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00:00I am the only daughter of the most feared mafia dynasty in the world.
00:03My adoptive parents raised me like a princess,
00:06giving me everything I wanted and teaching me never to tolerate disrespect.
00:11The first day I returned to my billionaire biological family,
00:15their adopted daughter, Chloe, burst into tears.
00:19Alessia, if you don't want me here, I'll leave!
00:24How much is this mansion worth?
00:27About $50 million.
00:30Dad, the accommodations here are terrible.
00:33Buy me the mansion next door.
00:39What are you doing?
00:40You just came home and you're already moving out?
00:43Why stay here and make myself miserable when I can live next door?
00:48Do you even care about this family?
00:50Of course.
00:51But I'm allergic to favoritism.
00:54You're so selfish!
01:00That's the Moretti way.
01:01Love yourself, love money, and waste no time on fools.
01:05I was raised by one of the world's most powerful mafia families.
01:08I wasn't some unwanted adopted girl.
01:11I was their princess.
01:12And they taught me one thing.
01:14Never swallow disrespect.
01:18When I was five, a boy at school stole the diamond hairpin my father gave me.
01:22I didn't cry.
01:24Go home and tell your father you just messed with the Moretti's daughter.
01:28The next morning, his father brought him to return my hairpin and apologized to me in front of the entire
01:33family.
01:34When I was eight...
01:35You're just a useless orphan.
01:38A woman called me a worthless orphan.
01:40Mom showed up at her door with a bottle of expensive wine.
01:44Careful.
01:45The Moretti's don't take insults lightly.
01:49When I was ten, Dad took me with him to collect a debt.
01:53The man owed the Moretti's three million dollars.
01:55He was on his knees before we even walked through the door.
01:58Remember this, princess.
02:00Money can be earned back.
02:01But disrespect, never let it survive the night.
02:05So I learned young, talk first, if that fails.
02:10Handle it like a Moretti.
02:17Either way, I never waste time being upset.
02:20Then, when I turned twenty, my biological family found me.
02:24Apparently, I'd been switched at birth.
02:27Their butler came to the Moretti estate himself.
02:30Miss Moretti?
02:31Mr. and Mrs. Hale would like you to come home as soon as possible.
02:34Dad was cleaning his gun nearby.
02:36His hands stopped.
02:38Mom slowly set down her coffee.
02:41Home?
02:43She is home.
02:45My apologies, Mrs. Moretti.
02:46I meant her biological parents would like her back.
02:52Is their food any good?
02:54If the food sucks, I'm not going.
02:56A Moretti doesn't suffer for anyone.
02:58Dad sighed and slipped a black card into my bag.
03:01Then he gestured to his men.
03:02Two guards carried over a heavy black weapons case and set it in front of me.
03:08Take it with you.
03:10If anyone gives you trouble, use these or call your father.
03:14Your father is never too busy for trouble.
03:16If that house doesn't feel like home, come back.
03:19A Moretti never begs anyone to love her.
03:22My eyes stung a little, but I smiled.
03:26Relax.
03:27Relax.
03:28I'm just going to inspect the family.
03:30And if they disappoint me, I'll return them.
03:37I looked back at the estate that had been my home for twenty years.
03:41The Hales could have billions, but money couldn't buy the confidence the Morettis had spent twenty years giving me.
03:47Two hours later, we stopped outside the Hale mansion.
03:50I was a man.
03:54A massive gold fountain stood in front of towering marble columns.
03:58Did your decorator think more gold meant more class?
04:06Mom!
04:07Dad!
04:08Now that Alessi is back, should I leave?
04:10I stopped.
04:11Oh, so this was her game.
04:13Cute.
04:14The Morettis taught me better tricks before I turned ten.
04:16Four people were waiting in the living room.
04:18My biological parents, my biological brother, and Chloe, the girl they'd raised as their daughter for twenty years.
04:24Alessia?
04:26Hi.
04:27She froze.
04:28Apparently, she expected more.
04:30Alessia, we're glad you're home, but you need to understand something.
04:34Chloe may not be our biological daughter, but we've loved her for twenty years.
04:38I understand.
04:39She visibly relaxed, and my biological father spoke.
04:42So don't come in here trying to take her place.
04:44We won't treat you unfairly, but you will not bully Chloe.
04:49Got it.
04:50You'd better mean that.
04:52Chloe's sensitive.
04:53She can't handle stress.
04:54Don't blame Alessa.
04:55She just found out the truth.
04:57Of course she's upset.
04:58If you want my room, I can move into the attic.
05:01Which room?
05:02Her eyes lit up for half a second.
05:04The south-facing room upstairs.
05:06It was supposed to be yours.
05:07Don't be ridiculous.
05:09That's your room.
05:11Alessia?
05:12You just got here.
05:14Don't start taking things from Chloe.
05:16Did I say I wanted it?
05:17The room went silent.
05:19Chloe bit her lip.
05:20I just thought you might mind.
05:23Chloe, you're impressive.
05:25No one asked, and you've already written the whole script.
05:28Do you always have to be so rude?
05:29I'm not.
05:31I'm just a Morelli.
05:32We prefer things clear.
05:34And if you want to play the victim, at least make it convincing.
05:40Alexia, you just got here.
05:41Don't start causing trouble.
05:43I looked at them.
05:44All three of them were protecting Chloe.
05:46Strangely, it didn't hurt.
05:48I already understood.
05:49They hadn't brought their daughter home.
05:51They'd brought home someone they expected to fall in line.
05:54Too bad.
05:55Moretti's don't fall in line.
05:57The butler took me upstairs.
