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00:00The Bennett estate was lit up like there was something worth celebrating.
00:03Maid's forced forced me into a heavy couture wedding dress.
00:06I sat in front of the mirror like a doll.
00:09My stepmother Diana stood behind me and pinched my waist hard, warning.
00:13When you get to the Volante estate, keep your mouth shut.
00:16Don't embarrass Bennett family.
00:18Understand?
00:21I, their second daughter.
00:22The Bennett family's dirty little secret.
00:25Severely autistic.
00:26Slow to respond.
00:27The little fool everyone was ashamed of.
00:31My stepsister Vanessa stood nearby, her eyes full of contempt.
00:38You really think you're marrying into the most powerful family so you can live the good life?
00:43Alexandro Valenti is a crippled psycho.
00:46Thought he's still the Don, but even his own family has practically given up on him.
00:50Thank God.
00:51You idiot would took my place in this marriage.
00:55My father Richard walked in and glanced impatiently at his expensive watch.
00:59Enough.
01:00The Valentis are here.
01:01Get her in the car.
01:02Don't piss the Valentis off.
01:04The Bennett family was drowning in debt.
01:06Without hesitation, they sold me to the Valenti family's most terrifying monster and making a
01:11killing.
01:12Two guards grabbed my arms and dragged me outside.
01:14They shoved me into an armored black sedan.
01:17The doors locked.
01:18The Bennets all breathed a sigh of relief.
01:20The car was deadly silent.
01:21The air was thick with the scent of cold fur.
01:24I stared out at the rain.
01:25I wasn't stupid.
01:27I even understood far more than they ever realized.
01:30I just had one secret no one could know.
01:32I could understand animals.
01:34Half an hour later, the car pulled into the heavily guarded Valenti estate.
01:38The towering wrought iron gate slowly opened, like the jaws of some enormous beast.
01:43Armed guards stood motionless, watching the rain.
01:46This was the dawn of the most powerful mafia family, Alessandro Valenti's territory.
01:51A forbidden territory even the rich and powerful feared to cross.
01:55A maid led me upstairs to the third floor.
01:58The door swung open.
02:00The room was freezing.
02:01There was nothing warm or romantic about this wedding night.
02:05Only a suffocating sense of danger.
02:08A custom wheelchair sat in front of the windows.
02:11The man in it had his back to me hearing my faint footsteps.
02:16He slowly turned his wheelchair around.
02:19Alessandro Valenti.
02:20That terrifying, crippled monster of Valenti's family.
02:25His face was strikingly handsome, but his dark eyes were icicled.
02:29Cruel, brooding, violent.
02:31He looked me over, like I was a worthless, lifeless thing.
02:35This is what the Bennets sent me?
02:40Then I backed into the corner, clutching my wedding dress tightly in both hands.
02:46He seemed completely lost interest in someone as useless as me.
02:51Stay in that corner.
02:52Make one sound and I'll throw you outside for the dogs.
02:57A maid walked in carrying an elegant silver tray.
03:00On it was a steaming cup of herbal tea.
03:02Boss, Mrs. Valenti had this prepared for you.
03:05It'll help you sleep.
03:06Please drink it while it's still warm.
03:07Her eyes kept darting around nervously.
03:10The maid carefully placed the cup on of his desk and slipped out.
03:14The room fell dead silent again.
03:17Alessandro's fingers reached for the cup.
03:19Just before his fingertips touched it,
03:21A piercing bird call suddenly cut through the storm outside.
03:25Sharp, frantic, loud enough to carry through the thick bullet glass.
03:29It came from the rare white peacock,
03:31which Alessandro's grandma Eleanor kept in the estate gardens.
03:35And in this entire world,
03:36I was the only person who could understand what it was screaming.
03:40Don't drink it! Don't drink it!
03:42That bad woman serving the tea poured white powder into the cup!
03:46It smells so bitter!
03:47It's poison! You'll die!
03:48My head snapped up.
03:51Alessandro had already lifted the cup.
03:56Alessandro's uncle Vincent was actually trying to brazenly poison him on his wedding night.
04:00I had no time to think.
04:01I gritted my teeth, grabbed the heavy layers of my wedding dress,
04:05with all the strength I had left, ran straight toward Alessandro.
04:08When I was less than a step away, I deliberately caught my foot in the heavy skirt.
04:12I fell straight toward him.
04:13His arm shot up instinctively to catch me.
04:16The cup slipped from his fingers.
04:18Porcelain shattered across the floor.
