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00:01It was April Fool's Day.
00:03My husband, the heir of the Morelli family,
00:06dragged me to the courthouse to sign the divorce papers
00:10and tore up our five-year marriage,
00:12all just to win a public bet.
00:15He had made it with his childhood sweetheart,
00:17who grew up with him in Italy,
00:19and immediately slipped the Morelli family ring onto her finger.
00:25I'm pregnant.
00:27You'd stoop to any means to make me lose.
00:29Happy April Fool's Day!
00:33That night, I lay on the asphalt at a street corner in Little Idly on a rainy night,
00:37my skirt soaked with blood.
00:40Because his childhood sweetheart said,
00:42If you don't come now, you'll lose this bet.
00:45People of the Morelli family never admit defeat.
00:48He chose to win.
00:49The operating room lights stayed on all night.
00:53My child was gone,
00:54and he still didn't know that he had killed his own child with his own hands.
00:57He thought I would go back crying and beg him to remarry me to be Mrs. Moretti again.
01:01But after April Fool's Day passed,
01:02what awaited him was not me, but a completely collapsed empire.
01:09Bright Real Originals
01:12Every year on April Fool's Day,
01:13Luciano would make a bet with Serafina,
01:15the childhood sweetheart he grew up with in Little Italy.
01:18Remember when we were twelve?
01:19I bet you wouldn't dare steal cigars from old Carullo's grocery store.
01:22You walked out with an entire box.
01:24Luciano leaned back in his chair, looking nostalgic.
01:27That was nothing.
01:28When we were fifteen,
01:28I bet you to steal Don Bianchi's sunglasses.
01:31And you even swiped his wig along with them.
01:34I stood at the doorway.
01:36The pregnancy test report between my fingertips.
01:40After five years of marriage,
01:42and countless trips to the hospital.
01:45Today I finally found out I was pregnant.
01:50In the room sat several family brothers who had grown up with Luciano.
01:54The younger generation who followed the old Don.
01:57The ones who would become Luciano's right-hand man after he took over.
02:01Everyone was holding whiskey.
02:03Smiling as they watched this annual tradition.
02:06Serafina, in front of everyone,
02:08raised her chin and turned to Luciano.
02:10Then let's play big today.
02:12Luciano?
02:13Do you dare divorce her right now and marry me?
02:16She deliberately emphasized the words,
02:18Do you dare?
02:19Sweeping her gaze over everyone present.
02:21A smile on her lips, but her tone like a knife.
02:25Or is it that after marrying her
02:26against the entire family's opposition back then,
02:28you now don't even have the guts to correct that mistake?
02:31The heir of the Moretti family
02:32can't even make decisions about his own marriage?
02:34How will you sit in that position in the future?
02:37The room fell silent.
02:39Everyone held their glasses and looked at Luciano
02:40with knowing smiles on their lips.
02:42Some swirled the whiskey in their glasses,
02:44others lead back in their chairs and crossed their arms.
02:46No one spoke,
02:47but everyone's eyes were saying the same thing.
02:49Are you taking the bet or not?
02:52Five years.
02:54Luciano had married me against the old Don's opposition.
02:56Instead of marrying Celifina,
02:58the daughter of the Russo family.
03:00A political marriage meant to strengthen the alliance
03:03between the two great families.
03:04I choose my own woman.
03:08This had always been his biggest weakness in front of the family.
03:12No one said it aloud,
03:13but everyone was waiting for him to correct the mistake.
03:16And Celifina had been waiting five years for this day.
03:19In front of these people,
03:20he was the heir of the Moretti family,
03:22the future Don.
03:23Every word he spoke was a promise,
03:25and every bet he made had to be honored.
03:28Backing down would be admitting defeat in public.
03:30And who would ever follow an heir who admitted defeat in public?
03:35What's there to be afraid of?
03:37Wait for me.
03:40He stood up,
03:41walked over,
03:42grabbed my arm,
03:43and dragged me out into the hallway.
03:46Hazel, the people inside are all family.
03:48Give me some face.
03:51This is just an April Fool's bet.
03:53Cooperate with me and get the divorce done first.
03:55Tomorrow morning we'll remarry.
03:56I took the bet in front of so many people,
03:58how do you expect me to back out now?
04:00I stared at the man in front of me.
04:02Five years ago,
04:03he had held my hand and stood before the old Don saying,
04:05I'm definitely marrying this woman.
04:08For him, I thought I was his firmest choice.
04:10For his so-called childhood sweetheart bets,
04:12I had already compromised for five years.
04:14This time I put my hands behind my back and clutched that paper.
04:18But I'm pregnant.
04:28Hazel, that's a brilliant move.
04:31You even made up a pregnancy just to stop me from winning?
04:34Fine, you're better at April Fool's Day than I am.
04:36Hazel, it's just a bet.
