A powerful full drama movie filled with love, secrets, and unexpected twists.
Follow a powerful story where relationships are tested, hidden truths are revealed, and lives change forever. From romantic moments to shocking surprises, this drama keeps you engaged from beginning to end.
Featuring stories about CEO, billionaire lifestyles, family connections, and life-changing decisions, this movie delivers strong emotions and unforgettable scenes.
Watch the full movie and discover what happens in the end.
New full drama movies uploaded regularly. Stay tuned for more captivating and trending stories.
#drama #fullmovie #lovestory #dramatic #billionaire #ceo #family #relationships #movie #story
Follow a powerful story where relationships are tested, hidden truths are revealed, and lives change forever. From romantic moments to shocking surprises, this drama keeps you engaged from beginning to end.
Featuring stories about CEO, billionaire lifestyles, family connections, and life-changing decisions, this movie delivers strong emotions and unforgettable scenes.
Watch the full movie and discover what happens in the end.
New full drama movies uploaded regularly. Stay tuned for more captivating and trending stories.
#drama #fullmovie #lovestory #dramatic #billionaire #ceo #family #relationships #movie #story
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AmusantTranscription
00:00The three wolves I rescued turned into men.
00:02They clinged to me day and night.
00:04But the truth is, they didn't like me.
00:06They just wanted to use me to get close to my sister.
00:08So I called her and asked to switch mates.
00:11Three horny wolves in exchange for one cold serpent.
00:13By this morning, I'm so exhausted I can barely move.
00:17As I lie in bed, staring at the faint red marks scattered across my wrists and legs,
00:22I hear voices coming from the living room.
00:24Seriously? Look at her.
00:26With that body, she actually thought she could keep all three of us?
00:29It's fine. Once she can't handle it anymore, she'll hand us over to her sister.
00:34She can barely get out of bed now.
00:36Give it a few more days and she'll probably stop keeping us together.
00:39My chest tightens.
00:40She's not giving all of us away. Exactly. At least one of us will get to stay.
00:46Trey sounds bored.
00:47Vera is boring. If you two want to stay, that's your problem. I don't.
00:51A brief silence follows.
00:53Neither do I.
00:55Forget it. Is she awake yet?
00:57No chance.
00:59She was practically crying herself to sleep earlier.
01:02There's no way she's awake already.
01:04The room fills with laughter.
01:06I stare at the ceiling, grabbing my phone from the nightstand and call my sister.
01:09Vera? What's wrong?
01:12Didn't you once tell me that no matter what, you're never satisfied?
01:16Take my three wolves.
01:18And give me your snake.
01:21Are you serious?
01:23Very.
01:24Do they know about this?
01:26I glance toward the bedroom door.
01:30They like you.
01:31That's all I say.
01:32It's enough.
01:33Lila understands immediately.
01:35The truth is, everyone likes her.
01:37They always have.
01:41After thinking for a few seconds, she sighs.
01:44Honestly, your apartment is too small for three wolves anyway.
01:48It's probably a better environment for them here.
01:51But my snake is different.
01:52He's cold.
01:54If he wasn't platonic, I wouldn't be asking for him.
01:57I rub my aching forehead.
01:59I'm exhausted, Lila.
02:01I don't want another situation like this.
02:03What I need is someone who can help around the house,
02:06not another man trying to climb it into my bed.
02:10He won't be interested in you.
02:12Before I can respond, she says,
02:14I'll come pick them up this afternoon.
02:16Then she hangs up.
02:17A second later, the bedroom door opens.
02:22Awake?
02:23The lazy voice instantly tells me who it is.
02:25I look up to find Trey standing in the doorway.
02:28His hair is still messy from sleep,
02:30and his expression is as relaxed and arrogant as ever.
02:33When he notices me sitting upright,
02:35one corner of his mouth lifts.
02:37Without asking permission,
02:38he walks toward the bed and reaches for my blanket.
02:41Wait!
02:42What?
02:43I'm tired.
02:45I need to rest.
02:46No.
02:47His refusal encrouches beside the bed and lightly grips my chin.
02:50Master, you're the one who took us in.
02:53That means you're responsible for us.
02:56We're still hungry.
02:57As he leans closer,
02:59I shove him away before he can do anything else.
03:01Lila is coming this afternoon to take you away.
03:03Trey freezes.
03:04At the doorway,
03:05the other two wolves stop moving as well.
03:07Wait.
03:09Which two?
03:10I think I'm giving away two of them and keeping one.
03:12I look at all three of them and slowly shake my head.
03:15Not two.
03:17All of you.
03:21The day I find the three wolf pups.
03:23It's cold,
03:24wet,
03:25and raining.
03:26They're lying on a stretch of cracked concrete behind an abandoned warehouse.
03:29Their fur is soaked through,
03:31matted together with blood and mud.
03:33For a moment,
03:34I almost keep walking.
03:35Then one of them weakly flicks its tail.
03:38Before I can react,
03:39the tiny wolf hooks its tail around my ankle as if it's begging me not to leave.
03:43I take all three of them home.
03:45Under my care,
03:46they recover quickly.
03:48They eat well,
03:50grow quickly,
03:50and follow me everywhere.
03:52Before long,
03:53they've become the center of my life.
03:55Then they hit their growth stage,
03:57and everything changes.
03:59All three of them shift into beastmen.
04:01Looking back,
04:02I probably should have sent them away immediately.
04:05I even contact a beastmen shelter at the time.
04:08But after evaluating the situation,
04:10they tell me the wolves have already become deeply attached.
04:13to me.
04:14To them,
04:14I'm not just their caretaker.
04:16I'm their master.
04:17If I abandon them suddenly,
04:19it could cause serious psychological damage.
04:21When I look into those three pairs of beautiful eyes,
04:24my resolve disappears.
04:25In the end,
04:26I let them stay.
04:27They tell me they don't have names,
04:28so I give them one.
04:30Ace,
04:30Deuce,
04:31Trey.
04:32As they grow older,
04:33I discover that wolf beastmen have endless energy.
04:36Even in human form,
04:38their ears twitch constantly.
04:40Their tails never stay still,
04:42and they follow me around the apartment
04:44as though they're afraid I'll disappear the moment they look away.
04:47One afternoon,
04:48Lila calls me.
04:51Vera,
04:52when are you finally coming home
04:53to fulfill that marriage arrangement between our families?
05:00I glance down at Trey,
05:01who is currently sprawled across my lap
05:03with his head resting against my chest.
05:05The man already buried three wives,
05:07and he's ugly.
05:08Lila goes quiet.
05:09A few seconds later,
05:10she says carefully,
05:11but he's rich.
05:12I lower my eyes.
05:14That's exactly the problem.
05:16After I refuse the marriage,
05:17my family cuts me off financially almost overnight.
