- 13 hours ago
Groom Ran? Daddy-In-Law Is Better Option Episode Billionaire Romance
Category
š„
Short filmTranscript
00:00:00My name was Estella Holcomb. Today was my wedding day. The groom was Jameson Holland, the man I'd loved for
00:00:07three years.
00:00:08But he wasn't here. My father was very anxious.
00:00:13Where the hell is Jameson? The ceremony is in 20 minutes.
00:00:15He's just nervous. Men are afraid of commitment, aren't they?
00:00:19My assistant Nina stood at the door.
00:00:21Miss Holcomb.
00:00:22She was holding her iPad like it was a bomb about to go.
00:00:28Show me.
00:00:31It was him on the screen. Tagged at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. The caption was short.
00:00:39If this wedding doesn't happen by noon, the Holland Group triggers the default clause. They'll strip us for parts.
00:00:47We'll be the laughingstock of the whole Upper East Side.
00:00:50I'm ready to step in, cuz.
00:00:52Pierce was Jameson's cousin. He looked at me like I was a trust fund attached to a warm body.
00:00:57I've always liked your...assets.
00:01:02Don't touch me.
00:01:05You have to go to Paris. Find him.
00:01:07My father's fingers dug into my wrist.
00:01:09Beg him if you have to.
00:01:10I yanked my arm back and gathered my wedding dress.
00:01:14Take him to Fletcher Holland.
00:01:16The boy had run, but the man who signed the checks was still here.
00:01:21If I had to sell myself, I'd sell to the one who wrote the checks.
00:01:28I stormed into the Holland family's private lounge.
00:01:31Fletcher sat there like a king in exile.
00:01:34Jameson isn't here.
00:01:35I know. He's in Paris.
00:01:39I slapped the photo down on the coffee table in front of him.
00:01:42He glanced at it.
00:01:45I'll have legal draft the annulment of the contracts.
00:01:49PR will handle the fallout.
00:01:51I reached out and covered his hand with mine.
00:01:55Marry me.
00:01:58You're a damaged asset with no leverage.
00:02:00If you cancel, the Kendington merger collapses.
00:02:05Holland's stock drops at least 8% on Monday.
00:02:09The board is already shaky on him.
00:02:12If he runs now, they'll push for Pierce.
00:02:14Pierce is an idiot.
00:02:16Do you want that idiot?
00:02:17Sitting on your board with a direct line to the family trust?
00:02:21What do you want, Estella? Really?
00:02:26Dignity.
00:02:28And the power to make Jameson regret.
00:02:32Fletcher!
00:02:33Open this door immediately!
00:02:36The Grand Dame entered, leaning on her ebony cane.
00:02:39She was the true power of the family.
00:02:41Why is the bride in here and the groom in France?
00:02:45He's chosen Paris over his responsibilities.
00:02:48That spineless boy!
00:02:50He's a disgrace to the name!
00:02:53If we cancel, tomorrow's headline won't be about illness.
00:02:55It'll be Holland here flees responsibility.
00:02:57That confirms every rumor about the family's instability.
00:03:01But if the wedding proceeds,
00:03:02if the groom just changes,
00:03:04the narrative shifts.
00:03:06A true union of equals.
00:03:08And who would be the new groom?
00:03:11Me.
00:03:14Get the judge.
00:03:16Have him amend the license.
00:03:17Now.
00:03:23You chose this path.
00:03:25Walk it.
00:03:29I walked into the ballroom on Fletcher's arm.
00:03:33Five hundred faces turned at once.
00:03:35The entire Upper East Side stared at a bride,
00:03:38who was supposed to have no groom.
00:03:43That's not Jameson.
00:03:44Is that...
00:03:46his father?
00:03:47Fletcher Holland,
00:03:48do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?
00:03:52He looked at me,
00:03:53like he was signing a contract that would never be challenged.
00:03:56I do.
00:03:57Estella Holacan,
00:03:59do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?
00:04:05I do.
00:04:06The rings?
00:04:08Jameson had the rings.
00:04:10He'd taken them to Paris.
00:04:12Fletcher didn't hesitate.
00:04:14He pulled off his own ring,
00:04:15a heavy platinum band,
00:04:17stamped with the Holland crest.
00:04:19He didn't try to force it onto my ring finger.
00:04:22Instead,
00:04:24he shoved the ice-cold metal onto my thumb.
00:04:29I now pronounce you,
00:04:32Mr. and Mrs. Holland.
00:04:34Fletcher leaned down.
00:04:35He didn't aim for my lips.
00:04:36He kissed my forehead.
00:04:38The show begins.
00:04:40Don't tremble.
00:04:41I spotted her in the front row.
00:04:44Addison Warner,
00:04:45Jameson's mother.
00:04:46Her face was twisted into pure hatred.
00:04:49I caught her eye.
00:04:51I smiled.
00:04:52We marched back down that white runner.
00:04:54Fletcher's stride never faltered.
00:04:56Behind us,
00:04:57the wreckage of the old Estella.
00:04:59In my place, Mrs. Fletcher Holland.
00:05:03The day after my wedding,
00:05:05I walked into Holland Group headquarters.
00:05:07Mrs.
00:05:08Mrs. Holland.
00:05:09Mr. Holland is in a meeting.
00:05:11I know.
00:05:12I'll wait.
00:05:13I took the private elevator to the top floor
00:05:16and pushed open his office door.
00:05:23I thought you'd be shopping today.
00:05:25I have an errand first.
00:05:27I pulled a document from my Hermes bag
00:05:30and placed it on his desk.
00:05:31Appointment of proxy for the Jameson Holland Trust.
00:05:34You want control of his disbursements?
00:05:36I'm offering to take that burden off your hands.
00:05:40And you won't rubber stamp his lifestyle?
00:05:43I want to cut him off.
00:05:44I want him to feel it.
00:05:45I want him to starve.
00:05:47Addison will scream.
00:05:48Let her scream.
00:05:49She's not my problem.
00:05:53It's yours.
00:05:55Freeze him out.
00:05:57Pleasure doing business with you, darling.
00:06:00Mr. Holland, it's Jameson on the line from Paris.
00:06:03Be my guest.
00:06:05Hello, Jameson.
00:06:06Estella?
00:06:07What are you doing in Dad's office?
00:06:09I'm handling the family finances.
00:06:11Put my dad on.
00:06:12Fix the card, Estella.
00:06:13Stop playing games.
00:06:14The card's canceled, Jameson.
00:06:16I suggest you find a job.
00:06:17You can't do that!
00:06:18Dad, tell her she can't do this!
00:06:20Fletcher didn't say a word.
00:06:21Oh, and Jameson,
00:06:23don't call me Estella.
00:06:25Address me by my title.
00:06:26Every Sunday, the Holland family held brunch.
00:06:30Addison, Jameson's biological mother,
00:06:32widow of the eldest Holland son.
00:06:34She had voting shares
00:06:36and a permanent seat at this table.
00:06:38You're late.
00:06:39Good morning, Addison.
00:06:41Or do you prefer auntie?
00:06:43Addison choked on the drink.
