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00:00Three days before our wedding, my best friend announced she was pregnant with my fiancé's baby.
00:05Lana's baby won't change anything between us, you're still my bride.
00:08He thought I'd swallow my pride and marry him as planned.
00:11After all, I've been waiting to marry him for eight years.
00:14So when I refused to go through with our planned wedding,
00:18he threw me out of my own apartment, confident that I couldn't live without him,
00:22and would crawl back begging for his forgiveness.
00:25But not this time.
00:26Because I've decided to leave him forever.
00:31And marry the city's most powerful billionaire.
00:36We played truth or dare at our pre-wedding party.
00:39Truth! Have you slept with anyone in this room?
00:42My best friend Lana was forced to drink after she refused to answer the question.
00:46But Lana pushed the drink aside.
00:48I can't drink tonight.
00:49Then she looked directly at my fiancé, Sean.
00:51Because I'm pregnant and the baby is Sean's.
00:55The entire bar went silent.
00:57I turned to Sean, waiting for him to tell her she was crazy.
01:00But Sean just sighed.
01:02Avri, it was a mistake.
01:03Lana and I were both wasted.
01:06No.
01:08You must be lying.
01:10Look, it changes nothing between us.
01:11Lana doesn't even want a husband.
01:13She's not trying to marry me.
01:14He reached out trying to grab my hand, but I pulled back.
01:16Changes nothing?
01:20Sean, she's my best friend.
01:22Babe, relax.
01:23It's just a baby.
01:24We'll just co-parent.
01:25Everyone's doing it now, right?
01:27Sean turned to look at Lana.
01:29Lana was smirking.
01:30So don't stress.
01:31The wedding is still on.
01:33Co-parenting?
01:35I looked at my best friend.
01:37She was looking at me with a victorious smile, stroking her still flat belly.
01:42Fine.
01:43Sean thought I had agreed, so he smiled.
01:46But then I flipped off his hand and slid the engagement ring off my finger.
01:50I don't like sharing husband.
01:51I'm canceling our wedding.
01:54I dropped the ring into his champagne glass and left the bar, ignoring his reactions.
02:00Just then, my phone rang.
02:02It was Cole, the richest man in the city and my classmate from high school.
02:06Avery, I heard you just called off the wedding with Sean.
02:09Yes.
02:11I've been waiting for this day for eight years.
02:13Marry me instead.
02:19But Cole, we're just friends.
02:21I want to be more than just friends.
02:24And I will give you everything you've ever deserved.
02:26Please, just give me a chance.
02:29My phone buzzed and I switched to the message.
02:32We will talk later.
02:33A text message from Sean.
02:35Avery, I know you're mad, but please, think about our past.
02:38Just don't throw away eight years over this.
02:41The wind blew over me in the cold night.
02:44I couldn't stop my tears when thinking of my past eight years.
02:49Sean saved me when I was penniless and starved.
02:54He used to hug me when I experienced trauma.
02:57He even told me he didn't want children after my miscarriage.
03:01You're all I need, Avery.
03:02He only did those things because I was an orphan?
03:05Was it all just pity?
03:11A text message from Sean.
03:13By the way, my custom-made wedding suit is ready for pickup.
03:16Grab it and send it to me.
03:17Looking at the text, a mocking laugh escaped my throat.
03:20A reminder for me to keep playing the submissive fiancé.
03:22Okay, I'm done with it.
03:25Cole, I've decided.
03:27I'll marry you.
03:30I didn't care about his clothes,
03:32but I needed to return my apartment to pack my bags.
03:34But the moment I pushed the door open, I froze.
03:37Lana was wrapped in my favorite silk bathrobe.
03:40Sean, completely shirtless, was sitting on the couch,
03:42gently blow-drying Lana's damp hair.
03:44They were laughing.
03:46Oh, Avery!
03:47Don't get the wrong idea.
03:48I just had a severe morning sickness,
03:50so Sean brought me home to take care of me.
03:52Sean just worried about me as friends.
03:54Please don't be mad at him.
03:56But Sean stood up, completely unbothered,
03:59throwing a towel at me.
04:01Avery, since you're here,
04:03go make some warm soup for Lana.
04:04She hasn't been able to keep anything down all day.
04:07I stared at him, disgusted.
04:10Make her soup?
04:11Are you out of your mind, Sean?
04:13Sean,
04:14maybe I should just leave.
04:16I don't want to cause trouble between you two.
04:18I can handle the pregnancy alone.
04:20Lana, you stay right here.
04:21What is wrong with you?
04:23Lana just needed help with her pregnancy.
04:25Why are you being so cold-hearted?
04:26Sean, I won't help you with your bastard.
04:28We're done.
04:30Stop.
04:30You're not going anywhere.
04:31He grabbed my arm and shoved me hard away from him.
04:34I fell hard on the sofa.
04:36Haven't you thrown enough tantrums before the wedding?
04:38Grow up!
04:41Tantrums?
04:43You slept with my best friend,
04:45destroyed our relationship,
04:47and you call it a tantrum?
04:52I already told you it was a one-time mistake.
04:55Are you really going to ruin everyone's relationships over this?
05:02Ruin everyone's relationships?
05:03You're the one who ruined everything.
05:05Believe it or not,
05:06our wedding is canceled,
05:08and I'm leaving you forever.
05:11I heard some noise here.
05:13Who's creating dramas?
05:15Avery, you again?
05:17You really have no manners.
05:22Two days before the wedding,
05:24and you're still creating all these dramas.
05:26Don't you forget,
05:27you're just a nobody with no family.
05:29Without Sean,
05:30nobody is ever going to want you.
