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My Husband Wanted an Open Marriage — This Time, I Said No - Full
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00:00Ryan Carter, the famous Playboy heir, openly declared that he only dated women on short-term
00:05arrangements. However, there were still lots of women eager to be his temporary girlfriend,
00:10because if he was in a good mood, he'd reward them with a villa. If he wasn't,
00:14they'd still walk away with a million-dollar breakup fee. People all laughed at me, saying
00:19I was the most miserable, wealthy wife in history. They all thought I'd endure it for the rest of my
00:24life. I was going too, until Ryan brought a college student named Kelly Smith home. The
00:30girl looked ordinary, yet she was the first woman he kept longer than a month. Ryan gave me two choices,
00:36agree to an open marriage and let Kelly be on equal terms with me, or just divorce him, split
00:42the assets evenly, and go our separate ways for good. His friends were there, watching the show.
00:48They were sure I'd just keep being a pushover, putting up with everything, but to their surprise,
00:52I chose the latter without hesitation. In my previous life, I chose to endure, and what I
00:58got in return was Kelly pushing her luck further and further. She forbade Ryan from touching me or
01:04giving me any of his assets. In my later years, I couldn't help but envy Kelly, who ended up with
01:10everything—money, children, the whole package. Even after Ryan died, his will didn't grant me anything.
01:18All his inheritance was left under Kelly's control. I had been his lawful wife,
01:22but ended up with nothing at last. Reborn into this life, I finally figured everything out.
01:28This time, I just wanted to take the money and leave. I picked up the divorce agreement,
01:34read it carefully from beginning to end, and was about to sign my name. Ryan finally spoke.
01:39Anna Taylor, think this through. Once you sign, there's no turning back.
01:44I didn't stop. I quickly wrote my name down. I'll pack my things and leave right now.
01:54In my previous life, I thought bringing Kelly home was just another one of his tricks to mess with me.
01:59Naively, I believed that after all these years of marriage, he must have had at least a little
02:05affection for me. I was a fool. He and Kelly had kids one after another and grew old together in
02:11love.
02:12And I, in that house, was like an awkward outsider, mocked and ridiculed by everyone around me for my
02:19whole life. Not until my later years did I hear him talking with Kelly in a hospital room.
02:25He said that back then, the dramatic scene of catching a guy in my bed had been arranged by
02:30him personally. I was just tired of her and didn't want things to get too ugly.
02:36So I staged the whole thing. There wasn't a shred of guilt in his clouded eyes.
02:41That way, all I did later seemed completely defensible. So that was it. No wonder every time
02:49I desperately tried to explain, all I got was his cold disbelief. Because,
02:54from beginning to end, he knew the truth. He didn't love me, yet he used a fabricated
02:59crime to trap me for fifty years. He could have ended it cleanly with one stroke,
03:04but instead chose to slowly torture me to death. Looking at the young yet still cold face before me,
03:11I felt nothing but hatred. He stared blankly at the signed agreement, his eyes filled with shock.
03:17Outside the door, the faint sounds of whispering abruptly stopped.
03:20The next second, my distinguished parents-in-law rushed in cheerfully.
03:28Oh my, look at her. So young and so energetic.
03:33My father-in-law, who had always treated me with hostility, was smiling kindly at this moment.
03:38Finally, we can send away that useless one. It's been so many years, but there's no kid at all.
03:50Sir? Sir, madam, please don't say that. I don't want to disrespect. Actually, I'm already one month
03:58expecting. It's just still early, so I plan to tell you about it later.
04:02As expected, still the same familiar sarcasm, the same nauseating tone. All these years,
04:08in order to be a useful wife, I worked myself to the bone at Carter Group during the day.
04:13At night, I still had to serve these two picky bastards. Just past thirty, yet plenty of white
04:19hair had already crept into my temples. I did look kinda old. I turned back to my room and began
04:25packing
04:26my pitiful little bit of luggage. And I was already planning where I should go first to properly relax
04:31after getting the money. Didn't notice Ryan following me in.
04:36It's so late. There's no need to move out immediately. Leave tomorrow.
04:43Isn't the villa in the west of the city still empty?
04:47You can stay there for now. I'll visit you when I'm free you.
