Too exhausted to argue, I just wanted to stay away from him.
00:23:55Unaware of this, Ezekiel took my hand and continued.
00:23:59Are you done with your tantrum? Shall we go to the restaurant?
00:24:03I withdrew my hand and declared.
00:24:09Ezekiel, I wasn't joking.
00:24:12Nor was I throwing a tantrum.
00:24:16Let me rephrase it if you don't understand.
00:24:21I'm breaking up with you.
00:24:22Dumbstruck, Ezekiel stared at me, irritation tensifying inside him.
00:24:26He scratched his hair irritably and said,
00:24:29Okay, Polina, good for you.
00:24:31You'll crawl back to me and ask for my forgiveness sooner or later.
00:24:40With that, he left.
00:24:42Blank-minded, I crouched and hugged my knees.
00:24:45I didn't take his threat seriously.
00:24:48However, a mere few days later, I realized that Ezekiel was serious.
00:24:56At the assembly, I walked to the Dawes like a zombie and read my letter of confession in a mechanical
00:25:02voice.
00:25:05Before long, an egg was thrown at me.
00:25:10Then came decaying vegetable leaves, red paint, bottles of toilet water.
00:25:16The event became chaotic.
00:25:18Everyone was pointing and yelling at me.
00:25:26I was flustered.
00:25:28Even the management of the university lost control over the scene.
00:25:31Only then did the person who had started the tinker shout it.
00:25:37Although Ezekiel was just a student, with his wealthy family as a sponsor of the university,
00:25:43he was too important for any of them to trifle with.
00:25:45Unnerved by the scene, one of the university's leaders said to me,
00:25:49Paulina, what are you waiting for? Go apologize now! Don't you want your diploma?
00:25:53Of course I wanted my diploma.
00:25:55Without it, I wouldn't be able to join the Rodway group in New York and leave this hellish place.
00:25:59Left with no choice, I went to the stadium and found on the basketball court,
00:26:04Ezekiel, how will you have those people stop making trouble for me?
00:26:07What do you want me to do?
00:26:09I stood in front of him, clenching my hands.
00:26:16Fine, I said in a reiki voice-
00:26:17I apologize to you. Please ask them to stop.
00:26:20I said in a shaker voice, holding at Felicia in his arms, glanced at me indifferently.
00:26:27Apologize? Like this? How sincere.
00:26:32Felicia stood up, pinching her nose. She eyed the filth-covered me and pursed her lips thromphantly.
00:26:38Paulina, there you go. This is your style, it suits you perfectly. Trash belongs with trash,
00:26:43don't daydream again. Then, she poured the hot water from her thermos cup all over me.
00:26:52Scalded, my skin was burned, and I shrieked. Felicia slapped me across the face and said,
00:26:56Thanks to you, my dad whipped me. Ten lashes, Paulina. You think I'll forget about it just
00:27:02because you apologize? No way! Ezekiel peered down at me with a wicked smile and crooked his fingers
00:27:09to summon his guys. You want forgiveness? No problem. Clean their sneakers. Looking at him
00:27:18silently, I felt as if a blunt knife was slicing my heart bit by Adit. Okay, I'll do it. I
00:27:24nodded with
00:27:24a bitter smile. I turned around, squatted down, and cleaned the sneak ears with a wet napkin one by one.
00:27:33Overwhelming humiliation flooded my heart. Nevertheless, this wasn't good enough for
00:27:38Felina. She pushed me forcefully and made me kneel. Down on your knees! Squatting! How can you see the
00:27:45smurges? Finally, the last pair was cleaned. I had lost feeling in my knees. Okay. I forgive you.
00:27:56Ezekiel said slowly in an apathetic voice. Now, apologize to Aaliyah on your knees. The whole thing
00:28:04will be over. I raised my head mechanically. I didn't know whether my heart or my knees irked more.
00:28:13Apologize to her? Not gonna happen! I had done nothing wrong, and Felicia had been hurting me.
00:28:20Why should I apologize? Taken aback, Ezekiel looked at my red swollen eyes.
00:28:27Panic seized him again as it had the other night. Why not this? Paulina, what do you want? Wise up!
00:28:34Remember the videos online? You don't want to be stripped naked and act those things out in front
00:28:41of my basketball teammates, do you? Don't push me.
00:28:49Don't push him? I had to laugh. I didn't do anything to Felicia. She slacked off and couldn't get full
00:28:55marks even after memorizing the answers. How is it my fault? Ezekiel, I will not apologize to her! No,
00:29:03never! A loud bang came. Ezekiel smashed the bottle in his hand on the floor and hunt.
00:29:10Bravo, Paulina. Don't blame me for what I'm about to do. You asked for it.
00:29:16Hardly had he finished speaking when the boys surrounded me and knocked me down to the floor.
00:29:22Wearing a sinister smile, Felina tore my clothes with one hand and struck me mercilessly with a
00:29:28ball picker with her other hand. Bitch, I'll destroy you today.
00:29:37I resisted with all my strength and screamed, but it was useless. They made me bend over a stool on
00:29:42my
00:29:42knees. As if chained with shackles, I couldn't move at all. My clothes were torn and ripped,
00:29:46revealing my fair skin. No! Get off me! Get off, Ezekiel! You can't do this to me!
00:29:52Just then, Felina swung the ball picker and hit me hard in the head.
00:29:57Bitch, you're too loud! Just then, Felina swung the ball picker and hit me hard in the head.
00:30:05Guys, fun time. Take pictures of her. My head was spinning. Kicks landed on me one after another.
00:30:13It was excruciating, as if my body were falling apart. I wanted to hug myself, but I couldn't budge.
00:30:23Fluid was coming out of my eyes. I didn't know whether it was blood or tears.
00:30:30I couldn't open my eyes.
00:30:36At last, someone grabbed my hair and dragged me around the court.
00:30:41Take pictures, guys! At Paulina looks like a stray dog.
00:30:46Standing there, Ezekiel watched nonchariately. He didn't stop them or say anything.
00:30:53The trace of softness that surfaced was repressed at once.
00:30:59I was too stubborn.
00:31:03He thought I would stay by his side and forget about breaking up with him only if my dignity was
00:31:08crushed.
00:31:10My consciousness became bloody as the pain aggravated.
00:31:15Everything before my eyes was turning.
00:31:18It seemed I was going to die here in these people's hands.
00:31:23Ezekiel, check this out! Someone got 10,000 points. The guy just called and wanted you to deliver your promise.
00:31:30My mind cleared up immediately as immense fear engulfed me.
