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Watch full-length drama films featuring powerful business leaders, hidden identities, family secrets, impossible love stories, revenge, and inspiring personal journeys. Every movie delivers engaging storytelling and memorable characters.
Enjoy high-quality drama entertainment with English subtitles and discover new trending stories uploaded on a regular basis.
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TechTranscript
00:02After I was bullied by Chloe, the school queen, for three years,
00:06I despisely used her photos to start an online romance with the heir to a shipping dynasty.
00:11He was polite, patient, and generous with his money.
00:15The only problem was his appetite on the video call.
00:18Lift up your dress.
00:20He murmured a command.
00:21Legs apart? Let me see. One more time.
00:25My face was burning, and I told him he had no shame.
00:28He'd just laugh once.
00:31Be good.
00:32Soon enough, I'd used sweet talk and gotten four years of college tuition out of him.
00:36If I disappeared one day, what would you do?
00:38He smiled, but his voice went cold.
00:40Babe, don't joke about that. I don't like it.
00:43Nothing sets me off like being talked to in that tone.
00:45I deleted him on the spot.
00:46Later, by pure coincidence, Chloe and I both landed spots in the same luxury group's maiden voyage training program.
00:50On embarkation day, the heir to the whole group came aboard for an inspection.
00:53I was standing at the very back of the crowd.
00:55I looked up and saw a face I knew better than my own.
00:56Before I could even process it, I watched the man's gaze land on Chloe's face, and his eyes changed.
01:01The man I dated online for three years suddenly standing right in front of me.
01:06The shock was too much.
01:08My mind went blank for a few seconds.
01:10By the time I came back to myself, he had stopped walking.
01:14The next second, he was heading straight toward us.
01:17My heart was pounding out of my chest.
01:19Even lifting my eyes felt like a risk.
01:21His features were sharp, expressionless.
01:23Cold radiated off every inch of him.
01:25He was wearing a black shirt I'd seen in his photos.
01:28Broad shoulders exposed beneath his cuff.
01:30Clean lines, restrained but str-
01:32Julian Ashfield.
01:34He was taller than his pictures, and better looking, too.
01:37The supervisor whispered to us.
01:39Julian was here to inspect the maiden voyage training program.
01:42He told everyone not to be nervous.
01:45Julian would never notice new hires like us.
01:47The words had barely left her mouth.
01:49Julian's steps slowed, half a beat.
01:50Without warning, a cuff cluck slipped loose from his wrist.
01:52It hit the floor and bounced twice, rolled right past my feet, and came to a dead stop
01:56at Chloe's.
01:56Everything around us went quiet.
01:58Julian stopped in front of us.
01:59Or, to be exact, in front of Chloe.
02:02The two of them stood face to face, barely a step apart.
02:05One was cold, the other dazzling.
02:07They looked good together.
02:08I quieted my own breathing.
02:09Only one thought left in my head.
02:11They made quite a pair.
02:12The assistant saw what happened.
02:13He moved at once to pick up the cufflink, but Julian raised a hand.
02:16He was unhurried to stop him.
02:18Chloe blinked, like she understood something instantly.
02:20She bent down and picked up the cufflink.
02:23Mr. Ashford, you dropped this.
02:25Her face a little flushed.
02:27Julian didn't take it right away.
02:29Instead, he lowered his eyes and took two steps closer to her.
02:33I was standing nearest to Chloe.
02:34As he came closer, a faint trace of woody fragrance drifted over.
02:38I knew that scent too well.
02:39It was the one-year anniversary gift I'd picked out for him myself.
02:43I'd gone to store after store, testing them one by one, before I finally settled on that
02:47exact one.
02:47I pressed my lips together and tilted my head and glanced without a change in a paction.
02:52Julian was looking at Chloe.
02:54His gaze was deep, like he'd truly found something he'd lost, like he was holding something down.
02:59Mr. Ashford?
03:00Chloe stood there with her hand out.
03:01When he still didn't react, Julian seemed to come back to himself.
03:06He cleared his throat and reached out to take the cufflink.
03:09His fingertips grazed lightly across Chloe's palm.
03:12Chloe.
03:13Then he said her name in a low voice.
03:15Yes, I'm Chloe, Mr. Ashford.
03:18Julian was quiet for two seconds.
03:20He stared at her a moment longer.
03:21Only then did he turn and walk away.
03:23Not until he was far gone did I dare to breathe.
03:26I reached back and touched my spine, soaked in cold sweat.
03:30I sat back down at my station and spaced out for a long while.
03:33Then I took out my phone and searched the name Julian Ashford.
03:37A whole string of shipping and finance headlines about him popped up instantly.
03:41My heart dropped.
03:44The heir to the group rarely came aboard in person.
03:47And the moment he did, he'd zeroed in on a new hire.
03:49And that was a young, pretty new hire.
03:52Everyone around us caught the scent of gossip immediately.
03:55They all crowded in.
03:56I don't know, Julian.
03:57That was the first time I've ever met him.
03:58But it just came back to me that we might go to the same high school.
04:01I was the school queen back then.
04:02So many boys in school had a thing for me.
04:04The people around her picked it right up.
04:06Within a few lines, they'd spun her a whole story about a secret crush
04:09stretching from those school days to now.
04:11The entire staff training deck was buzzing.
04:14Chloe cut them off, laughing.
04:17Whatever they said after that, I didn't hear a single word.
