- 1 hour ago
Goodbye, my wasted devotion
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00:00My husband had a strange quirk. He doesn't allow me to tell others he is my husband. I can only
00:05say I'm his sister in public.
00:07For years, I thought it was our little thing. Until one day, I accidentally overheard a conversation between him and
00:14his female secretary.
00:15Ethan, why didn't you invite your sister Sophia to our wedding? Aren't you always saying she's family?
00:22Easy. Sophia only cares about money. If she finds out, she'll just ask you for money.
00:26Chloe pouted and walked away. Ethan pulled out his phone and called his assistant.
00:32Send Sophia to Paris for the fashion show and keep her away for the time being. Lock down the wedding
00:37news. I don't want her to find out.
00:39So that was it. He banned me from calling him husband simply to keep a mistress outside.
00:44Fine. If I go to Paris, I'm not coming back.
00:47The Maybach glided smoothly through the night. I sat in the passenger seat, clutching my first class ticket to Paris.
00:54Minutes earlier, Ethan had handed them to me with his usual gentle smile.
00:58Things have been busy at the company lately. Haven't you always wanted to go to Paris for the fashion show?
01:04Go and enjoy a nice vacation.
01:06As I listened to his words, even breathing felt like a stab of pain.
01:09If I hadn't overheard his conversation on the terrace by accident, I probably would have been overjoyed, even touched that
01:15he still remembered my preferences despite his busy schedule.
01:18Now he's sending me off to the Paris fashion show just to make way for his wedding with Chloe.
01:22The car pulled up in front of the villa. My five-year-old daughter, Lily, ran out of her room
01:26barefoot, calling out in a clear, high-quist voice.
01:29Daddy!
01:30Ethan paused while taking off his shoes. He didn't pick her up, just nodded.
01:35Lily didn't let that get her down. She held up a piece of drawing paper as if showing off a
01:39treasure.
01:40Look! I drew our family today. Teacher said it was the best one and gave me a gold star.
01:45In the drawing, three little figures were holding hands. Ethan, dressed in a black suit, was the tallest.
01:50Me, wearing a red dress, stood next to him. And in the middle was Lily with two little pigtails.
01:55I walked over to take the drawing, but Lily stubbornly held it up, looking at Ethan with eyes full of
02:00anticipation.
02:01But Ethan's gaze never left his phone screen. The corners of his eyes and brows held a smile he would
02:07never show to me or our daughter.
02:09Lily's arms grew sore from holding it up, so she tugged at the hem of his suit pants with her
02:15chubby little hands.
02:17Daddy, look at my drawing!
02:19There was no response. Lily's voice took on a whimpering, aggrieved tone, and Ethan finally looked up, frowing his brow.
02:26It's a nice drawing. Go to bed.
02:28His gaze didn't linger on the drawing for even a second. Lily's lips pouted, her eyes instantly redding.
02:33She lowered her head and silently rolled up the drawing.
02:36My heart ached so much I could hardly breathe.
02:39I pulled Lily into my arms and gentlyly patted her back until the nanny took her back to her room.
02:45I looked up and stared at his familiar face.
02:48Have you really been that busy lately?
02:54Ethan finally looked up from his phone.
02:56Why are you asking that all of a sudden?
02:58I'm heading to Paris next week. If it's a vacation, aren't you coming with me?
03:02Ethan's left hand gently traced the dial of the Patek Philippe watch on his right wrist.
03:06The company just landed a big project. I can't get away.
03:09It's a habit he's had since childhood.
03:11Whenever he lies, he subconsciously touches the watch on his wrist.
03:15When we were dating, he was secretly preparing an engagement ring.
03:18And when I asked him where he'd been, he did the same thing.
03:22Running his fingers over the watch face.
03:24Back then, I thought even his lies were cute.
03:26Now it just makes me sick.
03:29After putting Lily to bed, I tiptoed out of the nursery.
03:33The sound of Ethan's steady breathing drifted from the master bedroom.
03:37I turned and walked into the study, where I turned on the computer.
03:40I opened my hidden private email account, where an email sent two weeks ago was waiting.
03:44The headquarters of Chanel, Paris' top haute couture brand,
03:48had extended a sincere invitation for me to serve as the brand's chief designer for North America.
03:53Six years ago, I was the hottest rising star in the fashion world.
03:56Hailed as a genius designer with extraordinary flair.
04:00Later, I married Ethan.
04:02He took my hand, said he didn't want me to work so hard.
04:05He promised to provide for me the most stable life.
04:08To avoid hindering his career, I willingly went into hiding,
04:11becoming just another wealthy socialette in the industry who lived off her husband's money.
04:16Even in public, I had to pose as his little sister.
04:19I stared at the French text on the screen as my fingers tapped the keyboard.
04:22I accept the invitation and will report for duty on time next week.
04:26My heart, dormant for six years, suddenly began to race.
04:30Three days before my departure, I went to Ethan's fashion group headquarters
04:34to complete the paperwork and collect my visa documents.
04:38Along the way, veteran employees at the company cast complicated glances my way.
04:46They all know that I've been the driving force behind the company's core designs these past
04:51few years, but hardly anyone knows that I'm actually Mrs. Shaw.
04:55As I approached the door to Ethan's executive office, it suddenly swung open from the inside.
04:59Chloe stepped out.
05:00She was wearing an extremely form-fitting strapless dress with a plunging neckline.
05:05When she saw me, she frawls for a moment, then covered her mouth and giggled choily.
05:10Oh my, Sophia, what brings you here?
05:13Her voice was sweet and cloying, laced with undisguised provocation.
05:17Here to ask your brother for money again?
05:19Honestly, if you bought fewer handbags, you wouldn't have to keep coming to the office
05:23and disrupting Ethan's work.
05:25Chloe acted like a boss's wife, because Ethan had told her I was just a greedy little sister
05:29sent over by my family to freedload.
05:31I stared coldly at the testiculous red mark on the side of her neck.
05:34Last night, Ethan said he had to work late at the office and didn't come home all night.
05:38Move aside.
05:40Chloe's face froze, and her eyes instantly reddened.
05:43Sophia, don't be mad.
05:44I know you've never liked me, but once we're married, you'll have to start calling me sister-in-law.
05:50Ethan strode out and shielded Chloe behind him.
05:53He wasn't even wearing his suit jacket.
05:55The top three buttons of his white shirt were undone,
05:58and there was even a faint smudge of lipstick on his collarbone.
06:02Ethan frowned at me.
06:03Sophia, what are you up to now?
06:06I'm here to pick up the paperwork for Paris.
06:08Ethan's expression softened slightly.
06:10The documents are on the desk.
06:12Go get them yourself.
06:13I walked past them into the office.
06:15As I was about to leave with the documents,
06:17my gaze inadvertently swept over the edge of a file, revealing a photograph.
06:21Chloe was wearing a wedding dress, smiling sweetly as she nestled in Ethan's arms.
06:26Ethan looked down at her, his eyes filled with an unyielding tenderness.
06:31On the back of the photo was Chloe's neat brand writing,
06:34Mr. and Mrs. Shaw, forever in love.
06:39The blood drained from my face.
06:41When Ethan saw the photo in my hand,
06:43he snatched it from me so forcefully that he knocked over the coffee cup on the table.
06:47Stop touching things.
06:48I watched calmly as he frantically grabbed a napkin to wipe the coffee stain off the photo,
06:53moving with such care.
06:55I turned around and walked out of the office, without looking back.
06:59I was afraid that if I did, I wouldn't be able to stop myself from throwing up.
07:03That evening, I made Ethan's favorite dish, grilled ribeye steak.
07:07Lily sat in her high chair, watching me with curiosity.
07:10Mom, you're so happy today.
07:12I ruffled her hair, but didn't say a word.
07:14This was going to be our last meal with Ethan.
07:17Tonight was unusual.
07:18Ethan actually came home on time and for once, offered a compliment at the dinner table.
07:23The steak tastes great. Thanks for all your hard work.
07:26I looked down at my plate and didn't reply.
07:29After dinner, Ethan went to the balcony to take a call.
07:31Lily tugged at the hem of my shirt.
07:33Mommy, look! Daddy just smiled!
07:35He hasn't laughed at home in such a long, long time.
07:38I walked over to the glass door.
07:40His voice drifted into my ears on the night breeze.
07:42I've had the wedding dress altered.
07:44We'll go straight to the shop tomorrow to try it on.
07:46Ethan chuckled softly.
