- 3 hours ago
After My Husband Cheated, I Left Him with Nothing
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🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00Hi, this is Mrs. Hudson. I'm here to swipe my card for the $3,000 a table 10-year-old
00:05birthday party I reserved.
00:06I'm terribly sorry, Mrs. Hudson. This card has less than $500 available credit.
00:11I poured everything I had into helping my husband build his tech startup from nothing,
00:16turning it into one of Silicon Valley's red-hot unicorns.
00:20After that, I stepped back from the spotlight without a second thought and became a full-time mother.
00:25On my daughter Ava's 10th birthday, I wanted to throw her a grand party
00:30and booked a luxury banquet package at the Hotel Bel Air in Beverly Hills at $3,000 per table.
00:36But when I swiped the card, the front desk staff apologized.
00:40Mrs. Hudson, I'm very sorry, but the available balance on this card is less than $500.
00:46Embarrassed, I went home and confronted my husband.
00:49He put on an apologetic face and said,
00:52The company is bidding on the Silicon Valley Corley Tech Park, a competitor militially stirring up trouble,
00:56so I advanced a huge amount of money for components guarantees and I'm a cash flowed Zemparelli tut.
01:00When the funds come through, I promise to throw Ava the most decent birthday party Los Angeles has ever seen.
01:05I considerately expressed my understanding, then immediately turned around and started liquidating our assets.
01:11Because the new chair of the review panel leading this bidding project is none other than my father,
01:16and I had just spoken with him on the phone last night.
01:18He made it clear, there have been no recent requests for any private financial transactions.
01:24The entire process is open and compliant.
01:28I'm going to find out exactly who he's been spending the money on.
01:32This black card was our family's joint account.
01:35Just last month, it still had over $2 million in it.
01:39The transaction history had been deliberately deleted,
01:42so I went to the bank specifically and requested the full statement.
01:45The single largest charge was, incredibly, at the very same Hotel Bel Air I had just been to, $140,000.
01:54And the details read, Private Birthday Party All-Inclusive Package.
01:58Daddy must be planning a surprise for us, right?
02:04Mommy, let's hurry over and give Daddy a surprise too.
02:08Looking at my daughter Ava's innocent eyes, I couldn't bring myself to think badly of Liam.
02:14When we rushed to the hotel banquet, I spotted him immediately Liam, sharply dressed in a suit,
02:20standing at the entrance, laughing and chatting with guests.
02:23A woman in a red evening gown was intimately holding his arm, looking just like a perfect golden couple.
02:29She was Sophia, Liam's chief assistant, and practically a company veteran.
02:34Liam, your son looks exactly like you, so outstanding.
02:39Who wouldn't envy you? Still so in love with a child this old.
02:43Listening to the guests' flattering words, I then noticed a little boy standing between them,
02:48with a striking resemblance to Liam around the eyes and brows.
02:52My daughter suddenly wrenched her hand free from mine and ran toward Liam.
02:56Daddy, the name up there is wrong! My name is Ava, not Noah!
03:02That was when I realized she had seen the welcome sign nearby,
03:06which boldly read,
03:08Happy 7th Birthday to our beloved son, Noah Hudson.
03:13Before I could even begin to process this,
03:15I heard a loud thud Sophia had reached out and shoved my daughter to the ground.
03:20Where did this child come from?
03:22No manners at all.
03:24I rushed forward and scooped up my daughter.
03:27The moment I saw the blood beating on her scraped knee,
03:30rage completely overpowered reason.
03:33Liam Hudson!
03:34You used our family money to keep a woman and an illegitimate child on the side!
03:39And now you're letting her hurt Ava?
03:41My voice trembled with fury as I held my sobbing daughter tightly.
03:45Sophia muttered under her breath,
03:47What joint property?
03:48Every single penny of this company was earned with me fighting by his side.
03:52Some people have been playing housewife for so long,
03:55they actually think they're the company's owner.
03:58The surrounding guests buzzed with discussion,
04:00their eyes swiveling back and forth between us.
04:03Is this the mistress coming to stir up trouble?
04:06How dare she crash the real partner's party?
04:09Absolutely outrageous.
04:11Had nothing but a daughter and still tries to make a scene truly pathetic.
04:15Those probing, contemptuous, mocking stares fell on my daughter and me,
04:20piercing like countless needles.
04:22I said angrily,
04:24Are you kidding me?
04:26Sophia is the mistress!
04:27This boy is the dirty little secret no one was supposed to know about!
04:31A few snickers rippled through the crowd.
04:33A man with a beer belly swirled his wine glass and said,
04:36Sophia and Liam have been together for ages.
04:40Everyone knows she's the one who holds everything together for him.
04:44Another woman chimed in.
04:45Liam and Sophia have such a great relationship.
04:48This woman clearly just wants to scam him because he's loaded.
04:52I turned my gaze to Liam and said icily,
04:55Liam, tell me, who am I?
04:58Liam finally spoke.
05:00Wearing a helpless smile, he turned to the guests.
05:03My apologies for this little scene, everyone.
05:06This is Claire, our household assistant.
05:08She spends all her time reading romance novels and has a hard time telling fantasy from reality.
05:14He then turned to look at me, his eyes filled with warning.
05:17Claire, take your daughter Ava back to rest.
05:21Stop embarrassing yourselves here.
05:23I felt as if I had been struck by lightning.
05:25I couldn't believe that the man who had shared my bed for 12 years
05:29would actually slap such an absurd identity onto me right to my face.
05:33Seeing that Liam had taken her side, Sophia immediately found her confidence, her voice rising.
05:40Claire, I know it's not easy raising a daughter on your own,
05:43but you can't try to extort money like this.
05:48Tell you what, why don't you go back for now and I'll have the butler pay you an extra three
05:52months' salary.
05:53Bursts of mocking laughter erupted from the guests.
05:56Oh, so the assistant is trying to move up?
05:58That's a joke.
06:00People do anything for money these days.
06:04That poor little girl, stuck with a mother like that.
06:07A mother who acts like that, the child is bound to pick it up.
