- 4 weeks ago
- #anime
- #manhwa
- #revengestory
- #webtoon
- #comics
They called me a freeloader who did nothing but play games. So when my sister-in-law demanded I pay $15,000 a month to stay in the house, I agreed to one thing—financial independence for everyone. Then I froze every supplementary card... including the "unlimited" black card she loved showing off.
She never realized it was my card all along.
The moment it stopped working, their perfect lives fell apart. The family that mocked and kicked me out suddenly remembered I was the one paying for everything.
💬 Would you forgive a family that only valued you after the money disappeared?
#anime #manhwa #RevengeStory #webtoon #comics
She never realized it was my card all along.
The moment it stopped working, their perfect lives fell apart. The family that mocked and kicked me out suddenly remembered I was the one paying for everything.
💬 Would you forgive a family that only valued you after the money disappeared?
#anime #manhwa #RevengeStory #webtoon #comics
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00My brother Derek marries a modern independent woman.
00:02Every day at home, she pushes the split everything rule.
00:05Mom and Derek even have to split the cost of meals.
00:08The utility bills get split too.
00:09On her birthday that year when dad buys her a birthday cake she insists on paying him
00:13back.
00:13So since that's how it is, I, the freeloader living off the family, have to support the
00:18split everything rule too.
00:19Otherwise I'd look like I don't fit in, right?
00:21So I turn around and freeze every supplementary card in the house, including the unlimited
00:25card in Vanessa's hand.
00:26Nathan looked closely.
00:27Since everyone lives under this roof, we follow the rules.
00:30I did the math.
00:31This month's rent, utilities, and food come to $15,000.
00:34Transfer or cash?
00:35$15,000?
00:36I've barely even stepped into the kitchen.
00:38Is gold running through the pipes or something?
00:40Don't try that with me.
00:41You sit at home all day.
00:42Aren't you the one using the electricity?
00:44Aren't you the one using the internet?
00:46As a modern independent woman, I never take a single cent from anyone, but I won't let
00:50anyone mooch off me either.
00:52Even the green onions, ginger, and garlic get split down the middle.
00:54Vanessa.
00:55Why didn't you think about splitting costs with me when you bought that Dyson hairdryer?
00:59Exactly.
01:00Nathan, Vanessa's right.
01:01Even brothers should keep clear accounts.
01:03Your brother works outside in the wind and sun every day, supporting this family with
01:06his own two hands.
01:08And you?
01:08You just sit in your room playing games all day, eating and drinking for free.
01:11What's wrong with paying a little living expense?
01:13Derek, you think I should pay this $15,000 too?
01:16Well, Vanessa just wants what's best for this family.
01:18Just, just do it for your brother's sake.
01:20We're family.
01:20Don't sweat the details.
01:22Hear that?
01:22Your brother's spoken.
01:23Stop being a freeloader at home all day.
01:25I don't support dead weight.
01:26Vanessa's absolutely right.
01:27Even brothers should keep clear accounts.
01:29Fine.
01:29Let's split everything then, since everyone's so independent.
01:31Not a single cent from anyone else.
01:33Enough talk.
01:34Transfer the money, now.
01:36Since that's how it is, nobody touches the money on the supplementary cards under my
01:39name from now on.
01:40Oh please, ha ha ha, that's hilarious.
01:42You?
01:42Freeze a card?
01:43You don't even have a real job.
01:44That little allowance card of yours with a few hundred bucks on it?
01:47Who do you think you're scaring?
01:48You really think you're some big boss now?
01:50Nathan, you've really grown some nerve, huh?
01:52You actually dare to talk back to Vanessa?
01:54Your brother gives you a little allowance every month, and you actually think it's yours?
01:58Apologize to Vanessa right now.
02:00Okay, okay.
02:01Stop fighting, Vanessa.
02:02Didn't you plan a spa day with Mrs. Carter and the others?
02:04It's almost time.
02:05You should get going.
02:06Go where?
02:07We're not settling this until the accounts are clear.
02:09Nobody's getting any peace today.
02:11The accounts are already settled.
02:12From now on, you spend your money and I'll spend mine.
02:14Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
02:16Nathan, you've got guts.
02:17Just you wait.
02:18Derek, today I'm getting that $68,000 VIP annual membership, so nobody can say I'm
02:23spending the family's money.
02:24I sit on the leather sofa and hand a few IDs across to the bank manager.
02:27Mr. Liu, this is the unlimited supplementary card you're setting up for your family member.
02:31The charges will be billed directly to your primary card.
02:34Good.
02:35Don't tell my brother this card is mine.
02:36Just say the bank gave it to her for free.
02:38He's proud.
02:39If he knew it was my card, he might feel too embarrassed to let her use it.
02:42Vanessa sits on a plush velvet sofa, legs crossed, a few wealthy women sipping afternoon
02:46tea beside her.
02:47She deliberately raises her voice and pulls a black card out of her bag.
02:50Ms. Lynn, you're confirming the $68,000 VIP annual membership, correct?
02:54Yes.
02:55Charge it.
02:55A woman has to treat herself well.
02:57I'm not like some people who need a man to pay for even a cup of coffee.
03:00I've always been financially independent.
03:02Charge the card.
03:03Open the $68,000 membership.
03:04Right now.
03:05The staff member smiles and swipes the black card through the machine.
03:08The machine lets out a sharp beep.
03:10Bold red letters flash across the screen.
03:12Transaction failed.
03:13This supplementary card has been frozen.
03:15Ms. Lynn, the system shows this card was frozen by the primary cardholder.
03:19Frozen?
03:20That's impossible.
03:20This is the unlimited black card.
03:22Your stupid machine must be broken.
03:24Swipe it again.
03:25Oh my.
03:26Vanessa, weren't you just saying a modern independent woman handles her own money
03:29and never spends a man's money?
03:31So what's going on here?
03:32Looks like the primary cardholder got upset and froze your card.
03:35Mrs. Carter, you've got it wrong.
03:37My husband forced this card on me.
03:38I never even bother using it, honestly.
03:40His company's accounting department probably messed up the account.
03:43I'll call and check right now.
03:45Lucky for your machine today.
03:46Oh, I just remembered I've got a company event to get to.
03:49Keep the card.
03:50I'll come back another day.
03:51Derek, you've really grown some nerve, huh?
03:53You've got some attitude now, huh?
03:54Honey, what's wrong?
03:55Weren't you at the spa?
03:56Who made you this angry?
03:57Who did I upset, you ask?
03:58Who upset me?
03:59Who else but you?
04:00What gives you the right to freeze my card?
04:02Are you keeping a mistress out there and sending all our money to her?
04:05Freeze your card?
04:06I didn't freeze anything.
04:07I was home all day.
04:08I didn't go anywhere.
04:10Honey, let go of me.
04:11Good grief, Vanessa.
04:12What are you doing?
04:13You come home and start throwing a fit?
04:15Derek works so hard every day.
04:16And you're hitting him?
04:17Him hard working?
04:18If he really worked that hard, why is he this cheap?
04:21He won't even let me use a 68,000 beauty membership.
04:24Mom, ask your precious son why you froze the black card in my wallet.
04:27In front of Mrs. Carter and everyone today.
04:29I lost all my face.
04:30That card?
04:31That card was never even...
04:32Honey, maybe the bank system really is updating.
04:34Can you just drop it?
04:36Hmm.
04:36System updating.
04:37When I swiped the card just now, the machine clearly said, frozen by the primary card holder.
04:42Derek, you owe me an explanation today.
04:43Or this marriage is over.
04:45No money of his own.
04:46And still trying to act rich.
04:47Don't bother asking him.
04:48I froze the card.
04:50Ha ha ha ha.
04:51You?
04:52Nathan?
04:52Have you been gaming so much you're hallucinating now?
04:55I said I fully support your split everything rule.
04:57Since everything in this house gets split, naturally you're not entitled to use my supplementary
05:01card anymore.
05:02Your card?
05:03Nathan, you can't even lie convincingly.
05:05You sit at home playing games all day.
05:08And you can't even pay 15,000 in living expenses.
05:11You eat off this family, drink off this family, and don't earn a single cent.
05:15You're flat broke.
05:16And you're telling me that unlimited black card is yours?
05:18Nathan, have you lost your mind?
05:20Did your brain fry from too much gaming?
05:22Vanessa is already furious.
05:23And you're just making it worse.
05:25That card obviously came from some big boss your brother begged for it.
05:28What does it have to do with you?
05:29Get back to your room now.
05:30Mom, don't mind him.
05:31He just doesn't want to pay his living expenses.
05:33So he's putting on this act.
05:35Nathan, listen to me.
05:36Today, either you hand over that 15,000, or you get out of this house right now.
05:40Freezing a card to scare me?
05:41You think you're qualified to control this family's money?
05:44Whether I'm qualified isn't for you to decide.
05:46Take a good look at whose name is on this primary account.
