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The Cursed Heiress’ Verdict HD 720p
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Short filmTranscript
00:00I was born with a curse.
00:02Whoever I doom dies exactly as I say.
00:06When I was five, the trafficker who kidnapped me beat me half to death because I wouldn't stop crying.
00:11You'll be crushed into meat paste by a truck.
00:14The words barely left my lips when a runaway something barreled through the gate and flattened it so thoroughly.
00:21Later at the orphanage, the director embezzled our food and locked me in the punishment closet for days.
00:27You will choke to death on your own greed.
00:30That very noon, he died at the dinner table, a chunk of expensive steak lodged in his throat.
00:36After that, I became the monster everyone feared.
00:40So I learned to shut my mouth and play mute until the day the Sterling family found me and brought
00:46me home.
00:47You're doing very well. The past studies in your six months.
00:49You're going to start learning how to do business. In the future, you'll become an outstanding giz.
00:53Your younger sister you get would learn from you.
00:55By the way, our family is engaged in a marriage with the Blackstone family and your fiancée's name is Julian.
01:03But I'd only been there one day when I pushed open the front door and saw Lydia, the adopted sister,
01:09sobbing in my fiancée's arms.
01:11Julian, does Everly hate me now?
01:14She whimpered.
01:15She's been spreading rumors at the office, claiming I slept with Mr. Harrington to secure the Westside Development deal and
01:22that I caught syphilis from him.
01:24My mother stormed over and slapped me hard across the face.
01:28Your sister is innocent! How dare you spread such vile lies about her!
01:32I knew it.
01:33You grew up poor and bitter and now you're rotting from jealousy.
01:37Get to your room and don't come out until I say so.
01:40I covered my face, saw the smug look in Lydia's eyes, and sneered.
01:44You think I'm spreading rumors?
01:46Fine. Then you'd better be ready with the consequences when I open my mouth.
01:53Mom, Dad, look! Evelyn's laughing!
01:56My mother's chest heaved with fury, and she grabbed the teacup from the table and hurled the scalding liquid straight
02:02into my face.
02:03You cursed brat! I should never have brought you back!
02:07Look, we gave you everything. Food, clothes, a home, and this is how you repay us?
02:14Slandering your own sister at the company? How can you be so vicious?
02:18I bit down hard on my tongue until I tasted iron.
02:21Evelyn, I told you from the start. You don't belong in the Sterling family, and you sure as hell don't
02:26deserve to be my fiancée.
02:27If Lydia hadn't begged me to give you a chance, I would have called off this engragement ages ago.
02:31Now get on your knees and apologize to her, or I'm ending this farce right now.
02:36I lowered my head, staring at the puddle of tea soaking into the marble floor, and said nothing.
02:41My curse has always been absolute. Once I speak, fate obeys without fail.
02:46In the six months since they brought me home, the Sterlings gave me something I'd never had before.
02:51Warmth. When I had a fever, my mother stayed up all night, changing cold compresses on my forehead.
02:56My father, who never cooked, clumsily made me pork chops and gave me the first piece.
03:01Even my brother, who swore he'd never accept me, started sneaking pastries into my bag.
03:06My mother would stroke my face with tears in her eyes, and whisper that she was sorry for the years
03:12I'd suffered alone.
03:13My father even drove me to the office himself, saying I needed to start building connections,
03:18because one day, the entire Sterling empire would be mine.
03:22To protect this fragile sliver of warmth I'd finally found, I sealed my lips shut.
03:27Seeing my silence, Lydia's sobs grew louder.
03:32Does Evelyn think she can just play dumb and get away with this?
03:35She's been spreading those disgusting lies. It's about me all over the company.
03:39Everyone's looking at me like I'm dirty now.
03:41How am I supposed to show my face in this industry again?
03:44Julian's face twisted in rage, and he stormed over and grabbed the fine chain around my neck,
03:49yanking hard. Pain seared across my skin.
03:53Six months ago, my mother had recognized me because of this necklace.
03:57She said she'd put it on me the day I was born, a mark of my identity as the sole
04:01legitimate heir.
04:02I lunged forward, trying to grab me.
04:05Give it back!
04:06Julian sidestepped this, letting me crash to the floor.
04:09Don't touch me! If you come near me again, I'll call the cops and tell them you assaulted me!
04:12Then, right in front of me, he placed the necklace around Lydia's neck.
04:19A treasure this priceless should only be worn by someone pure and kind like Lydia.
04:25A vicious, foul-mouthed nobody like you would only taint it.
04:29Before I could get back on my feet, my brother came charging down the stairs and grabbed me by the
04:35collar.
04:35I knew we shouldn't have brought you back, you filthy charity case!
04:42It was Lydia who begged to be kind to you.
04:45She even gave up her own bedroom to you!
04:48And for the past six months, she's handed you every good thing she's ever had!
04:53And this is how you repay her?
04:55You ungrateful snake!
04:58Butler! Lock this trash in her room right now!
05:01No one gives her a single drop of water without my permission, understood?
