- 1 day ago
The Heirss came with Fists SEASON 1
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PeopleTranscript
00:00I grew up in New York's Chinatown. My dad, Chen Ming, always said,
00:03when you're dealing with bad people, you have to be worse.
00:06As you can see, the guys I just took down were obviously bad.
00:09What they'd done.
00:10When I finally stopped and looked back, every dealer was on the ground.
00:13I walked over to one of the dealers.
00:15Out of his bag, I pulled the drugs in cash.
00:17He glanced at the drugs and tossed them aside.
00:19My dad also said every kid from Chinatown had to support the community after growing up.
00:22My mission was to save a billion dollars and rebuild our martial arts group.
00:25Just when I was stressing over it, a Maibach pulled up beside me.
00:28Mr. Thompson, the Whitman family's butler, got out and handed me a DNA test report.
00:35A Whitman?
00:37As in the New York Whitmans?
00:39Yes. It was the Whitmans' mistake back then that led you to end up in a place like this.
00:44You've been through a lot.
00:47So the Whitmans are loaded? You've got a billion?
00:50The Whitmans are the richest family in New York. A billion is nothing to us!
00:56Perfect. Wait here. I need to tell my dad.
00:59Dad! The walking ATM just showed up!
01:04I packed my old clothes in my room.
01:06What?
01:07Sweetheart, the Whitmans don't have a good reputation. Maybe you should stay home.
01:12Don't worry. I'll be back after I get my billion.
01:14I grabbed my bag and stepped outside.
01:19Let's go.
01:22Mr. Thompson gave Dad a polite nod. Dad answered with a strained smile.
01:26I climbed into the Maibach. Dad watched the car pull away inside.
01:29It's the Whitmans I'm worried about.
01:38I carried my adoptive Dad's old bag to Whitman Manor.
01:44A cup flew at me. I dodged it.
01:47Then I heard Lily crying.
01:52Mom, now that my sister is back, it's time for me to leave. You raised me for 18 years.
01:57I'll never forget your kindness. I just hope I can come back and see you again someday.
02:01Lily made a show of turning to leave. My brother Ethan stopped her right away.
02:05You've been my sister for 18 years. If anyone leaves this house, it'll be the stray they brought home.
02:09I let out a scoff. The whole family turned toward me.
02:12I tilted my head and watched the show.
02:15I'm sorry, sis. I took your place. It's all my fault.
02:18I don't deserve to stay in this family. I'll give it all back.
02:21Lily's crying and you're just standing there doing nothing?
02:26What a vulgar little outsider.
02:28As everyone blamed me, Lily wiped away her tears.
02:31She secretly smiled.
02:32What's that got to do with me?
02:33Lily. Oh, do they want me to teach her a lesson?
02:38All you do is cry.
02:39Keep it up and you'll cry all the luck right out of this house.
02:43Stop! You're nothing but a lowlife.
02:45So what if you're our parents' biological daughter?
02:47To me, Lily is my only sister.
02:49You lowlife came out of nowhere. How dare you throw her out?
02:51Today, I'm going to teach you a lesson!
02:53I caught Ethan's fist with one hand.
02:55He tried to pull it back. I shoved him hard.
02:57Ethan fell to the wall.
02:58How is this possible? Are all women raised in Chinatown this strong?
03:01My mom stood there.
03:02She opened her mouth, then closed it.
03:04Dinner's not ready yet. Go rest in your room first.
03:07Mr. Thompson?
03:14Miss Lily said this room was quiet. She thought it suited you.
03:22At the hall's end lay a north-facing room, shabby, tattered curtains, bare closet, bare mattress with no sheet.
03:27I looked through my bag. Two t-shirts, one pair of jeans.
03:31At the bottom, I found a voice recorder.
03:32My adoptive dad had slipped it in.
03:35I only love Lily!
03:37Even if you become the Whitman family's daughter, I'll never marry you!
03:40Fine.
03:40That's it?
03:41You've already decided. What's there left to say?
