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00:00My husband's mistress is the daughter of the richest man in the city.
00:03When I secretly took photos of them and sent them to her father, his reply completely caught me off guard.
00:07Got it. I'm being cheated on.
00:09I patiently tried to correct him.
00:10Sir, I'm the one being cheated on. Your daughter is having an affair with my husband.
00:13He replied with just four words.
00:15Let's meet and talk.
00:16When I got back home, Rain was there.
00:18Clara, do you know why I came here for dinner?
00:20She glanced at me and said,
00:22Mr. Carterome, if I become your partner, wouldn't that make me half a boss lady?
00:27Will you mind, Clara?
00:28My husband's mistress is the daughter of the richest man in the city.
00:31When I secretly took photos of them and sent them to her father, his reply completely caught me off guard.
00:36Got it. I'm being cheated on.
00:37I stared at my phone screen forever. Aren't they father and daughter?
00:40I patiently tried to correct him.
00:41Sir, I'm the one being cheated on. Your daughter is having an affair with my husband.
00:44He replied with just four words.
00:46Let's meet and talk.
00:50Before this, I thought he would be at least 50 years old, but a sharp, well-suited guy showed up.
00:57You look so young. You don't even look 40.
01:0033.
01:01I froze.
01:02Oh.
01:03I hurriedly took a sip of my coffee.
01:05You must have had your daughter really early then.
01:07His fingertip resting on the rim of his cup.
01:09Actually, I'm not her biological father.
01:13Stepfather!
01:13He looked down to take a sip of water.
01:15Something like that.
01:17I nodded.
01:17No wonder you're so young.
01:18He took a deep breath, glanced at me, and put his business card on the table.
01:24I'm Kyan. Let's get straight to the point.
01:26He pulled his hand back.
01:27The affair between Rain and your husband tell me everything.
01:30I gripped my cup tighter.
01:34All right.
01:37My husband, Ethan, runs a dance center.
01:40Rain was his student and had been taking his classes for over a year.
01:42I have no idea exactly when they got together.
01:45Three months ago, I went to look for him and caught them kissing in the classrooms.
01:48My heart completely stopped in that moment.
01:50I longed to step forward and push that door open.
01:52But pride and reason bore down on me so heavily that I could barely breathe, rooted to the spot.
01:56Even though my vision blurred, my mind remained calm.
01:58I memorized the girl's face and looked through the student records.
02:01Then I found her name, Rain.
02:02The premium classes cost $50,000 a session, and she had signed up for 30.
02:06Two sessions, that was a total of $160,000.
02:09That's quite a lot for a girl at her age.
02:11Kyan listened to me, no emotion showing at all.
02:15I remember she once asked me for $200,000.
02:18So, I started tailing her.
02:20I needed evidence to leave my husband with nothing in the divorce.
02:25But surprise, Rain drove a million-dollar car and lived in a luxury mansion.
02:29To be honest, I was shocked.
02:30She's too rich to hook up with my husband.
02:32Kyan's lips thinned into a tight line.
02:35Mind if I ask about your husband's financial situation?
02:37I answered him openly.
02:38He has a PhD in dance.
02:40A few years ago, he quit teaching to start his own business.
02:42His annual income just reached a million.
02:45A million?
02:46Kyan seemed incredulous at the answer.
02:48He let out a faint smirk as he scanned me, asking.
02:52So, he must be really good-looking then.
02:55I showed him a photo of Ethan on my phone.
03:02He looked up at me, his eyes narrowing slightly.
03:04His tone turned subtle and dangerous.
03:06You think I'm better looking than your husband?
03:09I froze.
03:09Is that what I meant?
03:13No, I mean, we're just normal.
03:15Not like you and your daughter.
03:17You both are born pretty.
03:19He stared at me for a moment, then suddenly snatched my phone, tapping against the screen.
03:24He does look normal.
03:25You don't.
03:26My heart skipped a beat.
03:27I gripped my phone tightly and pulled my hand back.
03:31Mr. Hale, I came to ask you to keep your daughter in line.
03:34Of course I will.
03:35He nodded and looked into my eyes, his tone calm.
03:37But I don't understand you really believe this will win your husband back.
03:40His words struck my heart.
03:41Of course not.
03:42I tucked Kyan's business card away, stood up, took a deep breath, and looked down at him.
03:47He betrayed me, and I'll make sure he pays for it.
03:50Kyan remained seated, tilting his head back to look up at me, amused.
03:54What's your name?
03:55I slowly reached my hand to him.
03:58Clara.
03:59Clara.
03:59I turned and left the cafe.
04:02When I got back home, Rain was there.
04:06You're home, Clara.
04:08Ethan was in the kitchen cooking.
04:09When he heard it, he rushed out to explain.
04:12She's my student, Rain.
04:13He pulled me into the kitchen and whispered.
04:16Her family is loaded.
04:18You know, I've been busy trying to secure investments lately, so I invited her over for dinner.
04:22Rain walked in and said,
04:24I didn't expect you to be so pretty, Clara.
04:29Leave it to me.
04:30You two go and chill.
04:31Ethan said, pushing us out of the kitchen.
04:33Rain shifted her gaze toward Ethan.
04:34Clara, do you know why I came here for dinner?
04:37Because the property manager told me that woman has been asking around about me lately.
04:42My heart skipped a beat.
04:44Has she already known?
04:45I froze on the spot.
04:47Dinner time!
04:48Ethan's voice cut in, breaking the ice between Rain and me.
04:51At the dinner table, Ethan chatted with her while placing food onto my plate.
04:55I didn't take a single bite.
04:56Ethan glanced at me, and only snapped out of it when Rain called his name to continue discussing business.
05:01He needed a $10 million investment to promote his dance center.
05:05Sure, my family wants me to try investing in some projects anyway.
05:10Ethan, however, put on a reserved front.
05:11Rain, there's no rush.
05:12I'll send you the proposal.
05:14Take a good look at it first.
05:16Okay, whatever you say.
05:18If I weren't here, they'd probably be kissing already.
05:20Underneath the table, I pulled out my phone and sent a text to that man.
05:23Mr. Hale, Rain is at my house.
05:25If you're too busy, Pindec, to educate your daughter, I'll hit her for you.
05:29After a minute, he replied.
05:34Go ahead.
05:35My hands are tied.
05:35My eyes widened.
05:36What a random dude.
05:38Rain seemed to be in a good mood.
05:40She glanced at me and said,
05:41Mr. Carterome, if I become your partner, wouldn't that make me half a boss lady?
05:49She turned her head and looked me in the eyes.
05:51Will you mind, Clara?
05:57My husband's mistress is the daughter of the richest man in the city.
06:00When I secretly took photos of them and sent them to her father, his reply completely caught
06:04me off guard.
06:05Got it.
06:06I'm being cheated on.
06:07I patiently tried to correct him.
06:08Sir, I'm the one being cheated on.
06:10Your daughter is having an affair with my husband.
06:11He replied with just four words.
06:13Let's meet and talk.
06:14When I got back home, Rain was there.
06:16Clara, do you know why I came here for dinner?
06:18She glanced at me and said,
06:20Mr. Carterome, if I become your partner, wouldn't that make me half a boss lady?
06:25Will you mind, Clara?
06:26My husband's mistress is the daughter of the richest man in the city.
06:29When I secretly took photos of them and sent them to her father, his reply completely
06:33caught me off guard.
06:34Got it.
06:34I'm being cheated on.
06:35I stared at my phone screen forever.
06:37Aren't they father and daughter?
06:38I patiently tried to correct him.
06:39Sir, I'm the one being cheated on.
06:41Your daughter is having an affair with my husband.
06:42He replied with just four words.
06:44Let's meet and talk.
06:48Before this, I thought he would be at least 50 years old.
06:51But a sharp, well-suited guy showed up.
06:55You look so young.
06:56You don't even look 40.
06:5833.
06:59I froze.
07:00Ah.
07:01Oh.
07:01I hurriedly took a sip of my coffee.
07:03You must have had your daughter really early then.
07:05His fingertip resting on the rim of his cup.
07:07Actually, I'm not her biological father.
07:11Stepfather!
07:11He looked down to take a sip of water.
07:13Something like that.
07:15I nodded.
07:15No wonder you're so young.
07:16He took a deep breath, glanced at me, and put his business card on the table.
07:22I'm Kyan.
07:23Let's get straight to the point.
07:24He pulled his hand back.
07:25The affair between Rain and your husband tell me everything.
07:28I gripped my cup tighter.
07:32All right.