05:31You need to learn some manners.
05:33Think again before you crawl back.
05:35Two days before our original planned wedding,
05:38they threw me out of my own apartment.
05:39How pathetic.
05:42In the pouring rain,
05:43I dialed Cole's number.
05:47I want our wedding at the exact same time
05:50as my original wedding.
05:54I will make it happen.
05:59A notification popped up on my phone.
06:02Lana had posted a photo on her social media.
06:05In the picture,
06:06Sean was holding her close
06:08in front of a luxury car,
06:09kissing her.
06:11They're living in the apartment under my name
06:13and driving the car under my lease?
06:23I blocked all my cards
06:25and canceled the car lease immediately.
06:37Avery,
06:38what the hell did you do?
06:40My credit cards are declined
06:41and the dealership is repossessing my car.
06:43Are you insane?
06:44I'm just taking back what's mine.
06:46Stop acting crazy.
06:48Unblock the cards now.
06:50Lana needs that money for her prenatal care.
06:54Just let her throw her little tantrum, Sean.
06:57She'll crawl back and unblock the cards
06:59like she always does.
07:01It's not like she knows
07:02you've always wanted me anyway.
07:04That night we hooked up,
07:06you weren't even drunk.
07:07You knew exactly what you were doing.
07:11You weren't drunk, Sean?
07:13You knew all along?
07:15Lana's just joking.
07:16Just unblock the cards.
07:17All right?
07:18With only one day left before our wedding,
07:21the truth finally hit me.
07:22In the eight years,
07:24he never loved me.
07:28In the afternoon,
07:30Sean blew up my phone again.
07:31I picked up,
07:32only to hear his panicked, raging voice.
07:34Avery,
07:35who the hell are these people?
07:37There are movers packing up everything
07:38and throwing me and Lana out.
07:39Tell them to get the hell out of my apartment
07:41right now!
07:42They are in the right place, Sean.
07:44And it's not your apartment anymore.
07:46I sold it this morning.
07:47Sold it?
07:49Are you out of your mind?
07:51Stop playing these childish games.
07:53You're really going this far
07:55just because of Lana's baby?
07:56I don't play games, Sean.
07:58And by the way,
08:00I'm marrying someone else.
08:01And his name is Cole Sinclair.
08:03Sean scoffed, laughing arrogantly.
08:06Sinclair?
08:07The CEO of Sinclair Group?
08:09Avery, you really hired someone
08:10just to make me jealous?
08:11Nice joke.
08:12Who's next?
08:13The president?
08:13Believe what you want, Sean.
08:15But don't ever call me again.
08:22I put my phone away,
08:23turning to instruct the wedding staff
08:24on the floral decorations.
08:26A strong hand gently took my phone
08:28from the counter.
08:29Mr. Miller.
08:29Who the hell is this?
08:30Put Avery back on the phone.
08:31Avery is busy preparing
08:32for our wedding tomorrow, Mr. Miller.
08:33Please do not call my wife again.
08:35Sean went quiet for a second,
08:36but then he let out a loud, mocking laugh.
08:39Oh, I get it now.
08:40You're the cheap actor she hired.
08:42Avery, I know your tricks.
08:43I'll be at our wedding tomorrow
08:44and make you crawl back to me.
08:50Okay, just come and see.
08:51But don't expect a seat, Mr. Miller.
08:58The next morning,
08:59Sean and Lana barged into the wedding.
09:01Avery, are you seriously hiring
09:03some random actor to play your groom
09:04just to get back at me?
09:05Stop this ridiculous drama
09:06and unblock my cards.
09:08If you do,
09:09I might actually consider taking you back.
09:11The guests turned around,
09:13whispering in shock and disgust.
09:15Avery, please,
09:16don't be so stubborn.
09:18Everyone knows Sean is the one
09:20you've been begging to marry
09:21for eight years.
09:23I didn't invite either of you.
09:25Get the hell out of my wedding.
09:26Still playing hard to get?
09:27Don't make me laugh, Avery.
09:29You're just a worthless orphan.
09:31Nobody else would ever want you.
09:34Ah!
09:34My baby!
09:35Sean!
09:36She pushed me!
09:37Avery tried to kill our baby!
09:39Lana suddenly stumbled backward
09:41and fell to the floor.
09:42You psycho!
09:44How dare you touch Lana
09:45and my baby!
09:47Sean ripped my veil off
09:49and I felt a heavy slap on my face.
09:51Don't embarrass yourself
09:52for my attention, Avery.
09:54Apologize to Lana right now
09:55or I'm not walking down this aisle with you.
09:58I'm not faking anything.
10:00Get out or I'll call the security.
10:01I tried to leave,
10:02but Sean stopped me.
10:03You just never learn, do you?
10:05Since your dead parents
10:06didn't teach you any manners,
10:08I will!
10:11Sean raised his hand
10:12to strike me again,
10:13but the blow never landed.
10:15Cole stopped Sean's hand midair.
10:17His eyes were fixed
10:18on the red mark on my cheek.
10:20Don't you dare touch her.
10:21Cole tightened his grip
10:21on Sean's wrist,
10:23making Sean scream in pain.
10:24My bride,
10:24you may hit him back now.
10:28Looking at Cole's eyes,
10:30a sudden surge of courage
10:31rushed through me.
10:32For the first time in eight years,
10:33I had someone standing behind
10:35to support me.
10:35My fear suddenly vanished
10:36and I slapped Sean hard
10:38across my face.
10:39The sharp crack
10:39echoed through the wedding hall,
10:41instantly shattering
10:42his arrogance.