05:20At the same time,
05:22they can't bear the thought of marrying Lila to him,
05:24so they spend years trying to pressure me into changing my mind.
05:28Deuce has always been the most perceptive of the three.
05:30He walks over and pulls me gently into his arms.
05:33If talking to them makes you unhappy,
05:35then hang up.
05:36His voice is calm and comforting.
05:38What was that?
05:39A few months ago,
05:40I rescued three injured wolf pups.
05:42They recently shifted into human form.
05:45Now they're so clingy I can barely breathe.
05:47The line goes silent.
05:48I'm jealous.
05:49My snake won't even let me touch him.
05:51He'll come around eventually.
05:53The call ends a few minutes later.
05:54The next day,
05:55she shows up at my apartment,
05:57carrying enough bags to look like she's moving in.
05:59Her smile bright enough to light up the entire room.
06:01She steps through the door,
06:03wearing a beautiful white dress.
06:05Surprise, sis?
06:07I turn automatically.
06:09So do the wolves.
06:10All three of them.
06:11Their eyes land on Lila at exactly the same moment.
06:14I quietly look away.
06:15Honestly, I'm used to it.
06:16Everyone likes Lila.
06:18She's beautiful, lively, and effortlessly charming.
06:21People notice her the moment she enters a room.
06:24Standing beside her has always made me feel ordinary.
06:27Like a background character in my own life.
06:58Lila looks around my apartment.
06:59Meanwhile, Lila acts as though she doesn't notice any of it.
07:02She simply sits there drinking water with an innocent expression.
07:06And in that moment, I understand.
07:08The feeling is painfully familiar.
07:10Because this isn't the first time,
07:12something that belongs to me has slowly drifted toward Lila instead.
07:16After that visit, everything changes.
07:18The gentle nights disappear.
07:20The affection disappears.
07:22The wolves still cling to me.
07:24But something feels different.
07:25As the weeks pass, each night becomes harder than the one before.
07:29It's as if they're trying to drain every last bit of strength from me.
07:33As if they want something from me that I can never quite give them.
07:37Then, this morning, I overhear their conversation.
07:40The three wolves I rescued.
07:42The three wolves I fed, protected, and raised.
07:45They've fallen for Lila.
07:46Picnic together this weekend.
07:47After meeting her only once.
07:49The afternoon arrives faster than I expect.
07:52A knock sounds at the door.
07:53Lila is here.
07:55So you're serious?
07:56You're really giving all three of us away?
07:58Studying me with a sharp, unreadable gaze.
08:00Yes.
08:01My answer comes without hesitation.
08:03Deuce lets out a small laugh.
08:05You're not keeping a single one of us?
08:06I look back at him.
08:08Which one of you wants to stay?
08:10The room immediately falls silent.
08:11No one answers.
08:13Exactly as I expected.
08:14After a few moments, Trey gets to his feet and heads for the door.
08:18As he passes me, he rolls his eyes.
08:21Don't act like some kind of saint.
08:23Then he pulls the door open.
08:25Lila's bright smile appears instantly.
08:27Hi, boys.
08:31She steps inside as if she belongs here.
08:36My sister already explained everything, right?
08:38Her eyes sweep across the three wolves.
08:44You're mine now.
08:45Trey laughs, a genuine laugh.
08:47Nice to meet you, master.
08:49Lila looks him over from head to toe, clearly pleased by what she sees.
08:53Then she turns toward Ace and Deuce.
08:54You're all ridiculously handsome.
08:57Have you packed your things?
08:59Lila asks.
09:00Before anyone can answer, she waves a hand.
09:02Actually, don't bother.
09:03My sister can't exactly afford anything worth bringing anyway.
09:07When we get to the new house, I'll buy you whatever you want.
09:11Ace hums in acknowledgement.
09:12Deuce glances toward Lila.
09:14Then, unexpectedly, his eyes shift to me.
09:17My expression remains perfectly neutral.
09:20Don't be sad, Vera.
09:21I'll take good care of them.
09:23And once you've had enough fun playing house, you can come home and get married.
09:28Mom and Dad are worried about you.
09:30What marriage?
09:31Deuce's voice cuts through the room.
09:33Lila pauses but doesn't answer.
09:36Instead, she looks at me.
09:37When she sees that I'm still expressionless, she sighs as though she's trying to help.
09:42Maybe one of you should stay with my sister.
09:45She looks pretty upset.
09:47Nobody moves.
09:48Trey remains standing beside Lila.
09:50Ace stays where he is.
09:52Deuce simply wears that same distant smile.
09:54No one volunteers.
09:56This is how it's always been.
09:57Between the two of us, I'm the one who gets left behind.
10:00Lila offers me a sympathetic smile.
10:02Then she starts guiding the wolves toward the door.
10:05Wait.
10:06She glances toward the hallway beyond the open door.
10:08Come in.
10:10A tall figure steps forward.
10:12The room immediately grows still.
10:15Even the wolves stop moving.
10:20The man is dressed in a perfectly tailored dark suit that emphasizes his broad shoulders
10:25and lean frame.
10:26At first glance, he looks composed, controlled, elegant.
10:30He lifts his eyes and looks directly at me.
10:33The moment our gazes meet, something cold settles in my chest.
10:36Without realizing it, I stop breathing.
10:39I press my lips together and offer a polite smile.
10:42Hi.
10:43The snake finally looks at me.
10:45Then he looks away.
10:46See?
10:47He's always like this.
10:48If you can't stand him, just tell me.
10:50I'll take him back.
10:51Before I can respond, Trey suddenly speaks up.
10:54And who exactly is this?
10:55Lila clearly doesn't want to explain.
10:58Then Lila claps her hands lightly and changes the subject.
11:00The driver is waiting downstairs.
11:02Shouldn't we get going?
11:03The wolves exchange glances.
11:06A moment later, all three of them follow Lila out of the apartment, one by one, until
11:11only two people remain.
11:12Me and the snake.
11:13He doesn't move.
11:14He simply stands there near the doorway.
11:17Silent and unreadable.
11:18I should finally enjoy the peace and quiet I've been dreaming about for weeks.
11:22I turn my head.
11:24The snake's eyes have changed.
11:25Before I can react, something smooth wraps around my waist.
11:29I freeze.
11:30A snake tail.
11:31His tail.
11:31The next, it's coiled firmly around me.
11:34What?
11:35A strange scent suddenly fills the apartment.
11:37I instinctively try to push him back.
11:39It doesn't work.
11:40The man doesn't budge an inch.
11:42My pulse starts racing, tear at him in horror.
11:44No.
11:46You.
11:46The scent grows stronger.
11:48The snake's eyes remain locked on mine.
11:51You're in heat.
11:55Before I can react, he pins me against the door.