07:35My husband, Ethan, runs a dance center.
07:37Rain was his student and had been taking his classes for over a year.
07:40I have no idea exactly when they got together.
07:43Three months ago, I went to look for him and caught them kissing in the classrooms.
07:46My heart completely stopped in that moment.
07:48I longed to step forward and push that door open.
07:50But pride and reason bore down on me so heavily that I could barely breathe, rooted to the spot.
07:54Even though my vision blurred, my mind remained calm.
07:56I memorized the girl's face and looked through the student records.
07:59Then I found her name, Rain.
08:00The premium classes cost $50,000 a session.
08:03And she had signed up for 32 sessions.
08:05That was a total of $160,000.
08:07That's quite a lot for a girl at her age.
08:09Kyan listened to me, no emotion showing at all.
08:12I remember she once asked me for $200,000.
08:16So, I started tailing her.
08:18I needed evidence to leave my husband with nothing in the divorce.
08:23But surprise, Rain drove a million dollar car and lived in a luxury mansion.
08:27To be honest, I was shocked.
08:28She's too rich to hook up with my husband.
08:30Kyan's lips thinned into a tight line.
08:33Mind if I ask about your husband's financial situation?
08:35I answered him openly.
08:36He has a PhD in dance.
08:38A few years ago, he quit teaching to start his own business.
08:40His annual income just reached a million.
08:43A million?
08:44Kyan seemed incredulous at the answer.
08:46He let out a faint smirk as he scanned me, asking.
08:50So, he must be really good looking then.
08:53I showed him a photo of Ethan on my phone.
08:56Actually, he's average.
08:58Not even as good looking as you.
09:00He looked up at me, his eyes narrowing slightly.
09:02His tone turned subtle and dangerous.
09:04You think I'm better looking than your husband?
09:07I froze.
09:07Is that what I meant?
09:11No, I mean, we're just normal.
09:13Not like you and your daughter.
09:15You both are born pretty.
09:17He stared at me for a moment,
09:18then suddenly snatched my phone, tapping against the screen.
09:22He does look normal.
09:23You don't.
09:24My heart skipped a beat.
09:25I gripped my phone tightly and pulled my hand back.
09:29Mr. Hale, I came to ask you to keep your daughter in line.
09:32Of course I will.
09:33He nodded and looked into my eyes, his tone calm.
09:35But I don't understand you really believe this will win your husband back.
09:38His words struck my heart.
09:39Of course not.
09:40I tucked Kian's business card away, stood up, took a deep breath, and looked down at him.
09:45He betrayed me, and I'll make sure he pays for it.
09:48Kian remained seated, tilting his head back to look up at me, amused.
09:52What's your name?
09:53I slowly reached my hand to him.
09:56Clara.
09:57I turned and left the cafe.
10:00When I got back home, Rain was there.
10:04You're home, Clara.
10:06Ethan was in the kitchen cooking.
10:07When he heard it, he rushed out to explain.
10:10She's my student, Rain.
10:11He pulled me into the kitchen and whispered.
10:14Her family is loaded.
10:16You know, I've been busy trying to secure investments lately, so I invited her over for dinner.
10:20Rain walked in and said,
10:22I didn't expect you to be so pretty, Clara.
10:27Leave it to me.
10:28You two go and chill.
10:29Ethan said, pushing us out of the kitchen.
10:31Rain shifted her gaze toward Ethan.
10:32Clara, do you know why I came here for dinner?
10:35Because the property manager told me that...
10:38woman has been asking around about me lately.
10:41My heart skipped a beat.
10:42Has she already known?
10:43I froze on the spot.
10:45Dinner time!
10:46Ethan's voice cut in, breaking the ice between Rain and me.
10:49At the dinner table, Ethan chatted with her while placing food onto my plate.
10:53I didn't take a single bite.
10:54Ethan glanced at me, and only snapped out of it when Rain called his name to continue discussing business.
10:59He needed a ten million dollar investment to promote his dance center.
11:03Sure.
11:04My family wants me to try investing in some projects anyway.
11:07Ethan, however, put on a reserved front.
11:09Rain, there's no rush.
11:10I'll send you the proposal.
11:12Take a good look at it first.
11:14Okay, whatever you say.
11:15If I weren't here, they'd probably be kissing already.
11:18Underneath the table, I pulled out my phone and sent a text to that man.
11:21Mr. Hale, Rain is at my house.
11:23If you're too busy, Pindec, to educate your daughter, I'll hit her for you.
11:27After a minute, he replied.
11:32Go ahead.
11:32My hands are tied.
11:33My eyes widened.
11:34What a random dude.
11:36Rain seemed to be in a good mood.
11:38She glanced at me and said,
11:39Mr. Carterome, if I become your partner, wouldn't that make me half a boss lady?
11:47She turned her head and looked me in the eyes.
11:49Will you mind, Clara?
11:53No, I mean, we're just normal.
11:55Not like you and your daughter.
11:57You both are born pretty.
11:59He stared at me for a moment, then suddenly snatched my phone, tapping against the screen.
12:04He does look normal.
12:05You don't.
12:06My heart skipped a beat.
12:07I gripped my phone tightly and pulled my hand back.
12:11Mr. Hale, I came to ask you to keep your daughter in line.
12:13Of course I will.
12:15He nodded and looked into my eyes, his tone calm.
12:17But I don't understand.
12:18Do you really believe this will win your husband back?
12:20His words struck my heart.
12:21Of course not.
12:22I tucked Kian's business card away, stood up, took a deep breath, and looked down at him.
12:27He betrayed me, and I'll make sure he pays for it.
12:30Kian remained seated, tilting his head back to look up at me, amused.
12:34What's your name?
12:35I slowly reached my hand to him.
12:38Clara.
12:39I turned and left the cafe.
12:42When I got back home, Rain was there.
12:46You're home, Clara.
12:48Ethan was in the kitchen cooking.
12:49When he heard it, he rushed out to explain.
12:52She's my student, Rain.
12:53He pulled me into the kitchen and whispered.
12:56Her family is loaded.
12:58You know, I've been busy trying to secure investments lately, so I invited her over for dinner.
13:02Rain walked in and said,
13:04I didn't expect you to be so pretty, Clara.
13:09Leave it to me.
13:10You two go and chill.
13:11Ethan said, pushing us out of the kitchen.
13:13Rain shifted her gaze toward Ethan.
13:14Clara, do you know why I came here for dinner?
13:17Because the property manager told me that...
13:20woman has been asking around about me lately.
13:23My heart skipped a beat.
13:24Has she already known?
13:25I froze on the spot.
13:27Dinner time!
13:28Ethan's voice cut in, breaking the ice between Rain and me.
13:31At the dinner table, Ethan chatted with her while placing food onto my plate.
13:35I didn't take a single bite.
13:36Ethan glanced at me, and only snapped out of it when Rain called his name to continue discussing business.
13:41He needed a ten million dollar investment to promote his dance center.
13:45Sure.
13:46My family wants me to try investing in some projects anyway.
13:49Ethan, however, put on a reserved front.
13:51Rain, there's no rush.
13:52I'll send you the proposal.
13:54Take a good look at it first.
13:56Okay, whatever you say.
13:57If I weren't here, they'd probably be kissing already.
13:59Underneath the table, I pulled out my phone and sent a text to that man.
14:03Mr. Hale, Rain is at my house.
14:05If you're too busy, Pindec, to educate your daughter, I'll hit her for you.
14:09After a minute, he replied.
14:14Go ahead.
14:14My hands are tied.
14:15My eyes widened.
14:16What a random dude.
14:18Rain seemed to be in a good mood.
14:20She glanced at me and said,
14:21Mr. Carterome, if I become your partner, wouldn't that make me half a boss lady?
14:29She turned her head and looked me in the eyes.
14:31Will you mind, Clara?
14:35Something went wrong with the Rockway Group project.
14:37Chloe went to sign the papers yesterday and somehow grabbed the wrong contract.
14:41She swapped our $10 million bid for a $100 million one.
14:44The company's going to lose $90 million.
14:45There was only one person who knew my laptop password.
14:48Only one person with the skills to alter the raw data.
14:51He actually framed me just to protect his intern.
14:53I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face.
14:57We're done.
14:58I let it slide.
14:59I sent a text to the realtor.
15:00Contact me directly about the house from now on.
15:02Do not call Damien.
15:03I am the sole owner.
15:05Right there.
15:06Charlotte, you sold your house for pennies on the dollar?
15:08Are you insane?
15:09You poured your entire life savings into that place,
15:11obsessing over every detail?