00:31:34Ezekiel walked to the door with the others to learn more about the person who had scored 10,000 points.
00:31:43This was a golden opportunity for me. I stood up with all my might and ran toward the exit.
00:31:51She is running! Away! Catch her!
00:31:56Rapid and chaotic footstamps came from behind me. I ran like crazy.
00:32:02When I was about to reach the exit, I staggered from exhaustion and fainted.
00:32:08Before my lingering consciousness left me completely, I seemed to hear Ezekiel's panicky voice.
00:32:12Then, the security guards came. Succuly it was just a fracture. My life was out of danger.
00:32:19Ride Smitherson returned from abroad in advance. When he knew what had happened to me, he was furious.
00:32:25He knew me well. I would never act like that.
00:32:31The university leaders who had forced me to apologize all received a warning privately.
00:32:37Reet prepared my diploma quickly and helped me as much as he could.
00:32:44When I woke up, Reet was sitting by my bed.
00:32:49Kid, I'm sorry you've suffered so much. I've contacted the Rodway group. You can start your
00:32:54job earlier. They'll send someone to pick you up today. Tears ran down my face.
00:33:03I sobbed in Reet's arms, letting out all my sadness.
00:33:08Three hours later, I got on the plane bound for New York.
00:33:14Outside the window, the clouds were getting thicker.
00:33:18Nothing could hold me back here. A new life awaited me ahead.
00:33:24During my stay in the hospital, the school had staff stationed at my room around the clock,
00:33:29keeping outsiders at bay.
00:33:34With Reib's intervention, many students came forward and admitted that I didn't attack Felicia in the
00:33:40hallway that day. Because the incident involved an injured student, the school handled it privately and
00:33:46did not announce the outcome. In the apartment, Ezekiel had been on edge all day.
00:33:52Ever since he watched me fall down the stairs, nightmares of me lying in a pool of blood plagued
00:33:58him every night. His heart throbbed painfully, like it was rotting from the inside. He tried
00:34:05calling me, but my phone was turned off. He even went to the hospital to see me, but the teachers
00:34:15blocked him at the door.
00:34:21Later, he heard that I had left the hospital, yet I never sought him out, and nobody knew where I
00:34:27had
00:34:27gone, as if I had vanished into thin air. Ezekiel's fidgetness escalated into full-blown panic.
00:34:35Because he knew I had no one to rely on in San Francisco. Besides this apartment and the school
00:34:40dorm, I had no place to stay. He was desperate to find me, though even he couldn't explain why.
00:34:46Just then, the doorbell rang. Ezekiel's heart leaped with joy. He rose and sprinted for the door.
00:34:53His calf slammed into the coffee table, and the pain doubled him over, but he clenched his teeth
00:34:59and staggered on. To his shock, the person standing outside the door was Paulina. She pouted, tears
00:35:06welling in her eyes. Ezekiel, I have no idea what that bitch Paulina did to turn the whole school
00:35:14against me. You're accusing me of framing her. I can't face this alone. I need your help.
00:35:20As she spoke, she threw herself into Ezekiel's arms.
00:35:26In the past, Ezekiel would always relent and take care of everything for her.
00:35:31But this time, he stood moatmanless, gazing at the beautiful girl in front of him,
00:35:37yet all he could think of was that diaphiled face of me, as radiant and stunning as a fiery rose.
00:35:47He gently pulled Paulina's hands away and said,
00:35:53Elia, you should go. I still have other things to deal with.
00:36:09Ezekiel, you're not abandoning me, are you? You promised you would always look out for me.
00:36:14How can you go back on your word? How can you leave me high and dry? If my dad hears
00:36:21those lies,
00:36:21he'll beat me to death. Felicia was guilt-tricking him again.
00:36:27For the first time, Ezekiel could commiserate with me, and I was… he could not understand what
00:36:35right Felicia had to use her misfortunes as a weapon and him to her will.
00:36:42Yet he didn't say anything and patiently soothed her.
00:36:47All right, Elia. Go home. Just give me some time. I promise I'll handle it, okay?
00:36:55Hearing him, Felicia finally simmered down and left reluctantly. As Ezekiel watched her disappear
00:37:03into the elevator, he breathed out a long sigh. A dull pain still lingered in his calf. Once again,
00:37:12a wave of frustration weighed on his heart.
00:37:19Ezekiel could no longer stay at home.
00:37:25He grabbed his phone, threw on a coat, and headed out. Walking into his favorite bar,
00:37:29he was immediately greeted by a ruckus. But the moment he saw the person being teased, his jaw dropped.
00:37:41Amid the red and green lights of the bar, a man and a woman were passionately kissing.
00:37:50They were Felina and Ezekiel's best friend!
00:37:53It was also him who first suggested that Eziele design a link targeting me.
00:37:58So now he knew I would be completely ruined socially, all to vent Felicia's anger.
00:38:09Everyone applauded, and the sound of whistles was deafening.
00:38:14The lively atmosphere seemed to ignite the air around them.
00:38:17But Ezekiel felt as cold as if he had fallen into an ice cave.
00:38:23At that moment, the kiss ended. Felina raised her bottle and shouted to the crowd.
00:38:32Order whatever you want tonight!
00:38:35Ezekiel the idiot will pay for everything!
00:38:39Someone laughed and asked.
00:38:43Elia, aren't you the one who likes Ezekhesirad the most?
00:38:48Aren't you afraid he'll get angry if he finds out you that?
00:38:53Unexpectedly, Felicia sneered out loud.
00:38:57Angry? Am I supposed to be afraid of him getting angry?
00:39:01Now that Paulina, that bitch, is gone, he's completely useless to me.
00:39:07He really thinks I like him. To hell with him. Arrogant and conceited.
00:39:12He's not even the first insere of the Willard family, yet he acts like he's some treasure.
00:39:19I only used him to deal with Paulina, that annoying bitch.
00:39:24Everyone burst into laughter.
00:39:34The sharp laughter pierced Ezekiel's heart like a sword.
00:39:38But the conversation did not end. Felicia, drunk,
00:39:43raised her bottle and climbed onto the table, boasting.
00:39:48Do you know why Ezekiel has always been so good to me?
00:39:53Everyone was intrigued and cored.
00:39:56Go! Fight!
00:40:02Felicia raised her hand to her mouth in a mysterious gesture, as if she was about to whisper.
00:40:08Her voice did not lower at all, because he thinks that three years ago at Twin Peaks,
00:40:15the person who saved him was me! Me!
00:40:22Actually, it wasn't me at all.
00:40:26He would never imagine that it was Paulina, but that woman pretends to be so noble.