03:42Watch your attitude!
03:43You're breaking off our engagement, yet you still expect me to be polite.
03:45Should I get down on my knees, too?
03:47His face darkened, then he turned and left. Lily ran after him. I poured myself a cup of coffee.
03:51James, don't be mad. My sister just can't admit she's wrong.
03:55Ethan leaned against the living room doorway.
03:57Got a smart mouth, huh?
03:58Spit it out.
04:02James is the Harrison family's only son. Watch how you talk to him.
04:06You think this engagement was for you?
04:07It was for the Whitmans. You were gone for 18 years.
04:09So you're saying he dumped me and I should thank him?
04:23Everyone gathered around the dining table looking impatient.
04:27Oh, Mr. Whitman, I didn't mean to!
04:30You can't even handle something this simple. Maybe you don't need this hand anymore!
04:34I grabbed Ethan by the wrist.
04:36The Whitmans are something else. It's just a little spilled water. Is it really that serious?
04:39The maid fled. I let go of Ethan's hand as well.
04:43A lowlife like you has no manners. Now the whole family has to wait for you to eat.
04:47What happened, Lily? Didn't I ask you to down for dinner?
04:49I did. I don't know why she was late.
04:53No manners. Who said you could sit down?
04:55Ethan! Don't be like this, Ethan. It's enough that she's letting me stay here.
04:59After saying that, Lily gave me a hurt look as I continued glaring at Ethan.
05:02As long as I can stay with Mom and Dad, I don't care if I'm not Miss Whitney anymore.
05:06I can even be a maid. I don't mind.
05:08Lily, you're just too kind.
05:11If you're a maid, who told you to sit down and eat with us? Stand over there and serve us.
05:15Lily choked up. She got up and started to leave.
05:18It's true. I took your place for 18 years, but I never did it on purpose.
05:22I should just pack my things and leave.
05:24Lily, apologize to Lily or you'll regret it.
05:28Why should I apologize?
05:30What maid wears a couture outfit and a huge diamond necklace like that?
05:35Mr. Whitman, no offense, but what does Nina have that Lily doesn't?
05:39Looks, figure, grades, or experience?
05:42So many important people will be at your birthday party.
05:45If you announce she's the Whitman's biological daughter, we'll be a laughingstock.
05:49Charles said nothing.
05:50This is Nina's report card. Her total score isn't even half of Lily's.
05:54My parents' face is darkened when they saw it.
05:57Nina, are these really your grades?
05:59At my school, academics aren't really a priority, but I'm good at martial arts.
06:03What?
06:04I said I'm good at martial arts. We focus on combat, not academics.
06:08My grades aren't great, but I got perfect scores in every combat class.
06:10What school has combat classes?
06:12Of course they do. My school had them.
06:14Uncle Turner was our combat instructor. He was amazing.
06:17James, she grew up in Chinatown. Knowing English at all is already pretty good.
06:20It's normal that she doesn't know much about the world.
06:22Nina, I bet you hardly studied growing up with your adopted father.
06:25Did you just spend all day going,
06:26Hi-yah! Ha!
06:27The three of them burst into mocking laughter.
06:30I stood up, my face darkening.
06:32Say that again.
06:34Lily's lips trembled.
06:35What's wrong? Why'd you stop laughing?
06:37She's something else.
06:38Looks like she really did inherit the Whitman's good genes.
06:42I think we should announce she's our biological daughter at the birthday party.
06:45That settles it.
06:46Lily glared at me, her chest heaving with anger.
06:48James patted Lily's hand, reassuring me.
06:50I walked past the living room.
06:51Lily stood with her back to the hallway, talking on the phone.
06:54James, Nina didn't mean to upset you yesterday.
06:56She just grew up in a small place.
06:58Don't take it personally.
06:59She's upset? What does she have to be upset about?
07:02Nina had a different upbringing.
07:03She just sees things differently.
07:05She caught me in the corner of her eye and hung up.
07:07Go on. I didn't hear the whole thing.