05:48Vanessa stares fixedly at the phone screen.
05:50It reads, primary cardholder Nathan Liu.
05:53Her face turns instantly pale.
05:55She snaps back to her senses and slaps my hand away.
05:57The phone drops hard onto the sofa cushion.
05:59You think a photoshopped screen can fool me?
06:01Nathan, just to avoid paying living expenses, you really went to a lot of trouble.
06:05Faking a bank interface, of all things.
06:07Ha!
06:07You're really good at fooling yourself.
06:09Whether it's fake or not, why don't you go try buying a coffee with that card and find out?
06:13No need to say more here.
06:15Stop pulling this trick on me.
06:16Even if that junk card really is yours.
06:18How much could possibly be on it?
06:20Unlimited, my foot.
06:21If you really had money, would you still be holed up in this dump living off mom and dad?
06:25Vanessa, that's enough.
06:26That card.
06:27It really is.
06:28You shut up.
06:29Where would a freeloader like him get money?
06:31Fine then, Nathan.
06:32Since you insist on playing rich, let's carry the split everything rule all the way through
06:36today.
06:36Nobody takes advantage of anybody.
06:38This half of the fridge is mine.
06:40That half is yours.
06:41I bought this row of eggs.
06:42Don't you dare touch them.
06:44This bottle of milk is half gone.
06:45We're charging by the milliliter.
06:47Oh, Vanessa, you're going to scribble all over that fridge door.
06:49Your brother just bought those eggs last night.
06:51We're family.
06:52Why split things this precisely?
06:54Mom, stay out of this.
06:56We're settling every account today.
06:58These cherries cost me eighty won yesterday.
07:00Didn't you sneak three of them last night?
07:02Five yuan each?
07:03Transfer me fifteen yuan.
07:04Not a single cent less.
07:06Three cherries, fifteen yuan.
07:08Vanessa really does love fine print.
07:10You want to keep accounts with me?
07:12You have no idea what it means to get completely outclassed.
07:15Fine, since Vanessa wants to settle accounts, let's start from the very beginning.
07:19Not a single cent left out.
07:21Give me five minutes.
07:22Quit the act.
07:23You think tapping on that junk computer will make money appear?
07:26Whatever pathetic little tally you've got, let's see what you can come up with.
07:29Let's just see then.
07:30Last year, on your birthday, that 25,000 Chanel bag was charged
07:34to the supplementary card ending in 8-8-8-8, wasn't it?
07:37That was a birthday gift from Derek.
07:39What business is it of yours?
07:40What a coincidence.
07:41Every charge on that card has been auto-paid off from my primary account.
07:45What?
07:45You're talking nonsense.
07:47Also, the Dyson hairdryer on your dresser, 3,200.
07:50Your two premium spa sessions every month, 2,800 each.
07:53Even that Starbucks delivery you order every afternoon at the office.
07:56All of it went through my card.
07:58Over three years, it adds up to 146,500 yuan.
08:02Nathan, stop counting.
08:04I'm begging you.
08:05Please, we're family.
08:06Vanessa just has a short temper.
08:08That's all.
08:08Derek, even brothers should keep clear accounts.
08:11This rule was Vanessa's own idea.
08:13As her brother-in-law, I have to support it unconditionally.
08:16This is all fake.
08:17I don't accept it.
08:18Since we're splitting everything, let's settle the three-year difference of 128,000 first.
08:22Vanessa clutches the thick stack of billing statements.
08:25Her hand trembles violently in midair.
08:26Her face turns ghostly pale.
08:28She whips her head around and glares fixedly at Derek.
08:31Her eyes are full of panic.
08:32Derek, what?
08:33What is going on here?
08:34Why is his name on every single one of these bills?
08:36Say something.
08:37Nathan, I'm begging you.
08:39Vanessa doesn't know any better.
08:40Don't stoop to her level.
08:41I'll pay you back the 128,000 slowly over time.
08:44Please, just unfreeze the card first.
08:46I'm begging you.
08:47Pay me back with what?
08:48That pitiful fixed salary of yours?
08:50Or cash out my own supplementary card to pay me back?
08:53Derek, why are you kneeling to him?
08:54You're his older brother.
08:55You're the backbone of this family.
08:57What gives you the right to beg a good-for-nothing freeloader like?
09:00You shut up.
09:01You spend so much money every month, and you think it's mine that you're spending?
09:04Three years, and you finally dare to speak the truth.
09:06Mom rushes out of the kitchen holding a rag, shoves me aside, and pulls Derek up off the
09:10floor with concern.
09:11Nathan, have you lost your mind?
09:13That's your own brother.
09:14You actually made your own brother kneel to you.
09:16Do you have no conscience at all?
09:18Mom, it's right there in black and white on the bills.
09:20Vanessa was the one who insisted on splitting everything.
09:22I'm just tallying up exactly what she spent of my money over these three years.
09:25Tallying what?
09:26What's there to tally?
09:27We're family.
09:28Why keep such precise accounts?
09:29Your brother works so hard out there every day, and you, sitting idle at home?
09:33What's wrong with helping him out a little?
09:35Won't you be satisfied until you've torn this family apart?
09:37Me, help him out?
09:38Every single expense in this house over the past three years came out of my pocket,
09:42and now, somehow, I'm the one tearing this family apart.
09:44Mom's right.
09:45You just got lucky, that's all.
09:47Landing some high-limit card?
09:48Ha!
09:48Who even knows if your money is clean?
09:50Nathan, get this straight.
09:52This house's deed has Derek's name on it.
09:53Since you love nitpicking so much, this family has no room for you.
09:57Get out right now.
09:58Honey, stop.
09:59This house.
09:59You shut up.
10:00I'm throwing this heartless creature out today.
10:02Nathan, take your worthless bills and get out of my house right now.
10:05Don't ever set foot in here again.
10:07I quietly watch Vanessa's hysterics unfold in front of me, glance at Mom's face,
10:11twisted with blatant favoritism, and finally let my gaze settle on Derek slumped on the floor.
10:15So this is the family I've protected for three years.
10:18Pathetic.
10:18Fine, since Vanessa has spoken, I'll go.
10:21You, you're really leaving?
10:23Where will you even go?
10:24Oh, Mom, don't worry about him.
10:26Let him go.
10:26Let's see him leave this family and go starve on the street.
10:29Don't come crawling back begging us then.
10:30I pick up my phone.
10:31Moving company?
10:32Come now.
10:33Pack up the whole room.
10:34The movers push the door open and quickly step inside.
10:37Vanessa leans against the bedroom door frame, arms crossed, watching smugly as I pack clothes
10:41into cardboard boxes.
10:43Wow, moving fast, aren't we?
10:44Movers, watch what you're doing.
10:46Don't go making off with anything valuable from this house.
10:48This guy is dead broke.
10:49If you break something, he can't afford to pay for it.
10:52Please, be extremely careful with this drawing tablet and the computer tower.
10:56There's critical client commission data on it.
10:58And those collectible figures in the glass cabinet wrap each one in three layers of shock-absorbing
11:02foam.
11:03How childish.
11:03A grown man, thirty years old, still fussing over junk computers and cheap plastic dolls.
11:08Nathan, you're nothing but a waste of a person, wasting your life on toys.
11:12How much could all this junk possibly be worth combined?
11:15And you're treating it like some kind of treasure.
11:17Pathetic, honestly.
11:18Hmm, you're right, it's worthless.
11:20Only worth a couple hundred thousand, that's all.
11:22A couple hundred thousand?
11:23Are you delusional from being broke?
11:25Daydreaming, are we?
11:26Ha!
11:26This pile of plastic junk, worth a couple hundred thousand?
11:29If you really had that kind of money, would you still be skipping out on fifteen thousand
11:33in living expenses?
11:34You don't even think before you brag.
11:36Exactly, Derek.
11:37Look at your brother.
11:38Nothing but lies.
11:40Get him moving already.
11:41He's an eyesore.
11:42Mom, maybe say a little less.
11:44Ignorance is a frightening thing.
11:46They don't even know what top-tier equipment looks like.
11:48Movers box it all up, straight downstairs.
11:51The movers carry the boxes out, one after another.
11:53Vanessa looks around the now empty room.
11:55A flicker of barely noticeable panic crosses her eyes.
11:58She quickly turns and walks to the corner of the balcony.
12:00Hello, Mrs. Carter.
12:01Yes, yes.
12:02Tomorrow afternoon's tea at the Peninsula Hotel.
12:04Count me in.
12:05Oh, how could I possibly miss it?
12:07We'll split the bill, of course.
12:08I hate taking advantage of people, you know that.
12:10We modern independent women have to stand on our own.
12:13Only fifty thousand approved.
12:15The interest rate is brutal.
12:16Whatever, it'll cover the emergency for now.
12:18I'll pay it back once Derek gets his paycheck.
12:20I absolutely cannot lose face in front of the socialite circle.