00:40:33So I just borrowed the title of savior for myself.
00:40:37Ezekiel was completely stunned, standing there in a daze, unable to recover for a long time.
00:40:45Three years ago, he had been tricked into going up the mountain, only to fall into a trap set early
00:40:51in the morning. His legs were severely injured and he could not move, almost dying in the forest.
00:40:59A girl had saved him, using her frail shoulders to carry him down the mountain and take him to the
00:41:04hospital.
00:41:06When he opened his eyes,
00:41:08Aunt Felicia was sitting beside him.
00:41:14I was the one who saved him, but in fact, she was nothing but a shameless imposter.
00:41:24And Ezekiel had been used by her, personally hurting his true savior.
00:41:32As Ezekiel felt like he was going insane, he grabbed a nearby bottle of liquor and rushed it at Felicia,
00:41:38who was still laughing. He smashed it hard against her head. Blood mixed with the liquor dripped down,
00:41:44and she screamed, clutching her head.
00:41:50When she saw Ezekiel clearly, all color instantly drained from her face.
00:42:09Ezekiel's eyes were cold and fierce, like a ghost crawling out of hell. He stepped forward,
00:42:15grabbed her hair, and forced her face up to look at him.
00:42:24Felina, answer me! Who was the one who saved me back then?
00:42:29Felicia had never seen Ezekiel like this before and was completely terrified.
00:42:34Her tears and snot mixed with the blood on her head, dirty and smeared all over her cheeks.
00:42:42It was Paulina.
00:42:44But Zek, I really like you! I lied because I wanted to be with you!
00:42:52Ezekiel looked coldly at the woman in front of him, whose mouth was full of lies,
00:42:57and threw her heart onto the ground. The guests around were all stunned,
00:43:01and when they saw it was Ezekiel, they even didn't dare to breathe.
00:43:07The person who had just kissed Felicia's legs went weak and knelted on the ground.
00:43:14Ezekiel, I was wrong! It was this woman who seduced you! Please forgive me!
00:43:20Ezekiel coldly curled his lips. His eyes were filled with extreme cruelty.
00:43:28Forgive you? How could you do that after you risked your life so recklessly?
00:43:35Ezekiel left the bar.
00:43:40He searched frantically through every place I might have gone but found nothing.
00:43:46In the end, exhausted, he collapsed on the playground.
00:43:52Staring blankly at the field across from him, his heart ached,
00:43:56as if it were being cruelly squeezed by a pair of invisible hands.
00:44:06He collapsed in agony on the pavement nearby.
00:44:13Tears streaming controllably down his face as he called out again and again.
00:44:19Lina, where are you?
00:44:22Please come out and see me, will you?
00:44:30I was wrong! I truly knew I was wrong!
00:44:37The students passing by all looked at him as if he were some kind of monster. They pointed and talked
00:44:42about him.
00:44:47Ezekiel did not know how much time had passed before he finally dried his eyes.
00:44:51Numbly, he got up, took out his phone and dialed a number.
00:44:59Donate $2 million to the University of San Francisco.
00:45:03Have them thoroughly investigate how Felicia obtained the final exam questions in advance and cheated.
00:45:09And also investigate her framing of classmates and her extremely vicious acts of campus bullying.
00:45:14Hand the case over to the judicial authorities and expel her from school.
00:45:20Also, help me find someone even if you have to dig three feet into the ground, you must find her.
00:45:29Ezekiel returned to his apartment, deleted all the back-end data of that post,
00:45:34then opened the campus forum, published a statement,
00:45:38and lay down on the big bed that no longer carried any trace of Paulina, breathing greedily.
00:45:46He tried in vain to find even the slightest trace, but there was nothing.
00:45:52He did not sleep at all that night.
00:45:55The next day, the campus forum of the University of San Francisco exploded.
00:46:00The top trending news was Ezekiel's statement.
00:46:04I am Ezekiel from the law department, also Paulina's boyfriend.
00:46:08I was the one who framed Paulina and used our intimate photos taken during our normal relationship to create the
00:46:14viral post online.
00:46:15In fact, she never did any of the things reported in the news.
00:46:21Immediately after was the disciplinary decision regarding Felicia.
00:46:31Felicia from the law department, for bribing teachers before the exam, cheating, and committing severe campus bullying,
00:46:38is ordered to withdraw and is expelled from the university.
00:46:41The legal issues involved will be further handed over to the relevant authorities for processing.
00:46:47For a time, the entire University of San Francisco was in an uproar.
00:46:52The students who had once hurt me were all in a panic, afraid of retaliation.
00:47:01Others, just as they had once cursed me, now turned all their anger towards Felicia.
00:47:09When Felicia packed her things and was taken away from the school by the Vale family,
00:47:13everyone hurled ridicule and insults at her.
00:47:16No one knew who threw the first bottle, but soon a barrage of trash and debris was thrown at her.
00:47:22You bitch, get out of the University of San Francisco!
00:47:25You're nothing but a troublemaker! Go to hell!
00:47:26It's all because of you that Paulina left the school!
00:47:29I still had so many case studies I wanted to ask her about!
00:47:33Felicia covered her head and fled in panic.
00:47:36But she knew very well that an even more brutal storm from the Vilik family was waited for her.
00:47:46As she walked out the school gate, Ezikarni happened to be coming in.
00:47:53She rushed over in tears, melt at his feet, and clung tightly to his pant leg.
00:48:01Zek, please save me! I know I was wrong! I really know I was wrong! Please save me!
00:48:09Ezekiel lifted his foot and kicked her hard to the ground, his eyes devoid of any warmth.
00:48:21Felicia, I was the one who asked the school to deal with you strictly, so how could I possibly save
00:48:27you?
00:48:30And by the way, I just spoke to your father on the phone and told him that I,
00:48:36the useless second young master of the Willard family, wanted him to teach you a good lesson.
00:48:46Do you think it will work?
00:48:49When Felicia heard this, her whole body trembled like a leaf, all the color drained from her face.
00:48:55And her eyes rolled back as she fainted on the spot.
00:49:00The plane landed at JFK airport, I followed behind the staff of the Rodway Group.
00:49:05Walking quickly toward the parking lot, I felt a bit excited, but even more uneasy.
00:49:15The Rodway Group in New York was an existence that even the Willard family in San Francisco could not
00:49:21compare to. And their legal department was famously known as the strongest on earth.
00:49:31Of course, I did not doubt my own abilities. But I worried whether my future work and life would
00:49:36go smoothly, and whether my boss would appreciate my working style. Lost in my thoughts, I failed to
00:49:43see the road ahead, and accidentally bumped straight into a broad chest. I looked up in surprise, just
00:49:53about to apologize, when I saw a familiar gentle smile. Kieran?