04:38If you can't afford to lose, just say so.
04:40Joking about a child isn't very nice.
04:43He grabbed my wrist with surprising strength.
04:45Exactly.
04:46Let's go, hurry up.
04:47Any later in the courthouse will be closed.
04:49How am I supposed to get the divorce done then?
04:51He pulled me along as he walked out, taking big, hurried steps.
04:55Five years.
04:56He had used the novels I wrote to build the publishing company from nothing
04:59into an industry leader, supporting the family business.
05:01But every year I had to endure his absurd April Fool's Day pranks against me for Serafina's sake.
05:08On the way to the courthouse, Luciano drove extremely fast.
05:11Once in the hall, he grabbed a divorce agreement from the front desk.
05:15Sign it quickly.
05:16After you sign, I still have to rush back and fulfill the bet with Serafina.
05:19I picked up the pen and looked at the name Luciano Moretti on the paper.
05:22Three, two, four.
05:24Hazel.
05:25Fine.
05:25Then I'll give you what you want.
05:31I signed my name without the slightest hesitation.
05:34After the staff confirmed the paperwork, they began processing the divorce.
05:39A dull pain spread from the ring finger of my left hand.
05:43The moment I took off the wedding ring, the pale indentation at the base of my finger
05:47was exposed under the cold white fluorescent lights.
05:49Five years of marks, etched into my flesh, were wiped clean by a single piece of paper.
05:55The official seal came down, and five years of marriage ended absurdly just like that.
06:01After the procedures were done, Luciano turned around, pulled a brand new suit from the car,
06:06and changed into it, while Serafina took out a white veil and pinned it in her hair.
06:12I sat in a chair watching this scene, the indentation on my ring finger still faintly burning.
06:22Five years ago, on the day Luciano and I held our wedding, in that little church in Little Italy,
06:28he hadn't notified anyone from the family.
06:30Inside the church, there were only the two of us, and a half-drunk priest.
06:36He wasn't even wearing a suit, just a leather jacket, with cheap matching rings from a gas station in his
06:41pocket.
06:42I reminded him to at least change into something more formal.
06:46But he said Morelli family pomp was for outsiders, and we didn't need it.
06:50Now he was wearing a crisp suit, tightly holding Serafina's waist, smiling brightly at the camera.
06:59Luciano bent down and slid a brand new diamond ring onto Serafina's ring finger.
07:05With a click, someone captured the scene.
07:08Not long after, Luciano walked over to me, holding two documents.
07:13One was my divorce decree, and the other was his marriage certificate with Serafina.
07:20Hazel, see? I won again this time.
07:23Tomorrow morning we'll remarry. Don't be mad, it's just for keepsakes.
07:27Early pregnancy symptoms made me nauseous, and I barely had the strength to stand.
07:32On top of that, the feeling of being uprooted from signing at the courthouse still hadn't faded,
07:36and my legs could hardly support me.
07:41Take me home.
07:43I swallowed the acid rising in my throat.
07:46I need to pack.
07:48I opened the passenger door.
07:49But before I could get in, Serafina squeezed past me.
07:53Hazel, if we're doing this, let's do it all the way.
07:56Since Luciano and I are now legally married, of course I should sit in the passenger seat.
08:00She opened the door and got in as if it was only right.
08:03With a casual wave, she swept my scarf, sunglasses, and a well-worn book from the passenger seat onto the
08:08floor mats.
08:09Luciano stood at the front of the car and made an apologetic gesture toward me.
08:14I turned and walked toward the curb to hail a cab.
08:24Stop sullering. It's hard to get a cab here. Sit tight.
08:33Serafina was in a wonderful mood, humming a cheerful tune softly.
08:37As she reached out to tug to Luciano's sleeve, swaying it back and forth.
08:42Their eyes met, and they burst into laughter together.
08:46She twisted open the mintral water bottle, took a sip, then casually held it to Luciano's mouth, and he bowed
08:53his head to drink from it, his lips blushing her hand.
08:56She turned sideways to adjust his tie, her fingertips accidentally blushing his atoms-pode, as she leaned most of her
09:03body over him.
09:04Luciano didn't move away. One hand held the steering wheel while the other naturally wrapped around her back.
09:09Cut it out, I'm driving.
09:10I leaned against the back seat window, acid rising in my stomach again.
09:16The pale indention on my left ring finger was still faintly burning, where a wedding ring had been for five
09:22years and now there was nothing.
09:25I closed my eyes, and placed my hand over my lower abdomen.
09:31Today, this farce should come to an end.
09:34As soon as we walked through the door, Mama Moretti hurried over to take Sellafina's hand, and tried to put
09:39the family heirloom necklace, the emerald pendant the old lady had brought from Sicily, around her neck.
09:45Luciano told me everything. It's simply outrageous.
09:49Sellafina, I always knew you two were meant for each other since childhood.