05:59Chloe followed.
06:00At the end of the hall, she opened a small door.
06:04Dust filled the air.
06:05Old boxes covered the floor.
06:07Oh my god.
06:09Alessia, I'm so sorry.
06:10I didn't know they hadn't cleaned it.
06:12I can move out tonight.
06:13You can have my room.
06:15I stared at the dusty bed.
06:17Then I turned to the butler.
06:18This is the room you prepared for your biological daughter?
06:21Mr. and Mrs. Hale said it was only temporary.
06:28What now?
06:29Going to post them online and play the victim?
06:32No.
06:33I'm sending them to my mother.
06:35She'll love your idea of billionaire hospitality.
06:39Alessia, don't make such a big deal out of this.
06:41We can have it cleaned.
06:43Chloe has already sacrificed enough.
06:45Stop making things harder for her.
06:48Mrs. Hale, I haven't even said a word.
06:50And your whole family has already decided I'm the villain.
06:53Efficient.
06:54Not very smart, though.
06:55Alexia!
06:58No need to shout.
07:00My hearing is excellent.
07:01I'm just allergic to family drama.
07:03Especially favoriteness and stupidity.
07:05At dinner, the Hales had prepared a full table of food.
07:08It looked expensive.
07:10And cold.
07:11Chloe sat beside my biological mother, sweetly putting food on her plate.
07:14My brother sat on her other side.
07:16He kept handing Chloe napkins without even looking at me.
07:19I didn't care.
07:20I took a bite of the steak.
07:22Then I went silent.
07:25Not used to it?
07:27Alessia probably isn't used to food like this.
07:30This was made by our private chef.
07:32Maybe it's a little too sophisticated for her.
07:35This isn't fine dining.
07:37It's just bad.
07:39Alessia, our private chef has been with us for over ten years.
07:42No one has ever complained.
07:43Then you're all very kind.
07:46The steak is overcooked.
07:47The sauce is too sweet.
07:50And the seasoning is completely off.
07:52Kind of like this family.
07:54Looks perfect.
07:55Tastes disappointing.
07:57You grew up outside this family.
07:59What would you know?
08:02I grew up with the Morettis.
08:04Not in a cave.
08:05Is your world really just the Hales and everyone beneath you?
08:09Enough!
08:11It's one dinner.
08:13Do you have to turn everything into a fight?
08:15Mr. Hale, you're the ones who brought me here.
08:17You gave me a storage room.
08:19No respect.
08:21And now I'm supposed to praise bad food?
08:24Is this how the Hales welcome their own daughter?
08:28Alexia, do you hate the food because you hate me?
08:33Chloe, not everything is about you.
08:36The food is bad because the chef failed.
08:39You're crying because you love drama.
08:42Two different problems.
08:45Alexia!
08:46Apologize to her!
08:49Sorry.
08:50It's my bedtime.
08:51Morettis don't waste their nights on pointless drama.
08:54You-
08:55One more thing.
08:57Starting tomorrow, I'll handle my own meals.
08:59I'll pay for them.
09:00No need to trouble yourselves.
09:01And please don't test my manners with food this bad.
09:04You think the Hales need your scrap of cash?
09:07Good.
09:08I was afraid you'd start freeloading dinners.
09:14Just then, a maid brought over dessert.
09:16Miss Chloe, your favorite truffle chocolate souffle.
09:19And plain pudding for you, Miss Moretti.
09:21I'm sure that'll be fine.
09:23Why does she get chocolate souffle and I get plain pudding?
09:26Miss Chloe has delicate tastes.
09:28Mrs. Hale specifically ordered it for her.
09:31Alessia, if you want the same thing, we can have it prepared tomorrow.
09:34I nodded, then I turned to the maid.
09:36What's your name?
09:38Linda.
09:39How long have you worked here?
09:40Twelve years.
09:42Perfect.
09:44Send me your employment contract, salary records, and household expense reports.
09:50What do you mean?
09:51Nothing.
09:52I just want to know if twelve years of salary paid for this level of service.
09:56Alexia, Linda has been with this family for years.
10:00Even better.
10:01Then she should know how to treat a guest.
10:03Alessia, please don't make things difficult for her.
10:05She works very hard taking care of me.
10:08Oh, then I definitely want to see those accounts.
10:10She takes care of you, the Hales pay for it, and apparently I'm one of the Hale heirs now.
10:16Why is everything about money with you?
10:18I thought about it seriously.
10:20Because so far, money is the only thing about this family that's impressed me.
10:24The next morning, breakfast arrived right on time.
10:27Fresh croissants, truffle eggs, smoked salmon, and my favorite coffee.
10:31Miss Moretti?
10:32Donna Moretti said you probably didn't eat well last night, so have this for now.
10:36She's sending your private chef over for lunch.
10:43You just got here, and you're already making this much of a fuss.
10:46Do you think the Hale House is a hotel?
10:49Hotels actually care if their guests are comfortable.
10:52This place doesn't.
10:55Alexia, you can't have your people coming and going whenever you want.
10:57I was raised to never make myself suffer, just to please others.
11:02Do the Morettis always spoil you like this?
11:04Of course.
11:05That's why I'm happy, healthy, and don't need tears to get attention.
11:11Stop picking on Chloe.
11:13I didn't bother explaining.
11:14After breakfast, I went upstairs to get my bag.
11:17A suitcase was sitting outside the storage room.
11:21Inside were a few cheap clothes and a thin blanket.
11:24Miss Moretti, I've put your things away.
11:25Mrs. Hall said you'll stay here for now until they make other arrangements.
11:29Who told you to touch my luggage?
