- 1 week ago
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🦄
CreativityTranscript
00:02On my 80th birthday, I died of pure rage on the living room floor of the Romano estate.
00:08I had spent 60 years turning the Romanos from a notorious mafia family into a global business empire.
00:14The moment I signed my inheritance over to my children, they showed their true faces.
00:19They announced that Sophia's ashes would take my place in the Romano family tomb.
00:24She was another adopted girl to became Dante's wife, and Dante Ip loved her.
00:28And mine would be grounded to dog food.
00:31I choked up blood and collapsed to the floor.
00:33As I lay there dying, I looked up at Dante.
00:36His eyes were ice cold, full of hatred.
00:39And in that moment, I understood.
00:41This was his revenge, because Sophia had died on the day of our wedding.
00:45He had always blamed me.
00:47He believed I had arranged the accident from the shadows.
00:50In the end, he watched me die of rage right in front of him.
00:53But I woke up again at 20.
00:55Back to the day the Romano family gathered to choose Dante's wife.
00:59The godfather, my adoptive father, Don Romano, sat at the far end of the room.
01:03Dante, you're not getting any younger.
01:06It's time to choose your wife.
01:07Tell us, Sophia or Elena.
01:10I'll bet Dante picks Elena.
01:12He's been following her around since they were kids.
01:15In composure and intelligence, I had always been the better choice over Sophia.
01:19That's why I became Dante's wife in my past life.
01:21But in this life, the way Dante looked at me, it wasn't just coldness.
01:26It was hatred.
01:27Right then I knew.
01:28He had been reborn too.
01:30Since he had already made up his mind about Sophia.
01:33Fine, let them have each other.
01:35All the way to hell.
01:36I stood up.
01:37I know my own limits.
01:39I am not worthy of Dante.
01:40So, I'm stepping down.
01:42Dante clearly froze.
01:43But, he said nothing.
01:45Turned and walked out of the meeting room.
01:47I knew where he was going.
01:48At this point in time, Sophia had not yet died in that car crash.
01:52There was still time.
01:55Sixty years of marriage.
01:56And it had only ever been a joke.
01:58Elena!
01:59Don Romano's voice came from the far end of the room.
02:02What did you just say?
02:03I raised my head and looked at this man who had raised me like his own daughter.
02:07Don Romano.
02:08Since Dante already has someone in his heart.
02:12I am withdrawing from this engagement.
02:14They both understood what Dante's sudden exit meant.
02:17I went back to my room and started packing.
02:20The next morning, I opened my phone.
02:22The entire screen was covered with news.
02:26Dante Romano and Sophia Caruso had publicly announced their engagement.
02:31In the photos, smiling like spring sunlight, Dante held her close.
02:35His eyes full of a tenderness I had never once seen directed at me.
02:39I scrolled past every photo without changing expression.
02:42By noon, voices rose from the courtyard below.
02:45I stood by the window and watched Dante walk Sophia through the estate gates, side by side,
02:51as if the entire estate already belonged to them.
02:54Moments later, angry voices erupted from the direction of the study.
02:58Father, I already said it.
02:59I chose Sophia.
03:00So why is Elena still listed as chief jewelry designer?
03:02The jewelry division has always been Elena's responsibility.
03:05She is clean.
03:06If we replace her overnight, the FBI will focus on us again.
03:09I don't care.
03:10I've already made my decision.
03:13Sophia is the future wife of the Romano family.
03:17Are you really going to trust an outsider?
03:20Over your own son's choice?
03:22Romano jewelry was the family's most important legitimate business,
03:26built during their years of going to clean up.
03:28In my past life, under my management, Romano jewelry had swallowed three of Europe's oldest jewelry houses.
03:36It was what finally let the Romano group shed the last shadow of the Mafia.
03:40Dante knew that better than anyone.
03:42Thank you, Donna.
03:44The butler led me to the study.
03:45Don Romano, looking older than I remembered.
03:49Elena, there is something I need to discuss with you.
03:52Don Romano, there's no need, I understand.