00:50:03Kieran Rodway was my direct senior, and also the one who had partnered with me to win the San Francisco
00:50:09legal model competition three years in a row. After he graduated last year, we had not seen each other
00:50:15again. Had he really come to New York? Wait a minute Kieran Rodway, Rodway. Kieran looked at me with
00:50:22amusement as my expression changed several times. And as the confusion in my eyes gradually turned to
00:50:28surprise, he finally spoke. Paulina, you are as observant and analytical as ever.
00:50:36That's right. I am your new boss. The president of the Rodway Group. Welcome to my world.
00:50:43I looked up, staring at him in a daze. The last bit of coldness in my heart completely melted away
00:50:51in that
00:50:51dazzling smile. Kieran must have learned about my situation and taken the initiative to ask Rhett,
00:50:59reaching out to help me just when I was about to fall into utter despair.
00:51:05At this moment, my eyes turned red, and only one voice remained in my heart.
00:51:14Kieran, it was truly wonderful to see you, thank you.
00:51:19In the following half year, my work in the Rodway Group's legal department made me feel as if I had
00:51:25come back to life. I quickly developed perfect rapport with my colleagues. Everyone here was
00:51:33as easy to get along with as Kieran. And they often teased me.
00:51:39Paulina, if you keep this up, us old folks will be outshined by you. But as the new generation
00:51:45surpasses the old, seeing such outstanding newcomers, we feel comforted. With you and the
00:51:51Broadway Group's legal department, we are all at ease about its future.
00:51:59Kieran also often found various reasons to come see me. Showing concern and care,
00:52:04everyone noticed what was going on. So they deliberately left us space to be alone,
00:52:10intentionally helping us along.
00:52:13That day, the legal department had a dinner gathering. To everyone's surprise,
00:52:17Kieran, the big boss, also attended. He sat right next to me, listening to everyone's conversation
00:52:25throughout the evening, not saying much himself, but taking care of those around him at just the
00:52:32right moments. I turned to look at him and was immediately startled by the burning intensity in
00:52:39his deep eyes. I quickly looked away, my heart pounding like a drum. After the gathering ended,
00:52:46Kieran, as usual, drove me downstairs. As I pushed open the car door to get out,
00:52:51I blurted out, almost involuntarily. Would you like to come up for some tea?
00:52:57I have the green tea you like. We started kissing as soon as we entered the elevator,
00:53:02fueled by the alcohol. I poured out the last bit of concern I had been hiding in my heart.
00:53:09Kieran, I'm not the same pure Paulina I used to be you. My words were completely sealed by his kiss.
00:53:16He kissed me even more fiercely than before, stealing my breath.
00:53:23Lena, I love you. I loved you since college.
00:53:30I loved you.
00:53:33For the three years I knew you. And every day after I left, I regretted not confessing earlier.
00:53:42But at that time, my family was in the middle of internal strife. I couldn't give you a future.
00:53:50I thought I would wait until everything settled down to find you. But by then,
00:53:54someone else was already by your side.
00:54:01Finally, when we reached the door, Kieran suddenly stopped. Kieran pressed me against the door, breathing heavily.
00:54:10Lina, I'm giving you one last chance. Will you be with me? I don't care about your past. I just
00:54:17feel sorry for you.
00:54:19But let me tell you, once you're with me, breaking up is not allowed.
00:54:26I'm very possessive. I can't stand you leaving again.
00:54:30Yes! Before he could finish, I spoke first. I want to! I want to be with you!
00:54:40Our passion ignited instantly. It was unstoppable. We moved from the doorway to the living room.
00:54:48From the sofa to the balcony. From the bedroom to the bathroom again and again.
00:54:54Over and over. Insatiable and tireless.
00:55:02When the surging tide finally calmed, the sky was already turning pale, Kieran held me in his arms and gently
00:55:09kissed the top of my head.
00:55:13Lina, I love you.
00:55:16On the other side, after Ezekiel graduated and left school, he joined the Willard group.
00:55:26Yet he still did not give up searching for me, but no matter how many people he sent out, he
00:55:31could not find me, he was like a furious, trapped beast that had lost its way, turning all of San
00:55:37Francisco upside down.
00:55:39He even mobilized all the connections the Willard family had accumulated over the years, both in the underworld and the
00:55:46upper world, among all walks of life, and set a reward of $10 million.
00:55:51But his hopes were still dashed.
00:55:55He planted informants everywhere. At the docks, stations, and airports.
00:56:01From the initial notices to the current CityWid search, I once again became the talk of San Francisco.
00:56:08My photos kept spreading, and the information was repeatedly filtered.
00:56:16But after a full six months, I still could not be found.
00:56:20It was as if Paulina had vanished into thin air from Ezekiel's world.
00:56:24Late at night, Ezekiel did not return to the Willard family villa, but still lived in the apartment where he
00:56:30and Paulina had spent so much time together.
00:56:32He sat at the bedside, downed an entire bottle of strong liquor, and let his tears fall silently.
00:56:38In half a year, he had lost four pounds, becoming so haggard and dispirited that he seemed like a different
00:56:44person.
00:56:44He stared fixedly at my photo still on his phone, confusion flashing in his eyes before it turned into obsession.
00:56:53I won't give up, Lena.
00:56:56Even if I have to go to heaven or hell.
00:56:59No matter what the cost, I will find you.
00:57:05Thinking of this, he dialed his assistant again.
00:57:14After speaking, he thought for a moment and then asked.
00:57:20How is Felicia?
00:57:22Is she dead yet?
00:57:24Since graduating and joining the Willard group, apart from work and searching for me, the most important thing for him
00:57:31was taking revenge on Felicia.
00:57:35After she was bailed out of prison, she was beaten and scolded by her father every day, with not a
00:57:41single uninjured spot left on her body.
00:57:45But Ezekiel still felt it was not enough.
00:57:48Tell Mr. Veal, send her to Mexico, and I'll let him handle the South Bay project.
00:57:57Three days later, a shocking murder case broke out in San Francisco.
00:58:05Miss Felicia of the Veal family poisoned the food, causing the deaths of all 15 members of the Veal family,
00:58:11and she is now on the run.
00:58:18The assistant held a tablet and reported to Ezekiel at his desk, constantly observing his reaction out of the corner
00:58:25of his eye.
00:58:27On the run!
00:58:29As Ezekiel slammed his fist on the desk.
00:58:32What are those useless people doing?
00:58:34They can't find Lina.