10:44Sean stumbled back,
10:46clutching his cheek
10:47in complete disbelief.
10:49Avery?
10:51You hit me?
10:52Sean,
10:53this is what you asked for?
10:54Cole raised a hand
10:55to signal the security.
10:57Several guards
10:58stepped forward
10:58and firmly grabbed
10:59Sean and Lana.
11:01Sean kicked and screamed
11:03as they dragged him
11:04toward the exit.
11:05You're crazy, Avery!
11:06You dared to embarrass me
11:07with a cheap actor?!
11:09Avery,
11:09how could you do this to us?
11:11I'm your best friend!
11:12Lana sobbed loudly,
11:13pretending to protect
11:14her stomach.
11:15The guards ignored
11:16their screams,
11:17dragging them through the lobby
11:18and throwing them out
11:19of the venue.
11:20The heavy doors slammed shut,
11:22cutting off their voices.
11:23Cole walked over
11:24and picked up
11:25the bridal veil
11:25from the floor.
11:26He gently dusted off
11:28and handed it to me.
11:29Are you okay?
11:30I took a deep breath,
11:32my chest rising and falling.
11:33I looked at the beautiful veil,
11:35then at the crowded hall
11:36of whispering guests
11:37and finally at Cole's
11:38steady, handsome face.
11:39Cole smiled,
11:40his eyes reflecting
11:41a deep, unwavering promise
11:42as he held out his hand to me.
11:44Let's continue our wedding.
11:48Late at night,
11:50Cole walked over
11:51to the window,
11:51placing a glass
11:52of warm milk beside me.
12:01You still remember?
12:12Of course I remember.
12:15You used to drink warm milk
12:16whenever you felt overwhelmed
12:17back in high school.
12:21We didn't talk for a moment.
12:24Cole, I was just wondering,
12:26why did you ask me to marry you?
12:28You're the most powerful
12:30billionaire in this city now.
12:31We were just high school friends.
12:33Why me?
12:36Because eight years ago,
12:37I was just a quiet outsider.
12:40Everyone in that school
12:41either ignored me
12:42or threw my things around.
12:44He paused,
12:45a faint smile
12:47playing on his lips.
12:51But not you.
12:52You were the only one
12:53who snatched my Lundbox back
12:54from those bullies.
12:56You sat with me
12:57and treated me
12:57like a human being.
13:02He looked at me
13:03in the eyes.
13:04I spent the last eight years
13:06working hard
13:06so I could stand by you.
13:08I wanted to be strong enough
13:09to protect you.
13:10Now that I have the power,
13:12I want to give you
13:12the best of everything.
13:13You deserve to be cherished,
13:14Avery.
13:15Feeling a strange sense
13:16of warmth,
13:17I blushed.
13:20The next morning,
13:22I walked downstairs
13:23and found Cole
13:24waiting for me
13:24in the kitchen.
13:30He handed me a folder.
13:34A wedding gift for you.
13:36It was a formal contract.
13:38The Horizon Plaza
13:39Lead Architect Contract
13:41for a huge project.
13:44This is your company's
13:45landmark project.
13:47Cole, are you offering
13:48this job to me?
13:51I'm not giving you
13:52a handout, Avery.
13:53I'm offering this
13:54to the most talented
13:54architect I know.
14:00Sean's company
14:01held you back
14:02and he took credit
14:03for your ideas.
14:04I gripped the folder,
14:05my fingers tightening
14:06around the folder.
14:08Take this contract.
14:10Use your own strength
14:11and talent
14:11to reclaim your name.
14:13Let the world see
14:14who you really are
14:15and let them watch you
14:17rebuild your empire
14:18from the ground up.
14:19He handed me
14:19a fresh coffee
14:20and I met
14:21his encouraging eyes.
14:22The fire of my
14:23professional ambition,
14:24which Sean had repressed
14:25for years,
14:26finally reunited.
14:27I'll do it.
14:28I'll make the Horizon Plaza
14:30the most magnificent
14:31landmark this city
14:32has ever seen.
14:35On the other side,
14:37Sean and Lana
14:38were forced to pack
14:39their bags
14:39and leave my apartment.
14:42Having lost
14:43the luxury car,
14:44the credit cards,
14:45and the apartment
14:46I reclaimed,
14:47they moved into
14:48a cramped and dusty
14:49old house
14:50in the suburbs.
14:51Eleanor paced
14:52the small,
14:53cluttered living room,
14:54throwing a stack
14:54of overdue bills
14:55onto the table.
14:57This is a disgrace!
14:58We are stuck
14:59in this garbage dump
15:00because of that
15:01ungrateful orphan!
15:03Sean,
15:03why haven't you
15:04made her crawl back yet?
15:05Sean kicked
15:06a cardboard box
15:07in frustration,
15:08his suit wrinkled
15:09and messy.
15:10She's just playing
15:11hard to get, Mom.
15:12She's using that
15:13fake actor to make me beg.
15:15She'll run out of money
15:16to pay him soon
15:16and come crawl him
15:17back to me.
15:19Sean is right.
15:21Avery has no family
15:22and no connections.
15:24She's nothing without us.
15:28Lana sat on a worn-out sofa,
15:31wearing a cheap robe
15:31and nervously stroking
15:33her flat stomach.
15:34Lana's eyes suddenly fell
15:36on an old,
15:37scratched 2K Avery
15:38had left behind
15:39in their rush to move.
15:40A corner of an old tablet
15:41peeked out from the pocket.
15:43Lana pulled the tablet out
15:45and pressed the power button.