04:21Years ago, my mom worked as a live-in housekeeper at Chloe's house.
04:24Once, Chloe lost a bet with some others.
04:26So they goanded her into having my mom steal my diary for her.
04:29That diary was full of the person I secretly liked.
04:32Then she posted the pages on the school bolitaire board.
04:35Photographed them and put them on the school forum, too.
04:37After that day, everyone who passed me in the hall gave me that same look of disgust.
04:39Back then, I truly hated her.
04:41So I stole her photos and her name and went around fooling people.
04:44When I got into a fight in an online game, I said my name was Chloe.
04:46When I started trouble on a forum, I said my name was Chloe.
04:49Anytime I made a mess and someone came asking, I gave them her name.
04:51And I waited.
04:52Waited for the day someone would trace those accounts back to her and get back at her.
04:56Hard.
04:56But before that day ever came, I met Julian first.
04:59Julian was a man with real breeding.
05:01Measured in his words and always patient with people.
05:03And more than generous.
05:04The only problem was his sexual appetite.
05:06Don't be fooled by how cold and detached he'd look standing there just now.
05:10I knew exactly what he was like in private.
05:11During those years, we dated online.
05:13Except the early days.
05:13I spent night after night listening to breathing heavily on the other end of the video call.
05:16Saying filthy things in that same proper composed voice he used the harder that contrast hit.
05:20Some nights, it left my ears burning.
05:22And I couldn't help telling him he had no shame.
05:23He never got angry.
05:24Just laughed low twice and went back to coaxing me.
05:28He insisted on meeting in person.
05:30And it wasn't until that very moment that it hit me.
05:33This whole time, the identity I'd been using was Chloe's.
05:37I scrambled back through our chat history.
05:42My heart had been hanging by a thread.
05:44When I saw those words, my name is Chloe, it dropped all the way down.
05:47All those things said late at night.
05:48All that closeness through a screen.
05:50All those moments when I'd actually let myself believe I was loved.
05:53Every last one of them.
05:54Built on a lie.
05:54Even my name was fake.
05:55When I finally lifted my head, the girl in the mirror had eyes swollen from crying.
05:59And suddenly, I sobered up.
06:00I was just an ordinary person.
06:02I didn't have Chloe's appearance.
06:03Didn't have her background.
06:04Didn't have that unshakable confidence of the kind that never once doubts herself.
06:07If I hadn't used her photos, a man like Julian would never have looked at me twice.
06:11In the end, I forced down that ache in my chest.
06:13I sent him a sentence.
06:14I'm sorry.
06:15And deleted him.
06:16Three days after I cut contact, Julian sent me an email.
06:19Just one short line.
06:20Even through the screen, I could feel that panic of being left behind.
06:23Too bad.
06:24I wasn't Chloe.
06:25The thought hit me.
06:26And my back went tight all at once.
06:27I looked up to find everyone around me staring.
06:30What is it?
06:31I forced to smile.
06:32They just smiled and said nothing.
06:33Nina, didn't you hear just now?
06:34Everyone wants to try the new ice milkshakes at the drink station.
06:36It's just over by the crew cafe.
06:38Not far at all.
06:39New hires getting ordered around was nothing unusual.
06:42It was just that Chloe always knew how to fit in with these people.
06:44And all because of the way Julian had looked at her earlier.
06:47I looked at her.
06:47Then at the people standing behind her.
06:49They stood by, looking like if I dared refuse, they'd step in on her behalf.
06:52In the end, I nodded.
06:53Fine.
06:54Chloe was very pleased that I knew my place.
06:57As she turned away with a smile.
06:58Nina's mom used to be our housekeeper.
07:00Nina's been good at this kind of thing since she was little.
07:03So if anyone needs Aaron's run, she's your guy.
07:05Every new place Chloe went, she made sure to tell everyone that my mom had once been her family's housekeeper.
07:10All these years that had never changed.
07:12I was long used to it.
07:15Besides, I wanted out of there anyway.
07:17I ignored her and turned to leave.
07:19But at that moment, I walked straight into a man.
07:22I looked up.
07:23It was the assistant who'd been following Julian earlier.
07:26He looked like he was in a hurry.
07:28He shoved me aside with one hand.
07:30I had no time to brace.
07:31I stumbled backward and my knee slammed hard into the corner of a desk.
07:35The pain nearly took me off my feet.
07:37He didn't offer even a word of apology.
07:39He strode head quickly up to the supervisor.
07:41Excuse me.
07:42Which one of you is Chloe Sinclair?
07:44Mr. Ashfield is asking for her.
07:46The moment Chloe heard her own name and heard it was Julian asking for her, she came rushing over.
07:51That's me.
07:52I'm Chloe.
07:53What is it?
07:53The assistant looked her up and down.
07:55His tone turned a shade more polite.
07:56The top deck VIP concierge team is short-staffed.
07:58Mr. Ashfield, you to go up and help out for a while.
08:00Chloe froze for a second.
08:01Me?
08:02Mr. Ashford sent you for me?
08:03Personally?
08:04The assistant frowned slightly, but he nodded.
08:06Yes, it's you.
08:07Get your things and come with me.
08:08Chloe covered her mouth, unable to hide the delight on her face.
08:10Even her steps were quicker.
08:11I don't have much.
08:12I can go right now.
08:13Good.
08:13Follow me.
08:14Chloe smiled, lips pressed together.
08:15Before leaving, she deliberately walked around to my side.