15:12From the renovations to the furniture?
15:14What the hell happened?
15:15My best friend's words bombarded my earpiece.
15:17I gave a faint smile.
15:18I'm just done making the wrong choice.
15:21Damien and I had been doing long distance for a year.
15:23Our video calls dwindled to almost nothing.
15:26He claimed he was busy,
15:27that his new VP promotion took up all his time.
15:29Yet, the moment Chloe got a fever,
15:31he'd drive straight to the airport
15:32and catch a 3 a.m. flight just to see her.
15:35I was completely over it.
15:37My friend prepared to say another harsh question,
15:39but Damien's call cut in.
15:42Charlotte, what time do you land tomorrow?
15:43I'll pick you up.
15:44I rejected him.
15:45No need, Mr. VP.
15:46You're busy.
15:47Don't waste your time.
15:49Oh, and hire a caregiver for your mother.
15:51I won't be taking care of her anymore.
15:53He tried to say something else,
15:54but I hung up.
15:56I was no longer that pathetic girl
15:58who stayed up until 2 a.m.,
15:59just waiting for his good night.
16:01My flight landed in Chicago the next day,
16:03and there he was at a rival.
16:05Damien, the man I hadn't seen in a year,
16:07he stepped forward and smoothly took my luggage.
16:09Tired?
16:10I kept my eyes on my phone,
16:11replying to work emails.
16:12I'm fine.
16:14How was San Francisco?
16:15You barely talked to me about your life this past year.
16:17I finally looked up at him.
16:19I'll be giving Harrison a full report on this year's projects.
16:21I'll CC you on the email.
16:23No need to ask.
16:24Are we strictly business now?
16:25I'm asking because I care about you.
16:27Charlotte, you-
16:27Then there's even less to talk about.
16:28I cut him off, head bowed as I typed a reply.
16:31After all, whenever I tried to talk to him about marriage,
16:33our life, or our future,
16:34he would just give me that cold stare and say,
16:36Charlotte, I'm busy.
16:38Can you grow up?
16:38Even Chloe, that intern, works harder than you do.
16:41Damien clearly hated my attitude,
16:43but he forced a change of subject.
16:44I got a call from the realtor yesterday.
16:46You sold our house?
16:50My fingers paused over the screen.
16:51I don't know.
16:52The realtor probably dialed the wrong number.
16:54We reached the parking garage.
16:56I pulled open the passenger door of Damien's black SUV,
16:58and there was Chloe,
17:00sitting right in the passenger seat,
17:01eating a slice of cake and scrolling through TikTok.
17:03Charlotte!
17:04Damien said he was coming to get you,
17:05so I tagged along.
17:06We just finished a client meeting this afternoon.
17:08I looked at the cake crumbs scattered across the leather seat.
17:11I couldn't help but think,
17:12the man who never let me eat in his car
17:13was suddenly making exceptions.
17:15I gave Chloe a quick once-over.
17:17A Tiffany necklace,
17:18a Louis Vuitton bag,
17:19Valentino heels.
17:20Way out of budget for an intern making 18 bucks an hour,
17:23my gaze briefly shifted to Damien,
17:24only to catch that doting look on his face.
17:26Seeing my silence,
17:28Chloe immediately gathered her things.
17:29She wiped the seat clean
17:30and shot Damien a playful wink.
17:32I know, I know.
17:33Shotgun is girlfriend-only territory.
17:35Here, Charlotte, take the seat.
17:37I only sat here earlier
17:38because I felt bad treating Damien like an Uber driver.
17:41Damien let out a soft chuckle.
17:42His entire expression softened.
17:44She's such a awful.
17:44Once in the car,
17:45I flipped open my laptop and started reviewing files.
17:49That busy?
17:50I just muttered in and left it at that.
17:52Don't get the wrong idea.
17:53Chloe just heard you were flying in.
17:54She's always looked up to you,
17:55so we swung by together.
17:57I know, you don't need to explain.
17:58Damien's grip tightened on the steering wheel.
18:00By the way,
18:01you're signing the contract
18:02with Mr. Thompson tomorrow, right?
18:04Take Chloe with you.
18:05I couldn't help but laugh.
18:06A Gen Z kid like Chloe,
18:08who claims she's going to disrupt the workplace,
18:10negotiating a contract,
18:11she'd only blow the whole deal.
18:13And when she did,
18:13both she and Damien would get fired.
18:15I'd be more than happy to watch that happen.
18:18We arrived at the golf course.
18:19Before I could even say a word,
18:21Chloe jumped the gun and rushed forward.
18:23Mr. Thompson, hi!
18:24I'm Chloe, an intern at Grove Group.
18:26It's so great to meet you.
18:28Mr. Thompson gave a dismissive nod.
18:30Then he turned to me with a warm smile.
18:32Charlotte, up for a round?
18:34I took the golf club.
18:36Absolutely.
18:36I've got all day.
18:37Chloe's face completely froze.
18:39She bit her lip,
18:40looking at Damien with puppy dog eyes.
18:43It's okay.
18:44I've got you.
18:44I turned around just in time
18:46to catch the whole exchange.
18:47After settling Chloe down,
18:49Damien jogged over to me.
18:51He sounded pissed.
18:52He went too far.
18:53I didn't even know what he meant.
18:55He shot me an impatient flair.
18:56You brought Chloe here on purpose
18:58just to humiliate her, didn't you?
18:59She's just an intern.
19:01Are you really that petty?
19:02I let out a dry scoff.
19:04Sorry to disappoint you,
19:05but neither of you are that important to me.
19:10Thirty minutes later,
19:11the contract details were practically finalized.
19:14My phone blew up with text
19:15from my best friend Violet.
19:21I frowned and clicked on the link.
19:22It was Chloe's latest social media post,
19:24a photo of a golf club in Damien's back.
19:26The caption read,
19:28Him and my dreams.
19:29I stared at it for two seconds.
19:31Then I closed the app without a second thought.
19:33Stop getting mad over people who aren't worth it.
19:36I just never thought
19:37the perfect Stanford couple would end up like this.
19:40For the first time,
19:41my walls cracked a little.
19:42My love story with Damien
19:43used to be famous at Stanford.
19:45He was the legend
19:46of the computer science department.
19:47I was the stunning valedictorian
19:49of the business school.
19:50We used to argue
19:51until we were red in the face
19:52during class debates.
19:53No one believed romance
19:54could ever spark between us.
19:56But to everyone's shock,
19:58Damien actually asked me on a date
20:00in front of the whole school.
20:01Then Chloe showed up,
20:02and time and time again,
20:04between her and me,
20:05he chose her.
20:06My tone stayed perfectly flat.
20:08It's in the past.
20:09Thinking about the house,
20:10I sent a text to the realtor.
20:12Contact me directly about the house from now on.
20:14Do not call Damien.
20:15I am the sole owner.
20:16Right then,
20:17Chloe walked over holding a golf club.
20:19She looked at me with total admiration.
20:21Charlotte,
20:21will you teach me how to play?
20:23I want to be as amazing as you,
20:25so I can actually be useful to Damien's career.
20:28Hearing this,
20:29Damien looked over,
20:30his expression softening.
20:31By the way,
20:32Charlotte,
20:32organize the Rockway group files
20:34and hand them over to Chloe.
20:35I shot him a glare.
20:36I thought I had heard him wrong.
20:37When it finally clicked,
20:38I almost laughed at the sheer audacity.
20:40The Rockway group?
20:41Damien,
20:42are you out of your mind?
20:43You actually think she can handle my project?
20:46I refuse.
20:47His face darkened.
20:48He didn't expect me,
20:49the woman who always gave him
20:50whatever he wanted to fight back.
20:52His tone grew incredibly impatient.
20:54Since when are you this petty?
20:55If Chloe gets this project,
20:57she gets a full-time offer.
20:58I quietly stared at the face
21:00I once loved the most.
21:01Now,
21:02he just felt like a total stranger.
21:04My heart went ice cold.
21:05He never cared how much I sacrificed,
21:07just like a year ago.
21:08When he took a project,
21:09I spent three agonizing months preparing
21:11and handed it straight to Chloe.
21:13The tension was suffocating.
21:15The investors and caddies on the course
21:16all pretended not to notice the argument,
21:18but the occasional glances
21:19they shot at Damien and Chloe
21:21were filled with sheer disgust.
21:23Chloe hurriedly tugged at Damien's sleeve.
21:25Damien,
21:25please don't fight with Charlotte over me.
21:27I don't want people saying
21:28I only got this project
21:29because of my connections with you.