00:58:35And now, and now they've let Felicia escape too?
00:58:39Catch her.
00:58:41Send her to the police.
00:58:43Hire the best lawyers.
00:58:45I want her to never leave prison for the rest of her life.
00:58:51As soon as he finished speaking, the door to his office was suddenly pushed open.
00:58:55A person dressed as a cleaner walked in.
00:58:57And before Ezekiel could react, pulled out a gun and fired at him.
00:59:00Bang!
00:59:01At the moment the gunshot rang out.
00:59:04Ezekiel was shot in the chest.
00:59:05The tremendous impact made him stagger and fall to the ground, blood gushing out instantly.
00:59:11The cleaner also took off her mask, revealing Felicia's scarred face, and charged at him viciously, ready to fire another
00:59:17shot.
00:59:18The assistant reacted quickly, grabbing the marble stand nearby and smashing it hard against her head.
00:59:24With that blow, her brains splattered everywhere.
00:59:30The handgun fell to the ground, and she collapsed in a pool of blood.
00:59:38The blood flowing from her body snaked forward, mixing with Ezekiel's.
00:59:45Ezekiel's vision darkened, the pain and blood loss blurring his sight.
00:59:49Before losing consciousness, he was still thinking.
00:59:52What bad luck, getting myself stained with her blood.
00:59:57Felina was imprisoned and sentenced to life in prison.
01:00:03Ezekiel was hospitalized with serious injuries.
01:00:07After a full day and night of emergency treatment, his life was barely saved.
01:00:12However, his limbs and body were still affected, and he could only sit in a wheelchair for the time being.
01:00:20Ezekiel's grandfather, Peter Willard, heard that there was a sanatorium in New York specializing in severe paralysis cases like his,
01:00:29and immediately arranged for him to be transferred there by private jet.
01:00:34Yet during the long rehabilitation, Ezekiel simply could not calm his mind to cooperate with the treatment.
01:00:40His heart and thoughts were filled with the hope of finding me as soon as possible.
01:00:46On this day, his assistant pushed him out of the sanatorium for a walk in the marina district,
01:00:52and a couple walking hand in hand nearby instantly stung his eyes.
01:01:01He looked at me and Kylan.
01:01:03I held a large bouquet of roses in my arms, leaning against Kylan.
01:01:13Unconsciously, Ezekiel's heart skipped a beat.
01:01:16But then, it sank heavily.
01:01:19For at Kieran's face was all too familiar to him.
01:01:26Kieran, president of the Broadway Group in New York.
01:01:29Kieran appeared on the front page of financial news every day,
01:01:32and a single word from him could cause a financial earthquake in the country.
01:01:36Kieran had also once been a prodigy in the law department at the University of San Francisco,
01:01:41a top student.
01:01:43No wonder, no matter how many methods Ezekiel used or how much money he offered as a reward,
01:01:48he could never find me.
01:01:49It turned out that someone had protected me well,
01:01:52completely sheltering me under his invincible wings.
01:01:55Izzy Ayal, who had once feared nothing,
01:01:57and commanded the winds and clouds at the University of San Francisco and throughout San Francisco,
01:02:02for the first time felt uncontrollable fear in front of the one he loved.
01:02:06I already had another lover.
01:02:08Healthy, successful in his career, academically outstanding.
01:02:12Each quality so exceptional that ordinary people could only look up to him.
01:02:16Even Ezekiel himself had to admit that he simply could not compare to Kieran.
01:02:21It was not until my figure gradually disappeared into the distance that he,
01:02:25like a stranded fish,
01:02:26clinged to the armpit of his wheelchair and gasped for breath.
01:02:29The assistant saw everything and tendively asked,
01:02:32Mr. Willard,
01:02:33why be flying out to Mrs. Quincy?
01:02:35Ezekiel let out a self-mocking laugh,
01:02:37and as he spoke,
01:02:39tears welled up in his eyes.
01:02:40In the past six months,
01:02:42he had almost shed all the tears of his life,
01:02:44all for me.
01:02:51Call out to her?
01:02:54On what grounds?
01:02:57Because I've become a cripple?
01:03:01Or because that man,
01:03:05with a flick of his finger,
01:03:07could make all my efforts over the past six months amount to nothing,
01:03:10leaving me unable to find a single trace of Lina?
01:03:14He was not discouraged.
01:03:15He hated himself.
01:03:19After returning,
01:03:21Ezekiel began to have an intense revelation in Regine.
01:03:25He trained like a madman,
01:03:27as if he wanted to exhaust himself to death on the rehabilitation equipment.
01:03:34Finally,
01:03:35on the day he could stand up on his own again,
01:03:38he went to the building of the Rodway Group
01:03:40and waited quietly in his car.
01:03:43He waited until nightfall,
01:03:45as groups of employees left the company.
01:03:51Only then did that familiar figure finally appear,
01:03:55at the entrance.
01:04:00I carried my laptop bag,
01:04:03looked exhaustedly toward the exit of the underground parking lot,
01:04:06and slowly walked to the roadside,
01:04:09Ezekiel opened the car door and finally called out my name.
01:04:13Lina
01:04:15I had lost weight,
01:04:17but my complexion was remarkably good.
01:04:20My fair skin still glowed with a moist radiance under the moonlight,
01:04:24tinged with a faint blush.
01:04:27Yet my gaze showed not the slightest ripple,
01:04:30unusually calm.
01:04:32Those lively eyes,
01:04:34now unperturbed,
01:04:35resembled a deep,
01:04:37bottomless cold pool,
01:04:39without joy or sorrow,
01:04:41love or hate.
01:04:44Instead,
01:04:45they reflected his current embarrassment and agitation
01:04:49with even greater clarity.
01:04:53That look was clearly directed at a stranger.
01:04:57Ezekiel suddenly recalled every late night in the past,
01:05:01when my heart and eyes had been filled with his presence.
01:05:05Now, however,
01:05:06I was so distant and indifferent.
01:05:14Lina
01:05:15He spoke with a hossy voice,
01:05:18cautiously.
01:05:20I've been looking for you for so long.
01:05:22I even went to the hospital to see you,
01:05:24but I was blocked every time.
01:05:27I called you countless times,
01:05:29from your phone being turned off at first
01:05:31to eventually being disconnected.
01:05:36Ezekiel was somewhat incoherent.
01:05:38He was too agitated
01:05:39and too fearful.
01:05:41He was terrified I would disappear again.
01:05:44I'm sorry I miss you so much.
01:05:48I really miss you.