05:05Two security guards rushed forward, dragged me upstairs.
05:09I was locked in that room for seven days straight.
05:13Every night, the maid would slide a single bowl under the door.
05:16Inside was nothing but cold leftovers and scraps.
05:19Outside, I could hear laughter echoing through the halls.
05:22The fourth, a perfect little family.
05:24Lydia made sure to parade Julian past my door every single day.
05:29Julian, this watch is too expensive.
05:31Why don't you give it to Evelyn instead?
05:33I know you love me, but Evelyn is their real daughter and she's the one you're technically engaged to.
05:38Maybe we should just end this.
05:40As long as I can see you happy from afar, I'd die a thousand deaths and it would still be
05:44worth it.
05:45Stop talking nonsense.
05:46That piece of trash they dragged back from the gullet isn't even worth carrying your shoes.
05:50Just looking at her pathetic face makes me sick.
05:52Why the hell would I give her something this expensive?
05:56Don't worry, Lydia.
05:57Even if I marry her, I'll never lay a fender on her.
06:00You're the only one I'll ever love.
06:02I leaned against the door.
06:04Wearing something that expensive to bed?
06:06Better be careful.
06:07You might wake up with a stiff neck.
06:10The next morning, Lydia's shrieks tore through the hallway.
06:13It hurts!
06:14My neck!
06:15I can't move it!
06:21Then came my sister's panicked voice, followed by the frantic footsteps of the household staff, scrambling to help.
06:28I sat in the dark, eyes closed, a slow smile spreading across my face.
06:32On the eighth day, the lock finally clicked open.
06:35Lydia stood in the doorway, arms crossed.
06:38Oh my god, Evelyn.
06:40You look like death.
06:41Did you really starve yourself just to guilt trip us?
06:44Come on, get up.
06:46Mom and dad want you at the company.
06:48All you have to do is stand in front of everyone and admit you lied, apologize to me, and we
06:52can all move on.
06:53I pushed myself to my feet and walked toward the door.
06:57The moment I reached the top of the stairs, Lydia leaned in close and whispered in my ear,
07:03You poor little bastard.
07:05Did you really think you could steal my parents and my man?
07:09I froze mid-step and turned to look at her.
07:12Lydia let out a blood-pudding scream.
07:15Evelyn, no!
07:16I swear I won't take the inheritance from you!
07:19Then she threw herself backward and tumbled down the stairs.
07:22Julian bolted toward the staircase.
07:24Lydia!
07:25And my parents and sister came running from every direction.
07:29Lydia lay crumpled at the bottom.
07:31Julian, don't blame Evelyn.
07:33Julian, I just lost my balance.
07:36You've lived in this house for over 20 years and never once fell down these stairs.
07:41There's no way this was an accident.
07:43My mother flew up the steps and landed two brutal slaps across my face.
07:47I was so weak from starvation that the force sent me crashing to the floor.
07:51How did we ever give birth to a monster like you?
07:54I pressed my hand to my burning cheek and stared back at them.
07:58I let out a cold, humorless laugh.
08:00If I really wanted to hurt her, I wouldn't need to lift a finger.
08:02My brother's entire body shook the place and he kicked over a decorative plant stand.
08:07Mom!
08:08Do you hear this?
08:09Do you hear what she's saying?
08:11Lydia's lying there in pain and Evelyn has the audacity to double down on her threats!
08:18You're still refusing to admit what you've done?
08:20Stop pretending you have some kind of supernatural power, you delusional freak!
08:24My father turned his face away as if even looking at me disgusted him.
08:28Get her out of my sight.
08:29Lock her back in her room now.
08:31I struggled against the guard's grip and let out a sharp, bitter laugh.
08:35You're all playing your parts so well.
08:38Just make sure she doesn't actually break a bone and pass out from the pain.
08:41Lydia suddenly went rigid.
08:43Her head lolled forward and she slumped, unconscious.
08:46My mother screamed.
08:48Someone get her in the car!
08:49We need to get to the hospital now!
08:51The guard scooped Lydia up and sprinted out the door, with my parents and brother racing
08:56after them.
08:57The roar of engines filled the courtyard and within seconds they were gone.
09:01I was thrown back into my room like garbage.
09:04A few days later, Lydia was discharged from the hospital.
09:08My parents shoved me into the car and dragged me straight to the Sterling Group headquarters.
09:12The normally spacious lobby was packed wall-to-wall with employees.
09:16My parents had summoned the entire company to publicly clear Lydia's name.
09:20On the massive LED screen in the center of the room, a video played on loop.
09:24Footage of Lydia handing out backpacks to underprivileged children in remote villages,
09:28and late-night shots of her working tirelessly on the Westside Development Project.
09:33My father stepped onto the platform, microphone in hand, his voice booming across the lobby.
09:40Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great misfortune to announce that we brought home a daughter
09:46of such rotten characters.
09:50Out of pure jealousy, she spread vicious, slanderous rumors about Lydia throughout this company.
09:56She has not only damaged our family's reputation, she has committed an unforgivable moral crime.