11:58His tail is still wrapped around my waist, cushioning me from the force.
12:01I can feel his breath against my neck.
12:03A rapid knock sounds from the other side of the door.
12:08Vera?
12:09Deuce's voice comes through immediately.
12:11What's going on?
12:12The moment he speaks, I feel the snake tense.
12:15My fingers twitch involuntarily.
12:17The golden slit pupils I've been staring into narrow even further.
12:21The tail around my waist tightens.
12:22I force myself to stay calm.
12:24Slowly, carefully.
12:25I raise a hand and touch his face.
12:27His skin is cool beneath my fingertips.
12:31Are you feeling that bad?
12:32I ask softly.
12:34I can get you an inhibitor.
12:36Okay?
12:36Then the pressure in the room eases.
12:38I let out a silent breath of relief.
12:40Outside, another knock rattles the door.
12:43Sis?
12:44Are you two okay?
12:45I part my lips ready to answer.
12:47Then something cold brushes against my neck.
12:49A second later, sharp teeth close around my skin.
12:51Something lingering.
12:53Something almost playful.
12:54As if he already knows, I won't be opening that door.
13:01I let out a muffled sound.
13:05It's nothing.
13:06You should all go.
13:08Then Ace speaks.
13:09Really?
13:13Trey sounds impatient.
13:14She said she's fine.
13:17Vera?
13:18That snake didn't bite you, did he?
13:21No.
13:22The lie comes out surprisingly smoothly.
13:24Behind me, the snake remains silent.
13:26I bite my lip.
13:27A few moments ago, his teeth had closed around the side of my neck before his cold tongue brushed
13:32over the spot.
13:33Fortunately, I'd shut the door before the scent had spread into the hallway.
13:36Otherwise, explaining any of this would have been impossible.
13:40Then the footsteps outside finally begin to retreat.
13:43I immediately push the snake away and step back.
13:46I hurry toward a nearby cabinet and pull out a box of inhibitors.
13:50I grab one of the injectors and toss it toward him.
13:54Use this.
13:55Then, before he can respond, I retreat to the bathroom.
13:59The moment the door closes behind me, I turn on the faucet and splash cold water across my face.
14:11When I return to the living room, his tail is gone.
14:14The man is sitting on the sofa with one leg crossed over the other.
14:18His expression once again calm, distant, and unreadable.
14:21The brief loss of control from earlier seems to have vanished completely.
14:26He lifts his eyes and looks at me.
14:28I thought you were platonic.
14:30When he finally speaks,
14:31That was a normal physiological response.
14:33It's been too long since my last inhibitor injection.
14:35His voice is low and slightly hoarse.
14:38Oh.
14:38I nod awkwardly.
14:40Okay.
14:41Knowing Lila, if she'd actually wanted to sleep with him,
14:45she never would have bothered giving him inhibitors in the first place.
14:48And judging from how little control he'd had earlier,
14:51I can't imagine suppressing those instincts was easy.
14:54So how had he managed it until now?
14:56The question crosses my mind, but I let it go.
14:59I pour him a glass of warm water and set it in front of him.
15:03You should rest today.
15:05Tomorrow you can help with some chores.
15:08If you're still not feeling well, you can take a few more days off.
15:11Is that how you treated them?
15:13I blink.
15:15Them?
15:16Then I realize he's talking about Ace, Deuce, and Trey.
15:19Eventually, I nod.
15:20Yes.
15:24Human society likes to talk about equality between humans and beastmen these days.
15:29But everyone knows the reality is more complicated than that.
15:32Beastmen form attachments to their owners.
15:35Because of that, people are constantly encouraged to be patient with them,
15:38understanding of them, protective of them.
15:41Maybe I'd taken those recommendations a little too seriously.
15:44The room falls quiet, then he speaks again.
15:46My name is Silas.
15:48Nice to meet you, Silas.
15:50I'm Vera.
15:51He rises to his feet without another word.
15:53Then he walks toward the balcony.
15:55I stare after him.
15:57Wait!
15:57Silas bends down and opens the washing machine.
16:00One by one, he begins removing the clean clothes inside.
16:03Yesterday morning, Deuce had been the one to throw my clothes into the washer.
16:07He just never bothered taking them out afterward.
16:10Watching Silas carefully separate the damp clothes,
16:13I scratch my cheek in embarrassment.
16:15I'll buy a dryer in a few days.
16:16You won't have to do this then.
16:18Silas says nothing.
16:19Just continues working.
16:23The next morning, the Ashford family's butler stands outside my apartment with perfect posture
16:29and a polite smile.
16:30Miss Ashford, your father says you've had enough time to play.
16:35It's time to come home and get married.
16:37I don't even hesitate.
16:39No.
16:39The butler's smile doesn't waver.
16:41Miss, this is your parents' wish.
16:43Several bodyguards step into view behind him.
16:46I let out a cold laugh.
16:48Are you worried I might grab a knife at the wedding?
16:50Stab the groom?
16:51And then kill myself?
16:52After a moment, he clears his throat.
16:55Your father also said that if you agree to the marriage,
16:57you'll receive 5% of Ashford group stock.
17:00My hand moves toward the door, then as if remembering something.
17:03Oh, and second miss requested Mr. Silas be brought back as well.
17:07I slowly turn around.
17:09Silas is standing several feet away.
17:11Our eyes meet.
17:11His dark gaze remains as empty and unreadable as ever.
17:14For reasons I can't explain, a chill crawls slowly down my spine.
17:21The moment I return to Ashford Manor, I regret it.
17:24Maybe it is because Ace, Deuce, and Trey are all here.
17:28Maybe it is because they're staring at me.
17:29Trey is the first to react.
17:31He pauses his game and looks up,
17:33his gaze sweeping over me before settling on the man standing behind me.
17:37Silas.
17:37Ace lounges on the sofa, one arm draped across the backrest.
17:40What are you doing here?
17:41This is my home.
17:42I glance around the familiar room.
17:44Am I not allowed to come back?
17:45Something flickers across Ace's face.
17:47His expression doesn't change,
17:49but the corner of his mouth seems to lift ever so slightly,
17:51as if he is unexpectedly pleased by the answer.
17:54I stare at him.
17:55Before I can figure it out,
17:56Deuce sets down the fruit he'd been peeling and walks toward me.
17:59He reaches out and lightly lifts my chin.
18:01According to Lila,
18:02you've been refusing to come home for years.
18:05But now you've suddenly decided to come back.
18:08Did you miss us?
18:09I immediately take a step backward.
18:11Before I can answer,
18:12Trey lets out a scoff.
18:13As if that's even a question.
18:15Without us,
18:16she probably couldn't survive a single day.
18:18Behind me,
18:19Silas finally speaks.
18:20She doesn't look unhappy.