07:48Of course it's the most expensive one.
07:50You're my only wife, and I want to give you the best.
07:52My heart clenched so hard it made me double over in pain.
07:55I turned the kitchen faucet on full blast.
07:58The rushing water drowned out my stifled sobs.
08:00Lily ran over, patted my back with her soft little hands.
08:03Don't cry, Mommy. Lily will protect you.
08:06I crouched down and held Lily tightly, tears streaming down my face.
08:10That night, Ethan lay down beside me and quickly fell asleep.
08:13He rolled over and instinctively wrapped his arm around my waist,
08:16pulling me into his embrace.
08:17He buried his face in the cuck of my neck, and his kiss landed precisely there.
08:23This was something he used to do every night when we were newlyweds.
08:26Then Chloe came along, and he came home less and less often.
08:29It had been nearly a year since I'd felt that touch.
08:31My body went rigid, and I felt a chill run through me.
08:34I gently pried his hand away, got out of bed, and sat on the sofa all night long.
08:39The next day was the fashion group's executive meeting.
08:41For this major show, I was leading the design of an entire haute couture collection.
08:45I went to the conference room, where all the executives and key designers were present.
08:48Ethan sat in the head seat, with Chloe beside him, looking every bit the mistress of the house.
08:53The meeting had barely begun when Ethan dropped a bombshell.
08:56For next month's annual fashion show, the credit and creative direction for the finale collection
09:00will be handed entirely over to Chloe.
09:02Everyone's eyes turned to me.
09:04Everyone knew that the collection called Nirvana was the result of three years of my work
09:08and countless all-nighters.
09:09It was the gift I had prepared to commemorate my seventh wedding anniversary with Ethan.
09:13I stood up, my gaze fixed intently on Ethan.
09:17Why?
09:18Chloe is younger, and her vision aligns better with today's market.
09:21Your designs are a bit too dull.
09:24Go to Paris to take a break.
09:26Chloe covered her mouth and giggled.
09:28Don't worry, Sophia.
09:30Ethan says I'm extremely talented.
09:32Leave this collection to me.
09:33I'll make it a huge success.
09:35A secretary who can't even tell the difference between fabric counts is talking to me about talent?
09:40I slammed the documents I was holding down on the table.
09:42Fine.
09:44Don't say I didn't warn you.
09:45After the meeting, I went to the restroom to splash some cold water on my face.
09:49The door swung open, and Chloe walked in.
09:51She came over to me.
09:52Sophia, I actually feel pretty sorry for you.
09:55She stopped pretending to be sweet, her face now brimming with the arrogance of a victor.
09:59Do you really think Ethan sees you as a little sister?
10:02He's been fed up with you for ages.
10:04All you ever do is ask for money.
10:06He's long grown tired of you.
10:08She deliberately adjusted her collar, revealed a generous spance of skin and suggestive marks.
10:12I'll let you in on a secret.
10:14Next week is my wedding to Ethan.
10:15The city's most exclusive hotel, 1-999 white roses flown in from abroad.
10:20Just watch from Paris as I become Mrs. Shaw in every sense of the word.
10:24I grabbed a tissue and dried my hands.
10:27Congratulations.
10:28I let all the venomous words Chloe had prepared get stuck in her throat, and walked straight
10:33out of the restroom.
10:34She had no idea that the design sketches for the Nirvala collection were only 80% complete.
10:39The most critical cutting techniques and measurements existed only in my head.
10:43When the big show starts, they'll have their moment to cry.
10:47Back home, I started packing.
10:49I took my design sketches and a few of Lily's old clothes.
10:53Ethan came home from work.
10:56Why are you bringing so much stuff?
10:58We're going to be gone for a while.
11:00Early on the morning of our departure, I held Lily's leash in my hand and watched Ethan
11:05putting on his suit jacket, making one last attempt to test the waters.
11:10Ethan, what if I don't want to go to Paris anymore?
11:12His hand paused as he tied his tie, and he turned to look at me.
11:15If I don't go to Paris and stay here with you, is that okay?
11:19A flicker of panic and irritation crossed Ethan's eyes.
11:22Sophia, what kind of tantrum are you throwing now?
11:24The flights and hotel were booked two weeks ago!
11:27He didn't even want to say another word.
11:29He just grabbed his car keys and headed for the door.
11:31Let's go.
11:32I'll drive you to the airport.
11:33When we arrived at the airport departer hall, Lily ran up to Ethan.
11:37Daddy, are you really not coming with us?
11:39Ethan gently stroked Lily's cheek.
11:41Daddy will come pick you up soon.
11:43Listen to Mom while you're there.
11:44Feel free to use the money in the card.
11:47I looked at this face that I had loved for seven years,
11:50yet which had left me battered and bruised.
11:53Ethan, goodbye.
11:54We will never meet again.
12:00After an eight-hour flight at high altitude,
12:03the Air France plane touched down smoothly.
12:05It had been six years since I last left Chicago.
12:08The cabin door opened.
12:09I took Lily's hand as we walked down the stairs.
12:12The arrivals hall was bustling with people.
12:14I spotted Irene immediately, Chanel's president for North America and the mentor who had brought me into the fashion industry
12:19all those years ago.
12:20She stood at the exit of the VIP lounge, wearing her signature reds high heels and a sharply tailored black
12:24suit.
12:25She strode quickly toward me and pulled me into a tight embrace.
12:29It's been six whole years.
12:31She patted my back, her breath hot against my ear.
12:35You finally managed to escape that mess.
12:37I didn't struggle.
12:37I hugged her back, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath.
12:40Even breathing felt incredibly smooth.
12:42It was a long-awaited sense of freedom.
12:44No surveillance.
12:45No lies.
12:45Irene let go of me.
12:46She looked down at Lily beside us.
12:48Hello, beautiful auntie.
12:49Irene chuckled, then turned to signal her assistant to take the luggage.
12:52We got into the minivan, and it drove towards downtown Paris.
12:55Outside the window, the streets along the Seine rolled by, and the receding shadows of the plane trees brushed across
12:59my face.
12:59Irene handed me a cup of black coffee.
13:01Everything's been arranged at headquarters.
13:03The entire board is online, and they've been eagerly awaiting your return.
13:07The coffee cup's warmth felt just right in my palm.
13:11I took a sip, and the bitterness slid down my throat.
13:14It was incredibly invigorating.
13:20The car pulled up at the Chanel headquarters building.
13:24I pushed open the heavy glass doors and was led straight to the third floor conference room.
13:29The long conference table was filled with members of the core team.
13:33I walked up to the front, took out the hard drive I always carried with me, plugged it into the
13:37computer.
13:38Hello, everyone.
13:39I'm Sophia.
13:40I tapped the keyboard.
13:41The first key visual appeared on the screen.
13:44I had renamed the folder just yesterday, to completely bid farewell to that shameful past.
13:47This collection, which originally named Nirvana, is now called Rebirth.
13:50I gently scrolled the mouse, revealing over a hundred high-resolution line drawings and thirty sets of fully-colored renderics.
13:55From the overall silhouette to the material specifications for individual buttons,
13:58everything was laid bare before everyone's eyes as the slides went through.
14:01The conference room was so quiet.
14:03Everyone stared at the screen, at first holding their breath, then whispering among themselves.
14:07Creative director Pierre stood up and walked straight to the front of the screen, standing very close.
14:12He clapped his hands vigorously.
14:13The applause echoed through the conference room.
14:15My God, this is incredible.
14:17Sophia, only you would dare to break the conventional proportions like this.
14:20You are a genius born for haute couture.
14:23The conference room erupted in enthusiastic applause.
14:26Irene stood to the side and raised her coffee pup to me.
14:29Pierre turned around.
14:30No need for further discussion.
14:33This will be our grand finale show at next month's Paris Fashion Week.
14:40With all other members agreed, the team made the decision on the spot.
14:43After the meeting, I walked into the restroom at the end of the floor.
14:47I washed my hands and looked up at the woman in the mirror.
14:50Her face was pale, with dark circles under her eyes.
14:53I'd let my hair grow for seven whole years.
14:55It now reached my waist.
14:57Simply because Ethan once ran his fingers through it and said,
15:01I love your long hair.
15:02For the sake of that words, I'd meticulously cared for seven years.
15:07No matter how troublesome it became, I never cut it short.
15:11Looking back, it was utterly foolish.
15:13In the clutter basket on the sink sat a pair of scissors.