11:31I was helping you.
11:32You could at least be grateful.
11:33I opened the suitcase.
11:35My clothes had been tossed around.
11:36Even the document envelope hidden inside had been opened.
11:39I smiled.
11:40Linda suddenly looked nervous.
11:42What are you smiling at?
11:45Your incompetence.
11:46If you're going to search my luggage, at least stay out of the cameras.
11:51Alesia, don't scare Linda.
11:52She was only trying to help.
11:54By going through my private documents.
11:57Alexia, do you ever stop causing trouble?
12:00Then take a look at what she was snooping through.
12:03A second later, he froze.
12:05Inside were legal authorizations, a list of my assets, and an offer to purchase the estate next door.
12:16Since the Hales don't have a proper room for me, I asked my father to contact your neighbor last night.
12:21The estate next door?
12:22Yep. It's nicer than this one.
12:24And a lot less tacky.
12:26I'm buying it. I'll live there.
12:28This is ridiculous.
12:30You just came home and now you're moving out?
12:32What will people think of us?
12:35You put your biological daughter in a storage room.
12:38What do you think they'll say about that?
12:41Alexia, are you still upset because I took your room?
12:44I really can move-
12:45Don't. You keep your room. I don't fight over things. I just buy my own.
12:51You make it sound easy. Do you even know how much the estate next door costs?
12:57Mr. Hale, the owner of the estate next door is here, with her agent and attorney.
13:09Princess, did you sleep well?
13:11No. Too much dust.
13:14And you are?
13:18Alexia's mother.
13:26Mr. Hale frowned.
13:28Mrs. Moretti, Alessia has already returned to the Hale family. Don't you think you're interfering a little too much?
13:34Mr. Hale, we can discuss that later.
13:36Three of your company's debts are due next quarter.
13:39I own the largest one.
13:41The room went silent.
13:43So I'm not only here for my daughter.
13:45I'm also here to see if the Hales still intend to pay what they owe.
13:50What did you say?
13:52Mom sat down.
13:53Her attorney spread several documents across the table.
13:56Three years ago, Hale Group ran into cash flow problems.
13:59You borrowed through several intermediaries.
14:01Later, you pledged part of your shares to secure financing for your supply chain.
14:06Surely you didn't think that money came from nowhere.
14:08Dad, I thought the company was doing fine.
14:10Mr. Hale said nothing.
14:11Mrs. Hale gripped the sofa.
14:12Mrs. Moretti, is there some misunderstanding?
14:16No misunderstanding.
14:18The only misunderstanding was you thinking Alexia had nowhere else to go.
14:22I sat nearby, calmly drinking my coffee.
14:24I'd always known my parents were rich.
14:26Dad could discuss a hundred million dollar deal while cleaning his gun.
14:30Mom could host a family meeting over afternoon tea.
14:32You'd never guess how much they actually controlled.
14:34Then, on my 18th birthday, they gave me a book listing our family assets.
14:39I flipped through a few pages.
14:40Properties.
14:41Private companies.
14:42Corporate shares.
14:43And enough debt holdings to make several billionaires nervous.
14:46Exactly how rich are we?
14:48Not that rich.
14:49Just rich enough that my daughter never has to bow to anyone.
14:54Turns out, he meant it.
14:59Chloe stood at the top of the stairs.
15:01Her face was pale.
15:02Her eyes full of panic.
15:03She clearly hadn't expected the poor adopted girl.
15:06She looked down on to be backed by the Morettis.
15:09Mrs. Moretti, business is business.
15:12Family is family.
15:13Of course.
15:15So I'll only ask one thing.
15:17How do you plan to treat my daughter?
15:20Suddenly, Chloe rushed downstairs in tears.
15:24Mrs. Moretti, this is all my fault.
15:26I shouldn't have taken Alessia's room.
15:29I'll move out right now.
15:30Chloe.
15:31She turned to leave.
15:33My brother immediately grabbed her arm.
15:35I set down my coffee.
15:39Chloe, you tried this last night.
15:41Repeating the same act gets boring.
15:43Alessia, I'm just trying to make you feel better.
15:45I'm not angry.
15:46I just think you're bad at this.
15:48If you're going to play innocent, at least stay away from the cameras.
15:53Especially after telling Linda to search my luggage last night.
15:56What?
15:57I handed her my phone.
16:01Security footage played on the screen.
16:03Chloe's voice came through clearly.
16:05Check her document envelope.
16:07Take pictures if you can.
16:09She's just an adopted girl.
16:11There's no way she really has that kind of money.
16:15She has to be pretending.
16:17What if she finds out?
16:19Just say you were helping her unpack.
16:22Mom, Dad, and my brother will believe me anyway.
16:32The video ended.
16:34The living room went dead silent.
16:36My brother slowly let go of Chloe's arm.
16:38Mrs. Hale stared at her.
16:40Chloe?
16:41No, Mom!
16:42It's not what you think!
16:43I was just scared Alessia hated me!
16:46I never meant any harm!
16:49No harm?
16:51I guess it just comes naturally to you.
16:53Mr. Hale sank onto the sofa.
16:55For once, he had nothing to say.
16:57Mom stood up.
16:58Since the Hales still haven't figured out how to respect Alessia,
17:01she'll stay next door.
17:02She glanced at Mr. Hale.
17:06As for the debt,
17:08my legal team will reassess Hale Group's ability to repay it.
17:12Mrs. Morelli!
17:14Relax, Mr. Hale.
17:16I'm not here to threaten you.
17:18I'm just reminding you,
17:20my daughter has the Morelli family behind her.