18:22Ace's gaze snaps toward him.
18:26And who exactly are you?
18:31Reaching back,
18:32I grab Silas's hand.
18:34His fingers are cold against mine.
18:35A plea.
18:36The last thing I need is a fight breaking out in my parents' living room.
18:39Deuce notices the movement.
18:41His eyes drop briefly to our joined hands.
18:44Lila told us all about him.
18:45His gaze sweeps over Silas dismissively.
18:48A snake.
18:50A cold-blooded one at that.
18:52Apparently he doesn't care about anyone.
18:55You don't actually think you can tame him, do you?
18:57I've known Silas for less than two days.
18:59I am not trying to tame anybody.
19:01Before I can say that,
19:02Deuce suddenly reaches out again.
19:04This time,
19:05his fingers close around my chin much more firmly.
19:07His eyes narrow.
19:08He is staring at my neck.
19:10Specifically,
19:11at the faint mark hidden beneath my collar.
19:13The mark Silas left yesterday.
19:15My stomach drops.
19:16Deuce's expression changes.
19:19What's this?
19:20His thumb brushes lightly against my skin.
19:23A hickey?
19:24The word lands like a bomb.
19:26What?
19:26Trey is on his feet instantly.
19:28His chair nearly tips over behind him.
19:30What hickey?
19:31This has already stood up.
19:32The lazy posture is gone completely.
19:34The temperature in the room seems to plummet.
19:36Before anyone can move closer,
19:38a cold hand catches my wrist and pulls me backward.
19:41Silas.
19:41In one smooth motion,
19:42he positions himself between me and the wolves.
19:45He looks directly at Deuce and says,
19:47Get out!
19:51I could hear you all the way upstairs.
19:54Lila appears at the top of the staircase,
19:56smiling as she walks down.
19:58What are you talking about?
19:59I answer directly.
20:00They think the mark on my neck is a hickey.
20:02They seem pretty interested in inspecting it.
20:04The smile disappears from Lila's face.
20:06Her gaze lands on my neck,
20:08then shifts to Silas,
20:09then back to me.
20:10For the first time since I've arrived,
20:12she looks genuinely unsettled.
20:13Is it?
20:14What do you think?
20:16Lila falls silent.
20:17Then Ace starts walking toward us.
20:19One hand in his pocket.
20:20His gaze sweeps over me.
20:22You never liked leaving marks visible.
20:24So why are you making an exception today?
20:26I blink.
20:27I've always hated attracting attention.
20:29Whenever Ace, Deuce,
20:30or Trey left visible marks,
20:32I'd cover them immediately.
20:33Scarves, high collars, anything.
20:35The truth is that I'd never considered
20:37this particular mark a hickey.
20:38Trey straightens,
20:39brows knit together.
20:40He's right.
20:42You used to hide them completely.
20:44Deuce narrows his eyes,
20:45as if he is trying to solve a puzzle.
20:47Lila suddenly speaks.
20:48Father wants to see you.
20:50You don't need to follow her.
20:55I glance at Silas.
20:56His expression doesn't change slowly.
20:58I pull my hand from his.
21:00Then I stop, turn back,
21:01and look directly at the wolves.
21:03Don't bully him.
21:04Silence.
21:05It repeats the words as though they're absurd.
21:07His face twists into disbelief.
21:09Vera, bully him?
21:11Vera, in your eyes, are we...
21:13My father is waiting in his study.
21:16The moment I enter,
21:17he gets straight to the point.
21:19First the marriage license,
21:21then the wedding.
21:22Once everything is finalized,
21:23I'll transfer 5% of Ashfield Group shares to you.
21:26I sit down across from him
21:28and answer just as directly.
21:29I want the shares transferred
21:31the moment I sign the marriage license.
21:33The teacup hits the desk harder than necessary.
21:36My father's face darkens immediately.
21:39You distrust your own family that much?
21:41I sigh.
21:42After thinking about it for a moment,
21:44I answer truthfully.
21:46I'm worried Lila will work her magic again
21:48and somehow my things will disappear.
21:51The room goes quiet.
21:52I know I've hit a nerve
21:53because everyone in this family
21:55knows exactly what I am talking about.
21:59Over the years,
22:01too many things have somehow found their way
22:03from me to Lila.
22:04Not because she stole them.
22:05Not intentionally.
22:06People simply chose her.
22:07Again and again.
22:08Until eventually,
22:09I stopped being surprised.
22:11My father remained silent for several moments.
22:13Fine.
22:14When the time comes,
22:16bring your marriage license
22:17and your husband.
22:19Because under current law,
22:20gifts received during marriage
22:21can be considered marital property.
22:23I simply nod and stand.
22:25The meeting is over.
22:26As I reach the door,
22:27my father's voice rings out behind me.
22:29From now on,
22:30you're staying at the manor.
22:32You're done running around.
22:33and those beast men before the wedding,
22:36you will cut ties with them completely.
22:41When I return to the first floor,
22:43the atmosphere is still strangely quiet.
22:45I walk straight over to Silas.
22:47Come with me.
22:48I'll show you my room.
22:49Across the room,
22:50Trey immediately looks suspicious.
22:52You were gone forever already.
22:54What's so interesting about your room?
22:56I smile.
22:57What?
22:58Do you want to see it too?
23:05Who would want that?
23:06He lets out a scoff and turns away.
23:08Lila is sitting nearby,
23:10helping herself to fruit from a platter.
23:12She glances at Silas
23:13before looking back at me.
23:14Father's still home.
23:16That might not be appropriate.
23:17I blink.
23:18Really?
23:18You have three beast men
23:20following you everywhere?
23:21I'm taking one person to my room.
23:24How is that inappropriate?
23:25For the first time,
23:27Lila's expression falters.
23:28Beside her,
23:29Ace frowns slightly.
23:30We've never...
23:31Lila gently sets down her fork,
23:33cutting him off before he can finish.
23:35You have a point, sister.
23:37She turns towards Silas,
23:38but he has to be willing to go too.
23:40Suddenly,
23:41everyone's attention shifts to him.
23:42Silas doesn't hesitate.
23:44Let's go.
23:45His answer is calm and immediate.
23:47I nod and head toward the stairs.
23:50As for everyone else's expressions,
23:52I honestly can't be bothered to care.
23:54My room is spotless.
23:55I close the door behind us
23:57and clear my throat.
23:58I am halfway through deciding
24:00how to start the conversation
24:01when the air suddenly changes.
24:03Before I can react,
24:05something coils around my waist.
24:07Again,
24:07a snake tail.
24:08I freeze.
24:09Silas' voice sounds rough.
24:11Your scent is strong here.
24:12What?
24:16I stare at him.
24:18What?
24:19I glance around the room.
24:21I haven't lived here in ages.