01:05:50For more than half a year,
01:05:52not a moment passed without me
01:05:54thinking of you,
01:05:55searching for you.
01:05:58I found out the person who saved me on the mountain was you.
01:06:03Lina, I was wrong.
01:06:05It was because Felicia lied to me,
01:06:08saying she was the one who saved me,
01:06:10that I helped her hurt you.
01:06:12I finally lifted my eyes and looked directly at him.
01:06:16But it was not because I was moved.
01:06:19It was because, behind him,
01:06:21Kieran's car had already driven out of the underground garage
01:06:25and was approaching slowly.
01:06:27Yet this reaction,
01:06:29in Ezekiel's eyes,
01:06:30took on a different meaning.
01:06:34He was greatly encouraged and continued.
01:06:37I've already punished myself.
01:06:40I had the hacker delete the link from the push notification.
01:06:43And at school,
01:06:44I also did things for you.
01:06:46However,
01:06:47he did not finish his sentence.
01:06:49I suddenly smiled,
01:06:51waved behind him,
01:06:53and walked around him,
01:06:54leaving straight away.
01:06:58I did not leave a single word.
01:07:02Ezekiel watched my departing figure
01:07:04and involuntarily pressed his thin lips together.
01:07:07He hurried forward,
01:07:09trying to grab my arm.
01:07:12Lena,
01:07:13don't go!
01:07:14I still have something to say!
01:07:19However,
01:07:20just as he was about to touch me,
01:07:21the car door nearby slowly opened.
01:07:24Kenan stepped out and tightly embraced me.
01:07:26Mr. Willard,
01:07:28it's not very appropriate
01:07:29for you to cumulically pestle my girlfriend.
01:07:31At what my place is, is it?
01:07:33Kieran's expression was indifferent,
01:07:35without any emotion.
01:07:36In contrast,
01:07:37at Eziel's face was filled with urgency and panic.
01:07:40Kieran used his tall figure to shield me behind him,
01:07:43his eyes carrying an undisguised warning.
01:07:45Ezekiel quickly calmed down,
01:07:47his brows tightly frowned
01:07:48as he sized up the cold and stern man before him,
01:07:51refusing to back down.
01:07:53Mr. Rodbey,
01:07:54this is between Lena and me.
01:07:56It has nothing to do with you.
01:07:58He was confident that as long as he sincerely apologized,
01:08:01I would surely forgive him.
01:08:03After all,
01:08:03I had loved him so deeply.
01:08:05However,
01:08:06at Kieran,
01:08:06Rodway let out a low laugh.
01:08:09Out Lena's matters are my matters.
01:08:12Besides,
01:08:12do you need me to remind you what you've done?
01:08:14If I were you,
01:08:16I'd wish to smash my head and die.
01:08:19He took a deep breath before continuing.
01:08:21The Willard family is truly unfortunate to have a son like you.
01:08:25If you keep pessering Lina,
01:08:26I won't mind having your family come over
01:08:28to properly enforce the family rules.
01:08:30There was already a hint of threat in Kieran's work,
01:08:33words,
01:08:33but at Ezimiel Willard did not care at all.
01:08:35Even if you can use your power to force me back,
01:08:38you can't change the fact
01:08:39that's most beloved person is always me.
01:08:42I made mistakes.
01:08:43I can punish myself however I want,
01:08:45but I will never give up on her.
01:08:48Kieran Rodway,
01:08:50do you dare to compete with me fairly?
01:08:53We...
01:08:53He did not finish his sentence
01:08:55as I suddenly interrupted him.
01:08:57Ezekiel,
01:08:58there's no need to compete.
01:09:01Both men looked at me at the same time.
01:09:03The person I love now is at Kieran.
01:09:06No one can compete with him.
01:09:08As for you,
01:09:10I feel utterly disgusted
01:09:11and regretful for ever loving you.
01:09:13That is the greatest shame of my life.
01:09:16Ezekiel was struck
01:09:17as if by lightning.
01:09:19He staggered back several steps,
01:09:21almost collapsing to the ground in embarrassment.
01:09:23It was as if all his strength
01:09:24had been instantly drained from his body,
01:09:26and even maintaining the last bit of dignity
01:09:28was becoming a luxury.
01:09:30Impossible.
01:09:33I don't believe it.
01:09:34You clearly love me so much
01:09:35you said you would love me for your whole life.
01:09:40Lena, this joke isn't funny at all.
01:09:42I was wrong.
01:09:43I really was wrong.
01:09:45Please forgive me.
01:09:46Don't be so cruel to me.
01:09:48I swear.
01:09:50I will spend the rest of my life
01:09:51making up for what I owe you.
01:09:53I won't let you suffer any more harm.
01:09:56I'm begging you, Lena.
01:09:57Don't treat me like this.
01:09:59As he spoke,
01:09:59he reached out to grab my hand,
01:10:01but his hand was slapped away harshly.
01:10:03I looked at him coldly,
01:10:05my eyes completely unherherbed.
01:10:08Ezekiel, go back.
01:10:09Your very presence makes me sick.
01:10:11If you truly feel sorry for me,
01:10:14then please get out of my world completely
01:10:16and never bother me again.
01:10:19In the days that followed,
01:10:21I briefly regained a period of peace.
01:10:24On this day,
01:10:25I was invited to Columbia University
01:10:27to participate in a month-long teaching seminar.
01:10:29The transition from student to teacher
01:10:32felt novel to me,
01:10:33and the gloom that Ezekiel had cast over my mood
01:10:36was swept away.
01:10:37After the first day ended,
01:10:38a student ran over and said,
01:10:40Miss Quincy,
01:10:41there's someone waiting for you
01:10:42outside the lecture hall.
01:10:43He's a very handsome man.
01:10:45I thought it was Kieran,
01:10:47so I quickly packed my things
01:10:48and ran outside.
01:10:49I had to admit that
01:10:51I was relying in more and more on Kyron.
01:10:53No matter what I did,
01:10:54I wanted to share my feelings with him first.
01:10:56But when I saw At-Ezekiel standing before me,
01:10:59all the blood in my body turned cold.
01:11:02He really was like a lingering ghost.
01:11:04I turned to leave,
01:11:05but At-Ezekiel caught up with me
01:11:06in a few quick steps.
01:11:08He hugged me tightly from behind.
01:11:10His eyes filled with obsessive emotion.
01:11:12Don't go, Lena.
01:11:13Let's talk, please.
01:11:15I really can't live without you.
01:11:18I know you've been wronged,
01:11:19so why don't you hit me?
01:11:20Use a knife,
01:11:21or a stick,
01:11:22anything you want.