07:09You recorded me?
07:10You were saying my praises.
07:12If that's true, why fear being recorded?
07:14She turned and hurried upstairs.
07:16Ethan stood by the kitchen door.
07:17He was holding a glass of water.
07:19I didn't know how long he'd been standing there.
07:21Lily had just disappeared around the corner.
07:23Neither of us said a word.
07:24Another day passed.
07:25That evening, James came again.
07:27He was carrying a gift bag.
07:28It was a limited edition handbag for Lily.
07:30Thank you, James.
07:32Don't do this.
07:33Nina's still here.
07:34I'm giving you a gift.
07:35What's that got to do with her?
07:36I picked up an apple from the table and took a bite.
07:38It doesn't.
07:39But you broke off our engagement yesterday.
07:41Now you're back at my house with gifts.
07:43You seem more interested in this family than I am.
07:45You were the one who called off the engagement.
07:46You're also the one who keeps coming back.
07:49So what is it?
07:50Breaking off the engagement?
07:52Or replacing me?
07:53His face turned red, then white.
07:55Lily went after him, then stopped.
07:57There wasn't a trace of hurt in her eyes.
07:59Sis, is the apple sweet?
08:01It's okay.
08:01Then eat more.
08:03You won't be part of this family much longer anyway.
08:06A few days passed.
08:07It would be my dad Charles' 50th birthday.
08:09They were holding a birthday gala.
08:11They were also going to officially introduce me to the Whitman's social circle in New York.
08:14A maid brought me a custom-made gown.
08:16It was purple.
08:17The fabric felt expensive.
08:18I tried it on.
08:19The stitching inside the hem had been ripped open.
08:21The fabric had a tear.
08:22It wasn't obvious.
08:23But it would rip apart after just the moment I started walking.
08:26Nina, does the dress fit?
08:28It's fine.
08:29Good.
08:30Don't be late in three days.
08:31Charles' 50th birthday gala was held in the main hall of Whitman's and Manor.
08:34I dug through my cloth bag and took out my old clothes.
08:37I went downstairs.
08:38The living room was packed with guests.
08:40Lily wore a custom-made navy gown.
08:42She stayed by Charles' side, toasting the guests.
08:44She charmed everyone around her and had the several ladies laughing heartily.
08:48Then she saw me coming downstairs.
08:50Nina, didn't our family have a new dress made for you?
08:53Her voice wasn't loud, but it was just loud enough for the people nearby to hear.
08:56Why are you still wearing that?
08:58Not comfortable wearing something new?
09:00Or don't know how to wear it?
09:02Ethan pushed through the crowd.
09:03Where's your new dress?
09:05The maid said she delivered it to your room.
09:07It didn't fit.
09:08Didn't fit.
09:08It was custom-made.
09:10Do you even know what today is?
09:11It's dad's 50th birthday.
09:14You're standing here dressed like this?
09:16Every guest is watching.
09:18Ethan, stop.
09:19Nina's probably just not used to this kind of occasion.
09:24I turned and went upstairs.
09:27When I came back down, I was holding the dress.
09:29Right in front of everyone, I shook it open.
09:31Under the chandelier, the stitching inside the hem had been neatly ripped out.
09:35The tear ran up from the seam.
09:36It split several more inches.
09:38Custom-made.
09:39So, who do you think did this?
09:41Ethan stared at the tear.
09:42His mouth opened.
09:43But no words came out.
09:45Sis, maybe this...
09:46Maybe you think I did this myself?
09:48I ripped up my own new dress and wore old clothes to the banquet?
09:52You think I'm crazy?
09:54The room fell silent.
09:55Several guests stood there with drinks in hand.
09:57They stared at the dress on the table.
09:58The tear faced upward.
09:59Charles finally turned around.
10:00Take the dress away.
10:03Stay out of the front today.
10:05Sit in the corner.
10:06I'll send someone to get you after the cake's been cut.
10:08He turned and went back to greeting the guests.
10:10Lily followed him with her wine glass.