00:06:44Darcy, the other sister-in-law,
00:06:46hid a laugh behind her napkin.
00:06:47Since there has been a change in management,
00:06:51it is time to transfer the family heirlooms.
00:06:54The butler brought forward a velvet box.
00:06:57The grand dame opened it.
00:06:59Inside lay the Holland emeralds.
00:07:01Those were meant for Jameson's wife!
00:07:04Estella is Fletcher's wife.
00:07:06She is the lady of the house.
00:07:09She's a gold digger.
00:07:10Can't you see that?
00:07:11Addison.
00:07:12Addison shrank back into her chair.
00:07:14Thank you for your trust.
00:07:16I'll keep them safe.
00:07:19Speaking of Jameson,
00:07:20I hear he's having a terrible time in Paris.
00:07:22Someone cut off his funds.
00:07:24It's cruel, Fletcher.
00:07:26He's just a boy.
00:07:27He's 24.
00:07:28I wasn't talking to you!
00:07:31But you are talking about my money.
00:07:32It's my son's money!
00:07:34It's the trust's money.
00:07:36If you want to fund his vacation,
00:07:38Addison, use your dividends.
00:07:40The table went dead silent.
00:07:42Even Addison fell silent.
00:07:43Is there anyone else who has opinions
00:07:45on how my wife manages our family?
00:07:48No one uttered a word.
00:07:50After the brunch,
00:07:51I walked out of the garden.
00:07:54Addison waited for me outside,
00:07:56standing by the fountain
00:07:57with a glass of red wine.
00:07:59As she passed me,
00:08:00she stumbled.
00:08:02The burgundy splashed across my cream dress.
00:08:04So clumsy of me!
00:08:06But it's last season's Prada, isn't it?
00:08:09No great loss.
00:08:10I wanted to slap that smug smile off her face.
00:08:13But I didn't.
00:08:15It's fine.
00:08:16Then Fletcher walked out.
00:08:17He saw the stain first,
00:08:18then Addison's smirk.
00:08:20He took off his suit jacket,
00:08:21dark wool, heavy,
00:08:23and draped it over my shoulders.
00:08:24Addison, if you can't hold a glass,
00:08:26maybe you should be checked for Parkinson's.
00:08:28It was an accident!
00:08:30He put his arm around me
00:08:32and walked me toward the garage.
00:08:35I could have handled it myself.
00:08:37I know.
00:08:38But I don't pay you to fight with idiots.
00:08:40I pay you to win wars.
00:08:45Why did you do that, the jacket?
00:08:48You're wearing my name.
00:08:49The car pulled through the estate gates.
00:08:51I leaned back in my seat
00:08:53and pulled out my phone.
00:08:55I sent a message to my assistant,
00:08:57asking her to find out
00:08:58which charity Addison was chairing this year.
00:09:01She humiliated me on my battlefield.
00:09:03I'd destroy her on hers.
00:09:05I summoned the entire household staff.
00:09:08Twenty people lined up in the drawing room,
00:09:10all looking like lambs awaiting slaughter.
00:09:13Only Sterling was different.
00:09:14He's Fletcher's personal valet.
00:09:17Spine straight.
00:09:18No fear in his eyes.
00:09:19Some of you seem confused
00:09:21about who signs your checks.
00:09:24I tossed photos and bank records onto the table.
00:09:27Mrs. Higgins met Addison at a coffee shop.
00:09:30I, I...
00:09:31You're fired.
00:09:32Mr. Holland.
00:09:33Holland.
00:09:34He's busy making money.
00:09:36I run this house.
00:09:37Security, escort her out.
00:09:40The remaining staff barely dared to breathe.
00:09:42Only Sterling stood there,
00:09:44a tiny, unreadable smile on his lips.
00:09:47For those who stay loyal,
00:09:49a 20% raise starting next month.
00:09:52The tension dissolved instantly.
00:09:55That evening, when Fletcher returned,
00:09:57the house felt different.
00:10:00Where's Mrs. Higgins?
00:10:02Gone.
00:10:02She was a leak.
00:10:04I plugged it.
00:10:05At dinner,
00:10:06Sterling approached me with a decanter.
00:10:08I ordered the 2015 Pinot Noir.
00:10:12He poured me a glass of orange sludge instead.
00:10:14Turmeric and ginger juice.
00:10:16For your health, madam.
00:10:17The entire dining room went dead silent.
00:10:19He was doing it on purpose.
00:10:22Fletcher was watching me,
00:10:24wondering whether I'd dare to push back.
00:10:26I stood up,
00:10:28picked up the glass,
00:10:29and walked the length of the table.
00:10:32My diet is not part of your jurisdiction.
00:10:34I flicked my wrist.
00:10:36The orange liquid splashed squarely onto Sterling's chest.
00:10:39Sir, surely you cannot condone this.
00:10:43You're dripping on the rug.
00:10:51Sir?
00:10:55Estella asked for wine.
00:10:57You gave her juice.
00:10:59But sir,
00:11:00the protocol...
00:11:01In this house,
00:11:02her word is law.
00:11:04Yes, sir.
00:11:05I'll go change.
00:11:06No.
00:11:07You'll go pack.
00:11:09You're fired.
00:11:12Sir?
00:11:13You embarrassed my wife.
00:11:15And by extension,
00:11:17you embarrassed me.
00:11:18Fletcher picked up the bottle of 2015 Pinot Noir,
00:11:22uncorked it,
00:11:23and poured a glass himself.
00:11:25He forgot his place.
00:11:27And he offended you.
00:11:29We clinked glasses.
00:11:30That clear ringing echoed in the silence.
00:11:34That night,
00:11:35lying in bed,
00:11:36I couldn't stop thinking.
00:11:37Fletcher's calendar held a recurring entry.
00:11:40Every Wednesday,
00:11:417 to 10 p.m.
00:11:43Just one word.
00:11:44Private.
00:11:45Wednesday night,
00:11:4710 p.m.
00:11:48Fletcher walked in,
00:11:50shoulders slumped,
00:11:51hair damp at the temples.
00:11:53As he passed me,
00:11:55a scent hit me.
00:11:57You're late.
00:12:01Chlorine and antiseptic.
00:12:03You smell like a hospital.
00:12:08I went to the gym,
00:12:09then the pool.
00:12:11At 10 at night?
00:12:13Is this an interrogation?
00:12:15If you have a lover,
00:12:16a child,
00:12:17I need to know,
00:12:18so I can spin it when the press finds out.
00:12:22Fine.
00:12:24Unbutton it.
00:12:27What?
00:12:28The shirt.
00:12:28Unbutton it.
00:12:30I stepped closer.
00:12:31My trembling fingers undid the first button,
00:12:34then the second.
00:12:35His back was a map of violence,
00:12:38a jagged scar from his right shoulder blade down to his spine.
00:12:41The permanent injuries from the plane crash.
00:12:45Every Wednesday,
00:12:46I see a specialist in the city.
00:12:50Does it hurt?
00:12:53Always.
00:12:55You'll get used to it.
00:12:56I reached out.