04:52Ana, you're just being emotional. Calm down. I know how much you love me, okay?
05:00But I really can't let you be my legal wife anymore. I can't let my child grow up being labeled
05:06as
05:06illegitimate. I didn't respond. I just picked up my suitcase, walked past him, and headed straight for
05:13the door. There's nothing left to say between us. I'm very happy we're divorced. If you really
05:20still have a conscience, hurry up and pay me what you owe. The night wind carried fine snow as it
05:26rushed
05:26toward me, biting cold, yet unable to extinguish the fire burning in my heart.
05:32Ryan's efficiency was, as always, impressive. When I woke up, three billion was already in my bank
05:38count. With the money, the first thing I did was book Harbor City's most luxurious private club.
05:44Haircut, full-body spa, and everything. The haggard woman with graying temples in the mirror was gone.
05:50In her place stood a sharp-eyed beauty with flamboyant red hair.
05:53Just as I finished changing, my best friend Iris Allen called.
05:57Anna Taylor, what's going on between you and Ryan? Have you lost your minds? What the hell happened?
06:04What's wrong?
06:05And you still ask what's wrong? Haven't you seen the news yourself? The headlines are full,
06:11are full of Ryan and that woman at some banquet. He said in front of all the reporters,
06:17that woman is his only wife. He even said they're holding a wedding soon. Your stuck-up in-laws were
06:24right there too, saying that girl had it coming. Are you okay?
06:29I never got such public acknowledgement, such recognition. Ryan had now given it to her.
06:34I'm fine. We're already divorced. What? Divorced?
06:40She'd watched me love Ryan for more than ten years. She watched me bend over backward for this
06:44marriage. Give up myself like a servant begging for scraps. Begging for scraps of affection.
06:51Are you few-free tonight? Let's go get a drink. My treat.
06:56In Harbor City's most extravagant bar, the booths were piled high with the priciest wine.
07:01Several young, handsome male models surrounded me, attentively pouring drinks for me.
07:09Holy shit, I believe it now. You really have let go. You were never like this before.
07:16Back then, to prove to Ryan that I wasn't after money, I calculated cost performance for everything.
07:21I had been afraid he'd think I was wasteful or didn't care about the family. Now, sitting in this
07:26luxurious, private room, I looked at the woman reflected in the mirrored glass. The flamboyant red
07:32hair, the perfectly tailored haute couture dress, was strange, yet familiar. Iris raised her glass and
07:40clinked it hard against mine. You look a bit like that once-in-a-century genius beauty from the
07:45finance department at Ace University. She downed a huge gulp of wine and then complained.
07:51Back then, so many venture capital firms were fighting to invest in you. If you'd started your
07:56own group, you'd have crushed Carter Group long ago. Spending over a decade being a servant for his
08:02family? And after the divorce, you only got this much money. Girl, I really think you deserve better.
08:07I had been a servant for them for more than a decade. In my previous life, Carter Group, under
08:12my control, once dominated the national rankings as the strongest enterprise. Yet in my old age,
08:18I couldn't even afford a box of painkillers. In the end, I was thrown out by Kelly's children and
08:23died of illness beside a trash heap on a winter night. The business empire I built with my entire life
08:28went to Kelly and her children. Thinking of this, I drained the wine in my glass in one go.
08:33The spicy liquid burned down my throat, yet ignited the fire deep in my heart. I swore I would get
08:39back
08:39at them. Without me, could they really live so well? The very next day, news of my group registration
08:45spread like wildfire, stirring the entire circle. Some people sensed opportunity and rushed overnight
08:51with proposals, hoping to invest. But more people mocked and waited on the sidelines,
08:56waiting for the Carter family's reaction. Someone clearly gave instructions to the media,
09:01so paparazzi articles were all belittling me for overestimating myself. I looked at the push
09:07notifications on my phone and swiped them away expressionlessly. I just didn't expect to receive
09:11a call from Ryan.
09:16Anna, can't you be a bit more understanding? I've just found true love.
09:23Besides, instead of starting some small, broken group, wouldn't it be better to stay at Carter
09:28Group, that Southern District merger you were handling before?
09:31I hung up the phone directly, as expected. He had just remembered that I was still useful.