10:02The employees, not knowing the full story, began whispering amongst themselves.
10:07Once trash, always trash.
10:08Doesn't matter if you put her in a mansion.
10:12I heard she grew up in some backwater foster home.
10:15People from places like that are all liars and thieves.
10:18If she's willing to slander her own sister, there's nothing she wouldn't do.
10:22Lydia, supported by Julian, walked up to me and held out a piece of paper.
10:26A printed confession titled, Statement of Guilt and Apology.
10:30Evelyn, I know why you did this.
10:32All you have to do is sign this, admit you lied, and apologize to me in front of everyone.
10:37Then I'll forgive you.
10:39I stared at her smug face, my chest heaving with barely restrained rage.
10:44I never said those things.
10:45But if I had said you slept with Mr. Harrington...
10:49Before I could finish, Julian's polished oxford slammed into the back of my knee.
10:54I collapsed onto the marble floor with a sickening crack.
10:58The employees around me erupted in laughter.
11:01Some even pulled out their phones, snapping photos and recording videos of my humiliation.
11:06Karma's a bitch!
11:07Shane tore through me like...
11:09Karma's a bitch?!
11:10And then...
11:11Stop!
11:12Evelyn didn't lie!
11:13I can prove it!
11:13Everyone froze.
11:15A young woman shoved her way through the crowd.
11:17Evelyn didn't lie!
11:17I can prove it!
11:18She is the intern I'd comforted on my first day at the office, who'd been crying in the
11:23break room after getting chewed out by her supervisor.
11:26She planted herself in front of me, her voice shaking but firm as she pointed at Lydia.
11:31I saw it with my own eyes that night when we were working late!
11:34Lydia got into Mr. Harrington's car and they were in the back seat together.
11:38The entire lobby went dead silent.
11:42Lydia's face drained of color.
11:44But she recovered quickly, throwing herself into Julian's arms and wailing at the top of
11:48her lungs.
11:49Julian!
11:51How much did Evelyn pay this girl to lie for her?
11:54First she makes up disgusting rumors, and now she's bribing people to back her up?
11:58What kind of monthus anymore?
12:00I just want to die.
12:01The crowd's shock instantly morphed into contempt.
12:04Julian's expression darkened, glaring at the intern with pure hatred.
12:09He stepped forward and backhanded her across the face.
12:13The intern lost her balance and hit the floor hard, blood trickling from the corner of her
12:17mouth.
12:18You've gone too far!
12:20Throw this traitorous little bitch out of my building!
12:24Fire her immediately!
12:25Blacklist her from every company in the industry!
12:28I want her name ruined!
12:30Four security guards swarmed the intern, raining fists and kicks down on her fragile body.
12:35She crawled into a wall on the floor.
12:38I knelt on the cold floor, watching the girl who'd been beaten half to death for telling
12:42the truth.
12:43I bit down on my lower lip so hard that blood streamed down my chin, but I didn't even feel
12:48it.
12:49My trust in them shattered completely.
12:53Mom, Dad, Evelyn must be doing this because she's terrified I'll steal her inheritance.
12:59I know she hates me.
13:01She's always hated me for taking away the life that should have been hers all these years.
13:05She clutched my father's pant leg.
13:07As long as you let me stay by your side, I'll be happy even if it kills me.
13:11Julian strode over, grabbed a fistful of my hair, and yanked my head up.
13:16Everyone, take a good look at this vile excuse for a human being.
13:22Today, I, Julian Blackstone, am officially calling off my engagement to her.
13:27Next month, Lydia and I will be having the grandest wedding this city has ever seen.
13:33My father stood on the platform like a judge, passing sentence.
13:37If you don't confess and apologize right now, I will disown you in front of this entire
13:42company.
13:43You won't see a single share of Sterling Group stock.
13:46Not one.
13:47Julian's designer's shoe pressed down on the back of my hand, grinding my bones into the
13:52marble.
13:52The sickening crunch was followed by a wave of agony that shot straight to my skull.
13:57Around me, the crowd roared with laughter, camera flashes exploding in my face.
14:02My parents' disgusted voices echoed in my ears.
14:05I closed my eyes.
14:06The last fragile thread of affection I'd held for the Sterling Group was snout.
14:10I opened my eyes slowly and spoke.
14:12I'm going to ask you one last time.
14:14Are you absolutely certain you want me to stand in front of all these people and confess that
14:19I spread those rumors?
14:20Of course, you did it.
14:22Now own up to it.
14:25My parents and Julian chimed in impatiently.
14:27Stop wasting our time.
14:29Apologize already.
14:31Fine.
14:32I confess.
14:34I looked at their eager, self-righteous faces.
14:36I said Lydia secured the Westside Development deal by sleeping with Mr. Harrington.
14:40And I said she contracted syphilis from him.
14:43Not only that, but Lydia is now pregnant.
14:45And the baby is Mr. Harrington's.
14:49The entire lobby fell deathly silent.
14:52Lydia froze for a split second.
14:54You all heard that, right?