17:22I moved next door that same day.
17:24The two estates were separated by a single wall,
17:27but they felt like different worlds.
17:28The Hales had family drama every day.
17:30I had fresh flowers, afternoon tea,
17:32and meridigards at the gate.
17:33The first time my brother came over,
17:35I was relaxing by the pool.
17:37He stood awkwardly at the door.
17:38Alessia,
17:40Dad wants you home for dinner.
17:43Which home?
17:45The Hale house.
17:47Oh.
17:50No.
17:52Send me the menu first.
17:53If the food's bad,
17:54I'm not going.
18:03My brother's eyes lit up,
18:04and he hesitated.
18:05What about Chloe?
18:06I glanced toward the second floor window
18:08of the Hale house.
18:09Chloe was watching us.
18:10Her expression was complicated.
18:12Bring her.
18:13She may be dramatic,
18:15but she's still a Hale.
18:16And outsiders don't get to mess with her.
18:19That afternoon,
18:20the three of us went to their school.
18:22Jason was standing near the field
18:23with a few friends laughing.
18:25Well,
18:26look who's here.
18:27The real daughter and the fake one.
18:30He looked at my brother.
18:32Your family's a mess, Hale.
18:34One sister isn't even yours,
18:36and the real one doesn't want you.
18:38Chloe lowered her head.
18:39My brother clenched his fists,
18:40but said nothing.
18:41I walked over with a smile.
18:43You Jason?
18:44He looked me up and down.
18:46Who are you?
18:47The daughter the Hales just found.
18:50Oh,
18:51the adopted girl.
18:52I heard they stuck you in a storage room,
18:54so you ran off next door.
18:56Everyone laughed.
18:58I nodded.
19:00Yeah.
19:01I bought the place next door.
19:05Maybe if you work hard,
19:06you can afford a parking spot someday.
19:08Jason's smile disappeared.
19:10A few people around him
19:11immediately stopped laughing.
19:12I pulled out my phone.
19:14By the way,
19:15I recorded everything you just said.
19:17Harassment.
19:19Defamation.
19:20My family has plenty of lawyers.
19:22They'd love something to do.
19:29You think that scares me?
19:30My father's on the school board.
19:34Perfect.
19:35Donna Morelli just donated a new building to this school.
19:39Maybe we should name it after you.
19:41The Jason Miller School of Legal Education.
19:44Jason's face changed.
19:45Beside me,
19:46my brother lowered his voice.
19:47Wait,
19:48is that true?
19:49No.
19:50What?
19:51The building was fake.
19:53But the recording is real.
19:55The lawyers are real.
19:56And you being an asshole?
19:58Very real.
20:00What the hell is wrong with you?
20:01I ignored him
20:02and sent the recording straight to the Marretti family attorney.
20:05Then I slipped my phone back into my bag.
20:07I don't waste time arguing with idiots.
20:10I let the adults handle the bill.
20:11Jason opened his mouth.
20:13Before he could say anything,
20:14his phone rang.
20:15I walked away.
20:16Enjoy explaining this to your father.
20:20That night,
20:20Jason's father called Mr. Hale.
20:22Not to complain.
20:23To apologize.
20:24Apparently,
20:25having a seat on the school board
20:26didn't make him eager to deal with Marretti lawyers.
20:28After the call,
20:29Mr. Hale stared at me for a long moment.
20:31His expression was complicated.
20:33What?
20:34Nothing.
20:35My brother was even worse.
20:37The next morning,
20:38he showed up at my door holding a coffee.
20:40He awkwardly held it out.
20:41For you.
20:47Iced Americano.
20:48You like those, right?
20:50No.
20:53Hot lache,
20:54half sweet,
20:55oat milk.
20:57You did your homework
20:58exactly like you live your life.
21:00What does that mean?
21:02Completely wrong,
21:03but surprisingly committed.
21:05He stared at me for two seconds,
21:06then silently took the coffee back.
21:09I'll get another one.
21:10I almost laughed.
21:11Chloe was standing behind him.
21:13Alessia,
21:13thank you for yesterday.
21:15I looked at her.
21:16No tears.
21:16That was new.
21:17You're welcome.
21:19Keep those dry,
21:20and we'll get along much better.
21:22I'll try.
21:24Don't try.
21:25Do it.
21:27She went quiet.
21:29You want to stay with the Hales?
21:31Fine.
21:32I don't care.
21:33But stop treating me like your enemy.
21:35Her fingers tightened around her dress.
21:38I just thought
21:40you'd want everything I have.
21:44Chloe,
21:46I'm not fighting you
21:47for their attention.
21:50I already have parents
21:51who love me.
21:53And if I really wanted to compete with you,
21:56you wouldn't even make it into the game.
22:06Why don't you hate me?
22:08I thought about it.
22:09I do.
22:10Her eyes immediately turned red.
22:11I raised a finger.
22:13Don't.
22:13She actually forced the tears back.
22:15I almost smiled.
22:17I don't like you.
22:18But that doesn't mean
22:19I'm going to waste my life
22:20thinking about you.
22:21You're not that important.
22:23Chloe opened her mouth.
22:24Nothing came out.
22:25Beside her,
22:26my brother tried to hide a laugh.
22:27I looked at him.
22:28His smile vanished instantly.
22:29She's right.
22:30I narrowed my eyes.
22:32You've been acting weird lately.
22:36I just...
22:40I think you're more reliable
22:41than I expected.
22:43Stop.
22:46Compliments won't make me
22:47write your statement for you.
22:49His face froze.
22:50How did you know?
22:51I looked at him.
22:53Jason got scared by the lawyers yesterday.