08:18And she said with perfect innocent face,
08:19Nina, please move aside.
08:20I'm heading up to the top deck.
08:22You keep at it.
08:23Maybe in ten years we'll be working up from my knee.
08:25And quietly on the same floor again.
08:26I said nothing.
08:27Chloe walked away in her heels, following the assistant out with a bright smile.
08:30The second she was gone, the whole crowd erupted.
08:33Oh my god, is she actually about to marry into the Ashford family?
08:36Even if she doesn't, at least she'll be at Julian's side for a while.
08:38Didn't you see it earlier?
08:39You couldn't come staring at her.
08:39Nina, didn't you two come in together?
08:41Do you know what's really going on between her and Julian?
08:43I shook my head.
08:44No idea.
08:46Chloe went up to the top deck.
08:47All of a sudden, I was the only new hire left on the staff training deck.
08:50They gossiped about her for a while,
08:51then quickly got bored of it and turned their attention back to me.
08:54Nina, didn't you promise to get everyone drinks?
08:56You didn't forget, did you?
08:56Nina, I've got to check on this guest list for me first.
08:57Sort out the number on these welcome gift boxes while you're at it.
08:59And the gala dinner place cards need to be verified by tonight.
09:01Before long, the files on my desk had piled into a small mountain.
09:04By the time I'd cleared through all of it, it was past eight at night.
09:08I stretched.
09:09And finally had a moment to pick up my phone.
09:14My dad's messes popped up immediately.
09:22I stared at the screen for a long time.
09:24My fingers were hovering over the keyboard with no idea what to say back.
09:28In the end, I just sighed and opened up selfie three-hour show media.
09:32In the photo, she stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows on the top deck,
09:35grinning at the camera, bold and bright.
09:38My finger paused, but I couldn't help it.
09:40I tapped the photo open.
09:41In the reflection of the glass stood the silhouette of a man.
09:44He was on the other side of the room, turned in profile as if lost in thought,
09:47even as nothing but a small blurred shadow kept instantly.
09:49It was Julian.
09:50I stared at that photo for a long time until a voice came from above me.
09:53It's this late.
09:53What are you still doing here?
09:55I was startled, shot to my feet, and grabbed the metal hole punch off the desk without thinking.
09:59Standing in front of me was a short, heavy-hast man.
10:01He wore black-framed glasses, looking at me with open curiosity.
10:03I froze mid-motion.
10:04The longer I looked, the more familiar he seemed.
10:06It took me a moment to remember him.
10:07The supervisor had introduced him before.
10:08One of Julian's assistants, surnamed Charlie.
10:10I hurriedly set the thing down and explained, a little embarrassed.
10:14I had some work to finish.
10:15I'm leaving right now.
10:16I see.
10:17Assistant Charlie was clutching his stomach.
10:18Two steps later, as if remembering something, he looked back at me.
10:21Okay, you have a driver's license, right?
10:23Can you drive?
10:24I blinked, then nodded.
10:25Yes.
10:25Before I could finish, his eyes lit up, and he tossed the car keys straight into my hands.
10:30Perfect.
10:30My stomach is killing me, and Julian's car is parked outside the porf.
10:33I'll send you the location.
10:34Just drive it over to the VIP shutter point for me.
10:36Please, I'll treat you dinner sometime.
10:37Once you're done, head back to the ship on your own.
10:39The company will reimburse your cab face.
10:41I stared at the keys in my hand, completely lost.
10:44I waved my hands frantically.
10:47No, I can't.
10:48I...
10:49Assistant Charlie was too busy to listen to me.
10:52Clutching his stomach, he bolted straight into the restroom.
10:56I stood there for a while.
10:58Assistant Charlie never came back out.
11:00In the end, I accepted my fate, took the keys, and went ashore.
11:04The night before the maiden voidage, the cruise ship was still docked in port.
11:07I pressed the key fob.
11:09Not far off, a black luxury sedan lit up.
11:12I paused, walked a full circle around the car first.
11:15Only then did I open the door and slide into the driver's seat.
11:17I buckled my seatbelt and reached up to adjust the rearview mirror.
11:20The next second, through the mirror, I saw a man sitting in the back seat.
11:23His eyes right closed.
11:24He looked cold, but with an edge of laziness underneath, like he'd been drinking.
11:27My mind went blank.
11:28Almost instantly, I clapped a hand over the rearview mirror.
11:30A hallucination.
11:31It had to be a hallucination.
11:33That's what I told myself.
11:34Then I couldn't help it.
11:34I peeked through the gap between my fingers.
11:36In the mirror, the man had opened his eyes.
11:38Those dark, unreceivable eyes were fixed on me.
11:40I nearly stopped breathing on the spot.
11:42My hands locked onto the steering wheel.
11:44It was too late to open the door and get out now.
11:46He'd probably think I was trying to steal the car.
11:48So I forced myself to speak, keeping my voice low.
11:51Mr. Ashfield.
11:52Assistant Charlie wasn't feeling well.
11:54He asked me to drive the car to the shuttle area.
11:56I didn't know you were inside.
11:58He looked at me for a few seconds.
12:00Then withdrew his gaze and gave a faint response.
12:02And immediately closed his eyes again.
12:03I let out a small breath of relief.
12:05But before I could fully exhale, another problem hit me.
12:08I turned the key over in my hand, searching for a slot.
12:10How could I start to find one?
12:11Sweat was practically beating on my forehead.