14:56She finally admitted it!
14:58She made it all up!
15:00Julian let out a cold, mocking laugh.
15:02What are you waiting for?
15:03Get on your knees and apologize now!
15:05But just as she reached the peak of her victory,
15:08Lydia let out a blood-cuddling scream and collapsed to the ground, clutching her groin.
15:13Blood began pouring down her legs.
15:16Lydia!
15:16Julian's face went white as a sheet, and he rushed to her side.
15:20The company's front doors exploded inward, glass and wood splintering everywhere.
15:25Mr. Harrington's wife, a massive and muscular woman with a crew of bodyguards, stormed into the lobby.
15:31Where the hell is that home-wrecking whore, Lydia Sterling?
15:35He charged forward, grabbed her by the collar, and ripped her out of Julian's arms.
15:39What did you do?
15:40Then he started throwing punches, one after another.
15:44You disgusting slut!
15:46You seduced my husband!
15:48He pulled a stack of medical reports from his jacket, and slammed them onto the floor.
15:53Everyone, look at this!
15:54My husband caught syphids from this filthy parasite!
15:57The lab results scattered across the marble.
16:00The words, Stage 2 Syphilis, glaring up at the crowd in red ink.
16:04Julian's face turned ashen, and he staggered backward, staring at the papers in disbelief.
16:09Lydia was already barely conscious from the beating, blood streaming from her mouth.
16:14Julian!
16:15It's not true!
16:16I don't have any disease!
16:18This is all Evelyn's doing!
16:20She hired actors to destroy me!
16:22She even faked these medical records!
16:25She's a monster!
16:26She'll do anything to frame me!
16:28She sobbed hysterically.
16:29He looked at the medical reports, melted into pure rage.
16:33Then at Lydia's tear-streaked face, and his doubt vanished entirely.
16:36Get the hell off her!
16:38Julian kicked Mr. Harrington's wife in the chest, and a swarm of security guards surrounded him.
16:43If you touch my fiancé again, you're a dead man!
16:47Then Julian spun around, his eyes blazing with fury as he glared at me.
16:52Everly.
16:53Do you ever stop?
16:55You went so far as to hire actors and forge medical documents just to prove your disgusting lives?
17:02Lydia is clean.
17:04There's no way she'd ever catch something that vile.
17:07My father's voice shook with rage.
17:09This is unforgivable!
17:12How did we ever raise such a venomous snake?
17:16You thought of something this despicable!
17:19Something this evil!
17:20My mother was on her knees beside Lydia, stroking her bloodied face.
17:25My little baby!
17:26How did you end up with such a cruel sister?
17:29This is all my fault!
17:32It hurts.
17:34Suddenly, Lydia and I were out of an agonized scream and went limp, collapsing in a pool of her own
17:40blood.
17:41The puddle beneath her was growing larger by the second.
17:44Julian's face went white.
17:45Lydia!
17:46And he barked orders at the guards.
17:48Get the car!
17:49We're going to the hospital!
17:51Now!
17:51My parents stumbled after them, their faces twisted in panic.
17:55The lobby descended into chaos.
17:57My brother appeared out of nowhere, grabbed me by the collar, and started dragging me toward the exit.
18:03You're coming with us.
18:05If anything happens to Lydia, you're going to pay for it with your life.
18:09He shoved me into the back seat of the car, and my head slammed against the window.
18:14Through the glass, I watched Julian's car speed away, running red lights, and swerving through traffic like a scene from
18:21a disaster movie.
18:22A cold smile tugged at the corner of my lips.
18:25The hospital emergency room hallway was silent.
18:28The only sound was my mother's muffled sobbing.
18:30Finally, the red light above the door went dark, and the doctor stepped out, his expression grim.
18:36Julian and my family immediately swarmed him.
18:38Doctor, how is she?
18:40The doctor sighed.
18:44The patient experienced severe rectal bleeding due to acute ternal hemorrhahalride rupture.
18:49Additionally, there are visible signs of blunt force trauma to the genital area.
18:53She'll need to remain on bed rest.
18:56What?
18:57Hemorrhide bleeding?
18:58And trauma?
18:59Julian's face went slack with shock, and my parents and brother looked equally stunned.
19:04A nurse wheeled Lydia into a VIP room, and we followed.
19:07Lydia's eyes fluttered open, and when she heard the nurse repeating the doctor's instructions,
19:11even she looked genuinely shocked.
19:14But within a second, her brain recalibrated.
19:17She grabbed Julian's hand, tears welling up in her eyes.
19:20Julian, you're not gonna think less of me because I have hemorrhings, are you?
19:26But I swear, I'm innocent.
19:29The injuries down there are because I fought back when Mr. Harrington tried to force himself on me,
19:34and his people beat me up.
19:36This is proof that I stayed loyal to you, that I resisted with everything I had.
19:41Julian's entire body went rigid.
19:43Lydia, you really went through all that for me?
19:46Lydia nodded pitifully.
19:47Of course it was for you.
19:50I didn't want to use this to guilt you into marrying me.
