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