12:13You can't drive.
12:14At that instant, his voice came from the back seat.
12:18I sat bolt upright.
12:19I was caught between a nod and a shake.
12:22In the end, I mumbled, a little.
12:24The truth was, I could drive an ordinary car.
12:26But I'd never so much as touch the car like this.
12:28When I get nervous, I pick at my fingers.
12:30That habit stayed with me all these years.
12:33Now my mind was blank.
12:34And my fingers had already twisted together on their own.
12:36Mr. Ashford, I...
12:37Before I could finish, I realized his gaze had dropped to my hands.
12:40A chill went down my back.
12:42I moved to pull my hands away.
12:43But he had already looked off out the window.
12:45His throat bobbed once.
12:46The car suddenly fell quiet.
12:48I secretly took out even 20-inch stepping.
12:49A shadowed look-up cut us down at my side.
12:51That faint, woody scent wrapped around me in an instant.
12:53Press you.
12:55His voice was right against me.
12:56His warm breath grazed past my ear.
12:57My whole body went rigid.
12:59Too close.
12:59Close enough that I could feel the heat coming off him.
13:01Close enough that I didn't dare to breathe.
13:02But Julian only stayed there a few seconds.
13:04Then, as if nothing had happened, he leaned back into his seat.
13:06His expression was perfectly calm.
13:08Like he really had just wanted to show me how to start the car.
13:10I barely managed to steady myself and started the car the way he'd showed me.
13:14The whole drive, neither of us said another word.
13:17Finally, we reached the shuttle area.
13:19I unbuckled my seatbelt almost instantly.
13:21Without waiting for him to respond, I pushed the door open and got out, turned and hurried off.
13:27I never noticed the gaze that stayed fixed on my back the whole time.
13:31That didn't move for a long while.
13:33That night, I had a whole night of restless, tangled dreams.
13:37Early the next morning, I splashed some water on my face and headed back to the ship.
13:42Two dark circles under my eyes.
13:44The moment I stepped onto the staff training deck, I saw Chloe, who was supposed to be up on the
13:49top deck,
13:49sitting in the middle of the crowd, laughing happily.
13:52Yes, Julian told me to come back down for now.
13:54Her voice was still soft, her makeup still flawless.
13:58He said since I'm new, I shouldn't stay up on the top deck the whole time,
14:00that I should at least get to know the people down here first.
14:03He even said he was worried I'd have trouble settling in on my own.
14:06Just as she said it, her eyes landed on me.
14:08She got up at once, came over all warmly, and linked her arm through mine.
14:12Nina, I'm back. Aren't you happy to see me?
14:14The moment she talked to me in that tone, I knew she was looking to make me the story again.
14:18I hadn't slept well the night before to begin with.
14:20The thought had barely surfaced when I'd already pulled my arm back on instinct.
14:23Everything around us went quiet. No one spoke.
14:27Chloe was still smiling at me. Only her eyes had gone a shade colder.
14:30Thankfully, the supervisor walked in soon after.
14:33It cut through the tension in time.
14:36Everyone's here, right? Good timing.
14:38There's an internal welcome party tonight. A proper welcome aboard for Nina and Chloe.
14:42The moment she said it, the people around us perked right up.
14:45Someone asked immediately,
14:47Will Julian be there?
14:48The supervisor waved a hand.
14:50He's busy. He may not come.
14:51No need to be so tense about it.
14:52Just have a good time.
14:53Everyone laughed at that.
14:55And the mood loosened right up.
14:57I lowered my head and swallowed back the refusal I'd been about to give.
15:03That evening, I'd gotten my skirt dirty hauling files at Moon,
15:07so I went back to the crew quarters to change first.
15:09By the time I made it to the crew bar,
15:11things had already been in full wishing for over an hour.
15:13I pushed the door open.
15:14The lighting inside was dim.
15:16The music was a little loud.
15:18I looked up and saw Julian there.
15:19He was still in that black suit sitting in the back with a barely-touched drink in his hand.
15:23The supervisor had specifically said he might not come.
15:26My steps stopped dead.
15:27But the supervisor had sharp eyes and spotted me right away.
15:30Nina? What took you so long? Come in. You're the last one.
15:32A few people nearby turned to look, too.
15:34I was already standing in the doorway, nowhere to hide.
15:37So I steeled myself and walked in.
15:39Coming.
15:40I could feel it.
15:41Julian seemed to turn toward me, too.
15:43But I didn't dare look up.
15:44All I wanted was to find the seat farthest away and sit down.
15:48I'd taken all of two steps.
15:50Sit here.
15:51You're late, so this is the only spot left.
15:53I followed the direction she was pointing.
15:55It was right beside Julian.
15:57I couldn't get a single word out.
15:59Because the supervisor had already pressed me down into the seat.
16:02At least Julian was turned away, talking to the person on his other side.
16:06Like he hadn't noticed me.
16:07So I could only sit there, rigid.
16:09I'd barely settled in, and the person beside me shifted.
16:13Julian shifted in his seat.
16:14The fabric of his slacks brushed lightly against my calf.
16:18My whole body froze.
16:19I quickly pulled my legs back, put some distance between us.
16:23Less than half a minute of quiet, and that faint sense of touch came again.
16:27Julian moved again.
16:28That cool fabric grazed my leg again.
16:30I held my breath.
16:31But I couldn't stop myself from turning to glance at him.
