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00:06On my 18th birthday, I walked into Mercer Manor in Harbor City's Crown District.
00:11Three days earlier, the Mercers had shown up at our farm and told me I was their long-lost biological
00:15son.
00:16Before I left, my adoptive father had taught me one rule.
00:19If somebody wants you to give in, stand up straighter and make them look at you.
00:22So I watched everything in silence.
00:24The Mercer gates were taller than our barn.
00:26A butler waited at the entrance.
00:28Staff stood in two neat lines.
00:30Inside the living room sat a crowd of people I couldn't name.
00:32The moment I stepped through the door, a boy in a pale shirt came down the staircase.
00:37Ethan Mercer, the boy who had lived my life in this house for 18 years.
00:41His back was straight, his smile polite.
00:43In his hands was a pair of men's loafers.
00:45Cole, you finally made it.
00:47We didn't have anything ready for you yet, so you can wear these for now.
00:50I looked down.
00:51The leather was creased.
00:52One heel had been worn down crooked, and they looked like they'd fit maybe half my foot.
00:56I folded my arms and didn't take them.
00:58The room went even quieter.
01:00I'm sorry.
01:00I just thought you'd be tired after the drive, and changing shoes might make you more comfortable.
01:04If you don't want those, I can take mine off and give them to you.
01:07A cold laugh came from the front drive.
01:09A girl leans against a car.
01:10Uncle Richard, are you sure you expect me to get engaged to him?
01:16I matched her to the name in my head at once, Serena Blackwell, the girl who was supposed
01:20to be my fiancé.
01:21My family needs a man who can stand beside me, not someone who looks like he still smells
01:25of hay.
01:26My sister, Vivian Mercer, stood at the edge of the living room with her arms folded.
01:30She made no move to defend me.
01:31It's not kind, but she's right.
01:33Cole, if you're coming back to the Mercer family, the first thing you need to learn is
01:36how to behave.
01:37Don't embarrass us.
01:38Vivian, Serena, don't start.
01:40Cole just got here.
01:41Of course, he needs time to adjust.
01:44I can help him get used to things around here.
01:46I dropped my canvas stuff on the floor and picked up the old loafers.
01:49Sure is lively in here.
01:50I just walked through the door.
01:51Is this the welcome party you planned for me?
01:53Ethan brought you shoes out of kindness.
01:55What kind of attitude is that?
01:57Kindness?
01:57I tossed the shoes off, then kicked them farther across the floor.
02:00A mansion this big, three floors, two wings, a ballroom, a full staff, and nobody could
02:05find me a new pair of shoes?
02:06I wore those before.
02:07I thought our sizes were close.
02:09I'm sorry.
02:09I was only trying to help.
02:10Close?
02:11You wear new shoes and hand me your old ones?
02:13Is that what passes for kindness in Harbor City?
02:17Even if Ethan made a mistake, he didn't mean to.
02:19And you couldn't even say thank you?
02:21And you are?
02:22I'm your fiancé.
02:24Oh.
02:24You say I have no manners, but you just insulted me from head to toe in front of a room
02:27full
02:28of people.
02:28What kind of manners are those?
02:30Or is that the best the Blackwell family can teach?
02:32The living room went dead silent.
02:34Vivian's expression soured.
02:35Cole, watch yourself.
02:37I looked at her.
02:38You're my biological sister, right?
02:40She paused, then nodded.
02:43I spent more than ten hours in a car to get here.
02:45You didn't ask once if I was tired.
02:47All you've talked about is rules and embarrassing the family.
02:51You lost me for 18 years.
02:53Who was supposed to teach me Mercer rules?
02:57Cole, no one's trying to make things hard for you.
02:59We all just need time to adjust.
03:01You just got back.
03:02I'll help you.
03:03Then he lowered his head, looking hurt.
03:05The people around us looked at me differently at once.
03:07Just then, a woman hurried out from inside and grabbed my hand.
03:10Cole, you must be exhausted after that drive.
03:13Don't hold this against them.
03:14And pulled open her car door.
03:16I'll have my father reconsider this engagement.
03:18Goodbye.
03:18The car door slammed shut.
03:19Vivian's face went cold.
03:21She looked at me like I'd caused a disaster.