09:52If it weren't for back then, you were always the right pair.
09:58She caught sight of me changing my shoes out of the corner of her eye and turned away.
10:02Five years ago, when Luciano married me against the family's wishes, the old lady had kept it locked in a
10:08safe, and never once given it to me.
10:13Luciano walked over.
10:15Mrs. Moretti, this thing between us is just an April Fool's bet.
10:18His mother stroked the back of Sellafina's hand.
10:22I wish it could always be like this.
10:27Without responding, I walked past them into the bedroom, and pulled out a suitcase.
10:38Hazel, everyone's here today. Don't spoil the mood.
10:41There will be a dinner at home tonight.
10:43All the core members of the company will come, and two elders from the family will also be present.
10:46Tomorrow, the final installment of your book trilogy is being published, so this will serve as both a celebration dinner
10:50and a formality to account for things to the family side.
10:53I stopped what I was doing.
10:54That novel had cost me three years of painstaking effort.
10:57Countless nights staying up revising drafts.
11:00If I made a scene at this critical moment, tomorrow's publicity would inevitably be affected.
11:05Fine. After this dinner.
11:08Luciano's face lit up with a smile, and he turned to the living room to make phone calls and arrange
11:13things.
11:14The guests began to arrive one by another.
11:17The core team of the publishing company, plus two uncles from the Moretti family, there on behalf of the old
11:22Don to sit in.
11:23Welcome to our home.
11:24Saying welcome to our home to everyone.
11:27Luciano always talks about everyone.
11:29Every bit the lady of the house.
11:33The family chef can't make it tonight.
11:36Hazel, haven't you always said you can make authentic Italian food?
11:39Perfect.
11:40Let everyone try it today.
11:43Everyone in the living room looked at me, not wanting to part with the team on bad terms over this
11:47last dinner.
11:48I rolled up my sleeves and walked into the kitchen.
11:50The churning in my stomach hadn't settled, and my lower abdomen had begun to cramp again.
11:55My body was at its limit.
11:58Separina pushed open the kitchen door to inspect, leaning against the Dorfe and swirling the red wine in her glass.
12:04Remember, the steak should be medium rare.
12:08Luciano doesn't like it fully cooked.
12:12Use vinaigrette for the salad, no mayonnaise.
12:22JC, this is a Moretti family dinner.
12:25We don't need outsiders worrying about kitchen matters.
12:28Come, sit down and have a drink.
12:31The word outsider was crystal clear.
12:37Luci was someone I had brought over from the Conti family years ago.
12:42He managed operations for me at the publishing company and had always been an outsider in the eyes of the
12:48Moretti family.
12:49JC's fingers turned white as he gripped the plate, and he silently retreated to his seat.
12:54I brought out the last dish, baked mushrooms.
12:58Appetizers, main courses, and side dishes filled the table.
13:03Just as I untied my apron, the doorbell rang.
13:10Separina ran to open the door, and several delivery workers walked in carrying large, inflated boxes.
13:15I saw that my sister-in-law only made old-fashioned Italian dishes.
13:19She certainly can't take good care of everyone.
13:23Separina directed the delivery workers to take out the exquisite meal boxes one by one.
13:28I used Luciano's black card and took the liberty of ordering a few dishes.
13:36There was limited space on the table, so Separina picked up the baked mushrooms I had just made and dumped
13:43them into the trash bin beside her,
13:48making room for her Michelin delivery.
13:51Luciano didn't seem to mind.
13:52You're always so thoughtful.
13:57JC leaned over to me.
13:59Hazel, look at this.
14:00He pushed his phone screen towards me, and said in a very low voice.
14:05On the screen was a poster sent to her by the publishing company for review.
14:09In the author column, there was suddenly another name in front of my pin name, Separina.
14:16I turned and walked straight toward Luciano, and put the phone in front of him.
14:22Why?
14:25Hazel, this is my fault for forgetting to tell you.
14:30I want you to share half the naming rights with her.
14:32I already promised Serafina this in advance.
14:35You love me so much.
14:36You'll definitely help with this small favor, right?
14:39This is something I spent three years creating.
14:44Why should I give her half?
14:47How can this be your credit alone?
14:49Luciano raised his voice slightly, but his tone sounded sincere.
14:53This is the effort of the entire team.
14:55Serafina is the beautiful writer our company is going to focus on Rorses in her,
14:58but she's just missing a stepping stone, a chance to become famous overnight.
15:02So you're using my work as a stepping stone to hype her up?
15:06Hazel, don't be ungrateful.
15:09Which of your previous books wasn't made popular by my money?
15:12Without my investment, what you wrote would just be scrap paper.
15:15Now I'm asking you to bring out one book to help a newcomer.
15:18What's the problem?
15:21The copyright is in my personal hands.
15:24You have no right to add her name.
15:32Serafina walked over.