19:53I was going to wait until you'd completely ended things with Evelyn.
19:56Julian was utterly convinced.
19:58He grabbed her hand tightly, his earlier doubts completely erased.
20:02He turned to look at me, his expression twisted with disgust.
20:06Evelyn, what do you have to say for yourself now?
20:10Lydia fought them off to stay faithful to me.
20:13She's devoted her entire heart to me.
20:14How could she possibly be sleeping with Mr. Harrington?
20:18Those people who barged in here were obviously hired by you.
20:22My father let out a long sigh of relief.
20:26He called his assistant.
20:27Send out an internal memo immediately.
20:29Announce that Lydia and the Blackstone family will be moving forward with the engagement.
20:33As for that ridiculous slander my daughter spread,
20:35it's been completely debunked.
20:36And send those thugs who stormed the building to the police.
20:39My mother clutched her chest dramatically, tears of joy streaming down her face.
20:43Do you hear that?
20:44Lydia is devoted to Julian.
20:46You tried to curse your own sister with lies?
20:50You're not even human!
20:51Julian helped Lydia settle into the hospital bed,
20:54then strode over to me, his gaze ice cold.
20:59Evelyn, I gave you a chance, and you threw it away.
21:04Once Lydia recovers and is discharged,
21:07I'm personally escorting you to prison.
21:09Faced with their accusations, I started laughing, unsettling them.
21:13I shook off the guard's grip and locked eyes with Lydia,
21:17my voice sharp and cold.
21:18Whether or not she stayed faithful to you,
21:21the syphilis rash on her body will tell you the truth soon enough.
21:25A flicker of panic flashed across Lydia's face, but she quickly mouthed...
21:28You're lying!
21:29You psychopath!
21:31You're just jealous that I won Julian's heart!
21:34You couldn't get mom and dad to love you!
21:36You couldn't get Julian to want you,
21:38so now you're cursing me with some disgusting disease!
21:40Julian was about to slap me again.
21:42When the hospital room door swung open,
21:45the attending physician walked in,
21:46holding a stack of blood work results,
21:48his face grave.
21:49His eyes swept over everyone in the room,
21:51and he took a deep breath.
21:53Who here is the patient's family?
21:55Julian stepped forward immediately.
21:57I'm her fiancé.
21:59Doctor, she's gonna be okay, right?
22:00The doctor glanced at him,
22:02his expression complicated.
22:04During the routine blood draw,
22:06we ran a full infectious disease palette as per protocol.
22:12He handed the lab results to Julian.
22:17The patient, Lydia Sterling,
22:19has tested positive for stage 2 syphilis.
22:22The titer levels are extremely high,
22:24indicating she's in a highly contagious stage.
22:27The room plunged into complete silence.
22:30Julian staggered backward,
22:31his legs giving out beneath him
22:33as he collapsed onto the floor.
22:35He stared at Lydia,
22:37who just moments ago had seemed so pure and innocent,
22:40with a look of absolute horror.
22:43No! That's impossible!
22:45You're allowed to make a mistake!
22:47I know what happened!
22:49The needle you used to draw my blood
22:51must have been contaminated!
22:53You infected me!
22:55Julian, you have to believe me!
22:57Miss Sterling, that's medically impossible.
22:59The infection didn't occur from the blood draw.
23:02He glanced down at his clipboard and continued.
23:04Your tiler levels indicate you've been infected
23:07for at least two months.
23:09Additionally, regarding the fetus...
23:10My stomach!
23:12Doctor, it hurts so much!
23:13Please help me!
23:14Something's wrong!
23:16The doctor was interrupted
23:17and was not able to mention Lydia's pregnancy.
23:20I leaned against the doorframe,
23:22arms crossed,
23:23watching the whole scene unfold
23:24with detached amusement.
23:26Mr. Blackstone,
23:28if you want to know the truth,
23:30why don't you call your oging?
23:32How'd him look into whether Mr. Harrington
23:34has also been diagnosed of syphilis?
23:36Julian's hands shook
23:37as he pulled out his phone
23:38and dialed his assistant.
23:39The moment the call connected...
23:41Mr. Blackstone, it's confirmed!
23:43Mr. Harrington has been diagnosed
23:44with stage two syphilis!
23:45And sir, there's more!
23:47Miss Sterling is pregnant!
23:48The whole industry is saying
23:49the child is Mr. Harrington's.
23:50The entire Westside Development Project
23:52has been shut down.
23:53Saying the child is Mr. Harrington's!
23:54The entire Westside Development Project
23:56has been shut down!
23:57Julian's face went from shock
23:59to confusion
24:00to realization
24:01and finally
24:02to pure, murderous rage.
24:05You're pregnant?
24:07Lydia's face turned deathly pale.
24:09Yes.
24:10The patient is approximately
24:11eight weeks pregnant,
24:13as I was trying to mention earlier.
24:14You lying piece of shit!
24:16Mr. Harrington,
24:18Julian's eyes made bloodshot
24:19and he lunged
24:20at the hospital bed.