03:23I ignored her.
03:23Pulling out my phone, I opened my pinned chat with Hank Hayes and typed,
03:27Dad, I made it.
03:28This family is something.
03:29Less than three seconds later, his reply came through in all caps and exclamation marks.
03:34Who gave you a hard time?
03:35Woo it was.
03:36I'm driving over there right now to set them straight.
03:38I couldn't help smiling.
03:39Don't bother.
03:40I can handle it.
03:41I slipped my phone back into my pocket, picked up my canvas duffel, and swept my gaze over the Mercers.
03:46Fine.
03:46Where's my room?
03:47Show me.
03:49The butler led me to a room in the second floor.
03:51The second he pushed open the door, the roar of machinery and a blast of hot air hit me.
03:57The room itself wasn't small, but its window faced the kitchen exhaust vents.
04:01I walked over to take a closer look.
04:03The curtains were old, with loose threads hanging from the edges.
04:06The sheets had been folded neatly, but the pillowcases and comforter didn't match.
04:10The closet was empty, not even a hanger inside.
04:13The butler had already left, so I pulled out my phone and took pictures of every corner of the room.
04:23Then I shut the door, sat on the bed, and checked my phone.
04:26Hank had just sent me a message.
04:29Son, I don't know a damn thing about all that rich people nonsense, but remember this.
04:36Anyone tells you to kneel, you stand up.
04:38Make them see how tall you are when you do.
04:42The next morning, Eleanor knocked on my door.
04:47The family's having a small get-together today.
04:49Your relatives would like to meet you.
04:50She handed me two shopping bags.
04:52One held a gray linen shirt, the other had a loose casual outfit.
04:56The tags had been cut off both, and neither was even close to my size.
04:59From down the hall, Ethan's excited voice drifted out of his room.
05:02These are from the new collection.
05:04They fit perfectly.
05:05I tossed the two outfits back into the closet, and pulled on a white t-shirt and jeans.
05:10By the time I went downstairs, the living room was packed.
05:13Ethan chatting with one of the older relatives.
05:15The moment I walked in, the room fell quiet.
05:18Every eye dropped to my jeans and old boots.
05:20So this is the son who grew up away from the family.
05:23He's good-looking enough, I suppose.
05:25But those clothes...
05:27Auntie, please don't say that.
05:28It's our fault.
05:29We haven't had time to get Cole any clothes yet.
05:31I offered to help pick some out, but he said he didn't need them.
05:37I did say no, because the two outfits you picked out could fit two of me.
05:41Ethan's expression stalled for a second before smoothing over.
05:44I was just afraid they'd be too small.
05:46I didn't want you to feel uncomfortable.
05:49I laughed, loud enough for everyone to hear.
05:55You wear a large, and you bought me XXXL.
05:58Were you afraid I'd be uncomfortable, or were you trying to make sure I looked like a joke?
06:04Just then, the click of high heels sounded from the entryway.
06:08Serena walked in.
06:09Without even looking at me, she went straight to Ethan.
06:12You mentioned that pen you wanted was discontinued.
06:14I had someone get it at a private auction.
06:19But you are engaged to Cole.
06:21This might not be appropriate.
06:23Only then did Serena turn to me.
06:24Since you're still here, I'll make this clear.
06:26Our parents arranged this engagement.
06:28That doesn't mean I agree to it.
06:29If you have any sense, you'll ask your family to call it off yourself.
06:32Don't make this ugly for everyone.
06:36Put your mind at ease, Serena.
06:37I'm not interested in you.
06:38This engagement is over as far as I'm concerned.
06:40If you really want out, have your father talk to mine today.
06:44Don't stand here acting like you're above me.
06:45You're not.
06:49A week later, the Mercer Foundation will be holding its winter charity gala in the glass hall.
06:54A lot of business partners will be there.
06:56It'll also be our chance to introduce you to everyone properly.
06:59Mother had a suit made for you.
07:01You'll look so sharp in it.
07:02For the first time since coming to the Mercers, I felt a little warmth.
07:05On the night of the gala, I opened my walk-in closet and found the suit was gone.
07:09At the top of the stairs, I saw Ethan coming down in an ice blue suit.
07:13My suit.