06:11She's probably going anywhere in life.
06:14Sophia smiled smugly.
06:16She crouched down and said to Noah,
06:18You see? Study hard, so you won't become a laughing out.
06:24Noah jutted out his chin, his eyes full of a meanness far beyond his years.
06:29How dare you shout at mom like that?
06:32He reached out and shoved me hard.
06:35Caught completely off guard, I staggered back two steps,
06:39nearly falling down together with my daughter.
06:41Noah said arrogantly,
06:43My dad said the tech company will be mine to control someday.
06:48You don't deserve to take my dad from me!
06:53You'll end up just like your mom,
06:56a servant assistant.
06:58The guests mocking laughter were even more patient.
07:02The young master has such ambition!
07:05Just then, several hotel waitstaff in uniform passed by carrying trays,
07:10and one of them was the front desk manager who had assisted me last time.
07:14When he saw me, he deliberately raised his voice,
07:18and sent to the colleague beside him,
07:20Well, well, if it isn't Mrs. Hudson,
07:22the one who reserved a $3,000 a table birthday party,
07:24but couldn't even get $500 out of her card.
07:27Told you!
07:28Some people just love to put on airs,
07:30pretending to be a rich wife,
07:31and they have to slink off with their tail between their legs.
07:33Sofie's frivolous and let out a scoff.
07:36Broke is a joke!
07:38Can't even scrape up $500?
07:40No surprise she's throwing a fit.
07:42The beer-bellied man Richard from earlier also swayed forward,
07:45his greasy gaze sizing up Ava and me,
07:48his tone frivolous.
07:50You have to admit that Nancy at Liam's place is actually quite good looking,
07:53and the little girl is kind of cute too.
07:56You definitely don't stand a chance with Liam,
07:58so why not come with me?
08:00I'll give you $3,000 a month,
08:01plus room and bear for you and your daughter.
08:03What do you say?
08:04You won't have to worry about $500 anymore.
08:06I'm willing to be the one to take over.
08:07Pretty decent of me, don't you think?
08:09Hearing this, the other guests laughed even harder.
08:12Richard, you're so generous!
08:14But seriously, isn't $3,000 a bit too much for someone like her?
08:19Sofie wrestled up to Liam and joined the crowd in the jury.
08:23I demanded sharply,
08:24Liam, are you just going to stand there
08:27and watch them insult me and Ava like this?
08:29Liam looked at me expressionlessly,
08:31as if I truly were a complete stranger.
08:34After everyone had laughed their fill,
08:37he finally spoke again, his tone cold and impatient.
08:40Claire, stop embarrassing yourself here.
08:43This is my son's birthday party.
08:45Take your daughter and go back or I'll call security.
08:48Ava trembled even more violently in my arms.
08:51Her tiny hands clutched tightly at the hem of my clothes,
08:54and she buried her face against my chest,
08:57too afraid to look at those malicious faces.
09:00Mom, is it really like what they said?
09:03Hearing my daughter's terrified question,
09:06my heart ached so fiercely I could barely breathe.
09:0812 years of devotion and sacrifice,
09:12and what I got in return was being trampled and humiliated
09:15by my own husband in public like this.
09:19No, no, Ava.
09:20I covered Ava's ears.
09:22My heart filled with bitterness.
09:24How was I supposed to explain this to her?
09:27Back when Liam first started his business,
09:29we were crammed into a run-down garage of less than 100 square feet.
09:33The company couldn't afford to hire anyone,
09:36so I took on multiple roles.
09:38Admin, bookkeeper, order tracking.
09:41To help him bring in clients,
09:43I cast aside every shred of dignity
09:45and begged every single person I knew.
09:48I remember the day he signed his first million-dollar contract.
09:51He excitedly spun me around in circles
09:54and then used that money to buy me a very expensive dress.
09:57I saw the sparkle in Liam's eyes,
09:59and in the end,
10:01I never told him that the big client
10:03was actually a long-time business partner of my uncle.
10:06Later, the company gradually got on track,
10:08and I became pregnant with Ava.
10:10Liam, out of concern for me,
10:12had me go home to rest
10:14and take care of the pregnancy in peace.
10:16From now on, I'll take care of you.
10:18You've suffered so much for me.
10:20Now it's turn to give you the life of a princess.
10:22But now...
10:23I looked down at the old dress I was wearing,
10:25the one I had worn for three years.
10:29Meanwhile, Liam was in a sharp suit,
10:31and Sophia was draped head-to-toe in designer brands.
10:34The two of them stood together,
10:36basking in everyone's flattery,
10:38looking perfectly matched.
10:39And I was called the assistant,
10:41and no one even doubted it.
10:43Ma'am, I know life hasn't been easy for you,
10:46but children at this age already understand things.
10:49If you don't care about your own dignity,
10:51at least don't embarrass the child.
10:53As Sophia spoke,
10:55she pulled a small stack of green bills
10:57out of her exquisite designer wallet.
10:59She held it out to me with utter arrogance.
11:04I don't have much cash on me,
11:06and I don't know what kind of trouble you're in,
11:08but take these $2,000.
11:11Buy a one-way ticket to the Midwest,
11:13then go see a psychiatrist and get your head examined.
11:16As she leaned in close,
11:17Sophia said in a voice so low,
11:19only the two of us could hear.
11:21Claire, what does it matter that you met Liam first?
11:24The one not loved is the one who doesn't belong.
11:28Right in front of everyone's watching eyes,
11:30she suddenly let out an,
11:32oh dear,
11:33and her fingers loosened.
11:34The bills smacked across my face
11:37and scattered all over the floor.
11:39Sophia smiled without a trace of apology,
11:41her gaze condescending.
11:43Sorry, my hand slipped.
11:46The pot-bellied vice president immediately chimed in.
11:49What a classy lady Sophia is!
11:52No wonder she's Liam's most trusted partner.
11:56Liam glanced at me indifferently and commanded,
11:58Pick it up and hurry along.
12:00I was so enraged that I actually laughed.
12:03$2,000 trying to get rid of me?
