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The Cursed Heiress’ Verdict - Short Drama Full HD 720p
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00:00I was born with a curse.
00:02Whoever I do dies exactly as I say.
00:06When I was five, the trafficker who kidnapped me beat me half to death because I couldn't stop crying.
00:11You'll be crushed into meat paste by a truck.
00:14The words barely left my lips when a runaway assembly 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.
00:30At 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.
00:43Until the day the Sterling family found me and brought me home.
00:47You're doing very well. The past studies are in your six months.
00:49You're going to start learning how to do business.
00:51In the future, you'll become an outstanding giz.
00:53Your younger sister 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.
01:16She's been spreading rumors at the office, claiming I slept with Mr. Harrington to secure the Westside Development deal,
01:22and that I caught syphilis from him.
01:24My mother stormed over and slapped me hard across the face.
01:28Your sister is innocent!
01:30How 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.
01:47Then you'd better be ready with the consequences when I open my mouth.
01:53Mom!
01:54Dad!
01:54Look!
01:55Evelyn's laughing!
01:57My mother's chest heaved with fury, and she grabbed the teacup from the table and hurled the scalding liquid straight
02:02into my face.
02:04You cursed brat!
02:05I should never have brought you back!
02:07Look, we gave you everything.
02:10Food, clothes, a home, and this is how you repay us?
02:14Slandering your own sister at the company?
02:16How 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.
02:23You don't belong in the Sterling family, and you sure as hell don't deserve 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.
02:32Now 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.
02:43Once 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.
02:52When 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.
03:07My 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 because one day, the
03:19entire 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, yanking hard.
03:51Pain 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's side-staffing was stuck, letting me crash to the floor.
04:10Don't touch me!
04:10If you come near me again, I'll call the cops and tell them you assaulted me!
04:13Then, 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.
04:30Before I could get back on my feet, my brother came charging down the stairs and grabbed me by the
04:35collar.
04:36I 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!
05:02No 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.
05:17Inside was nothing but cold leftovers and scraps.
05:20Outside, 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.
05:32Why don't you give it to Evelyn instead?
05:34I 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.
05:44Stop 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.
06:39Oh my god, Evelyn.
06:40You look like death.
06:41Did you really starve yourself just to guilt trip us?
06:45Come 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
06:53can all move on.
06:53I pushed myself to my feet and walked toward the door.
06:58The 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?
07:10I froze mid-step and turned to look at her.
07:12Lydia let out a blood-cruid 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.
07:28Oh my goodness!
07:29Lydia lay crumpled at the bottom.
07:31Julian, don't blame Evelyn.
07:33I 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.
08:03My brother's entire body shook the table and he kicked over a dickhead of the paint stand.
08:07Mom, do you hear this?
08:09Do you hear what she's saying?
08:12Lydia'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.
08:36You'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!
08:50We need to get to the hospital now!
08:51The guard scooped Lydia up and sprinted out the door,
08:55with my parents and brother racing after 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.
09:05A 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.
09:21On the massive LED screen in the center of the room, a video played on Luke.
09:24Footage of Lydia handing out backpacks to underprivileged children in remote villages,
09:29and late-night shots of her working tirelessly on the Westside Adultment Project.
09:34My 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 of such rotten character.
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. Doesn't matter if you put her in a mansion.
10:12I heard she grew up in some backwater foster home.
10:16People 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.
10:33All you have to do is sign this, admit you lied, and apologize to me in front of everyone.
10:38Then I'll forgive you.
10:39I stared at her smug face, my chest heaving with barely restrained rage.
10:44I never said those things.
10:46But 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.
10:57The 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 the way it was.
11:09Karma's a bitch?
11:10And then...
11:11Stop! Evelyn didn't lie! I can prove it!
11:14Everyone froze.
11:15A young woman shoved her way through the crowd.
11:17Stop! Evelyn didn't lie! I can prove it!
11:18She is the intern I'd comforted on my first day at the office, who'd been crying in the break room
11:24after 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!
11:35Lydia got into Mr. Harrington's car and they were in the back seat together.
11:39The entire lobby went dead silent. Lydia's face drained of color.
11:44But she recovered quickly, throwing herself into Julian's arms and wailing at the top of her lungs.
11:50Julian! How 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?