04:19The steaming tea splashed all over the expensive handmade rug.
04:23I fell at Alessandro's feet.
04:25A flying shard sliced across the back of my hand.
04:28Within seconds, a charred black hole had eaten through the fabric.
04:31Alessandro stared at the ruined rug.
04:33The entire room seemed to turn colder.
04:37Someone has a death wish.
04:38There was something vicious in his eyes now, almost bloodthirsty.
04:42Vincent had used a slow-acting poison, but the dose was high enough to kill him on the spot.
04:47Alessandro slammed his thumb against a hidden alarm on the armrest of his wheelchair.
04:51Less than ten seconds later, the bedroom doors burst open.
04:55Boss, take the maid who brought that drink.
04:57Dislocate her jaw.
04:58Don't let her die.
04:59Drag her to the basement and interrogate her.
05:00Yes, boss.
05:01The security turned, and the men disappeared through the doors.
05:04Seconds later, the maid's muffled scream came from the hallway.
05:08Then silence.
05:09Then his cold fingers suddenly closed around my chin, slowly lowered his gaze straight to me.
05:15He gripped so hard, for one terrifying second.
05:19I thought he might crush my jaw.
05:21Why did you throw yourself at me?
05:23Alessandro stared into my eyes, watching for even the slightest change in my expression.
05:29Tears welled in my eyes from the pain, but I bit my lip hard.
05:34Bitter.
05:35Herbal.
05:37Bitter.
05:38Drink it.
05:38Hurts.
05:39I pointed at the charred hole in the rug and started trembling.
05:43Alessandro studied me.
05:44The murderous look in his eyes slowly faded, replaced by curiosity.
05:48He released my chin, but his rough thumb brushed surprisingly gently over the tear on my cheek.
05:54You're not stupid.
05:55There was a hint of interest in his voice.
05:57I just stared at him blankly.
05:59Just then, the rapid, heavy thud of a cane echoed down the hallway.
06:04Those bastards!
06:05Vincent's people actually dared to reach into their Don's estate!
06:08Her eyes swept over the remains of the poison on the floor.
06:11Then she looked at me, settled on me for a long moment.
06:15There was none of the disgust I always saw in the Bennet's eyes.
06:18Your family used you as a pawn in this marriage.
06:21Vincent's people tried to use you as a scapegoat.
06:24But you stopped that poison for Alexandro.
06:26Whether you're truly a fool or just pretending, you saved him.
06:29That means you saved the Volante family.
06:31Pass on my orders.
06:32From tonight on, Ivy Volante is your Donna, the rightful mistress of this estate.
06:37Get her the best medical team.
06:39Whatever she eats, wears, or uses, she gets nothing but the best.
06:44If anyone dares disrespect her because of those rumors outside, break their legs and throw them out of the family.
06:49I kept my head down and said nothing.
06:51But I knew one thing.
06:53In this bottomless mafia world, I had just gotten my first shield.
06:57At two in the morning, the silence of the Volante estate was ripped apart by a terrifying bark.
07:02It was vicious.
07:03Frantic.
07:03Filled with such bloodthirsty desperation, I jolted awake, my heart pounding.
07:08I turned toward the other side of the room.
07:10Alessandro and his wheelchair were gone.
07:12I quickly pulled on a coat and followed the terrifying sound toward the back of the estate.
07:18The air was thick with the smell of wet air.
07:21The lights outside the estate's temperature, controlled kennels, were blazing.
07:26A crowd had already gathered.
07:27Dozens of guards in black held riot shields, forming a tense defensive circle.
07:32And in the middle of that circle stood a huge, muscular dog.
07:35This was Brutus, a massive, pure black retired canine with a long list of honors.
07:40He had once been Alessandro's most loyal partner.
07:43And he was the only survivor of the accident that killed Alessandro's parents.
07:47But right now, Brutus was completely out of control.
07:51His eyes were bloodshot.
07:53Saliva and blood dripped from his jaws.
07:55Several guards lay on the ground, groaning in pain, their protective gear torn through by bites.
08:00Alessandro sat in his wheelchair, gripping the armrests.
08:03His dark eyes, usually cold as ice, were now bloodshot with pain.
08:07Don Valente, Strudger 3's PTSD is getting worse.
08:10The top veterinarian they'd hired at great expense stood behind the safety line.
08:14He's completely out of control.
08:16He doesn't recognize anyone.
08:17For everyone's safety, I think we need to put him down.
08:23Touch him, and you're dead.