12:06Liam,
12:07do you think back then your crappy garage company,
12:10what made you think you could get
12:12those multi-million dollar defense contracts?
12:14Every penny you've spent on Sophia
12:16and this illegitimate child over the years
12:19is our marital property.
12:20If I want,
12:21I can take it all back.
12:23That's quite a story, Claire.
12:26With that imagination,
12:27you should try writing some rich family romance for fun.
12:30Times have changed.
12:31No need to be so hung up on being the original wife.
12:34But Liam was clearly hit where it hurt.
12:36His face instantly turned ashen,
12:38and he was just about to shout,
12:40Claire, stop it!
12:42A crisp sound of a slap cut him off.
12:44Liam,
12:44if you dare slander me one more word,
12:46if you dare call me an assistant again,
12:48I'll take you to court immediately.
12:50I'll make Hudson Technology
12:51vanish from Silicon Valley for good.
12:56Liam was stunned by the slap.
12:58The moment he registered what had happened,
13:00fury ignited in his eyes.
13:01He grabbed me by the throat,
13:03his knuckles turning white from the force,
13:05his tone vicious.
13:06You think I wouldn't hit a woman?
13:08Don't push your luck.
13:10In a corner where no one could see,
13:12he suddenly clamped down on my neck.
13:14His grip grew tighter and tighter,
13:16and I felt the air being slowly squeezed out of me.
13:20My vision began to darken,
13:21and I could only claw helplessly at his wrist.
13:24Just when I thought I was truly going to die right there,
13:27Sophia stepped forward with feigned concern to intervene.
13:30Liam,
13:31it's not worth getting angry over someone like that.
13:34What if you end up hurting yourself?
13:36Only then did Liam release his grip.
13:38I collapsed to the floor,
13:40gasping for breath.
13:41Tears streaming down my face uncontrollably.
13:44The ruthlessness in his eyes just moments ago
13:46made me understand in that instant,
13:48his gaze was filled with pure rage,
13:51and he struck without the slightest regard
13:53for the bond we once shared.
13:54Sophia tenderly stroked the red mark on Liam's face,
13:58and then,
13:59right in front of everyone,
14:00she stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
14:02All right,
14:03don't be upset.
14:05Today is Noah's birthday.
14:08Don't let people like that ruin our good mood.
14:11Liam's expression softened slightly,
14:13and he wrapped an arm around Sophia's waist.
14:15Just then,
14:16the banquet hall lights suddenly dimmed.
14:19The timed projector flickered on,
14:22and photos began to play across the screen.
14:24There,
14:25on the screen,
14:26in vivid detail,
14:27were the moments of Noah's life from birth to now.
14:30His birth,
14:30his first birthday,
14:31his first day of school.
14:34All were recorded,
14:35and in every single one,
14:37Liam and Sophia were there by his side.
14:39Yet in my daughter Ava's life,
14:41Liam as a father was always absent.
14:44My daughter and Noah share the same birthday.
14:46So after Noah turned three,
14:48meaning from the very year Noah was born,
14:50my daughter never saw her father on her birthday again.
14:53Noah made
14:54a face at my daughter,
14:55and taunted.
14:56So you say he's your father?
14:59Then take out the photo and let us see.
15:01Mom,
15:03does Daddy not care about me at all?
15:05Am I just an unwanted child?
15:07I shook my head,
15:08but photos of them started playing on the screen,
15:11seeing several familiar backgrounds.
15:13I couldn't help but freeze.
15:15The backgrounds were the deck and the ocean,
15:17the two of them cheek to cheek,
15:19intimately.
15:20I remembered that cruise ship.
15:22It was the luxury cruise I had booked
15:24for my fifth wedding anniversary with Liam.
15:26So Liam had booked a ticket for Sophia too.
15:29And that family photo at the amusement park,
15:31Liam and Sophia tightly embracing the date stamped on the photo,
15:35was the very same day Liam had been at the park with me and our daughter.
15:39Finally,
15:40I understood why.
15:41Every time we went out,
15:43Liam always had some urgent,
15:45unavoidable meeting.
15:46The happy marriage I had cherished in my heart
15:48was already full of cracks,
15:50rotten on the inside.
15:51While I was still lost in shock,
15:53Noah suddenly rushed over,
15:56slapped Ava hard across the face,
15:58and shouted,
16:00Cause your mom isn't a mommy top where and dad it.
16:03Your mom just dared to hit my dad,
16:05so I'm going to bully you.
16:07My daughter's head was struck to the side,
16:09her cheek instantly flushing bright red.
16:12She was a head taller than Noah,
16:14and at an age where children are naturally competitive,
16:16and eager to stand their ground.
16:18So her instinct was to hit back.
16:20But Sophia immediately grabbed hold of Ava's hands,
16:23squeezing her wrists forcefully,
16:25and scolded her harshly.
16:27Acting so insilent at such a young age,
16:30you truly lack manners and upbringing.
16:33Seeing my daughter restrained,
16:35Noah rushed forward at once,
16:36and began kicking and hitting her.
16:38Children strike without any sense of restraint,
16:41and soon bruises and marks
16:43appeared all over my daughter's body.
16:44She was in so much pain
16:46that tears streamed down her face,
16:48but she stubbornly bit her lip,
16:50and refused to let herself cry out loud.
16:52Stop!
16:54Desperate,
16:54I tried to pull Noah away,
16:56but Liam seized my arm in a death grip.
16:58They're just children playing.
16:59Why are you getting involved?
17:00Noah's very sensible.
17:01He knows his limits.
17:02Nothing will happen.
17:03I had reached my breaking point
17:05and screamed almost hoarsely,
17:07Liam Hudson,
17:08that is your own daughter!
17:10How can you just stand by
17:12and watch others bully her?
17:13How can you be so heartless?
17:16But Noah's my son.
17:19But Noah's my son.
17:21His voice was very soft,
17:22yet every word pierced my heart like a blade.
17:25But Noah is my son.
17:27Just then,
17:28Noah kicked Ava viciously in the stomach.