07:14I went back upstairs, changed into my own white shirt and black pants,
07:17then headed down.
07:19Vivian had her arm looped through Ethan's.
07:22They looked perfectly at ease, drawing praise from everyone around them.
07:30This is a gala.
07:31You're really wearing that?
07:36Someone took my suit.
07:37Why don't you ask him how he got the one he's wearing?
07:42Eleanor, please don't think I want to call off this match.
07:45But look at your son.
07:47At an event like this, honestly.
07:49At an event like this, he doesn't have half of Ethan's poise.
07:53I think we should call off the engagement.
07:56Eleanor went rigid, nearly dropping the glass in her hand.
07:59Serena rose from her seat and walked over.
08:01Cole Hayes, I'll say this one last time.
08:03I will not accept this engagement.
08:05Tell your parents as soon as possible.
08:06Don't waste everyone's time.
08:08The whole glass hall fell silent.
08:09Every eye turned to me.
08:10I stood in the middle of the ballroom and looked around.
08:13No one was going to say a word for me.
08:15I called Hank and put him on speaker.
08:16Cole, what's got you calling your old man?
08:19Someone giving you trouble?
08:20Only my voice carried.
08:21Dad, it's nothing major.
08:23Just some people here saying I'm not fit to be a mercer.
08:26They don't think much of me.
08:27And someone says she won't marry me.
08:29But that works for me.
08:31I don't like her either.
08:32Tell Uncle Gideard that if he still wants to talk about the Northern Corridor freight deal
08:35and those energy lesses, I'll come back and talk business with him.
08:38He's been waiting on you.
08:39The permits for the Northern Corridor are expected to be re-approved next week.
08:43And the energy lease contracts are on my desk.
08:45Ethan couldn't stop himself from blurting out.
08:47Gideon Bennett?
08:49The freight telecoon?
08:51A sharp breath ran through the glass hall.
08:54Everyone there knew the Mercer Group's most important project right now
08:57was the harbor expansion.
08:58And what it lacked was access to the Northern Corridor
09:01and reliable energy support.
09:03Did Hank Hayes control that route?
09:05Richard snapped his head up.
09:07Mrs. Blackwell's smile froze.
09:10If you don't want to stay there, come home.
09:13Not yet. I've got something to finish.
09:16After ending the call, I slipped my phone into my pocket and looked at Serena.
09:21You were right.
09:22I don't understand all the rules and games you people have in Harbor City.
09:26But get one thing straight about this engagement.
09:29The blackmails aren't rejecting me.
09:31I'm rejecting you.
09:33Ethan's face changed completely.
09:35He had clearly heard the names Hank Hayes and Gideon Bennett before.
09:39Vivian gripped the back of a chair, her knuckles white.
09:42Serena stood frozen, her lips parting.
09:45But no words came out.
09:47Mrs. Blackwell tried to save face.
09:50Young man, whoever your adoptive father knows has nothing to do with this engagement.
09:55You think dropping a few names will...
09:56Hank called again.
10:00Oh, right. Gideon said his daughter Ava's coming over to take you to dinner.
10:04You two used to play together all the time, remember?
10:06She just got back after college.
10:08You'll have plenty to talk about.
10:09I hung up, pulled out a chair, took an orange from the table, and peeled it slowly.
10:14The gala ended in awkward silence.
10:17Guests left in small groups.
10:19Serena rushed out.
10:21Ethan followed Vivian upstairs.
10:23I stood in the manor courtyard, looking up at the Harbor City night sky.
10:27My phone buzzed.
10:29Hank still couldn't stand the thought of me being there alone.
10:32He'd sent a voice message to check on me.
10:34I replied,
10:36Dad, I'll finish what I need to do here, then I'll come home.
10:38I don't care about their love, but if they humiliate me, they're gonna pay for it.
10:43Three days after the charity gala, the mood at the Mercer house had visibly changed.
10:48At breakfast, someone actually asked what I wanted to eat.
10:51Eleanor knocked on my door two days in a row to check on me.
10:54Every word she said carried the same message.
10:57She wanted to make it up to me.
10:59At dinner that night, Ethan acted like nothing had happened.
11:02He kept asking me questions.