03:54He looked up at me, surprise, then turned into deeper and sadder.
03:59He had raised me, protected me, and treated me like his own daughter.
04:03But now even he could not stop the tide.
04:06He was too old to continue running everything himself.
04:09The family needed a successor.
04:11That was Dante.
04:12Don Romano let out a long sigh.
04:14The jewelry business has always been yours.
04:17Taking it from you so suddenly is not right.
04:20But you know Dante's temperament.
04:22He has always been more stubborn than I ever was.
04:26Don Romano, I understand.
04:29Inside are all the design files and handover documents for the current projects.
04:33The access codes are included.
04:35Dante already knows them.
04:36It was a Romano family heirloom.
04:38It represented the future wife of the family.
04:40I had worn it since I was 18.
04:42In my previous life, it had never once left my wrist.
04:46Don Romano, I am grateful for everything these years have given me.
04:50The study door flew open.
04:51Dante walked in, with Sofia right behind him.
04:54Father, is it settled?
04:56He came straight to Don Romano's side without looking at me once.
04:59Don Romano pushed the files and the bracelet forward.
05:03Elena has already agreed to the handover.
05:05Before Dante could even react, Sofia snatched up the bracelet.
05:09Her face lit up with unconcealed triumph.
05:12Wait.
05:13Elena, are you trying to go back on your word?
05:15This contains the core intelligence of the jewelry's operation.
05:18It includes confidential agreement turns with several critical suppliers.
05:22Dante took the folder and started flipping through it.
05:25His face grew darker the more he read.
05:27If these details are mishandled, the Romano group could suffer catastrophic losses.
05:31But I'm sure Sofia is more than capable of managing them.
05:34Sofia forces a confident smile.
05:36You worry too much.
05:37I know exactly what I'm doing.
05:39Sofia's only real skill was knowing which latest Chanel to charge to a card.
05:44She knew nothing about design, business negotiations, and no idea how to make old money nobles sign with a mafia
05:51family.
05:53Romano jewelry's success was built on every design sketch I drew, every negotiation I sat through.
05:59Not a single step could be skipped.
06:01You may leave.
06:03From today on, the Romano group has nothing to do with you.
06:07I was just about to turn and go, but Sofia suddenly spoke.
06:10Hold on.
06:11I stopped.
06:13Since Elena has lost her place, she's no longer a member of the Romano family, is she?
06:17By the rules, she shouldn't be taking anything the family gave her.
06:21She should leave with nothing.
06:25Dante, don't you agree?
06:27I fixed my gaze on Dante.
06:29Is this what you want?
06:30Dante stood there, the color in his face shifting.
06:33His eyes slid away from mine.
06:35Those few seconds of silence said everything.
06:38Enough!
06:39Elena has lived in this house for 20 years.
06:41Even without the title of wife, she is half a Romano.
06:44Father, Sofia is right.
06:46If the decision has been made, it should be made completely, clean and final.
06:50I laughed.
06:51Don Romano, since this is Dante's decision, I respect it.
06:55I looked at Dante.
06:56He turned his face away.
06:57Since we've come this far, some things need to be settled.
07:00I took over Romano jewelry at 18.
07:03From then until now, exactly five years.
07:07Year one, my jewelry designs won the federal annual grand prize.
07:12Revenue, 300 million.
07:16Net profit, 40 million.
07:19Year two, I broke into the European auction cycle.
07:22Revenue, 800 million.
07:25Net profit, 120 million.
07:27Year three, I brought Romano jewelry into the Middle Eastern royal market.
07:32Year four, I got the Romano group onto the legitimate business wealth rankings.
07:36For the first time ever.
07:38Year five, I helped the family cut its last underground funding chain.
07:43I listed them out Don Romano's expression grew heavier.
07:47Over five years, the net profit I generated for the Romano family exceeded two billion.
07:53He knew better than anyone what those numbers meant.
07:55In our previous life, the Romano family rose to the top of the world's elite.
08:00The Romano family raised me for 20 years.