24:21He grabbed Lydia by the shoulders,
24:23shaking her violently.
24:25We haven't even slept together!
24:26You said you wanted to wait
24:27until the wedding night!
24:28Whose child is it?
24:30How many men have you been with?
24:31Lydia gasped for air,
24:33tears streaming down her face.
24:35But she had nowhere left to run.
24:37Realizing there was no way out,
24:39she gave up the act entirely
24:41and started playing the victim card.
24:44Julian, please!
24:45I was forced!
24:46I only did it to help you
24:48secure the West Side investment!
24:49Mr. Harrington got me drunk
24:51and took advantage of me!
24:52But the baby...
24:54The baby is yours.
24:55I swear it's yours.
24:57I know you never wanted
24:58the burden of fatherhood.
25:01So?
25:02I made arrangements
25:03to carry your child myself,
25:05using your frozen samples!
25:07Julian's hand flew across her face,
25:09Slapping her so hard
25:11she slammed back into the pillows.
25:13Then he climbed onto the bed
25:14and started beating her,
25:16slap after slap,
25:17over and over,
25:19until her face was unrecognizable.
25:22My parents and brother
25:23stood frozen in place.
25:25They looked at Lydia,
25:26bruised,
25:27bloodied,
25:27pregnant,
25:28carrying of the nereal disease,
25:30and then turned to look at me,
25:32leaning calmly against the doorway.
25:34In that moment,
25:35they finally understood one thing.
25:38I hadn't lied.
25:39Every single word I'd said was true.
25:42My brother stared down
25:43at his own trembling hands.
25:45He remembered how he'd used
25:47those same hands to beat me,
25:49to call me ungrateful.
25:51All for this disease-ridden liar.
25:53The weight of his guilt nearly crushed him.
25:56His legs buckled,
25:57and he had to grab the wall
25:58to keep from collapsing.
25:59Julian finally stopped his assault on Lydia.
26:03You said the bastard in your belly is mine?
26:05Fine.
26:06Since she claims she's carrying my child,
26:09we'd better make sure the baby gets proper prenatal care.
26:11Watch them both.
26:12I don't care how much it costs.
26:14Make sure that thing gets born alive
26:16so we can run a paternity test.
26:17Both Lydia and Mr. Harrington
26:19were placed under house arrest.
26:21Julian stationed bodyguards
26:22and private nurses in the hospital room
26:24on rotating 24-hour shifts.
26:27During her confinement,
26:28Lydia tried multiple times
26:29to push herself down the stairs
26:31to induce a miscarriage,
26:32but every single time,
26:34the nurses caught her
26:35before she could succeed.
26:36Meanwhile,
26:37my father and brother
26:38finally started digging into Lydia's past.
26:40She hadn't just slept with Mr. Harrington.
26:42Her private life was a disaster
26:45of entanglements and scandals.
26:47The truth slapped them across the face,
26:49one revelation after another,
26:50until they were dizzy with shame.
26:54Three days after I moved
26:55out of the Sterling Mansion,
26:56my brother cornered me
26:57outside my new apartment.
26:59He was holding a bakery box
27:00from an upscale patisserie.
27:02The moment he saw me,
27:03his eyes turned red,
27:04and he rushed forward.
27:06Evelyn,
27:07I brought you those French mac maroons
27:09from that place you used to love.
27:11I waited in line for two hours.
27:13They're still fresh.
27:14Please, just have one.
27:16Please?
27:16I took the box from his hands,
27:18and for a split second,
27:19hope glared in his eyes.
27:20Then I flipped my wrist.
27:22The delicate macarons
27:23tumbled out onto the dirty pavement,
27:25their pastel shells
27:26cracking against the concrete.
27:28I don't like macaroons.
27:30I like pancakes.
27:32But no one in this family
27:33ever bothered to make me
27:34a single stack.
27:36My brother stood frozen in place
27:38as tears streamed down
27:39his haggard face.
27:40My father,
27:41desperate to make amends,
27:42reinstated me at the company.
27:44The employees who had once mocked me
27:46now fell silent whenever I passed,
27:48heads bowed,
27:49eyes averted.
27:50Everyone assumed I,
27:52a girl dragged back from poverty,
27:54would crumble under the pressure
27:56of salvaging the disastrous
27:57West Side Development project.
27:59But it only took me one week.
28:01I scheduled meetings
28:02with every single landowner
28:04involved in the West Side Zone
28:06and sat across from them
28:07at the negotiation table.
28:08Gone was the silent,
28:10cowering girl
28:11they thought they knew.
28:12I was sharp,
28:13ruthless,
28:13and surgically precise
28:15in dismantling their objections.
28:17When I walked back
28:18into Sterling Group headquarters
28:19with signed contracts in hand,
28:22my father's hands trembled
28:23as he took them from me.
28:25Tears rolled down
28:26his weathered face.
28:27Evelyn,
28:29your father was blind.
28:31I was so,
28:32so blind.
28:33The company is yours now.
28:35All of it.
28:36Please,
28:37forgive me just this once.