11:04Cole, do you like this?
11:06If you do, I'll have the kitchen make more.
11:09Ethan, cut the act.
11:10We aren't close.
11:12I looked up, our eyes meeting across the table.
11:16I haven't even told Eleanor you wore my suit.
11:19You really want to keep giving me ammunition?
11:21The clink of cutlery stopped all at once.
11:23Ethan's voice began to shake immediately.
11:27Cole,
11:29The staff mixed them up that day.
11:31I really didn't know it was yours.
11:33It was one suit.
11:34How much longer are you gonna drag this out?
11:37I didn't answer.
11:38Once I was done eating, I got up and left.
11:40That afternoon, I received a friend request from an unknown number.
11:44Ava Bennett.
11:46Once I accepted, she sent me a message.
11:49I'm Ava, the girl you used to steal corn with and grill behind the silos in Grayfield.
11:54My dad told me to take you to dinner.
11:56Your location, please.
11:57I replied,
11:58Your call.
12:00Five minutes later, Ava sent me the address of an exclusive, reservation-only restaurant in Harbor City.
12:06When I arrived, two bodyguards stood outside the private dining room.
12:10Ava was already inside.
12:11She looked casual in a white shirt, jeans, and old leather boots.
12:15But the watch on her wrist and the coat draped over her chair were anything but ordinary.
12:21The first thing she said when she saw me was,
12:23Long time no see.
12:25I remember you could put away three bowls of ranch beans in one sitting.
12:30I still can.
12:31Want a demonstration?
12:32We went our separate ways after dinner.
12:35But someone had taken pictures of us.
12:37By the next day, they'd made their way to Vivian.
12:42That's Ava Bennett, isn't it?
12:44What's your relationship with her?
12:46I glanced at the photo.
12:48Dinner.
12:49Vivian frowned at once.
12:51How can you go to dinner alone with another woman when you're still engaged?
12:55The engagement is over.
12:56Your best friend Serena said so herself in front of half the city at the glass hall.
13:00Did you forget?
13:01Even so, you can't humiliate Serena.
13:03The engagement could still be...
13:04Vivian, I just looked into it.
13:05The Bennetts have far more assets and control far more land than the Black Lace.
13:09The second the words left his mouth, he seemed to realize he shouldn't have said them.
13:15You want to dig into my background?
13:16Go ahead.
13:17I wasn't planning to hide it.
13:19Hank isn't the ordinary farmer you take him for.
13:21You lost me when I was a baby and never once blamed yourselves.
13:25But now you're angry because I didn't grow into the person you expected.
13:28I turned and headed upstairs.
13:30At the staircase, I paused.
13:33I didn't come back to compete for your affection or take what belongs to you.
13:37But if you keep treating me like dirt under your boots, I'll show you what dirt can do.
13:47You broke off an engagement with Hank Hayes' son?
13:49That family is not one you can afford to cross.
13:52Do you understand me?
13:53For the first time, Serena stood before her father's desk with her head down, not daring to argue.
13:59Mr. Blackwell threw a dossier onto the desk.
14:01It listed the holdings of Hayes Land and Freight.
14:03Land.
14:04Grain silos.
14:05Cold chain logistics.
14:07Northern Corridor Freight.
14:08Energy leases.
14:09The numbers ran onto a second page.
14:11The next day, Serena called me.
14:13I looked at her name on my screen and let it ring for a few extra seconds before answering.
14:20Say what you called for.
14:21When she spoke, she sounded like she was forcing herself past her pride.
14:25Cold, the way I treated you that day was out of line.
14:28Yeah.
14:30And?
14:32I want to take you to dinner.
14:34We can talk face to face.
14:39Serena, did you decide to invite me to dinner or did your father send you?
14:42The line went silent.
14:44I thought so.
14:45Forget dinner.
14:46You pointed in my face and told me I wasn't good enough.
14:48I'll never forget that.
14:50If you're really sorry, have your father come apologize to me in person.
14:56Ava texted me.
14:57Uncle Hank wants you home this weekend.
14:59He says the stew's already on.
15:01After Ethan found out Serena had called me, he stayed in his room and scrolled through her
15:05social media 20 times.
15:07I've made a terrible mistake.