10:12I found a corner and stood there.
10:13A middle-aged man with a glass of red wine papted my dad on the shoulder.
10:16Charles, your daughter is amazing.
10:19She's just like you.
10:20Charles paused with his wine glass in hand.
10:22He didn't correct him.
10:23I slowly turned my glass.
10:25The banquet was halfway through.
10:26A maid rushed in.
10:27A maid rushed in.
10:28She whispered something in my mom's ear.
10:30The watch.
10:31The antique watch in Lily's room was gone.
10:34It was her 18th birthday gift from Mr. Whitman.
10:37No way!
10:38I saw it this morning!
10:39The butler searched the house with a few servants.
10:41The watch was found under my pillow.
10:42The butler placed it on the table.
10:44Everyone in the hall looked over.
10:46Mom, it couldn't have been Nina.
10:48Maybe she was just curious.
10:50Maybe she was just looking at it.
10:52We have plenty of watches.
10:54Couldn't you at least say something before taking one?
10:56Charles stayed silent.
10:57Wendy looked like she wanted to speak, but didn't.
10:59See?
11:00Told you so.
11:01I put the voice recorder on the table, then pressed play.
11:11My sister raised differently.
11:12She just sees things differently.
11:14She's upset?
11:15What does she have to be upset about?
11:17On the day of the banquet, put it under her pillow.
11:20After they find it, don't say a word.
11:22When it's done, this money will cover your son's tuition for two years.
11:26The hall fell silent, even quieter than when they found the watch.
11:29James stood frozen.
11:30The voice in the first recording was his.
11:32Lily's face turned white as a sheet.
11:33Wendy's hand rested on the armrest of the sofa.
11:36Her knuckles turned white.
11:37She didn't look at Lily.
11:38She looked at the antique watch on the table.
11:40Charles didn't look at the watch.
11:41He looked at me.
11:42His Adam's apple bobbed.
11:43Ethan took half a step back through the crowd.
11:45He put some distance between himself and Lily.
11:47You said I stole it.
11:49You're the one who had someone hide it.
11:50You said I hit you.
11:51There aren't even any marks.
11:53You said the servants were scared of my martial arts.
11:55But you couldn't even name one.
11:58From the moment I walked into this house, you've been putting on an act.
12:01I saw through you a long time ago.
12:03I just didn't expose you.
12:05Not because you were worth it.
12:08I just wanted to see how long you could keep pretending.
12:11Is that all?
12:12So what if I did it?
12:13I've lived in this house for 18 years!
12:16My dad is Charles Whitman!
12:17My mom is Wendy Whitman.
12:19What about your dad?
12:20Your dad runs a lousy martial arts school in Chinatown!
12:23He makes a few thousand bucks a month!
12:26How can you even compare to me?
12:28Wendy's hand trembled.
12:29Charles swallowed hard.
12:30Then someone walked into the banquet hall.
12:32He was in his late 30s with a crew cut.
12:34He stepped lightly as he walked, obviously trained in martial arts.
12:37He saw me and gave a slight nod.
12:42Nina.
12:43What are you doing here?
12:47Mr. Whitman's.
12:48She's my master's daughter.
12:51My master is Chen Ming.
12:52A Chinese Kung Fu master.
12:54You business people in New York probably haven't heard of him.
12:58Half of Guardian Security's jobs are national level events.
13:01More than half the people on those jobs are my master's students.
13:05I'm here today to handle security for the Whitmans.
13:08I'm here to make money.
13:09But her?
13:11I watched her grow up.
13:12Anyone who lays a hand on her is picking a fight with me, Hank Dawson.
13:20She's practically my sister.
13:21The hall fell completely silent.
13:23Lily took a step back.
13:24Her lower back hit the edge of the table.
13:25No one looked at her.
13:26Thanks, Hank.
13:27My master asked me to come.
13:29He said I might be able to help you.
13:31You're asking what I have to compete with you?
13:33I'm not competing with you.