12:23All for the sake of vanity she even dares to touch a high-interest online loan.
12:27This pit is one you dug for yourself.
12:29I sling my bag over my shoulder and pull up the handle of my suitcase.
12:32The wheels make a dull scraping sound against the floor.
12:35Hearing the noise, Vanessa on the balcony quickly puts her phone away and switches to
12:38a haughty expression.
12:39She strides over.
12:41Get moving.
12:41Leave the keys.
12:42You'll never step through this door again.
12:44Exactly.
12:45Once you suffer out there a bit, you'll realize how good you had it here.
12:48Don't come crying to your brother to take you back.
12:51We don't support dead weight.
12:52Nathan, take care of yourself out there.
12:54If things get really bad, Derek playing the nice guy really makes me sick.
12:58How dare you talk to your brother like that, you heartless creature.
13:01Get out, right now.
13:02I almost forgot to mention, next month's $12,000 mortgage payment, remember to pay it
13:06yourselves.
13:06A heavy thud sounds behind me.
13:08The steel security door slams shut in front of me.
13:11Vanessa's shrill laughter seeps faintly through the door gap.
13:13I pull up the suitcase handle and turn toward the elevator, leaving that toxic household completely
13:18behind me.
13:19Three years, and finally, no more biting my tongue.
13:21In front of a spacious, sunlit, floor-to-ceiling window, I carefully take out my expensive drawing
13:26tablet and set it steadily on the wide, solid wood desk.
13:29My fingers press the power button.
13:30The screen instantly lights up, illuminating my completely relaxed face.
13:34This is what a real life feels like.
13:35A new order comes in.
13:37Master Lou, an S-tier character illustration.
13:40Rush order, $200,000 for a full buyout.
13:42Take it?
13:43Take it.
13:43Deposit to the usual account.
13:45They threw me out the door.
13:46Without my money, let's see how many days your pitiful salaries can hold out.
13:49Vanessa lounges comfortably on the sofa, a dark seaweed mud mask smeared across her face.
13:54Legs crossed, completely at ease, she circles a sleek beauty device over her cheeks.
13:58Mom sits beside her, cracking sunflower seeds.
14:00Mom, look how spacious the living room feels now.
14:03We're so much more comfortable now.
14:04We should have kicked that freeloader Nathan out long ago.
14:07We really wasted all those years feeding him for nothing.
14:09Tomorrow I'll get someone to clear out that empty room, build a whole wall of cabinets,
14:13turn it into my own walk-in closet.
14:14Exactly, exactly.
14:16Vanessa, you really know how to enjoy life.
14:18Nathan sat around this house all day, and honestly it was bad luck just looking at him.
14:22Now that he's gone, the whole house's feng shui feels better.
14:25When he left he even talked big, saying we'd have to pay the mortgage ourselves.
14:28Absolutely hilarious.
14:30This house is in Derek's name.
14:31The mortgage has always come out of Derek's housing fund.
14:34What does that have to do with some jobless bum?
14:36He really thinks a lot of himself.
14:38He's just too stubborn to admit defeat.
14:39Once he can't stand being hungry out there, he'll come crawling back begging us, mark my words.
14:44When that happens, he'll have to kneel and apologize to you.
14:47I don't even want that.
14:48I'm a modern independent woman.
14:50I have zero respect for freeloaders who live off their family.
14:53Oh, my mask is drying out.
14:54I'm gonna go wash my face.
14:55Huh?
14:56What's going on?
14:57Why did the power just go out?
14:58Ow, my back.
14:59Derek, where are you?
15:01Did a breaker trip or something?
15:02No, no, the breaker didn't trip.
15:04I checked it just now.
15:05It's completely fine.
15:06Didn't trip?
15:07Then why is the power out?
15:08Did you forget to pay the electric bill again?
15:10My thousand dollar beauty device hasn't even finished charging.
15:13Hurry up and pay it on your phone.
15:14I thought the property management auto-paid the electric bill.
15:17Auto-pay still needs a card linked to it.
15:19What are you standing there for?
15:20It's pitch black in here.
15:22Are you trying to suffocate me?
15:23How did the bill get this high?
15:25Are we running a mine or something?
15:26Derek, pay this off right now.
15:28Get the power back on first.
15:30I'm dying of heat.
15:31There's no money left in my account.
15:32This month's paycheck already went toward her credit card's minimum payment two days ago.
15:36I don't have a cent to my name right now.
15:38You're out of money?
15:38What about your salary account?
15:40Didn't you always say you had savings in there?
15:42Derek, are you deaf?
15:43Pay the electric bill now.
15:44Derek grips his phone and stammers in panic.
15:47There's no money.
15:47There's not a single cent left in my account.
15:49I can't pay the bill.
15:51I never even paid these bills myself before.
15:53The utilities used to be linked to Nathan's card.
15:55It was all on auto-pay.
15:56The faint glow of his phone screen lights up his ashen face.
15:59Are you joking with me?
16:00He sits at home playing games all day.
16:02Where would he get money to pay a 1200 utility bill?
16:04You must have secretly been sending him your paycheck.
16:07I never had money to send him.
16:08My whole salary went toward your credit card's minimum payment.
16:10And every last cent of it.
16:12For three years Nathan really has been covering this family's expenses.
16:15What's wrong with him paying the utility bill?
16:17He ate and lived here for free for that long.
16:19Isn't it only fair that he'd chip in a little?
16:21He's gone now.
16:22So you're paying this bill, right now.
16:23I really don't have any money.
16:25The car loan payment is due tomorrow too.
16:27I don't care.
16:27I'm not paying it.
16:28My brother Kevin arrives, tomorrow.
16:30Do you want him walking into a dark house?
16:32Figure out the money yourself.
16:33I sit on my spacious leather sofa, lift a fine bone china cup, and take a sip of freshly ground
16:38coffee.
16:39The tablet screen in front of me glows, streaming a live feed from the camera in that apartment's
16:42living room.
16:43No money to pay the electric bill, but plenty of money to support dead weight.
16:46Three years of playing rich.
16:48Let's see how you talk your way out of this one.
16:50Harsh sunlight spills into the cluttered living room.
16:52Kevin swaggers in, dragging a suitcase behind him.
16:55He plops down heavily onto the sofa.
16:57Sis, he says.
16:58Why isn't the AC even running in this dump?
17:00I'm dying of heat.
17:01Where's Derek gone?
17:02Kevin, drink some water.
17:03Your brother-in-law went to borrow money for the electric bill.
17:06Never mind that spineless loser.
17:08Come on, I'll show you your new room.
17:10Vanessa, I finally borrowed money from a co-worker.
17:12Borrowed 500 yuan and got the power back on.
17:15Why is Kevin here?
17:16So what if he's staying a few days?
17:18That heartless creature Nathan is gone now.
17:20The room's free.
17:21Might as well let my brother use it.
17:22We can barely afford to eat as it is.
17:24And you're letting him move in?
17:25Whose expense is that supposed to be?
17:27What are you trying to say, Derek?
17:28Staying at my own sister's place is only natural.
17:30Are you looking down on me?
17:32Derek, say one more word and see what happens.
17:34I have a stake in this house, too.
17:36My brother stays as long as he wants.
17:38Now get in there and cook.
17:39Kevin sneers and shoves open the door to the vacant spare bedroom.
17:42Besides a bare stripped bed frame, there's nothing else inside.
17:45His face twists with irritation.
17:47He kicks the door frame hard.
17:48This crummy room doesn't even have a computer.
17:50What am I supposed to do for fun?
17:52Sis, what's going on?
17:53Didn't you say that Nathan Guy had a bunch of high-end equipment?
17:56He took it all when he moved out.
17:57But that storage room next door has always been locked.
17:59There's probably a bunch of junk left inside.
18:01Ah, sis, there are a few big boxes in here.
18:04Looks like limited edition collectible figures.
18:06Heh.
18:06These things are worth a lot.
18:07I've seen them online.
18:09No.
18:09That's backup equipment Nathan locked away on purpose.
18:11It's worth tens of thousands.
18:13You absolutely cannot touch it.
18:14Hmm.
18:15Tens of thousands.
18:16As broke and shabby as he was, how could he afford something worth that much?
18:19It's definitely knockoff junk.
18:20Kevin, ignore him.
18:22Hmm.
18:22Real or fake, who cares?
18:24Pry it open.
18:24Sell them for cash.
18:25A sharp click sounds out.
18:27The rusted lock drops straight to the floor.
18:29Kevin lifts his foot and slams it hard into the wooden door.
18:31The door crashes against the wall.
18:32A cloud of choking dust rises into the air.
18:35Like a bandit storming a village, he swaggers right in.
18:38Well, well.
18:38He really did stash away some good stuff.
18:41Sis, look at these big boxes.
18:43Still sealed.
18:44Never even opened.
18:45It's all in English on the label.
18:47Looks fancy just from that.
18:48Kevin, don't touch that.
