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