16:34Only to find him still talking to the person beside him.
16:36His expression was perfectly planed, like he hadn't noticed a thing.
16:39So I lowered my head, and pressed my knees tighter together.
16:42I silently prayed for all of this to be over soon.
16:44But the next second, Julian's knee pressed against mine.
16:47Not hard.
16:48Not light.
16:49Through two layers of fabric, that small trace of warmth still drew my whole body tight.
16:54I had nowhere left to retreat.
16:56He still didn't look at me.
16:58Just lowered his head and took a sip of his drink.
17:00He lifted his arm and brushed lightly against my shoulder again.
17:05I stood up all at once.
17:07My voice came out a little strained.
17:09I'm going to the restroom.
17:11I practically fled to the restroom.
17:14The corridor outside was much quieter.
17:16I walked up to the sink and turned on the tip.
17:19Cold water ran over my fingers.
17:20But I still couldn't get my heartbeat down.
17:23Then, footsteps came from behind me.
17:25I looked up.
17:27In the mirror, I saw a figure stop in the doorway, hands in his pockets.
17:31He just stood there, unhairy.
17:33My scalp preckled.
17:35Mr. Ashford, did you need the restroom too?
17:37He looked at me and answered, flat and simple.
17:42No.
17:43For a moment, I didn't chime in.
17:45He was already walking towards me.
17:47He stopped very close.
17:50What are you hiding from?
17:52I shook my head at once.
17:53Nothing.
17:54Nina.
17:55He looked at me in the mirror, his tone bland,
17:57like he was asking about something perfectly ordinary.
18:00Is there any part of me you haven't already seen?
18:07My mind went blank on the spot.
18:08The tap was still running.
18:10The girl in the mirror was white as paper.
18:12Only one thought in my head.
18:13He knew.
18:14He knew everything.
18:15But I still wouldn't give up.
18:16My voice shook badly.
18:19You already know?
18:20Julian didn't answer right away.
18:22He just looked at me for a moment.
18:24Then suddenly, he laughed.
18:25Know what?
18:25I choked on my own words.
18:27That string inside me, pulled taut to the breaking point, slowly began to loosen.
18:31But before it had fully eased, he spoke again.
18:34Is it fun to lie to me?
18:36My throat tightened.
18:38I spun around.
18:39That trace of a smile on Julian's face was gone.
18:41His expression was frighteningly cold.
18:43He took one step forward, and I stepped back on instinct.
18:46The day I had Chloe move to the top deck, I already knew something was off.
18:49After I saw you in the car last night, that feeling only got stronger.
18:52So I had someone look into it.
18:54Chloe isn't her.
18:55You are.
19:00No wonder I could never find you.
19:01No wonder you left so easily.
19:03No wonder you deleted me, and never replied a single email.
19:09The lower it went, the more frightening it became.
19:11The name was fake.
19:12The identity was fake.
19:14The photos were fake.
19:15So?
19:16My back had hit the...
19:17Your feelings for me fake too?
19:18...the cold wall.
19:18There was nowhere left to go.
19:20I looked at him, and couldn't get out a single word.
19:23Julian stared at me, like he was waiting.
19:26Like he was holding himself back.
19:29Is there anything I just said that you want to dispute?
19:31It was strange.
19:32Now that I'd actually been caught, I wasn't as panicked as I thought I'd be.
19:38I'm sorry.
19:39It was all my fault.
19:40Do whatever you want to me, I'll accept it.
19:42It was me who used Chloe's identity to deceive you.
19:44I'm not a good person.
19:46Like he was holding back a fire.
19:48I even thought that he would lunge forward the next second.
19:55Is that all?
19:59I startled.
20:01What else?
20:02Julian was still staring at me.
20:04His eyes had gone a little red.
20:06Besides an apology, you have nothing else to say?
20:09My thoughts were in complete chaos.
20:12The money.
20:13Everything you gave me, I put it toward tuition.
20:16I'll pay you back, and if you want to go to the police, I'll cooperate.
20:18Nina!
20:19He cut me off sharply.
20:21His voice jumped up, then dropped back down just as fast.
20:24You think money is what matters most between us?
20:26I froze.
20:27I froze.
20:28My brain couldn't process it, but my mouth moved first.
20:31Money is important.
20:32He closed his eyes, like I'd rendered him speechless with sheer frustration.
20:36The muscles at his temple pulled tight.
20:38I bit my lip and added quietly.
20:41But I know it probably doesn't to you.
20:43Julian, I really have nothing to dispute.
20:45I'm sorry, all of this is my...
20:46Before I could finish, he grabbed my wrist.
20:48His eyes had gone completely red, but his voice stayed low.
20:51Is that what I'm asking you about?
20:52I'm asking about the things you said.
20:54The way you reacted.
20:54All those nights you stayed with me.
20:56Which part of any of that was real?
21:00I stared at him, dazed.
21:02I hadn't expected this at all.
21:04Julian looked at me, like he was barely holding on.
21:06Did you ever like me?
21:07I was completely lost.
21:09I'd imagined so many ways of being caught.
21:12He might be furious.
21:13He might be disgusted with me.
21:14He might get back at me.
21:15Maybe he even threw me off the ship on the spot.
21:17But there was one thing I had never once imagined.
21:19That someone like he would stand in front of me with red eyes, asking if I had ever liked him.
21:23For a moment, I couldn't speak.
21:24My mind was a total blank.
21:25And my silence clearly was taken as an answer for him.