13:3518 years in this household, all you've learned is to frame people and lie.
13:39And you've gotten very good at it.
13:40My dad spent 10 years teaching me just one thing.
13:43Stand your ground.
13:44Never need.
13:45I turned and walked toward the door.
13:46As I passed James, I paused.
13:48Mr. Harrison.
13:49As for breaking off our engagement, I accept.
13:51Don't come here again.
13:52Get this.
13:53You're not calling off our engagement on me.
13:55I'm calling it off on you.
13:56Remember that.
13:57He said nothing.
13:58I walked out of the banquet hall.
14:00The silence behind me hung heavy as lead.
14:02I didn't come downstairs for dinner that night.
14:04There were three knocks at the door.
14:05Nina.
14:06His voice was hoarser than usual.
14:09Dad wants to talk to you.
14:10Save it.
14:11Martial artists don't prove things with words.
14:13We prove them with actions.
14:15The next morning at breakfast,
14:16Dad served me food with his own hands for the first time.
14:19Ethan sat down.
14:20Not beside Lily.
14:21Beside me.
14:21He pulled his chair half an inch away,
14:23keeping a little distance.
14:24Lily kept her head down and ate.
14:25She did not look up once.
14:27Nina, that Hank from the birthday of Bounty.
14:29How many people does your adoptive father even know?
14:32I've never counted.
14:33She didn't ask again.
14:34That afternoon, my phone lit up.
14:36A WhatsApp message.
14:37My dad and your dad trained under the same master.
14:40He asked me to meet you.
14:41I heard you're in New York?
14:43Yeah.
14:43Pick the place.
14:44I'll be there.
14:45He sent me a location.
14:46Not a restaurant.
14:47Not a cafe.
14:48Chinatown.
14:49When I arrived, Derek was already hitting the punching bag.
14:51Every punch was sharp.
14:52Fast.
14:53Steady.
14:56I met you once when you were little.
14:58At your adoptive dad's martial arts school.
14:59You were holding a horse dance the whole afternoon.
15:01You didn't slack off.
15:02I don't need to do that anymore.
15:05Come on.
15:06Let me see how much Master Chen taught you.
15:08He stepped onto the platform.
15:10Three moves traded between us.
15:13His footwork was nimble.
15:14Strikes crisp.
15:19I gave half a move.
15:21He halted immediately, locking eyes with me for two seconds.
15:25You held back just now.
15:27You could tell.
15:28You hid it well.
15:28But I'm not blind.
15:30Just as I expected.
15:32Someone trained by Master Chen is no ordinary person.
15:35When I got back from Chinatown, my phone rang.
15:38James.
15:39I want to talk to you.
15:41About what?
15:41About what happened at the banquet.
15:43I didn't know Lily was that kind of person.
15:45The way I treated you before.
15:46Mr. Harrison, the way you treated her before and the way you treated me, it was the same
15:49at its core.
15:50When you had a problem with her, you gave her a chance to explain.
15:52When you had a problem with me, you didn't.
15:55Silence filled the other end of the line.
15:56So you don't need to explain.
15:58You just realized you picked the wrong side.
16:00Now you want to switch.
16:01I don't need that.
16:01I hung up.
16:02Then I blocked his number.
16:03Lily was standing at the other end of the hallway.
16:05She saw me hang up.
16:06Then she turned and went back to her room.
16:08She closed the door softly.
16:09Too soft.
16:10She was on the phone inside.
16:11Her voice was very low.
16:12But martial artists have sharp ears.
16:14Get me a few men.
16:15Good fighters.
16:16I don't want them to just scare her.
16:18They don't need to hold back.
16:19Then I went back to my room.
16:20I pulled the voice recorder out of my pocket.
16:23Every word she'd said had already been captured.
16:25Over the next few days, Lily was unusually quiet.
16:29She stopped making phone calls in the hallway.
16:32She stopped trying to suck up to me.
16:35She stopped putting on a show at lunch.
16:37Whenever she saw me, she lowered her head and walked away.