08:25Brutus was his last connection to his parents.
08:27The only companion he had left in all that darkness.
08:30If he couldn't even save Brutus, he would truly have no one left in this world.
08:33As if sensing the threat of death, Brutus let out a terrifying roar.
08:36He arched his back.
08:38Brutus's hind legs, tense, ready to launch himself into one final desperate attack.
08:44The guards immediately raised their electrified restraint poles.
08:47The tension snapped tight.
08:49Stop!
08:49I couldn't take it anymore.
08:51I pushed past the guards and ran straight into the circle.
08:54Get back!
08:55He instinctively reached for the controls of his wheelchair, trying to stop me.
08:59Too late.
09:00I was already standing less than three feet from Brutus.
09:02Brutus whipped his head toward me, his blood-red eyes locked onto mine.
09:06A deadly growl rumbled deep in his throat.
09:08Everyone sucked in a breath.
09:09They sure that an idiot like me was about to get myself killed.
09:14But I didn't run, didn't scream, because beneath Brutus's terrifying snarls,
09:19I could hear his desperate poor cries for help.
09:22It hurts!
09:23It hurts so bad!
09:25I don't want to bite anyone!
09:26I don't want to go crazy!
09:29But there's something inside my leg.
09:31It keeps cutting into my bone.
09:36Please, someone help me!
09:38It hurts so much!
09:40I want to die!
09:41It was the kind of deep, bone-piercing pain no human could ever understand.
09:46My eyes stung.
09:47I held out my bare hands without any protection and looked straight at the terrifying beast.
09:53Easy.
09:54Easy.
09:56Brutus froze.
09:56He can't believe that a human being could actually understand him.
10:01Touch.
10:02Find.
10:04Bad thing.
10:05Slowly but steadily, I reached toward his enormous head.
10:08She's insane!
10:09She really is an idiot!
10:11Sheer panic flashed in Alessandro's eyes.
10:14He even moved to rush toward me.
10:16But the next second, everyone froze.
10:19The bloodthirsty beast that even Alessandro couldn't get close to, didn't attack me.
10:24Brutus let out a low, pitiful whine.
10:26Then he pressed his massive head into my palm, almost like he was asking for comfort.
10:32A moment later, he slowly lowered himself at my feet and showed me his most vulnerable spot.
10:38His leg, the one that hurt the most.
10:40The entire yard went dead silent.
10:42Only Brutus' painful whimpers could be heard.
10:45I ran my hand down his leg, my eyes fixed on one spot.
10:50Here.
10:51Something inside.
10:52That's impossible.
10:53The x-ray showed nothing.
10:54I ignored him completely.
10:55I didn't even look his way.
10:57In my world, there was only Brutus' agonized crying.
10:59Cut it open.
11:00Take it out.
11:02He hurts.
11:03The entire yard fell silent again.
11:05Every one turned to Alessandro.
11:07They all thought I had lost my mind.
11:11Alessandro stared at me, his dark eyes filled with emotions I couldn't read.
11:14For three full seconds, he said nothing.
11:17Do exactly what she said.
11:18Cut it open.
11:20Now.
11:21It was an order from the dawn.
11:23No one dared question it.
11:24The vet's legs nearly gave out.
11:26He immediately ordered his team to bring over the high-resolution imaging equipment.
11:31Ten minutes later, the vet stared at the screen.
11:33Oh my god.
11:34There really is something there.
11:36Exactly where Donna Ivy pointed.
11:38A tiny metal fragment.
11:39Barely the size of a grain of rice.
11:41It's lodged right against the nerve.
11:43The truth was right there on the screen.
11:45Every guard looked at me differently now, with awe.
11:48The minimally invasive surgery went smoothly.
11:51When the blood-stained metal fragment was finally dropped onto a tray, Alessandro stared at it.
11:56He slowly closed his eyes, hiding the pain and relief that nearly spilled out.
12:00When Brutus woke up, he weakly licked the back of my hand.
12:03Then he struggled closer and rested his head on Alessandro's knee.
12:09Good girl.
12:10My good girl, Ivy.
12:12Eleanor made no attempt to hide how much she adored me.
12:14Everyone said the Bennets sent us a fool.
12:16Well, I think you're smarter than any of them.
12:19She slipped an exquisite emerald bracelet from her wrist.
12:21Ona look was enough to know it was worth a fortune.
12:24Before I could react, she firmly slid it onto my wrist.
12:27From today on, Ivy is a blessing to the Volante family.