15:46To her shock,
15:48the screen lit up
15:48and displayed
15:49a personal design database
15:50that was still logged in
15:51under Avery's name.
15:53Lana scrolled through the files
15:54and she saw the drafts
15:55for the Horizon Plaza.
15:56Sean, Eleanor,
15:58look at this.
15:59Preliminary drafts
16:00for Sinclair's landmark bid
16:01are all here.
16:06Eleanor rushed over,
16:08snatching to the tablet
16:09from Lana's hands.
16:11Her eyes filled
16:12with greedy excitement
16:13as she stared
16:14at the brilliant,
16:15highly detailed
16:16architectural drafts.
16:19This is our salvation.
16:21Sean, Miller Construction
16:23is on the verge
16:24of bankruptcy
16:25if we don't get
16:26a contract
16:27with Sinclairly Group.
16:28The banks
16:29will take everything.
16:30Lana snatched
16:31the tablet back,
16:32a devious, arrogant smile
16:34spreading across her face.
16:36I can easily reformat
16:37these blueprints
16:38and put my name on them.
16:40Eleanor,
16:41I will present this
16:42as my own genius
16:43green design
16:44for Miller Construction's
16:45official bid.
16:46Lana turned to Sean
16:47with a sweet smile
16:48on her face.
16:49But if I save
16:51your family's company,
16:52Sean,
16:53you have to promise
16:54me one thing.
16:55I want a massive,
16:57high-profile
16:58engagement party.
17:00I want everyone
17:01in the city to know
17:02I'm the future matriarch
17:04of the Miller family.
17:07Sean looked
17:08at the brilliant drafts,
17:09his desperation
17:10turning into arrogant relief.
17:12He pulled Lana
17:14into his arms,
17:15kissing her temple.
17:15Of course, babe.
17:17You are the genius
17:18who is going to save us.
17:19Once we get
17:20the Sinclair contract,
17:22Avery will realize
17:22she is nothing
17:23compared to you.
17:24We'll make her watch us
17:25rise while she rots
17:26in the gutter.
17:31As I was walking
17:32across the muddy
17:33Horizon Plaza site
17:34to record the land survey,
17:35I met someone
17:36unexpectedly.
17:38Sean looked at
17:38my muddy boots
17:39and smirked.
17:40Look at you.
17:42Back in the dirt
17:42where you belong.
17:44Did your billionaire
17:45husband run out
17:45of money already?
17:46I stared at him
17:47as if he were
17:48a complete stranger.
17:50I did not say a word.
17:52I'm here to secure
17:53the bid with
17:54Sinclair Group.
17:55Lana's design
17:56is going to make
17:57the big boss
17:57himself sign our contract.
18:01And who is
18:02your fake husband again?
18:03Oh, right.
18:03A nobody who can't
18:04even get you
18:05a proper desk.
18:06The big boss?
18:08Sean,
18:09you don't even know
18:09who you're dealing with.
18:11Get off this property.
18:12We need the structure
18:13load testing
18:14completed by Friday.
18:15Log the soil samples.
18:17Sean stepped in front
18:18of me
18:18and blocked my path.
18:21Don't ignore me!
18:25Lana just finished
18:26a masterpiece
18:27for our Sinclair bid.
18:28We are going
18:29to secure the contract,
18:31Avery.
18:31And once we do,
18:33I will make sure
18:34the CEO fires you.
18:37I finally looked
18:38him in the eyes,
18:39but my voice was cold.
18:41Sean,
18:41you have exactly
18:42ten seconds
18:43to get off
18:43this property
18:44before I have you
18:44arrested for criminal
18:45trespass.
18:46You wouldn't dare.
18:47This is-
18:47One, two, three.
18:49I signaled the site security.
18:51Two heavy-shead guards
18:52stepped in
18:52and dragged him out.
18:53Get your hands off me!
18:54Avery, you're going
18:55to regret this!
18:59Late at night,
19:00the top floor office
19:01of Sinclair Group
19:02remained lit.
19:03I sat on the floor,
19:04surrounded by
19:05printed skeek-o-matics.
19:06Cole walked in,
19:07carrying a hot black coffee
19:08and a bagel,
19:09and sat down
19:10on the floor beside me.
19:11You've been staring
19:12at that grid
19:12for three hours, Avery.
19:14Take a break.
19:16I took a sip of the coffee,
19:18rubbing my eyes.
19:19The plaza layout
19:21needs to feel seamless,
19:22but these load-bearing
19:24polyms are completely
19:25blocking the view.
19:27If I move them,
19:28the structure
19:29loses stability.
19:31Cole leaned closer,
19:32studying the paper.
19:33He pointed to a central
19:34intersection on the draft.
19:36What if you can't
19:37deliver the upper levels?
19:38Shift the weight
19:39to the reinforced
19:40concrete core.
19:41It frees up the perimeter,
19:43and you get your glass wall
19:44without losing stability.
19:45I traced the new weight line
19:46on the draft,
19:47my eyes lighting up.
19:49That is incredible.
19:51Cole,
19:52how did you know
19:53how to solve
19:53a structural cantilever issue?
19:55When you spend years
19:56building software architecture,
19:57you learn a lot
19:58about keeping things
19:59from collapsing under pressure.
20:00And that includes you.
20:02You don't have to carry
20:03every burden
20:04on your own anymore, Avery.
20:06Let me help you.
20:08I looked back at him
20:10and felt a deep warmth
20:11in my heart.
20:15A few days later,
20:17a loud chime echoed
20:18from Avery's tablet.
20:19The Sinclair Group
20:20Fischl Bidding Portal
20:21had just released
20:22the list of approved
20:23initial designs.