17:30My daughter immediately doubled over in pain,
17:33her little face turning deathly pale.
17:35Ava!
17:37I shrieked,
17:38my heart nearly stopping.
17:40Ava tried to shield her stomach with her hands,
17:42but Sophia was still clamping down on her tightly,
17:45leaving her utterly unable to protect herself.
17:48Seeing this,
17:49Noah grew even more smug
17:50and raised his foot again,
17:52aiming straight for Ava's already scraped and injured knee.
17:56I finally wrenched myself free from Liam,
17:59threw myself forward,
18:00and shoved Noah aside,
18:02gathering my daughter protectively into my arms.
18:05Ava was trembling violently in my embrace.
18:08Her tiny hands clutched tightly at the hem of my clothes,
18:11and her voice was feeble.
18:13Mommy,
18:13it hurt so much.
18:16Noah,
18:16having been pushed away,
18:18knocked into a nearby table,
18:19and started wailing loudly in pain.
18:22Sophia was beside herself with distress.
18:26My precious son!
18:28Our Noah is going to inherit
18:29the entire Hudson Technology Empire one day!
18:32Can you even afford it if you break him?
18:34Seeing Sophia and her son crying in each other's arms,
18:38Claire,
18:38how could you be so vicious?
18:40Liam couldn't hold back
18:41and raised his hand just as his slap was about to land on me.
18:45The sound of synchronized footsteps suddenly rang out from the entrance of the banquet hall.
18:50A middle-aged man in a dark, bespoke suit,
18:53exuding an aura of commanding authority,
18:56strode in.
18:56His eyes were razor sharp,
18:58and his entire presence radiated a quiet, intimidating power.
19:03Flanking him were a bodyguard and a senior assistant.
19:06The pot-bellied Richard,
19:07who had made those insolent remarks to me earlier,
19:10instantly switched to a fawning expression.
19:13He trotted over to greet the newcomer,
19:15bowing and scraping obsequiously.
19:17Mr. Anderson,
19:18your presence here is a true honor for the entire banquet.
19:22Liam, come over here.
19:24Let me introduce you.
19:25This is Silicon Valley's top angel investor,
19:28the lead investor in the tech company's first round,
19:31Mr. Robert Anderson!
19:33Liam stared at the newcomer in utter disbelief,
19:35his face instantly turning deathly pale.
19:38Father-in-law?
19:41Holding my injured daughter in my arms and gazing at that familiar face,
19:45my tears finally burst forth uncontrollably.
19:48I called out through my sobs,
19:51Dad!
19:53Mr. Robert ignored Richard,
19:55who had rushed up to him first,
19:57and didn't even glance at Liam,
19:59whose face was as pale as paper.
20:01He walked straight through the crowd and stopped in front of me.
20:05When his eyes fell on Ava in my arms,
20:07her face pallid,
20:09her arms and calves covered in purplish bruises,
20:12and then swept over the clear,
20:14glaring strangulation marks on my neck,
20:16the temperature in the entire banquet hall
20:19seemed to plummet to freezing in an instant.
20:22What's going on here?
20:23His voice was not loud,
20:25but it carried an unquestionable authority
20:27that struck everyone's heart like a heavy hammer.
20:29Richard,
20:30who had been so unbearably arrogant moments ago,
20:32was now drenched in sweat,
20:35the back of his shirt soaked through with cold perspiration.
20:38He stammered,
20:39trying to explain.
20:41Mr. Anderson,
20:41this is all a misunderstanding.
20:43This mother and daughter are Liam's household elders.
20:45They came to Noah's birthday party
20:46trying to extort money and cause bus blanks,
20:48and I'm so embarrassed that you have to see this,
20:50and next time you come,
20:51please your assistant notify me in advance,
20:52and I'll suddenly pick you up at the airport.
20:54Are you saying that my daughter and grandbotter
20:57are extorting money and causing trouble?
21:02His gaze slowly swept over Liam and Sophia's arms
21:05still tightly intertwined,
21:07and finally came to rest on Ava.
21:09His tone softened considerably.
21:11Ava,
21:12tell grandpa who hit you.
21:14Dad,
21:15let me explain.
21:16Things are not as you think.
21:17Ava,
21:18speak.
21:19Mr.
21:20Robert's tone was firm,
21:22and brooked no argument,
21:24giving Liam no chance to defend himself whatsoever.
21:27Ava timidly peeked out from my arms.
21:29Her little finger pointed first at Noah,
21:32still sniffling in Sophia's arms.
21:34Then at Sophia,
21:35tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.
21:38It was him.
21:39He hit my face,
21:41kicked my stomach,
21:42and she held my hand so I couldn't die.
21:45Listening to Ava's tearful accusation,
21:47fine beads of cold sweat broke out on Liam's temples.
21:50He quietly pulled Richard aside,
21:53ducking away.
21:54Richard,
21:55is this really the newly a director
21:56of the fine patroker department?
21:58Are you sure you've got the right person?
22:00Richard was now utterly terrified.
22:02He kept wiping the sweat from his forehead
22:04with a handkerchief,
22:05his voice trembling.
22:07Absolutely.
22:08He invested in Google,
22:09Tesla.
22:10He's a titan of Silicon Valley.
22:12How could I be mistaken?
22:16This is really your father-in-law?
22:18Liam, you never told me
22:19you had such a big shot as a father-in-law.
22:21Why didn't you tell me
22:22her father's top Silicon Valley investor?
22:27How was I supposed to know?
22:28I thought he was just some reclusive,
22:29retired old man
22:30who only goes fishing
22:31and reads books every day.
22:33He never talks about who he really is.
22:35And he rarely asked about Claire's affairs,
22:37so I assumed.
22:38I thought.
22:39While the two were still whispering,
22:41Noah,
22:42sheltered in Sophia's arms,
22:43had absolutely no inkling
22:45of how tense the atmosphere had become.
22:47He had just bumped his head
22:48and was already feeling full of grievance.
22:50Now,
22:51seeing this strange old man
22:53siding with Ava
22:53and even letting Ava tattle,
22:55his anger flared instantly.