28:39I didn't even look at him
28:40as I walked past
28:42toward my new office.
28:43That's when Julian appeared.
28:45The once arrogant heir
28:46of the Blackstone Empire
28:48now looked hollowed out,
28:49his eyes red-rimmed
28:51and exhausted.
28:52He stared at me
28:53and his expression
28:54twisted with regret.
28:55Evelyn,
28:57I broke off
28:58the engagement with Lydia.
29:00I was an idiot.
29:01I was blind.
29:02She manipulated me
29:03and I fell for it.
29:04His voice cracked.
29:06Give me one more chance.
29:07A marriage between
29:08Sterling Group
29:09and Blackstone Holdings.
29:10I'll have my family
29:11transfer 30%
29:12of Blackstone's shares
29:13as a wedding gift.
29:14Just say yes.
29:15I sank into the chair
29:16that had once belonged
29:17to my father,
29:17casually twirling a pen
29:19between my fingers.
29:20I looked up
29:21and met his desperate gaze.
29:24Wait for the baby.
29:26Julian's face
29:27turned ashen.
29:29In the days that followed,
29:30my mother appeared
29:31at the office,
29:32carrying a container
29:33of homemade beef stew.
29:35Evelyn, please.
29:37I failed you.
29:38I'm your mother
29:39and I failed you.
29:42I think about it
29:43every single day.
29:44Save the stew
29:45for your beloved Lydia.
29:46After all,
29:47with her condition,
29:48she's the one
29:49who needs the nutrition.
29:50My mother's sobs
29:52cut off abruptly.
29:53She crumpled to the floor,
29:55staring at my
29:55retreating figure.
29:57The day Lydia
29:58went into labor,
29:59the hospital waiting room
30:00was thick with dread.
30:01My parents,
30:02my brother,
30:03and Julian,
30:04all of them sat
30:04in tense silence,
30:06waiting for the final verdict.
30:07The delivery room doors
30:08swung open,
30:09and a nurse emerged
30:10carrying a sickly,
30:12underweight infant.
30:13Julian didn't even
30:14glance at the child.
30:15He merely gestured
30:16toward the DNA lab director
30:18who'd been waiting
30:18on standby.
30:20Rush it.
30:21I want results
30:22in three hours.
30:23Those three hours
30:24were Lydia's last
30:25desperate scramble
30:26for survival
30:27and my family's
30:28eternal humiliation.
30:30For me,
30:31it was just
30:32another afternoon.
30:33I leaned against
30:34the window,
30:35calmly running
30:35the sapphire necklace,
30:36now returned to me
30:38through my fingers.
30:39When the lab director
30:40finally emerged
30:40with the report,
30:41the entire hallway
30:43went deathly quiet.
30:44Mr. Blackstone,
30:46paternity has been excluded.
30:47Additionally,
30:48the infant shows
30:49signs of congenital
30:50abnormalities,
30:51likely caused by
30:52in vitro
30:53syphilis exposure.
30:54Julian's face
30:55went blank.
30:56Then he turned
30:56and stormed
30:57into Lydia's
30:58recovery room,
30:59ripping the blanket
31:00off her bed.
31:01Congratulations.
31:02You played me
31:03for a fool
31:04long enough
31:04to become
31:05the laughing stock
31:06of the entire city.
31:07He raised his hand
31:08and delivered
31:09one final,
31:10vicious slap.
31:11Enjoy the rest
31:12of your life
31:12in prison.
31:13With a snap
31:14of his fingers,
31:15his security team
31:16swarmed Lydia,
31:17dragging her
31:18out of the bed
31:19and beating her
31:19as she screamed.
31:20My parents
31:21didn't even try
31:22to stop them.
31:23They stood there,
31:24staring at the damning
31:25paternity report,
31:26and then slowly
31:27turned to look at me.
31:28The regret in their eyes
31:30was bottomless.
31:31I've been...
31:32My mother stumbled
31:33toward me
31:33and collapsed
31:34at my feet,
31:35her knees hitting
31:36the tile
31:36with a painful crack.
31:38She clutched
31:38the hem of my coat,
31:39sobbing uncontrollably.
31:41I was so blind.
31:43How could I have
31:45treated you that way?
31:48Hit me.
31:49Please, hit me.
31:51I deserve it.
31:52I'm the one
31:53who made you suffer.
31:54She raised her own hand
31:56and began slapping
31:56herself across the face
31:58over and over.
31:59Mrs. Sterling,
32:00the floor is cold.
32:01You're getting older.
32:03Save the performance.
32:04My father stepped forward,
32:06his hands shaking
32:07as he pulled a document
32:08from his briefcase.
32:09Evelyn,
32:10I know I was wrong.
32:12This is the share
32:12transfer agreement
32:13for Sterling Group.
32:14I've already signed it.
32:16Everything,
32:17all of it,
32:19goes to you.
32:20Just,
32:22please come home.
32:25Let me spend
32:26the rest of my life
32:26making this up to you.