08:03I made this family two billion.
08:04That debt is settled today.
08:07We're even.
08:08The Romano family owes me nothing.
08:09I owe the Romano family nothing.
08:11I leave with nothing.
08:12From this day forward, we have no ties.
08:14Pretty words.
08:15But can you really call this leaving with nothing?
08:21This custom gown, at least a hundred thousand, right?
08:26This watch, starting price, a million.
08:31And this, limited edition Bugatti, over ten million.
08:36Every single one of these was bought with the Romano family's money, wasn't it?
08:41I let her pull something really at me.
08:43My eyes stayed on Dante, Ace.
08:45Dante, all these years between us, are they really worth nothing at all?
08:50I thought that being reborn would mean I had completely let go.
08:53But in this moment, it still felt like a knife carving into my chest.
08:57Still so painful I could barely breathe.
09:00Then, I pushed every feeling down.
09:02You don't have to go this far.
09:03Don Romano.
09:04Rules are rules.
09:06Watch bag heels.
09:08Earrings, necklace.
09:09I took each one off.
09:10Set each one down neatly on the floor.
09:13Finally, I stood barefoot on the cold marble.
09:15When I began to reach for the zipper at the back of my gown.
09:18He finally could not stop himself from looking away.
09:22Enough!
09:23He could not bear it anymore.
09:25Elena, stop, please.
09:26I folded the dress carefully.
09:28Then, I set it on top of everything else.
09:30From this moment on, I am just myself.
09:32My name is Elena Vasquez.
09:34I am no longer the Romano family's ward.
09:36I walked out through the Romano estate's back entrance in nothing but my underwear.
09:40Outside.
09:40A mob of reporters had already gathered.
09:43No one knew when they had arrived.
09:44The moment they saw me, they surged forward.
09:46Miss Vasquez, how does it feel to be thrown out by the Romano?
09:49We heard you weren't even allowed to keep your underwear, is that true?
09:51The flashbulbs were blinding.
09:53I had to narrow my eyes against them.
09:54Please move aside.
09:55The crowd burst into laughter.
09:57One reporter at the front deliberately aimed his camera at the most private parts of my body.
10:01His face looked familiar.
10:02I was almost sure I had seen him at one of Sophia's birthday parties.
10:05I shielded myself with my arms and pushed through as fast as I could.
10:08Someone shoved me hard from behind.
10:10My side slammed against a sharp piece of stone.
10:12I forced myself up, kept moving.
10:18The reporters followed me like wolves.
10:20They would not stop.
10:22I turned into a narrow alley and finally lost them.
10:24When I came out the other side, a black Maybox was waiting at the curb.
10:28It blocked my path.
10:29The window lowered.
10:29A man's face appeared.
10:31He was impossibly handsome.
10:32Vincent Conti inside the car, sharp features, elegant suit, calm gaze.
10:35Mrs. Vasquez, I am Vincent Conti of the Conti family.
10:39He shrugged off his jacket, gently draped it over my shoulders.
10:42My grandfather would very much like to meet you.
10:44Would that be all right?
10:45I went still.
10:47Alina freezes.
10:48Vincent Conti.
10:49The most celebrated heir in the entire New Vance underworld.
11:01The Conti family, a dynasty so ancient and deep-rooted
11:07that in my previous life, I had spent 10 years fighting for a seat at their table.
11:14And now they were seeking me out.
11:17I straightened my spine.
11:18Then I gave a slow nod.
11:20It would be my honor.
11:22The next morning, inside the Romano Villa, Dante sat motionless before his phone.
11:27The top-trending story was about me.
11:29Romano family's ward, Elena Vasquez stripped of status, cast out, walks the streets half-naked.
11:34Disgraceful.
11:35An embarrassment to the city.
11:37Apparently, if it weren't for young master Romano's mercy, she wouldn't have kept even
11:41the clothes on her back.
11:43Dante's thumb pauses over the screen, expression unreadable.
11:47Yesterday, she was the Romano Group's chief designer.