15:34Intimately took Luciano's arm.
15:37Luciano, the food is getting cold.
15:40Everyone's waiting to eat.
15:42Luciano patted the back of her hand to comfort her.
15:45Let's eat first.
15:46We'll talk about everything tomorrow.
15:48Ignoring everyone at the table.
15:51I grabbed the car keys and stormed out the door.
16:03By the time I got to the publishing company, the huge poster was already up.
16:0880% of the layout was Serafina.
16:17He was smoking in the office.
16:22Hazel, there's nothing I could do.
16:24Luciano called personally and gave the order to print overnight.
16:26Besides the company's Morelli family property anyway.
16:29Does it matter whose name is printed as long as it makes money?
16:31I turned and went downstairs.
16:34Then sped all the way home again.
16:36I pushed open the door.
16:39The dinner was already over.
16:42Luciano was sitting on the sofa watching TV with Serafina.
16:45How dare you do this?
16:48That's my hard work!
16:50I'll say it again.
16:51I'm just borrowing some fame.
16:54Once Serafina becomes popular,
16:55I'll have her change the name back in the next edition.
17:01Serafina's eyes reddened.
17:03Sister, it's all my fault.
17:05Don't be angry with Luciano.
17:07How about I give up being a writer and return the book to you?
17:11I just saw how hard Luciano works managing the company
17:14and wanted to share some of his pressure.
17:17Luciano, however, pulled her into his arms.
17:19It has nothing to do with you.
17:21And shielded her tightly.
17:22Pushing Seravenina forward is the company's established strategy.
17:26I hope you don't envy her.
17:29I remember I just said the copyright is in my hands.
17:32Is your memory failing?
17:37By the way, tonight Seravenina is my legal wife.
17:41So maybe you should go outside and cool off.
17:44He looked up at me.
17:45I didn't say another word.
17:48I took the divorce decree out of my bag
17:51and threw it directly in his face.
17:59I was already going to leave tonight anyway.
18:02Now, there's not even the slightest need for us to keep entangling.
18:05Fine. How proud.
18:08Since you don't want to be part of the Moretti family anymore,
18:11I'll freeze all your accounts right now.
18:14He directly called the family bodyguards.
18:16Two bodyguards stood at the door, looking somewhat hesitant.
18:20I've already divorced this woman.
18:22Now she's come here to harass me and my wife.
18:25Drag her out and make her leave.
18:32Hazel, leave the Moretti family and you'll never publish in this industry again.
18:35Come back obediently and remarry me tomorrow.
18:37As for that book, consider it your wedding gift to Serafina today.
18:44I was pushed out the front door by the bodyguards,
18:47stumbled and fell into a muddy puddle left by the rain.
18:52I braced myself against the ground to get up, clutched my stomach.
18:58An out of control van came straight at me around the corner.
19:03The screeching of tires tore through the night air.
19:05I dodged the impact, but the Inersa threw me hard onto the asphalt.
19:12A sharp spasm struck my abdomen, more violent than any before.
19:17The mental strain of the past days combined with the violent impact just now
19:21had completely overwhelmed my body.
19:23The child in my womb was losing its last protection.
19:26The ambulance would take another hour.
19:29With no other choice, I leaned against a lamp post and dialed the emergency contact number.
19:35Luciano was nearby, so he came quickly.
19:38Hazel, what happened to you?
19:41When he opened the car door and his eyes landed on the bloodstains on my dress,
19:46his steps faltered.
19:47Oh!
19:52It's almost midnight.
19:53Luciano, if you don't come back now, you'll lose this bet.
19:58Luciano turned to look at me.
19:59I clitched his cuff tightly.
20:02Save me.
20:04Hazel, do me a favor.
20:05I've never lost at this sort of thing ever since I was a kid.
20:08I've checked. You just sprained your leg.
20:09I'm calling an ambulance for you right now.
20:11He pulled me out of the passenger seat.
20:14I'll come see you later.
20:18My legs gave way.
20:20Luciano!
20:21I'm pregnant with your child, you bastard!
20:24I was lying prone in the puddle, yelling at the car as it drove away.
20:29The car's brake lights never lit up again.
20:31A white car pulled over to the curb, with the window rolled down, and it was Jesse.
20:37Oh my God, Hazel!
20:41He rushed out of the car, gently picked me up, and placed me in the back seat.
20:46He wasn't part of the Moretti family, so he couldn't access their private clinics and had to rush to the
20:51nearest public hospital.
20:57Family member, the patient is hemorrhaging, her card is frozen. Pay quickly and get her scheduled for surgery.
21:02JC, help me. Sign.
21:08Hazel, this is a surgical consent form. What does it mean if I sign?
21:15Today is April Falls Day. Just treat it as a joke with me and pretend to be my family for
21:19once.
21:24Hazel, this joke is a little too big.