00:12:58My fingertips traced the line of that old wound.
00:13:01I'm sorry.
00:13:02I didn't know.
00:13:05You weren't supposed to.
00:13:07It's not pity.
00:13:08It's context.
00:13:11Speaking of context,
00:13:13your trip to the Holcomb apartment tomorrow?
00:13:16Your stepmother sent the staff away.
00:13:18They're planning a lockout.
00:13:23They want me standing in the lobby,
00:13:25begging.
00:13:26I'm coming with you.
00:13:27You?
00:13:28But you're back.
00:13:29I'm fine.
00:13:31And I'm not going to meet the parents of my bride.
00:13:34I'm going to meet the people
00:13:36who think they can abuse my wife.
00:13:38Susan's lockout plan had disintegrated.
00:13:41Fletcher Holland was coming personally,
00:13:43with a security detail.
00:13:44Fletcher!
00:13:45Estella!
00:13:46Welcome.
00:13:48Welcome.
00:13:51Interesting way to greet your daughter.
00:13:54Let's talk about my trust fund.
00:13:56Estella, there's no need to be so transactional.
00:13:58We're a family.
00:14:00We are a failed business merger.
00:14:03Open the safe.
00:14:04The documents, there are complications.
00:14:07Fletcher threw a document onto the coffee table.
00:14:09The forensic audit was crystal clear.
00:14:12Richard had drained my mother's trust three years ago.
00:14:14We borrowed it!
00:14:17Embezzlement is a felony, Richard.
00:14:19Richard had no choice but to open the safe
00:14:21and take out the contents inside.
00:14:24I checked the contents.
00:14:26Then, I handed the deed to Fletcher.
00:14:29You handled the negotiation.
00:14:30You keep the house.
00:14:32I walked down the hallway to the last door.
00:14:34My grandmother sat in her wheelchair by the window.
00:14:42We got the house, Grandma.
00:14:43Good.
00:14:44He would have gambled it away anyway.
00:14:49And that man with you, is that Fletcher Holland?
00:14:52Yes, ma'am.
00:14:55You're dangerous.
00:14:56She needs someone like you.
00:14:59Grandma took out a brass key from her pocket.
00:15:01Take this, safe deposit box 404 at Chase.
00:15:07It's not millions, but it's yours.
00:15:12We left the apartment and drove back to the estate.
00:15:19As the car turned the corner,
00:15:20I saw a group of security guards surrounding the gate.
00:15:24In the middle of the crowd stood a figure, Jameson.
00:15:27Jameson stood at the estate gate, a duffel bag at his feet.
00:15:31He saw our car pass through.
00:15:33Our eyes met through the tinted window.
00:15:36You handle him tonight.
00:15:38I have a conference call.
00:15:41Fletcher walked up the stairs.
00:15:43I pushed open the heavy oak door to the library.
00:15:50I need to talk to my dad.
00:15:52He delegated this to me.
00:15:54You?
00:15:55You think signing a marriage license makes you a real Holland?
00:15:58I raised my left hand,
00:16:00showing him the heavy platinum band with the family crest.
00:16:03He gave me everything.
00:16:05Including you.
00:16:07That's sick.
00:16:08Your allowance?
00:16:09Private jets?
00:16:10Champagne showers?
00:16:11Gambling debts?
00:16:13Unsustainable.
00:16:13It's my money!
00:16:14My trust!
00:16:15Subject to the trustee's approval.
00:16:17That's me now.
00:16:18If you want money,
00:16:19earn it.
00:16:21There's an opening in the Holland Group mailroom.
00:16:23Dad would never let you do this.
00:16:26Why wouldn't he?
00:16:27I'm his wife.
00:16:29I hate you.
00:16:31Get in line.
00:16:35Fletcher's study.
00:16:36He sat in the leather wingback.
00:16:39How did he take it?
00:16:41Like a fish gasping for air.
00:16:43My phone buzzed in my pocket.
00:16:45I opened it.
00:16:46Social media had erupted.
00:16:48Susan posted,
00:16:50saying she had been kicked out of her home by her stepdaughter.
00:16:52The following comments were very offensive.
00:16:55They're writing my obituary.
00:16:57Poor girl.
00:16:58Married an invalid.
00:16:59An invalid?
00:17:01My resting heart rate is 42.
00:17:03That's efficient.
00:17:05Let them talk.
00:17:07Narratives are for people who can't control reality.
00:17:12Well said.
00:17:14Now, time to deal with that woman attached to Jameson.
00:17:18Clevy Simpson.
00:17:19Aspiring influencer.
00:17:21The real reason Jameson flew to Paris instead of walking down the aisle.
00:17:24They are already in the holding room.
00:17:27How do you want to play this?
00:17:29Let him sit in the dark a while longer.
00:17:32Let him wonder.
00:17:34Fear is an excellent appetizer.
00:17:37Fletcher waited in the hallway.
00:17:39His gaze traveled from my hemline up to my eyes.
00:17:42I want to break the entitlement bone in his body.
00:17:45If he insults you...
00:17:46I'll handle it.
00:17:48I don't need you to fight my battles, Fletcher.
00:17:52I just need you to hold the door.
00:17:54He stepped back.
00:17:56Respect flickered in his eyes.
00:17:57I walked toward the west wing, holding room.
00:18:01Inside, Jameson was pacing.
00:18:03Clevy curled on the sofa, crying.
00:18:06I asked to see my father.
00:18:12You came to beg him to take you back, didn't you?
00:18:15We can have an arrangement, and you could stay.
00:18:19I walked to the single armchair in the center of the room and sat down.
00:18:24Your water, madam.
00:18:27Arthur, why are you calling her madam?
00:18:29I address her as madam, because she is Mrs. Holland.
00:18:35Mrs. Holland?
00:18:37Stop playing games.
00:18:39He probably signed it without reading it.
00:18:41You wanted to get control of my trust fund.
00:18:47He read every word and even wrote a few of them himself.
00:18:50You did this to get back at me?
00:18:52You slept with my father to spite me?
00:18:54He is a very capable man.
00:18:57And he is very much my husband.
00:19:01Wait.
00:19:02If you married his dad, that means you're his stepmother.
00:19:06You are not my stepmother.
00:19:08You're a fraud!
00:19:09Jameson lunged at me, his hand raised.
00:19:12Two guards were on him instantly, one twisting his arm, the other kicking out his knee.
00:19:17Get off me!
00:19:18I'm Jameson Holland!
00:19:20I returned to my armchair and pulled a crisp hundred dollar bill from my purse.
00:19:27Since you clearly can't handle millions, let's start smaller.
00:19:31I let the bill drop.
00:19:32It fluttered through the air and landed on the carpet between Jameson's feet.
00:19:37Your allowance for the month, one hundred dollars.
00:19:42Are you joking?
00:19:44If you don't, Arthur takes it back.
00:19:46And your balance is zero.
00:19:50Jameson!
00:19:51Don't you dare!
00:19:53Have some dignity!
00:19:55The door opened.
00:19:57Fletcher stood in the doorway, flanked by two men in grey suits.
00:20:01Family lawyers.