01:11:24Even if you want to kill me,
01:11:25that's fine.
01:11:27Just don't ignore me, please.
01:11:29Since you left,
01:11:29I haven't had a single good night's sleep.
01:11:32It took me so long to find you,
01:11:34but now there's another man by your side.
01:11:36Do you know I'm about to lose my mind?
01:11:38I felt a wave of nausea rise in my heart.
01:11:42During those days
01:11:43when I couldn't control my feelings for him,
01:11:45when I hoped he would give me a little love,
01:11:47I had imagined countless times
01:11:48that he would truly love me,
01:11:49but from beginning to end,
01:11:51all gave me was cruel hurt.
01:11:55From the moment I walked out of the campus,
01:11:57the Paulina of the past had already died.
01:11:59I had died on on the basketball court
01:12:02on the third floor of the school gymtasium.
01:12:04I broke free from Adzekiel's embrace with disgust,
01:12:07looked at him indifferently,
01:12:08and spoke coldly.
01:12:09Ezekiel,
01:12:10if you keep pestering me,
01:12:12I'm going to call the police.
01:12:14Ezekiel's eyes suddenly turned red.
01:12:16He had searched for me for such a long time,
01:12:18and never once had he thought about giving up.
01:12:21He ignored my resistance,
01:12:22trapping me tightly with his arms,
01:12:24and tried to kiss my ear and hair.
01:12:26Lena,
01:12:28please don't treat me like this.
01:12:30Didn't we agree to get married after graduation?
01:12:32I can marry you right now.
01:12:34I've already bought the engagement ring.
01:12:36You left me without a word,
01:12:37and I really corned me with this.
01:12:39Are you still blaming me?
01:12:41I know I'm sorry I didn't understand my own heart,
01:12:43but I really will change.
01:12:45His hot breath poured over the back of my ear,
01:12:47made me so uncomfortable that my hair stood on Ed,
01:12:50but his disgusting behavior continued.
01:12:52I know you've already found out about the push link thing.
01:12:54I admit I did it.
01:12:56But now I've erased them all.
01:12:57Even the ones others got,
01:12:59I destroyed them with one click.
01:13:00I was so furious that I shook.
01:13:02I bit at Ezekiel's arm hard,
01:13:04and while he was in pain,
01:13:05I quickly turned around and seen him hard across the face.
01:13:08Ezekiel,
01:13:09no matter what you do to make up for it,
01:13:12I will never love you again.
01:13:14In my eyes, you are a complete bastard.
01:13:16You disgust me.
01:13:17You make me hate you.
01:13:18And even hearing your name makes me sick.
01:13:23To me,
01:13:24the at Paulina of the past died long ago.
01:13:27Died at the University of San Francisco.
01:13:29Died in your abuse and harm.
01:13:30What gives you the right to ask for my forgiveness?
01:13:33Why should I come back?
01:13:34Just because you regret it.
01:13:36Tell me, why?
01:13:38Early spring in New York was still a bit coley,
01:13:41and I curled up my body.
01:13:42Then, as if I remembered something,
01:13:45I slowly rolled up my sleeve.
01:13:46The exposed skin was covered with Chris's crossing scars.
01:13:50Who knew how many years it would take to fully heal,
01:13:52or perhaps it would never heal at all.
01:13:54I pointed at those scars and said word by word,
01:13:57Ezekiel, these are your crimes,
01:13:59and they will never be erased.
01:14:01You should stay as far away from me as possible.
01:14:03If you had even a shred of guilt,
01:14:05you wouldn't be so self-righteous
01:14:07as to harass my hard-won peaceful life
01:14:10and make it a mess again.
01:14:11You are just so selfish and shameless.
01:14:16Ezekiel stood frozen in place,
01:14:19unable to move for a long time.
01:14:21Kirin suddenly launched an attack.
01:14:23Kirin precisely targeted
01:14:25all the projects of the Willard family.
01:14:27The family crisis was all because
01:14:29Ezekiel went to harass someone else's girlfriend.
01:14:32Peter was furious and immediately sent people
01:14:34to bring him Welkai,
01:14:35but Ezekiel seemed bewitched
01:14:37and would still sneak off to New York.
01:14:39Although Kirin had already arranged bodyguards around me,
01:14:42they would drive him away before he could get close.
01:14:45Yet he only wanted to see me from afar.
01:14:47It was only at this very moment
01:14:48that Ott Ezekiel finally understood
01:14:50the inexplicable panic
01:14:52that had suddenly arisen in his heart back then.
01:14:55It turned out that from that time on,
01:14:57he had been afraid of losing me.
01:14:58He had also become clearly aware
01:15:00that his actions might make it impossible to win my back.
01:15:05So I was right.
01:15:06He deserved it.
01:15:07He was shameless.
01:15:08He knew the outcome but still did it
01:15:10simply because he was convinced
01:15:11my love would never change.
01:15:13He publicly announced his separation
01:15:15from the Willard family,
01:15:16gave up all inheritance rights
01:15:18and stayed alone in New York.
01:15:20He could not succeed in anything in New York
01:15:22because Kirin's people were always watching him.
01:15:24So he could only take odd jobs everywhere,
01:15:27living a miserable life,
01:15:29all just to catch a glimpse of Paulina from time to time.
01:15:32On the day I got married,
01:15:34Ezekiel waited early in the grass
01:15:36outside the Rodway mansion.
01:15:37He watched helplessly as I gave my hand to Kirin.
01:15:40He went mad.
01:15:41He rushed back to his rented room
01:15:43and stabbed himself again and again.
01:15:45Just before losing consciousness,
01:15:47he dialed the emergency center and said,
01:15:51Please, I'm about to die.
01:15:54Please let me see Lena.
01:15:56Just let me see her one more time, please.
01:15:58When woke up again,
01:15:59he was already laying in a ward
01:16:01at New York Pristerion Hospital.
01:16:02He had previously suffered a gunshot wound
01:16:05and his body had long been severely weakened.
01:16:07After this ordeal,
01:16:08he seemed completely broken.
01:16:10I filed a lawsuit against him.
01:16:12I personally served as my own attorney,
01:16:15accusing him of violating citizens' privacy,
01:16:17distributing obscene materials,
01:16:19intentional injury,
01:16:21and several other charges.
01:16:22In court,
01:16:23I fought wore my lawyer's robe,
01:16:25spoke clearly and logically,
01:16:27and sprued novitically presented
01:16:28all the evidence in detail.
01:16:30Over the years,
01:16:31I had never given up seeking justice for myself.
01:16:34Now that I was married,
01:16:35I had the strongest support
01:16:36and no longer had any worries.