11:49Today, she is lower than a beggar.
11:51What a fall.
11:53What is so surprising?
11:55Rich men's pet dogs all end up the same way sooner or later.
11:58Dante clicked the video without meaning to.
12:00The image of my bear, stumbling figure made something seize in his chest.
12:04Then the camera swept across my side.
12:06Blood was flowing freely from the wound.
12:08The camera lingered on an old scar across my abdomen.
12:11Dante's finger froze on the screen.
12:14Dante, what are you watching?
12:17Sofia wrapped her arms around him from behind, glanced at the screen.
12:20I spent a fortune getting 50 media outlets to wait for her.
12:24Worth every cent.
12:27Those reporters.
12:28You arranged that?
12:30Of course.
12:34Now all of Castelo City knows exactly what Elena Vasquez is.
12:38No one will have anything to say about your choice anymore.
12:41Dante forced a smile.
12:43The image of my blood-soaked side would not leave him.
12:46Seconds later, he pulled Sofia closer.
12:50What's wrong, Dante?
12:52Wasn't last night enough?
12:54Dante said nothing.
12:56He slowly ran one hand along her waist.
12:58Then they did again.
12:59But this time, Dante merely maintained a mechanical movement, his gaze fixed on Sofia's abdomen.
13:04Afterward, Sofia looked confused but still forced out a smile.
13:08Baby, you were amazing.
13:10That's already the third time.
13:12But Dante ignored her.
13:13He pushed her aside and pulled the video back up.
13:16He opened the video again and looked more carefully at my body.
13:19Sofia noticed his focus and spoke sourly.
13:22What is so fascinating?
13:23Parading around half-dressed in front of that many people.
13:26Shameless.
13:27Lucky she got thrown out when she did.
13:29Otherwise, she would have embarrassed the Romano name for years.
13:32Dante heard none of it.
13:33He was searching for something.
13:36After a moment, he pushed Sofia away.
13:41Then he ran upstairs to my empty bedroom.
13:44He found the storage box.
13:46He went through the photographs.
13:47There were pictures of the three of us from years ago.
13:50Thick album.
13:52I appeared in only one photo.
13:53It had been taken more than ten years ago on the coast near Castello City.
13:56In the picture, Dante sat on the sand holding Sofia's hand, grinning broadly.
14:00I stood apart at the edge of the frame.
14:02I was holding his swimming ring for him.
14:04I looked like a servant girl who did not belong there.
14:06Out of place in every corner of the image.
14:09But one thing was clear.
14:10Bandages were wrapped around my shoulder and around my abdomen.
14:14Dante went rigid.
14:16Mare crashed over him like cold water.
14:18That summer, he had sneaked to the hill behind the estate to play.
14:22Then he tumbled down the slope.
14:23His stomach slammed into a jagged rock.
14:25As his vision began to fade, a girl hauled him onto her back.
14:29The path down was rough.
14:31The pain in his belly was unbearable.
14:33Without thinking, he bit into her shoulder.
14:35Her skin split and bled.
14:37She did not make a sound.
14:39Instead, she said gently and steadily,
14:41Don't be afraid.
14:42The hospital is almost here.
14:45When Dante woke up, the first face he saw was Sophia's.
14:48The nurse told him a girl had carried him to the hospital in time.
14:51A rock had struck his kidney and caused severe internal bleeding.
14:55That girl had donated one of her own kidneys to save him.
14:58Because of a clotting disorder, she had nearly bled out on the operating table.
15:02Dante had asked Sophia from his hospital bed if she had saved him.
15:06Sophia went very still for a moment.
15:08But she did not deny it.
15:10Young Sophia frozen, fingers tightening around the bedsheet,
15:13lowers her eyes, silently accepting the credit.
15:16Dante kneel motionless in my bedroom.
15:19All the air seemed to leave his body.
15:21Now there was nothing he did not understand.
15:23He had always believed Sophia saved his life.
15:26That was why she held such a special place in his heart.
15:29Why her death had haunted him so deeply.