00:20:02Dad, thank God!
00:20:03You have to stop her!
00:20:04She acts like she owned everything!
00:20:06Because she does.
00:20:08But given your behavior tonight, working in the mailroom won't be enough.
00:20:13What do you mean?
00:20:14You're violent, entitled, and liability.
00:20:17So we're initiating the Holland Protocol.
00:20:19It involves hard labor and corporal correction.
00:20:22No, not the protocol.
00:20:24Dad, that's for criminals!
00:20:26Miller, the head of security, positioned Jameson at a padded leather bench.
00:20:30Jameson was shaking so hard his teeth chattered.
00:20:33Miller ordered him to strip his shirt and shoes.
00:20:38One, passport and ID confiscated.
00:20:41You don't leave the grounds.
00:20:42Two, you work.
00:20:43Manual labor.
00:20:44Start in the gardens.
00:20:46Three, corporal correction for insubordination.
00:20:49Dad, please.
00:20:50This is barbaric.
00:20:52Ten strokes.
00:20:53To reset the baseline.
00:20:55Miller took down the cane.
00:20:57Jameson bent over that bench, gripping the edges until his knuckles went white.
00:21:02No!
00:21:07A sound split against the brick wall.
00:21:09By the tenth stroke, he'd collapsed off the bench, curled on the mat.
00:21:14Try to run, or disrespect Estella.
00:21:18And the count doubles.
00:21:21I held out a white towel.
00:21:23Jameson's fingers tritched as he took it.
00:21:26You start in the gardens at 6 a.m.
00:21:30Security hauled him away.
00:21:31His sobs faded down the hallway.
00:21:34I turned slowly.
00:21:36Flevy was sitting at the corner, shaking virantly.
00:21:40I'll go!
00:21:41I'll leave!
00:21:41Don't hit me!
00:21:42Hit you?
00:21:43We don't hit guests.
00:21:45And I wouldn't dream of sending you away.
00:21:47Companion contract.
00:21:485,000 a month.
00:21:50Room and board.
00:21:51You'll stay as his emotional support.
00:21:535,000?
00:21:54I made more than that on one TikTok last month.
00:21:56But if you stay and he gets his inheritance back,
00:21:59the woman who stood by him through hell gets the ring.
00:22:01Greed flickered in her eyes.
00:22:03She was running the odds.
00:22:05A year of hell for a lifetime of billions.
00:22:08She signed.
00:22:10Welcome to the family, Clevy.
00:22:12One week later,
00:22:14the sun beat down on the East Garden.
00:22:16A beautiful day for anyone who wasn't kneeling in the dirt.
00:22:21Jameson wiped sweat from his forehead with a mud-caked glove.
00:22:25Clevy knelt beside him, frizzy hair tied back.
00:22:29Broken nails scratching at a rosebush with a pair of shears.
00:22:32My back is killing me!
00:22:34Stop complaining.
00:22:35You're the one who chose to stay.
00:22:37I stayed for you!
00:22:38But you're still broke!
00:22:40I'm showing Dad I can change.
00:22:42You're a gardener.
00:22:43You're exactly what you used to make fun of.
00:22:45From the master suite balcony,
00:22:47I watched,
00:22:48sipping an iced latte.
00:22:50If you don't finish by noon,
00:22:52lunch is canceled.
00:22:53Fletcher was reading the Wall Street Journal on the deck chair,
00:22:56not looking up.
00:22:57Jameson sprinted across the lawn
00:22:58and fell to his knees on that Persian rug.
00:23:00Dad!
00:23:01Please!
00:23:02Clevy's driving me insane!
00:23:04I don't love her!
00:23:06I hate her!
00:23:08Just make her leave.
00:23:11Please.
00:23:12Bring me back inside.
00:23:14Fine.
00:23:15But here are the terms.
00:23:17First,
00:23:18you personally fire Clevy
00:23:19and tell her the truth.
00:23:20Okay.
00:23:21Second,
00:23:22you need to repair the family image.
00:23:26I slipped a photo across the coffee table.
00:23:29Sloane Kensington.
00:23:30Her father owns the shipping logistics company
00:23:31we're trying to acquire.
00:23:35A marriage would seal the deal.
00:23:37Sloane?
00:23:38She's...
00:23:39She's intense.
00:23:41She'll come and test you.
00:23:42If she deems you worthy,
00:23:44you'll marry her.
00:23:44I'll do it.
00:23:45I'll call Sloane.
00:23:46But first,
00:23:47I'll get rid of Clevy.
00:23:49Jameson turned and walked out.
00:23:51A flicker of guilt rose in his chest.
00:23:53He didn't know Sloane would devour him whole.
00:23:56Jameson walked Clevy to the side entrance.
00:23:59Then he handed her a duffel bag.
00:24:02You need to stay at a motel.
00:24:04Once I marry Sloane and get the trust back,
00:24:06I'll dump her and we'll be set.
00:24:09You swear?
00:24:10I swear.
00:24:11He didn't know the hidden microphones in the shrubbery.
00:24:14We're already routing every word
00:24:16to the security recording system.
00:24:25Done.
00:24:25She's gone.
00:24:26Fletcher pressed a button on the remote.
00:24:29Audio poured from hidden speakers.
00:24:31Once I marry Sloane and get the trust back,
00:24:34I'll dump her and we'll be set.
00:24:37Jameson flushed with embarrassment.
00:24:41I...
00:24:42I just said that...
00:24:45to get her to leave quietly.
00:24:47The marriage to Sloane is postponed.
00:24:49You're back to square one.
00:24:51Effective immediately.
00:24:55Fletcher took Jameson to the holding room
00:24:58and security held him in place.
00:25:07Those ten strokes last week?
00:25:12That was because you sneaked Clevy into our house.
00:25:18These twenty-five are for the lie you told in the hallway tonight.
00:25:24You tried to play me.
00:25:25Twenty-five?
00:25:27You'll kill me!
00:25:28You won't die.
00:25:31You'll just wish you had.
00:25:37Leather straps tightened.
00:25:42On his bare back,
00:25:43the old welts were still yellow
00:25:45from the last punishment.
00:25:47The twenty-fifth...
00:25:49He went limp.
00:25:50And the straps...
00:25:52a broken thing.
00:25:53Patch him up.
00:25:56Antibiotics.
00:25:57Bandages.
00:25:58Give the wounds time to scar.
00:25:59When he comes out,
00:26:00he'll cling to Sloane like a lifelife.
00:26:07We sat in a corner booth at Le Cuckoo.
00:26:11Fletcher cut into his lamb
00:26:12with the same precision he used to sign contracts.
00:26:15Do you love Jameson?
00:26:20He's your son.
00:26:22You adopted him.
00:26:24How could you watch tonight and feel nothing?
00:26:27Love is not indulgence.
00:26:29I broke him today
00:26:30so I can rebuild him tomorrow.
00:26:32If I let him go,
00:26:34he'd be dead in a gutter within a year.
00:26:38And me?
00:26:41If I fail you?
00:26:45Will you take me to that room too?
00:26:47He set his glass down.