21:26The operating room's shadowless lights came on. The doctors and nurses spoke rapidly.
21:31Blood pressure dropping. Hypovolemic shock. Prepare for blood transfusion.
21:35Cold instruments entered my body. The machines emitted sharp alarms.
21:40Before I completely lost consciousness, the doctor sighed.
21:43The child can't be saved. Save the mother first.
21:47When I woke, the anesthesidia still lingered.
21:50But I was torn awakened by pain ten times worse than signing the divorce.
21:54The life I never had time to confirm was gone, taking my last attachment to Luciana with it.
22:01JC sat by the bed, silent.
22:06JC, contact my old publishing channels.
22:09What for?
22:10To collect debts.
22:12April Fools is over. The bed is over.
22:15Tomorrow at nine, City Hall Marriage Registration Alphys. Don't be late.
22:23I stared at tomorrow at nine, City Hall Marriage Registration Alphys. Don't be late.
22:28And blocked the number.
22:31Get me discharged, and erase my hospital records.
22:35Hazel, you haven't recovered.
22:37Do as I say.
22:43The dull pain in my abdomen was nothing compared to my clarity.
22:47The marriage was over, the child gone, yet I had finally woken from five years of numbness.
22:53Nine in the morning, outside the City Hall Marriage Registration Office, Lucino looked down at his watch, ten o'clock
22:59sharp.
23:03He dialed the number.
23:05The number you have dialed is...
23:06But only a monotonous automated message came through.
23:08She's still throwing a tantrum.
23:10He didn't take it seriously.
23:11He opened the car door, stepped on the gas, and headed straight for the hospital.
23:18Where's Hazel?
23:21No such person. She probably left long ago.
23:26Suppressing his anger, Luciano turned around and went home.
23:33Luciano, you're back!
23:34Why are you still here?
23:36Perfect. Go change quickly and come with me to get the divorce done.
23:39The April Fool's bet ends here.
23:41Hazel got hurt last night. I need to go find her.
23:50What do you mean, bet?
23:52The April Fool's bet.
23:54Didn't we grow up betting each other all the time?
23:56I won now, the bet is over, and I'm going to find her.
24:02What kind of person do you take me for?
24:06We just registered at the courthouse yesterday, and today you want a divorce?
24:12Do you know what happens to a woman who marries into the Moretti family and gets thrown out?
24:17How will the entire Italian community look at me? How will I ever marry again?
24:21We're all adults.
24:22If you can afford to bet, don't be a sore loser.
24:26Luiano, just try walking out of this room!
24:32Luciano was already agitated by Hazel's disappearance,
24:35and the scene before him exhausted the last of his patience.
24:38He strode over, snatched the scissors with one hand and threw them far away.
24:43The ruthless streak in the Moretti blood burst out undisguised,
24:46as he shoved Serafina onto the sofa.
24:49Enough. Stop making a scene.
24:52Ignoring the crying behind him,
24:54Luchino was about to leave.
24:56When a sweating subordinate rushed in.
25:00Luchino, big trouble.
25:02The hit novels under Hazel's paint name are being pulled from all major platforms over copyright disputes.
25:07A new publisher has stepped in.
25:09Luchino ignored the copyright issue and instead felt relieved.
25:12Someone stepping in meant Hazel was there.
25:15If she was retaliating, she still cared.
25:18Just a whim, a bag and a few sweet words would bring her back.
25:22Get your documents. We're getting divorced.
25:26I'm not going.
25:28You said you would marry me.
25:31My wife is Hazel.
25:32I hope you understand that clearly.
25:39If you don't go, I'll expose all the evidence that your book was plagiarized from Hazel to the media.
25:45Your choice.
25:51Serafina's lips trembled.
25:53Gritting her teeth, she went to the bedroom to get her documents.
25:59At the courthouse, after completing the divorce proceedings,
26:03Luciano didn't waste a second and headed straight for the new publishing company in the conference room.
26:10The opposing lawyer slid a document across the table.
26:14Ms. Hazel, the old Moretti publishing contract has major loopholes.
26:19Sign this withdrawal agreement and the core copyright immediately transfers to our company.
26:24I nodded.
26:30And just as the pen tip touched the paper, the glass door was pushed open.
26:35Luciano strode in.
26:36He slapped the divorce decree onto the table, his tone confident.
26:40Hazel, are you done being angry?
26:43Come home with me.
26:45I pushed the signed agreement to the lawyer.
26:49Luciano's memory isn't very good.
26:51We're already divorced.
26:53Aside from the copyrights to these books, I left with nothing.
26:58Stop being difficult.
27:01I've divorced Serafina.
27:03I promise it won't happen again.
27:08At Sunday dinner the year before last, you hugged her in front of the whole family and let her sit
27:13in my seat on your arm.
27:18Last year on the Brooklyn Bridge, you threw our rings into the East River.