09:37That Southern District project was a tough nut I'd been working on for over half a year.
09:41I drank until my stomach perforated for it. Without me, Carter Group wouldn't even know where to start.
09:47At Carter Group, although I was the president, my monthly salary was only $1,000. All because my
09:54distinguished father-in-law said we were family and shouldn't be so calculative. I once naively
09:59believed that was his test for me. Now it seemed I was nothing more than an exceptionally capable,
10:05yet ridiculously cheap housemaid they had recruited. The more I thought about it, the angrier I became.
10:11I made up my mind at that time, I would take over all those projects I brought to Carter Group
10:16in my
10:16previous life. Even if my new group couldn't deal with them, I would personally hand them over to
10:21Carter Group's deadliest rivals. After the call was cut off, Ryan slammed his phone to the ground in
10:26fury. All these years, he had grown used to my obedience, expecting me to show up on command and
10:32disappear at his whim. Now that I'd hung up on him so decisively, he felt really mad. At that moment,
10:38his special assistant awkwardly came in holding a stack of documents he couldn't even understand,
10:43asking him to sign them. Days of exhaustion, plus years of unfamiliarity with group affairs,
10:48had left him truly overwhelmed lately. Kelly followed the assistant in, took Ryan's hand,
10:53and said with eyes full of concern, Ryan, don't work yourself too hard. I'm your wife now. Let me
11:01help share your burden. He hesitated, somewhat uneasy. You're still young and unsamiliar with group
11:07operation. Go rotate through the department first. Anna Taylor could be the president.
11:15Why can't I?
11:20Ryan subconsciously wanted to say that at least Anna was a top graduate from Ace University's
11:24finance department. But the moment he met Kelly's eyes, all his rationality was thrown away.
11:29His heart softened, and he just nodded. Kelly broke into a smile through her tears,
11:34hugged him, and said affectionately, I'm just worried about you. Look at you,
11:39you've lost so much weight lately. Less than half a month after my group started up,
11:44everything was already running smoothly. During this time, Kelly sent people over more than once
11:48to cause trouble. Just some petty tricks, all of which I brushed aside with ease. After all these years,
11:54the connections I'd built were far beyond what a little girl like her could compare to.
11:59Those senior employees at Carter Group, whom I personally trained, had long wanted to leave
12:04after hearing I'd gone solo. Especially since after Kelly started working there. She kept suppressing
12:09them, making their days suffocating. I didn't rush to bring them over. I had them stir up a little
12:15chaos before they left. A small token of allegiance to me. Kelly thought losing a few people was no big
12:20deal, even secretly rejoicing that she'd cleared out some remnants of me. But she didn't understand.
12:25Some of them were critical for the group. Projects fell through one after another, and Carter Group's
12:31stock price plunged again and again. Meanwhile, on my side, with capable team members, we unleashed
12:38astonishing power, consecutively landing several deals worth tens of millions. Standing by the floor-to-ceiling
12:45window in the conference room, looking at the jubilant team below. Tonight at OTK Club,
12:51it's all on me! No one leaves sober! Amid the thunderous cheers, I led everyone out of the
12:58group building in a grand procession. At the entrance, a familiar black Rolls Royce was parked quietly by the
13:03roadside. The car door opened and Ryan stepped out with an arrogant look, waving at me. I didn't even
13:10glance his way, leading my people straight ahead.
13:16Anna Taylor? What do you mean? Didn't you see me? You've really grown bold now.
13:22A little impatient, I looked at him coldly and said,
13:25Sir, do you need something? He seemed slightly taken aback by my attitude,
13:29but still got straight to the point, issuing an order. Shut down your group and come back to Carter Group.
13:35I was so angered by his self-righteousness that I laughed. He took my laughter as hesitation,
13:40and his tone softened a little. Anna, I've really been exhausted lately.
13:45Don't keep fighting with me, all right? He paused, as if making a huge concession.
13:49If you really mind, Kelly, I can have her move somewhere else for now.
13:54Looking at this pompous man before me, I couldn't help but question my own judgment back then.
13:58I'm not throwing a tantrum. I cut him off coldly.
14:01Mr. Ryan, we're already divorced. Please don't interfere with my life anymore.
14:07His patience ran out, his voice suddenly rising.