00:26:49You're my wife.
00:26:51The dynamics of our discipline
00:26:52would be significantly different.
00:26:56A chill ripples down the back of my neck.
00:27:01Tomorrow Grand Dame
00:27:03will want a full report.
00:27:07The next morning,
00:27:08the Grand Dame had a video call with us
00:27:11in a Zurich hotel suite.
00:27:13So the prodigal son is in the box.
00:27:15And I hear there's a girl,
00:27:18a stray,
00:27:20still in my house.
00:27:21Crevy Simpson.
00:27:23I've integrated her into the staff.
00:27:25I made her ordinary.
00:27:27I made her an employee.
00:27:28You killed the romance with drudgery.
00:27:31Fletcher, she's smarter than you.
00:27:35I know.
00:27:36That's why I married her.
00:27:38Come see me in Zurich,
00:27:39alone.
00:27:40There are things to discuss,
00:27:41history,
00:27:42about your father,
00:27:43and about Fletcher.
00:27:45The screen went black.
00:27:47Fletcher walked to the drink cart
00:27:48and poured himself a whiskey
00:27:50at ten in the morning.
00:27:54Ten years ago,
00:27:56Richard's company was failing.
00:27:59He came to me for a bailout
00:28:01he offered you.
00:28:03Eighteen years old,
00:28:04I declined.
00:28:05But you were eighteen,
00:28:07and Jameson was fifteen.
00:28:09So I gave him to you.
00:28:14He wasted the gift
00:28:15so I don't feel any pity
00:28:16for him anymore.
00:28:17He'd waited for ten years,
00:28:20and I'd spent ten years
00:28:21chasing the empty shell
00:28:22of a boy.
00:28:24The asset has returned
00:28:25to its proper portfolio.
00:28:30I wasted ten years
00:28:31on a boy.
00:28:33The girl from that ball
00:28:34couldn't run this empire.
00:28:37But the woman standing here
00:28:42she can rule the world.
00:28:47He leaned in,
00:28:48lips brushing my forehead,
00:28:50chaste,
00:28:50but unbearably intimate.
00:28:56Welcome home, Estella.
00:29:10Next day,
00:29:11Fletcher placed a thick
00:29:13leather folder
00:29:13in front of me.
00:29:15The Holland Family Foundation
00:29:17has four hundred million
00:29:19in charitable assets.
00:29:22Galas,
00:29:23grant approvals,
00:29:25art acquisitions.
00:29:26This is the face
00:29:28this family shows
00:29:29to the world.
00:29:30Addison holds this title.
00:29:35Addison uses it
00:29:36to throw parties
00:29:37for her friends.
00:29:41She's inefficient.
00:29:42You'll be the executive chair.
00:29:44Full hiring power,
00:29:46full firing power.
00:29:51Control the guest lists.
00:29:54Control the checkbook.
00:29:56He handed me a set
00:29:58of heavy brass keys.
00:29:59The office on 57th Street
00:30:01is the Foundation's
00:30:02headquarters.
00:30:04Why give me this?
00:30:06Because you have
00:30:06the stomach for it.
00:30:10You cleaned house here.
00:30:14Now go do the same
00:30:15over there.
00:30:24Addison waited for me
00:30:25in the hallway.
00:30:26Her face twisted
00:30:27into something
00:30:28resembling a smile.
00:30:30You stole my title
00:30:31from me.
00:30:32You wasted it.
00:30:33I'm just taking it back.
00:30:35You think sitting
00:30:36in that office
00:30:37makes you something?
00:30:39You're just my nephew's
00:30:41hand-me-down.
00:30:43Addison,
00:30:44watch your words.
00:30:47I stepped into
00:30:48that new office.
00:30:50On my desk
00:30:51lay a cream-colored
00:30:52invitation.
00:30:54Serena Sterling
00:30:55is hosting
00:30:56the Rebirth Gala.
00:30:57It's a charity auction
00:30:58all about new beginnings.
00:31:00Serena,
00:31:02my so-called
00:31:03best friend,
00:31:04the one who told
00:31:05the press
00:31:06I was holding up well
00:31:07while secretly liking
00:31:08every mean tweet
00:31:09about me.
00:31:12I pulled the blue
00:31:13velvet box
00:31:14from my safe.
00:31:16Inside lay
00:31:17the sapphire tear,
00:31:18the engagement
00:31:19necklace
00:31:19Jameson had given me.
00:31:21I'd kept it
00:31:22for collateral,
00:31:24for the right moment.
00:31:28That night,
00:31:29I dreamed
00:31:30about the necklace.
00:31:33It coiled around
00:31:35my throat
00:31:35like a snake.
00:31:37Then I woke up.
00:31:42An arm
00:31:43was wrapped
00:31:43across my waist.
00:31:46It was Fletcher.
00:31:48His chest
00:31:49pressed against
00:31:50my back.
00:31:51His arm
00:31:52draped over me
00:31:53like he was
00:31:54guarding property
00:31:55he was afraid
00:31:55might get stolen.
00:31:57I tested him,
00:32:00trailing my fingers
00:32:01from his collarbone
00:32:02down to his abdomen.
00:32:04The rumors said
00:32:05he was
00:32:06Duralinked machinery.
00:32:07But every inch
00:32:09I touched
00:32:09told me
00:32:11this machinery
00:32:13wasn't broken.
00:32:17Checking the inventory,
00:32:18honey?
00:32:19As a shareholder
00:32:21in this marriage,
00:32:22I have the right
00:32:22to audit the assets.
00:32:26Rumor has it
00:32:27the machinery
00:32:27is defunct.
00:32:30Seems the rumors
00:32:31were exaggerated.
00:32:35He rolled
00:32:36and the world
00:32:37started spinning.
00:32:40You're playing
00:32:41with fire, Estella.
00:32:42I don't see any fire.
00:32:45I just see a man
00:32:46who talks a lot
00:32:47about discipline.
00:32:48Prove me wrong,
00:32:49Fletcher.
00:32:50He stared at me
00:32:51for three seconds.
00:32:52His gaze dropped
00:32:53to my lips.
00:32:54He pulled back.
00:32:55He released my wrist,
00:32:56pushed himself
00:32:57off the bed,
00:32:58and walked away.
00:32:59I don't respond to bait
00:33:01and I don't fuck
00:33:02solely to prove a point.
00:33:08At breakfast,
00:33:09I decided to try again.
00:33:13We should discuss
00:33:14a timeline.
00:33:16Grand Dame
00:33:17wants an heir.
00:33:25And honestly,
00:33:27a child would make
00:33:28Jameson truly
00:33:29obsolete.
00:33:32The ultimate revenge.
00:33:34Fletcher set down
00:33:35his coffee,
00:33:40opened a drawer,
00:33:41and pulled out
00:33:42a thick document,
00:33:44the prenup.
00:33:49I will not have
00:33:50a child born
00:33:51into a war zone.
00:33:54Jameson was a mistake
00:33:56of indulgence,
00:33:58and I won't
00:33:59repeat it.