21:31You're always too kind.
21:32You're gonna get eaten alive
21:33in the corporate world.
21:35Charlotte,
21:35I'm sorry.
21:36I was the one who told him
21:37I really wanted more experience.
21:38That's why Damien asked you
21:39to give me the project,
21:40but he was only thinking about
21:41what's best for the company.
21:42I crossed my arms
21:43and stared at her coldly.
21:45How incredibly noble of her.
21:46It made it sound like
21:47if I didn't back down today,
21:48I was just being petty
21:50and unreasonable.
21:51Chloe,
21:51if I remember correctly,
21:53you've been interning at Grove Group
21:54for almost two years now,
21:56right?
21:56Internships at Grove Group
21:57are strictly capped at six months.
21:59How exactly have you stuck around
22:01for two years?
22:01Who authorized that?
22:03The implication was too obvious.
22:05Their faces instantly dropped.
22:06Charlotte,
22:07please don't talk about me like that.
22:08I ignored her little performance
22:09and looked straight at Damien.
22:11This is really your fault, Damien.
22:13Chloe has been following you around
22:14for two years.
22:15Why haven't you given her
22:16a full-time offer yet?
22:17Charlotte,
22:18you're crossing the line.
22:19Take your temper out on me,
22:20but leave an innocent girl out of it.
22:21I let out a cold laugh.
22:22Then let's break up.
22:24The next morning,
22:25Damien called me into his office
22:27the second I walked in.
22:30You're off the Rockwood Group project.
22:32I already promised it to Chloe.
22:33It's not like you need this one anyway.
22:35The office was dead silent,
22:36so quiet I could only hear
22:37the heavy beating of my own heart.
22:39When we got home last night,
22:40the first thing he did was scold me.
22:42Charlotte,
22:43what is wrong with you?
22:45Can't you just communicate
22:46like an adult?
22:49Talking like that
22:50in front of investors,
22:51do you have any idea
22:52how that makes me look?
22:53And for the record,
22:54I am not agreeing to a breakup.
22:57I'll pretend I didn't hear it this time.
23:00But don't you dare
23:01pull a stunt like that again.
23:02My patience has a limit.
23:04I don't even recognize you anymore.
23:05You're acting like
23:06a hysterical madwoman.
23:08He demanded we sleep
23:09in separate rooms
23:10and stormed off to the study
23:11with his pillow.
23:12We didn't speak another word
23:13to each other.
23:14And now,
23:15the moment I stepped
23:15into the office,
23:16he dropped this bomb on me.
23:20I refuse.
23:22I could barely breathe.
23:25Even if I drop this project,
23:27I am not handing it over
23:28to Chloe.
23:30You!
23:31Damien stood up
23:31and slammed his finger
23:32onto the security intercom.
23:35Just because we're dating
23:37doesn't mean you get
23:37to throw a temper tantrum.
23:39The security guards arrived.
23:40The atmosphere
23:41was incredibly awkward.
23:42Right on cue,
23:43Chloe pushed the door open,
23:44freezing in like
23:45she owned the place.
23:46Don't worry, Charlotte.
23:48Damien stayed up with me
23:49all night going over
23:50every detail.
23:50I won't let your hard work
23:51go to waste.
23:53I let out a dry scoff
23:55and didn't say a word.
23:56I just turned around
23:57and walked out.
23:58But I never expected them
23:59to be in such
24:00a desperate hurry.
24:00I could immediately feel
24:02the bizarre tension
24:03in the office.
24:03The design director
24:04quickly pulled me aside.
24:06Something went wrong
24:07with the Rockway Group project.
24:09Chloe went to sign
24:09the papers yesterday
24:10and somehow grabbed
24:11the wrong contract.
24:12She swapped our $10 million
24:13bid for a $100 million one.
24:18The contract is signed
24:19and legally binding.
24:20The company is going
24:21to lose $90 million.
24:22Just then,
24:23my phone rang.
24:24It was Harrison,
24:25the CEO.
24:26Charlotte.
24:27My office.
24:28Now.
24:30I walked into
24:31Harrison's office.
24:32Damien and Chloe
24:33were already there.
24:35Charlotte!
24:36I've always looked up to you!
24:38How could you make
24:39such a rookie mistake?
24:41I let out a cold laugh.
24:43You think crying louder
24:44is going to shift the blame
24:45onto someone innocent?
24:47The proposal I handed you
24:48was perfectly clear.
24:49Why don't we pull up
24:49the backup files
24:50and see exactly
24:51whose fault this is?
24:52The moment I finished,
24:53Damien spoke up.
24:54Then let's look at them.
24:54I frowned and looked over
24:56at him.
24:56His eyes darted away.
24:57A sudden sinking feeling
24:59hit my stomach.
25:00My laptop was quickly brought in
25:01and placed right in front
25:02of Harrison.
25:03I clicked the file open
25:04and my blood ran cold.
25:05My original document.
25:06It clearly stated
25:07100 million.
25:08I had double checked
25:09that number
25:10no less than 10 times.
25:11There was zero chance
25:12I made a mistake.
25:13Suddenly, it hit me.
25:14There was only one person
25:16who knew my laptop password.
25:17Only one person
25:18with the skills
25:18to alter the raw data
25:19and wipe the modification
25:21logs entirely.
25:21I stared at Damien.
25:23A sickening realization
25:24washed over me.
25:25He actually framed me
25:26just to protect his intern.
25:28Damien,
25:28today,
25:29you tampered with
25:30my original data
25:30just to help her
25:31cover up the truth.
25:32If she murders
25:33someone tomorrow,
25:34are you going to help
25:35her bury the body
25:36and lie to the cops too?
25:37Damien didn't dare
25:38look me in the eye.
25:39The contract is
25:40legally binding.
25:41You either
25:42figure out a way
25:42to cover the company's losses
25:44or prepare for federal prison.
25:48Out in the hallway,
25:49it was just the three of us.
25:50Charlotte, I...
25:51I raised my hand
25:52and slapped him
25:53hard across the face.
25:55We're done.
25:56I let it slide
25:57all those times
25:58you covered for her
25:58in the past.
26:00But now...
26:01know your place.
26:03You have no right
26:05to give me orders.
26:08The next morning,
26:10Damien called me
26:10into his office
26:11the second I walked in.
26:14You're off
26:14the Rockwood Group project.
26:16I already promised it
26:17to Chloe.
26:17It's not like you
26:18need this one anyway.
26:19The office was dead silent.
26:21So quiet,
26:21I could only hear
26:22the heavy beating
26:22of my own heart.
26:23When we got home last night,
26:25the first thing he did
26:25was scold me.
26:27Charlotte,
26:27what is wrong with you?
26:29Can't you just communicate
26:30like an adult?
26:34Talking like that
26:34in front of investors,
26:35do you have any idea
26:36how that makes me look?
26:37And for the record,
26:38I am not agreeing
26:39to a breakup!
26:42I'll pretend
26:42I didn't hear it this time.
26:44But don't you dare
26:45pull a stunt like that again.
26:47My patience has a limit.
26:48I don't even
26:49recognize you anymore.
26:50You're acting like
26:51a hysterical madwoman.
26:52He demanded we sleep
26:53in separate rooms
26:54and stormed off
26:55to the study
26:55with his pillow.
26:56We didn't speak
26:57another word to each other.
26:58And now,
26:59the moment I stepped
27:00into the office,
27:00he dropped this bomb on me.
27:05I refuse.
27:06I could barely breathe.
27:09Even if I drop
27:10this project,
27:11I am not handing
27:12it over to Chloe.
27:14You!
27:15Damien stood up
27:16and slammed his finger
27:16onto the security intercom.
27:20Just because we're dating
27:21doesn't mean you get
27:21to throw a temper tantrum.
27:23The security guards arrived.
27:25The atmosphere
27:25was incredibly awkward.
27:27Right on cue,
27:27Chloe pushed the door open,
27:28freezing in like
27:29she owned the place.
27:30Don't worry, Charlotte.
27:32Damien stayed up with me
27:33all night,
27:34going over every detail.
27:35I won't let your hard work
27:36go to waste.
27:37I let out a dry scoff
27:39and didn't say a word.
27:40I just turned around
27:41and walked out.
27:42But I never expected them
27:43to be in such
27:44a desperate hurry.
27:45I could immediately feel
27:46the bizarre tension
27:47in the office.
27:48The design director
27:49quickly pulled me aside.
27:50Something went wrong
27:51with the Rockway Group project.