32:28I took the document
32:29and signed my name
32:30at the bottom.
32:31Fine.
32:32From today forward,
32:34Sterling Group
32:34becomes Hale Enterprises.
32:36My mother grabbed my bag,
32:38trying to carry it
32:39for me like a servant.
32:40Evelyn,
32:40please stay at the house
32:41tonight.
32:42I'll cook for you myself.
32:43I walked past her
32:44without a word.
32:45From that day on,
32:46my brother resigned
32:47from his VP position
32:48and became the hardest
32:50working project manager
32:51in the company.
32:52Two weeks later,
32:53he collapsed at his desk
32:55from exhaustion.
32:55when the medics revived him.
32:57Is Evelyn,
32:58is she still angry at me?
33:00Julian, meanwhile,
33:01threw Blackstone Holdings
33:03into chaos
33:03by forcibly diverting
33:05billions in company resources
33:07to support my projects,
33:09ignoring protests
33:10from his own board
33:11of directors.
33:12At the celebratory banquet
33:13after my latest acquisition,
33:15he approached me
33:16with a glass of wine.
33:18Evelyn,
33:18I was arrogant
33:20and stupid.
33:21If you can forgive me,
33:22I'll spend the rest
33:23of my life
33:24working for you.
33:25Whatever you need.
33:27Let's move forward
33:28with the merger.
33:29Please.
33:29I swirled the wine
33:31in my glass,
33:32looking at the man
33:33who once stood above me.
33:35Mr. Blackstone,
33:37I'm open to business partnerships,
33:39but marriage?
33:42You should probably
33:43get tested for syphilis first.
33:46One year later,
33:47under my leadership,
33:49Sterling Group,
33:49now Hale Enterprises,
33:51didn't just recover.
33:52It devoured several
33:54of Blackstone Holdings'
33:55key projects
33:56and became the most
33:57feared name in the industry.
34:00I was no longer
34:01the scared, silent girl
34:02they'd dragged back
34:03from the gutter.
34:04I was Evelyn Hale,
34:06and people crossed the street
34:07when they saw me coming.
34:09I used part of my fortune
34:10to buy the entire block
34:12across from the company headquarters
34:13and opened a flower shop.
34:15I tracked down the intern
34:17who'd been beaten
34:18and blacklisted
34:19for defending me,
34:20and I brought her back.
34:21Starting today,
34:22you're the store manager.
34:23Your salary is ten times
34:25what you made before.
34:26You saved my life.
34:28She'd stand among the flowers,
34:31eyes bright,
34:32and ask me questions like,
34:34Miss Hale,
34:35are you sure you don't want
34:37to move back into the estate?
34:39My brother,
34:40determined to atone,
34:41had requested a transfer
34:43to the harshest project site
34:45in the Northwest.
34:46He spent his days
34:47in sandstorms
34:48and brutal heat,
34:49the spoiled air
34:51finally stripped
34:52of his privilege.
34:53Every single day,
34:55he sent me a photo
34:56of the barren landscape
34:57with the same caption.
34:59I never replied.
35:01Not once.
35:03One quiet afternoon,
35:05I sat by the shop window,
35:07trimming flowers.
35:08The freedom felt better
35:09than any amount of power.
35:11A group of kids
35:12ran past the shop,
35:13laughing and shoving each other.
35:15One little girl tripped
35:16and scraped her knee,
35:17bursting into tears.
35:19I walked over
35:21and gently patted her head.
35:22Don't cry.
35:24Something wonderful
35:24is about to happen to you.
35:26She sniffled
35:27and looked up at me.
35:28A second later,
35:30she spotted her lost kitten
35:32hiding behind a planter box.
35:33She squealed with joy
35:35and threw her arms
35:36around the cat
35:37and turned
35:38and gave me
35:38the brightest smile.
35:40My curse
35:41had finally transformed.
35:44The bell above the door
35:46chimed softly.
35:47A tall, striking woman,
35:48in a crisp police uniform,
35:50stepped inside.
35:52She walked toward me,
35:53her face flushed pink,
35:55looking almost shy.
35:57Evelyn,
35:58do you remember me?
35:59I froze.
36:00She was the girl
36:01from the orphanage,
36:02the only one
36:03who ever shared
36:04her food with me,
36:05the one who got her leg
36:06broken by the director
36:07for protecting me.
36:10I'd like to buy
36:11a bouquet of roses
36:11for someone I've loved
36:13for 20 years.
36:14I selected
36:15the most beautiful roses
36:16in the shop
36:18and handed them
36:19to her.
36:21She took the bouquet
36:22and then held it out
36:23to me.
36:24These are for you.
36:25I want the rest
36:26of your life
36:26to be full of flowers
36:27and endless spring.
36:30She took my hand
36:31and led me to her car.
36:33We drove to the highest peak
36:35overlooking the city
36:36where the lights below
36:37sparkled like fallen stars.
36:40I closed my eyes.
36:41From today forward,
36:42may everyone I love
36:43live in peace and joy
36:45and may everyone I hate
36:46never get what they desire.
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