00:34:02I went back
00:34:03to the bedroom
00:34:03and stared at
00:34:04my own face
00:34:05in the mirror.
00:34:07If he wanted
00:34:08a wife,
00:34:09I'd give him
00:34:10the performance
00:34:11of a lifetime.
00:34:13That night,
00:34:14I dream about
00:34:14the bottle again.
00:34:16Susan had pressed
00:34:17it into my hands.
00:34:18Go give your brother
00:34:19his medicine.
00:34:21Just vitamins.
00:34:24Three days later,
00:34:26Ethan was dead.
00:34:32A hand caught
00:34:33my wrist.
00:34:34It was Fletcher.
00:34:38You're not there.
00:34:40Look at me.
00:34:41You're at the
00:34:42Holland Estate.
00:34:43The poison is still
00:34:44on my hands.
00:34:45I gave him
00:34:45the bottle.
00:34:51There is no poison
00:34:52on your hands.
00:34:53I buried my face
00:34:55in the crook
00:34:55of his neck.
00:34:56If the poison
00:34:57comes back,
00:34:58you come to me.
00:34:59I'll remind you
00:35:00it isn't real.
00:35:02But we are not
00:35:02having a child.
00:35:03Not now.
00:35:04Not like this.
00:35:07Jameson went on
00:35:08a hunger strike
00:35:09in the holding room.
00:35:10He said he had
00:35:11a fever
00:35:11and was going
00:35:12to die in that
00:35:13basement.
00:35:14Fletcher didn't blink.
00:35:16Let him starve.
00:35:17He has enough
00:35:18body fat
00:35:19to survive a winter.
00:35:20Let me go.
00:35:22I'm his stepmother.
00:35:24It's my duty
00:35:25to nurture him
00:35:26and bring him
00:35:26back to reason.
00:35:30You want
00:35:31to torment him?
00:35:33I want
00:35:34to check
00:35:35his temperature.
00:35:37The room
00:35:38was dark.
00:35:39Jameson
00:35:40huddled
00:35:41in the corner,
00:35:41wrapped in
00:35:42a thin gray
00:35:43blanket
00:35:43with patchy
00:35:45stubble
00:35:45and greasy
00:35:46hair.
00:35:47Dad,
00:35:48did you bring
00:35:50the contract?
00:35:51I brought
00:35:52you soup.
00:35:53I heard
00:35:53you were sick.
00:35:54I was so
00:35:55worried.
00:35:58You came
00:35:59to gloat.
00:36:00I set the soup
00:36:01on the metal
00:36:02table
00:36:03and placed
00:36:04a printout
00:36:04beside it.
00:36:06Clevy sent
00:36:07this text
00:36:07ten minutes
00:36:08after your
00:36:08card was
00:36:08declined.
00:36:10She asked
00:36:10if she could
00:36:11get a bonus
00:36:11for dumping
00:36:12you publicly.
00:36:13Ten thousand.
00:36:14You photoshopped
00:36:16this!
00:36:16And the soup?
00:36:17It's from a can.
00:36:19The chef
00:36:20didn't want to
00:36:20waste a fresh
00:36:21chicken on you.
00:36:25Jameson
00:36:26collapsed
00:36:26on the floor
00:36:27beside that
00:36:27soup,
00:36:28sobbing into
00:36:29the dust.
00:36:31Fletcher
00:36:31stood in the
00:36:32hallway,
00:36:33arms crossed,
00:36:34a ghost
00:36:35of a smile
00:36:36on his lips.
00:36:38Cruel.
00:36:40Effective.
00:36:42The text
00:36:43is real?
00:36:44Yeah,
00:36:45but she
00:36:46asked for
00:36:47five thousand.
00:36:48I adjusted
00:36:49for inflation.
00:36:51The door
00:36:52opened again.
00:36:53Jameson
00:36:54was still
00:36:54on the
00:36:54floor.
00:36:55When he
00:36:56saw his
00:36:56father,
00:36:57a final
00:36:58flicker
00:36:59of instinctive
00:37:00hope
00:37:00crossed his
00:37:01face.
00:37:02Dad,
00:37:03Estrell
00:37:04is lying
00:37:04about
00:37:04Clevy.
00:37:05Clevy
00:37:06wouldn't
00:37:07abandon
00:37:07me!
00:37:08Tell me
00:37:09she's lying!
00:37:10Estella
00:37:11didn't
00:37:11lie.
00:37:17All the
00:37:18fight
00:37:18drained
00:37:18out of
00:37:19Jameson.
00:37:21That
00:37:22evening,
00:37:22we sat
00:37:23in the
00:37:23wingback
00:37:24chair
00:37:24by the
00:37:24fire.
00:37:25His
00:37:26guardianship
00:37:27is officially
00:37:27transferred
00:37:28to you.
00:37:29Fletcher
00:37:30pushed a
00:37:30glass of
00:37:30whiskey
00:37:31towards
00:37:31me.
00:37:33Rebuild
00:37:34him,
00:37:35or demolish
00:37:36him,
00:37:36and build
00:37:37something else.
00:37:38I don't
00:37:39care.
00:37:42Just make
00:37:43sure he
00:37:43doesn't
00:37:44embarrass
00:37:44the name.
00:37:45What
00:37:46about his
00:37:47marriage to
00:37:47the
00:37:48Kendington
00:37:48daughter?
00:37:51postponed.
00:37:52When he
00:37:52comes out
00:37:53of that
00:37:54holding
00:37:54room,
00:37:55he'll be
00:37:55begging for
00:37:56it.
00:37:57I stared
00:37:57into that
00:37:58amber
00:37:58liquid.
00:37:59The power
00:38:00was in
00:38:00my hands
00:38:01now.
00:38:01Not
00:38:02finding him
00:38:02a wife,
00:38:03but delivering
00:38:04a scent.
00:38:04I found
00:38:05Zoe,
00:38:06a young
00:38:07kitchen
00:38:07maid,
00:38:08counting
00:38:08cash in
00:38:09the storage
00:38:09room.
00:38:11That is
00:38:12payment from
00:38:12Addison for
00:38:13her information.
00:38:14I called
00:38:15her into
00:38:15the small
00:38:16morning room
00:38:16and closed
00:38:17the door
00:38:17behind us.
00:38:20I know
00:38:21you've been
00:38:21sending
00:38:21things to
00:38:22Addison
00:38:22behind my
00:38:22back.
00:38:24I can
00:38:25fire you
00:38:25in five
00:38:25minutes.
00:38:30Or
00:38:31double your
00:38:31pay.
00:38:32From now
00:38:33on,
00:38:33I decide
00:38:34what you
00:38:35send her.
00:38:36You want
00:38:37me to be
00:38:37a double
00:38:37agent?
00:38:39Addison
00:38:40wants dirt.
00:38:41We give
00:38:41her exactly
00:38:42the kind
00:38:42that leads
00:38:44her into
00:38:44a trap.
00:38:48I handed
00:38:49her an
00:38:50envelope
00:38:50thick with
00:38:50cash.