12:31Anyone who lays a finger on her makes an enemy of the entire Volante family.
12:36Eleanor's declaration silenced every guard and servant in the yard.
12:40Meanwhile, dozens of miles away from the Volante estate,
12:44inside Vincent Volante's lavish mansion,
12:46my stepsister Vanessa was sitting at her vanity.
12:49She had just gotten off the phone with Vincent's son, Luca Volante.
12:53What?
12:54That little idiot didn't die?
12:56And she actually cured that crazy dog?
13:01And Eleanor gave her that bracelet in front of everyone?
13:04Furious, she swept all the expensive skincare products off her vanity.
13:07Her nails dug deep into her palm.
13:10Impossible!
13:11She can barely get a sentence out.
13:13What gives her the right to be above me?
13:16The equestrian club dinner is tomorrow night.
13:19Everyone who matters will be there.
13:20Let's see how you idiot humiliates yourself in front of all of them.
13:24The next evening, an armored black luxury sedan pulled up outside the equestrian club.
13:30Alessandro sat in his wheelchair, his presence as cold and intimidating as ever.
13:34He had brought me here tonight for one reason.
13:36A prime piece of land was up for grabs.
13:38The project was worth billions,
13:40and securing it would give him the leverage he needed
13:42to tighten his control over the family's legitimate empire.
13:49I wore a champagne-colored couture gown
13:51and quietly pushed his wheelchair into the ballroom.
13:54The moment we entered, countless hostile eyes turned toward us.
13:59Well, look at that.
14:00Luca Valenti approached with Vanessa on his arm.
14:05Alexandro actually brought his little idiot wife out in public.
14:08Vanessa's eyes went red with jealousy as she stared at my couture gown.
14:11Don Valini,
14:12Ivy isn't exactly all there.
14:15At a gathering like this,
14:16you really shouldn't let her offend the wrong person.
14:18Luca let out a mocking laugh beside her.
14:21A cripple and an idiot.
14:22Perfect match.
14:24Muffled laughter rippled through the crowd.
14:30I stared blankly at the glittering crystal chandelier beside us,
14:33as if I hadn't heard a word.
14:35Suddenly,
14:36Alessandro reached out and pulled me to his side.
14:38His dark eyes swept coldly over Luca.
14:40She may be an idiot,
14:41but at least she knows when to stop barking.
14:43Unlike you.
14:44You'd like a dog, would you?
14:46The whole room can hear you.
14:47Luca's face turned livid,
14:49but he didn't dare talk back to the dawn.
14:51Just then,
14:52Arthur Sterling,
14:53the host of the evening,
14:54hurried over with a worried look on his face.
14:56A group of well-dressed,
14:57but visibly flustered veterinarians followed behind him.
15:02Mr. Sterling,
15:03every test came back normal.
15:04We still can't find anything wrong with midnight.
15:06Arthur was shaking with rage.
15:08Then what the hell am I paying you for?
15:10He hasn't eaten three days.
15:11He won't even drink.
15:12I don't care who does it.
15:14Cure midnight,
15:14and the Eastern Development site is yours.
15:18The room erupted.
15:19Luca's eyes instantly lit up.
15:21Alessandro tightened his grip on the armrest,
15:24his brows drawing together slightly.
15:25I slowly turned my head and followed everyone's gaze toward the back of the club.
15:31Let's go see.
15:33Alessandro didn't hesitate.
15:35He motioned for one of his men to wheel him toward the stables.
15:38Vanessa followed,
15:39looking like she was waiting for a good show.
15:42Now you're pretending to be a doctor?
15:44You really think an idiot like you can win a billion-dollar property deal?
15:47I ignored her.
15:49Behind the railing,
15:50a black stallion lay weakly on the hay.
15:52Tears ran from the corners of his eyes as he let out a hopeless whinny.
15:55And in this entire world,
15:56I was the only one who understood what he was crying about.
16:03The best veterinarians there were completely helpless.
16:06Arthur's face had gone dark with anxiety.
16:08I leaned over the railing and stared at the horse.
16:10My food doesn't taste good anymore.
16:13They chased away my little calicon.
16:16She grew up with me.
16:18She's my best friend.
16:20If she doesn't come back,
16:22I'll starve myself to death.
16:23His cries were filled with grief.
16:25I stared at him for a moment.
16:26Then I slowly walked to the corner of the stable.
16:30An old pet bed sat there,
16:32empty.
16:33I pointed at it and turned to Arthur.
16:36Cat.
16:37Want
16:38little calcu.