15:16I picked them up, aimed them just below my ear,
15:19and without even a practice cut, snip.
15:21A strand of long hair fell to the floor.
15:24Tucks of brown hair rained down,
15:25until the mirror reflected a woman with sharp, clean-cut features
15:28and haircut just to her ears.
15:30My bare neck felt the chill of the air.
15:32A bit cold, but an unprecedented rush of exhilaration.
15:35I opened my bag and pulled out that tube of bright red lipstick.
15:39I applied it on my lips.
15:40The woman in the mirror now had a sharp gleam in her eyes.
15:43Her era fully unleashed.
15:45This was the real Sophia.
15:47No longer the mirror pendant circling the kitchen stove.
15:50Meanwhile, in Chicago, a ridiculous scene is playing out.
15:57Ethan had booked the top-tier Bulgari hotel in downtown Chicago.
16:01Three entire floors.
16:021,199 white roses, flown in by air, covered the entire ballroom.
16:07Media reporters crowded the entrance.
16:09The fashion CEO, Ethan Shaw, really spoils his young bride, Rotten.
16:13This wedding is straight out of a movie.
16:15The whole internet is obsessed.
16:16Everyone's calling Ethan the ultimate loyal husband.
16:19No one knows that just a few days ago, this loyal husband was lying in my bed.
16:25Lily was holding my tablet and watching cartoons when she suddenly stopped.
16:28She pointed at the screen with her little finger.
16:32Mommy, look!
16:33I leaned in to take a look.
16:34The tablet was streaming a live broadcast of Ethan's wedding.
16:37Ethan was wearing a black suit, and Chloe was in a pristine, luxurious, custom-made wedding dress.
16:42Standing amidst a sea of roses, Ethan leaned down to kiss Chloe.
16:46Lily furrowed her little brow.
16:47Mommy, why is Daddy wearing that outfit?
16:49Why is he kissing that mean lady?
16:51I didn't snatch the tablet away.
16:53Instead, I walked over and sat beside her.
16:55I ruffled her hair and spoke in a very calm tone.
16:58Because that daddy is broken.
16:59We don't need him anymore.
17:01Lily tilted her head, blinked her big eyes, thought for a few seconds, and nodded endlessly.
17:05Mommy's right.
17:06Broken toys get smelly.
17:08We have to throw it in the trash right away.
17:10She tapped the screen with her little hand, exited the live stream,
17:13and went back to watching cartoons without a second thought.
17:16The wedding had just ended, and Chloe hadn't even taken off her million-dollar custom wedding dress yet.
17:21She, simply accompanied by her assistant, rushed straight to the corporate headquarters.
17:25She had been showered with adulation all day,
17:27her vanity swollen to the brim.
17:29Now, she couldn't wait to prove herself in front of the entire company,
17:33to prove she was qualified to lead the big show.
17:36She kicked open the door to the pattern-making room with an air of superiority.
17:41Inside, several machines were humming away.
17:44She snatched the folder from her assistant's hands,
17:46and slammed the photocopied design sketches down on the table.
17:53Mark Cooper, the head of the pattern-making department, walked over.
17:56He is a veteran tailor with 20 years of experience.
17:59He picked up the pattern on the table.
18:01His brow immediately furrowed into a deep crease.
18:04This is Shaw.
18:04This pattern is wrong.
18:06Chloe snored coldly.
18:08What's wrong with it?
18:09Mark tapped the paper with his pencil.
18:11This only shows the outline and color scheme.
18:14Where are the core three-dimensional pattern-making measurements?
18:16Chloe didn't respond, so Mark pressed on.
18:19Take this intricate cutout design at the waist.
18:22The instructions for the fabric piecing are all blank.
18:24What kind of lining should we use?
18:26How do we cinch it to hug the curves?
18:27A barrage of technical jergon came crashing down,
18:29and Chloe couldn't make heads or teals of it.
18:32Her daily routine used to consist of nothing but making coffee.
18:35To her, making clothes was just sketching an outline and sewing a few pieces of fabric.
18:39But as Mrs. Shaw, she couldn't afford to lose face.
18:42She rolled her eyes dramatically.
18:44You're supposed to be master tailors.
18:46Can't you just fill in the measurements yourselves?
18:48Mark thought she was playing tricks on him.
18:50Fill them in?
18:51Mrs. Shaw, this is haute couture.
18:54Even a millimeter's error would ruin the entire garment.
18:57I'm providing you with top-tier design concepts.
19:00Do you really expect me to hold your hands and teach you how to operate a sewing machine?
19:05Mark was left speechless.
19:07The young pattern-makers standing nearby lowered their heads,
19:10their shoulders shaking as they stifled their laughter.
19:13Fine, you're the boss.
19:17Chloe thought she'd won the day and lifted her chin.
19:20If it's not done right, the whole team's bonus is off the table.
19:23With that, she stormed off, carrying the bulky wedding dress.
19:26Mark was so furious, he snapped his pencil in two.
19:29He turned and yelled at the people around.
19:31Do you hear what the Mrs. Shaw said?
19:33Just make up the numbers and sew the sleeves to the back of the dress!
19:37Half a week slipped by.
19:39The autumn wind blew through the parasols of the street-corner cafe of Champs.
19:43Lise is.
19:43I sat at a window seat on the second floor, holding a cup of unsweetened ice Americano.
19:48This was the first time I'd ordered this in seven years,
19:51because Ethan once said drinking cold beverages was bad for the stomach.
19:55Now, as the cool bitterness slid down my throat, I found it incredibly refreshing.
19:59I packed up my sketchbook and walked back to the studio.
20:01Irene was waiting for me, holding several switches of fabric that had just been flown in from Milan.
20:07All top-tier silk jacquard.
20:10Take a look at these fabrics.
20:11The workshop pulled an all-nighter to get them ready.
20:14I reached out to feel the texture of the fabric.
20:16It was perfect for the finale gown of the big show.
20:20Let's go with this charcoal gray one.
20:22Irene snapped her fingers sharply.
20:24As sharp as ever.
20:26The pattern maker and a few veteran tailors were gathered around the workbench,
20:29gesturing as they studied my design sketches.
20:31Their gazes were filled with admiration.
20:34No one cared whose wife I was.
20:35And certainly no one saw me as a good-for-nothing living off others' money.
20:42A thick, hand-woven rug lay by the floor-to-ceiling windows.
20:46Lily was lying on it, playing with a jigsaw puzzle.
20:48She had visibly plumped up over the past two weeks.
20:51Mommy, are we going to live here forever?
20:54Yes, we'll live here forever.
20:56Lily clapped her little hands with delight.
20:58That's great!
20:58I threw that broken daddy in the trash a long time ago.
21:01I chuckled softly and went back to checking measurements.
21:04Life was running smoothly.
21:06But Ethan's life wasn't nearly as good.
21:08At the Shaw Group building in Chicago, the panoramic conference room on the top floor was
21:12packed to capacity, yet the atmosphere was unusually oppressive.
21:16Today was the internal review meeting for the annual fashion show's sample garments,
21:20a meeting that would determine the Shaw Group stock performance for the second half of the year.
21:24The door was pushed open from the outside.
21:27Ethan strode in at the front, looking smug.
21:29He had just returned from his honeymoon.
21:31Chloe followed close behind, wearing an extremely form-fitting red pencil skirt.
21:35Her face radiating the air of superiority befitting a boss's wife.
21:39In the corner stood a group from the pattern-making department, led by Mark.
21:43Their work uniforms were wrinkled.
21:44They had endured awful torment.
21:47The boss's wife kept making random changes to the designs.
21:50Anyone who dared to object had their bonus docked, so they had no choice but to grint
21:54the teeth and work blindly.
21:59Ethan, sitting at the solid wood table, scanned the executive's present.
22:03Let's get straight to the sample.
22:04He turned and smiled at Chloe.
22:06Chloe, you've worked hard lately.
22:07Let everyone see the results.
22:09With you personally at the helm, this show is bound to be a hit.
22:12Don't flatter me like that.
22:13Mark rolled his eyes dramatically in the corner.
22:15The black partition at the front slid open, and deafening runway music blared.
22:19The first model stepped out, and the room's chorus of flattery fell silence instantly.
22:24The CFO's carbon pen clattered onto the table, and the PR covered her eyes.
22:28This is an eyesore.
22:29What on earth is this?
22:30What should have been a light and flowing silk gown had been brutally altered into a
22:34heavy, pink curtain.