00:38:52Today,
00:38:53send her
00:38:53this,
00:38:54a negative
00:38:55pregnancy
00:38:55test,
00:38:57and a
00:38:57bottle of
00:38:58prenatal
00:38:58vitamins.
00:39:01I don't
00:39:02understand.
00:39:04You don't
00:39:05need to.
00:39:07And if you
00:39:08betray me
00:39:09again,
00:39:09I won't
00:39:10fire you.
00:39:13I'll give
00:39:14you to
00:39:14Mrs.
00:39:14Kravitz
00:39:15for
00:39:16retraining.
00:39:17Zoe's
00:39:18face went
00:39:18pale.
00:39:19That
00:39:20afternoon,
00:39:21Addison
00:39:21cornered me
00:39:22in the
00:39:22garden and
00:39:23asked how
00:39:24I was
00:39:24doing.
00:39:26These are
00:39:26yours now.
00:39:28You're the
00:39:28mistress now.
00:39:30It's selfish
00:39:30of me to
00:39:31hoard these
00:39:32burdens.
00:39:34Addison
00:39:35then dropped
00:39:36the household
00:39:36ledgers on
00:39:37my coffee
00:39:37table.
00:39:38I knew
00:39:39this was
00:39:39a trap.
00:39:42I couldn't
00:39:43possibly do
00:39:43that to
00:39:44you,
00:39:44Addison.
00:39:45That's
00:39:46more your
00:39:46specialty.
00:39:48Fletcher
00:39:49always says
00:39:49your gift
00:39:50for household
00:39:50management
00:39:51lets him
00:39:52focus on
00:39:53the Empire
00:39:53without a
00:39:54single
00:39:54worry.
00:39:56He
00:39:57says that?
00:39:59You keep
00:39:59the keys,
00:40:00Addison.
00:40:01Watch the
00:40:01gates.
00:40:02I trust
00:40:03you.
00:40:04The ultimate
00:40:05dismissal.
00:40:06I trust
00:40:07you to be
00:40:08the doorman.
00:40:14Of course.
00:40:16I've done
00:40:16it for years.
00:40:18Then she
00:40:18pulled out
00:40:19the master
00:40:19keys.
00:40:20Said they
00:40:21should be
00:40:21mine.
00:40:29I pushed
00:40:30them back
00:40:30to let
00:40:31her think
00:40:32she'd
00:40:32won one.
00:40:33I met
00:40:34Serena for
00:40:34tea at
00:40:35the
00:40:35Carlisle.
00:40:37You look
00:40:38exhausted.
00:40:39Does the
00:40:40old man
00:40:40chain you
00:40:40to the
00:40:41radiator?
00:40:42He's
00:40:43just
00:40:43disciplined.
00:40:45And those
00:40:46rumors about
00:40:47him being
00:40:47broken?
00:40:48How do
00:40:49you know?
00:40:50Those rumors
00:40:51are a
00:40:51smokescreen.
00:40:55I leaned in
00:40:56voice,
00:40:57barely a
00:40:57whisper.
00:40:57I spun a
00:40:58story about
00:40:59how insatiable
00:40:59he was in
00:41:00bed.
00:41:01That was
00:41:02when I
00:41:02heard a
00:41:03cough from
00:41:03the booth
00:41:04right behind
00:41:04me.
00:41:06Easy.
00:41:07And I
00:41:08believe the
00:41:08term was
00:41:09voracious
00:41:10beast.
00:41:11Serena
00:41:11looked
00:41:11embarrassed.
00:41:15Fletcher
00:41:15stood.
00:41:16He placed
00:41:17his hand
00:41:18on the
00:41:18back of
00:41:18my chair.
00:41:20My wife
00:41:21is a
00:41:21very vivid
00:41:22storyteller.
00:41:23Serena
00:41:24left the
00:41:24booth.
00:41:25We were
00:41:26alone.
00:41:27Fletcher
00:41:28leaned back
00:41:28and cracked
00:41:29open a
00:41:30bottle of
00:41:30sparkling
00:41:30water.
00:41:32You have
00:41:32a vivid
00:41:33imagination,
00:41:34honey.
00:41:34I was
00:41:35just managing
00:41:35the brand.
00:41:36You're
00:41:36right.
00:41:38He
00:41:38pressed a
00:41:39button.
00:41:39The
00:41:40partition
00:41:40rose with
00:41:41a soft
00:41:41hum.
00:41:42turning the
00:41:43back seat
00:41:43into a
00:41:44sealed
00:41:44compartment.
00:41:45You
00:41:46said I
00:41:47was
00:41:47insatiable,
00:41:48territorial,
00:41:50possessive.
00:41:52Now that
00:41:53you wrote
00:41:53the script,
00:41:54are you
00:41:55prepared to
00:41:55act in
00:41:55it?
00:41:56He
00:41:56leaned
00:41:57closer.
00:41:58His
00:41:58lips
00:41:59hovered
00:41:59from
00:41:59mine.
00:42:00Then he
00:42:01stopped.
00:42:02You
00:42:02enjoy
00:42:03this.
00:42:04You
00:42:04enjoy
00:42:05making
00:42:05me
00:42:05uncomfortable.
00:42:07I
00:42:07enjoy
00:42:08watching
00:42:08you
00:42:08squirm.
00:42:09If
00:42:10I'm
00:42:10doing
00:42:10marketing,
00:42:11give
00:42:11me a
00:42:11real
00:42:12market.
00:42:12Let
00:42:13me
00:42:13handle
00:42:13the
00:42:13media
00:42:14strategy.
00:42:15Give
00:42:15me
00:42:15something
00:42:15real
00:42:16to
00:42:16chew
00:42:16on.
00:42:19Fine.
00:42:21Lose
00:42:22money and
00:42:23that
00:42:23voracious
00:42:23beast
00:42:26gets to
00:42:26decide
00:42:27your
00:42:27punishment.
00:42:29And it
00:42:30will be
00:42:31very
00:42:31personal.
00:42:32The car
00:42:32pulled
00:42:33through
00:42:33the
00:42:33estate
00:42:33gates.
00:42:36In the
00:42:37second
00:42:37floor
00:42:37window,
00:42:38Addison's
00:42:38curtain
00:42:39twitched.
00:42:46She's
00:42:47watching.
00:42:48Showtime.
00:42:50I let
00:42:51my heel
00:42:51catch and
00:42:52stumbled
00:42:52against
00:42:52Fletcher's
00:42:53chest.
00:42:58Addison
00:42:59is going
00:42:59to have
00:42:59an
00:43:00aneurysm.
00:43:01Good.
00:43:03The next
00:43:03day,
00:43:04I drove
00:43:04into the
00:43:05city
00:43:05alone.
00:43:06I took
00:43:06a table
00:43:07for one
00:43:07at
00:43:07Le Cuckoo.
00:43:08At the
00:43:09next table
00:43:09were four
00:43:10finance
00:43:10types
00:43:11in bespoke
00:43:11suits,
00:43:12their voices
00:43:13loud enough
00:43:13for the
00:43:14whole
00:43:14restaurant
00:43:14to hear.
00:43:17I
00:43:17turned
00:43:18my head
00:43:18slowly.