24:23How is that even possible?
24:24His gaze remains fixed on me,
24:26then sharp teeth brush against my collarbone.
24:28Not enough to injure,
24:29just enough to send a wave of alarm through me.
24:32For one irrational second,
24:34I wonder if he's about to swallow me whole.
24:36I take a steadying breath.
24:37Didn't you take an inhibitor yesterday?
24:39The tail around my waist tightens.
24:42Actually,
24:43I swallow.
24:45The reason I brought you here
24:46is because I need to tell you something.
24:48His eyes narrow slightly.
24:50I'm getting married.
24:51His tail lifts me effortlessly off the floor
24:54and deposits me onto the edge of the bed.
24:56Silas remains standing,
24:58looking down at me.
24:59His narrow eyes seem darker than usual,
25:01more dangerous.
25:02Then his tail slips beneath the hem of my shirt.
25:05I immediately grab it.
25:06My face heats up as I look away.
25:08Do you dislike me?
25:09I blink.
25:10What?
25:11No.
25:11Silas bends slightly closer.
25:13The softness of his tone
25:15is somehow more unsettling than anger.
25:17Aren't you my master?
25:19Or
25:21are you afraid?
25:25His shadow falls across me.
25:27I open my mouth,
25:28then close it again.
25:29The honest answer is,
25:31maybe a little.
25:31For one thing,
25:32everyone knows snake beastmen
25:34have a certain reputation.
25:35For another,
25:36Silas is simply a lot.
25:37That's not the point.
25:39I look up at him.
25:40I really am getting married,
25:42which means I'll probably have to return you to Lila.
25:46She's not getting married anytime soon.
25:48For the first time,
25:49something flashes through his eyes,
25:51dark before it can disappear completely.
25:53I ask quietly,
25:54Would you want that?
25:55To go back to Lila?
25:56Silas lowers his gaze.
25:58Having me around,
25:59does it make you miserable?
26:01No.
26:02I answer instinctively.
26:03Actually,
26:04you're really good at housework.
26:05A second later,
26:06Silas leans closer.
26:07His shadow completely envelops me.
26:09Then he speaks.
26:10Then stop thinking about getting rid of me.
26:12After a moment,
26:13I reach out and lightly stroke the end of his tail.
26:16The tension in his shoulders eases almost immediately.
26:19Finally,
26:19he speaks again.
26:20Don't worry.
26:21Worry about what?
26:22I shake my head.
26:23It doesn't matter.
26:24I've already made my plans.
26:28A few days later,
26:30I'm sitting in a private room at a coffee shop.
26:32The man across from me is my fiancé.
26:34Or rather,
26:35the man who's supposed to become my fiancé.
26:38I take a sip of coffee
26:39and decide not to waste time.
26:41I know you're in love with Lila.
26:43I also know you've been proposing marriage to my family for years
26:46because you wanted to marry her.
26:48The only reason they kept refusing
26:49is because my parents insist their oldest daughter has to marry first.
26:53Can you blame me?
26:54Anyone would prefer your sister.
26:56And it's not like Lila isn't interested in me.
26:59She told me herself.
27:00I raise an eyebrow.
27:01Oh?
27:02She said she didn't want to compete with you.
27:05Apparently, she believed you liked me more.
27:08Is that so?
27:10Then,
27:11I smile.
27:14Then I have a plan
27:15that can get you exactly what you want.
27:18What plan?
27:19I set down my coffee cup.
27:22Lowering my voice slightly,
27:24we get legally married.
27:26Not a real marriage.
27:29Just the paperwork.
27:30Confusion only grows.
27:31What?
27:33Think about it.
27:34I lace my fingers together.
27:37You said Lila likes you.
27:39Then seeing you become close to another woman
27:41should bother her.
27:43People only realize what they truly want
27:45when they're about to lose it.
27:49I can practically see the idea
27:51taking shape in his head.
27:53If you spend more time with me,
27:55if she watches us together,
27:57she'll get jealous.
27:58His expression shifts.
28:00Then we move forward with the wedding.
28:02His eyes widen.
28:04Except I never show up.
28:05Silence.
28:06The man blinks twice.
28:07I continue calmly.
28:08The bride disappears.
28:10The wedding becomes a disaster.
28:13And then?
28:13Your beloved Lila sees the man she loves
28:16being humiliated in front of hundreds of people.
28:19I shake my head.
28:21She won't be able to stand it.
28:23She'll step forward herself.
28:25The room goes quiet.
28:26Very quiet.
28:27I can tell he is picturing the scene.
28:29Lila in a wedding dress.
28:31Saving him.
28:32Choosing him.
28:33Exactly the fantasy he wants.
28:35I press my advantage.
28:37When that happens,
28:38you tell her the truth.
28:40Tell her she's always been the one.
28:42Tell her you've loved her from the beginning.
28:44Buy a diamond ring.
28:46Make a proper confession.
28:48Trust me.
28:49She'll be moved.
28:52The man says nothing,
28:54but I can see his resistance weakening,
28:56little by little.
28:57His shoulders relax.
28:58Eventually, he exhales.
29:00The tension leaves his face.
29:02You know what?
29:03He shakes his head.
29:04I think you're right.
29:05Of course I am.
29:06I've been watching Lila create
29:08accidental love stories my entire life.
29:10At this point,
29:11I could probably write a textbook about it.
29:14Honestly,
29:16I lower my gaze.
29:17I know I wouldn't be happy with you.
29:20The man shifts awkwardly.
29:24You love Lila,
29:25and Lila loves you.
29:27I'd rather both of you find happiness.
29:29The silence that follows lasts several seconds.
29:32Then the man slowly stands.
29:34He extends his hand toward me.
29:36Miss Ashford,
29:37I misjudged you.
29:39I rise as well,
29:40then shake his hand.
29:42As long as the two of you are happy.
29:47The day I return to Ashford Manor
29:49with a marriage certificate
29:50and a husband,
29:51the entire family is waiting.
29:53Everyone is gathered around the dining table.
29:56No one looks happy.
29:57As I take my seat,
29:58I glance across the room at Silas.
30:01I give him a reassuring look.
30:03His expression doesn't change,
30:04but after spending time around him,
30:06I've learned that silence doesn't mean calm.
30:09It's fine.
30:10Once everything is over,
30:11I'll figure out what to do about him too.
30:13I offer him a small smile.
30:15Silas looks at me for a brief second,
30:17then looks away,
30:18as unreadable as ever.
30:20Partway through dinner,
30:21I head into the kitchen to help carry dishes.
30:24Deuce is standing at the sink,
30:26slowly washing his hands.
30:27The moment I walk in,
30:28he speaks.
30:29You don't like him.
30:30I pause.
30:31Who?
30:31He glances at me through the mirror above the sink.