22:35The model had barely taken two steps when a grating sound of fabric rubbing against itself
22:38filled the room.
22:39Chloe had decided that silk was too high-maintenant, so she'd replaced it all with stiff,
22:42scratchy, synthetic fabric.
22:43The most exquisite cut-out detail at the waist had become a disaster.
22:46Without any data to support the darts, the gaps meant to hug the body had turned into
22:51rope-like straps digging into the flesh.
22:53Even more dreadful was the neckline, which had been adorned with a circle of cheap, reflective
22:57rhinestones.
22:58Ethan's face turned black, his fingers beginning to tremble.
23:01The model walked up to the table and struck a pose.
23:04Suddenly, there was a sharp tearing sound as the stitching along the side clip snapped,
23:07expasing a large patch of rough white lining underneath.
23:10A scene of utter absurdity.
23:11Mark couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing.
23:14That single laugh was like a spark igniting a powder keg.
23:17Ethan leaped to his feet, grabbed the manly folder of design drafts sitting nearby, and
23:22slammed it down hard on the solid wood tabletop.
23:25Is this what you're showing me?
23:26He pointed at that walking rag, his voice a different tone entirely.
23:30We've poured tens of millions into R&D, and this is the pile of garbage you've come
23:34up with?
23:34Chloe had always lived in her own fantasy world.
23:37She didn't understand the structure of clothing at all, and Ethan had never even spoken harshly
23:42to her before.
23:43Tears streamed down her face like a broken faucet.
23:45Darling, don't get mad at me.
23:47She reached out to tug at the hem of his suit jacket.
23:50Her voice so shrill, it made one's scalp tingle.
23:53My sketches were so beautiful!
23:55It's the workers who were slacking off and didn't do a good job!
23:59Upon hearing this, Mark flew into a rage.
24:02He stepped forward from the crowd.
24:04Mrs. Shaw, you only sketched an outline.
24:06You didn't even specify the fabric.
24:08This is the best result we could possibly have!
24:11The executives murmured among themselves.
24:13Chloe's eyes reddened with frustration, but then a flash of inspiration struck.
24:18It's Sophia!
24:19She pointed at the sketches scattered on the floor, her voice shrill.
24:22That's right, it's her!
24:23She's jealous that I married you and envious of my authority!
24:26She must have tampered with the drawings before she left!
24:31This string of nonsense was utterly flimsily, yet Ethan took it to heart.
24:35His machismo got the best of him.
24:37He'd always been convinced his ex-wife couldn't let him go,
24:39and Sophia had always resorted to these tearful, dramatic tactics in the past.
24:42All she wanted was for him to give her a few extra glances and a little more pocket money.
24:46Right, she must be throwing a tantrum.
24:48He was going to give this woman, who didn't know her place, a good talking to.
24:52Same time in Paris, soothing French chansons filled the studio.
24:55The phone vibrated, the screen lighting up to display the name Ethan.
24:59I glanced at it, unmoved.
25:00My assistant, Amy, pointed at the phone.
25:03Sophia, should I answer that?
25:04I shook my head, freed a finger to press the speaker button,
25:08and tossed the phone next to a large roll of pure white fabric,
25:12my sewing needle continuing to pick up the fine, rice-sized beads.
25:16The moment I picked up, a shrill tenor voice cut through the air.
25:20Sophia, what are you playing at?
25:21Are you withholding the core data on purpose?
25:23The show is coming up!
25:24Do you have any sense of priorities?
25:26Send me the missing files immediately!
25:28I pulled her wooden chair and sat down.
25:31What on earth has gotten into Mr. Sean?
25:33I left a note on the table saying we're only at 80% progress.
25:37Didn't your highly talented Mrs. Shaw swear she could handle the whole thing?
25:45I paused my sewing and let out a short laugh.
25:48What?
25:48The rags you bought aren't wearable?
25:50So now you're thinking of calling your ex to save the day?
25:53There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the line.
25:56He probably didn't expect me to be so ruthless.
25:59Back in the day, I wouldn't have dared to argue back even a little.
26:03His breathing grew heavy as he forced himself to suppress his anger.
26:06Sophia, there's a limit to throwing tantrums.
26:09This is affecting the company's reputation.
26:11Send the files to my personal email.
26:16He tossed out the bait with self-importance.
26:19I've got something for you when you get back.
26:22That Himalaya model you've been wanting for so long?
26:25I'll have the store deliver it to you tomorrow.
26:28That should make you happy, right?
26:29How pathetic.
26:30In his eyes, my pride and dignity can be measured in terms of handbags.
26:35Ethan, are you deaf?
26:36I'll repeat it.
26:36For free.
26:37Keep your crappy bag and buy some brain tonic for Chloe and yourself.
26:40You created this mess yourselves, so get down on your knees and lick it clean.
26:45I didn't give him a single opening to retaliate.
26:47I ended the call.
26:49Then I opened settings, blocked him with one tap, and cleared all traces of him from texts.
26:54Everyone in the room held their breath.
26:57The sound from the speakerphone was crystal clear.
26:59Ethan clutched his phone, staring blankly at the black screen.
27:02That meek Sophia, that housewife who supposedly couldn't live without him,
27:07had actually hung up on him and cursed him with such venom.
27:12Chloe, oblivious to the tension, was fanning the flames.
27:16Ethan, look how arrogant she is.
27:18She's clearly out to make a fool of us.
27:20Ethan turned his head and fixed her with a glare.
27:23His eyes a mix of disgust and irritation, causing Chloe to swallow the rest of her words.
27:27A panic unlike Unik any he'd ever felt surged through the man's heart.
27:31Things had completely derailed.
27:32He whipped his head around to look at his assistant standing in the doorway.
27:36Ryan!
27:37Find out what the fuck she's doing.
27:38Pull up all her spending records.
27:40He didn't believe she could just sprout wings and fly away.
27:43With the high cost of living in Paris, she, a wealthy housewife who hadn't worked in years,
27:48wouldn't last three days if her credit cards were cut off.
27:50The assistant scrambled out of the conference room.
27:53The atmosphere inside had become unbearably tense.
27:56No one dared to leave early, and everyone sat in their seats counting the seconds.
28:01Mr. Shaw, we've got a big problem.
28:03His voice was trembling, and Ethan's brow throbbed.
28:06Get to the point.
28:07Ryan swallowed hard.
28:09Not a single penny has been spent on any of Mrs. Shaw's bank cards, including that unlimited
28:15supplementary card, over the past two weeks.
28:17The conference room was deathly silent.
28:19Even the sound of breathing seemed amplified.
28:22Ryan stammered out the final blow.
28:24We also received an email from the hotel front desk.
28:26Sophia never checked in, and the reservation was cancelled on the very first day of her arrival.
28:34Ethan swept the documents off the solid wood desk.
28:38He sprang to his feet, his thigh slamming against the edge of the desk with a heavy thud.
28:45Ignoring the pain, he grabbed the car keys beside him and strode out.
28:49The CEO's private elevator descended directly to the underground garage.
28:53He located the black Maybach, slipped into the driver's seat.
28:56The car shot forward like an arrow leaving the boat.
28:59The sun was blindingly bright, stinging his eyes, and the streets were teeming with traffic,
29:04gridlocked.
29:06He honked furiously, the piercing honk drawing stares from passersby.
29:10He didn't care anymore.
29:12All he wanted now was to get back to the place he called home as quickly as possible.
29:15He had to ask Sophia face to face.
29:17What exactly was she claiming?
29:19The 20-minute drive was cut short to just 10 minutes as the Maybach roared in his garden.
29:23He ran up the steps and unlocked the door with his fingerprint.
29:28Sophia!
29:30In the cast, whenever he came home, Lily would run to hug his legs and sweetly call Daddy.
29:37Sophia would emerge from the kitchen in an apron to take his coat.
29:41Now, the place was desolate.
29:43He walked into the living room.
29:44The leather sofa was smooth and unwrinkled, and the TV screen reflected his lonely silhouette.
29:49He rushed to the kitchen.
29:51The glass counterplop was polished to a mirror-like shine, with not a trace of grease or smoke.
29:57The place was utterly devoid of life.
30:00This wasn't a home where someone had just left.
30:02It was more like a shell from which the soul had been stripped away.
30:06Panic spread through his veins.
30:07He rushed upstairs, flung open the master bedroom door.
30:10The bed was so immaculately made, it was almost blinding.
30:13He headed straight for the walk-in closet, the one area Sophia usually hated to set foot in,
30:18because it was filled with his handouts and lies.