14:11I've already compromised. What more do you want? The group needs you right now,
14:17and you choose this moment to put on airs?
14:21I suddenly felt there was no reasoning with him at all. In his world, everyone was supposed to revolve
14:26around him. If you've got any issues, sir, why don't you go bother your precious wife?
14:33Kelly Smith, I'm just an outsider. I have no obligation to clean up your mess.
14:39You care about the status? Anna, once Kelly gives birth, I'll think about it.
14:49But you have to promise me, no going public. I don't want Kelly to be hurt.
14:55I stared at him, enunciating every word.
14:58I'll say it one last time. Get lost. Don't let me see you again.
15:06I'm never getting back together with you. Ever.
15:10Anna Taylor, don't push your luck. Don't forget this is Harbor City. If I want to crush a low-tier
15:19little group like yours, it's easy as pie. Just then, a clear, slightly lazy male voice cut in.
15:26Oh, Mr. Ryan sure has a bad temper. Not only openly harassing my fiancee, but also threatening to destroy
15:34her group. Ryan turned his head and was totally stunned. It was Alex White, another rich young man,
15:43and Ryan's nemesis. Alex strolled over lazily and naturally wrapped an arm around my waist.
15:49Leaning his head intimately against my shoulder, he whined.
15:54Darling, I've been waiting in the parking lot forever. Turns out you were here stopped by a
15:59bastard. Anna Taylor, give me an explanation. Why did you betray me?
16:06Then, as if he suddenly figured something out, he put on a smug, all-knowing expression.
16:10I get it now. You're acting, aren't you? You deliberately found out Alex to piss me off.
16:18Alex rolled his eyes dramatically and dragged me away.
16:20Let's just not waste time with him.
16:29Stop right there!
16:31Ryan tried to chase after us, but he was too agitated, and with his recent chaotic schedule,
16:36his abdomen suddenly seized with sharp pain.
16:39Damn.
16:40He doubled over in pain, clutching his stomach, cold sweat beating on his forehead.
16:48Anna. My stomach hurts.
16:50I didn't slow down. In fact, I walked even faster, not turning my head even once.
16:55Behind me were his suppressed groans of pain, and his assistant's panicked screams.
17:00Alex didn't give me any chance to look back. He directly shoved me into the passenger seat of
17:04his flashy red Ferrari. The sports car roared out of the parking lot.
17:08Only then did he take off his sunglasses and smile at me sideways.
17:12Well, not bad acting, right?
17:18I didn't speak. Just watched the cityscape speeding past outside the window.
17:22Hey, Anna, don't be so indifferent.
17:26I helped you out, you know. Not even a thank you.
17:30I kept it brief. He pouted, clearly dissatisfied with my coldness.
17:35But he didn't say more. Only turned up the volume of the car music.
17:38That very night, the headlines of Harbor City's financial and entertainment sections were all
17:43dominated by Ryan Carter. Carter Group president, chasing former love, suffers stomach spasms,
17:48and is hospitalized. The accompanying photos showed him being taken into an ambulance by
17:53his assistant and bodyguards. The comments section exploded. Some mocked Ryan for bringing it on
17:58himself, saying he should have expected this day back when he flaunted his mistress. Others claimed
18:03Kelly Smith was inferior to me, which was why Ryan turned back, and that the two of us would soon
18:07remarry.
18:08In the VIP ward of Harbor City First Hospital, Kelly Smith, eyes bloodshot, grabbed the glass cup from
18:15the bedside table and smashed it viciously onto the floor, shards flying everywhere.
18:20Why did you go to find her? Why? Didn't you say having me alone was enough?
18:25The sharp, shattering sound startled Ryan, and a dull ache crept through his abdomen.
18:30He rubbed his temples tiredly, even opening his eyes, feeling like an effort. His voice was very light,
18:36heavy with irritation.
18:38What are you yelling for?
18:42I went to see her for Group Matters.
18:45Are Group Matters more important than me? I don't care!
18:48You swear right now, promise you'll never go see Anna Taylor again! Never!
18:53She was shouting too loudly, with a suffocating pressure.
18:56Shut up!
18:57He suddenly shoved her away.