30:33Your husband.
30:34Deuce dries his hands and turns toward me.
30:36Vera,
30:37I'll help you run away.
30:38I stare at him.
30:39What?
30:40He sounds completely serious.
30:42Run away from the wedding.
30:43Before I can respond,
30:45he raises a hand.
30:46Relax.
30:47They agreed.
30:48I immediately know who he means.
30:50Ace Trey.
30:51No wonder they've looked miserable all day.
30:53For some reason,
30:54the realization makes me want to laugh.
30:56Deuce takes another step closer.
30:58You don't want to spend the rest of your life
31:00with someone you don't love.
31:02I pick up a tray
31:03and turn toward the door.
31:04You don't need to worry about me.
31:06You're going to regret this, Vera.
31:07I stop for a moment,
31:09then continue walking.
31:11Regret it?
31:11Will I?
31:12After dinner,
31:13Lila spends nearly an hour
31:15talking with my fake husband.
31:16Effortlessly charming as always.
31:18Across the room,
31:19he looks completely captivated,
31:20exactly as expected.
31:21I leave them alone and head upstairs.
31:24My father is waiting in the study.
31:25A stack of documents sits on the desk.
31:28Share transfer agreements.
31:29The moment the final signature is complete,
31:325% of Ashford Group officially becomes mine.
31:35I look out at the manor grounds below,
31:38then smile to myself,
31:39because the wedding may be next week,
31:41but the real show hasn't even started yet.
31:46Over the next few days,
31:48I spend my time preparing for the wedding
31:49and picking out jewelry.
31:51Meanwhile,
31:52the atmosphere at Ashford Manor
31:53grows increasingly tense.
31:55Even Lila can't resist taking a jab at me.
31:58I can't believe you sold out
31:59for 5% of the company.
32:01I don't react.
32:01That only seems to irritate her more.
32:04She laughs softly.
32:05Do you know how many shares I'll get one day?
32:06When father dies,
32:07all of them will be mine.
32:09I stare at her.
32:10What?
32:10She mistakes my reaction for jealousy
32:12and smiles in satisfaction.
32:14Jealous?
32:15What a devoted daughter,
32:16I think.
32:16Nearby,
32:17Trey suddenly speaks.
32:18What a waste.
32:19Deuce nods in agreement.
32:21Completely throwing your life away.
32:23Ace scrolls through his phone
32:24without commenting.
32:25Are they talking about me?
32:26Maybe.
32:27Either way,
32:28I don't care.
32:29Instead,
32:29I glance at Silas.
32:30I'd expected him to look gloomy.
32:32Angry,
32:33maybe.
32:34But he doesn't.
32:35He simply lifts his eyes
32:36and meets my gaze.
32:37For a moment,
32:38neither of us looks away.
32:39And that's when I realize something.
32:41When those dark eyes
32:42aren't filled with danger or hostility,
32:43they're unexpectedly beautiful.
32:45Carrying a lazy,
32:46effortless elegance
32:48that's hard to ignore.
32:52At last,
32:53the wedding day arrives.
32:54A truly ridiculous amount of money
32:56has been spent on this wedding.
32:58I barely get a chance to admire it
33:00before I'm ushered into the bridal suite.
33:02For the next three hours,
33:03guests continue arriving.
33:05Even backstage,
33:06I can hear the constant stream
33:08of congratulations.
33:09My parents stop by several times
33:11to make sure I'm still following the plan.
33:13I assure them I am.
33:15Then I sit in front of the mirror,
33:17admire my makeup for a moment.
33:19and check the time.
33:20The ceremony is starting.
33:21I'd already arranged everything
33:23with my makeup artist and assistant.
33:25During a quiet moment,
33:27I lift my heavy skirt and slip out.
33:29My assistant follows behind me.
33:31The restroom is just ahead, Vera.
33:33The moment we reach the restroom,
33:35I change into the casual clothes
33:37hidden in her bag,
33:38swap my heels for sneakers,
33:40and climb through the window.
33:41A black sedan is already waiting outside.
33:44A quick jump,
33:45and I'm free.
33:46I slide into the back seat
33:47and immediately call Silas.
33:49The phone rings twice.
33:50No answer.
33:51I frown.
33:52Leaning forward,
33:53I tell the driver,
33:54let's go.
33:55The car pulls away toward the airport.
33:57On the way,
33:57I open the wedding livestream.
33:59One of the benefits of having a fake husband
34:01is that he'd insisted on broadcasting the ceremony.
34:04Apparently,
34:05he wanted to preserve the moment Lila chose love.
34:08Works for me.
34:10It makes watching much easier.
34:11The host's voice rings through my phone.
34:13Ladies and gentlemen,
34:14please welcome today's bride and groom.
34:16The doors will now open from both sides.
34:19The doors swing open,
34:20on the right side,
34:22where I'm supposed to be.
34:23No one appears.
34:24I burst out laughing.
34:26The guest's expressions change instantly.
34:28Panic,
34:28confusion,
34:29shock,
34:30exactly what I'd hoped for.
34:31Then,
34:32something catches my eye.
34:33A figure dressed in black moves across the screen.
34:36Fast,
34:36very fast,
34:37my smile disappears.
34:43Silas?
34:44About two minutes later,
34:45my fake husband finally rushes onto the stage.
34:47His suit is wrinkled,
34:48his hair is a mess,
34:49but he grabs a microphone anyway.
34:51He clears his throat,
34:52then announces to the entire ballroom.
34:54The bride was never supposed to be Vera Ashfield.
34:56He points toward the crowd.
34:58The woman I love is Lila Ashfield's.
35:01Right then,
35:02my phone rings.
35:03Silas?
35:03I answer immediately.
35:05His voice is low and rough.
35:06Where are you?
35:07On the way to the airport.
35:11You?
35:12Before I can finish,
35:13a breaking news alert pops up on my screen.
35:16A beast man.
35:17Not a pure human.
35:19I tap it automatically.
35:20A photo appears.
35:21The comments are already exploding.
35:23Looks like a snake beast man.
35:25Not surprising.
35:26Snakes are cold-blooded.
35:27Perfect CEO material.
35:28Silas?
35:29Were you trying to crash the wedding?
35:31I'm leaving the country for a while.
35:32I'll come back after everything settles down.
35:34Silence.
35:35Then I hang up.
35:35If Silas wants to find me,
35:37he will.
35:37If he doesn't,
35:38that's fine too.
35:41I return to the live stream.
35:44The wedding is a complete disaster.
35:45Lila is crying.
35:46My father looks furious.
35:48Where is Vera?
35:49Find her!
35:50My mother looks ready to explode.
35:52She's completely lost her mind!
35:54Meanwhile,
35:55my fake husband is staring at Lila in disbelief.