16:43For one second,
16:44the entire stable went silent.
16:46Then everyone burst out laughing.
16:48Vanessa covered her mouth.
16:51Don Valany,
16:52you're actually letting someone who can barely speak
16:55diagnose a horse?
16:57Ridiculous.
16:58A champion horse worth a fillion
17:00is starving himself over some stray cat?
17:02I shut out all their laughter.
17:04I just stubbornly held onto Alessandro's sleeve.
17:07Find cat.
17:08He's hungry.
17:09He's hungry.
17:11Alessandro reached back
17:12and closed his hand around my cold one,
17:14pulling me behind him.
17:16Then his eyes swept across everyone
17:18who had been laughing.
17:19Find the cat.
17:20Search every inch of this club.
17:22Bring it to me.
17:23Marco didn't hesitate for a second.
17:25He immediately took several men
17:27and rushed out.
17:28Ten minutes later,
17:29one of the guards came running back,
17:31covered in dust.
17:32In his arms was a filthy calico cat.
17:34They had found near an abandoned maintenance shed.
17:37I took the cat from him
17:38and gently set her inside the stable.
17:40Midnight had been lying there barely conscious.
17:42But now he caught her scent.
17:44His eyes flew open.
17:47Midnight struggled to his feet.
17:48He excitedly nuzzled the little cat
17:50with his massive head.
17:51The calico purred and hopped onto his back
17:54like she'd done it a thousand times before.
17:56Midnight snorted happily.
17:58Then he lowered his head
17:59and started tearing into the premium hay.
18:01He looked completely alive again.
18:02Not a trace of his earlier weakness remained.
18:05The entire stable went dead silent.
18:07Vanessa's smile froze on her face.
18:10Arthur's hands were trembling with shock.
18:14Incredible.
18:16Mrs. Volante,
18:17you're a miracle worker.
18:19Without another word,
18:20he had the transfer agreement
18:21for the billion-dollar development site
18:23brought over.
18:24He signed his name with a flourish
18:25and handed it respectfully to Alessandro.
18:28With this project secured,
18:30Alessandro's position
18:31at the top of the family's legitimate empire
18:33was now untouchable.
18:34Luca and Vanessa went deathly pale.
18:36It was like they'd been slapped across the face
18:38in front of everyone.
18:39I simply pushed Alessandro's wheelchair
18:41quietly through the crowd.
18:43This time,
18:43every powerful guest in the room
18:45watched us leave with awe in their eyes.
18:49After securing the billion-dollar development site,
18:52Alessandro's influence
18:53within the Valenti empire soared.
18:55And that made his uncle Vincent
18:57feel truly threatened.
18:59Determined to crush Alessandro's side of the family,
19:02Vincent arranged a charity auction.
19:04It was held at one of the Valenti family's luxury hotels.
19:08Alessandro brought me with him.
19:10We sat in a private VIP box
19:11overlooking the auction floor.
19:13Several priceless antiques came and went.
19:17Alessandro didn't even lift his eyes.
19:19Then the auctioneer pulled the cover
19:21from a glass display case
19:22with an uneasy expression.
19:24Inside sat an old wooden jewelry box.
19:26The paint was chipped.
19:27The wood was worn.
19:28Our next item was donated
19:30by Mr. Vincent Valenti.
19:32It once belonged to
19:33Don Valenti's late mother.
19:35A suffocating silence fell over the room.
19:38Every eye turned toward our box.
19:40It was one of the few things
19:41Alessandro's mother had left behind
19:43after dying in the accident.
19:45Vincent had put it up for auction for one reason.
19:48To humiliate Alessandro in public.
19:54Alessandro stared at the jewelry box.
19:56His fingers tightened around the carbon fiber armrest
19:59until it creaked under the pressure.
20:01Terrifying murderous rage churned in his dark eyes.
20:04Across from us,
20:05Vincent sat in another private box.
20:07He raised his glass
20:08and gave Alessandro an arrogant smirk.
20:11I wasn't looking at him.
20:12I was crouched on the floor.
20:14In my hand was a piece of premium beef jerky.
20:16An old black cat with patchy fur lay at my feet.
20:20Happily chewing on it,
20:21he had slipped inside with a cleaning cart
20:23from the old Valenti estate.
20:25The old cat chewed contentedly,
20:28his eyes narrowing with pleasure.
20:30That beat-up wooden thing down there
20:32looks really familiar, Meow.
20:34I tilted my head and stared blankly at him.
20:37The old cat licked one paw and kept mumbling.