21:28Julian let go of my wrist, stepped back half a pass,
21:31and the expression on his face went cold in an instant.
21:33Alright, I understand.
21:35That snapped me back.
21:36I reached for him on instinct.
21:38Julian, I...
21:38But I caught nothing.
21:40He turned and walked away.
21:41Never looked back.
21:43I stood where I was.
21:45The warmth from his hand still lingered on my wrist.
21:48But it faded fast.
21:51After that day, Julian never came back to the training deck.
21:55I spent a long time mentally preparing myself, and finally worked up the nerve to message him.
21:59One message.
22:01Two.
22:01Many.
22:02Not one got a reply.
22:03He was on the same ship.
22:05But I couldn't see him.
22:06I sat there staring at my phone for a long time.
22:08Just when I had no idea what else to do, my mom called.
22:11I took my phone and stepped out to the stairwell.
22:13Hey, mom.
22:14Nina, nothing's wrong.
22:15I just wanted to check in.
22:16How are things going with your co-works?
22:17I went quiet.
22:18The door at the end of the stairwell wasn't fully shut.
22:21Wind pushed through from outside and sent a chill across the back of my neck.
22:24I instinctively touched my neck.
22:26Then, out of nowhere, I thought of Julian.
22:29My chest ached.
22:30Sharp and sudden.
22:31My mom must have heard something off.
22:33Her voice tightened.
22:34Nina, what's wrong?
22:36Is someone giving you a hard time?
22:38If someone's teasing you, why don't you treat them to something to eat?
22:40Once you bought them a meal, they'd feel too ocarous to keep picking on you.
22:44Am I right?
22:44Same as always.
22:46It made my head pound.
22:48A steady throbbed at my temples.
22:50Mom, I've got something to deal with.
22:52I'll call you later.
22:53And before she could say another word, I hung up.
22:55The stairwell went dim around me.
22:57I stood in the dark for two seconds.
22:59Then pushed the door open and walked back.
23:02The moment I returned to my desk, a sickly sweet smell of coffee hit me.
23:06I stopped and looked down.
23:08Brown liquid was running down my computer screen.
23:10Dripping onto the keyboard, one drop at a time.
23:12The folders beside it were soaked through.
23:14The gala dinner materials I'd spent days finishing were destroyed.
23:17It was all ruined.
23:18Chloe was standing at my desk.
23:19Empty cup was still in her hand.
23:21Looking completely innocent.
23:22Oh, I'm so sorry, Nina.
23:24I accidentally knocked my coffee onto your computer.
23:27It's probably fine, right?
23:29I didn't have time for her.
23:31I grabbed the tissues off the desk and frantically started wiping.
23:34But it was useless.
23:35The screen had already gone black.
23:37Chloe stood beside me, watched me scrambled, and laughed once.
23:41It's fine.
23:41Just do it again.
23:43I went still, slowly looked up at her.
23:46Same expression as always.
23:48Same tone as always.
23:50Weightless.
23:51Like she was talking about something that barely deserved a mention.
23:54And in that moment, I was back in senior year of high school.
23:57Standing in the teacher's office.
23:58My fingers locked around the hem of my uniform.
24:00I gathered my courage to lay out everything Chloe had done to me over the years.
24:04Picked at her ear.
24:05Looked at me in silence.
24:06Like she was saying,
24:08So what?
24:09And she was right.
24:10I couldn't do anything to her.
24:12Because when my dad walked in, the first thing he did wasn't ask if I was fine.
24:15He reached out and shoved me aside.
24:17It wasn't bullying.
24:17It was just kids messing around.
24:19Our Nina has always been sensitive.
24:20Don't take what she says too seriously.
24:22Chloe smiled at once.
24:23Exactly.
24:23I was just joking around with her.
24:25If she's really upset, I can apologize.
24:26Would that work?
24:27Her mouth said sorry.
24:28But her eyes were full of contempt.
24:30My dad didn't even wait for me to speak.
24:32He was already clapping her on the shoulder with a smile.
24:34No need to apologize.
24:36You're a good kid.
24:37I know that.
24:38With that, he turned and glared at me.
24:40What are you still standing there for?
24:41Go sort it out with her.
24:42Making a scene over nothing.
24:44Who's going to want to be around you after this?
24:45I stood there that day, looking at him.
24:48And for the first time, I felt like I didn't recognize this man at all.
24:51While Chloe stood at the back of the crowd, when no one was watching, she stuck her tongue out at
24:55me.
24:55Exactly like she was doing now.
24:58No one was ever going to stand up for me in this life.
25:00So I had to stand up for myself.
25:05Just let it go.
25:06Take a step back.
25:08It's not worth it.
25:09That was all my parents had ever said for these years, over and over.
25:12But what had any of that ever given me, besides teaching me to be a coward?
25:15I squeezed the tissues in my fist.
25:17My fingernails pressed slowly into my palm.
25:19My breathing started to go sharp.
25:21What did I ever do wrong?
25:22Why did she get to keep doing this to me?
25:25And why did I keep putting up with it?
25:26Even when I fought back, I did it in the shadows, behind her back.
25:30And in the end, I made a fool of myself.
25:32I was so sick of who I'd been.
25:35Chloe was still standing there, still using that innocent voice.
25:38I really didn't mean to.
25:39She even reached out a hand.
25:41Like she was going to touch my shoulder.
25:44The next second, my body moved before my brain did.