35:58You said you liked me.
35:59Even your sister supported us.
36:02Why aren't you happy?
36:03What are you talking about?
36:04At that point,
36:06If my son likes Lila so much,
36:07why not let Lila marry him instead?
36:09The groom's mother steps in.
36:11It benefits both families.
36:14Exactly as I'd predicted.
36:15Finally,
36:16my mother turns toward Lila.
36:17Lila bites her lip,
36:18then blurts out,
36:19No!
36:20The room freezes.
36:21My fake husband's face darkens.
36:23For the first time,
36:24he realizes something is wrong.
36:27You've been lying to me?
36:28He takes a step forward.
36:30Lila,
36:30are you saying you don't like me?
36:33I don't!
36:34Tears spill down her face.
36:36Your three wives all died!
36:38You're cursed!
36:40Why would I ever like you?!
36:43Everything falls apart.
36:44I watch from the back seat of my car,
36:46feeling surprisingly cheerful.
36:47Then the camera briefly pans across the crowd,
36:49and I spot Ace Deuce Trey.
36:51The three of them are standing off to the side,
36:54as if the world they've been expecting
36:56has suddenly vanished.
37:00By the time I arrive at the airport,
37:02my fake husband finally calls.
37:04Come back and marry me.
37:06I can't help laughing.
37:08What the hell is so funny?
37:09I shake my head.
37:10You're not worth it.
37:13Then I hang up.
37:15After that,
37:15I sit near the departure gates and wait.
37:17A shadow falls across me.
37:22You came.
37:23I look up,
37:24and find myself staring at Ace.
37:26My smile immediately disappears.
37:28What's with that face?
37:29Disappointed?
37:31Who were you expecting?
37:34Simus.
37:36Ace lets out a cold laugh.
37:37Your taste is terrible.
37:38He's not coming.
37:40Okay.
37:42My reaction seems to annoy him even more.
37:46For a moment,
37:47neither of us speaks.
37:50Then Ace says,
37:51I didn't think you'd actually do it.
37:54What?
37:55Run away.
37:57I thought you'd go through with the wedding.
38:00I stand up.
38:01Stop bothering me.
38:03The muscles in his jaw tighten.
38:05For once,
38:05he doesn't argue.
38:06Where are you going?
38:07None of your business.
38:09You.
38:11Where are Deuce and Trey?
38:20They stopped Silas, didn't they?
38:22At that exact moment,
38:23I see someone approaching.
38:25Silas.
38:26He's walking straight toward us.
38:28Fast.
38:29His clothes are stained with blood.
38:30A scab has formed near his temple.
38:32There's a cut on his neck.
38:34The expression in his eyes is colder than I've ever seen.
38:37When he reaches me,
38:38I catch the scent of blood immediately.
38:41Silas.
38:43Are you okay?
38:44Before he can answer,
38:45Ace stands.
38:46His voice is sharp.
38:49What did you do to them?
38:51Silas doesn't even look at him.
38:53Instead,
38:54he walks over and rests his chin lightly on my shoulder.
38:56One arm slips around my waist.
38:58The embrace is loose,
39:00cold,
39:00possessive.
39:01I'm talking to you.
39:03Ace reaches for him,
39:04trying to pull him away.
39:06Finally,
39:06Silas glances over.
39:07If something happened to them,
39:11wouldn't that make you happy?
39:13I blink.
39:14What?
39:15Deuce and Trey are his brothers.
39:17Why would he sound happy about that?
39:19Even Ace looks stunned.
39:20His throat works once,
39:21then he asks again,
39:22where are they?
39:26I don't know,
39:28but they're not doing well.
39:33But Ace doesn't leave.
39:35He just stands there,
39:36staring at us.
39:38You're leaving together?
39:41I blink.
39:44Isn't that obvious?
39:45The question seems to make him even angrier.
39:48The vein at his temple jumps.
39:51Who gave you the right to take him?
39:53For a second,
39:54I'm genuinely confused.
39:56Are you okay?
39:57I gesture towards Silas.
40:00Lila gave him to me.
40:01He's my beast man.
40:03My responsibility.
40:04My choice.
40:06Ace's jaw tightens.
40:07Then you're still my...
40:09No.
40:09The word lands hard.
40:11You were given to Lila
40:13a long time ago.
40:16Something dark flashes across his face.
40:19Regret.
40:20Anger.
40:21You're the one who gave me to her.
40:24Maybe both.
40:27I almost laugh.
40:29You know what's funny?
40:30Because now he wants to have this conversation.
40:33Now.
40:34I meet his eyes.
40:36The day I decided to send you away,
40:38I heard everything.
40:39His expression changes instantly.
40:41What are you talking about?
40:43The conversation in my apartment.
40:48I smile.
40:49The one where you talked about how much you liked Lila.
40:52The one where you were all waiting for me to give up.
40:54Ace goes completely still.
40:55For the first time since I've known him.
40:57You heard that?
40:58Of course I did.
40:59You liked Lila, so I helped.
41:01If someone wants something, why shouldn't they have it?
41:04You got exactly what you wanted.
41:05Then I look back at him.
41:06So why are you questioning me now?
41:08A says nothing.
41:08I reach for Silas's hand.
41:10Let's go.
41:10Silas immediately falls into step beside me.
41:12Ace trying to follow.
41:14But before he can get far,
41:15several airport security officers step into his path.
41:18His eyes lock onto mine across the distance.
41:20For a moment, neither of us speaks.
41:22Then the crowd shifts between us.
41:24And I turn away.
41:25This time, I don't look back.
41:29Silas takes the seat beside me.
41:31His head is slightly lowered.
41:33Long dark lashes casting shadows across his face.
41:35Then I finally ask the question that has been bothering me.
41:38So you really were planning to replace the groom and marry me?
41:41Yeah.
41:41Just a simple sound.
41:42I stare at him.
41:43You reacted pretty fast.
41:44The moment he realized I was gone,
41:46he disappeared from the hotel without a trace.
41:49Silas lifts his eyes.
41:50Your scent was fading.
41:51Oh, right.
41:52One of the terrifying things about Beastmen
41:54is their sense of smell.
41:55Especially snakes.
41:56They contract things most humans would never notice.
41:58I lean back in my seat.
42:00I'll be staying overseas for a while.
42:01When the timing is right, I'll come back.
42:03Silas doesn't respond immediately.
42:05Instead, he leans closer.
42:06His cool breath brushes against my neck.
42:09For a brief moment,
42:09his lips rest against the side of my throat.
42:12Yeah.
42:12I glance at him from the corner of my eye
42:14and suddenly find the situation a little ridiculous.
42:17People always say wolves are loyal,
42:18that canine Beastmen become attached to their owners.