22:58Hey, you old man!
23:00How dare you meddle in my business!
23:02Believe me,
23:03I'll have my dad
23:04call the security guards
23:05to throw you out!
23:06My dad is a billionaire!
23:10As he spoke,
23:12he even reached out his little hand
23:13to shove his father's leg,
23:15but the assistant swiftly stopped him
23:16with sharp reflexes.
23:18Sophia was scared out of her wits.
23:20She rushed forward in a panic,
23:22wrapped her arms around Noah,
23:24and clamped her hand tightly over his mouth,
23:26forcing a smile that was worse
23:28than a grimace onto her face.
23:30Please don't take it to heart, sir.
23:32The child is young
23:33and doesn't know what he's saying.
23:34Yes, Dad,
23:35he's just a little boy with no filter.
23:37Please don't hold it against him.
23:39It seems Mr. Hudson
23:40has a rather unique approach
23:42to disciplinating his child
23:43on a regular basis.
23:45But Noah was still struggling,
23:47making muffled sounds
23:48through the hand over his mouth,
23:50his eyes still glaring fiercely
23:52at Mr. Robert.
23:53Clearly,
23:54he didn't regard this old man
23:56as anyone important at all.
23:58Sophia, frantic,
23:59secretly pinched his arm
24:01several times
24:02before he finally settled down a little,
24:04yet he still kept his neck stiff,
24:06wearing a defiant,
24:07unyielding expression.
24:11Seeing his son's reckless arrogance
24:14and catching the increasingly cold look
24:16on Mr. Robert's face,
24:17a surge of fury ignited within Liam.
24:20It's all thanks to the way
24:21you've raised your son!
24:23Look at what you've spoiled him into!
24:25Sophia's head was knocked sideways
24:27by the blow,
24:28her hair falling loose in disarray,
24:30and clear finger marks
24:32surfaced on her face.
24:33She covered her face in disbelief,
24:36her eyes instantly reddening.
24:38Liam Hudson,
24:38you actually hit me?
24:40Ask yourself,
24:40don't you bear any responsibility
24:42for the way no one has turned out?
24:43Dad,
24:44it was this woman who seduced me.
24:45Noah only exists
24:46because of her careful scheme.
24:48You're a man too.
24:49What man doesn't make mistakes?
24:51But Claire has always been
24:53the one I truly love.
24:54From now on,
24:55I'll cut all ties completely
24:56with this mother and son.
24:57You promised me
24:58you'd divorce Claire!
25:00Now that your father-in-law is here,
25:01you want to kick us out?
25:03There's no way
25:04I'm letting this go!
25:06So what if her dad is a big shot?
25:08You're a wealthy boss too.
25:10Take this opportunity,
25:11they everything out on the table
25:12and divorced her!
25:12Crazy woman!
25:14How could I possibly
25:15divorce Claire for you?
25:16Don't even dream about it!
25:18You're so heartless.
25:19Liam,
25:20with you all these years,
25:22gave you a son
25:23and this is how you treat me?
25:24The two of them
25:25were completely heedless
25:26of the setting,
25:27tangled in an all-out brawl,
25:29the scene utterly unsightly.
25:31The surrounding guests
25:32watched in stunned disbelief.
25:38Some quietly took out
25:39their phones to record videos,
25:41while others stepped backward,
25:43afraid of getting caught
25:44in the fray.
25:45Noah's earlier arrogance
25:46had vanished entirely.
25:47He stood rooted to the spot,
25:50wailing loudly.
25:51Just as the two of them
25:52were locked in their ugly,
25:53inextricable fight,
25:55the doors of the banquet hall
25:56were pushed open once again.
25:58Several police officers
25:59in Los Angeles Police Department
26:01uniforms walked in.
26:02The lead officer scanned the room
26:04and asked in a deep voice,
26:06We received a report
26:07that someone here
26:08is suspected of
26:08intentional assault,
26:10child abuse,
26:11and disturbing public order.
26:13Who is Liam Hudson?
26:15Who is Sophia Miller?
26:16Liam and Sophia
26:17instantly froze in place.
26:19Liam frantically
26:20straightened his twisted tie.
26:22Officer,
26:23this is all a misunderstanding.
26:25Dad,
26:25please put in a good word for me.
26:27No amount of pleading will help.
26:29Misunderstanding or not,
26:31you're coming to the station with us
26:32for investigation.
26:33Mr.
26:34Robert's assistant stepped forward
26:36and said calmly,
26:38Officer,
26:39I'm the one who called the police.
26:40I'll cooperate and go back
26:41to give a full statement.
26:42Fully cooperate with the police investigation.
26:45Submit all collected evidence,
26:46truthfully and completely,
26:47leaving nothing out.
26:51Under the shocked stares
26:53of the entire banquet of guests,
26:54Liam and Sophia were handcuffed
26:56and taken away.
26:58Noah stood there where he was,
27:00his face smeared with tears and snot,
27:02but he no longer dared to cry
27:04or throw a tantrum.
27:05He just stood there timidly,
27:07like an abandoned child.
27:09Off to the side,
27:10Richard remembered
27:11his own earlier behavior,
27:12how he had jeered
27:13and mocked me so brazenly,
27:15and his face instantly
27:16turned ashen as death.
27:18He hunched over
27:19and bowed his head
27:20in utter terror,
27:21apologizing profusely
27:22with deep regret.
27:24Mrs.
27:24Hertzsen,
27:24my previous words and actions
27:26were rude and offensive.
27:28I sincerely ask
27:29for your forgiveness.
27:30All those disrespectful remarks
27:32were my fault.
27:33It was my lack of insight
27:34and failure to see the truth.
27:36Watching him grovel
27:37with the tide like this,
27:38I felt nothing but disgust.
27:40I turned my face away,
27:42unwilling to look any longer.
27:44My father merely cast him
27:46a cold glance,
27:46then carefully took Ava
27:48from my arms.
27:49His eyes were filled
27:50with heartache.
27:51Ava, be good.