15:08Her latest post was a photo of her study.
15:11He locked his phone, his nails digging into his palms.
15:14The next day, Ethan asked Serena to meet him at a coffee shop.
15:17He wore a dark coat, his hair neatly combed.
15:19He stirred his coffee calmly.
15:21Serena, I'm not trying to speak badly about Cole, but have you really looked into all
15:25the businesses his adoptive father owns?
15:31Someone doesn't build a business that big on luck alone.
15:34I doubt his hands are clean.
15:37What are you saying, Ethan?
15:39I'm just reminding you not to forget the risks because of one dossier your father showed you.
15:43Ethan, what exactly do you have against Cole?
15:46Ever since you met him, you've put him down every chance you got.
15:48His face cooled.
15:50I haven't.
15:52You have.
15:53I did look down on him at first, but we're not idiots.
15:57I know what you've been doing.
15:59Ethan's fingers tightened around his cup.
16:01His eyes darkened.
16:02So now you believe him instead of me?
16:05I only believe facts.
16:07Don't contact me again.
16:08I need to handle things with Cole carefully, not sit here listening to you make up dirt about him.
16:16After Serena left, Ethan sat alone in the coffee shop for 40 minutes.
16:20He called Vivian three times.
16:22She didn't answer once.
16:24Finally, he called Eleanor.
16:25Ethan, I know about you taking Cole's suit.
16:29Come home.
16:30We need to talk.
16:31When Ethan returned to Mercer Manor, Eleanor was already seated in the living room.
16:35The ice blue suit lay beside her.
16:38I had that suit made for Cole.
16:39Why were you wearing it that night?
16:41Ethan didn't explain right away.
16:42He took off his coat and draped it over his arm.
16:45I wore it.
16:46Eleanor looked at him.
16:47Why?
16:48He was silent for a moment.
16:51I thought you had it made for me.
16:52Don't lie to me.
16:54Cole's name was inside the collar and it was his size.
16:56How could you possibly mistake it?
16:58We were running late.
16:59By the time I realized I had the wrong suit on, it was too late.
17:02Vivian had just come home from work.
17:04She stood in the doorway without going in.
17:06Eleanor glanced at her.
17:07You too.
17:08Come in.
17:09There's no way you knew nothing about what your brother did.
17:12Vivian's face changed.
17:13Mom, Ethan didn't do it on purpose.
17:16Don't you dare tell me he didn't mean to one more time.
17:20I came down the stairs, took one look at the scene in the living room,
17:23and headed straight for the dining room.
17:25As I passed, Eleanor called out.
17:27Cole, come sit with us.
17:28I stopped and leaned against the door frame.
17:30You handle your business, I can handle mine.
17:33Her eyes filled with things she didn't know how to say.
17:35Then Ethan spoke, his voice low.
17:37Ever since Cole came back, I've been scared.
17:39The room went quiet.
17:40He stood there with his shoulders pulled tight,
17:42like he'd been wound too tight for too long,
17:44and had finally hit his limit.
17:46He looked at Eleanor, then toward Richard's study.
17:48I lived in this house for 18 years before I found out I wasn't a Mercer by blood.
17:52But I thought if I was good enough, if I did everything right,
17:56if I was Mercer enough, then I wouldn't be thrown away.
17:58Vivian's expression changed.
18:00But the second he came back, everything changed.
18:03You should see the way you all look at him,
18:05the way people outside this family look at him.
18:07Even Serena has started to see him differently.
18:09I never wanted to hurt him.
18:10I just, I was scared of losing everything.
18:14It was a pretty speech.
18:15If Eleanor softened now, Ethan would be the one who needed comforting.
18:19You said you were scared of being thrown away.
18:21Scared of losing everything.
18:23When you handed me those old shoes, were you scared?
18:27When you put me in a room facing the kitchen exhaust vents,
18:30were you scared?
18:31When you bought me clothes two sizes too big
18:33and let me show up in front of your relatives looking like I was wearing a sack,
18:36were you scared?
18:38When you wore my suit and let everyone humiliate me,
18:40were you scared?
18:42You only remembered to be scared after people finally saw you for who you are.
18:46Pretty calculating, aren't you?
18:47You were scared of being thrown away.
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