20:24I opened the file
20:25and my smile
20:26instantly died.
20:27Cole,
20:28look at this.
20:32Cole walked over,
20:34looking down at the screen.
20:35First on the list
20:36of approved candidates
20:37was Miller Construction.
20:39The thumbnail of their design
20:41was an exact,
20:42detailed replica
20:43of my preliminary drafts.
20:46My phone buzzed
20:47with a social media notification.
20:49Lana had posted
20:50a picture of the approved list,
20:52posing with a designer handbag.
20:54So proud to be named
20:55the future lead architect
20:56of Horizon Plaza.
20:58Hard work always pays off.
21:00Eleanor had commented below,
21:02the Miller family's new star.
21:04I shook my head
21:05in profound disgust.
21:12She stole it.
21:15Lana took my old tablet
21:16when they moved out.
21:23She copied my database.
21:26Cole stared at the screen coldly.
21:34They actually did it.
21:39I stood up,
21:41my hands trembling with rage.
21:42I'm calling my lawyer right now!
21:44I want an injunction
21:45to stop their presentation!
21:47Cole stepped in front of me,
21:49his hands gently resting
21:50on my shoulders.
21:52Avery,
21:53look at me.
21:54Breathe.
21:59I can't do that.
22:01That's platerism.
22:03They stole my life's work
22:05to save their bankrupt company!
22:07Let's break it down.
22:09If you file a lawsuit now,
22:12their lawyers will argue
22:14coincidental design overlap
22:17and drag the case
22:18out for months.
22:20They will keep using
22:21your design
22:21to raise funds.
22:24So we have to do this
22:25another way.
22:26We aren't going to stop them.
22:30We are going to use it
22:31as a bait.
22:34What do you mean by that?
22:36Lana wants to be a star?
22:39Let her shine.
22:43Let them reach
22:44the absolute peak
22:45of their arrogance.
22:46And all we have to do
22:47is pull the rug out
22:48from under them
22:49at the final presentation.
22:51And they will lose the bid,
22:53Cole's lips curved
22:54into a cold smile.
22:56More than that, Avery.
22:58I want them to be
23:00completely ruined.
23:04With Miller Construction
23:05passing the first bidding round,
23:06Eleanor convinced
23:07their creditors
23:08to delay foreclosure.
23:09Believing a massive
23:10Sinclair contract
23:11was guaranteed,
23:12the banks temporarily
23:13unfroze their
23:14commercial accounts.
23:15In his temporary office,
23:16Sean stirred a glass
23:17of whiskey,
23:18feeling invincible again.
23:20So he pulled out
23:21his phone and called me.
23:23I picked up,
23:24placing the phone
23:25on speaker.
23:26Lana's design
23:27just took the top spot,
23:28Avery.
23:28In a few weeks,
23:29Sinclair will make us
23:30richer than ever.
23:31Is that so?
23:32Congratulations, Sean.
23:34I didn't know
23:34plagiarism could make
23:35someone so proud.
23:38Call it what you want,
23:40but the banks
23:40are unfroosed
23:41and we are back on top.
23:43Avery, I know
23:43you're miserable
23:44playing house
23:45with that cheap actor.
23:48Come to my hotel room
23:50tonight,
23:50act sweet
23:51and satisfy me.
23:54Do that,
23:55and I might convince
23:56Lama to give you
23:56some low-level
23:57subcontrasting work
23:58so you don't starve.
24:00Cole walked in,
24:01carrying a fresh
24:01bottle of wine.
24:03As he heard
24:03those words,
24:04his face darkened
24:05instantly
24:05and he took
24:06the phone
24:06from my hand.
24:08You have exactly
24:09ten seconds
24:09to delete her number,
24:10Mr. Miller,
24:11before I make sure
24:12your family company
24:12doesn't even survive
24:13the night.
24:18Who is this?
24:20Avery,
24:20is that your cheap
24:21rebound?
24:22Put her back on.
24:24Cole hung up
24:25and slammed the phone
24:26face down on the counter.
24:27He stepped directly
24:28into my space,
24:29trapping me
24:30against the kitchen
24:31counter with his hands
24:32on either side
24:33of my hips.
24:34He leaned down,
24:35his dark eyes
24:36locked onto mine,
24:37burning with a
24:38possessive fire.
24:40A hotel room?
24:41I looked at his
24:42tense jaw,
24:43highly amused.
24:45Are you jealous,
24:46Cole?
24:48Of course I am.
24:51You're my wife,
24:52Avery.
24:53I don't share.
24:55He slid one hand
24:56from the counter
24:57to my waist,
24:58pulling me closer
24:59until there was
25:00barely any distance
25:01between us.
25:01His thumb stroked
25:02my hip,
25:03his gaze dropping
25:04to my lips.
25:05And you aren't
25:05going to satisfy
25:06anyone but me.
25:07Don't you dare
25:08reply to him.
25:09A soft laugh
25:10escaped my throat.
25:11My hands naturally
25:12rested against his chest.
25:13I could feel his heart
25:15beating fast
25:15beneath his shirt.
25:17I won't reply.
25:18I'll let him enjoy
25:18his delusion
25:19for a few more days.
25:20The higher he climbs,
25:21the harder his fall
25:22will be.
25:23But he didn't lose
25:24his grip on my waist
25:24but pulled me
25:25even closer.
25:26Good.
25:26But in the meantime,
25:28you should practice
25:28how to comfort
25:29your husband.
25:30Physically.
25:34Lana sat in
25:35Eleanor's living room
25:36holding a newly
25:37printed medical paper.