20:40That pretty woman who cried all the time
20:42used to hold it every day.
20:44Then one night,
20:45she stuffed a piece of paper
20:46with a red seal under the very bottom.
20:49She nailed it shut real tight.
20:52She was crying the whole time,
20:55saying no one could ever find it.
20:57I listened quietly.
20:58Then I slowly stood up.
21:00I walked to the glass wall of the private box
21:03and pointed at the old jewelry box below.
21:05Then I turned to Alessandro.
21:10Buy it.
21:13I tugged gently on his sleeve.
21:15My words came out slow.
21:17Underneath.
21:18Paper.
21:19Alessandro paused.
21:21He looked deeply into my eyes.
21:23The violence in his expression
21:24disappeared almost instantly.
21:26Then, without the slightest hesitation,
21:28he turned to Marco.
21:29Bid.
21:30No limit.
21:31The auction instantly turned into a bidding war.
21:34Ten million!
21:35One of Vincent's men deliberately drove up the price.
21:38Fifty million.
21:38The price kept climbing.
21:40Higher and higher.
21:42Until Alessandro had spent an insane one and a half billion
21:45on a battered old jewelry box.
21:48Everyone thought Don Valenti had lost his mind.
21:50Vincent finally stopped bidding and burst out laughing.
21:53The auctioneer brought down the hand.
21:54Soon, the battered jewelry box was delivered to our private box.
21:58Vincent pushed through the door
22:00with several senior members of the family behind him.
22:03Alessandro.
22:04He glanced at the box and gave a mocking smile.
22:08One and a half billion for a keepsake?
22:11I suppose you can afford it.
22:13His smile turned cruel.
22:17You'd better take good care of it.
22:21Wouldn't want it to meet the same early end as your parents.
22:24The air in the room instantly turned ice cold.
22:27I ignored Vincent completely.
22:28I walked straight to the bar and picked up a heavy metal ice pick.
22:32Then I stepped in front of the jewelry box,
22:34raised the ice pick high over my head,
22:36and brought it down with all my strength.
22:40The wooden bottom shattered instantly.
22:42Splinters flew everywhere.
22:44Vincent jumped back.
22:45She's insane!
22:48That idiot has completely lost her mind!
22:51Alessandro didn't stop me.
22:53He simply watched in silence.
22:54I crouched down and dug through the broken pieces of wood.
22:58After a moment,
22:59I pulled out a document wrapped in wax paper.
23:02I brushed off the dust and walked over to Alessandro.
23:07Yours.
23:08Paper.
23:12The entire room went dead silent.
23:15Alessandro unfolded the yellow document.
23:18His eyes swept over the official seal.
23:22His pupils contracted.
23:24It was a share transfer agreement,
23:26personally signed by the old Don of the Valenti family,
23:30Alessandro's grandfather.
23:3130% of the core holdings.
23:34All transferred to his eldest grandson, Alessandro.
23:37The moment Vincent saw the seal,
23:39all the color drained from his face.
23:41He staggered backward, nearly collapsing.
23:43He had just sold Alessandro the very document that could destroy him.
23:47For one and a half billion,
23:49Alessandro tossed the agreement to his attorney
23:51and looked coldly at Vincent.
23:53Thank you for the gift, uncle.
23:56Then his voice dropped.
23:57You can clear out my father's office tomorrow.
23:59One move.
24:00That was all it took to finish him.
24:02I still showed no emotion.
24:03There were simply too many people around,
24:05and they were too loud.
24:07So I slowly edged closer to Alessandro.
24:09With the transfer agreement in hand,
24:11Alessandro moved fast
24:12and took full control of the Valenti family's legitimate business empire.
24:16Vincent's people were ripped out by the roots
24:18and pushed completely out of power.
24:20And the Bennetts,
24:21who had survived by clinging to Vincent's side of the family,
24:24went down with them.
24:25Richard Bennetts' company ran out of cash.
24:27Banks and private lenders came after him every day.
24:29He was drowning in debt.
24:30Vanessa's dream of marrying into power
24:32also shattered after she married Luca.
24:34Luca often beat her.
24:35With nowhere else to turn,
24:37the greedy Bennetts set their sights on me.
24:39One evening in late fall,
24:40the Valenti estate was glowing with lights.
24:42The entire estate was preparing
24:44for Eleanor's 80th birthday celebration.
24:46The most powerful people in the region
24:48arrived one after another in luxury cars.
24:50For a few minutes,
24:51security at the gates became overwhelmed
24:54with verifying guests.