18:59If you hadn't messed the group up so badly, would I need to lower myself to go beg her?
19:06Kelly still wanted to say something. But then the ward door was pushed open. Ryan's mother walked
19:12in, carrying a thermal food container. When she saw the mess all over the floor and her son's pale
19:17face, her anger instantly flared. Kelly Smith, you're really becoming more and more outrageous.
19:25She slammed the container heavily onto the table and pointed at Kelly's nose as she scolded.
19:29Can't you see Ryan isn't feeling well? Why are you still yelling at him?
19:33The more she spoke, the angrier she became.
19:36If Anna were here, she'd have Aldi gone home to make dinner for Ryan by now.
19:40You only know how to make a steam.
19:43Anna Taylor? You're talking about her again?
19:46Kelly instantly bristled, letting out a cold snort.
19:49I'm not her. I don't want to do that kind of servant work.
19:53She crossed her arms over her chest and stubbornly talked back.
19:57What do you mean? There are so many servants at home.
20:00Why do I have to cook myself? I think you're just picking a fight on purpose,
20:04deliberately using her to put me down. I'm carrying your grandson. You don't want him anymore?
20:09How dare you talk back? Ryan's mother was shaking with anger.
20:13What have you ever done for Ryan? Other than spending money and causing trouble? What else did you do?
20:22What trouble did I cause?
20:25Get out! Both of you, get out!
20:27A sharp roar instantly drowned out all the arguing. Ryan forced himself upright, grabbed the pillow by
20:33the bed, and hurled it at them with all his strength. Get out! Now!
20:37The word fell into dead silence in an instant. Ryan's mother and Kelly were both stunned.
20:42Ryan collapsed weakly back onto the bed, burying his face into the blanket as suppressed
20:47sobs seeped out muffled. This was the first time he regretted it. Regretted divorcing Anna.
20:56When Anna was around, the group never had any problems, and the household was always in perfect
21:01order. Anna would arrange everything properly, and Ryan could just enjoy his life. But now,
21:07because of several useless relatives Kelly had stuffed into the group, accidents happened again
21:12and again, and several projects had already been cancelled. By the time he realized something was
21:18wrong, most of the capable backbones in the group had already left. And his parents, who once praised
21:24Kelly non-stop, now constantly complained and expressed dissatisfaction. Life seemed to have
21:29gone back to years ago, when his group was on the brink of bankruptcy, besieged on all sides.
21:35The difference was, back then, when he turned around, I was always there. And I would gently tell him,
21:43Don't be afraid. You've got me. But now, behind him, there was no one at all. A few days later,
21:50the contract with the white group was officially signed. This was the biggest deal I'd landed since
21:55leaving Carter Group. It meant my small group had finally gained a firm foothold. Alex White attended in
22:02person. President Anna, to celebrate our successful cooperation, how about dinner together? I looked at his
22:10handsome face and declined politely. No, I still have something to do tonight. His smile faded. He
22:16leaned forward, bracing his hands on the table, staring straight at me. Anna Taylor, how long are
22:21you going to keep running? You clearly know what I mean. Ever since that day in the parking lot when
22:29he helped me out, Alex White had launched a fierce pursuit. Flowers, gifts, and endless invitations.
22:36It was impossible to ignore. But I remained distant the entire time. I frowned and said,
22:42Mr. Alex, if you're just trying to provoke Ryan, there's really need combated Shinonem or Neen.
22:48Alex looked at me with his big eyes. He suddenly smiled. I'm not that boring. I really do like you.
22:57His gaze was far too intense. I subconsciously stepped back, but he grabbed my sleeve. Alex's
23:03fingers were long and warm. He gently shook my arm and softened his voice, his tone full of
23:09coquettish pleading. Come on, just give me a chance. Have dinner with me, okay? He winked
23:16playfully at me and lowered his voice. A secret about Ryan. I wanted to say no,
23:21but unconsciously agreed. All right. With a loud bang, both of us were startled.
23:28The receptionist then hurried in anxiously. President Anna, I'm sorry this gentleman
23:33insisted on barging in. We couldn't stop him. I waved my hand, signaling her to step out first.