22:55He couldn't come after me.
22:57So obviously he complained to the school
23:00about you two.
23:01I crossed my arms.
23:03And now the school wants a written statement.
23:06My brother stared at me.
23:09How do you know everything?
23:11Because I use my brain.
23:13You should try it sometime.
23:19From that day on,
23:20my brother started learning
23:21how to set boundaries for me.
23:22Even Chloe slowly stopped crying
23:24every time something went wrong.
23:25But the biggest surprise
23:26was Mrs. Hale.
23:27One afternoon,
23:28she texted me,
23:29Alesha,
23:30will you come home
23:30for dinner tonight?
23:31I asked the chef
23:32to make your favorite steak.
23:33I stared at the word home.
23:35I didn't feel much,
23:36but the steak sounded tempting.
23:38So I replied,
23:39Fine.
23:40If it's bad,
23:41I'm leaving.
23:44She replied instantly,
23:46Deal.
23:46I'll make sure the chef gets it right.
23:50That evening,
23:51I went back to the Hale house.
23:53Dinner was strangely peaceful.
23:56Chloe put some food on my plate.
23:59Try this.
24:00I made sure the chef
24:01didn't make the sauce too sweet.
24:03My brother handed me a cup.
24:05Hot latte,
24:06half sweet,
24:07oat milk.
24:08Got it right this time.
24:11Barely.
24:12Mr. Hale cleared his throat.
24:15Alesha,
24:16we have a supply chain meeting
24:17next week.
24:18Would you like to sit in?
24:20Mrs. Hale immediately frowned at him.
24:23She just came back.
24:24And you already want her working?
24:27I'm only asking.
24:28I took a sip of my coffee.
24:30Sure.
24:32I charge by the hour.
24:33Mr. Hale went silent.
24:35Chloe muttered.
24:36You really never let anyone
24:37get the better of you, do you?
24:38I smiled.
24:39That's how I was raised.
24:41Sweet when I can be.
24:44But a Moretti never takes a loss.
24:52The first time I met the rest
24:54of the Hale family
24:55was at Mrs. Hale's birthday party.
24:57It was a huge event.
24:58The entire family was there.
25:00I hadn't planned on going.
25:01Then Mrs. Hale sent me a message.
25:03Alesha,
25:04I hope you'll come.
25:06Not for appearances.
25:07I want to introduce you properly
25:09as my daughter.
25:10I stared at the message
25:11for a long time.
25:12Then I changed into an elegant
25:14pale blue dress and went.
25:15At the party,
25:16Mrs. Hale took my arm.
25:18Then she faced everyone.
25:21This is my daughter,
25:23Alesha Hale.
25:24This time,
25:25she didn't say,
25:26biological daughter.
25:28She didn't introduce Chloe
25:29first either.
25:30Just my daughter.
25:31Chloe stood beside us.
25:33She looked a little hurt,
25:34but she didn't make a scene.
25:36I glanced at her.
25:37She quietly said,
25:38I'm fine, Alesha.
25:41Good.
25:42Your emotional control
25:43is improving.
25:44Her mouth twitched.
25:46Thanks for the compliment.
25:47Anytime.
25:49Anytime.
25:49So this is the daughter
25:50you found.
25:52Pretty girl.
25:54But I heard she was raised
25:56outside the family.
25:58I suppose her manners
26:00might be a little
26:00different.
26:04Vanessa, enough.
26:06And you are?
26:07Your aunt, Vanessa.
26:10Oh.
26:12Was that supposed to be
26:14a welcome?
26:15Pretty cheap one.
26:16Vanessa's smile
26:17stiffened
26:18and
26:21my brother
26:22almost laughed.
26:23Vanessa quickly
26:24recovered her smile.
26:26You've got quite
26:27a mouth on you.
26:30I heard your adoptive
26:31parents are well-aff.
26:32Now that you're back
26:34with the Hales,
26:35shouldn't you help
26:36out your relatives?
26:37Your cousin
26:38just started a business
26:39and needs some
26:40seed money.
26:41Not much.
26:42One million dollars.
26:44How much?
26:45She smiled.
26:47Only a million.
26:49Your biological parents
26:50are billionaires
26:51and your adoptive parents
26:52have money too.
26:54We're family.
26:54No need to be so stingy.
26:58Does she always ask
26:59for money like this?
27:00Mrs. Hale said nothing.
27:03Mr. Hale didn't look
27:04happy either.
27:05Ask?
27:06We're family.
27:08Talking about money
27:09only hurts the relationship.
27:10Not talking about money
27:11hurts the bank account.
27:13Vanessa frowned.
27:13What do you mean?
27:15I mean I can lend you
27:17the money.
27:19Sign a contract first.
27:22Market rate interest,
27:24collateral required,
27:25and if you don't
27:26repay it on time,
27:27my lawyers will handle it.
27:30If that's too much trouble,
27:31don't borrow.
27:34I'm your aunt!
27:37Being my aunt
27:38doesn't make you
27:38interest-free.
27:40If you need money,
27:41go to a bank.
27:44If the bank
27:45won't lend to you,
27:46that means
27:47you don't qualify.
27:50If the Hales
27:51still do,
27:52that means
27:53they haven't been
27:54thinking clearly.
27:57Vanessa's face
27:58turned livid.
28:01You're just going
28:02to let her
28:02humiliate me like this?
28:09Mrs. Hale
28:10took a deep breath.
28:10I thought
28:11she would
28:11smooth things
28:12over like
28:12she always had.
28:13Instead,
28:14she tightened
28:14her grip
28:14on my hand.