11:59What kind of month is this anymore? I just want to die.
12:01The crowd's shock instantly morphed into contempt. Julian'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 mouth.
12:18You've gone too far!
12:20Throw this traitorous little bitch out of my building! Fire her immediately!
12:26Blacklist her from every company in the industry! I want her name ruined!
12:29Four security guards swarmed the intern, raining fists and kicks down on her fragile body.
12:36She 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 the 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.
13:15Everyone, 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 company.
13:43You won't see a single share of Sterling Group stock.
13:46Not one.
13:47Julian's designer's shield pressed down on the back of my hand, grinding my bones into the marble.
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 snapped.
14:10I opened my eyes slowly and spoke.
14:13I'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 I spread
14:20those rumors?
14:21Of course, you did it.
14:23Now own up to it.
14:25My parents and Julian chimed in impatiently.
14:28Stop wasting our time.
14:29Apologize already.
14:31Fine.
14:32I confess.
14:34I looked at their eager, self-righteous faces.
14:37I said Lydia secured the West Side Development deal by sleeping with Mr. Harrington.
14:41And I said she contracted syphilis from me.
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.
14:55You 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-curdling 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.
15:26Mr. Harrington's wife, a massive and muscular woman with a crew of bodyguards, stormed into the lobby.
15:32Where 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.
15:40Then he started throwing punches, one after another.
15:44You disgusting slut!
15:47You seduced my husband!
15:49He 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! It's not true!
16:16I don't have any disease!
16:18This is all Evelyn's doing!
16:20She hired actors to destroy me!
16:23She even faked these medical records!
16:25She's a monster! She'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.
16:37Get 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!
16:48Then Julian spun around, his eyes blazing with fury as he glared at me.
16:52Evelyn.
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.
17:10This is unforgivable!
17:12How did we ever raise such a venomous snake?
17:16You thought of something this despicable!
17:19Something this evil!
17:21My mother was on her knees beside Lydia, stroking her bloodied face.
17:26Baby, how did you end up with such a cruel sister?
17:29This is all my fault.
17:32It hurts.
17:34Suddenly, Lydia let out another agonized scream and went numb, collapsing in a pool of her own blood.
17:41The puddle beneath her was growing larger by the second.
17:44Julian's face went white.
17:46Lydia!
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.
18:09He 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.
18:31Finally, 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?
18:41The 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.
18:54She'll need to remain on bed rest.
18:56What? Hemorrhite bleeding? And 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.
19:08Lydia's eyes fluttered open, and when she heard the nurse repeating the doctor's instructions, even 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, and his
19:35people 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.
19:48Of 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.
20:15How could she possibly be sleeping with Mr. Harrington?
20:19Those 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.
20:30Announce 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.
20:37And 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.
20:45Julian, you tried to curse your own sister with lies?
20:50You're not even human!
20:52Julian 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.
21:10Faced 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.
21:19Whether 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,
21:28but she quickly moused...
21:29You'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!
21:41Julian was about to slap me again.
21:42When the hospital room door swung open,
21:45the attending physician walked in,
21:47holding a stack of blood work results, his face grave.
21:50His 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 going to be okay, right?
22:01The doctor glanced at him, his expression complicated.
22:05During the routine blood draw,
22:06we ran a full infectious disease pallet, as per protocol.
22:12He handed the lab results to Julian.
22:17The patient, Lydia Sterling, has tested positive for stage 2 syphilis.
22:23The titer levels are extremely high,
22:25indicating she's in a highly contagious stage.
22:27The room plunged into complete silence.
22:30Julian staggered backward,
22:32his legs giving out beneath him as 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 last made of mistakes!
22:48I know what happened!
22:49The needle you used to draw my blood must have been contaminated!
22:53You infected me!
22:55Julian, you have to believe me!
22:58Miss Sterling, that's medically impossible.
23:00The infection didn't occur from the blood draw.
23:02He glanced down at his clipboard and continued.
23:04Your Tyler levels indicate you've been infected for at least two months.
23:09Additionally, regarding the fetus...
23:10My stomach! Doctor, it hurts so much!
23:13Please help me! Something's wrong!
23:16The doctor was interrupted and was not able to mention Lydia's pregnancy.
23:20I leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed,
23:23watching the whole scene unfold with detached amusement.