23:42The uninvited guests were right behind the receptionist. The one in front sat in a wheelchair,
23:46which was Ryan. Only a few days had passed, yet he looked as if all vitality had been drained from
23:52him, his face sallow and his eye socket sunken. Anna, I'm here to take you home.
23:57I looked at him, not feeling sorry for him, but only mad at him for interrupting me.
24:03I reached out and pressed the internal line on the desk.
24:06Security, come here and take these uninvited people out.
24:10Ryan looked kind of stunned. He probably hadn't expected me to be this ruthless. His eyes instantly
24:16reddened. Anna Taylor, how can you treat me like this? I've already thought it through these past few
24:22days. We're the most suitable for each other. I've already brought up divorce with Kelly Smith.
24:28Come back to my side, okay? If this were my previous life,
24:32I probably would have softened after seeing this. But now, I only found it noisy.
24:37I don't have any feelings for you anymore. Who you marry or divorce has nothing to do with me.
24:43My voice was cold as ice. Please don't come disturb my life again. I don't want to be your servant
24:50anymore. The decisiveness in my words left his face full of hurt. We've been married for so many
24:57years, remember? You won't even give me one chance. He stared at me in disbelief until he confirmed that
25:04there was only indifference left in my eyes. Only then did he understand. I wasn't saying this out
25:10of spite. He stopped faking tears and his eyes were filled with fierceness.
25:14Anna Taylor, don't forget! If I hadn't sponsored you back then, you would even have been able to go to
25:20go college! Now you're leaving me after your achievements? I don't want much. Just help me hold
25:29Carter group together for five years. Alright? At last, he pulled out this trump card. The so-called
25:35debt of gratitude had weighed me down for a full ten years. I fell silent. At the moment I hesitated,
25:42a warm hand covered the back of my hand. Alex had somehow come to stand beside me.
25:51Ryan Carter, do you have no shame at all? His voice was clear, with undisguised contempt. Using my
25:59credit, to black rail others? How can you be so utterly shameless? Ryan's expression changed abruptly.
26:08Alex White, why are you here? Alex laughed and said, Why can't I be here? If I weren't,
26:14I wouldn't have known that you've been taking my to my credit. Using my kindness to threaten the
26:19woman when I love. You're talking nonsense! Shut up! I did sponsor her! Is that so? Alex took out
26:30his phone and presented it to me. Anna, see for yourself. These are all the records of payments I
26:38made back then, through an anonymous charitable organization, to your accounts from high school
26:42through university. The one who sponsored you was always me. My mind buzzed, turning completely
26:48blank. On the screen, rows of transfer records were displayed with crystal clarity. Dates and amounts,
26:55every single one matched exactly the scholarships I had received back then. The recipient account was my
27:01high school financial aid fund account, and the designated beneficiary was Anna Taylor. In both my past
27:07and present lives, I had always believed it was Ryan. In my freshman year, he had taken the initiative to
27:13find me and told me he was the anonymous sponsor. Because of that debt of gratitude, I was deeply thankful
27:19to him, and, after graduation, threw myself into his group without hesitation. It was also because of
27:26that gratitude that I developed feelings for him. Even when he trampled my dignity time and time again,
27:31I endured it because of that supposed kindness. I thought it was something I owed him. So from the
27:37very beginning, it had all been a lie. Ryan looked terrible, but he still wanted to make a final,
27:43desperate struggle. I stayed by your side for four years in college, and always encouraged you.
27:51Doesn't that count as emotional support?
27:59Yeah, I didn't sponsor you financially. But we were husband and wife for ten years. Isn't that
28:06bond enough for you to help me just once? Have you forgotten how much you used to love me? I
28:13promise
28:13I won't care about your past affair anymore. You forgive me this once too. We can still live a happy
28:19life together, okay? I almost laughed from sheer anger. At this point, he was still trying to bind
28:25me with his twisted logic. Ryan Carter, do you really think I'm an idiot? My voice wasn't loud,
28:32but it froze the air in the entire conference room. Back then, after I sobered up from drinking,
28:39the man in my bed was sent by you. Even the drugged glass of water I drank was prepared by
28:45you
28:45personally. Ryan's face instantly turned deathly pale. I shook my head in disappointment. The last
28:51shred of lingering feeling in my heart turning to ashes. The thing I regret most in this life
28:58is being with a man like you, full of lies. Those words became the final straw that crushed him.