30:24He pulled open the jewelry display cabinet.
30:27Dazzling jewels lay quietly on the tray, not a single piece missing.
30:30Some of the velvet boxes were covered in dust, their outer plastic wraps still intact.
30:35All limited edition items bought on a whim.
30:37On the wall of handbags beside them, her mace Birkin bags and chanels were arranged neatly by color and leather
30:44type.
30:44She had never even touched these expensive luxury items.
30:47His gaze swept to the farthest corner of the closet, that small section belonging to Sophia.
30:52It used to held a few of her old, well-worn clothes, unremarkable cotton loungerware,
30:56but now nothing left behind.
30:58She had left without a trace.
30:59Not a single item of hers had been touched.
31:01Everything she took with her were old belongings that had nothing to do with him.
31:04He turned and ran into the children's room next door,
31:06where even the walls covered in pink bulb couldn't mask the desolation.
31:10The building block table had been wiped spotless and all the fairy tale books on the bookshelf were gone.
31:14He stumbled back to the master bedroom.
31:15He walked over and pulled open the bottom drawer.
31:18The sound of the sliding rails echoed distinctly in the empty room.
31:21Inside lay a blue jewelry box.
31:23He opened it to find an exquisitely crafted diamond ring.
31:25On their fifth wedding anniversary, on a whim he had sketched a design and had it custom-made.
31:30But just a few days after receiving it, he had locked it away in the drawer,
31:34claiming he was too busy with work and that it was inconvenient to wear while doing tasks.
31:39And he had never taken it out again.
31:41Tucked beneath the jewelry box were several documents.
31:43Reaching in to pull them out, his gaze fell on the bold, black title at the top, divorce agreement.
31:48Those words stung his eyes.
31:50His hand trembled uncontrollably, causing the paper to rustle.
31:54He forced himself to look down.
31:56The terms were pitifully few.
31:57Grounds for divorce.
31:58The husband is at fault.
32:00The wife requests full legal and physical custody and demands that he leave the marriage with nothing.
32:05She wanted no property, no cash settlement, not even the company shares he treasured most.
32:10She wanted only two things.
32:12Freedom and her daughter.
32:13He turned to the last page.
32:15In the signature box, the name Sophia was written with such force that the strokes had sunk deep into the
32:20paper.
32:20It had all been premeditated.
32:22Going to Paris had merely been an excuse to get rid of him.
32:25He had become a complete and utter clown.
32:27Hello, the number you've dialed is not in service.
32:30Once, twice, three times, the response was always the same.
32:34Not only had she not spent a penny of his money, but she'd even cancelled all her domestic contact information,
32:40vanishing completely from his world and cutting off every possible escape route.
32:44Her words at the airport kept replaying in his mind.
32:47Ethan, goodbye.
32:49We'll never meet again.
32:50At the time, he thought it was just a rash remark, a petty tantrum.
32:54But it turned out to be an ultimatum.
32:59A crisp beep from the electronic lock sounded outside the door, followed by the turn of the doorknob.
33:04Chloe was back, her hands full of shopping bags.
33:06The orange Hermes box stood out like a beacon.
33:09She'd gone on a shopping spree at the 900 North Michigan shops today.
33:13Humming a tune, she slipped into her diamond-encrust slippers and swayed her hips as she walked toward the staircase.
33:19She caught sight of Ethan sitting at the entrance to the master bedroom,
33:22his face ashen, eyes bloodshot, like a caged beast enraged with nowhere to vent its fury.
33:28Ethan, why are you running so fast?
33:30Get up, the floor's freezing.
33:31Chloe piled her shopping bags against the banister,
33:33sauntered over in a coquish manner, and bent down to tug at his arm.
33:36It's not a big deal to alter the sample dress.
33:38Those old tailors were just too clumsy.
33:40You scared me to death with that huge outburst.
33:42I'll just redraw a couple of sketches tomorrow.
33:43Her ignorance was infuriating.
33:45Ethan looked up at her, that face with its meticulous makeup,
33:48that shell of a body good for nothing but spending money and causing trouble.
33:51His stomach churned violently.
33:53He sprang to his feet and, with all his strength, flung her hand away.
33:56Unsteady in her high heels, Chloe was sent tumbling down two flights of stairs with a shriek.
34:00Alter? With what? That's a whole couture show!
34:03You don't even know how to build a basic dart, and you dare to say you're gonna alter it?
34:08Tears streamed down Chloe's face.
34:10She lay on the ground, too afraid to get up.
34:14Darling, what are you doing?
34:15Hitting me over for that old hag?
34:18She's the one who wants to leave, dumping this mess on me.
34:21What does that have to do with me?
34:26Shut up!
34:27Ethan strode down the steps, grabbed her chin.
34:29The company has staked everything on this show.
34:31If the finale sample isn't satisfactory,
34:34the investors will pull out, and we'll face a $500 million penalty.
34:37Can you afford to pay that?
34:39Chloe was completely stunned.
34:40She forgot to cry out in pain, staring in utter shock at the enraged man.
34:44Ethan, it's not my fault!
34:46She stammered, begging for mercy.
34:48Sophia framed me!
34:49Ethan released her grip and, with disgust, pulled a tissue to wipe his hands.
34:54Grab your trash and get the hell out of here right now.
34:56If tomorrow's show gets ruined, I'll make sure you spend the rest of your life in prison.
35:01Terrified, Chloe scrambled out the door, too panicked to grab her luxury shopping bags.
35:05Six years ago, the company had just been founded when it hit an industry slope.
35:08A partner absconded with the funds, completely severing the cash flow.
35:11He sold his family home, deposited all the money into the company's corporate account,
35:14settled his employees, had his mother take the child away, and locked himself in a drafty rental apartment.
35:19He stayed awake for three full days and nights, securing a $10 million order and pulling the company back from
35:24bankruptcy.
35:25It was also because I learned to cook new dishes every day to cater to his picky pellet.
35:30He finally realized what a priceless treasure he had pushed away with his own hands.
35:38There were only three days left until the big show.
35:41At the Shaw Group building in Chicago, the front desk was surrounded by several middle-aged men, all shouting insults.
35:46They were representatives from major venture capital firms.
35:49Ethan sat in his top floor office.
35:50His desk was piled high with documents, all resignation letters from the pattern-making department.
35:54The department was now empty.
35:55The veteran tailors, worn down by Khloe, would rather pay the penalty for breaking their contracts than stay.
36:00No one wanted to be left holding the bag.
36:01Ryan stood at the desk, his voice trembling.
36:03Mr. Shaw, we've been turned down again.
36:04Ethan had offered a price ten times his usual rate, scouring the globe for the industry's top pattern-makers to
36:09take over.
36:09He'd managed to bring someone in, but after one look at the mess, the pattern-mater shook his head repeatedly
36:15and left as if fleeing a plague.
36:17Another collection call from the investors came in.
36:20Ethan ripped out the phone cord.
36:22On the other side of the globe, on the Champs Elysees in Paris, night had just fallen.
36:26The Chanel headquarters was ablaze with lights as fashion week officially kicked off.
36:29At the prime hour hour of 8 p.m., all the giant LED screens in the city center cut off
36:33their commercial advertisements, going black for three seconds.
36:35Then a spotlight flashed on, and a brand new teaser made its stunning debut.
36:39The camera focused solely on the details of the garments, silver-gray silk threads interwoven.
36:43Incredible three-dimensional tailoring, open worth and pleats perfectly combined.
36:47The fabric swayed in the breeze, and the clothes came to life on the models, shimmering with every step.
36:51Pedestrians stopped, patrons in the cafe set down their cups, and the global fashion world held its breath in that
36:56moment.
37:00The legendary Sophia returns.
37:03Six years in making.
37:04A new era begins.
37:07That's me, Sophia, who once washed dishes and cooked in the kitchen, and now the legendary Sophia has reborn.
37:12I stand at the floor-to-ceiling windows on the third floor of headquarters, holding a sugar-free black coffee,
37:16and watching the crowd gathered in the plaza.
37:18Irene walks over and taps my cup.
37:20You're the center of the world's attention right now.
37:22I took a sip of my iced Americano.
37:24The bitterness slid down my throat, giving me a real jolt of energy.
37:27This is just the beginning.
37:29Videos know no borders.
37:30In less than an hour, major social media platforms crashed completely.
37:34The trending were completely overhauled.
37:35A towering thread was built on the forums, and someone posted.