18:49You absolutely cannot touch that.
18:52This is Nathan's equipment for making a living.
18:53If it breaks, we couldn't pay him back even if we sold everything we own.
18:57Get out of the way.
18:58Stop embarrassing yourself.
18:59He sat home playing all day.
19:00Never held down a real job.
19:02What kind of money-making equipment could he possibly have?
19:04Vanessa, you have no idea.
19:06Nathan does illustration design work.
19:08I've heard him talk about that equipment.
19:09Any single piece of it is worth tens of thousands.
19:12Tens of thousands?
19:13Derek, have you been brainwashed?
19:14He couldn't even pay a $1,200 utility bill without dodging it.
19:17He split the cost of a single green onion with me.
19:19You think he could afford something worth tens of thousands?
19:21He probably didn't even buy these things.
19:23Probably secondhand junk scavenged from some scrapyard, with a fake foreign label slapped
19:28on to look expensive.
19:29Exactly, Derek.
19:30You're way too timid.
19:31My sister's already spoken.
19:33I call the shots in this house now.
19:34Meanwhile, at my wide, bright, solid wood desk, I hold my pressure-sensitive stylus,
19:39fully absorbed and sketching the intricate lines of an S-tier commission on screen.
19:42Just then, my phone lights up beside me, buzzing rapidly and continuously.
19:46Moving fast, aren't they?
19:47Couldn't even hold out a few days.
19:49I was going to let you two flail around a little longer, but since you're rushing to
19:52walk into it, I'll oblige.
19:53Just then, Kevin, his hands greasy, roughly yanks off the silver-gray dust cover on the
19:57desk.
19:58Once the cover comes off, a top-tier 27-inch backup drawing display is revealed underneath.
20:02He grabs the edges of the screen with both hands, with zero gentleness, dragging the
20:07heavy professional equipment to the edge of the table like it's a scrap of old plywood.
20:10His movements are incredibly rough.
20:12The cables behind it are yanked taut.
20:14What is this thing?
20:15Can't even find a power button.
20:17This black-and-white TV is total garbage.
20:19Way worse than the monitors at an internet cafe.
20:21Get that off there right now.
20:22What if it burns?
20:24What are you doing?
20:25It's over.
20:25It's completely over.
20:26Are you out of your mind?
20:27Over some worthless screen?
20:29You'd rather burn my brother?
20:30He owes this family so much in living expenses.
20:33What's wrong with using his junk as a table pad?
20:35Hmm.
20:36Call it payment toward the debt.
20:37Kevin, ignore that spineless loser.
20:39Keep eating.
20:40What a garbage screen.
20:41Not even touchscreen.
20:42Can't even swipe on it.
20:43Kevin slurps down the last of his noodles, then stands up and carelessly tosses the greasy
20:47empty bowl onto the drawing display.
20:49He wipes his greasy hands a couple of times on his pant leg.
20:52Suddenly his gaze fixes on something.
20:54He's drawn to a glowing, powered-on, custom climate-controlled display case in the corner.
20:58Sis, these little plastic dolls look pretty fancy.
21:00Even has a glowing display cabinet.
21:01Packaging looks decent too.
21:03Let me take one out and play with it.
21:04Why is this joint so stiff?
21:06Doesn't move at all.
21:07Sh, what garbage quality.
21:08Snapped with just a light touch.
21:10Even a $9.99 online special is sturdier than this.
21:13What have you done?
21:14You two are asking for disaster.
21:16Enough, Derek.
21:17Stop crying.
21:18Look at yourself.
21:18What a sight.
21:19It's just a few plastic toys some nerd played with.
21:22So it broke.
21:22Big deal.
21:23Worst case, when that heartless creature comes back, I'll go to the market downstairs and
21:27buy him 10 to replace it.
21:28It's not even a big deal.
21:29Come on, Kevin, let's go get you some new clothes.
21:32This whole house reeks of poverty.
21:33I sit quietly at my computer, without anger, without frustration, calmly watching Vanessa
21:38and Kevin strut off arrogantly on my phone screen, and Derek slumped on the floor, trembling.
21:42Every single second of the destruction has been recorded, start to finish.
21:46So easy to say.
21:47$9.99 with free shipping?
21:48I hope you're still laughing this loud when you receive the court summons.
21:51Attorney Lynn, I've sent you the video and the purchase records.
21:54Total value, $85,000.
21:56Please assess the damages, and prepare the lawsuit filing.
21:59I lift my coffee cup.
22:00A flicker of ice-cold calm crossing my eyes.
22:03Thank you for your work, Attorney Lynn.
22:04No mediation under any circumstances.
22:07We're going through the full legal process.
22:09A $28,000 seasonal new release, yet unable to cover a $1,200 utility bill.
22:13Where exactly did that confidence come from?
22:15A $50,000 high-interest online loan.
22:17You two really do have some nerve.
22:19Vanessa changes into new clothes, and slings her bag over her shoulder,
22:22twisting and posing wildly in front of the living room's full-length mirror.
22:25She strikes pose after pose to show off the new bag on her shoulder.
22:28The phone's camera shutter clicks non-stop.
22:31Kevin sprawls across the sofa, limbs everywhere, snack wrappers littering the floor around him.
22:35Derek shrinks into the corner armchair, fists clench tight in his own hair.
22:39Kevin, what do you think of this bag?
22:40The latest season's release, $28,000.
22:43Tomorrow's tea with Mrs. Carter and the others.
22:45If I show up carrying this, I'll absolutely outshine everyone there.
22:48This is what confidence looks like for a modern, independent woman.
22:51Sis, you're amazing.
22:53Way better than Derek.
22:54He can't even pay the electric bill.
22:56And you're the one holding this family's image together.
22:59Confidence?
22:59Where did $28,000 for a bag even come from?
23:02Next week's car loan and mortgage together add up to nearly $20,000.
23:05I can't even scrape together 200 yuan right now.
23:07Did you max out a credit card again?
23:09Credit card?
23:10Please.
23:11That junk card of yours hit its limit ages ago.
23:13So what did you do?
23:14Did you take out an online loan?
23:16Vanessa, Nathan doesn't support us anymore.
23:18We have no money at all to fill these holes.
23:20Return the bag right now.
23:21Return it?
23:22You want me to return it?
23:23You're pathetic.
23:24Can't earn money yourself and you dare tell me how to spend mine?
23:27Let me tell you something, Derek.
23:28I bought this bag with money I borrowed on my own merit.
23:30It has absolutely nothing to do with you.
23:32Once I land a few big clients through the socialite circle tomorrow,
23:35this kind of money will be nothing.
23:37I'll be earning even more.
23:38You're insane.
23:39You actually took out an online loan.
23:41The interest on those is massive.
23:43Derek, what are you yelling about?
23:45So what if my sister borrowed some money?
23:47It's a legitimate platform.
23:48Just pay her back once you get your paycheck next month.
23:50Problem solved.
23:51A grown man acting this stingy.
23:53It's embarrassing.
23:54You hear that?
23:55Even Kevin has more sense than you.
23:57Quit that sour face.
23:58In the conference room, tension hangs thick in the air.
24:00The manager taps the whiteboard at the front, lecturing the team.
24:03Derek sits in the corner, dark circles under his eyes, anxiously biting his nails,
24:07beads of cold sweat covering his forehead.
24:09The car loan has been overdue for three days now.
24:12This can't go on.
24:13Just then, his phone rings.
24:14Mr. Derek Liu, your spouse Vanessa Lynn's $50,000 loan from Quick Loan is seriously overdue.
24:19Please resolve this as soon as possible.
24:21Derek fumbles to hit the answer button, covers his mouth and hunches down low.
24:24On the other end of the line, a harsh, automated voice blares out, instantly drowning out the
24:28manager's voice.
24:29Every co-worker in the room turns to stare at him at once.
24:31Mr. Derek Liu, sorry to interrupt.
24:34Your spouse Vanessa Lynn's $50,000 loan from Quick Loan is severely overdue.
24:37To avoid further trouble, please resolve it immediately, or we will contact your emergency
24:42contacts and employer.
24:43Hello, this isn't me.
24:45You've got the wrong number.
24:46I don't know any Vanessa Lynn.
24:48Derek, what exactly are you up to?
24:49The voice on the line keeps repeating,
24:51Your loan is seriously overdue.
24:53Taking a debt collection call during a meeting.
24:55How much garbage debt do you actually have out there?
24:57I'm sorry, sir.
24:58I'll hang up right now.
24:59I'll take care of it immediately.
25:01He grabs his laptop and rushes out the door without looking back.
25:04I lean back in my spacious, comfortable gaming chair,
25:06coolly watching the overdue payment notice pop up on my phone.
25:09Your reckoning has arrived.
25:11The mortgage has finally lapsed, and now the real show begins.
25:14I type out a message and send it to Derek.
25:16Ha!
25:16Derek, your mortgage payment just lapsed.