27:53Chloe went to sign
27:54the papers yesterday
27:54and somehow grabbed
27:55the wrong contract.
27:56She swapped our $10 million
27:57bid for a $100 million one.
28:02The contract is signed
28:03and legally binding.
28:04The company is going
28:05to lose $90 million.
28:06Just then,
28:07my phone rang.
28:08It was Harrison,
28:09the CEO.
28:10Charlotte.
28:11My office.
28:12Now.
28:15I walked into Harrison's office.
28:17Damien and Chloe
28:17were already there.
28:20Charlotte!
28:20I've always looked up to you!
28:23How could you make
28:24such a rookie mistake?
28:26I let out a cold laugh.
28:27You think crying louder
28:29is going to shift the blame
28:30onto someone innocent?
28:31The proposal I handed you
28:32was perfectly clear.
28:33Why don't we pull up
28:34the backup files
28:34and see exactly
28:35whose fault this is?
28:36The moment I finished,
28:37Damien spoke up.
28:38Then let's look at them.
28:39I frowned and looked over at him.
28:40His eyes darted away.
28:42A sudden, sinking feeling
28:43hit my stomach.
28:44My laptop was quickly brought in
28:45and placed right in front of Harrison.
28:47I clicked the file open
28:48and my blood ran cold.
28:49My original document.
28:50It clearly stated,
28:52100 million.
28:53I had double-checked that number
28:54no less than 10 times.
28:56There was zero chance
28:57I made a mistake.
28:58Suddenly, it hit me.
28:59There was only one person
29:00who knew my laptop password.
29:01Only one person with the skills
29:02to alter the raw data
29:04and wiped the modification logs entirely.
29:06I stared at Damien.
29:07A sickening realization
29:08washed over me.
29:09He actually framed me
29:10just to protect his intern.
29:12Damien, today,
29:13you tampered with my original data
29:15just to help her cover up the truth.
29:16If she murders someone tomorrow,
29:18are you going to help her
29:19bury the body
29:20and lie to the cops too?
29:22Damien didn't dare
29:23look me in the eye.
29:24The contract is legally binding.
29:25You either figure out a way
29:27to cover the company's losses
29:28or prepare for federal prison.
29:32Out in the hallway,
29:33it was just the three of us.
29:35Charlotte, I...
29:36I raised my hand
29:37and slapped him hard
29:38across the face.
29:39We're done.
29:40I let it slide all those times
29:42you covered for her in the past.
29:45But now...
29:46Know your place!
29:47You have no right
29:49to give me orders.
29:52In my previous life,
29:54I took a speedboat,
29:55stormed the yacht with a crew,
29:56and dragged him back
29:57to the hospital by force.
29:58Securing his seat as the Don.
30:00He called me a cold-blooded,
30:01heartless bitch,
30:02had my feet set in concrete,
30:03and threw me off
30:04the Brooklyn Bridge.
30:05When I opened my eyes,
30:06I was back in that hospital.
30:07The Don of the Russo family
30:08lay on the brink of death.
30:09Whichever of his two sons
30:11made it to the hospital first,
30:12and slipped the black onyx ring
30:14onto his finger
30:14with Dollar Mafia Empire.
30:16As the eldest son,
30:17Cassian was only
30:17a 30-minute drive away.
30:19The throne was practically
30:20handed to him.
30:21Instead, he chose to throw
30:22a lavish birthday party
30:23for his precious sweetheart,
30:24Julia, on a private yacht.
30:26That ringing is giving me a headache.
30:27Cassian, just turn it off,
30:29or throw it in the ocean.
30:31Then, without a second thought,
30:32tossed both phones
30:33into the dark sea.
30:34But this time,
30:35the moment I opened my eyes,
30:37I sent the news straight to him.
30:38Then, I sent a text
30:39to my exiled brother-in-law,
30:41Mateo.
30:42The Don of the Russo family
30:43lay on the brink of death
30:45on his deathbed,
30:46surrounded by the family's kapos.
30:47He made his final will,
30:49whichever of his two sons
30:50made it to the hospital first,
30:51and slipped the black onyx ring
30:53onto his finger
30:53would inherit the multi-billion.
30:55Dollar Mafia Empire
30:56As the eldest son,
30:57Cassian was only
30:58a 30-minute drive away,
31:00the throne was practically
31:01handed to him.
31:01Instead, he chose to throw
31:03a lavish birthday party
31:04for his precious sweetheart,
31:05Julia, on a private yacht.
31:06She told him she wanted
31:07no interruptions,
31:08so he shut off his phone.
31:09In my previous life,
31:11I took a speedboat,
31:12stormed the yacht with a crew,
31:13and dragged him back
31:14to the hospital by force,
31:15securing his seat as the Don.
31:17But because he left her midway,
31:18Julia stood on the deck
31:19crying all night,
31:20caught a nasty fever,
31:21and threatened to break up
31:22with him when she woke up.
31:23Onsen Power,
31:24Cassian was driven mad by guilt.
31:26He called me a cold-blooded,
31:27heartless bitch,
31:28had my feet set in concrete,
31:29and threw me off
31:30the Brooklyn Bridge.
31:31When I opened my eyes,
31:32I was back in that hospital
31:33with the family lawyer
31:34desperately urging me
31:35to make the call.
31:36I looked down at my phone.
31:37On Instagram,
31:38Cassian had just posted,
31:39I calmly double-tapped
31:40the screen to like his post.
31:42Then I sent a text
31:43to my exiled brother-in-law,
31:44Mateo.
31:48Valerie,
31:48what are you zoning out for?
31:49Call Cassian now!
31:51The Don gave his word.
31:52Whoever gets that
31:53black onyx ring on their finger
31:54before he takes his last breath
31:55rules the Russo family.
31:57It is a 30-minute drive.
31:59If Cassian leaves right now,
32:01this billion-dollar empire is his.
32:03I masked the cold hatred
32:04in my eyes,
32:05in front of a room
32:06full of capos and doctors.
32:07I dialed Cassian's number.
32:09It rang for a long, long time.
32:10Just as the lawyer
32:11started sweating,
32:12the call finally connected.
32:13Valerie,
32:14are you out of your mind?
32:15How many times
32:16do I have to tell you
32:16it is Julia's birthday
32:17and I am staying with her?
32:19Your father was shot.
32:20They are trying to save him
32:21in the hospital.
32:22Cassian,
32:23are you going to leave me again?
32:24Valerie,
32:25it is my birthday.
32:25I just want him for one night.
32:27You really don't need
32:27to make up such twisted lies.
32:29Do I have to get on my knees
32:31and beg you to let him
32:31stay a little longer?
32:33Don't be scared, Julia.
32:34I'm not leaving.
32:35I'm not going anywhere.
32:38Did you hear that?
32:39It is just one night.
32:40Can you drop the jealous wife routine
32:41for one-
32:42Hearing this,
32:42the lawyer's veins
32:43popped on his forehead.
32:44He snatched the phone.
32:45Cassian,
32:45it is the family lawyer.
32:47Valerie is not lying.
32:48The Don was actually hit.
32:50He is in the hospital right now.
32:52You need to get here
32:53in 30 minutes
32:54because the Don said-
32:58Oh, the family lawyer, huh?
32:59An arrogant male voice
33:00suddenly cut in.
33:01It was Jax,
33:02Cassian's lackey
33:03and Julia's younger brother.
33:05Jax laughed mockingly
33:06through the speaker.
33:07Valerie,
33:07you really pulled out
33:08all the stops today,
33:09hiring actors and everything.
33:10Too bad you miscalculated.
33:12I got a buddy
33:13on the payroll
33:14in that precinct.
33:15He said the streets
33:15are dead quiet tonight.
33:17No hits,
33:17no nothing.
33:18Valerie is just a jealous bitch
33:19paying actors
33:20to put on a show
33:21so you will go crawling
33:22back to her.
33:23Valerie,
33:24using my father's life
33:25for a cheap stunt,
33:26you disgust me.
33:30Is this the eldest son?
33:33How could he be this stupid?
33:35Valerie,
33:35you fucking curse!
33:39In my past life,
33:41I was too panicked
33:41to react and took the hit.
33:43This time,
33:43I was ready.
33:44I sneered
33:44and took a step back.
33:48Where is he?
33:49Where is Cassian?
33:51If Cassian doesn't make it back,
33:53if the family falls
33:54into someone else's hands,
33:55I will sell you
33:56to the brothels myself!
33:58Useless trash!
34:00You can't even get
34:01your own man to come back.
34:02If Cassian loses
34:03his inheritance,
34:04we will skin you alive!