16:40Why did she suddenly stop acting?
16:43I don't know.
16:44But when someone stops acting, they've either given up or they're planning something bigger.
16:49Ethan didn't respond.
16:52After he went upstairs, my phone lit up.
16:54It was a message from him.
16:56Be careful.
16:57I came back from Chinatown.
16:59It was 10 at night.
17:00There was a narrow alley outside Whitman Manor.
17:03The streetlight had been broken for half a month.
17:04I reached the entrance of the alley.
17:06Then I stopped.
17:07Three men.
17:08One blocked the entrance to the alley.
17:10Their footsteps were steady.
17:11Their breathing was controlled.
17:12They were trained.
17:13Not street thugs.
17:14They weren't here to scare me.
17:16They were here to hurt me.
17:17The first man stepped in with a straight punch.
17:34Who sent you?
17:35He didn't answer.
17:37A sharp ting ran across my arm.
17:40Hank, three guys cornered me outside Whitman Manor.
17:43I've taken them down.
17:44Come deal with it.
17:45Fifteen minutes later, all three men were dragged into the Whitman Manor living room.
17:50Charles was wearing pajamas under a coat.
17:52Wendy was clutching her phone.
17:54Ethan came down from the third floor.
17:56His hair was still messy.
17:57He glanced first at the three men, then fixed his gaze on Lily in the armchair.
18:01The three men knelt in front of the table.
18:03One had a broken wrist.
18:04One had red marks around his neck.
18:06One of them spilled quickly.
18:07The Whitman paid us.
18:09Five grand.
18:10She said not to hold back.
18:12Extra if we crippled her.
18:13I leaned against the staircase railing.
18:16I don't want them to just scare her.
18:17They don't need to hold back.
18:20You hired them.
18:22Look at me.
18:23Aren't you always crying?
18:24Aren't you always saying you're scared of pain when you hired them to attack her?
18:26Did you ever think she'd feel pain too?
18:28The corner of Lily's son twitched.
18:29She said nothing.
18:30Charles stared at her for a long time before speaking.
18:33Why?
18:35I'm asking you why.
18:37You've lived under the same roof for less than a month.
18:39And you wanted them to cripple her?
18:40Lily finally spoke.
18:42Because after she came, you stopped being mine.
18:45No one spoke in the living room.
18:46I'd been here for 18 years.
18:48She'd been here for less than a month.
18:50My brother stopped handing me tissues.
18:52Mom stopped answering my calls.
18:53And when you looked at her, you never looked at me like that.
18:55If I didn't have someone beat her up, what else could I have done?
18:58You could tell me.
19:00You could tell your father.
19:01Would you have listened?
19:02On the first day she came, I told you I was scared.
19:04You said don't be scared.
19:05She's your sister.
19:06You never asked me why I was scared.
19:09You said I stopped handing you tissues.
19:11Do you know why?
19:12Back then when you cried, I thought you were my sister.
19:14Later I realized you were just using me.
19:15You knew I'd hand you one.
19:16You knew I'd back you up.
19:18You knew I'd glare at her.
19:19I'm not your brother.
19:19I'm your prop.
19:23Hank's men are outside.
19:25The police are outside too.
19:26You're an adult.
19:27You answer for what you did.
19:28Dad.
19:29Don't call me Dad.
19:32From today on, you're no longer a Whitman.
19:34Hank's men stepped forward and took Lily away.
19:36I still leaned against the staircase, pressing my wound.
19:40Nina.
19:41I'm sorry.
19:43I'm gonna wash this.
19:45I didn't look her in the eyes.
19:49The Whipson house stayed quiet for the next week.
19:52One knocked on my door.
19:54He was carrying a bag.
19:56Hank said your arm needed stitches.
19:57This helps with the scar.
20:00Thanks.
20:01I set it on the nightstand.
20:03He stayed at the door.
20:04It was still the north-facing room.
20:05The butler had offered to move me.
20:07I hadn't.
20:07You're not changing rooms?