25:18Enjoy splitting everything.
25:19After sending the message, I block his number.
25:22Then I pick up the pen on my desk and get back to work.
25:24Meanwhile, a sharp slap echoes out.
25:26A crumpled collection notice is hurled straight at Derek's face.
25:29The paper slides down the bridge of his nose and lands on the dusty floor.
25:32Derek slumps on the sofa.
25:34Fists clench tight in his hair.
25:36Derek, you owe me an explanation today.
25:38The debt collectors even called my office front desk.
25:40I got mocked all day by Mrs. Carter and the others in the group chat.
25:43It's mortifying.
25:44What gives you the right not to help me pay off this $50,000?
25:47Mom hurries over and says,
25:48Oh, Vanessa, keep your voice down.
25:50Derek doesn't look right today.
25:52Stop pushing him.
25:53Me pushing him?
25:54I'm his wife.
25:55He's supposed to be an executive earning tens of thousands a month,
25:57and he can't even come up with $50,000 to pay off my loan.
26:01Derek, be honest with me.
26:02Have you been secretly sending money to that useless brother of yours?
26:05Pay it off?
26:06With what?
26:06Do you even know my car loan is overdue too?
26:08Stop pretending to be broke.
26:10You just don't want to spend money on me.
26:11Even if you have to borrow it, take out a loan.
26:13You're covering my debt today.
26:14Or I'm divorcing you.
26:16Just then, his phone lights up, flooding with overdue bill notifications one after another.
26:20An executive?
26:21Tens of thousands a month?
26:22Ha ha ha ha ha.
26:23Open your eyes and look closely.
26:25I'm just a low-level supervisor.
26:27My salary is nowhere near tens of thousands a month.
26:29It's actually just $6,000.
26:31And all $6,000 goes toward paying off your maxed-out credit card.
26:34You're lying.
26:35That's impossible.
26:36Then what about the household expenses these past three years?
26:39What about this house's mortgage?
26:40Those tens of thousands bags you bought me, where did that money come from?
26:43Derek, don't scare your mother like this.
26:45What is actually going on here?
26:47It's all been Nathan's money.
26:49This house's mortgage for three years, the money for your bags, the household utilities,
26:53all of it Nathan earned.
26:54He was never poor at all.
26:55He's the real big boss in this family.
26:57It was you who insisted on splitting everything, and you drove away our family's cash cow.
27:01What?
27:02No, that can't be.
27:03What did you just say?
27:04That's impossible.
27:05All he ever did was play games.
27:07Shock washes over her, every ounce of strength draining from her body.
27:10Even the bag slips from her hand and falls to the floor.
27:12For a long moment, she can't even process what she's heard.
27:14The dull thud of the bag hitting the floor echoes through the dead silent living room.
27:18Her face turns as pale as paper.
27:20Mom stumbles out of the hallway, terror written across her face.
27:22Derek, what did you just say?
27:24Your brother has been paying the mortgage all three years?
27:26Where did he get that much money?
27:27A single illustration earns him hundreds of thousands.
27:30Every single thing this family has eaten, drunk, or used for three years came from his money.
27:34Mom, we drove away our own family's cash cow.
27:37If he had that much money, why didn't he say so sooner?
27:40He must have wanted to watch us make fools of ourselves, right?
27:43Derek, you're lying to me.
27:44Lying to you?
27:45Look at these bills yourself.
27:46Next month's mortgage, $12,000.
27:48Plus your $50,000 online loan.
27:50What are you going to pay it with?
27:51Your $4,000 yuan salary?
27:53Oh dear heavens.
27:54What sins have I committed to deserve this?
27:57We had it all right there and threw it away.
27:59We drove our own son out of the house.
28:01Vanessa, this is all your fault, insisting on splitting everything.
28:04Happy now?
28:04The family's entire savings gone.
28:07Don't play the wise one after the fact.
28:08When we kicked him out, you were the loudest one cheering.
28:11And now that he's rich, you suddenly want to climb back up to him.
28:14I'm not arguing with you.
28:15I need to call Nathan.
28:17I'm his mother.
28:17He can't just abandon me.
28:19His own brother is being driven to the edge.
28:21He couldn't possibly watch us fall apart and do nothing.
28:24The phone rings.
28:24You finally caught on.
28:26Even slower than I expected.
28:28I press the answer button.
28:29Hello Nathan.
28:30My darling son, you finally picked up.
28:32Mom missed you so much.
28:33Are you eating well out there on your own?
28:36Do you have enough money?
28:36Mom, just say what you need.
28:38If it's about that $15,000 and living expenses, I still can't afford it.
28:42Oh sweetheart, why are you still holding a grudge against your mother?
28:45Before it was all Vanessa's fault for not knowing any better.
28:48She's the one who insisted on splitting everything.
28:50Mom was fooled by her too.
28:52We're family after all.
28:53Blood is thicker than water.
28:55Family?
28:55Didn't you say you'd never support a dead weight like me?
28:58That was just anger talking.
28:59No mother truly hates her own son.
29:01Nathan, listen to your mother.
29:03Your brother is in serious trouble.
29:04The mortgage has lapsed.
29:05Collectors call every single day.
29:07You're so capable now.
29:08Earning hundreds of thousands per painting.
29:10Bring some money back right away and pay off your brother's mortgage.
29:13Huh?
29:13Hundreds of thousands?
29:14So Derek confessed everything after all.
29:16A shame it's too late.
29:17What does that have to do with me?
29:19The deed has his name on it.
29:20Why should I pay it?
29:21Nathan, how can you be so cold-hearted?
29:23He's your own brother.
29:24Would you really just stand by and let him jump off a building?
29:26You make so much money.
29:27What's wrong with helping the family out a little?
29:28Don't test me.
29:29I'll report you to the neighborhood committee for refusing to support your elderly parents.
29:33Go ahead and report me.
29:34While you're at it, tell them how you spent my money for the past three years.
29:37Bring along the bills of how you forced me to split every single cost too.
29:40Let everyone see exactly who's been bleeding who dry.
29:43Nathan, I'm begging you, please.
29:44Just cover this month's mortgage for now.
29:46It's only $12,000.
29:48That's pocket change for you.
29:49Mom, didn't you call me a freeloader?
29:51Where would a freeloader get money?
29:53I hang up right away.
29:53A harsh dial tone blares out from the phone.
29:56Mom suddenly feels all her strength give out.
29:58She sinks down onto the dusty floor.
30:00It's over.
30:01It's all over.
30:02Nathan even blocked my number.
30:03Who's going to pay this mortgage now?
30:05Our whole family is going to end up on the street.
30:07Crying won't help.
30:08Nathan carries the Lou family's blood in his veins.
30:11Now that he's rich, he just wants to walk away clean hands.
30:13Not a chance.
30:15Vanessa, do you have any other ideas?
30:16Doesn't he have a studio?
30:18Tomorrow I'll go make a scene at his office.
30:20I'm his own sister-in-law.
30:21An eldest sister-in-law deserves the respect of a mother.
30:24We'll see about that.
30:25He's running a business.
30:26Would he really dare throw me out in front of his entire staff?
30:30If he has no shame, well, I still need mine intact.
30:34I won't let this go.
30:35I'm making him pay off both the loan and the mortgage, whether he likes it or not.
30:39So she rushes to the building downstairs from my office.
30:41Open up.
30:42I need to go upstairs.
30:43Good afternoon, ma'am.
30:44Do you have an appointment?
30:46This is a private office area.
30:48Visitors need to register and be confirmed by the tenant before entry.
30:50I'm visiting my own brother-in-law and I need an appointment.
30:53Are you blind?
30:54You know the Nathan Liu who runs the studio upstairs?
30:57I'm his sister-in-law.
30:58Open the door now.
30:59If you delay our family reunion, can you take responsibility for that?
31:03I'm sorry, ma'am.
31:04Even for family members, Mr. Liu's personal authorization is required.
31:08Please give him a call to confirm first.
31:10I...
31:11My phone's dead.
31:12He's just been having a little tantrum with me these past few days.
31:15Kids can be immature sometimes.
31:16I came today to forgive his little outburst and bring him back home.
31:20An eldest sister-in-law deserves the respect of a mother, understand?
31:23Let me up there now.
31:24I'll speak to him myself face to face.
31:26Someone tell me if I'm wrong here.
31:28As his sister-in-law, I toiled and suffered to take care of him for three years.
31:32And now that he's made some money, he turns his back on family.
31:35Won't even come home anymore.
31:36I came today to teach him a lesson in decency.
31:39An eldest sister-in-law deserves the respect of a mother?
31:41She's hardly in a position to talk about family loyalty.
31:44Having a nerve this thick is, honestly, a rare talent all its own.
31:49Manager Zhang, someone is causing a disturbance in the lobby.
31:52It's seriously disrupting my work environment.
31:54I don't know this person.
31:56Handle it with the highest level security protocol.
31:58Get out of my way.