27:54Grandpa is taking you
27:55to the hospital
27:56for a checkup and treatment.
28:01After a few days
28:02of quiet recuperation
28:03in the hospital,
28:04Ava's complexion
28:05improved considerably,
28:06but her spirit
28:07was still somewhat listless.
28:09She would often
28:10startle awake
28:11from nightmares,
28:12so I stayed at the hospital
28:13with her the whole time.
28:14In this sordid drama,
28:16all the blame
28:17had been pinned on Sophia.
28:19Liam did not bear
28:20the primary responsibility
28:21and was quickly bailed
28:23out of jail before long.
28:24Soon after,
28:26Liam appeared at the door
28:26of the hospital room,
28:28carrying an exquisite
28:29fruit basket
28:29and a bouquet of Ava's
28:31favorite pale pink daisies.
28:33He was wearing
28:34a simple shirt and trousers,
28:35with a shadow of
28:36bluish stubble
28:37on his chin
28:38and prominent dark circles
28:39under his eyes,
28:40his whole appearance
28:41considerably haggard.
28:42He stood at the doorway,
28:44his voice carrying
28:45a cautious,
28:46testing tone.
28:47Honey,
28:49Ava,
28:49I've come to see you.
28:51Ava,
28:51who had been leaning
28:52against me reading a book,
28:54saw Liam,
28:54and her eyes flickered faintly.
28:57She called out softly.
28:59I could see clearly
29:01that in her heart,
29:02my daughter still longed
29:04for fatherly love.
29:08Even after being hurt,
29:10she hadn't completely
29:11let it go.
29:12As if granted redemption,
29:14Liam immediately
29:15walked into the room
29:15and placed the flowers
29:17in Ava's hands.
29:18Do you like it,
29:19sweetie?
29:20Daddy has always remembered.
29:22Your favorite flowers
29:23are light pink daisies.
29:24Ava took the flowers
29:25and nodded lightly,
29:26but her eyes
29:27were full of evasiveness,
29:29tinged with
29:29unmistakable timidity.
29:31I didn't know
29:32what you'd like,
29:32so I also bought
29:35your favorite mango pudding,
29:36the signature dessert
29:37from that trendy sweet shop
29:39you always go to.
29:40Claire,
29:41it's your favorite flavor too.
29:42I sat quietly to the side,
29:44not uttering a single word.
29:46The damage from that day
29:47had nearly upended
29:48my daughter's entire worldview.
29:50I didn't want to provoke her further
29:52and could only remain silent
29:54for the time being.
29:55Over the following half month,
29:57Liam came to the hospital
29:58on time every single day
30:00to visit.
30:01Sometimes he brought
30:02carefully prepared meals,
30:03sometimes new toys,
30:05and sometimes he would
30:06just sit quietly
30:07by the bedside,
30:08chatting with Ava
30:09to cheer her up.
30:10He never once mentioned
30:11Sophia or Noah,
30:13as if that unbearable,
30:15ugly farce
30:16had never happened.
30:17Seeing that I showed
30:18no obvious resistance,
30:20Liam grew bolder.
30:21He probed gently.
30:22Claire,
30:23I know I've made
30:23unforgivable mistakes.
30:25Please,
30:25for Ava's sake,
30:27give me another chance
30:28to turn over a new sheaf,
30:29will you?
30:32With Ava right beside us,
30:34I gave no response,
30:35simply lowering my head
30:37and quietly peeling
30:38an apple in silence.
30:40My silence gave Liam
30:41a glimmer of hope.
30:42Starting the next day,
30:44rare and expensive flowers,
30:46haute couture clothing,
30:47and designer jewelry
30:49poured into the hospital room
30:50in an endless stream,
30:51piling up in every corner.
30:53I accepted every single item
30:55without the slightest hesitation.
30:56By the time Ava was discharged
30:58from the hospital,
30:59Liam showed up holding
31:01two exclusive invitations
31:02to a top-tier fashion show,
31:04his eyes earnest
31:05and tinged with excitement.
31:07Claire,
31:08do you remember
31:09when I landed
31:10my first business order?
31:12I bought you
31:13your first
31:14affordable luxury dress.
31:16Back then,
31:16I told you,
31:17once I made it big,
31:18I'd book the entire
31:19fashion show
31:20and give you
31:21every how-to gown.
31:22Now,
31:23this show
31:24is specially prepared for you.
31:26It wasn't that he was
31:26incapable of being
31:27thoughtful and considerate,
31:29nor that he had forgotten
31:30his past promises.
31:31It was simply that,
31:33before,
31:34he had never been willing
31:35to put in the effort for me.
31:36I finally spoke,
31:38my tone flat
31:39and unruffled.
31:40Liam,
31:41do you really think
31:42doing all this
31:43can erase all the hurt
31:44and make up for everything?
31:46He immediately stepped forward
31:47and clutched my hand,
31:48urgent and earnest.
31:50Claire,
31:50I know this is far from enough,
31:52but I'm willing to spend
31:53the rest of my life
31:54making it up to you
31:55and Ava.
31:56I'll completely cut off
31:57all ties with Sophia
31:58and arrange for her
31:59and her son to go abroad.
32:01They will never come
32:02had to disturb
32:02our lives as anyone.
32:07Just as he was envisioning
32:08the future
32:09with a heart full of hope,
32:10I directly pulled out
32:11a divorce agreement
32:12I had long since drafted
32:14and placed it in front of him.
32:15The moment Liam
32:16saw the agreement,
32:18the invitations in his hand
32:19fell to the ground.
32:20He stared at me blankly.
32:22Nobody can go through
32:23life without making mistakes.
32:25I was just confused
32:26for a moment.
32:27Claire,
32:28do you have to be so heartless?
32:29Let's part on good terms
32:30and not make things awkward
32:32for each other in the end.
32:33Liam quickly scanned
32:35the contents of the agreement
32:36and his face
32:37instantly turned ashen
32:38and contorted.
32:39Claire,
32:40you're so heartless!
32:41Why should I have to give up
32:41the vast majority
32:42of my property and assets?