25:39She handed it to
25:40Eleanor with a proud,
25:41confident smirk.
25:42The pregnancy report
25:44is ready.
25:45It's official,
25:46Eleanor.
25:47I'm carrying
25:47the next Miller heir.
25:49Eleanor grabbed
25:50the paper,
25:50her eyes lighting up
25:51as she read
25:52the forged clinic stamp.
25:53Perfect.
25:54Lana,
25:55we will announce
25:56this at the Sinclair
25:57press conference
25:58tomorrow.
25:58The banks
25:59will never foreclose
26:00on a company
26:01with a brilliant
26:01designer
26:02who is also
26:03carrying our heir.
26:04Sean walked
26:05into the room,
26:06adjusting his watch.
26:07He kissed Lana's cheek,
26:08his face filled
26:09with arrogant relief.
26:10The media is already
26:11waiting outside.
26:13We are going to
26:13lock in
26:15the Horizon Plaza
26:16contract
26:16and announce
26:17our engagement
26:18at the same time.
26:20Avery and her
26:21cheap actor
26:21will be a distant memory.
26:23Lana looked
26:24at her flat stomach,
26:25her eyes glinting
26:26with malicious ambition.
26:30Tomorrow,
26:31Avery will watch
26:32me take everything
26:33she ever wanted.
26:37On the eve
26:38of the presentation,
26:39the TV in Cole's office
26:40broadcasted
26:41Lana's live interview.
26:42Lana stood
26:43before a crowd
26:44of reporters,
26:45smiling radiantly.
26:46Lana,
26:47are you confident
26:48that your green
26:48sustainable concept
26:49will win
26:50the Sinclair contract
26:51tomorrow?
26:54Of course.
26:55Horizon Plaza
26:56is my masterpiece.
26:58It represents
26:59my soul
26:59as an architect.
27:02I sat at my desk,
27:04calmly watching
27:05the screen.
27:06Cole walked over,
27:07holding two
27:08champagne glasses
27:09and handed
27:10one to me.
27:12She has no idea
27:14she just signed
27:14her own career's
27:15death, Lawrence.
27:16I took the glass
27:17and smiled confidently
27:18as I clinked
27:19the glass against his.
27:20Are you ready
27:21to take back
27:22your crown,
27:22my designer?
27:24Let them have
27:25their final night
27:26of glory.
27:27Tomorrow,
27:28I'll take back
27:28everything they stole.
27:35The Grand Sinclair
27:36Group Hall
27:37filled with
27:38the city's elite
27:38for the Horizon
27:40Plaza bid presentation.
27:42Camera flashes
27:43went off continually
27:44as Sean,
27:45Lana,
27:45and Eleanor
27:46walked in,
27:47dressed in
27:47rented luxury.
27:50Lana spotted me
27:51standing near
27:52the reception desk.
27:53She walked over,
27:54her heels clicking
27:54loudly on the marble
27:55floor.
27:56Look at you,
27:56still standing
27:57in the corners.
27:58You see this crowd,
27:59Avery?
28:00This is called
28:01class.
28:03An orphan like you
28:04was always meant
28:04to stay at the bottom,
28:06watching me rise.
28:07I stared at Lana
28:08with a neutral expression.
28:10I did not say a word,
28:12treating her like air.
28:14Sean stepped up
28:15beside Lana,
28:16adjusting his blazer
28:17with smug satisfaction.
28:18Don't bother talking
28:19to her,
28:19babe.
28:20She's just a spectator
28:21now.
28:22I turned on my heel
28:23and walked toward
28:24the VIP entrance.
28:29Just enjoy your last
28:30moment before your fall.
28:34Lana walked up
28:36to the podium,
28:36the spotlight
28:37shining on her.
28:38The massive screen
28:40behind her
28:40displayed my
28:41stolen designs.
28:43This plaza
28:44is the culmination
28:45of my architectural
28:46soul.
28:47Every curve,
28:48every beam
28:49was designed
28:49to stand the test
28:50of time.
28:51Sean and Eleanor
28:52watched from the
28:53front row,
28:53their faces beaming
28:54with arrogant pride.
28:55We are saved,
28:57Sean.
28:57The investors
28:57are already calling
28:58the assistants.
29:00Lana finished
29:01her speech,
29:02bowing graciously
29:03to the roaring
29:04applause of the audience.
29:05But as she took
29:06her first step down,
29:08the massive stream
29:09behind her
29:10suddenly flickered
29:11and turned
29:11pitch black.
29:12The crowd's murmurs
29:14instantly filled
29:14the hall.
29:15Lana stopped,
29:17her face turning
29:17pale as she turned
29:18around to look.
29:21What's happening?
29:22Who did this?
29:27The massive screen
29:29behind Lana
29:29suddenly flickered,
29:30cutting off
29:31her design slides.
29:32A detailed data
29:33tracking report
29:33appeared on the screen,
29:35displaying a digital
29:35forensic log
29:36with bold red highlights.
29:37The crowd gasped
29:38and whispering
29:39instantly filled
29:40the hall.
29:40The investors
29:41in the front row
29:42leaned forward
29:42and frowned.
29:44Look at those
29:44access logs.
29:45That's a direct
29:46security breach.
29:47Someone accessed
29:47the lead designer's
29:48private database
29:49from an external
29:50device on the 14th.
29:52Lana turned pale
29:53as she stared
29:54at the technical
29:54evidence.
29:56No!
29:57This is a mistake!
29:59This isn't mine!
30:00Sean ran toward
30:01the stage,
30:02trying to block
30:02the screen
30:03with his body.
30:06Shut it off!
30:08Turn off the
30:08projector right now!