23:26Mr. Blackstone, if you want to know the truth,
23:30why don't you call your ojeng?
23:32How'd him look into whether Mr. Harrington has also been diagnosed of syphilis?
23:36Julian's hands shook as he pulled out his phone and dialed his assistant.
23:39The moment the call connected...
23:41Mr. Blackstone, it's confirmed!
23:43Mr. Harrington has been diagnosed with stage 2 syphilis!
23:46And sir, there's more!
23:47Miss Sterling is pregnant!
23:48The whole industry is saying the child is Mr. Harrington's.
23:50The entire Westside Development Project has been shut down.
23:53Saying the child is Mr. Harrington's!
23:54The phone slipped from Julian's hand and decided on tile 4.
23:58Julian's face went from shock, to confusion, to realization,
24:01and finally, to pure, murderous rage.
24:06You're...pregnant?
24:07Lydia's face turned deathly pale.
24:09Yes.
24:10The patient is approximately 8 weeks pregnant, as I was trying to mention earlier.
24:14You lying piece of shit!
24:17Julian died to a bloodshot, and he lunged at the hospital bed.
24:21He grabbed Lydia by the shoulders, shaking her violently.
24:25We haven't even slept together!
24:26You said you wanted to wait until the wedding night!
24:29Whose child is it?
24:30How many men have you been with?
24:31Lydia gasped for air, tears streaming down her face.
24:35But she had nowhere left to run.
24:38Realizing there was no way out, she gave up the act entirely and started playing the victim card.
24:44Julian, please!
24:45I was forced!
24:46I only did it to help you secure the Westside Investment!
24:49Mr. Harrington got me drunk and took advantage of me!
24:53But the baby...
24:54The baby is yours!
24:55I swear it's yours!
24:57I know you never wanted the burden of fatherhood.
25:02So...
25:02I made arrangements to carry your child myself, using your frozen samples!
25:07Julian's hand flew across her face, slapping her so hard she slammed back into the pillows.
25:13Then he climbed onto the bed and started beating her, slap after slap, over and over, until her face was
25:20unrecognizable.
25:22My parents and brother stood frozen in place.
25:25They looked at Lydia, bruised, bloodied, pregnant, carrying a venereal disease, and then turned to look at me, leaning calmly
25:33against the doorway.
25:34In that moment, they finally understood one thing.
25:38I hadn't lied.
25:39Every single word I'd said was true.
25:42My brother stared down at his own trembling hands.
25:45He remembered how he'd used those same hands to beat me, to call me ungrateful.
25:51All for this disease-ridden liar.
25:53The weight of his guilt nearly crushed him.
25:56His legs buckled, and he had to grab the wall to keep from collapsing.
26:00Julian finally stopped his assault on Lydia.
26:03You said the bastard in your belly is mine?
26:06Fine.
26:06Since she claims she's carrying my child, we'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 so we can run a paternity test.
26:18Both Lydia and Mr. Harrington were placed under house arrest.
26:21Julian stationed bodyguards and private nurses in the hospital room on rotating 24-hour shifts.
26:27During her confinement, Lydia tried multiple times to push herself down the stairs to induce a miscarriage.
26:32But every single time, the nurses caught her before she could succeed.
26:36Meanwhile, my father and brother finally started digging into Lydia's past.
26:40She hadn't just slept with Mr. Harrington.
26:43Her private life was a disaster of entanglements and scandals.
26:47The truth slapped them across the face, one revelation after another, until they were dizzy with shame.
26:54Three days after I moved out of the Sterling Mansion, my brother cornered me outside my new apartment.
26:59He was holding a bakery box from an upscale patisserie.
27:02The moment he saw me, his eyes turned red, and he rushed forward.
27:06Evelyn.
27:07I brought you those French macaroons from 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, and for a split second, hope flared in his eyes.
27:21Then I flipped my wrist.
27:22The delicate macaroons tumbled out onto the dirty pavement, their pastel shells cracking against the concrete.
27:29I don't like macaroons.
27:30I like pancakes.
27:32But no one in this family ever bothered to make me a single stack.
27:35My brother stood frozen in place as tears streamed down his haggard face.
27:41My father, desperate to make amends, reinstated me at the company.