34:09I knew why
34:10they were losing their minds.
34:11Carmilla wasn't
34:12the Don's legal wife.
34:13She started out
34:14as a stripper
34:14and used her pregnancy
34:15to climb the ladder,
34:16giving birth to his firstborn.
34:18Cassian,
34:18years ago
34:19when the Don's actual wife
34:20was heavily pregnant
34:21and eventually found
34:21an excuse to exile him
34:23to Sicily,
34:23keeping him far away
34:24from the family's
34:25core business.
34:26Though the Don let Carmilla
34:27live in the manor,
34:28he always thought
34:28she was too low class
34:29to actually marry.
34:30That meant if the Don died
34:31and Cassian didn't
34:32take the throne,
34:33family rules dictated
34:34Carmilla would be thrown
34:35out on the streets.
34:36If she goes down,
34:37her crew goes down with her.
34:38That is why they're all
34:39looking sick with worry.
34:40Are you deaf?
34:42Call his lackey!
34:43Tell him to drag Cassian
34:44here right now!
34:45I looked at her coldly,
34:46didn't argue,
34:47and obediently dialed
34:48Jax's number.
34:48Valerie,
34:49are you physically
34:49incapable of taking a hint?
34:51Can't you give it a rest?
34:52Stop clinging to the boss
34:53like a desperate loser.
34:54Honestly,
34:55if you were my woman,
34:56I would tie you up
34:56and beat some sense
34:57into you first.
34:58Women need to learn
34:59to shut up
34:59and stay out
35:00of family business.
35:01His blatant disrespect
35:02left everyone
35:03in the room stunned.
35:04Jax,
35:05I don't care
35:05if you believe me.
35:06The Don is fading fast.
35:08He gave his word
35:10between Cassian
35:10and Mateo.
35:12Whoever puts on
35:13the ring first
35:13gets the Empire.
35:15A sudden,
35:16eerie silence
35:16fell over the line.
35:17Jax's tone shifted,
35:19sounding hesitant.
35:20Are you serious?
35:24It is true.
35:25It is true.
35:26I am Cassian's mother.
35:27You need to tell him
35:28to come come back.
35:28There's a back.
35:29It's about the inheritance.
35:30Jax said slowly.
35:31Well, if it's true,
35:32I'll go tell the boss
35:33right now.
35:34Carmela let out
35:35a huge breath of relief.
35:36As long as Cassian
35:37gets back...
35:38A burst of hysterical laughter
35:39erupted from the phone.
35:40Jax sounded like
35:41he just heard
35:41the funniest joke
35:42in the world.
35:42Jesus Christ.
35:43Valerie, you really
35:44don't know when to quit,
35:45do you?
35:45I already busted
35:46your little scam
35:46and you are still
35:47bringing the actors
35:48back for a second act?
35:48Let me tell you something.
35:49The boss said
35:50even if the FBI
35:50raids this boat tonight,
35:51nobody is ruining
35:52his alone time
35:53with my sister.
35:54Your little mind games
35:54are useless.
35:55If you know
35:56what's good for you,
35:56get lost.
35:57The boss is filing
35:58for divorce tomorrow.
36:00He is only gonna love
36:00my sister for the rest
36:01of his life
36:02and I am gonna be
36:03the Don's brother-in-law.
36:05As for you,
36:06get ready to pack your bags
36:06and go beg on the streets.
36:09The call hung up
36:10mercilessly,
36:11slowly turning
36:11into sheer horror.
36:12I made my eyes
36:13well up with tears,
36:14looking extremely wrong.
36:15I had been married
36:16to Cassian for three years
36:17to secure his position
36:18in the family.
36:19I spent countless
36:20sleepless nights
36:21cooking,
36:21hiding his dirty money
36:22and cleaning up his messes.
36:24And what did he do?
36:25He took the money
36:25I made him
36:26and bought a $10 million
36:27yacht for Julia.
36:29Valerie,
36:30you already have the title
36:31of the Russo family's wife.
36:32Julia has nothing.
36:34What is wrong
36:35with spending some money
36:36to make it up to her?
36:37He even had the nerve
36:38to tell me.
36:39All men stray.
36:40As long as he comes
36:41home to you,
36:42why do you care
36:43how many girls
36:43he keeps on the side?
36:45Yeah, exactly.
36:46So tonight,
36:47let Cassian be
36:48with the woman
36:49he truly loves.
36:50As for the godfather's seat,
36:51you can kiss it goodbye.
36:55A mess of heavy footsteps
36:56echoed in the hallway.
36:58A group of capos
36:59loyal to Cassian
37:00burst into the room.
37:01Where is he?
37:02Why isn't he here yet?
37:03It is her fault.
37:05Valerie is useless.
37:06She couldn't even
37:07get him on the phone.
37:09The elders were furious.
37:11They grabbed a thick stack.
37:12What the hell
37:12are you good for, Valerie?
37:14We bet everything
37:14on Cassian.
37:15If he misses out
37:16of the ring tonight,
37:17we all go down with him.
37:18You stupid,
37:20useless bitch.
37:21Before I could say
37:22a word,
37:22the heart monitor
37:23suddenly started blaring
37:24a warning alarm.
37:25The private physician
37:26rushed over to check.
37:28A moment later,
37:28he gave a slight shake
37:29of his head.
37:30Gentlemen,
37:31the dawn has 40 minutes
37:32at most.
37:32You need to figure
37:33this out fast.
37:3440 minutes.
37:35Honestly,
37:36if Cassian just checked
37:37his social media
37:38or picked up the phone,
37:39a 30-minute drive
37:40from the docks
37:41was more than enough time.
37:42Hope reignited
37:43in Carmela's eyes.
37:44Her hands shook
37:45as she dialed his number.
37:46Cassian,
37:47please,
37:48pick up your mother's call.
37:51The yacht was anchored
37:53just off the coast.
37:54Julia straddled
37:54Cassian's lap.
37:56She complained
37:56about the ringing phone
37:57killing the mood.
37:58That ringing
37:59is giving me a headache.
38:00Cassian,
38:01just turn it off
38:02or throw it in the ocean.
38:05Tonight is my birthday.
38:07She lowered her eyelashes.
38:08You can only have me
38:09in your world.
38:09You can only look at me.
38:11Can you do that for me?
38:13Cassian hesitated
38:14for a second,
38:15Valerie's words
38:16flashing through his mind,
38:17but looking at Julia's
38:18lustful,
38:19dependent eyes.
38:20Any doubt,
38:20he had vanished.
38:21The old man
38:22was tough as nails.
38:23He wouldn't just drop dead.
38:24All right.
38:25As long as my queen
38:26is happy
38:26even if the sky falls,
38:28you are the only thing
38:28I care about.
38:30Cassian kissed her heart
38:31then,
38:31without a second thought,
38:33tossed both phones
38:34into the dark sea.
38:38Sorry.
38:38The number you have reached
38:39is unavailable.
38:40Carmela must have called
38:41twenty times.
38:44Her men tried
38:45to comfort her.
38:46Donna Carmela,
38:46don't panic.
38:47Even if Cassian
38:48doesn't make it,
38:48it is fine.
38:49That bastard
38:50Matteo is still in Sicily,
38:51right?
38:51A flight from there
38:52takes over ten hours.
38:53He will never make it.
38:55Hearing this,
38:55Carmela let out a breath
38:56she was holding.
38:58But then,
38:58one of their spies
38:59rushed into the room.
39:00Ma'am,
39:00bosses,
39:01someone said they saw
39:02Matteo's crew
39:03a few blocks away.
39:04He is almost here.
39:06Impossible.
39:07He is in Sicily.
39:08How could he be back
39:08so fast?
39:09I stood quietly by the edge
39:10of the room,
39:11feeling a dark sense
39:12of satisfaction.
39:13Actually,
39:13Matteo had secretly
39:14returned to New York
39:15days ago to handle
39:16some family business.
39:17In my previous life,
39:18Carmela blocked
39:19all information
39:20from reaching him
39:20so he wouldn't compete
39:21for power.
39:22Let Matteo know.
39:23By the time
39:23Matteo found out
39:24and rushed over,
39:25he was thirty minutes
39:26too late.
39:27But this time,
39:27the moment I opened my eyes,
39:29I sent the news
39:29straight to him.
39:31The docks!
39:32Go to the docks!
39:33You useless trash!
39:35Come with me!
39:35We are bringing him back!
39:37Carmela completely lost it.