37:38Wait, isn't she the ghost designer behind Shaw Green?
37:40Are you serious?
37:40She was a legend long before Shaw.
37:42Six years, the legendary Sophia is finally back.
37:44People started digging.
37:45Threads exploded.
37:46Long breakdown posts flooded a platform.
37:48Am I the only one seeing this?
37:50Compare Chanel's latest collection to Shaw's rebirth campaign.
37:53Screenshots were zoomed in one by one, with red circles highlighting the craftsmanship.
37:57This is clearly from the same mold, except Chanel's is a masterpiece.
38:01Shaw's is just a pile of trash.
38:02The tide of public opinion turned on Shaw's brand in an instant.
38:05Their official account was flooded with comments, all demanding an explanation.
38:09So they pushed away the genius and handed the whole thing to a secretary?
38:13I heard that she couldn't even identify fabrics, and she is leading a haute couture show?
38:17Refund our money!
38:19Boycott Shaw Group!
38:20The company's stock plummeted, crashing straight to the daily limit down.
38:25The news quickly reached the CEO's office.
38:28Ryan trembled as he handed over the pablet.
38:30Boss, that's Sophia.
38:32He couldn't believe it.
38:33He rewounded the video and played it again.
38:35The woman who would sweetly coo his name.
38:37The woman who stood in the kitchen every day breathing in cooking fumes.
38:40How could it be her?
38:41Yet he'd looked at that face for seven years.
38:43He'd recognize it in every circumstances.
38:45It felt like a sledgehammer had struck his chest, and his breath caught in his throat.
38:50This was the result of his actions over the past two weeks.
38:53Ryan swallowed hard.
38:55Chanel had issued an official announcement.
38:56Miss Sophia had indeed taken over as creative director.
38:59Ethan's wrist went limp, and the pablet fell onto the table,
39:02the screen cracking into a spider web of shards.
39:04So she'd planned her escape all along.
39:05Going to Paris wasn't a vacation to clear her head.
39:07It was to ascend the throne.
39:09An email from the legal department had arrived, sent by a top international law firm.
39:12The message was simple.
39:13Several of Shaw's latest sample designs were suspected of infringing on Miss Sophia's earlier
39:18copyrights, and they demanded an immediate halt to all commercial activities.
39:21Otherwise, they would proceed directly to international litigation.
39:23This was a knockout blow.
39:24They wouldn't even let those few rags be displayed.
39:27Book a flight, the earliest one to Paris.
39:29Immediately.
39:30Ryan froze in place.
39:31But the big show is the day after tomorrow.
39:33Fuck the big show!
39:34All he wanted to do right now was track down that woman and ask her face to face what the
39:38hell she was playing at.
39:39The door was violently kicked open.
39:41Chloe burst in.
39:42She'd just been cornered by investors downstairs.
39:44Those people weren't about to play nice.
39:46Someone had thrown half a cup of cold coffee at her.
39:49The dark brown liquid had run down her neck and into her collar.
39:51Ethan, where are you going?
39:53She lunged forward and grabbed the man's leg.
39:55You can't leave!
39:59Ethan looked down at the woman at his feet.
40:02Her face, which he had once found innocent and charming, now radiated nothing but stupidity
40:07and greed.
40:07He kicked out without hesitation.
40:09Showing no mercy, he drove the sole of his shoe straight into Chloe's shoulder, holding
40:14nothing back.
40:15How dare you bring up the fashion show?
40:17Ethan pointed at her from above, his furious voice making the glass rattle.
40:21Are you going to walk the runway in that pile of junk?
40:23You idiot!
40:24You nearly ruined the entire Shaw Corporation.
40:27If she hadn't turned the fitting room into a chaotic mess, if she hadn't insisted on
40:30grabbing control, how would he have ended up in this mess?
40:32Chloe lay on the floor wailing, her makeup completely smeared.
40:35She clutched her shoulders and trembled.
40:37Ethan, I was wrong.
40:38I shouldn't have been so stubborn.
40:40Call Sophia.
40:41Ask her to come back and help, okay?
40:43Ethan laughed bitterly in his rage.
40:45He grabbed the crystal ash trough from the table and smashed it against the wall with
40:49all his might.
40:49Glass sharts flew everywhere, cutting Chloe's calf.
40:53Ethan didn't spare her another glance as he walked past the mess on the floor.
40:56To the airport.
40:56The driver dared not ask any questions.
40:59He floored the accelerator, and the car sped out of the building.
41:02As they passed the 900 North Michigan shops, the screen was still looping the Chanel teaser.
41:06That red figure appeared once more, its cold, arrogant gaze piercing through the screen and
41:10straight into the car window.
41:11Ethan closed his eyes, his fingers digging into the leather seats.
41:14Just wait until I catch you.
41:15I'll make you admit your mistake.
41:16At Chicago, O'Hara's International Airport.
41:18As Ethan went through security, his hands trembled incontrollably.
41:21The pride of American models reaching new heights.
41:23Every word seemed to mock his foolishness.
41:25He put on his noise-canceling phones as if to escape, but they couldn't block out the
41:30voices in his head.
41:31He'd thought a housewife could be fobbed off with a little extra pocket money.
41:34How ridiculous he looked in hindsight.
41:36Boarding began, and he dragged his feet into the jet bridge, finding the night lights outside
41:40the window too dim.
41:41Every second of the eight-hour flight felt like torture to him.
41:44The plane would eventually arrive in distant Paris.
41:49Night Falls.
41:5031 Recombo, the world's most exclusive social scene.
41:53The main venue for Chanel's annual fashion show was packed to capacity.
41:56The room was deathly quiet as everyone awaited the final works.
41:58A spotlight swept across the backstage area.
42:00Piano began to play softly as the grand finale of the Rebirth Collection made its entrance.
42:04The white tully skirt trailed across the runway, with silver threads shimmering under
42:06the lights.
42:07The fabric's lines defied conventional proportions, featuring an extremely bold cutout at the
42:10waist, while the silk at the back was cut into intricate geometric shapes.
42:12As the model walked, the skirt rippled like water, a masterpiece that transcended
42:15contemporary aesthetics.
42:16The actresses in the front row took off their sunglasses, buyers pulled out their notepads,
42:19and the fashion industry's demons sat up straight.
42:21Flash builds began to pop in rapid succession.
42:23Applause erupted from the audience, growing louder and louder.
42:25Backstage, I watched the footage on the monitor.
42:27This dress took me three whole years of hard work.
42:29It once called Nirvana, and now it's called Rebirth.
42:32Irene walked over and threw her arms around me.
42:33You did a fantastic job tonight.
42:35Lily stood at the entrance to the dressing room, wearing a pink princess dress and clutching
42:39a little white rabbit stuffed animal.
42:40She looked up at me.
42:41Mommy looks so pretty today.
42:43I crouched down and smoothed out the hem of her dress.
42:46Lily looks pretty too.
42:47Are you nervous?
42:49Mommy's here, so Lily isn't nervous.
42:51The curtain in front of us parted, and a bright light shone upon us.
42:54I took Lily's hand and stepped out onto the stage.
42:56We walked from backstage to the center of the runway.
42:58The cheers from below grew louder, and the applause was deafening.
43:01This was my moment of glory.
43:02I had been trapped in that greasy kitchen for six years, and today I was finally standing
43:06here again.
43:06I bent down, took Lily's hand, and we bowed together.
43:09As I stood up, Pierre gave me a thumbs up from the audience, and a few of the older tailors
43:12had tears in their eyes.
43:15Someone was trying to force their way in.
43:17Several foreign security guards rushed over, as the brass doorknob rattled loudly.
43:21It was winter in Chicago, but the venue was well heated.
43:23He was drenched in sweat, his hair a messy mess plastered to his forehead.
43:26He looked no better than a homeless man on the street.
43:28He sprinted all the way.
43:29The security guards weren't prepared for him to run so fast.
43:32He charged to the front of the runway.
43:34Sophia!
43:35He screamed at the top of his lungs.
43:37He clung to the edge of the stage with both hands, trying to climb up.
43:41Several security guards caught up to him, grabbing his shoulders and forcing him down.
43:45His knees slammed into the ground, and he was pinned firmly to the red carpet.
43:49Ethan was still struggling desperately.
43:51I looked down at him from above.
43:52Our eyes met.
43:53His gaze was filled with panic and fury.
43:55Sophia, you can't do this to me!
43:56He strained to lift his head, his face turning vivid crimson.