31:59Don't test me, or I'll get Nathan to have you fired.
32:02Ma'am, Mr. Liu says he doesn't know you.
32:04Please leave immediately.
32:05Vanessa's eyes go wide.
32:07And flushed with humiliation and rage, she reaches out a perfectly manicured hand.
32:11To shove the burly security guard blocking her path.
32:13The guard stands firm as a wall, not budging an inch.
32:16I'm his own sister-in-law.
32:17An eldest sister-in-law deserves the respect of a mother.
32:20Who do you think you are?
32:21Daring to stop me?
32:22Get out of my way.
32:23Ma'am, please conduct yourself with respect.
32:26This is a private office area.
32:27Without authorization from the tenant, no one is permitted to enter.
32:31Authorization?
32:32I'm visiting my own brother-in-law.
32:34Why would I need authorization?
32:35Let me tell you something.
32:36This building's rent is paid with our family's money.
32:38You're nothing but a gatekeeper.
32:40I'll have Nathan fire you on the spot.
32:42Don't test me.
32:43Ma'am, please lower your voice.
32:44You're seriously disrupting other companies' work in this building.
32:47Don't blame us if we have to get forceful.
32:49Disrupting?
32:50I came here today to demand justice.
32:52I, a modern independent woman, worked myself to the bone running this family's household
32:56for three years.
32:57And now that he's made it big, he just kicks the whole family aside without a second thought.
33:02Won't even cover the family's mortgage anymore.
33:03Where's the justice in that?
33:05This woman's dressed head, to toe in designer wear.
33:07How can she be this unreasonable?
33:09Calling herself independent, yet running to her brother-in-law for mortgage money.
33:13What a spectacle.
33:14What are you all staring at?
33:15Never seen someone teach their own family a lesson before?
33:17Nathan, you spineless coward.
33:19Get down here.
33:20Fine.
33:21You won't let me up there?
33:22Then I'll just stay right here.
33:23Let's see if Nathan dares to come out.
33:25I sit back in my wide, deep leather swivel chair, coolly watching the screen.
33:28On the screen, Vanessa carries on like a clown, shouting and thrashing about in the lobby.
33:32Independent woman, independence built entirely on my money.
33:35Just then, a sharp burst of static crackles from the lobby's overhead speaker.
33:38My voice rings out clearly across the entire hall.
33:41Everyone can hear it.
33:42Security team, if this woman continues to disrupt normal office operations,
33:45call the legal department directly.
33:47Nathan, so you finally dare to speak up.
33:49Tell them to let me through, right now.
33:50I continue, contact my personal attorney.
33:52On grounds of severe reputational harm and public disturbance,
33:55send her a formal legal notice immediately.
33:57Every financial loss caused by this disruption, charge every cent of it to her.
34:01Nathan, you heartless creature.
34:02You dare sue me?
34:03I'm your sister-in-law.
34:05Courts don't get involved, in family matters.
34:07Let go of me.
34:08What are you doing?
34:09You're hurting me.
34:10Help.
34:11Someone's assaulting me.
34:12Ma'am, please leave immediately.
34:13My bag, my limited edition bag fell on the floor.
34:16Nathan, just you wait.
34:17This isn't over between us.
34:18The heavy glass door swings open.
34:20Once outside, the security guards release their grip on her.
34:23Vanessa's legs suddenly give out beneath her,
34:24and she crumples in a heap onto the scorching steps outside the entrance.
34:28Ow, that hurts so much.
34:29My foot.
34:30You bunch of arrogant security guards.
34:32What are you all staring at?
34:33Keep staring and see what happens.
34:35Nathan, how dare you treat me like this today?
34:37I'll make Derek cut off all contact with you the moment I get home.
34:40With trembling hands, Vanessa opens her phone screen.
34:43The cold glow lights up her bloodless face.
34:45Packed across the screen,
34:47are screenshot after screenshot of coworkers and relatives demanding answers.
34:50This, this can't be.
34:52How dare they leak my contact list?
34:54How dare they?
34:55Ms. Lynn, if the $50,000 isn't paid in full by 3 p.m.,
34:59the next mass message to your friends and family will be the video of you holding your
35:02ID during the loan application.
35:04You wouldn't dare.
35:04That's a privacy violation.
35:06My husband is a corporate executive.
35:08I'll have my lawyer sue you into bankruptcy.
35:10Don't test me.
35:11An executive?
35:11Ha!
35:12Your husband can't even cover a 6,000 yuan credit card minimum payment.
35:15Some executive, that is.
35:17Don't bother putting on airs with us.
35:18Get the money together, now.
35:19Or this afternoon we'll hang a banner outside your office.
35:22Don't you dare go to my office.
35:24I'm getting it.
35:24I'm working on it.
35:25It's just 50,000.
35:26You think I can't cover a small amount like that?
35:29Enough talk.
35:30If we don't see the payment by 3, you'll bear the consequences yourself.
35:33On my wide, solid wood desk, my phone screen suddenly lights up.
35:36An anonymous text message pops up.
35:38Leaking her contact list already.
35:40This collection agency's efficiency is putting Derek's fundraising speed to shame.
35:43The bubble of vanity is finally about to burst.
35:45Mr. Liu, your sister-in-law's contact list has been leaked over the online loan.
35:49Even the emergency contact number you listed received a message.
35:52Would you like us to send a legal notice to formally disassociate you?
35:55No need.
35:56Don't bother responding.
35:57Just block the number.
35:58They're too busy drowning to worry about anyone else right now.
36:01Let's just enjoy the show.
36:02Once she's dragged Derek down completely.
36:04Understood.
36:05The voice on the other end continues.
36:06I've already filed the lawsuit for the 80,000 equipment damage claim.
36:10The summons will be delivered soon.
36:11Thank you, Attorney Lin.
36:12Proceed as planned.
36:13Not a single cent less.
36:15Vanessa's phone buzzes relentlessly like a summons from the grave.
36:18She fumbles to unlock the screen.
36:20Messages flood the company group chat non-stop.
36:22Oh my goodness.
36:23She's always posting Starbucks in the group chat or high-end spa sessions, and now she can't
36:27even pay off 50,000?
36:29The debt collectors even called me.
36:30Let me explain.
36:31That's just a scam message.
36:33I never took out any online loan.
36:35Someone must be jealous of me and deliberately targeting me, framing me as a fraud.
36:39Oh, still keeping up the act.
36:40They even sent the video of you holding your ID for the loan disbursement.
36:43Is that video fake too?
36:44So that 28,000 bag was bought with a high-interest loan.
36:48You always acted so above it all.
36:50Guess you really went all out.
36:51All of you shut up.
36:52That video is faked.
36:53My husband has plenty of money.
36:55Why would I ever need to borrow money?
36:57You're all just jealous my life is better than yours.
36:59Vanessa?
37:00There's no point in denying it any further.
37:02Debt collectors have flooded our front desk and sales department with calls.
37:05It's seriously disrupted normal company operations.
37:08Sir, please, hear me out.
37:10I'll pay it back this afternoon.
37:11Don't listen to their nonsense.
37:13No need to wait until afternoon.
37:15Because of your severe personal debt issues, which have seriously damaged the company's
37:18reputation, you are formally terminated effective now.
37:21Have accounting clear out your belongings this afternoon.
37:24And don't tell anyone you ever worked here.
37:26It's an embarrassment.
37:27Vanessa collapses onto the sidewalk amid the bustling crowd.
37:30The phone in her hand buzzes wildly, like a curse.
37:33She fumbles to hit answer, her fingertips trembling violently.
37:36Hello, honey.
37:37Vanessa, where have you been?
37:39Debt collectors are camped, right outside our door.
37:41They said if we don't pay, they'll seize the house.
37:44Why are you yelling at me?
37:45I got fired from my job.
37:46All because you couldn't help pay off my loan.
37:49I've lost all my face.
37:50You got fired.
37:51Then who's paying off your 50,000?
37:53And where's next month's mortgage coming from?
37:55This family is going to end up living on the street.
37:57How would I know?
37:58You're the man.
37:59Figure it out.
37:59Didn't you say Nathan makes money from his illustrations?
38:02Go ask him for money.
38:03Ask him?
38:04He's even blocked mom's number.
38:05Wait, illustrations?
38:07Yes, his drawings.
38:08What drawings?
38:09Can that junk actually sell for money?
38:11He moved out, but there's still a backup computer in the storage room.
38:14There must be unfinished client commissions on it.
38:16Any single illustration could sell for over 100,000.
38:19Derek, the debt collectors outside just left.
38:21What are we going to do?
38:22Maybe I should go back home and lie low.
38:24You've dragged your sister into this mess, smashed our family's equipment,
38:27and now you want to run off?
38:28Come help.
38:29Help with what?
38:30I don't have money to pay off your debts.
38:32I don't need your money.
38:33Nathan's backup computer is in the storage room.