39:38I let her drag me
39:39into the car,
39:40because I knew exactly
39:41how obsessed
39:42Cassian was with Julia.
39:43He had locked down
39:44that yacht
39:44for their alone time.
39:45Even if Carmela
39:46went herself,
39:47it wouldn't change
39:48a damn thing.
39:53When we got to the pier,
39:54Carmela and her
39:55heavily armed thugs
39:56rushed the entrance
39:56like maniacs,
39:57but a dozen guards
39:58armed with assault rifles
39:59locked the gate.
40:00Standing front and center
40:01was Jax,
40:02looking as smug as ever.
40:03Are you blind?
40:04The boss locked down
40:05the pier tonight.
40:06Not even a fly gets in.
40:07I am his mother!
40:08Let me in!
40:09Tell Cass that
40:10Matteo's about
40:11to steal his throne!
40:12Lost her balance
40:13and crashed hard
40:14onto the concrete.
40:15Listen here, old lady.
40:16You guys are really addicted
40:17to this acting gig, huh?
40:19First Valerie gets someone
40:20to fake being a lawyer
40:21and a mom over the phone
40:22and now you show up
40:23trying to play the victim?
40:24You people will stoop
40:26to anything
40:26to ruin his night
40:27with my sister.
40:28The boss gave a direct order.
40:30Even if his own mother
40:31shows up,
40:32she can wait outside.
40:33Carmela was shaking violently,
40:34choking on her own fury.
40:36She ordered her men
40:36to break through,
40:37but after a brief,
40:38bloody scuffle,
40:39they were beaten back,
40:40heads bleeding.
40:41Utterly desperate,
40:42Carmela screamed,
40:43cursed,
40:44and clawed
40:44at the heavy iron gates.
40:46Finally,
40:46her knees gave out.
40:47She literally dropped
40:48to her knees
40:49in front of Jax,
40:50bowing her head
40:50against the dirt.
40:52I beg you,
40:54let me in to see him.
40:57If we are too late,
40:58everything is gone.
41:01Leaning against the car door
41:02watching the circus,
41:03I couldn't stop
41:04the corner of my lips
41:05from curving up.
41:06At that exact moment
41:07back in the hospital,
41:08dozens of eyes
41:09were glued
41:09to the heart monitor
41:10as the jagged lines
41:11grew flatter and flatter.
41:12Then,
41:13the hallway fell dead silent.
41:14A tall,
41:15imposing figure
41:16in a black trench coat
41:17stepped over the threshold.
41:18The moment
41:18his heavy boots halted,
41:20the red line
41:21on the monitor
41:21flatlined completely.
41:28In my previous life,
41:29I took a speedboat,
41:30stormed the yacht
41:31with a crew,
41:31and dragged him back
41:32to the hospital by force,
41:33securing his seat
41:34as the Don.
41:35He called me a cold-blooded,
41:36heartless bitch,
41:37had my feet set in concrete,
41:38and threw me off
41:39the Brooklyn Bridge.
41:40When I opened my eyes,
41:41I was back in that hospital.
41:42The Don of the Russo family
41:43lay on the brink of death,
41:44whichever of his two sons
41:46made it to the hospital first
41:47and slipped the black onyx ring
41:49onto his finger
41:50with Dollar Mafia Empire.
41:51As the eldest son,
41:52Cassian was only
41:53a 30-minute drive away.
41:54The throne was practically
41:55handed to him.
41:56Instead,
41:57he chose to throw
41:57a lavish birthday party
41:58for his precious sweetheart,
42:00Julia,
42:00on a private yacht.
42:01That ringing is giving me
42:02a headache.
42:03Cassian,
42:03just turn it off
42:04or throw it in the ocean.
42:06Then,
42:06without a second thought,
42:08tossed both phones
42:09into the dark sea.
42:10But this time,
42:11the moment I opened my eyes,
42:12I sent the news
42:12straight to him.
42:13Then,
42:14I sent a text
42:15to my exiled brother-in-law,
42:16Mateo.
42:17The Don of the Russo family
42:19lay on the brink of death
42:20on his deathbed
42:21surrounded by the family's kapos.
42:23He made his final will,
42:24whichever of his two sons
42:25made it to the hospital first
42:26and slipped the black onyx ring
42:28onto his finger
42:29would inherit the multi-billion.
42:30Dollar Mafia Empire
42:31As the eldest son,
42:33Cassian was only
42:33a 30-minute drive away,
42:35the throne was
42:35practically handed to him.
42:37Instead,
42:37he chose to throw
42:38a lavish birthday party
42:39for his precious sweetheart,
42:40Julia,
42:41on a private yacht.
42:41She told him she wanted
42:43no interruptions,
42:43so he shut off his phone.
42:45In my previous life,
42:46I took a speedboat,
42:47stormed the yacht
42:48with a crew,
42:48and dragged him back
42:49to the hospital by force,
42:50securing his seat
42:51as the Don.
42:52But because he left her midway,
42:53Julia stood on the deck
42:54crying all night,
42:55caught a nasty fever,
42:56and threatened to break up
42:57with him when she woke up.
42:58Onsen Power,
42:59Cassian was driven mad
43:00by guilt.
43:01He called me a cold-blooded,
43:02heartless bitch,
43:03had my feet set in concrete,
43:04and threw me off
43:05the Brooklyn Bridge.
43:06When I opened my eyes,
43:07I was back in that hospital
43:08with the family lawyer
43:09desperately urging me
43:10to make the call.
43:11I looked down at my phone.
43:12On Instagram,
43:13Cassian had just posted.
43:14I calmly double-tapped
43:15the screen to like his post.
43:17Then I sent a text
43:18to my exiled brother-in-law,
43:19Mateo.
43:23Valerie, what are you zoning out for?
43:25Call Cassian now.
43:26The Don gave his word.
43:27Whoever gets that black onyx ring
43:29on their finger
43:29before he takes his last breath
43:30rules the Russo family.
43:32It is a 30-minute drive.
43:34If Cassian leaves right now,
43:36this billion-dollar empire is his.
43:38I masked the cold hatred in my eyes,
43:40in front of a room
43:41full of capos and doctors.
43:43I dialed Cassian's number.
43:44It rang for a long, long time.
43:46Just as the lawyer started sweating,
43:47the call finally connected.
43:48Valerie, are you out of your mind?
43:50How many times do I have to tell you?
43:52It is Julia's birthday
43:53and I am staying with her.
43:54Your father was shot.
43:55They are trying to save him
43:56in the hospital.
43:58Cassian,
43:58are you going to leave me again?
43:59Valerie, it is my birthday.
44:01I just want him for one night.
44:02You really don't need to make up
44:03such twisted lies.
44:05Do I have to get on my knees
44:06and beg you to let him
44:07stay a little longer?
44:08Don't be scared, Julia.
44:09I'm not leaving.
44:10I'm not going anywhere.
44:13Did you hear that?
44:14It is just one night.
44:15Can you drop the jealous wife routine
44:17for one night?
44:17Hearing this,
44:18the lawyer's veins popped on his forehead.
44:19He snatched the phone.
44:20Cassian,
44:21it is the family lawyer.
44:22Valerie is not lying.
44:23The Don was actually hit.
44:25He is in the hospital right now.
44:27You need to get here in 30 minutes
44:29because the Don said...
44:33Oh, the family lawyer, huh?
44:34An arrogant male voice
44:36suddenly cut in.
44:37It was Jax,
44:38Cassian's lackey
44:39and Julia's younger brother.
44:40Jax laughed mockingly
44:41through the speaker.
44:42Valerie, you really pulled out
44:43all the stops today,
44:44hiring actors and everything.
44:45Too bad you miscalculated.
44:48I got a buddy on the payroll
44:49in that precinct.
44:50He said the streets
44:51are dead quiet tonight.
44:52No hits, no nothing.
44:53Valerie is just a jealous bitch
44:55paying actors to put on a show
44:56so you will go crawling back to her.
44:58Valerie,
44:59using my father's life
45:00for a cheap stunt,
45:02you disgust me.
45:06Is this the eldest son?
45:08How could he be this stupid?
45:10Valerie, you fucking curse!
45:14In my past life,
45:16I was too panicked to react
45:17and took the hit.
45:18This time, I was ready.
45:19I sneered and took a step back.
45:23Where is he?
45:24Where is Cassian?
45:26If Cassius doesn't make it back,
45:28if the family falls
45:29into someone else's hands,
45:31I will sell you
45:31to the brothels myself!
45:33Useless trash!
45:35You can't even get
45:36your own man to come back!