15:31And all this time, he had been wrong.
15:33Unforgivably wrong.
15:35Dante's legs gave out beneath him.
15:36The album slipped from his hands and hit the floor.
15:39He sank down against the wall.
15:41He whispered to no one.
15:42I was wrong about everything.
15:43All along, it had been me.
15:45That evening, the Romano Villa blazed with light.
15:48Relatives had gathered from every branch of the family.
15:51Their faces were bright with smiles.
15:53Their words were full of praise for Sophia.
15:55Sophia moved through the room like a queen accepting tribute.
15:58Dante walked at her side.
15:59His smile was slightly too careful.
16:01Once everyone was seated, one chair at the table remained empty.
16:05It was my chair.
16:06It had always been mine.
16:08Sophia noticed it immediately.
16:10Her expression turned dark.
16:11She released Dante's arm, walked toward the empty chair.
16:15With one deliberate shove, she sent it crashing to the floor.
16:18She turned on the elderly butler.
16:20What is the meaning of this?
16:22Forgive me, Miss Caruso.
16:24Setting a place for an outsider at a family occasion?
16:27Have you completely lost your mind?
16:29My oversight.
16:32I will remove it immediately.
16:34Silence fell over the dining room.
16:35The relatives glanced at one another.
16:37Some stared into their teacups.
16:39Some adjusted their napkins.
16:41No one dared say a word.
16:43Don Romano frowned.
16:45Donna Romano parts her lips.
16:46Expression conflicted.
16:48Just as the butler moved to take the chair away, Dante stood up.
16:51It's only an extra chair.
16:53His voice carried the full weight of a man used to being obeyed.
16:56Leave it.
16:59Sophia whirled toward him.
17:00Dante, what exactly are you saying?
17:03I'm saying what I said.
17:05He turned to the butler.
17:07Put it back.
17:08Yes, young master.
17:12We won't have people thinking the Romano family has so little grace.
17:16The butler straightened, gave a respectful nod.
17:19Sophia's face went white, then red, fists tightened at her sides.
17:23In the end, she smothered her anger, pressed a souled smile onto her face.
17:28Dante is right.
17:29I was being too sensitive.
17:31She returned to her seat.
17:32But when no one was watching, her eyes were venomous.
17:36Don Romano gave a small cough.
17:39It's a family gathering.
17:41Everyone relax.
17:42Cheers, everyone.
17:42The sound of glasses clinking temporarily covered the tension in the air.
17:46When dinner began, Sophia picked up a piece of fish, placed it in Dante's bowl.
17:51Her voice was soft.
17:52Dante, you've always loved fish.
17:55Try it.
17:56Dante stared at the fish in his bowl and suddenly thought of Elena.
17:59Every time there was fish, she would pick out every single bone first, then set it in front of him,
18:05then sighed.
18:06But right now, Sophia didn't even know he hated fish bones.
18:08The long table was packed with people, loud and lively on the surface.
18:13But without Elena here, Dante felt a cold loneliness he had never felt before.
18:18He pushed the food around his bowl, then set down his chopsticks.
18:22Everyone take your time.
18:24Pushed back his chair and stood up.
18:26Dante, are you alright?
18:31Just not feeling well.
18:32He didn't bother with her after that, turned and left.
18:35On his way upstairs, he passed my room.
18:38Something he could not name pulled him inside.
18:40He walked inside.
18:41The room had been gutted.
18:43Everything that had belonged to me was gone.
18:45It was as if I had never lived there at all.
18:48Dante felt a chill run through his entire body.
18:51A second later, fury exploded in his chest.
18:54He stormed back downstairs.
18:56In front of every family member, he demanded,
18:58Who touched Elena's room?
19:00The laughter in the dining room cut off instantly.
19:04The old butler glanced at Sophia.
19:07Young master, it was Miss Caruso who gave the order this afternoon.
19:13Sophia set down her utensils.
19:15Dante, why get so worked up over something so small?
19:20Elena said herself she was leaving with nothing.