32:43Then see you in court.
32:44Liam took a deep breath,
32:46suppressing the fury
32:47rising in his heart.
32:48I can give you
32:49all the family assets,
32:50but not the company.
32:51This is the enterprise
32:51I built with my own hand,
32:53my life's work,
32:53I can't give it to you.
32:55As for the shares you hold,
32:56I'm willing to buy them
32:57all back at full market price.
32:58I looked at him,
32:59my words deeply meaningful.
33:02Okay.
33:03Landry,
33:03you recover all the
33:04dzechents
33:05of the Wendidgin Sophia
33:06and her Erzen Express.
33:07I will never interfere
33:08with your company.
33:11Liam agreed on the spot
33:13and his execution was swift.
33:15The very next day,
33:17he retained a top-tier law firm
33:19and formally filed a lawsuit
33:20against Sophia,
33:22demanding the return
33:23of all property gifted to her
33:24during the marriage.
33:25In the courtroom,
33:27Sophia's face
33:28was streaked with tears.
33:30She sobbed emotionally,
33:32making every possible excuse.
33:33All the money
33:34was voluntarily paid
33:36by Liam
33:36as living expenses
33:37and child support,
33:38which constitute
33:39voluntary gifts
33:40and do not need
33:40to be returned.
33:41Over the years,
33:43the total value
33:43of the property
33:44Liam had lavished on
33:45and gifted to Sophia
33:47and Noah
33:47amounted to $3 million.
33:50In the end,
33:51the court ruled
33:52that Sophia must return
33:53$140,000.
33:56Although not all
33:57the money was recovered,
33:58this sum was enough
33:59to completely bankrupt her
34:01and leave her with nothing.
34:03The moment the verdict
34:04was handed down,
34:05Sophia completely lost control
34:07in the courtroom,
34:08screaming hysterically.
34:12Liam!
34:13You are cold and heartless
34:15with no trace of affection!
34:17Ah!
34:19I worked hard by your side
34:21for years,
34:22gave you a son,
34:24and this is how cruelly
34:25you treat me?
34:26These things were never
34:27yours to begin with.
34:28Walking out of the courthouse,
34:29Liam quickly caught up to me.
34:31A trace of hope
34:32and wishful thinking
34:33in his eyes.
34:35Claire,
34:36I've made up my mind.
34:37I can't lose you and Ava.
34:39I'll spend the rest of my life
34:40proving my sincerity.
34:42Just give me one more chance.
34:44All right.
34:45We'll talk after you've got
34:47the company running smoothly.
34:48Not long after,
34:50Liam still showed up
34:51at my door.
34:51This time,
34:53his eyes were bloodshot,
34:54his hair a disheveled mess.
34:56The spirited air
34:57of a Silicon Valley
34:58young entrepreneur
34:59had been completely
35:00stripped away,
35:01leaving him looking
35:02utterly wretched
35:02and defeated.
35:03Claire!
35:05Was this your scheme
35:06all along?
35:06I've already returned
35:08all of Sophia's money
35:09and given you
35:10all the marital assets
35:11as you demanded!
35:12Why won't you
35:13just let me go?!
35:14The company has recently
35:15lost three key clients
35:16in a row.
35:17All our partners
35:18have annually terminated
35:18collaboration without
35:19even giving a reason.
35:20No thanks to Wall Street
35:21banks we worked
35:21have thrown light tight
35:22and all set in lines
35:23and are completely
35:24squeezing our subent len.
35:25You've pushed me
35:26a boopy dead in Ted's end.
35:27You determined to drive
35:28a corner with no way out?
35:32Take a good look.
35:33Every major client
35:34and every core investment
35:35that has kept you standing
35:36in Silicon Valley
35:37all these years,
35:38who do you think
35:39has been paving the way
35:40behind the scenes?
35:41If I didn't win them
35:42on my own merit,
35:43what, you handed them
35:44to me as charity?
35:45Claire, don't go too far!
35:47Sure, you have a father
35:48in a high position,
35:49but Hudson Technology?
35:51I built it myself
35:52working countless nights!
35:53Do you remember
35:54that first Lifeline order
35:55in the early days
35:56of the company?
35:58You always thought
35:59it was because
35:59your business proposal
36:00brilliant enough,
36:01didn't you?
36:01That was my uncle's
36:03long-time business friend.
36:05Back then,
36:06to secure that opportunity,
36:08I went to their door
36:09every day for a month,
36:10curting favor
36:11with their family
36:12and swallowing
36:12all my pride
36:14just to buy you
36:15a Lifeline
36:16for your startup.
36:17And what about
36:17Mr. White,
36:18the company's
36:18biggest venture partner?
36:20In Silicon Valley circles,
36:21he's always been
36:22notoriously tough,
36:23and rarely willing
36:24to collaborate.
36:25I went to his door
36:26three times
36:27and got rejected
36:28every time.
36:29I had to ask
36:30my father's
36:30former colleague
36:31from the defense department
36:32to make the introduction
36:33using that kind
36:34of top-line connection
36:35to get you
36:35that $10 million
36:36venture capital.
36:37Without me,
36:38who would have given
36:38your tiny startup
36:39which had nothing
36:40at the time
36:41the time of day?
36:42All these years,
36:43Liam had been
36:44completely immersed
36:45in his own myth
36:46of building a business
36:47from scratch,
36:48priding himself
36:49on his achievements.
36:50A faint bitterness
36:51rose in my heart.
36:52Do you know
36:53why my father
36:54has never meddled
36:55in our family affairs
36:57or interfere
36:57in your career
36:58all these years
36:59we got Heman?
37:00Throughout his life,
37:01he has always adhered
37:03to his principles
37:04and acted
37:05with integrity.
37:07He can't bear
37:08the most
37:09is watching
37:10his own daughter
37:11set aside
37:12all her pride
37:12and dignity,
37:13running around
37:14begging for favors
37:15and clinging
37:16to connections
37:17just to help
37:18her husband
37:19get ahead.