27:21After all that, didn't you promise the same?
27:28Those were April Fool's bets, you still remember?
27:33You call them bets?
27:35I wasn't betting.
27:36This time I'm serious.
27:38What will it take for you to forgive me?
27:41We're divorced.
27:43I, Hazel, never go back.
27:46See him out.
27:53In the club's back alley.
27:55Luciano, Hazel took all the copyrights.
27:58What about the company's upcoming projects?
28:00Why panic?
28:03She loves those novels of hers.
28:05She's just upset right now.
28:17Without my money, what she writes is just scrap paper.
28:24Go get Serafina.
28:26Have her take over all the publishing lines under Hazel's pen name.
28:30You mean, let Serafina take over?
28:33Just temporarily.
28:35Once she realizes she's been replaced, she'll know who she can't live without.
28:42Half an hour later, Sarastrina arrived at the back hall of the club.
28:46You'll take full control of Hazel's publishing lines.
28:51Luciano, I knew you loved me.
28:53You did all this for me.
28:56Show some respect.
28:58If it weren't for all the trouble you caused,
29:01Hazel would never have left me.
29:03I'm giving you resources.
29:05Use them well.
29:07If you can't produce results, you won't even qualify as a tool.
29:12For the next half week, Luciano poured money into Serafina like a madman.
29:16He bought out front page recommendations,
29:19secured e-commerce homepage ads,
29:21and used family connections to cover every distribution channel.
29:30Put the word out in the circle.
29:32Hazel is done writing.
29:34Her best days are behind her.
29:35At the same time, he quietly blocked my independent publishing path.
29:40Serafina's first book under her own name sold for a while thanks to channel distribution,
29:44and the sales curve on the reports looked decent.
29:48Luciano sat in his office looking at the reports, in high spirit.
29:57The number you have dialed is not available.
29:59He picked up his phone and dialed my number, but only an automated message came through.
30:03He tried several other numbers, and all were blocked.
30:06The phone was hurled against the wall, the screen shattering into pieces.
30:10In the studio of the new publishing company, without all the messy entanglements,
30:14work efficiency was surprisingly high.
30:18Jaycee had brought over the old team who had joined Moretti with me back then,
30:22so there wasn't even a break-in period needed.
30:24I didn't care at all about the industry's suppression and bans.
30:29I focused entirely on polishing the new book.
30:32Word of mouth began to steadily tilt in our favor.
30:37Readers aren't fools.
30:39Channel distribution bought with family resources versus genuine work quality?
30:44The difference is obvious at a glance.
30:48I stared at the document on my computer screen.
30:57When a brilliant plot twist suddenly flashed through my mind.
31:01Jaycee, what if the female lead uses the male lead's arrogance against him here,
31:05and pulls the rug out from under him?
31:08The male lead thinks he's in control, but he's already walked into a dead end.
31:15We burst out Lafti at the same time.
31:20The Morelli Publishing Company couldn't hold on.
31:23Because I had taken all the core copyrights,
31:25the company's content library was instantly cut off.
31:28Without the profitable content to support it,
31:30the hole in the accounts grew larger and larger.
31:37To make Serafina take my place, money was poured in like water.
31:42Only to bring back soaring return rates and ones-their reviews from readers.
31:46What Serafina wrote was completely unreadable,
31:49and the quality of the hired ghostwriters was wildly inconsistent.
31:53Readers soon discovered that the writing behind this name was completely different from before.
32:00The reputation collapsed, and the capital chain developed a massive hole.
32:04Luchino, this month's numbers are in.
32:10If we keep going, this hole's only gonna get deeper.
32:12We can still cut our losses if we act now.
32:22If we stop now,
32:24Hazel really won't come back!
32:26I'll catch him.
32:32Two days later, rumors began circulating in the industry.
32:36No reports, no news, not even a single screenshotable social media post.
32:41But everyone who needed to know, knew.
32:44Did you hear?
32:45Hazel was cheating with her subordinate during her marriage.
32:48No wonder Luciano divorced her.
32:51Several slyly angled candid photos began circulating privately in industry circles.
32:58Jace and I talking about a book at a cafe got spun into a secret lovers meeting.
33:08The pictures never hit the media, but they got around fast.
33:12Serafina began showing up at all sorts of industry social sets.
33:17She never gave interviews, but she would always casually bring these matters up to those around her.
33:23Playing the part of the one silently protecting Luciano after Hazel betrayed him with reddened eyes.
33:30Talk later.
33:31The gossip seeped through the entire industry.
33:33Business partners began cutting contact with me one by one.
33:36Publishing channels refused to cooperate, the printing house suddenly broke the contract,
33:41and the bookstore distribution plan that had been painstakingly negotiated was shelved indefinitely.
33:46No one said anything publicly, but every door was quietly closing.