19:23She has no use for that old junk.
19:26So I had it all packed up and sent to the scrapyard.
19:30The scrapyard.
19:31Sophia finally sensed something was wrong.
19:34But she still couldn't be bothered to care.
19:35It's just old clothes, old books, and old photos.
19:40She didn't even want them.
19:41Why let them take up space?
19:43Dante's chest heaved violently.
19:45His vision blurred at the edges.
19:47That so-called old junk included the photo album Elena had kept for years.
19:52The birthday gifts she had made for him with her own hands.
19:55The shells and leaves they had collected together as children.
19:5720 years of memory thrown into the garbage by Sophia without a second thought.
20:02He fast stared at Sophia and nearly shouted.
20:05Who gave you the right?
20:07That was her room.
20:09Her things.
20:11What made you think you could touch them?
20:14The entire dining room went dead silent.
20:16Everyone was stunned by Dante's sudden outburst.
20:20Sophia's smile curdled.
20:21Dante.
20:22Dante, today is the day I become a Loma Romano wife.
20:26And you're raising your voice at me over some outsider?
20:29Is that really appropriate?
20:30Dante let out a cold laugh.
20:32Outsider?
20:34Elena has lived in this house for 20 years.
20:37Who dares call her an outsider?
20:39The words hit Sophia across the face.
20:41All her smug satisfaction vanished.
20:44Her voice turned icy.
20:45Have you forgotten, Dante?
20:46Who chose me instead of her?
20:49Who personally told her to walk out with nothing?
20:53And now, what exactly are you trying to do?
20:56Don Romano and Donna Romano hurried to smooth things over.
20:59Sophia's words drove into him like a blade.
21:02She was right.
21:03He was the one who drove me away.
21:05He was the one who let the reporters surround me.
21:07He was the one who stood silent while I was humiliated.
21:10He was the one who did nothing while I was pushed into the street with almost nothing.
21:15He had turned me into a laughingstock before the entire city.
21:18Where are they now?
21:19Dante's eyes fixed on the butler.
21:21They should still be at the South District Waste Collection Yard.
21:24Dante headed straight for the door.
21:26Sophia grabbed his wrist.
21:27Dante!
21:28Have you lost your mind?
21:30You're walking out on me?
21:32For a pile of Elena's junk?
21:34Dante wrenched his arm free.
21:36The fury in his eyes was something no one had ever seen before.
21:39Those things are not junk!
21:41They're...
21:42He couldn't get the rest of the words out.
21:44Sophia's face twisted with fury.
21:47If you walk through that door night tonight, don't blame me for...
21:51I fought!
21:52For what?
21:53Dante cuts her off.
21:54Turning me out the way you turned out a...
21:57Elena?
21:58Cold sweat broke out across her skin.
22:01She was nothing but the Romano family's ward.
22:04Everything she had came from this mafia family.
22:06Never mind throwing Dante out.
22:08Her very life was in his hands.
22:10She forced out a smile.
22:12I'm sorry, Dante.
22:14I was wrong.
22:16I shouldn't have touched Elena's things without asking.
22:19And I shouldn't have raised my voice at you.
22:20It's pouring rain outside right now.
22:22Wait until tomorrow when it clears up.
22:24I'll go with you to get everything back, okay?
22:26Dante broke free and ran out into the rain.
22:29The rain instantly soaked through his suit and hair.
22:31He didn't care.
22:32His heart was slamming inside his chest.
22:35One voice kept echoing through his head.
22:37Too late.
22:38It's all too late.
22:39He pulled out his phone.
22:41He wanted to call Elena.
22:43But his fingers froze in midair.
22:45Because he suddenly remembered.
22:47When Elena left the Romano estate yesterday, she had left her phone behind.
22:52He saw in his mind the calm look.
22:54In her eyes as she walked away.
22:56The finality of how she removed each thing from her body.
22:59Piece by piece.
23:00Rain and tears mixed together.
23:02Running down Dante's face.
23:04I'm sorry.