38:35If we can just pull out those illustrations and sell them, we'll be saved.
38:38Fine, but you owe me a cut for my travel money.
38:40I sit at my wide solid wood desk,
38:43coolly watching the high-definition surveillance footage on my secondary screen.
38:46Derek charges into the storage room like a rabid dog.
38:49So it's finally come to this, even daring to steal trade secrets now.
38:52Mr. Liu, the 80,000 equipment damage lawsuit has been served.
38:56Also, you mentioned they might touch your backup computer.
38:58Correct.
38:58I deliberately left several discarded, half-finished sketches on that machine.
39:02Plenty tempting enough for them.
39:04Understood.
39:05The moment he attempts to transfer that data,
39:06the massive breach of contract penalty in the confidentiality agreement will hit them hard.
39:10Thank you, Attorney Lynn.
39:12Proceed as planned.
39:13The moment he dares to take that data, file the lawsuit immediately for trade secret infringement.
39:17Let him face an astronomical damages claim.
39:20Derek storms into the dust-covered storage room,
39:22shoving aside the drawing display that Kevin had already ruined.
39:24He digs frantically under the desk.
39:26Derek, hurry up.
39:27If he comes back, we're finished.
39:28Shut up.
39:29I'm looking for the tower.
39:30Where's the computer tower?
39:31Derek, is that black box under the table with the flashing lights the one?
39:35Yes.
39:35That's it.
39:36Help me pull it out quick.
39:37This is our lifeline, worth over a hundred thousand.
39:40Joy flashes across Derek's face.
39:42He yanks the power cord from the backup computer,
39:45the plug dragging across the dust-covered floor.
39:47In the corner of the shelving unit, a tiny hidden camera flickers once.
39:50Right after, three evenly spaced knocks sound at the front door.
39:54Who's out there?
39:54Derek, are the debt collectors back again?
39:56Let's pretend we didn't hear it.
39:58Debt collectors pound on the door.
39:59This person knocked.
40:00Something's off.
40:01Hide the tower in the cabinet, quick.
40:02I'll go check.
40:03Derek cracks the security door open just a sliver.
40:06I stand outside, dressed in a crisp shirt, my expression unreadable.
40:09Behind me stands Attorney Lin in a sharp suit,
40:11along with Mrs. Wang from the neighborhood committee, all smiles.
40:13Nathan, why are you back?
40:15What, afraid I'll interrupt you moving my own belongings?
40:17Oh, Nathan, you've finally shown up.
40:19Your brother's been so worried his hair's turning gray.
40:21Your brother, oh wait, no, your sister-in-law's brother.
40:24Listen to some advice.
40:26You're all family.
40:27Blood is thicker than water.
40:28It's just a few broken plastic toys and a black glass panel, isn't it?
40:32Let it go.
40:33Mrs. Wang, if someone smashed tens of thousands worth of your appliances,
40:37would you also just look away?
40:39Ha, tens of thousands.
40:40You're exaggerating, dear.
40:42Those were just a few little trinkets.
40:43How could they be worth that much?
40:45You know how hard things are for your brother right now.
40:47Just consider it helping the family out.
40:49Attorney Lin, show her exactly what those plastic toys are worth.
40:52Helping out?
40:53By smashing my property to help them out?
40:55Understood, Mr. Liu.
40:56Mr. Derek Liu.
40:57Mr. Kevin Lin.
40:59According to a professional appraisal,
41:00the maliciously damaged professional drawing display is valued at 30,000 yuan.
41:04Additionally, the discontinued limited edition figures
41:07and the climate-controlled cabinet are valued at 52,000 yuan.
41:11Total damage is exactly 82,000 yuan.
41:13Ha ha ha, 82,000.
41:15You've lost your mind from being broke.
41:16You hired some background actor, put him in a suit,
41:19and think a few fake receipts can extort me?
41:21You think I scare that easily?
41:23Those things, I wouldn't even pay $9.99 for them.
41:2682,000, give me a break.
41:27What are you going to do about it?
41:29Kevin, be quiet.
41:30Nathan, what are you doing?
41:31Are you really going to take this this far?
41:33I'm simply following the legal process for a claim.
41:36Since you believe these receipts are fake, you can explain that to the judge.
41:39I have nothing more to say.
41:40Kevin keeps his mocking smile plastered on,
41:43hands on his hips, leg bouncing restlessly.
41:45Attorney Lin walks straight up to him, document in hand, and says,
41:49Mr. Kevin Lin, given your refusal to negotiate a settlement,
41:52here is a copy of the civil lawsuit we have formally filed with the People's Court.
41:56Take a good look.
41:57What?
41:57You're actually serious?
41:59Kevin stares fixedly at the bright red official seal,
42:02his legs suddenly buckling.
42:03He stumbles backward, his back slamming hard against the dusty wall.
42:07You're... you're really serious?
42:08Over a few plastic toys?
42:10You're actually suing me?
42:11Mr. Lin, it's written in black and white, clear as day.
42:14Physical evidence is complete.
42:16Furthermore, given that you were temporarily residing in property under Derek Liu's name,
42:20brought in by Vanessa Lin herself,
42:22should you refuse or be unable to pay,
42:24as the actual tenant and the one who housed you,
42:26Derek Liu and Vanessa Lin will bear joint and several liability for the $82,000.
42:30What?
42:31What does this have to do with me?
42:32Nathan, that's Vanessa's own brother.
42:34Every debt has its own debtor.
42:36Go after him for it.
42:37Oh dear, now it's gone to court.
42:38That's beyond what I can, Dull.
42:40I've got soup on the stove.
42:42You'll have to sort out your own family matters.
42:44Derek, see that?
42:44Even the neighborhood committee wants nothing to do with this.
42:47Three days.
42:48Either pay in full or see us in court.
42:50Sunlight spills into the cluttered apartment.
42:52Vanessa, still in a rumpled nightgown,
42:53yawns and pushes open the spare bedroom door.
42:55Kevin, what time is it and you're still sleeping?
42:57Get up already.
42:58I'll take you out to lie low from the debt collectors.
43:00Kevin?
43:01Kevin, stop calling, he's gone.
43:02He ran off last night, in the middle of the night.
43:05Gone?
43:05Where could he possibly go?
43:06He's my own brother.
43:07There's no way he'd leave me here alone.
43:09Take a good look yourself.
43:10He's gone.
43:11That 82,000 debt is ours to carry now.
43:14On top of your loan, and my mortgage.
43:16Are you trying to drive me to my grave?
43:17That's impossible.
43:19I'll call him right now.
43:20He's probably just out getting breakfast.
43:22He's probably blocked your number.
43:23That's the precious brother you protected.
43:25You lorded over this house for his sake,
43:28and he sold you out completely over 80,000 yuan.
43:30I hold a cup of black coffee,
43:32leaning back in my spacious leather chair.
43:34On the screen, the surveillance footage from the apartment's living room plays out clearly.
43:38I watch that couple's despair unfold.
43:40Family bonds truly crumble the moment self-interest comes into play.
43:43Mr. Liu, just as you predicted,
43:45Kevin bought a hard seat ticket home late last night.
43:47The joint liability notice has now officially taken effect.
43:50Good work.
43:51Keep a close eye on Derek.
43:52He's already been pushed to the edge of the cliff.
43:54A desperate man doing something reckless is only a matter of days now.
43:57Understood.
43:58The moment he touches the data on your backup machine,
44:00Our combined criminal and civil lawsuit can launch immediately.
44:03There will be no way out for him then.
44:05Derek's phone buzzes relentlessly,
44:07like a debt come to collect his soul.
44:09Collection agency numbers flash across the screen one after another.
44:12He hurls the phone furiously onto the sofa.
44:1480,000, 50,000, 12,000.
44:16Where am I supposed to find this money?
44:18It's over.
44:18Everything's over.
44:19My bag is gone.
44:20My job is gone.
44:21No, it's not over yet.
44:23We can still turn this around.
44:25As long as we get the money, we can flip this whole situation.
44:28Derek's eyes turn bloodshot and he lunges at the backup computer in the corner like
44:31a gambler who's lost everything.
44:33His trembling finger slams down on the power button.
44:35The case fan whirs to life with a dull roar.
44:38Have you lost your mind?
44:39Kevin already ruined that computer screen.
44:41What's the point of turning it on?
44:42You don't understand a thing.
44:43As long as the tower itself is intact, it's fine.
44:46Nathan used to say that any single one of his unpublished illustrations could sell for
44:50over 100,000.
44:51We'll sell these off.
44:52100,000?
44:53Would that cover my loan and the 80,000 damages?
44:56More than enough.
44:57If we sell these core files on the black market, we could even pay off the mortgage in one
45:01shot.
45:01But wouldn't this count as stealing?
45:03What if that heartless Nathan sends a lawyer after us?
45:05We'd be finished.
45:06This isn't stealing.
45:07I'm his own brother.
45:09An elder brother deserves the respect of a father.