33:51I'm going to get a lawyer.
33:52Sue who?
33:53Hazel.
33:54There's no report, no news article, not even a single screenshot that can be used as evidence.
33:59Everything is spread by word of house.
34:02You know who did it, but you can't prove anything.
34:04This is the Moretti family's way.
34:07No guns.
34:08No media.
34:09Just a few words in the right circles, and a person can be completely erased.
34:17Drink some water.
34:18Soothe your throat.
34:21Finish revising this plot.
34:23What others gossip about is their business.
34:25We just need to take care of our own work.
34:31In the afternoon, Luciano showed up at the studio.
34:34He placed a property agreement and several bank account documents on the table.
34:38Hazel, haven't you had enough?
34:40As long as you agree, all the company shares will be yours.
34:43The house, the villa, everything.
34:49With the Moretti family's resources and channels, plus your talent, you'll become a top-tier writer.
34:54Come back.
34:56Let's remarry.
34:58JC, you're my operations manager.
35:00What do you think?
35:05The Moretti family is indeed top-tier in the industry.
35:08Your new book sales could be several times what they are now.
35:11Is that your professional judgment?
35:14Yes.
35:15JC is indeed professional.
35:17You know exactly what I can give you.
35:19Things no one else can.
35:23Don't worry about the gossip.
35:25Come back, and I'll kick Serafina out right away and shut them all up.
35:34JC, you've analyzed all this, so you're suggesting I go back?
35:38I wouldn't recommend it.
35:40Why?
35:43Your work isn't suited to this kind of game.
35:46Writing is a conversation with readers.
35:47It doesn't need all that noise.
35:49You don't know jack shit.
35:51Without my money, everything you two write is worthless!
35:55Shut your mouth.
35:57Lucino, your memory's really something.
35:59I'll say it one more time.
36:01I, Hazel, don't take exes back.
36:07Luciano gritted his teeth, face burning red, snatched the agreement off the table, and stormed out, slamming the door.
36:15Besides your professional judgment, is there any other reason?
36:19JC's hand froze.
36:23I don't want you to go back either.
36:25For future books, operations, typesaping, distribution, I'll handle it all.
36:29Just the books?
36:33JC froze for a moment, blushing all the way down to his neck.
36:37He was nothing like the men from those mafia families.
36:41No guns, no threats, no need to control.
36:46And yet, the faint blush at the tips of his ears was more reassuring than any power.
36:53The door slammed shut again.
36:55Luciano had come back.
36:58Hazel, you're really something.
37:02So it really was for him?
37:03You don't even want the company?
37:05This is a legitimate business?
37:07We built from nothing together!
37:10He reached for my wrist.
37:11JC caught him with a counter grip and shoved him straight out into the hallway.
37:20The blow sent Luciano staggering back.
37:22I said it.
37:24I don't want her to go back.
37:26Not to face scum like you again.
37:30I'm scum.
37:31She wanted to write so I opened a company for her.
37:33She wanted peace so I shielded her from every social obligation and you call me scum?
37:38Half a year ago, Hazel was rushed to the hospital late at night with heavy bleeding.
37:44Where were you that night?
37:51That day was April Fool's Day.
37:54Bedding with your childhood sweetheart, right?
37:56It's been all over the circle for years.
37:59Did you ever think about how she managed to stay in the Moretti family?
38:07You didn't even want your own child?
38:10What face do you have coming back to her?
38:13What did you say?
38:15No.
38:16It wasn't just a sprain.
38:21Hazel asked me to erase the medical records.
38:23But even someone as dense as you should understand would a sprained ankle needs surgery!
38:28She was your wife and you didn't even know she was pregnant!
38:32You're not fit to be the Moretti heir.
38:37Back then, she was really pregnant.
38:40I killed my own child.
38:43Enough. Go get an ice pack.
38:52That evening, an internal launch event for the new book under Serafina's name.
38:56Lucino, the launch is about to start.
38:58The distributors and publishers are all here.
39:05The makeup artist covered the bruise on Luciano's cheekbone.
39:08His mind was filled with the child who would never come into this world.
39:12Okay.
39:14The launch will begin shortly.
39:17He was my husband.
39:18He should have been by my side when I was most vulnerable.
39:22He should have noticed every change in his wife's body.
39:27But he did nothing.
39:29The spotlight came on.
39:31Serafina walked into the back hall of the club with her arm linked through Luciano's.
39:35Distributors and publishers filled two long tables.
39:38All eyes fixed on the stage.
39:43Serafina, this new book's pre-order numbers have broken the company record.
39:47Is there anything you'd like to share?
39:52The person I most want to thank is Luciano.
39:54Right here beside me.
39:59We grew up together.
40:01Even though someone came between us along the way.
40:04Thankfully, we still found our way back to each other.
40:09This other woman you mentioned, is that Miss Hisser, who previously published under this pen name?