24:55Richard and Vanessa used the opportunity to slip inside.
24:59Ivy!
25:02Richard stopped me beside the fountain in the garden.
25:05A flattering smile plastered across his face.
25:08You're Don Valentia's wife now.
25:11You practically run this place.
25:13Whatever you can spare would be enough to save the Bennetts.
25:16Vanessa stood beside him.
25:18Half her face was still swollen.
25:20Her eyes were red with jealousy,
25:22but she forced herself to beg.
25:24Ivy, we're still family.
25:28You can't just stand there and watch us lose everything.
25:31I stared at them with the same blank, slow expression.
25:33I didn't answer.
25:35I simply turned away,
25:36pulled a piece of freeze-dried meat from my pocket,
25:39and crouched down again.
25:42A fat orange stray cat was sitting in front of me.
25:44I continued feeding him as if Richard and Vanessa
25:47were nothing but loud, invisible air.
25:49But with armed men and black patrol in the estate,
25:52she had no choice but to swallow her anger.
25:54A vicious look flashed through Richard's eyes.
25:56Then he gave a helpless sigh,
25:58turned around, and left with Vanessa.
26:01A little over ten minutes later,
26:03an urgent report came from the banquet hall.
26:05Boss, the heirloom diamond brooch from the safe
26:09in the second floor study is gone.
26:12Gasps swept through the room.
26:14It was a rare antique piece Alessandro had prepared
26:16for Eleanor's 80th birthday.
26:18Worth a fortune, worth hundreds of millions,
26:21Simone had actually dared steal from Don Alessandro Valenti.
26:25Inside his own estate,
26:27Alessandro sat in his wheelchair.
26:29His eyes instantly turned ice cold.
26:31Luca was the first to jump in.
26:32He looked almost delighted as he deliberately raised his voice.
26:36Alessandro,
26:38maybe we should call the authorities
26:40and search everyone.
26:42He glanced in my direction.
26:44You know what they say.
26:46Sometimes the thief is already inside the house.
26:49The implication was obvious.
26:50He was accusing me.
26:52I ignored the whispers and pointing around me.
26:55I just kept stroking the orange cat's head.
26:57The cat swallowed another piece of dried meat
26:59and let out a loud burp.
27:01That skinny old man took it.
27:05He wrapped the shiny thing in silver stuff.
27:07Then he stuffed it beside the spare tire of a black car outside.
27:11I slowly stood up.
27:12Then I walked over to Alessandro's wheelchair.
27:14I raised my hand and pointed stiffly toward the front gates.
27:18Shiny thing.
27:22Out back.
27:23Big round thing.
27:25Bennett old man's car.
27:28At the front gates,
27:30the night wind carried a bitter chill.
27:32Richard and Vanessa were walking unusually fast.
27:35Guilty and nervous,
27:36they were trying to slip away
27:38while everyone was distracted by the search.
27:40All they had to do was get that missing brooch.
27:43Past the iron gates.
27:46Once they sold it on the black market,
27:48the money would be enough to save the Bennetts from ruin.
27:52Hurry up.
27:53Stop dragging your feet.
27:55Richard hissed.
27:55Cold sweat covered his forehead.
27:59Vanessa hurried after him in heels,
28:01clutching the keys to their black luxury sedan.
28:04Just as they reached the car bay,
28:06the estate's massive iron gates slammed shut with a mechanical roar.
28:10Red security lights immediately began flashing through the darkness.
28:13What's going on?
28:15Richard rushed to the gates and pounded on them in panic.
28:20Open the gates!
28:22Open them!
28:23He looked like a rat caught in a trap.
28:25Then dozens of armed men in black emerged from the darkness,
28:29silent,
28:30cold,
28:31like a black tide closing in.
28:33With batons in hand,
28:34they surrounded the sedan within seconds,
28:37in the sudden silence.
28:38The soft sound of wheelchair tires rolling through puddles came from behind them.
28:43Alessandro slowly emerged from the shadows.
28:47Even seated in his wheelchair,
28:49the dawn's presence was terrifying.
28:50I stood quietly beside him,
28:53my eyes completely cold.
28:55Behind us were the powerful guests who had followed outside to watch.
28:59Don Valenti,
29:01what is this?
29:02Richard's legs trembled.
29:04He swallowed nervously.
29:05The moment he heard what I had accused him of,
29:07You idiot!
29:08What the hell are you talking about?
29:10I'm your father!
29:11How dare you accuse me of stealing!