28:15Her voice
28:15trembled slightly,
28:16but it was
28:17firm.
28:17Vanessa Alessi
28:18is right.
28:21It's time
28:21you paid back
28:22the money
28:22you borrowed
28:22from us.
28:24Vanessa froze.
28:25Mr. Hale
28:26spoke too.
28:26You owe us
28:27a total
28:27of five million
28:28dollars.
28:30I've had
28:30the finance
28:31team
28:31prepare
28:32the records.
28:33If you
28:33don't repay
28:34it,
28:34we'll handle
28:35it according
28:35to the contracts.
28:37Vanessa's face
28:37twisted with rage.
28:38Are you
28:39all insane?
28:40Chloe suddenly
28:41stepped forward
28:42and copied
28:42my tone.
28:43Aunt Vanessa,
28:44family is
28:45family.
28:46Money is
28:46money.
28:47Keep the
28:48two separate.
28:49Exactly.
28:50Stop treating
28:51your relatives
28:51like ATMs.
28:52I looked at
28:53the two of
28:53them,
28:54feeling strangely
28:54complicated.
28:55Great,
28:55the Meridi
28:56Way was
28:56becoming
28:57contagious.
28:58After the
28:58party,
29:00Mrs. Hale
29:01pulled me
29:01aside and
29:02sat with me
29:02in the garden
29:03for a long
29:03time.
29:06She said
29:07quietly,
29:08Alexia,
29:11I used
29:11to think
29:12that with
29:12family,
29:13you should
29:14just tolerate
29:15things and
29:15let them
29:15go.
29:17But then
29:17I realized
29:19the more
29:20I tolerated,
29:21the more
29:21people took
29:22it for
29:22granted.
29:23It's not
29:24too late
29:24to figure
29:24that out.
29:27What
29:27about
29:28you?
29:30Are you
29:31still willing
29:31to accept
29:32me as
29:32your mother?
29:34The wind
29:34swept through
29:35the garden
29:36and the
29:37lights caught
29:38the redness
29:38around her
29:39eyes.
29:39I didn't
29:40answer
29:41immediately.
29:42After a
29:42long silence,
29:43I said,
29:45Mrs. Hale,
29:46family isn't
29:47paperwork.
29:49You can't
29:49sign a form
29:50and expect
29:51it to take
29:52effect the
29:52same day.
29:54Her eyes
29:55dimmed.
29:58But there
29:58can be a
29:59trial period.
30:00She froze.
30:02I smiled.
30:03Do well
30:04during
30:04probation
30:05and maybe
30:06you'll get
30:06promoted to
30:07mom.
30:08Mrs. Hale
30:08froze for
30:09a few
30:09seconds.
30:09Then she
30:10laughed
30:10through her
30:11tears.
30:14The Hale
30:15group's
30:15real trouble
30:16came a
30:16month later.
30:17The supply
30:18chain suddenly
30:18broke down.
30:19Several
30:20major clients
30:20tried to
30:21cancel their
30:21contracts and
30:22the bank
30:23started demanding
30:23repayment.
30:24Mr. Hale
30:25seemed to
30:25age years
30:26overnight.
30:27My brother
30:27paced anxiously.
30:28Dad, how
30:29did the
30:30company end
30:30up like
30:31this?
30:32Mr. Hale
30:32rubbed his
30:33temples.
30:34Someone's
30:35targeting us.
30:36I sat
30:36on the
30:36couch
30:37flipping
30:37through
30:37the
30:37documents.
30:38Not
30:39someone.
30:40An
30:40insider.
30:42How do
30:42you know?
30:44I spread
30:45several
30:46purchasing
30:46contracts
30:47across the
30:47table.
30:49These
30:49three
30:49contracts
30:50are
30:50overpriced.
30:52The
30:52delivery
30:53schedules
30:53don't
30:54make
30:54sense.
30:55And the
30:55payments
30:56all ended
30:56up with
30:57the same
30:57shell
30:57company.
31:00And that
31:01company is
31:02connected to
31:02Linda's
31:03nephew.
31:06Linda?
31:07Chloe
31:08went pale.
31:10She told
31:11me a few
31:11days ago
31:12that Alessia
31:13would destroy
31:13the Hale
31:14sooner or
31:14later.
31:17She got
31:18it backward.
31:19She's the
31:20parasite.
31:21I'm pest
31:22control.
31:22Mr. Hale's
31:23face darkened.
31:24I'm calling
31:25the police.
31:25Not yet.
31:27Linda isn't
31:28working
31:29alone.
31:30Who
31:30else?
31:31I looked
31:31at Chloe.
31:32She
31:33instinctively
31:33stepped
31:34back.
31:35Alessia,
31:35why are
31:35you looking
31:36at me?
31:36I swear
31:37I didn't
31:38not
31:38you.
31:39But
31:40they
31:40used
31:40you.
31:41Chloe
31:42froze.
31:43I handed
31:44her my
31:44phone.
31:47On the
31:48screen were
31:49messages between
31:49Vanessa and
31:50Linda.
31:51Vanessa had
31:52been pushing
31:52Linda to
31:52steal
31:53confidential
31:53Hale
31:54contracts.
31:54She'd
31:55also used
31:56Chloe's
31:56name to
31:56approach
31:57clients,
31:58claiming the
31:58family was
31:59fighting over
32:00the inheritance
32:00and Hale
32:01Group was
32:02becoming
32:02unstable.
32:04She used
32:05my name?
32:06Yeah.
32:08You spent
32:08so much
32:09time acting
32:10helpless that
32:11everyone believed
32:12you were the
32:12victim.