20:08I got used to this one.
20:10He was silent for a moment.
20:12Nina.
20:13I know some things can't be made up for with gifts or a new room.
20:16But if there's anything you need...
20:17I don't need you to make it up to me.
20:19I paused.
20:20You abandoned me for 18 years.
20:21That can't be fixed.
20:22He stood there for a long time.
20:24Then he left.
20:26After he left, my phone lit up.
20:29It was Hank.
20:29The three men confessed.
20:31Your sister has been kicked out of the Whitman family.
20:33Your dad didn't press criminal charges.
20:34He left her with the last bit of dignity.
20:36I replied with a single message.
20:37I set my phone on the nightstand.
20:39The screen went dark.
20:40My mom started bringing me breakfast every morning.
20:45I turned her down three times.
20:46She brought it a fourth time.
20:48One day, she came in with a plate of pasta.
20:53I took one bite.
20:55Too salty.
20:56Not because she forgot the salt.
20:57Because she'd added it twice.
20:59I looked up at her.
21:01She stood beside me, clutching her apron, waiting for me to say something.
21:05It's too salty.
21:06Her eyes turned red at once.
21:08I'll use less salt next time.
21:09I finished the pasta.
21:11I ate every last bit of the sauce, too.
21:13Her phone buzzed in her apron pocket.
21:15She took it out.
21:16She glanced at the screen, then declined the call.
21:19She didn't look up, but I saw the caller.
21:21Lily.
21:22Derek asked me to go to a shooting range.
21:29He got us in through his dad's connections.
21:31It was a private range.
21:32You're good at martial arts.
21:34How's your shooting?
21:35I've never tried.
21:37Then try.
21:37I picked it up fast.
21:39My dad said Mr. Chen taught hand-to-hand combat in the military.
21:42He opened the martial arts school after he retired.
21:44Did you know that?
21:46I didn't.
21:48Your dad was more than a martial arts instructor.
21:50You barely know anything about him.
21:52I didn't answer.
21:55But I remembered it.
21:56When I got back from the shooting range, a car was parked outside Whitman Manor.
22:00James leaned against it.
22:02I-
22:02He gripped his car keys in one hand.
22:04I've been waiting here for an hour.
22:06What is it?
22:07I want to apologize to you.
22:09For everything before-
22:10I already told you on the phone.
22:11You don't need to apologize.
22:12You just made the wrong choice.
22:13Everyone makes the wrong choice.
22:15But once that door is closed, there's no knocking on it.
22:17His grip tightened around the car keys.
22:19I walked through the gate.
22:21I didn't look back.
22:22His phone rang.
22:23He pulled it out of his pocket.
22:25He declined the call immediately.
22:27Like the phone had burned him.
22:28That weekend, Charles asked me into his study.
22:31A document lay open on the desk.
22:32This isn't compensation.
22:34You're my daughter.
22:35You were always supposed to have your share of the company.
22:37I opened the document.
22:39Group stock transfer agreement.
22:405% to me.
22:41Then closed it.
22:42I can accept it, but I have one condition.
22:44Transfer me to the branch.
22:45The one in Chinatown.
22:46He froze for a second.
22:47You want to go back?
22:48You won't let me?
22:49He was silent for a moment.
22:51Then he flipped to the last page of the agreement.
22:53He pointed at the signature line.
22:54You'll be the branch's general manager.
22:56You'll run it yourself.
22:58If you do well, you'll come back and take over headquarters.
23:00If you don't-
23:01If I don't, fire me.
23:02I signed my name.
23:04Nina Chen.
23:04Two words.
23:05One stroke at a time.
23:06Charles looked at my signature.
23:08You don't just want to go back.
23:09You want to build something there.
23:11You want your adopted father to see that you didn't let him down.
23:14I didn't answer.
23:15The corner of my mouth twitched.
23:17The day I left for the branch, my suitcase still held the same things I'd arrived with.
23:21Not one extra.
23:23I opened the closet.