40:19Today we're only here to talk about the work.
40:21Not other people.
40:24When it comes to love, the one who wasn't chosen is the outsider.
40:29I just hope she can find her own happiness soon.
40:32And stop clinging to things that don't belong to her.
40:36I watched Luciano stand there, completely unresponsive to Serafina's constant sig-
40:44The Q&A session was drawing to a close.
40:47Serafina, there's a passage in your book about the painful experience of losing a child.
40:50It was incredibly vivid.
40:52Is it based on your own experience?
40:59When I wrote that scene, I drew on my own feelings.
41:04I do hope Lucido and I will have a child someday.
41:07At the word child, Luciano's hollow gaze suddenly schnapped into focus.
41:12Lucino, what's wrong?
41:15Lucino snatched the microphone from her hand.
41:18The room fell silent.
41:23This book is plagiarized.
41:25Luciano, you're exhausted.
41:26What nonsense are you talking about?
41:28The core outline was plagiarized from Hazel's discarded drafts.
41:32I'm the shameless one.
41:35For a ridiculous bet, I drove away my wife.
41:37And I...
41:39I killed my own child.
41:42Luciano!
41:43Luciano, what's wrong with you?
41:46Luciano backhanded her hard across the face, sending her to the floor.
41:50I have security!
41:53Luciano lunged at her, his hands clamped tightly around her throat.
41:57It was you! You provoked her! You killed my child!
42:00Murmurs riffled through the audience.
42:07No one had ever seen an heir fall apart like that in public.
42:10The scandal at the internal launch spread through the entire industry in less than half an hour.
42:15The news burned across the desks of every distributor, publisher and partner like wildfire.
42:19The heir of the Moretti family had publicly choked Serafina at his own launch event and admitted to plagiarism and
42:24data fraud.
42:25That night, those who were there took the news back to their own companies.
42:29By the next morning, the entire industry knew.
42:33No one dared report it publicly, but everyone was talking about it behind closed doors.
42:38That night, she was taken to the hospital.
42:41When she woke up, she asked everyone she saw.
42:44Do you dare marry me? Do you dare?
42:47You lost the bet.
42:49You lost everything.
42:51She was sent to a psychiatric intervention center.
42:55The diamond ring Luciano had given her, she wouldn't let anyone touch it.
43:00She was forever trapped on April fall's day.
43:04The Moretti family's publishing company didn't last half a month either.
43:10Its partners pulled their investments en masse, its distribution channels collapsed, and the hole in its accounts could no longer
43:17be filled.
43:20The old Don was furious.
43:22He sent a professional team to take over the company directly.
43:25All assets under Luciano's name were frozen.
43:29Luciano Moretti, as of today, you are no longer the heir of the Moretti family.
43:38The next time I saw Luciano was in the company hallway.
43:42The once high-spirited heir of the Moretti family now radiated nothing but defeat.
43:49What are you doing here?
43:51JC walked over from the other end of the hallway, holding a document.
43:55I asked him to come.
43:56He wants to discuss a copyright cooperation proposal.
44:04After everything that's happened, I finally understand I have nothing left.
44:08The only thing I still have is a bit of industry experience from my years in publishing.
44:15I'm not here to ask for your forgiveness.
44:18I just want to do something legitimate.
44:25Listen to me.
44:26Trust me.
44:28And trust yourself.
44:29Another April Fool's Day came around.
44:31Late at night, only JC and I were left in the office area.
44:35How do you think the male and female leads should end up?
44:38Let them be together.
44:40Real life is hard enough.
44:42Give them a good ending in the book.
44:45Okay. I'll listen to you.
44:47It's late. Let's call it a day.
44:50Okay.
44:53How about we grab a drink?
44:56Sounds good.
45:00The moment I stepped out of the office, I saw Serafina.
45:03She stood a short distance away, clutching a fruit knife in her hand.
45:08Her left hand was still clenched tightly around that diamond ring.
45:12Do you dare marry me?
45:15JC shielded me behind him.
45:17Do you dare marry me?
45:20Say something!
45:22I don't dare.
45:24I don't dare.
45:26This time, I'm the one who lost.
45:31Stop it, Serafina.
45:33This time, I lost.
45:42My new book was published.
45:45Dedicated to the person who signed the surgical consent form for me.
45:51Turns out, you're my happy ending in real life too.
45:59So in the novel, the female lead ends up with the second male lead. Is this about us?
46:04It's about us.
46:08Another April Fool's Day.
46:09But this time, there were no bets, no lies.
46:13JC drove me home. The car stopped downstairs and neither of us moved.
46:18Would you be willing to be with me?
46:21Yes.
46:22I've been willing since the day I signed that surgical consent form.
46:26I looked down at my hand.
46:28No diamond ring, no bet.
46:31Just one yes, steady and sure, just like him.