32:13So when she
32:14used your
32:14name to
32:15sell the
32:15same story,
32:16people believed
32:17it.
32:18Chloe's
32:18lips trembled.
32:20I...
32:21I saw the
32:22tears coming.
32:23Hold it.
32:23She forced
32:24them back.
32:25My brother
32:26whispered
32:26beside her.
32:28Chloe,
32:28you're getting
32:29much better
32:30at that.
32:31Thanks.
32:33I went
32:34back to
32:34the documents.
32:36We have
32:37two options.
32:38First,
32:39call the
32:39police and
32:40let the
32:40lawyers handle
32:41it.
32:42Second,
32:43stabilize
32:43the clients
32:44first,
32:45then draw
32:46Vanessa and
32:46the company
32:47behind her
32:47out.
32:48Mr. Hale
32:48looked at
32:48me.
32:49You have
32:49a plan?
32:50I nodded.
32:52Yes.
32:53I paused.
32:55But I
32:56charge.
32:57Mr. Hale
32:57went silent.
32:58Mrs. Hale
32:59immediately
32:59spoke.
33:00Of course,
33:00you absolutely
33:01should.
33:02My brother
33:02nodded.
33:03Family is
33:03family.
33:05Business is
33:05business.
33:06Chloe added
33:06seriously.
33:07If Alessia
33:08doesn't take
33:08a loss,
33:09the Hales
33:10might actually
33:10survive.
33:11I looked
33:12at the
33:12three of
33:13them and
33:13laughed.
33:14Good.
33:16You're
33:17finally
33:17learning.
33:21For the
33:21next three
33:22days,
33:22I met
33:23with Hale
33:23Group's
33:23key clients,
33:25not at a
33:25hotel,
33:26at one of
33:26Donna Moretti's
33:27private restaurants.
33:28By the
33:29end of
33:29dinner,
33:29most of
33:30them had
33:30stopped
33:30talking about
33:31canceling
33:31their
33:32contracts.
33:34Don Moretti
33:35sat beside
33:36me,
33:36calmly
33:36drinking
33:37tea.
33:39Gentlemen,
33:40the Hales
33:40may have
33:41management
33:41problems,
33:43but their
33:43supply chain
33:44won't
33:44collapse,
33:45because I
33:46control half
33:47of their
33:47upstream
33:48suppliers.
33:48Mr. Hale
33:49stared at
33:49him in
33:50shock.
33:50Dad winked
33:51at me.
33:51I quietly
33:52took a
33:52sip of
33:53tea.
33:53Now Mr.
33:54Hale finally
33:54understood why
33:55Mom had been so
33:56calm when she
33:56said she was his
33:57biggest creditor.
33:58The Marittis hadn't
33:59suddenly stepped in.
34:00They had always
34:01controlled some of the
34:02most important pieces of
34:03Hale Group's supply
34:04chain.
34:05Vanessa thought she was
34:06taking advantage of the
34:07Hale's weakness.
34:08She didn't realize she was
34:09stepping onto Maritti
34:10territory.
34:11That night, Vanessa met
34:12with the head of her
34:12rival.
34:13The Hales are falling
34:14apart.
34:17And that so-called
34:18real daughter?
34:20She's just a
34:21girl.
34:22The door opened.
34:23I walked in.
34:26Behind me were our
34:27lawyer, Mr. and
34:28Mrs. Hale, my
34:29brother and
34:29Chloe.
34:30I smiled at
34:31Vanessa.
34:32Aunt Vanessa,
34:34you can talk all
34:35you want, but
34:36stealing contracts?
34:38Time to pay the
34:39bill.
34:43Vanessa was soon
34:43placed under
34:44investigation.
34:46Linda was also
34:47investigated for
34:48stealing property and
34:49leaking confidential
34:50business information.
34:52Once the crisis was
34:53over, Mr. Hale
34:54apologized to me for
34:55the first time.
34:56He sat across from
34:56me in his study.
34:58Alessia, I was
34:58wrong.
35:04I said nothing.
35:06He gave a bitter
35:07smile.
35:08I thought bringing
35:09you home, giving
35:10you money in the
35:11Hale name would
35:12make up for
35:12everything.
35:15But I forgot.
35:17Those were the
35:17things you needed
35:18least.
35:20I looked at the
35:21untouched tea on
35:21the table.
35:23What I needed was
35:24for you to treat me
35:25like your daughter
35:25from day one, not
35:27like a problem you
35:27had to find a
35:28place for.
35:29Mr. Hale's eyes
35:30reddened.
35:31Mrs. Hale stood
35:32silently at the
35:33door, crying.
35:36I'm sorry, too.
35:38I always protected
35:39Chloe first because
35:40I thought she was
35:41weaker.
35:43Now I understand.
35:45You weren't
35:46never hurt.
35:47You just never let
35:48it control you.
35:50Chloe stepped
35:51forward, too.
35:52Her voice was
35:53quiet.
35:55Alexia, I'm
35:56sorry, too.
35:57I was scared you'd
35:58come back and take
35:59everything from me,
36:00so I kept playing
36:00the victim.
36:04But then I realized
36:05you never wanted to
36:06take anything.
36:08You already had more
36:09real love than I could
36:10ever get by pretending.
36:13I looked at them
36:14lining up to apologize
36:15and sighed.
36:19Do the Hales offer
36:20group discounts on
36:21apologies now?
36:22My brother froze,
36:23then burst out laughing.
36:25Mrs. Hale laughed
36:25through her tears, too.
36:27The mood finally
36:27lightened.
36:28All right.