23:05At the city's south scrapyard, workers were about to lock up for the night.
23:09Then they saw a man, soaking wet, stumble in at a rum.
23:12The things they brought from the Romano estate this afternoon, where are they?
23:16Dante was gasping for breath.
23:18Water dripped from the ends of his hair.
23:20The workers looked at each other.
23:22Then pointed towards several large cardboard boxes in the corner.
23:26Soaked through.
23:27Dante threw himself at them.
23:29With clumsy, frantic hands, he tore the boxes open.
23:32Elena's clothes, books, photo album.
23:35All of it soaked in rainwater.
23:37Ink bleeding and spreading.
23:39Fato stuck together.
23:40He picked up a soaked diary with trembling hands.
23:43And carefully opened it.
23:46Elena's neat handwriting had blurred.
23:48But a few lines were still readable.
23:50Today, Dante cried again.
23:52Sophia forgot his birthday.
23:54I baked his favorite cake.
23:55But he didn't touch a single piece.
23:57Another page.
23:58Dante had a fever.
24:0039 degrees.
24:01I sat with him through the night.
24:03By sunrise the fever had broken.
24:05Sophia came at noon.
24:06Just a bouquet of flowers.
24:09But Dante was so happy when he saw her.
24:11Every page was about him.
24:13Every line was soaked through with a love.
24:16I had never once said aloud.
24:18Dante's vision blurred.
24:19He pressed the diary against his chest.
24:21He held it, as if holding it tightly enough could change something.
24:25One of the workers gave a careful reminder.
24:28Hey sir, we're about to lock up.
24:30Dante did not hear him.
24:31He kept searching through the boxes.
24:33His fingers closed around a handmade music box.
24:36He knew this music box.
24:37He had been 16.
24:39He had once casually mentioned wanting a snow globe music box.
24:42He had not even meant it as a real request.
24:45But one month later, on his birthday, I placed it in his hands.
24:48He had only glanced at it.
24:51Oh, sure.
24:52Just set it down somewhere.
24:53Then he turned to open Sophia's gift.
24:55He never noticed the cuts and calluses covering my hands.
24:58Not once.
25:00Dante's grip on the music box tightened.
25:02Dante's face crumples, mouth opening in a broken cry.
25:05He pulled out his phone and called his father.
25:08Father, help me find Elena.
25:11Bring her home.
25:12Please.
25:13I'm begging you.
25:15The day after meeting the Conti Patriarch, I followed them to New Vance.
25:20Old man Conti stood before the soaring glass towers of the Conti headquarters.
25:24He smiled like a man who had nothing left to prove.
25:27Elena, from this day forward, you are the Conti Group's chief designer.
25:32And so no one in this building has the nerve to question you.
25:35I put Vincent at your service as your personal assistant.
25:37Whatever you need, tell him.
25:39He'll see to it.
25:40I believe in what you can do.
25:41Give it everything you've got.
25:42As for the Romanos, leave that entirely to me.
25:45I glanced back at Vincent Conti.
25:47Three years passed like water.
25:49At the gala celebrating, the Conti Group's overseas listing.
25:52The ballroom shone like a dream.
25:54It was the night of the New York Stock Exchange Bell.
25:58Crystal chandeliers turned the entire room golden.
26:01I stood by the floor to silent windows.
26:04Outside, the Manhattan skyline glittered.
26:07Elena, a coin for your thoughts?
26:09Nothing really.
26:11It just doesn't quite feel real yet.
26:13I never imagined the Conti Group would come this far in only three years.
26:18That's because you were here.
26:20The Conti name opened the door.
26:22Your boldness kept us there.
26:25I was just the finishing touch.
26:27You're always so modest.
26:28Tonight, I don't want to hear the official version.
26:31Elena, tonight is only the beginning of what comes next.
26:34And the road ahead, I want to walk it with you.
26:37Not as partners.
26:39As something more.
26:40As searching for the quality.
26:42Asking for the Djokovic Africa.
26:43The history of those stars.
26:44You
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