43:59He exerted himself so hard that saliva spurted from his mouth.
44:02He pulled a piece of paper from his suit jacket pocket, a crumpled cease and desist letter.
44:05He waved the scrap of paper frantically in the air.
44:07Used my money to vacation in Paris, then turned around and sold the company's core designs to Chanel!
44:11I'm suing you, and I'll ruin your reputation!
44:13This spectacle was too good to miss.
44:14Cameras of all sizes swiveled in unison.
44:16Tonight's global entertainment.
44:18Headlines were guaranteed.
44:22Lily ducked behind me.
44:24I patted her back gently to comfort her.
44:26I motioned to my assistant Amy in the audience, and she immediately jogged up to the stage.
44:30Take the child backstage.
44:31Amy nodded and turned to take Lily's hand.
44:33Before leaving, Lily glanced back at the man on the floor.
44:37Stinky bad daddy.
44:39Though her voice was soft, Ethan heard it clearly.
44:41Every muscle in his body froze instantly, and his face contorted into an expression too painful to look at.
44:45I walked toward the center of the stage, taking the microphone from a crew person.
44:49I did a quick sound check, and my voice echoed throughout the volume through the sound system.
44:53Be careful, Mr. Shaw.
44:55People must take responsibility for what they say.
44:57I snapped my fingers, and the director behind the scenes immediately cut the live music.
45:00The giant LED screen flickered and instantly switched to a new display.
45:04Scanned copies of international patent certificates rolling upward page by page.
45:07The date at the bottom was clearly marked as three years ago, and the rights holder field clearly bore my
45:10name.
45:11Everyone take a good look.
45:12All rights to this design are now registered under my name.
45:14Sophia.
45:14I lowered my gaze to Ethan on the floor.
45:16He had completely stopped struggling.
45:17His eyes were wide with terror as he stared at the projected copy of the property deed.
45:20His lips trembling uncontrollably.
45:21This sudden blow proved to be the final strike that completely crushed him.
45:24Three years ago, I had already laid the groundwork, completely separating the design blueprints and core patents.
45:29The ownership of the intellectual property has always been securely held in my own hands.
45:33The company he has painstakingly built is, in essence, nothing more than an empty shell devoid of core assets.
45:38I gripped the microphone tightly, with my tone remaining absolutely steady.
45:41I initially granted Shaw Group a free license for commercial use out of consideration of our past marital bond.
45:45But now I am displeased and have decided to unilaterally terminate the license.
45:48The entire process fully complies with laws and regulations, with no violations whatsoever.
45:51The audience erupted in gasps.
45:53Everyone finally realized this was not a case of commercial espionage, but a legitimate reclaiming of ownership.
45:57Countless camera lenses greedily captured my commanding and assertive counterattack.
46:01I had no intention of stopping there.
46:02Now that we're on the opposite side, I intended to destroy him completely.
46:09I snorted coldly and signaled to the director.
46:11The screen switched again, this time revealing a bombshell.
46:13The first image was a stunning wedding photo.
46:15Chloe in a pristine, luxurious white gown, Ethan in a pure black tailored suit.
46:18The two of them embracing with sweet smiles, taking wedding photos before getting a divorce.
46:21That was awful scandal.
46:22But that wasn't all.
46:23The next image was a screenshot from office surveillance footage.
46:25Chloe was sitting on a large desk.
46:27Ethan had his head bowed and both were half undressed.
46:29The international celebrities all got the message.
46:31Some let out a long collective gasp and others even cursed in French.
46:33Flashes went off frantically.
46:35The slideshow continued, this time displaying extensive bank transaction records.
46:38Ethan transferred two million on the 5th of March.
46:40Perchacartiti High Jewelry set.
46:41Ethan on the 10th of June, he transferred 50 million.
46:43The note, deposit for the wedding of the century.
46:45Every single transaction was received by the same overseas account under the name Chloe.
46:48I raised my voice and continued.
46:50All this money I earned, he used it to throw a wedding of the century for his little secretary.
46:531,199 air-frighted white roses, how romantic.
46:56I took two steps down the stairs, shortened the distance between us.
46:58You started secretly suffling off our marital assets before the wedding.
47:01How dare you accusing me of using your money to vacation in Paris?
47:03Ethan watched the figures scrolling across the screen.
47:05His face ashen, body went completely limp.
47:07I pressed on relentlessly.
47:08You let your mistress, who can't even handle the design drawings, take care of this.
47:12And now you're facing a 500 million dollar penalty.
47:14So you've come all the way to Paris trying to use these underhanded tactics to force me
47:18back to work as your free labor?
47:19With every word I spoke, he flinched backward, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.
47:23You created this mess yourselves.
47:25You're the ones who need to get down on your knees and clean it up.
47:28Don't even think about it.
47:29Each sentence felt like a resounding slap, striking him across the face from across the
47:33room with a sharp crack.
47:35Ethan's mouth hung open, unable to utter a single sound.
47:40Ethan was completely dumbfounded.
47:42The man who had been shouting just moments ago could now barely stand.
47:45His eyes widened as he stared intently at the screen.
47:47The figures on the transaction list were crystal clear, and the scandalous photos on the desk
47:51beside it were particularly jarking.
47:52He had always viewed Sophia as an easy-to-manipulate old hag, someone who would obediently fall into
47:56line with a few threats and a little pocket punnet.
47:58But he had miscalculated one thing.
48:00A cornered rabbit will bite.
48:01And Sophia was, after all, the former queen of the fashion world.
48:04From the very beginning, she had held all the core patents in her hands, leaving the
48:07Shaw Corporation nothing but an empty shell.
48:08Ethan bent his knees and knelt on the marble floor, his suit pants dragging along the ground
48:12as he crawled all the way to the edge of the runway, his hands desperately reaching
48:15for the fringe on the catwalk.
48:16Sophia!
48:17Sophia!
48:17I was wrong!
48:18I was truly wrong!
48:19His voice was horsky as he cried out at the top of his legs, tears mixing with sweat as they
48:23streamed down his face.
48:23It was all that Chloe's fault!
48:25She seduced me!
48:25I momentarily lost my head, but you're the only one I truly love!
48:28This kind of cheap, underhanded blame-shifting was utterly re-
48:30Please, just license the patent to the company.
48:33The investors have pulled out and that 500 million penalty will ruin me.
48:35We've been together for seven years, you can't be so heartless.
48:38Seven years together?
48:39You tricked me into breathing in kitchen fumes, tricked me into working for you for free,
48:44then immediately bought your mistress a 10 million dollar diamond ring and threw her
48:47a lavish wedding.
48:48Talking about our relationship now just makes me sick.
48:51Seeing that I wasn't persuaded, Ethan turned to Lily.
48:53He forced a smile that looked worse than a cry.
48:56Lily, I'm your daddy.
48:57You love daddy the most, don't you?
48:59Can we all go home together?
49:00Daddy will buy you the biggest Transformers toy, take you to the amusement park every day,
49:04and draw with you every day.
49:05If this had been half a year ago, that little girl would have thrown herself into his arms
49:09the moment she heard those promises.
49:14But the Lily of today couldn't care less.
49:15Instead of stepping forward, she took two steps back in disgust, hiding behind me, leaving
49:19only her big eyes peeking out.
49:20You're a liar!
49:21I don't want a Transformers toy, and I don't want you as my dad either!
49:25Ethan froze in place.
49:26His hands suspended mid-air.
49:27Lily puffed out her cheeks and pointed at him angrily.
49:29You snap at mommy every day at home, and you even call me a money-losing burden since
49:33the day I was born.
49:34Lily grew angrier as she spoke, her little hands on her hips.
49:36To berate his own daughter to her face, Ethan's character was truly despicable.
49:39A wealthy woman in the front row rolled her eyes dramatically in front of all the cameras
49:42and deliberately gave him a thumbs down.
49:43Ethan stood frozen.
49:44He thought the vile things he'd whispered to Chloe in private went unheard, but his five-year-old
49:47daughter had committed every word to memory.
49:49This was the so-called deep father-daughter bond he'd been boasting about all along.
49:51I watched this absurd farce with a cold gaze.
49:54I couldn't bear to look a second longer for fear of selling my eyes.
49:56Ethan, cut the act.
49:58From the day you schemed to take my money and humiliate me, we're even.
50:01My lawyers back home have officially filed a case.
50:03You must return every penny of the marital assets you transferred without my consent,
50:08with interest.