29:05He slumped weakly in his wheelchair, tears rolling down in big drops. It's not like that.
29:11How can you regret it? You love me. You clearly love me. You clearly love me. He muttered to himself,
29:17looking deranged. You clearly love me. At that moment, the security guards who had arrived late
29:22finally broke through Ryan's black-suited bodyguards. Together with the wheelchair,
29:27they pushed the whole group out. The world finally became quiet. In the conference room,
29:32only Alex White and I remained, and it was super awkward. He didn't look at me,
29:36his gaze drifting to the patterns on the carpet.
29:42Well, I still have some things to deal with at my group. I'll head out first.
29:47After saying that, he turned around, about to slip away.
29:51Wait! I grabbed his wrist.
29:53Didn't you say we were going to have dinner?
29:58He looked a little annoyed and said,
29:59I didn't use this to pressure you. Don't misunderstand. If you don't like me,
30:05you don't have to force yourself to be with me. Just because I sponsored you.
30:12Seeing his awkward yet proud demeanor, I wasn't so upset anymore. I couldn't help but laugh a bit.
30:18I won't, Alex. I softened my tone, still holding his wrist.
30:23I just really, really want to have a meal with you.
30:26I looked into his eyes and asked again seriously. So, Mr. Alex, would you like to?
30:34Under my gaze, his cheeks grew redder and redder, and then he nodded gently.
30:40To prevent Ryan from coming back to pester me again, I threw a few obstacles into some of Carter
30:45Group's overseas projects. I didn't intend to do anything drastic to Carter Group. I just wanted
30:50to keep him busy, keep him from bothering me. But the foundation of Carter Group had long rotted.
30:55My small move was merely the first domino to fall. Carter Group's stock price plunged
31:00without warning. Several major projects under negotiation blew up one after another. Partners
31:06withdrew their investments, and the capital chain snapped on the spot. When the first domino fell,
31:11the whole thing wouldn't last for long. Bank collection notices piled up like mountains,
31:15and every day there were creditors blocking the gates of the Carter family villa. Kelly Smith,
31:20the once gentlewoman who had obeyed Ryan in everything, realized that Carter Group was
31:25absolutely going down. She immediately turned around and filed a lawsuit, demanding a divorce
31:30and division of Ryan's assets. The two of them made a huge scene. The former lovers faced each other
31:36in court, hurling accusations. All of Harbor City was watching Ryan make a fool of himself, laughing at how
31:42he ditched his good wife only to marry that bitch. I saw this news while on dates with Alex, through
31:49push
31:50notifications on my phone. I only glanced at them before immediately locking the screen. It had nothing
31:55to do with me anymore. What I cared about more was Alex, sitting across from me. Our relationship
32:01slowly became better through dinners, movies, and visits to art exhibitions. On Christmas Day, Harbor City
32:08saw its first snowfall of the winter. I booked out the mountaintop-revolving restaurant. Through the
32:13huge floor-to-ceiling windows, we could overlook the dazzling lights of the entire city. Alex, dressed
32:19in a bespoke suit, sat quietly across from me. The snowy glow outside reflected on his face, making him look
32:25kinda unreal. Amid the gentle sound of violin music, I knelt on one knee. He froze for a moment, a
32:31hint of
32:32panic in his eyes. Alex White. I looked up at him, holding his cold hand. These past few months, every
32:39day I've spent with you has made me very happy. I wanna turn this happiness into a lifetime. So, would
32:45you
32:46be willing to be my boyfriend? His eyes instantly turned red, his lips trembling, unable to utter a
32:52single word. The surrounding diners had gone quiet, all watching us. After a long while, he finally lowered his
32:59hand in disbelief and nodded hard. Thunderous applause erupted throughout the restaurant. I put the ring on
33:06his finger and threw myself into his arms. My phone vibrating on the table, but I ignored it. The person
33:13I
33:13was holding was my whole world. Only later did I find out that those notifications were the final
33:19headlines of that night. Carter Group officially announces bankruptcy and liquidation. Former Carter
33:26group president's lover Kelly Smith suspected of commercial embezzlement and leaking trade secrets,
33:30now arrested by police.
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