36:29We'll settle the
36:30past slowly and see
36:31what happens next.
36:34One apology can't
36:35fix a family.
36:36But if you're
36:37willing to learn,
36:38I'll consider
36:39teaching.
36:40Mr. Hale nodded
36:42immediately.
36:43I'll learn.
36:45Mrs. Hale wiped
36:46her tears.
36:48So will I.
36:49My brother raised
36:50his hand.
36:50I already learned.
36:51Hot latte,
36:52half-sweet oat milk.
36:53Chloe whispered.
36:54I learned not to cry.
36:56I looked at her.
36:57She quickly added.
36:58Most of the time.
37:01I laughed.
37:03After that,
37:04the Hale family
37:05completely changed.
37:06Whenever relatives
37:07came asking for money,
37:09Mrs. Hale would
37:09calmly pull out
37:10a contract.
37:13Of course.
37:14Let's discuss
37:15the interest
37:15and collateral first.
37:18Whenever executives
37:19talked in circles,
37:20Mr. Hale would frown.
37:21Enough.
37:22Give me the numbers.
37:27When someone tried
37:28to provoke my brother,
37:29he stopped getting angry.
37:32He pulled out
37:33his phone instead.
37:35Say that again.
37:36My sister's lawyers
37:37have been bored lately.
37:38Chloe changed the most.
37:39The fragile little
37:40victim was gone.
37:41One day,
37:42someone asked her,
37:42Aren't you afraid
37:43the real daughter
37:44will take your place?
37:45Chloe smiled sweetly.
37:46Take what?
37:48My sister has
37:49her own money,
37:50her own house,
37:51and her own lawyers.
37:52She doesn't want
37:53my place.
37:57I'm sticking with her.
37:58Saves me 20 years
37:59of bad decisions.
38:00I nearly spit out
38:01my coffee.
38:02Six months later,
38:03Hale group was stable again.
38:04Mr. Hale proposed
38:05officially adding me
38:06to the inheritance plan.
38:07I looked over the documents.
38:09Fine.
38:09But add one rule.
38:11He immediately tensed.
38:12What?
38:13Every major Hale family
38:14decision gets audited
38:16before anyone starts
38:16talking about family.
38:18He was silent
38:19for three seconds.
38:21Then nodded.
38:22Fair.
38:23Mrs. Hale smiled
38:24beside him.
38:26Alexia,
38:27are the Morettis
38:28coming this weekend?
38:30I want Donna Moretti
38:32to teach me
38:32how to make
38:33your favorite dessert.
38:34I looked at her.
38:36I thought you hated cooking.
38:38She looked a little embarrassed.
38:40I want to learn.
38:42You like it.
38:43For some reason,
38:44something inside me softened.
38:46That weekend,
38:47my parents came
38:48to the Hale house.
38:49Dad arrived in casual clothes
38:51carrying two boxes
38:51of pastries.
38:53Mom looked as elegant as ever.
38:56Mr. and Mrs. Hale
38:57were so nervous
38:58they looked like
38:58they were at a job interview.
39:01For the first time,
39:03both families
39:03sat at the same table.
39:04Mr. Hale raised his cup
39:06toward my parents.
39:10for raising Alexia so well.
39:17Mom looked at me
39:18and smiled.
39:20She was always wonderful.
39:22We just made sure
39:23no one made her suffer.
39:25I lowered my head
39:26and took another bite
39:27of dessert.
39:28Just sweet enough,
39:29Mrs. Hale carefully
39:30put another piece
39:30on my plate.
39:32Alessia,
39:33try this.
39:34I learned it
39:35from your mother.
39:36I took a bite.
39:37Too sweet.
39:37Not quite right.
39:38But when I saw the hope
39:39in her eyes,
39:40I nodded.
39:41Not bad.
39:42Less sugar next time.
39:44Mrs. Hale's eyes
39:44immediately lit up.
39:46My brother leaned
39:46toward her.
39:49Mom,
39:50not bad is basically
39:51a five-star review
39:52from Alessia.
39:52Chloe nodded
39:53enthusiastically.
39:55Exactly.
39:56If she doesn't say
39:56it's terrible,
39:57that means she loves it.
39:59I glared at them.
40:02You two are getting
40:03way too good
40:04at reading me.
40:05My brother laughed.
40:06We learned from you.
40:08Be clear about
40:08what you want.
40:09Say it when you love someone.
40:11Keep money straight
40:12and never carry
40:13today's resentment
40:14into tomorrow.
40:17Chloe raised her glass.
40:20To Alessia,
40:21the woman who taught
40:23the Hales
40:23how to have boundaries.
40:25Mrs. Hale raised hers too.
40:27Mr. Hale cleared
40:28his throat
40:29and added seriously,
40:30And to Don
40:31and Donna Moretti,
40:33thank you for giving
40:34Alessia the best upbringing
40:35we could have asked for.
40:37Dad smiled
40:37and waved it off.
40:39Our parenting philosophy
40:40is simple.
40:42My daughter never
40:43has to beg for love.
40:44I froze for a second.
40:46Then I smiled.
40:48Outside,
40:48the Hale garden
40:49had been renovated.
40:50The ridiculous fountain
40:51was gone.
40:52In its place
40:53were quiet paths,
40:54flowers and trees
40:55swaying in the breeze.
40:56Maybe this family
40:57had been a mess
40:58when I first arrived,
40:59but at least
41:00they were willing to change.
41:01And me?
41:02I was still Alessia Moretti.
41:05Loved deeply,
41:06feared when necessary.
41:08And never willing
41:09to beg for what
41:10should have been mine.
41:11I was still alive.