30:10My assistant
30:10walked forward
30:11as she paired
30:11the tablet serial
30:12number on the screen
30:13with the device
30:14registry list.
30:16Wait!
30:17That source device
30:18serial number?
30:19That's Aubrey's
30:20old tablet,
30:20and the downloading
30:21IP belongs to
30:22Lana's personal
30:23computer!
30:23They stole her work!
30:25The entire hall
30:26erupted into chaos.
30:27The cameras of the
30:28press flashed rapidly,
30:30capturing Lana's
30:31terrified expression.
30:33No!
30:34That's impossible!
30:40I walked onto the
30:41stage and looked
30:42at the panicked
30:43Lana and Sean
30:44coldly.
30:44I registered the
30:45patents for those
30:46preliminary designs
30:47six months ago.
30:48The digital time
30:49stacks on that
30:50screen are legally
30:51binding and cannot
30:51be altered.
30:53Avery, you're
30:53lying!
30:55You're just
30:55jealous of my
30:56talent!
30:59Then explain the
31:00structural layout.
31:01You didn't even
31:02understand the
31:03cantilever-liver
31:04mechanics of my
31:04draft, did you?
31:06I tapped my
31:07tablet.
31:08The screen
31:09changed to show
31:10my finished final
31:113D blueprint
31:12design of Horizon
31:13Plaza.
31:14You shifted the
31:15columns, but forgot
31:17to reinforce the
31:17central concrete
31:18core.
31:19If they actually
31:20build your design,
31:21the entire third
31:22floor glass
31:23facade will collapse
31:24under its own
31:25weight.
31:27You stole a
31:28house of cards,
31:29Lana.
31:29A guest in the
31:30front row stood
31:31up.
31:31She's absolutely
31:32right!
31:33The stress load
31:33calculations on the
31:34stolen draft are
31:35completely unstable.
31:36The thief copied
31:37the skin but didn't
31:38even know how the
31:38bones worked.
31:40Avery's final draft
31:41is a masterpiece of
31:42engineering.
31:43Sean stared at the
31:44glowing blueprint,
31:45his face turning
31:46completely pale as he
31:47looked from my
31:48flawless design back
31:49to Lana's
31:49trembling figure.
31:50Lana, is this
31:52true?
31:53Did you, did you
31:54copper her?
31:56No, I didn't do
31:57that.
32:00Just then, Cole
32:02walked onto the
32:03stage, stood
32:04beside me, and
32:05spoke through the
32:05microphone.
32:07Sinclair Group is
32:08filing a federal
32:08lawsuit for trade
32:09secret theft, and
32:10as of this moment,
32:11Miller Construction is
32:12permanently blacklisted
32:14from every Sinclair
32:14project worldwide.
32:16Sean froze, his
32:17eyes widening as
32:18the truth hit him.
32:20You, you are
32:22really Cole Sinclair?
32:23the CEO of
32:25Sinclair Group?
32:26No, that's
32:27impossible!
32:29You're just a
32:30cheap rebound!
32:32You wanted to
32:33secure a subcontract
32:33with my company,
32:34Mr. Miller?
32:36Well, the boss
32:38you've been begging
32:38to sign your
32:39contract just
32:40decided to
32:40blacklist you.
32:43Cole turned to
32:44the crowd.
32:44The investors and
32:45bank representatives
32:46in the front row
32:47stood up instantly.
32:49Blacklisted by
32:49Sinclair and the
32:50Federal Association?
32:51This is a toxic
32:52asset!
32:52Pull our funds
32:53right now!
32:54Cancel their
32:55lines of credit
32:55immediately!
32:56Freeze the
32:57Miller accounts!
32:58Eleanor's phone
32:58began to ring and
32:59buzz violently.
33:00She answered it
33:01with trembling
33:01hands.
33:02Mrs. Miller,
33:03your commercial
33:03loan of five
33:04million is
33:04officially recalled.
33:05We are
33:06initiating
33:06foreclosure on
33:07all Miller
33:07properties starting
33:08today.
33:08No!
33:09Please, wait!
33:10The line went
33:11down.
33:15Lana fell to
33:16her knees on
33:16the red carpet,
33:17clutching her
33:18stomach and crying
33:19out in dramatic
33:19pain.
33:20My baby!
33:22Sean, she's
33:23trying to kill
33:23our baby!
33:24Avery is doing
33:25this because she's
33:26jealous of the
33:27Miller family
33:27heir!
33:30Sean rushed
33:31onto the stage,
33:32glaring at me
33:33with desperate
33:34rage.
33:35You psycho!
33:36You ruined
33:37our company!
33:38And now you
33:39want to kill
33:40my child?
33:42I let out a
33:42cold laugh and
33:43raised my phone
33:44toward the screen.
33:45Lana's official
33:46medical file with
33:47a certified hospital
33:48seal replaced the
33:49blueprints on the
33:50screen.
33:50Let me tell you
33:51one more truth,
33:52Sean.
33:53Lana has never
33:53been pregnant.
33:55She underwent a
33:56permanent tubal
33:57ligation procedure
33:59two years ago.
34:01The pregnancy
34:02report she showed
34:03Eleanor was purchased
34:04from a clinic
34:04assistant for $500.
34:08The crowd went
34:09completely silent.
34:11Eleanor read the
34:11screen in horror.
34:13A lie?
34:15No child?
34:16You, you fake
34:18sterile snake!
34:19You tricked us
34:20into giving you
34:21our family shares!
34:22Sean looked at
34:23Lana, his face
34:24turning from shock
34:25to a red,
34:25veins-bulging fury.