01:16:38And the chain of evidence
01:16:39was finally completely intact.
01:16:42Ezekiel did not hire a lawyer,
01:16:44nor did he apply to defend himself.
01:16:45He cooperated silently with all the procedures.
01:16:48He pleaded guilty in court
01:16:49and would not appeal.
01:16:51He was subsequently convicted of multiple crimes
01:16:53and sentenced to seven years in prison.
01:16:56On the day he entered prison,
01:16:58Ezekiel knelt on the ground
01:17:00and begged the prison guard
01:17:01to let him see me.
01:17:02But I replied,
01:17:03you will never see me again in this lifetime.
01:17:06Seven years had passed in the blink of an eye.
01:17:09I had given birth to a daughter
01:17:10named Emily Roadway.
01:17:12I gently raised the Hild,
01:17:13nurturing her to be independent and obstinous,
01:17:16my heart overflowing with Fortis eyes.
01:17:18Kieran accompanied me back to San Francisco
01:17:20to pay respects to my mother.
01:17:22The three of us bowed before the gravestone.
01:17:26Mom, I am very happy now.
01:17:28My family is harmonious and blissful.
01:17:31All the pain from the past,
01:17:33I have already forgotten.
01:17:35Please rest assured.
01:17:36Emily hopped around,
01:17:38earnestly wiping the gravestone for her grandmother,
01:17:40her little face shrouded in solemnity.
01:17:42With her childish voice, she said,
01:17:45Grandma, I will take good care of mom,
01:17:48so don't worry.
01:17:49Kieran and I were amused
01:17:50and burst into laughter.
01:17:53It was not until the sun slanted west
01:17:55and the cemetery was about to close
01:17:57that the three of us left hand in hand.
01:18:00We did not notice that,
01:18:01not far away in the bushes,
01:18:03two pairs of eyes were watching us,
01:18:05one burning with intensity,
01:18:07the other cold and sinister.
01:18:09Before returning to New York,
01:18:10I visited the University of San Francisco
01:18:13to see Reet.
01:18:14Seeing Reet,
01:18:15whose hair had long since turned white,
01:18:17my eyes could not help but grow moister.
01:18:19Mr. Smithison,
01:18:21there is something I have never told you all these years.
01:18:23I came here today,
01:18:24especially to tell you,
01:18:25thank you.
01:18:27Truly,
01:18:27thank you.
01:18:28If you hadn't contacted Kieran back then,
01:18:31there would be no Paulina today.
01:18:33You are like a second parent to me.
01:18:35Reet was moved to tears as well
01:18:36and we talked for quite a while.
01:18:38When I left,
01:18:39it was already noon,
01:18:40the students had gone to lunch
01:18:42and there were not many people on campus.
01:18:44I walked alone along the familiar path
01:18:46and a message from Kieran popped up on my phone.
01:18:49My work is finished
01:18:50and I am almost at the University of San Francisco.
01:18:53I smiled softly,
01:18:54my face full of tenderness.
01:18:56Just then,
01:18:56a figure suddenly darted out from behind a tree,
01:18:59blocking my way.
01:19:01Paulina,
01:19:02after all these years,
01:19:04I have finally waited for you.
01:19:06I looked up and saw at Felicia.
01:19:08I was utterly shocked
01:19:09and took two steps back,
01:19:11my eyes wide with caution.
01:19:12Weren't you sentenced to life imprisonment?
01:19:14How are you here?
01:19:15Felicia let out a bitter laugh,
01:19:17her voice completely horny.
01:19:19Inside,
01:19:19I lived a life of utter darkness.
01:19:23Tortured until I developed cancer.
01:19:26So I applied for medical parole.
01:19:30All so I could find a chance before I die
01:19:33to drag you to hell with me.
01:19:35I kept retreating,
01:19:36trying hard to stay calm.
01:19:37Felicia,
01:19:38I never wronged you.
01:19:39In fact,
01:19:40you have always hurt me.
01:19:42Why do you hate me so much?
01:19:44Felicia's eyes glinted with ferocity.
01:19:46The knife in her hand waved ceaselessly.
01:19:50Of course I hate you!
01:19:52You are an orphan.
01:19:53You should have lived like a worm in the mud.
01:19:56So why are you better than me in every way?
01:19:59You were always top of the class.
01:20:01Teachers liked you.
01:20:02And even when you went hiking,
01:20:04you managed to save the youngest son
01:20:05of the most powerful Willard family in San Francisco.
01:20:08Why, at Paulina,
01:20:10why is your luck so good?
01:20:11How could I not hate you?
01:20:13I just want to destroy you
01:20:15to make you fall into the abyss with me.
01:20:18With that,
01:20:19she lunged straight at me with the knife.
01:20:23Just as the sharp blade was about to pierce my body,
01:20:26a stern shout rang out from nearby.
01:20:29Kieran and the recently released Ezekiel
01:20:31were running toward me at the same time.
01:20:34Felicia saw Ezekiel,
01:20:35and her eyes grew even redder.
01:20:37She suddenly turned the knife
01:20:38and stabbed fiercely at the charging Ezekiel.
01:20:41Ezekiel,
01:20:42I didn't kill you last time,
01:20:43so this time we'll die together!
01:20:46The sound of the blade,
01:20:48piercing skin echoed
01:20:49and Ezekiel's heart was strapped through.
01:20:51He did not even have time
01:20:53to say a word before he collapsed.
01:20:55Even in death,
01:20:56he was still looking in my direction.
01:20:58Felicia wildly turned her head,
01:21:00her body covered in blood
01:21:01as she looked at me.
01:21:02Paulina,
01:21:03I really dislike you,
01:21:05but I also envy you.
01:21:07As soon as she finished speaking,
01:21:09she plunged the blooded knife
01:21:10into her own heart.
01:21:13Kieran raised his hand to cover my eyes,
01:21:16holding me tightly in his arms.
01:21:18Don't be afraid, Lena.
01:21:20I'm here.
01:21:21I'm here.
01:21:22This was the most beautiful love conflation
01:21:24I had ever heard.
01:21:25My heart, too,
01:21:26settled into peace.
01:21:28A week later,
01:21:29Kieran and I returned to New York.
01:21:31When we got off the plane,
01:21:33the evening glow happened to be in the sky.
01:21:35We held hands
01:21:37and gazed into each other's eyes.
01:21:41We were surrounded by the radiant cease of happiness.
01:21:44Yes.
01:21:44Bye.
01:21:45Bye.
01:21:47Bye.
01:21:48Bye.
01:21:48You
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