29:13Alessandro's expression turned cold.
29:15He raised one hand,
29:17stopping Richard before he could get anywhere near me.
29:19Then he looked at Marco.
29:22Break open the trunk.
29:23Marco moved immediately.
29:26Within seconds,
29:27he forced the lock apart.
29:29The heavy trunk lid flew open.
29:31In front of all the stunned guests,
29:33Marco reached into the narrow space beside the spare tire.
29:36He carefully pulled out a long object,
29:39wrapped tightly in foil.
29:40He tore the foil away.
29:43Diamonds flashed beneath the security lights.
29:45The missing brooch,
29:46completely intact.
29:47There was no denying it now.
29:49The crowd erupted.
29:50Disgusted whispers came from every direction,
29:52cutting into the Bennets like knives.
29:58You bitch!
29:59Your whole damn family is nothing but thieves!
30:02I want a divorce.
30:04Tomorrow.
30:04Vanessa collapsed onto the ground.
30:06Clutching her face as she sobbed,
30:08Richard had fallen into the muddy water,
30:10but fear no longer mattered to him.
30:12He crawled toward me,
30:13crying desperately.
30:14Ivy!
30:15Ivy, please!
30:16Dad made a mistake, that's all!
30:18You've always been my good girl,
30:20haven't you?
30:21Please,
30:22ask Don Valente to forgive me.
30:23Just this once.
30:26There it was again.
30:27That suffocating tone.
30:29Suddenly,
30:29I was a child again.
30:31Locked in that dark room,
30:32terrified.
30:36All the color drained from my face.
30:38I instinctively hid behind Alessandro
30:40and clutched the edge of his coat.
30:42Too loud.
30:45Don't like it.
30:46Alessandro reached back and wrapped his hand
30:48tightly around my cold,
30:50shaking one.
30:51His palm was broad and warm.
30:53He gently pulled me out from behind him.
30:57Ivy,
30:58don't be afraid.
31:01No one will ever lock you away again.
31:04You're in my home now.
31:06You're my wife.
31:07His fingers tightened around mine.
31:12So tell them what you want to say.
31:14I've got you.
31:16Warmth spread from his palm into mine.
31:18I looked at Richard,
31:19kneeling in the mud and crying.
31:21More than ten years of pain,
31:22buried beneath my autistic shell,
31:24suddenly came surging back.
31:26My throat felt like I had swallowed sand.
31:28No.
31:29Number.
31:29Richard froze.
31:30So did everyone around us.
31:32Then,
31:32with every ounce of strength I had,
31:34I forced the words past the wall
31:36that had trapped them inside me for years.
31:38I won't beg for you.
31:40You sold me.
31:42The Bennett family is dead to me.
31:45I stared at Richard.
31:46My eyes were red,
31:47but for the first time,
31:49my gaze was completely clear,
31:51completely determined.
31:53I'm not your daughter anymore.
31:57Don't come back.
32:00No long speech,
32:01no beautiful words,
32:02and they were the bravest way
32:04I had ever fought back.
32:05Richard stared at me
32:06like he had seen a ghost.
32:09Not a single word came out.
32:12Alessandro looked at me,
32:13his dark eyes filled with pain and pride.
32:15He pulled me protectively against him.
32:17Then he looked back at Richard.
32:19In an instant,
32:19his expression turned cold and ruthless again.
32:22The dawn was back.
32:23You heard my wife.
32:24Daniel,
32:25Alessandro's chief aide,
32:26stepped forward
32:27and threw a thick stack of documents
32:29at Richard's face.
32:30Effective immediately.
32:31Music licensing.
32:31Every Valenti business is cutting all financial ties
32:34with the Bennets.
32:37Your assets have already been frozen.
32:40He pointed at the papers on the ground.
32:42This transfers everything you have left
32:44to the Valentis as compensation for the theft.
32:47Richard completely broke down.
32:49With no other choice,
32:50he signed his name.
32:52He had nothing left.
32:53The guards dragged him away.
32:54I never looked at him or Vanessa again.
32:57I only felt the weight
32:58that had been crushing my chest
32:59for more than 10 years.
33:01Finally break apart.
33:02Even breathing felt easier.
33:03I turned around
33:04and quietly took hold
33:05of Alessandro's wheelchair.
33:06Under the odd gazes
33:08of everyone around us,
33:09I slowly pushed him back
33:10toward the brightly lit
33:12Valenti estate,
33:13leaving all that trash behind
33:14in the darkness.