50:08I raised my hand to signal the audience, and security guards immediately stormed the venue.
50:13Two six-foot-tall burly men flanked Ethan on either side.
50:16They dragged him to his feet, his leather shoes leaving two dark scuff marks on the floor.
50:19Sophia, you can't do this!
50:21You're destroying me!
50:22You've ruined me!
50:23Piercing screams echoed through the venue.
50:25No one felt any sympathy for him.
50:27Reporters with their cameras in hand followed him every step of the way, their blinding flashes
50:31lighting up his humiliating exit.
50:33Down below, fashion industry heavyweights clinked glasses.
50:36They'd witnessed both top-tier design and a complete farce.
50:39It had truly been worth the trip.
50:43Six months later, I sat at an outdoor cafe by the Seine.
50:48Lily sat across from me holding a huge strawberry sundae.
50:51Her lips rimmed with white cream.
50:53I pulled out a napkin to wipe it off for her, and she gave me a sweet smile, her eyes
50:58crinkling.
50:59My phone on the table vibrated.
51:01Friends back home had sent several long messages, all about the biggest scandals in Chicago over
51:05the past six months.
51:06The Shaw Group had completely collapsed.
51:09They'd been publicly reported for taxi vision.
51:11In court, they presented the chat logs from the workgroup.
51:14Every single one containing voice messages of Chloe giving reckless orders, shifting all
51:18the blame onto others.
51:19Ethan trembled with rage in the defendant's seat, unable to utter a single word of rebuttal.
51:24Seeing the tide turning against them, the investors banded together to sue Shaw Group,
51:29demanding the mandatory return of $500 million in investment funds, plus hefty liquidated
51:34damages, employees owed back wages, also filed a class action lawsuit.
51:39The court quickly ruled that all assets under Ethan's name, including that 500-square-meter
51:43mansion, the luxury cars in the garage, and the deposits in his private bank accounts, all
51:48be frozen and subject to forced auction.
51:50Even if he sold everything he owned, it wouldn't cover a fraction of the debt.
51:54Ethan went from being the billionaire CEO Shaw, to a deadbeat debtor everyone wanted to see
51:59punished. A friend sent him a few short videos, showing a man in faded, worn-out clothes, unshaven,
52:05and so thin his cheekbones jotted out.
52:07It was Ethan.
52:08He went to beg his former business partners, for money.
52:12He stood outside Mr. Parker's gate ringing the doorbell for half an hour only to be met by a
52:16group of security guards, who tossed him straight into a roadside trash can.
52:21He then ran to find his old best friend Mr. Lee.
52:23Mr. Lee tossed $200 out through the security door, all $10 bills, which scattered across
52:29the ground in the wind.
52:30Mr. Shaw, take this to buy a sandwich.
52:33If you bother me again, I'll have my men break your legs.
52:41With nowhere else to turn, he went to find Chloe, hoping she could dig into her personal
52:46savings to help him out.
52:47He pushed open the door to her luxury apartment, only to find it completely stripped bare.
52:53Chloe had absunded with the company's last remaining liquid assets and vanished.
52:59Debt collectors knocked on his door every night and scrolled large characters on the
53:04walls with red paint.
53:05Ethan had to sneak around, terrified that someone would put a sack over his head and beat him
53:11up.
53:11He wept uncontrollably in the empty room.
53:14Chloe's situation was even worse.
53:16She was trying to leave the country with a fake passport when she was pinned down by a
53:21gangster at airport security.
53:23It turned out that after embezzling the money, she had gone to an underground casino hoping
53:28to turn her luck around.
53:29Instead, she lost everything, ended up owing the loan shark over $20 million.
53:34The loan sharks had been hunting her down the whole time and cornered her at the airport.
53:39During the struggle, she was shoved down the escalator.
53:42She rolled down more than a dozen steps, leaving a trail of blood behind her.
53:45She was rushed to the emergency room, where her life was saved, but she lost the baby she
53:50was carrying.
53:51The surgery required a signature from a direct relative, so the police brought in Ethan.
53:55Ethan, who had assumed his family line would be cut off, wailed uncontrollably in the
53:58hallway.
53:59Then a nurse handed him a blood type report that shattered his illusions completely.
54:03Chloe was type A, Ethan was type O, and the stillborn fetus tested as type AB.
54:07Any normal person could read this report.
54:09He'd been wearing that shiny crown of betrayal for months.
54:12He spent millions on caviar and champagne, threw away his wife and daughter only to find
54:16out the bastard wasn't leaving him.
54:18The police followed the leads and tracked down the real biological father.
54:22Chloe's big bro from the nightclub, a high school dropout and small-time thug who spent
54:27his days loafing around, and had even been arrested for stealing a bicycle.
54:31Online, the gossip-hungry crowd was in an uproar, with each comment more skating than the last.
54:37The CEO footing the bill to help a thug raise his kid.
54:40They're truly a perfect match for each other.
54:48Chloe is suspected of stealing trade secrets, and embezzling a massive sum of money.
54:53Given the enormous amount involved, she's looking at a minimum of 10 years in prison.
54:57As for Ethan, a friend sent me a long voice message, her voice filled with uncontrollable
55:02laughter.
55:02After reading the blood test results, the guy's eyes rolled back and collapsed right at the
55:07emergency room entrance.
55:08The doctors diagnosed it as a stroke triggered by extreme anger, compounded by long-term severe
55:13mental stress, resulting in a ruptured blood vessel and massive hemorrhage.
55:17He was lucky to survive, but half his body is now completely paralyzed.
55:21Now his snobbish, money-grubbing mother has no choice but to rent a moldy basement with him.
55:25After listening to the message, I locked my phone and put it in my bag.
55:29Those who do wrong will meet their own downfall.
55:31He brought this all upon himself.
55:32I picked up my cup, and took a small sip of coffee.
55:35The wind feels fresh today.
55:37As night fell, luxury cars lined the streets outside the Grand Palais in Paris, where the
55:41Global Fashion Awards ceremony was underway.
55:44I walked down the Grand Palais in Paris, where the Global Fashion Awards ceremony was underway.
55:48I walked down the red carpet on Irene's arm, surrounded by the constant click of camera
55:52shutters, as everyone chanted the name of the legendary Sophia.
55:55Finally, it was time for the last segment, the most prestigious award of the night.
55:59The renowned designer Pierre opened the exquisite gold-embossed envelope.
56:03And the winner of this year's Global Most Influential Designer Award is...
56:08He paused deliberately for a few seconds, his gaze sweeping across the crowd below.
56:12The winner is...
56:13Miss Sophia from Chanel!
56:15The applause was thunderous and unending.
56:17I stood up, walked toward the podium to accept the heavy, solid gold statuette.
56:21This represents my six years of lying low, and it also symbolizes my rebirth after a Phoenix-like
56:26resurrection.
56:29The hostess stepped forward and handed me a microphone.
56:32Everyone is very curious about your journey.
56:35At this moment of reaching the pinnacle, is there anything you'd like to say to female
56:38around the world?
56:39Hundreds of pairs of eyes were fixed on me, and tens of millions of viewers were watching
56:43the live stream.
56:44Holding the golden trophy, I looked straight into the camera lens.
56:47I hadn't prepared a speech.
56:48I spoke from the heart.
56:49My voice was steady, and my words clear.
56:51Don't look for love in the trash heap.
56:53And don't clip your own wings to become a stepping stone for those who don't deserve you.
56:57Rather than being a caged sparrow waiting for your master's handouts, become an eagle
57:01soaring freely in your own sky.
57:03After a brief silence, the entire hall erupted in deafening cheers.
57:06I raised the gold cup in my right hand, and waved to the guests below.
57:09The stage spotlight fell precisely on my right hand, illuminating the ring on my ring finger.
57:14It was a perfectly cut pink diamond, as big as a pigeon's egg, reflecting an incredibly
57:18dazzling glow under the lights.
57:20This was something I'd bought at a Christie's auction two days earlier, spending half a year's
57:24salary on it.
57:24It was expensive, but I could easily afford it.
57:27I didn't need men to bestow those little gifts on me.
57:30I could give myself the very best.
57:31After the awards ceremony, I took Lily's hand and walked out into the vast night outside
57:35the Grand Palace.
57:36This was my true home.
57:37As for those trashy people, who once tripped me up in the mud, they had long since been
57:41flushed down the toilet, vanishing forever from my world.
57:44The road ahead was clear.
57:45The era of Sophia had only just begun.