25:48I grabbed her by the hair and slapped her twice across the face, hard enough to send her stumbling backward.
25:52She was right about one thing.
25:54I'd been working alongside my mom since I was little.
25:57I was strong.
25:59Chloe screamed.
26:00She clearly hadn't expected me to hit her.
26:02Still, in this way, I yanked, and she went down, her knees slamming into the corner of a desk.
26:07She started shrieking curses at me.
26:09Are you insane?
26:11I set my jaw and kicked her twice more.
26:14Then I lunged at her, sat on top of her, and kept going.
26:17Files went flying off the desks.
26:18A chair toppled over.
26:19The whole staff training deck erupted into chaos.
26:23That was exactly what the supervisor saw when she walked in on.
26:27She nearly screamed.
26:28What are you all standing around for?
26:30Pull them apart!
26:31The male call works finally snapped out of it.
26:34They rushed over to drag me back.
26:35Someone grabbed my arms from behind.
26:37Someone else went to help Chloe up.
26:40The room was in complete disorder.
26:42When they finally hauled me off her, I was still holding a fistful of her hair.
26:46She stood across from me, face already swelling, hair wrecked, staring at me like she wanted to tear me apart.
26:53The supervisor's expression was thunderous.
26:54She was about to speak when the doorway went suddenly quiet.
26:58Someone said, in a low voice,
27:00Julian's here.
27:04The crowd slowly parted.
27:06Julian stood in the doorway.
27:07He looked like he'd just come down from a meeting upstairs.
27:10Suit immaculate.
27:11Not a crease out of place.
27:13Completely at odds with the chaos of the room.
27:15I finally came down a little.
27:16I lowered my head and pressed my hand over the scrape on my arm.
27:20Chloe had always been better at working people than I was.
27:23After everything that had just happened, almost everyone was on her side.
27:26Nina, how could you throw the first punch?
27:29That's right.
27:29We all saw it.
27:30You went for her hair first.
27:31She seemed so quiet.
27:32I never expected this.
27:34Chloe sat on the floor.
27:36Her eyes went red.
27:37And the tears came immediately.
27:39She didn't look at any of the people speaking up for her.
27:42Her voice soft and agraged.
27:44Julian, I don't even know what happened.
27:46She just attacked me out of nowhere.
27:47I was so scared.
27:49Her hand was inches from the hem of his trousers.
27:51Julian glanced down.
27:52Then, calmly, stepped half a pace to the side.
27:55She grabbed at nothing.
27:56Her whole body went sturdy.
27:58Julian didn't look at her again.
27:59He walked straight through the crowd and stopped in front of me.
28:02Then lowered his head and reached out to pull my hand away from where I was holding my arm.
28:06The movement was gentle.
28:07Let go.
28:08Let me see.
28:10He pulled my hand away.
28:12The scrape stung in the open air.
28:15But my head was in far more chaos.
28:18On instinct, I almost said I was fine.
28:20The words didn't make it out.
28:21He had already lifted me and was walking toward the door.
28:24That familiar woody scent wrapped around me all at once.
28:27I forgot to struggle.
28:28A wave of sharp inhales rose behind us.
28:30Julian didn't look back.
28:31With every eye in the room watching, he carried me through the staff training deck and straight into the private
28:35elevator.
28:36A wire pulled tant for years, finally giving way.
29:04Julian said nothing.
29:08His steps didn't slow.
29:09His pace didn't waver.
29:11He didn't even turn his head.
29:12The elevator doors opened.
29:14He brought me into the private lounge on the top deck.
29:17The door closed behind us.
29:19Before I could make sense of what was happening, he had set me down.
29:22My back meeting the door.
29:25Julian, I...
29:26The rest of it never came out.
29:35Hard.
29:36And deep.
29:36He had me pressed against the door with nowhere to go.
29:39The kiss was urgent.
29:41His breath hot.
29:42Like it was going to set me on fire.
29:43My mind went completely blank.
29:45All I could do was take it.
29:47At first, it felt like release.
29:48Then it shifted.
29:50Slowly.
29:50He began kissing me differently.
29:52Slower.
29:53More deliberate.
29:54His breathing grew unsteady.
29:55The hand braced beside my ear slid down.
29:57Settling at my waist.
29:59Drawing me closer.
30:00We were pressed tight together.
30:01Through the thin fatholic between us, I could feel every degree of warmth coming off him.
30:06I don't know how much time passed.
30:08Finally, he pulled back a little.
30:09His forehead rest against mine.
30:11Breathing racked.
30:12Voice so rough, it barely sounded like his.
30:15Finally.
30:15Just like I imagined.
30:17My face was burning.
30:18Tears still on my cheeks.
30:19But I turned my head away anyway.
30:20Don't say things like that.
30:21He laughed, low.
30:23Then, like something had just come back to him, he held out his phone.
30:25You thought I'd seen her photos all along, didn't you?
30:28I blinked.
30:28Took the phone.
30:30My fingers trembled a little as I scrolled back through the chat history.
30:33There was plenty in there that made me flush just glancing at it.
30:35The things he'd said had been direct.
30:37Every voice message I'd sent back, he'd kept every single one.
30:40Further up were photos we'd sent each other.
30:42Every angle, unmistakably intimate.
30:45But the further I scrolled, the more something felt wrong.
30:48It wasn't there.
30:49The photo I thought I'd sent him, it simply wasn't there.
30:52I went still.