45:12What's wrong with using a few of his drawings?
45:13Call it resource sharing.
45:15He ate off this family, lived off this family for three years.
45:18Taking a bit of his work to settle the debt is only fair.
45:20I lean back in my leather chair, not the slightest bit rattled, because I already saw this coming.
45:24The screen in front of me shows not just the living room feed, but the main monitor mirrors
45:28every mouse click and file transfer on that computer in real time.
45:32Everything is entirely within my control.
45:34Greed truly is the finest poison for destroying reason.
45:36It only took him a few tries to guess the password.
45:39Does he really think that machine was ever meant to be casually touched?
45:41Mr. Liu.
45:42The anti-tampering monitoring software has fully recorded his transaction chat logs.
45:46We have a clear trail of his every move.
45:48The buyer he contacted is a notorious trade secret trafficker in the industry.
45:51How would you like us to proceed?
45:53I ask, what's the buyer offering?
45:54The reply comes $200,000.
45:56The moment he hits send, this transaction constitutes criminal trade secret infringement.
46:00Given the large sum involved, he'll face an astronomical breach of contract claim,
46:05and possibly even prison time.
46:06Let him send it.
46:07Trigger the failsafe the exact moment he thinks he's been saved.
46:10Let him learn the price of what he's done.
46:12The cold glow of the transaction interface flickers on the screen.
46:15Derek freezes in place, staring fixedly at the buyer's incoming message.
46:18You see that?
46:19$200,000 is about to hit our account.
46:20I'm about to turn everything around.
46:22Honey, you're amazing.
46:23With this money, we can pay off those debt collectors immediately.
46:27Honey, we're rich again.
46:28We have money.
46:29There'll even be enough left over for a new bag to wash off the bad luck.
46:32Right.
46:33And once the money's in, we'll trade up to a bigger house, and live an even better life.
46:37Let that little brute Nathan cry over his junk all he wants.
46:39Just then the computer screen goes suddenly black.
46:42What's going on?
46:43Why won't it send?
46:44Why did this junk computer freeze?
46:46What does this red text mean?
46:47Action logged.
46:48Derek, did you press the wrong thing?
46:49That's impossible.
46:50It was almost sent through just now.
46:52$200,000 so close.
46:54You're pathetic.
46:54Can't even send a file properly.
46:56Restart it quick.
46:57If the buyer walks away, how are we supposed to pay off the loan?
46:59I lean back in my leather chair, watching Derek's furious, panicked expression on the screen.
47:04A deep sense of satisfaction settles over me.
47:06My fingers calmly press the enter key on the keyboard.
47:09Did you really think my computer was that easy to break into?
47:11Mr. Liu, the remote lockdown command has taken effect.
47:14The compressed file he tried to send has been fully intercepted on the back end.
47:18And the transfer log has been extracted.
47:20Excellent.
47:21Are the transaction chat logs and IP address secured?
47:24Everything is fully secured.
47:26The chain of evidence is airtight.
47:27The client company's legal team has already drafted the documents overnight.
47:31There's no escape for him now.
47:32We can move first thing tomorrow morning.
47:34Then let him have one last, peaceful night.
47:37Tomorrow, I'll show him what true despair really feels like.
47:40The next day, Derek, dark circles under his eyes,
47:42steps out of the run-down apartment building with Vanessa in tow.
47:44Attorney Lin and several suited legal representatives
47:46immediately step forward surrounding the two of them.
47:49A wave of panic hits Derek.
47:51What?
47:51Who are you people?
47:52Debt collectors have no right to block our door.
47:54Let me tell you.
47:55I'm about to have money any moment now.
47:57Exactly.
47:58If you don't move aside, I'll call the neighborhood committee.
48:01Derek.
48:01Vanessa.
48:02Off to scrounge up money this early?
48:04Nathan, why did you bring all these people?
48:05What exactly are you trying to do?
48:08Nathan quit the theatrics.
48:09You think a few people in suits can scare us?
48:11Let me tell you.
48:12We're about to have 200,000.
48:14200,000?
48:15From selling off the final AAA core character file on my computer?
48:19Is that it?
48:19How do you know about that computer?
48:21That's impossible.
48:22Attorney Lin helped them wake up to reality.
48:24Mr. Derek Liu, good morning.
48:25This is the complete chain of evidence documenting your attempt last night to steal and sell our
48:29clients' core trade secrets, including your operation logs and transaction chat records.
48:34Take a look for yourself.
48:35All of it has already been notarized.
48:37What trade secrets?
48:38They're just a few crummy drawings.
48:40What's wrong with using them to cover the family's mortgage?
48:42A few crummy drawings, is that it?
48:43Derek.
48:44Let your own eyes read this confidentiality agreement, this breach of contract notice.
48:49The penalty is 500.
48:50500,000?
48:51You've lost your mind from being broke.
48:53Nathan.
48:54This is extortion.
48:55These were draft files from a client company's S-tier confidential project.
48:58You attempted to sell them to a trade secret trafficker,
49:01putting the entire project at severe risk of exposure.
49:04500,000 is only the starting figure.
49:06No.
49:06This can't be real.
49:07Nathan, I'm your own brother.
49:08You're trying to drive me to my death.
49:10This has nothing to do with me.
49:12He's the one who stole it.
49:13I don't know anything about this.
49:15I coldly step back half a pace, dodging Derek's hands as he lunges to grab at my legs.
49:19He grasps at nothing, sprawling face down onto the cold concrete in a humiliating heap.
49:23I looked down at him from above, not a trace of pity left in my eyes.
49:26Nathan, I truly know I was wrong.
49:29500,000?
49:30You couldn't scrape together 500,000 even if you sold me.
49:33We're real brothers.
49:34You can't push me to a dead end like this.
49:36Real brothers?
49:37When you were stealing my trade secrets to sell them off,
49:39did you think of me as your real brother then?
49:41Nathan, this has absolutely nothing to do with me.
49:43He's the one who lost his mind and stole it.
49:45Every debt has its own debtor.
49:47Don't drag me into this.
49:48Vanessa, that's a lie.
49:49If you hadn't pressured me every single day to pay off your loan,
49:51would I have ever touched his computer?
49:53Trying to distance yourself now?
49:55Not a chance.
49:56You can't earn money yourself and now you're blaming me?
49:59I'm your wife.
50:00Supporting me is only natural.
50:01And now you've caused a disaster this massive.
50:03We're getting a divorce.
50:05Right now.
50:05That's enough.
50:06Stop putting on this pity performance.
50:08You two genuinely can't cover 500,000.
50:11But don't you still have a house?
50:12Nathan, you can forget about the house.
50:14The deed has Derek's name on it.
50:16It's our joint marital property.
50:17If you dare touch this house, I'll take you to court for robbery.
50:20Attorney Lynn, please give my legally clueless sister-in-law a quick lesson.
50:23Ms. Lynn, I'm afraid you're mistaken.
50:25While this property is registered under Derek Liu's name,
50:27the actual funds for it came entirely from our client.
50:30Derek slumps to the ground, staring fixedly at the transaction records.
50:34Her face turns whiter than paper.
50:35Vanessa's eyes go wide with shock.
50:37Here are three full years of transfer records.
50:39Accurate down to every single transaction.
50:41From the $800,000 down payment to the $12,000 monthly installments,
50:45every payment was transferred directly from Mr. Nathan Liu's personal account
50:48into the loan repayment account.
50:49No, that's impossible.
50:51This house was bought by Derek.
50:52Derek, say something.
50:53Didn't you tell me this was your own savings?
50:55I never had any money.
50:56My whole salary went toward your bags and your beauty treatments.
50:59The truth is Nathan paid for this house.
51:01You liar.
51:02You've been deceiving me for three years.
51:03You're not just useless.
51:05You're a penniless nobody who doesn't even own a house.
51:07Therefore, I have already formally filed for a court order to freeze the property today.
51:11This house has nothing to do with you two.
51:12It will be legally divided and auctioned off.
51:14To cover the equipment damages you caused,
51:16the joint liability from the online loan,
51:18and the breach of contract penalty for the trade secret theft.
51:21Derek, you son of a bitch.
51:22You've ruined me completely.
51:24Divorce.
51:25We're getting divorced today.
51:26I won't shoulder a single cent of your debt.
51:28Divorce?
51:28Wishful thinking.
51:29You money-wasting shrew.
51:30If it weren't for your vanity,
51:32obsessing over that split-everything rule every single day,
51:35insisting on driving Nathan out,
51:36would I have ever ended up like this?
51:38You're the one who destroyed this family.
51:40Let go of me, you spineless loser.
51:41Let go.
51:42This farce can finally come to an end.
51:44Mr. Liu,
51:44here's the consent form for the forced disposal of the property.
51:47Just sign here.
51:48I'll handle the rest of the process personally.
51:50Thank you for your patience.
51:51Let's go.
51:52Back to the studio.
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