23:24Wendy had hung up new clothes.
23:26The tags were still on.
23:28I took one outfit.
23:29Then I left a note.
23:31I can't take this much with me.
23:32Wendy stuffed things into my suitcase.
23:34A bag of snacks.
23:35A jar of homemade jam.
23:36You didn't read the last letter I gave you.
23:38An envelope.
23:39Inside was a bank card.
23:40And a letter.
23:41This one's different.
23:42Take it.
23:42Read it or don't.
23:43Your choice.
23:44I took it.
23:44The envelope felt heavier than I expected.
23:46As I passed the second floor, Lily's bedroom door was open.
23:49The room was empty.
23:50The mattress was rolled up against the wall.
23:52The closet doors stood open.
23:53Hankers were scattered across the floor.
23:54Two workers were repainting the walls.
23:56White.
23:57Covering the old color.
23:58I stood there for two seconds.
24:00Then I kept walking downstairs.
24:04If you run into issues at the branch, reach out to me directly.
24:08Ethan leaned against the door frame.
24:10He slipped a note into my hand.
24:11Nina, this is my number.
24:12Call me.
24:13Call me if anything comes up.
24:14I folded the note.
24:15I tucked it into my inner pocket.
24:17My adoptive father was standing at the front gate.
24:19He was still wearing that old clout.
24:21Come on.
24:22Let's go home.
24:23I spent all afternoon making ribs.
24:26Just waiting for you.
24:27Hey.
24:27What happened to your arm?
24:29Nothing.
24:30Just a scratch.
24:31Just a scratch?
24:32How many stitches?
24:33Who did this?
24:33Dad, let's talk after we get home.
24:36Fine.
24:36Let's eat first.
24:37Then we'll talk.
24:41He pulled me forward without letting go.
24:44Less than two weeks later, someone came.
24:47Come in.
24:49Boss, someone's across the street.
24:51They've been standing there for two hours.
24:52Under the streetlight, someone leaned against a utility pole.
24:55She had lost weight.
24:56Her clothes looked a size too big.
24:58Let her stand.
24:59At 9.30 p.m., I shut down my computer and went downstairs.
25:02I crossed the street.
25:04If you call me sis one more time, I'll leave right now.
25:07I came to apologize.
25:08For what?
25:09Say it clearly.
25:10What happened in the alley?
25:11I shouldn't have...
25:12Shouldn't have what?
25:13Her throat bobbed twice, but no words came out.
25:15You couldn't say it.
25:16Because you knew if a few words could fix it, you wouldn't have come all this way.
25:19And if a few words couldn't fix it, then saying them was pointless.
25:23Everyone in New York has cut you off by now, haven't they?
25:25Your mom won't answer your calls.
25:27Neither will James.
25:28Everyone you knew has walked away from you.
25:29Every last one.
25:30I'm the one who hasn't made my position clear.
25:32You bet I'd be the last person who might go soft.
25:34You were wrong.
25:36I didn't come here for you.
25:37I just had nowhere...
25:38You just had nowhere else to go.
25:39You hired three people.
25:40A dagger.
25:41Razor blades.
25:42You even offered extra money if they crippled me.
25:44And now you're standing here saying, I didn't come here for you.
25:46You can't even admit why you came.
25:48I...
25:48Haven't you ever made a mistake?
25:50I have.
25:51That's why I know.
25:52A mistake is a mistake.
25:54Saying sorry isn't enough.
25:55Then where am I supposed to go?
25:57That's your problem.
25:58Want me to send her away?
26:00No.
26:01The person beneath the streetlight was gone.
26:03Only piles of leaves remained.
26:04My phone lit up.
26:05It was Derek.
26:07Did she show up?
26:08She left.
26:08Did you hit her?
26:09She wasn't even worth raising a hand for.
26:11My phone lit up again.
26:12It was my adoptive father.
26:22The streetlight outside was still on.
26:24The sycamore trees stood bare.
26:25Everything was quiet.
26:26Just like Chinatown.