37:19Every night
37:20he had stayed up
37:21battling through
37:22the grind
37:22I had been there
37:23the whole time
37:24silently supporting him
37:26Back then
37:27I always felt
37:28that as long as
37:29I could help him
37:29steady his career
37:30and hold together
37:31our little family
37:32all the sacrifice
37:33was worth it.
37:34Liam opened his mouth
37:35as if to argue
37:36but his throat tightened
37:37and he had no words
37:39Did I orchestrate
37:40this scheme
37:41to trap you?
37:42Liam
37:43without me
37:44you're nothing.
37:48He collapsed
37:49weakly onto the floor
37:50every shred
37:51of his arrogance
37:52and confidence
37:52dissolving in an instant
37:54A moment later
37:55Liam
37:56utterly shattered
37:57got to his feet
37:58He stumbled
37:59toward the door
38:00his back hunched
38:01and bent
38:01as if he had aged
38:03ten years overnight
38:04Just as he raised
38:06his hand
38:06to push the door open
38:07a figure burst out
38:08suddenly from around
38:09the corner of the villa block
38:11and blocked his path
38:12with deadly determination
38:13It was Sophia
38:14So you two
38:16really got back together?
38:17Sophia's hair
38:18was disheveled
38:18Her eyes shot through
38:20with blood red veins
38:21Haggard and wretched
38:22she had long since
38:23lost the polished
38:24capable look
38:25she once wore
38:26Seeing Liam
38:28walk out of my villa
38:29she completely
38:29lost control
38:30of her emotions
38:31screaming hysterically
38:33Liam!
38:34Then what am I to you?
38:35What does our son
38:36Noah count for?
38:37Now I'm drowning
38:39in debt
38:39with nothing left
38:42You turn around
38:43to cozy up
38:44to this woman?
38:46Haven't you caused
38:47enough trouble?
38:48What happens
38:49between me and her
38:49is none of your business
38:52Worry to try
38:54You're the one
38:55who insisted on
38:56clinging to this
38:56Ending up like this?
38:57You deserve it
38:59Deserve it?
39:01When I risked
39:02everything to give you
39:03a son
39:03you didn't call me
39:04deserving back then
39:05Now you want to
39:06go back and beg
39:07for her forgiveness
39:08and you're tossing
39:09us away like garbage?
39:10Liam let me tell you
39:12Don't you dare think
39:13you'll get away with it
39:17Her shouting
39:18grew louder and louder
39:19drawing passersby
39:21in the villa community
39:22to stop and watch
39:23whispering among themselves
39:25Liam's face
39:26cycled from ashen
39:27to pale
39:28Wanting nothing more
39:29than to escape
39:30this farce
39:30he gave Sophia
39:32a hard
39:32impatient shove
39:33Don't make unreasonable
39:35trouble here
39:35and disturb public order
39:36That shove
39:38thoroughly ignited
39:39the despair
39:40and hatred
39:40that had been
39:41festering inside Sophia
39:42She stared deathly
39:44at Liam's cold
39:45merciless face
39:45and a crazed
39:47ferocious ruthlessness
39:48suddenly surged
39:49in her eyes
39:50Having completely
39:51lost all reason
39:52she abruptly pulled
39:53a portable sharp knife
39:55from her handbag
39:55If I can't have a good
39:57life
39:57none of you will
39:58either
40:01Sophia
40:02don't do anything rash
40:04But it was already
40:05too late
40:06Sophia raised the knife
40:08high and stabbed it
40:09viciously into Liam's
40:10chest
40:10Liam let out an
40:12agonized cry of pain
40:13He collapsed to the
40:14ground
40:15clutching the gushing
40:16wound tightly
40:16the bright red blood
40:18instantly soaking
40:19through his light
40:19colored shirt
40:20In the very moment
40:21she struck
40:22Sophia was also
40:24utterly stunned
40:24She stood frozen
40:26in place
40:27the knife clattering
40:28from her hand
40:28onto the ground
40:29I calmly and
40:31immediately dialed
40:31emergency services
40:32and the police
40:33Through the courtyard fence
40:35I watched Liam's
40:36breathing grow weaker
40:38and weaker
40:38He struggled
40:40to lift his eyes
40:40All that was left
40:42in them was
40:42bone deep remorse
40:43His breath fading
40:45to a whisper
40:45he murmured
40:58Those were the last
40:59words he ever spoke
41:00to me
41:01Police cars and
41:02ambulances quickly
41:03arrived at the scene
41:04but Liam had lost
41:05too much blood
41:06and succumbed
41:07to his injuries
41:07en route to the hospital
41:09Sophia was arrested
41:10on the spot by police
41:11for intentional assault
41:12resulting in death
41:13Years of tangled love
41:15and hatred
41:16ended at last
41:17in tragedy
41:17one dead
41:18the other behind bars
41:20The bonds of love
41:21and entanglement
41:22that had bound us
41:23for 12 years
41:23were thus completely
41:25and utterly severed
41:26I turned and went
41:27back inside the house
41:28tightly embracing
41:29my daughter
41:30who had rushed out
41:31upon hearing the commotion
41:32Ava had just been
41:34startled awake
41:34from her sleep
41:35Rubbing her drowsy eyes
41:37she said softly
41:38Mom I think I heard
41:40Dad's voice
41:40I was silent for a moment
41:42then spoke gently
41:43Dad has gone to a place
41:44far far away
41:45and he'll never come back
41:48Ava
41:48will you miss Daddy?
41:50My daughter hesitated
41:51for a few seconds
41:52then reached out
41:54and wrapped her arms
41:55tightly around my waist
41:56Her voice was soft
41:57and sweet
41:58yet utterly resolute
42:00I don't
42:01Actually Ava
42:02understands everything
42:03Daddy is a bad daddy
42:05He loves his little
42:06brother more
42:07I don't want Daddy
42:08I only want Mommy
42:10and Grandpa
42:11I know
42:12we only want each other
42:13and Grandpa
42:14I don't want To Sell my
42:15I don't want to
42:16it's been
42:16It's been
42:16it's been
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