42:21So why does this cold-blooded snake
42:23seem far more attached to me than any of the wolves ever were?
42:29The months that follow are absolute chaos for the Ashford family.
42:33Fortunately, none of it reaches me.
42:35As expected, Lila never marries that man.
42:38The alliance collapses.
42:40The two families become enemies almost overnight.
42:42By the time I finally return home,
42:45years seem to have passed.
42:47My parents look much older.
42:49My father is bedridden.
42:51The people he'd trusted to run the company either couldn't do it,
42:54or couldn't be trusted.
42:55In the end, they had no choice but to hand everything to Lila.
42:58Unfortunately, being charming and being a good executive are not the same thing.
43:04Under Lila's leadership, the company steadily declines.
43:08By the time I walk back into Ashford Manor,
43:10everyone looks exhausted.
43:12Then my mother suddenly rises from her chair.
43:15Her hand flies up, ready to slap me.
43:18I take one step back, smile, and say softly,
43:22You really want to do that?
43:23She freezes.
43:24I tilt my head.
43:26Her hand remains suspended in midair.
43:28Because right now, I'm the only person who can save you.
43:33The room is silent.
43:34I shift my gaze away from her.
43:38Towered Lila.
43:40Long time no see, little sister.
43:41Lila immediately looks away.
43:43But a second later, tears begin rolling down her cheeks anyway.
43:47And for the first time in our lives,
43:49she is the one falling apart, not me.
43:56I've hated Vera for as long as I can remember.
43:59When we were kids, people naturally gathered around her.
44:03Boys, girls, teachers, neighbors.
44:07She remembered everyone's birthdays.
44:10Everyone's favorite candy.
44:12Every own secrets.
44:14But none of that mattered.
44:16Because the moment I appeared,
44:18every eye shifted to me.
44:20I was prettier.
44:21Much prettier.
44:22People who saw me after seeing Vera
44:24looked pleasantly surprised.
44:26People who saw Vera after seeing me
44:28looked disappointed.
44:29For years, I convinced myself that Vera must hate me.
44:33How could she not?
44:34I had our parents' attention.
44:36I had everyone's admiration.
44:38Every time I thought about it,
44:39I felt lighter.
44:40Even happy.
44:42Sometimes I almost pitied her.
44:44She worked so hard to be kind.
44:46And people still chose me.
44:48Then I met Silas.
44:50A beautiful snake beast man.
44:52And unlike everyone else,
44:53I knew exactly who he was.
44:55Years ago,
44:57Vera saved a dying little snake.
44:58I remembered,
45:00because I screamed at her to stay away from it.
45:02She ignored me.
45:03As usual,
45:04she picked up the snake anyway.
45:06I always assumed she'd forgotten.
45:08Silas hadn't.
45:09Neither had I.
45:11That is why I brought him home.
45:13I knew why he agreed to come.
45:17Because he could smell Vera.
45:19And part of me wanted to see what would happen.
45:24I wanted him to discover the truth.
45:26That Vera wouldn't even remember him.
45:28That his loyalty meant nothing.
45:30But things didn't go the way I expected.
45:32Silas never cared about me.
45:34Not once.
45:35And somehow,
45:36even after forgetting him,
45:38Vera still treated him kindly.
45:40The same way she'd treated the dying snake.
45:42The same way she'd rescued those abandoned wolf cubs.
45:45No matter how many times she got hurt,
45:48she never stopped.
45:49It annoyed me.
45:51Infuriated me.
45:52So I waited.
45:54Soon she'd be forced into a miserable marriage.
45:58Soon she'd break.
45:59Soon she'd come begging me for help.
46:01That would finally prove I was right.
46:04That kindness was useless.
46:05That people should choose power instead.
46:08Then she fooled all of us.
46:11Eventually I take over the company.
46:13And to everyone's surprise,
46:15I am good at it.
46:16Much better than Lila ever was.
46:19Profits recover.
46:20Projects stabilize.
46:22Investors return.
46:24Even my father's health improves.
46:26One day,
46:27I tell Silas.
46:28Silas runs cool fingers through my hair.
46:31At his age,
46:33sudden recovery usually means the end is getting closer.
46:36We're alone in my office.
46:39Understood.
46:40A few months later,
46:41my father collapses again.
46:43This time,
46:44he doesn't recover.
46:44I visit him in the hospital.
46:47And ask for the rest of the shares.
46:49He nearly chokes from anger.
46:51I simply remind him of reality.
46:53If the company stays with Lila,
46:54everything will eventually disappear.
46:56If it comes to me,
46:58the family survives.
46:59The choice isn't complicated.
47:01For a long time,
47:02he stares at me.
47:03Then finally gives up.
47:05And just like that,
47:06the last obstacle disappears.
47:11Silas spends most of his time in my office these days.
47:14Sometimes when I work too long without paying attention to him,
47:17a cool snake tail slowly wraps around my waist.
47:19An extremely obvious complaint.
47:21I usually reach over and pat it.
47:22That solves the problem.
47:23Most of the time,
47:24I've never asked about his other identity.
47:26Whether he is an heir.
47:27Whether he is wealthy.
47:28Whether he controls half the business world from the shadows.
47:31I genuinely don't care.
47:32I only need him beside me.
47:33Nothing else matters.
47:34The same reason I never cared when Ace once told me.
47:37We all had names before you renamed us.
47:39I stopped him before he could continue.
47:41Because I didn't want to know.
47:42The past is the past.
47:43Years later,
47:44the wolves return.
47:45My assistant calls from downstairs.
47:47Three visitors.
47:48Ace,
47:48Deuce,
47:49Trey.
47:49Apparently they want to see me.
47:50I take the call.
47:51A brief conversation follows.
47:53Mostly awkward.
47:54Mostly pointless.
47:55They're still trying to explain.
47:57Trying to clarify.
47:58Trying to revisit decisions made years ago.
48:00I end it quickly.
48:02Because none of it changes anything.
48:03By the time the call ends,
48:05the answer is still the same.
48:06They're no longer mine.
48:07And I have no interest in becoming theirs again.
48:10After hanging up,
48:11I instruct security not to let them back into the building.
48:14Then,
48:14I return to work.
48:15Contracts,
48:16meetings,
48:16reports,
48:17the usual.
48:18Before leaving my office,
48:19I send Silas a message.
48:21A simple one.
48:21I'll be home late.
48:22Be good and wait for me.
48:24Then I put away my phone,
48:25smooth out my sleeves,
48:26and walk toward the conference room.
48:28Another meeting is about to begin.
48:29Outside the glass walls,
48:30at the tower.
48:31The city stretches endlessly beneath the afternoon sun.
48:34Inside,
48:34my employees are already waiting.
48:36I push open the doors.
48:37Let's get started.
48:38And this time,
48:39the story belongs to me.
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