34:27You faked your
34:28pregnancy?
34:28The baby?
34:29My son?
34:31He doesn't exist?
34:32Sean, listen to me!
34:33I did it for us!
34:34I did it to keep you
34:35from running back to
34:36her!
34:39Sean grabbed a
34:40glass of red wine
34:41from a nearby tray
34:42and threw it
34:43directly into
34:44Lana's face.
34:46You lying
34:47bitch!
34:48You ruined
34:49my life!
34:50I threw away
34:51Avery for a
34:52worthless,
34:53barren liar!
34:55Lana shrieked,
34:56the dark red liquid
34:57dripping down
34:57her expensive dress.
34:59She lunged at him,
35:00her manicured nails
35:01clawing at his face.
35:02You're the one
35:02who slept with me,
35:04Sean!
35:04You're the failure
35:05who couldn't even
35:06run your own
35:06father's company!
35:07You wanted to
35:08steal Avery's drafts
35:10just as much
35:10as I did!
35:11The two fell
35:12onto the red carpet,
35:13scratching,
35:14slapping,
35:14and screaming
35:15at each other
35:15as the crowd
35:16of elites
35:16backed away
35:17in disgust.
35:18You're a
35:19bankrupt loser,
35:20Sean!
35:21You're nothing!
35:24Get off me,
35:25you sterile parasite!
35:27Avery was a
35:28thousand times
35:29the woman
35:29you'll ever be!
35:33Eleanor fainted
35:34in her chair.
35:36Sean suddenly
35:37stopped fighting
35:38Lana,
35:39looking through
35:39the flashing
35:40camera lights
35:41toward the stage.
35:44He stared at me
35:46and reached
35:47his hand
35:47towards me.
35:49Avery!
35:50Avery,
35:51wait!
35:52It was her!
35:53She manipulated me!
35:55Avery,
35:56please!
35:57Avery,
35:58Avery,
35:58please!
35:59I was wrong!
36:22I was blind!
36:23We have eight years
36:25of history!
36:26You loved me!
36:31Save the company,
36:32please!
36:34I stepped back,
36:35pulling my coat
36:36out of his wet grass.
36:37I held up my phone
36:38and pressed the record button.
36:40Sean,
36:41you are on private property,
36:43you have crossed
36:43the line of trespass,
36:45and my lawyer
36:46will file a restraining order
36:48first thing in the morning.
36:50Cole stepped forward,
36:52holding the umbrella
36:53over me
36:53and shielding me
36:55from Sean's
36:55desperate reach.
37:01A process server
37:03walked out of the elevator,
37:04stepping past the
37:05kneeling Sean
37:06and dropping a thick
37:07envelope
37:08into his wet hands.
37:10Sean Miller,
37:11you are officially served
37:13with a federal lawsuit
37:14for corporate espionage
37:16and fraud.
37:20Several weeks later,
37:21in a run-down district,
37:23I spotted Sean
37:24in the rain.
37:24He wore a cheap,
37:26faded jacket,
37:27his hair messy
37:28and unwashed.
37:29He stood beside Eleanor,
37:31who was screaming
37:31and waving her arms
37:32at a landlord
37:33holding an eviction notice.
37:35We are the Millers!
37:36You can't throw us
37:38out into the street!
37:42Your credit is zero
37:43and your accounts
37:44are frozen.
37:48Pack your trash
37:49and get out!
37:50Sean turned his head
37:51and saw me in my car.
37:52Then he suddenly
37:53sprinted toward the car,
37:55banging on my window.
37:56Avery!
37:58Avery, please!
37:59Stop the car!
38:01Look at me!
38:02I'm a mess!
38:03He slapped his own face hard,
38:05crying out in front
38:05of the passing pedestrians.
38:07I was a fool!
38:08I let Lana poison my mind!
38:09I threw away
38:10eight years of true love
38:11for a lie!
38:13Avery,
38:13tell Cole to stop
38:14the lawsuits!
38:15We are being evicted!
38:16We have nowhere to go!
38:18He pressed his tear-stained,
38:20dirty face
38:20against the window.
38:21Please, Avery!
38:22Just give me
38:23one more chance!
38:24I'll do anything!
38:25I'll be your servant,
38:26your assistant!
38:27Just don't leave me
38:28in the dirt!
38:30I didn't even say a word.
38:31I rolled up the window
38:33immediately
38:33and Cole accelerated
38:35the car,
38:39leaving him on his knees
38:40in the dust.
38:50Under the bright afternoon sun,
38:53the ribbon-cutting ceremony
38:54officially marked
38:55the grand completion
38:57of the city's
38:58newest landmark.
39:05I stood at the center
39:06of the massive
39:07sunlit glass lobby,
39:10watching my finished design
39:11soar into the blue sky.
39:13Cole walked up beside me
39:15with his hands in his pockets.
39:17Instead of a diamond ring,
39:18he pulled out a folder
39:20and handed me
39:20a fresh partnership agreement.
39:22The title read,
39:23Avery and Cole
39:24Architecture Studio.
39:30I think the city
39:31needs more of your designs
39:32and I want us
39:33to build them
39:34together.
39:38As equal partners.
39:42I looked at the contract,
39:44then up at his
39:46dark, warm eyes.
39:53As partners.
39:57I took his hand,
39:58gripping it tightly.
40:01And Avery,
40:02we should start
40:03building our own home.
40:04How do you like it to be?
40:08And I gave him
40:09the most brilliant
40:09smile of my life.
40:11I think I'll make
40:13our home my best design.
40:23I think I'll make it
40:24for you.
40:25for you.
40:25for you.
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