27:44The employees who had once mocked me now fell silent whenever I passed, heads bowed, eyes averted.
27:50Everyone assumed I, a girl dragged back from poverty, would crumble under the pressure of salvaging the disastrous West Side
27:58Development Project.
27:59But it only took me one week.
28:01I scheduled meetings with every single landowner involved in the West Side Zone, and sat across from them at the
28:07negotiation table.
28:08Gone was the silent, cowering girl they thought they knew.
28:12I was sharp, ruthless, and surgically precise in dismantling their objections.
28:17When I walked back into Sterling Group headquarters, with signed contracts in hand, my father's hands trembled as he took
28:24them from me.
28:25Tears rolled down his weathered face.
28:27Evelyn, your father was blind.
28:31I was so, so blind.
28:33The company is yours now.
28:35All of it.
28:36Please, forgive me just this once.
28:39I didn't even look at him, as I walked past toward my new office.
28:43That's when Julian appeared.
28:45The once arrogant heir of the Blackstone Empire now looked hollowed out, his eyes red-rimmed and exhausted.
28:52He stared at me, and his expression twisted with regret.
28:55Evelyn, I broke off the engagement with Lydia.
29:00I was an idiot.
29:01I was blind.
29:03She manipulated me, and I fell for it.
29:05His voice cracked.
29:06Give me one more chance.
29:08A marriage between Sterling Group and Blackstone Holdings.
29:10I'll have my family transfer 30% of Blackstone's shares as a wedding gift.
29:14Just say yes.
29:15I sank into the chair that had once belonged to my father.
29:18Casually twirling a pen between my fingers, I looked up and met his desperate gaze.
29:24Wait for the baby.
29:27Julian's face turned ashen.
29:29In the days that followed, my mother appeared at the office, carrying a container of homemade beef stew.
29:35Evelyn, please.
29:37I failed you.
29:38I'm your mother, and I failed you.
29:42I think about it every single day.
29:44Save the stew for your beloved Lydia.
29:47After all, with her condition, she's the one who needs the nutrition.
29:51My mother's sobs cut off abruptly.
29:53She crumpled to the floor, staring at my retreating figure.
29:57The day Lydia went into labor, the hospital waiting room was thick with dread.
30:02My parents, my brother, and Julian, all of them sat in tense silence, waiting for the final verdict.
30:07The delivery room doors swung open, and a nurse emerged carrying a sickly, underweight infant.
30:13Julian didn't even glance at the child.
30:15He merely gestured toward the DNA lab director who'd been waiting on standby.
30:21Rush it.
30:22I want results in three hours.
30:24Those three hours were Lydia's last desperate scramble for survival, and my family's eternal humiliation.
30:31For me, it was just another afternoon.
30:33I leaned against the window, calmly running the sapphire necklace, now returned to me through my fingers.
30:39When the lab director finally emerged with the report, the entire hallway went deathly quiet.
30:44Mr. Blackstone, paternity has been excluded.
30:48Additionally, the infant shows signs of congenital abnormalities, likely caused by in vitro syphilis exposure.
30:54Julian's face went blank.
30:56Then he turned and stormed into Lydia's recovery room, ripping the blanket off her bed.
31:01Congratulations.
31:02You played me for a fool long enough to become the laughingstock of the entire city.
31:07He raised his hand and delivered one final vicious slap.
31:11Enjoy the rest of your life in prison.
31:13With a snap of his fingers, his security team swarmed Lydia, dragging her out of the bed and beating her
31:20as she screamed.
31:21My parents didn't even try to stop them.
31:23They stood there, staring at the damning paternity report, and then slowly turned to look at me.
31:29The regret in their eyes was bottomless.
31:32My mother stumbled toward me and collapsed at my feet, her knees hitting the tile with a painful crack.
31:38She clutched the hem of my coat, sobbing uncontrollably.
31:41I was so blind.
31:44How could I have treated you that way?
31:48Hit me.
31:50Please, hit me.
31:51I deserve it.
31:52I'm the one who made you suffer.
31:54She raised her own hand and began slapping herself across the face, over and over.
31:59Mrs. Sterling, the floor is cold.
32:02You're getting older.
32:03Save the performance.
32:05My father stepped forward, his hands shaking as he pulled a document from his briefcase.