45:37If Cassian loses his inheritance,
45:39we will skin you alive!
45:44I knew why they were losing their minds.
45:46Carmilla wasn't the Don's legal wife.
45:48She started out as a stripper
45:49and used her pregnancy
45:50to climb the ladder,
45:51giving birth to his firstborn,
45:53Cassian.
45:54Years ago,
45:54when the Don's actual wife
45:55was heavily pregnant,
45:56he found an excuse
45:57to exile him to Sicily,
45:59keeping him far away
46:00from the family's core business.
46:01Though the Don let Carmilla live
46:02in the manor,
46:03he always thought
46:03she was too low-class
46:04to actually marry.
46:05That meant if the Don died
46:07and Cassian didn't take the throne,
46:08family rules dictated Carmilla
46:10would be thrown out
46:10on the streets.
46:11If she goes down,
46:12her crew goes down with her.
46:14That is why they're all
46:14looking sick with worry.
46:16Are you deaf?
46:17Call his lackey!
46:18Tell him to drag Cassian here
46:20right now!
46:20I looked at her coldly,
46:21didn't argue,
46:22and obediently dialed Jax's number.
46:24Valerie,
46:24are you physically incapable
46:25of taking a hint?
46:26Can't you give it a rest?
46:28Stop clinging to the boss
46:29like a desperate loser.
46:29Honestly,
46:30if you were my woman,
46:31I would tie you up
46:31and beat some sense into you first.
46:33Women need to learn to shut up
46:35and stay out of family business.
46:36His blatant disrespect
46:37left everyone in the room stunned.
46:39Jax,
46:40I don't care if you believe me.
46:42The Don is fading fast.
46:44He gave his word
46:45between Cassian and Mateo.
46:47Whoever puts on the ring first
46:49gets the Empire.
46:50A sudden,
46:51eerie silence fell over the line.
46:53Jax's tone shifted,
46:54sounding hesitant.
46:55Are you serious?
46:59It is true.
47:00It is true.
47:01I am Cassian's mother.
47:02You need to tell him
47:03to come come back.
47:04There's a back.
47:04It's about the inheritance.
47:06Jax said slowly.
47:07Well, if it's true,
47:07I'll go tell the boss right now.
47:09Carmella let out
47:10a huge breath of relief.
47:12As long as Cassian gets back,
47:13a burst of hysterical laughter
47:14erupted from the phone.
47:15Jax sounded like he just heard
47:16the funniest joke in the world.
47:18Jesus Christ.
47:19Valerie,
47:19you really don't know
47:19when to quit, do you?
47:20I already busted your little scam
47:22and you are still bringing
47:22the actors back for a second act?
47:24Let me tell you something.
47:24The boss said even if the FBI
47:26raids this boat
47:26tonight,
47:26nobody is ruining
47:27his alone time with my sister.
47:29Your little mind games
47:30are useless.
47:30If you know what's good for you,
47:32get lost.
47:33The boss is filing
47:34for divorce tomorrow.
47:35He is only going to love
47:36my sister for the rest
47:37of his life
47:37and I am going to be
47:38the Don's brother-in-law.
47:40As for you,
47:41get ready to pack your bags
47:42and go beg on the streets.
47:44The call hung up mercilessly,
47:46slowly turning into sheer horror.
47:48I made my eyes well up
47:49with tears,
47:49looking extremely wrong.
47:51I had been married
47:51to Cassian for three years
47:53to secure his position
47:54in the family.
47:54I spent countless
47:55sleepless nights
47:56cooking,
47:56hiding his dirty money
47:57and cleaning up his messes.
47:59And what did he do?
48:00He took the money
48:00I made him
48:01and bought a $10 million
48:02yacht for Julia.
48:04Valerie,
48:05you already have the title
48:06of the Russo family's wife.
48:08Julia has nothing.
48:09What is wrong
48:10with spending some money
48:11to make it up to her?
48:12He even had the nerve
48:13to tell me.
48:14All men stray.
48:15As long as he comes home to you,
48:17why do you care
48:18how many girls
48:18he keeps on the side?
48:20Yeah, exactly.
48:22So tonight,
48:23let Cassian be with the woman
48:24he truly loves.
48:25As for the Godfather's seat,
48:26you can kiss it goodbye.
48:30A mess of heavy footsteps
48:32echoed in the hallway.
48:33A group of capos
48:34loyal to Cassian
48:35burst into the room.
48:36Where is he?
48:37Why isn't he here yet?
48:38It is her fault.
48:40Valerie is useless.
48:42She couldn't even
48:42get him on the phone.
48:45The elders were furious.
48:46They grabbed a thick stack.
48:47What the hell
48:47are you good for, Valerie?
48:49We bet everything on Cassian.
48:51If he misses out
48:51of the ring tonight,
48:52we all go down with him.
48:54You stupid, useless bitch.
48:56Before I could say a word,
48:57the heart monitor
48:58suddenly started blaring
48:59a warning alarm.
49:01The private physician
49:02rushed over to check.
49:03A moment later,
49:04he gave a slight shake
49:04of his head.
49:05Gentlemen,
49:06the Don has 40 minutes at most.
49:07You need to figure this out
49:08fast.
49:1040 minutes.
49:11Honestly,
49:11if Cassian just checked
49:13his social media
49:13or picked up the phone,
49:15a 30-minute drive
49:15from the docks
49:16was more than enough time.
49:17Hope reignited
49:18in Carmela's eyes.
49:19Her hands shook
49:20as she dialed his number.
49:22Cassian, please!
49:23Pick up your mother's call!
49:27The yacht was anchored
49:28just off the coast.
49:29Julia straddled
49:30Cassian's lap.
49:31She complained
49:32about the ringing phone
49:33killing the mood.
49:33That ringing
49:34is giving me a headache.
49:35Cassian,
49:36just turn it off
49:37or throw it in the ocean.
49:40Tonight is my birthday.
49:42She lowered her eyelashes.
49:43You can only have me
49:44in your world.
49:45You can only look at me.
49:47Can you do that for me?
49:49Cassian hesitated
49:49for a second,
49:50Valerie's words
49:51flashing through his mind,
49:52but looking at
49:53Julia's lustful,
49:54dependent eyes.
49:55Any doubt
49:55he had vanished.
49:56The old man
49:57was tough as nails.
49:58He wouldn't just drop dead.
50:00All right.
50:00As long as my queen
50:01is happy,
50:02even if the sky falls,
50:03you are the only thing
50:04I care about.
50:05Cassian kissed her heart
50:06then,
50:07without a second thought,
50:08tossed both phones
50:09into the dark sea.
50:13Sorry.
50:14The number you have reached
50:15is unavailable.
50:16Carmela must have called
50:17twenty times.
50:19Her men tried
50:20to comfort her.
50:21Donna Carmela,
50:22don't panic.
50:22Even if Cassian
50:23doesn't make it,
50:23it is fine.
50:24That bastard Mateo
50:25is still in Sicily,
50:26right?
50:26A flight from there
50:27takes over ten hours.
50:28He will never make it.
50:30Hearing this,
50:31Carmela let out a breath
50:32she was holding.
50:33But then,
50:34one of their spies
50:34rushed into the room.
50:35Ma'am, bosses.
50:37Someone said they saw
50:38Mateo's crew
50:38a few blocks away.
50:39He is almost here.
50:41Impossible.
50:42He is in Sicily.
50:43How could he be back
50:44so fast?
50:44I stood quietly
50:45by the edge of the room,
50:46feeling a dark sense
50:47of satisfaction.
50:48Actually,
50:49Mateo had secretly
50:50returned to New York
50:50days ago
50:51to handle some family business.
50:52In my previous life,
50:54Carmela blocked
50:54all information
50:55from reaching him
50:56so he wouldn't compete
50:57for power.
50:57Never let Mateus know.
50:58By the time
50:58Mateo found out
50:59and rushed over,
51:00he was thirty minutes
51:01too late.
51:02But this time,
51:03the moment I opened my eyes,
51:04I sent the news
51:05straight to him.
51:06The docks!
51:07Go to the docks!
51:08You useless trash!
51:10Come with me!
51:11We are bringing him back!
51:12Carmela completely lost it.
51:13I let her drag me
51:14into the car
51:15because I knew
51:16exactly how obsessed
51:17Cassian was with Julia.
51:18He had locked down
51:19that yacht
51:20for their alone time.
51:21Even if Carmela
51:21went herself,
51:22it wouldn't change
51:23a damn thing.
51:26We have to do it.
51:26We have to do it again.
51:26We have to do it again.
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