30:53How is that possible?
30:55Julian stood in front of me, watching.
30:57You said it on the very first day, that you might end up on an Ashford ship one day.
31:00The name matched.
31:01In this intake of new hires, there was only one person called Chloe.
31:03I thought I'd found you.
31:04He paused there.
31:05Then reached out and cupped my face in his hands.
31:08Tipped it up, making me look at him.
31:10Did you really think it was her face I was after?
31:12I opened my mouth.
31:13Nothing came out.
31:15Julian's gaze was deep.
31:16His voice dropped.
31:17Nina, sometimes I think there's something strange between us.
31:20Something that pulls.
31:21Yesterday, when you got into the car, I hadn't even opened my eyes.
31:24But my first thought was, you're here.
31:25Every time I hear you talk, I go quiet.
31:27Sometimes I think I'm like a dog.
31:29Just the sound of your voice and I calm down.
31:31I pressed my lips together.
31:32Almost laughed.
31:33But my eyes were starting to sting.
31:34In the end, I couldn't hold it.
31:36I lowered my head and buried my face in his chest.
31:38My voice came out muffled.
31:39But you'd never even seen me.
31:40What if I turned out to be exactly the type you can't stand?
31:43Julian paused.
31:44A beat of silence before he answered.
31:45I never thought about it.
31:46But I know, no matter what you looked like, I would have fallen for you.
31:49Strange as that is, I just would.
31:52Ever since that day, when everything was finally laid out in the open, Julian and I had fallen
31:57into a very strange kind of relationship.
31:59On the surface, he was still the untouchable Ashfulton heir.
32:02And I was still the most invisible new hire in the training department.
32:05But whenever no one else was around, he would suddenly pull me over.
32:10Sometimes at the corner of a hallway.
32:12Sometimes behind the door of that lounger on the top floor.
32:15And more often, just after I'd delivered some documents upstairs and was about to leave,
32:20he would call out to me from behind, his voice calm and light.
32:22Come here.
32:23At first, I tried to play dumb.
32:25Pretended I hadn't heard him.
32:26Later, I realized it was completely useless.
32:28Because Julian would walk over, grab my wrist, and pull me into an empty room nearby.
32:32Then he'd lower his head and kiss me.
32:33Very gently.
32:35And for a long time.
32:36Afterward, he'd straighten my collar as if nothing had happened.
32:38Then let me go.
32:39Today was no different.
32:40I had just delivered a guest list to the top floor.
32:43I'd barely reached the door when he pulled me back.
32:45When my back hit the door panel, I intentionally looked up at him.
32:48What are you doing?
32:48Julian lowered his gaze to me.
32:50You passed by my office just now and didn't look at me.
32:52I froze for a second.
32:53Then almost laughed in disbelief.
32:55Why do I have to look at you?
32:56He said nothing.
32:57He just lowered his head and bit my lip lightly.
33:00Not hard, but with a hint of mischief.
33:02The tips of my ears instantly burned.
33:04I reached out to push him away.
33:05Stop it.
33:05Julian pressed my hand down.
33:07His voice was low.
33:08Come see me tonight.
33:09I immediately shook my head.
33:11No, I still have a shift.
33:12As if he'd already known I would say that.
33:14He added evenly.
33:14Check the schedule.
33:15You get off at ten.
33:16I choked on my words.
33:17Only then did he seem slightly satisfied.
33:19He lifted his hand and pinched my cheek.
33:21I'll wait for you.
33:22When I came down from the top floor, my face was still burning.
33:25But the moment I reached the private elevator, my steps suddenly stopped.
33:28Not far away, two call works were standing there.
33:31They looked at me first, then spotted the door behind me, which hadn't fully closed yet.
33:35One of them suddenly smiled.
33:37The meaning in it unclear.
33:40Nina, since when were you so close to the top floor?
33:44My fingers tightened.
33:46The heat drained from my face in an instant.
33:48I was just delivering documents.
33:49The moment I finished speaking I tried to leave.
33:51But the two of them didn't move aside.
33:52One of them crossed her arms and slowly drawled.
33:55So it takes that long for delivering documents?
33:57The other smiled too.
33:58And you even used the private elevator.
34:00I didn't respond.
34:01I turned sideways and pushed past them.
34:04But after that day, the way the employees looked at me changed.
34:06At lunch break, the moment I walked into the cafeteria, the people who had been laughing
34:10and chatted would suddenly go quiet.
34:12After I sat down, the table next to me would start whispering again in low voices.
34:16No wonder things have been going so smoothly for her lately.
34:19I went to find my supervisor.
34:20Without even looking up, she said only one thing.
34:23If you can do it, then do it.
34:24Don't let people think you only rely on connections.
34:27I stood there and suddenly couldn't say a single word.
34:31When I went back, Julian was already waiting for me on the top floor.
34:34As soon as the door shut, he noticed something was wrong.
34:37Who upset you this time?
34:38I shook my head.
34:39No one.
34:40He stared at me for a few seconds, like he didn't believe me.
34:43Just as he was about to ask again, there was suddenly a knock at the door.
34:47The assistant pushed the door open and said quietly,
34:50Mr. Ashford, Mrs. Whitland has arrived.
34:52Julian's expression didn't change, but I went rotted all at once.
34:56After speaking, the assistant looked at me again and added,
34:58She said she'd like to see Miss Nina first.
35:02She said she'd like to see Miss Nina first.
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