32:10Evelyn, I know I was wrong.
32:12This is the shared transfer agreement for Sterling Group.
32:15I've already signed it.
32:16Everything, all of it, goes to you.
32:22Just, please come home.
32:25Let me spend the rest of my life making this up to you.
32:28I took the document and signed my name at the bottom.
32:31Fine.
32:32From today forward, Sterling Group becomes Hale Enterprises.
32:36My mother grabbed my bag, trying to carry it for me like a servant.
32:40Evelyn, please stay at the house tonight.
32:42I'll cook for you myself.
32:43I walked past her without a word.
32:45From that day on, my brother resigned from his VP position
32:48and became the hardest-working project manager in the company.
32:52Two weeks later, he collapsed at his desk from exhaustion.
32:56When the medics revived him,
32:58Is Evelyn still angry at me?
33:00Julian, meanwhile, threw Blackstone Holdings into chaos
33:03by forcibly diverting billions in company resources to support my projects,
33:09ignoring protests from his own board of directors.
33:12At the celebratory banquet after my latest acquisition,
33:15he approached me with a glass of wine.
33:18Evelyn, I was arrogant and stupid.
33:21If you can forgive me, I'll spend the rest of my life working for you.
33:25Whatever you need.
33:27Let's move forward with the merger.
33:29Please.
33:30I swirled the wine in my glass,
33:32looking at the man who once stood above me.
33:35Mr. Blackstone,
33:37I'm open to business partnerships.
33:40But marriage?
33:42You should probably get tested for syphilis first.
33:46One year later,
33:48under my leadership,
33:49Sterling Group, now Hale Enterprises,
33:51didn't just recover.
33:53It devoured several of Blackstone Holdings' key projects
33:56and became the most feared name in the industry.
33:59I was no longer the scared, silent girl they'd dragged back from the gutter.
34:04I was Evelyn Hale,
34:06and people crossed the street when they saw me coming.
34:09I used part of my fortune to buy the entire block across from the company headquarters
34:14and opened a flower shop.
34:16I tracked down the intern who'd been beaten and blacklisted for defending me,
34:20and I brought her back.
34:21Starting today, you're the store manager.
34:23Your salary is ten times what you made before.
34:26You saved my life.
34:29She'd stand among the flowers,
34:31eyes bright,
34:32and ask me questions like,
34:34Miss Hale,
34:36are you sure you don't want to move back into the estate?
34:38My brother, determined to atone,
34:42had requested a transfer to the harshest project site in the Northwest.
34:46He spent his days in sandstorms and brutal heat,
34:50the spoiled air finally stripped of his privilege.
34:53Every single day,
34:55he sent me a photo of the barren landscape with 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 than any amount of power.
35:11A group of kids ran past the shop,
35:13laughing and shoving each other.
35:15One little girl tripped and scraped her knee,
35:18bursting into tears.
35:19I walked over and gently patted her head.
35:23Don't cry.
35:24Something wonderful is about to happen to you.
35:26She sniffled and looked up at me.
35:28A second later,
35:30she spotted her lost kitten hiding behind a planter box.
35:33She squealed with joy and threw her arms around the cat
35:37and turned and gave me the brightest smile.
35:40My curse had finally transformed.
35:44The bell above the door chimed softly.
35:47A tall, striking woman in a crisp police uniform stepped inside.
35:52She walked toward me,
35:54her face flushed pink,
35:55looking almost shy.
35:57Evelyn,
35:58do you remember me?
35:59I froze.
36:00She was the girl from the orphanage.
36:02The only one who ever shared her food with me.
36:05The one who got her leg broken by the director for protecting me.
36:10I'd like to buy a bouquet of roses for someone I've loved for 20 years.
36:13I selected the most beautiful roses in the shop
36:18and handed them to her.
36:21She took the bouquet
36:22and then held it out to me.
36:24These are for you.
36:25I want the rest of your life to be full of flowers
36:27and endless spring.
36:30She took my hand
36:32and led me to her car.
36:33We drove to the highest peak
36:35overlooking the city
36:36where the lights below
36:38sparkled like fallen stars.
36:40I closed my eyes.
36:41From today forward,
36:43may everyone I love live in peace and joy.
36:45And may everyone I hate never get what they desire.
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