00:43:21One of
00:43:21them
00:43:22froze,
00:43:22bread
00:43:23halfway
00:43:23to his
00:43:24mouth.
00:43:24Then I
00:43:25raised my
00:43:25hand.
00:43:26The
00:43:27manager
00:43:27appeared
00:43:27as if
00:43:28summoned
00:43:28by
00:43:28telepathy.
00:43:29The
00:43:29food
00:43:30is
00:43:30excellent,
00:43:31but the
00:43:32atmosphere
00:43:32is
00:43:33polluted.
00:43:34My
00:43:34deepest
00:43:35apologies,
00:43:35madam.
00:43:39Gentlemen,
00:43:40I'm afraid
00:43:40I must ask
00:43:41you to
00:43:41finish your
00:43:41meal at
00:43:42the
00:43:42bar,
00:43:43or settle
00:43:43your
00:43:43check
00:43:43now.
00:43:47I cut
00:43:48another
00:43:48piece of
00:43:48steak and
00:43:49tasted
00:43:49it.
00:43:50It
00:43:51tasted
00:43:51like
00:43:51power.
00:43:53When I
00:43:54got back
00:43:54to the
00:43:55estate,
00:43:55Fletcher
00:43:56was waiting
00:43:56in his
00:43:57study.
00:43:58The
00:43:59restaurant
00:43:59manager
00:43:59called
00:43:59my
00:44:00office.
00:44:00You
00:44:01cleared
00:44:01a
00:44:01table
00:44:01of
00:44:02Goldman
00:44:02analysts?
00:44:03They
00:44:03were
00:44:03shorting
00:44:04our
00:44:04stock.
00:44:06I
00:44:06saved
00:44:07you the
00:44:07lunch
00:44:07trouble.
00:44:08You
00:44:09saved
00:44:09me the
00:44:09trouble.
00:44:14You
00:44:14walked to
00:44:15that
00:44:15massive
00:44:15mahogany
00:44:16desk and
00:44:16pressed
00:44:17a hidden
00:44:17button.
00:44:19a
00:44:20section
00:44:20of the
00:44:20bookshelf
00:44:21behind
00:44:21him
00:44:21swung
00:44:22silently
00:44:22open,
00:44:24revealing
00:44:24a wall-mounted
00:44:25steel vault.
00:44:26He dropped
00:44:27a thick
00:44:28leather
00:44:28accordion
00:44:29folder on
00:44:29the desk,
00:44:30then a
00:44:31heavy iron
00:44:31key with
00:44:32a complex
00:44:32bit,
00:44:33property
00:44:34deeds,
00:44:34bearer
00:44:35bonds,
00:44:36original
00:44:36stock
00:44:36certificates,
00:44:38trustee
00:44:38Estella
00:44:39Holland.
00:44:40You're
00:44:40not afraid
00:44:40I'll run
00:44:41and give
00:44:42these to
00:44:43my
00:44:43father?
00:44:44if you
00:44:45were that
00:44:45stupid
00:44:45I
00:44:46wouldn't
00:44:46have
00:44:46married
00:44:46you.
00:44:50This
00:44:50is your
00:44:51weapon.
00:44:53Take it.
00:44:57I squeezed
00:44:58that
00:44:58key.
00:45:00The
00:45:00bit
00:45:00edges
00:45:01cut into
00:45:01my palm.
00:45:02The day
00:45:03after returning
00:45:03to the
00:45:04estate,
00:45:04I started
00:45:05reviewing the
00:45:05asset files.
00:45:07Fletcher had
00:45:07given me
00:45:08these files.
00:45:09My mother's
00:45:10jewelry manifest
00:45:10sat next to
00:45:11the trust
00:45:12inventory.
00:45:13Every piece
00:45:14was marked
00:45:14in vault.
00:45:16But the vault
00:45:17was empty.
00:45:18Susan wore my
00:45:19mother's emerald
00:45:19earrings to
00:45:20charity galas.
00:45:22They hadn't
00:45:23sold anything.
00:45:24They'd just
00:45:24taken it.
00:45:25Then they
00:45:26funneled the
00:45:26trust money
00:45:27into offshore
00:45:28shell accounts.
00:45:31How do you
00:45:32want to handle
00:45:32it?
00:45:35I'm taking
00:45:35it back.
00:45:37Piece
00:45:38by piece.
00:45:41Need me
00:45:41there?
00:45:42Yes.
00:45:44Not for
00:45:44backup.
00:45:45I want them
00:45:46to understand
00:45:48exactly who
00:45:49they've crossed.
00:45:50The next
00:45:50day,
00:45:51we drove
00:45:51to the
00:45:52Holcomb
00:45:52apartment.
00:45:53Security
00:45:53information.
00:45:55Lobby braz
00:45:56polished to
00:45:57a mirror.
00:45:58I walked
00:45:59into the
00:46:00living room.
00:46:04Bella was
00:46:05wearing that
00:46:05diamond cuff.
00:46:06She stepped
00:46:07back when she
00:46:07saw me,
00:46:08hand clutching
00:46:09her wrist.
00:46:10It was a
00:46:11birthday present.
00:46:12It was stolen
00:46:13from the
00:46:13trust vault.
00:46:14My mother's.
00:46:16Take it
00:46:17off.
00:46:18No!
00:46:19I slammed
00:46:19the authentication
00:46:20documents on
00:46:21the table.
00:46:23Richard grabbed
00:46:24the stack and
00:46:25tore it in
00:46:25half.
00:46:26No proof!
00:46:27You have
00:46:28nothing!
00:46:29That was a
00:46:30photocopy,
00:46:31Richard.
00:46:31Digital copies
00:46:32already filed with
00:46:33my attorney.
00:46:35His hand rose.
00:46:36He'd struck me
00:46:37before when I was
00:46:38a child.
00:46:39I didn't step
00:46:40back.
00:46:40I stepped
00:46:41forward.
00:46:42Do it.
00:46:43Put a bruise
00:46:44on my face.
00:46:45I am Fletcher
00:46:47Holland's wife.
00:46:50My face
00:46:51is his
00:46:51problem.
00:46:53His hand
00:46:54hung in the
00:46:54air,
00:46:55then lowered.
00:46:56I turned
00:46:57to leave.
00:47:01That was
00:47:02when it
00:47:02caught my eye.
00:47:04A glint
00:47:04at Bella's
00:47:05throat.
00:47:06It was my
00:47:07mother's custom
00:47:08Cartier necklace,
00:47:09the Kashma
00:47:09Sapphire preeding
00:47:10in the hollow
00:47:11of her neck.
00:47:12Take it
00:47:12off.
00:47:13Now.
00:47:14Mom!
00:47:15Help!
00:47:16Her hands
00:47:17shook so badly,
00:47:19her mother
00:47:19had to unclasp it.
00:47:23The necklace
00:47:24pooled in my
00:47:26palm.
00:47:26Three days.
00:47:27Every item.
00:47:29Every dollar.
00:47:30Back to the
00:47:30trust.
00:47:31Otherwise,
00:47:32I call the
00:47:32DA.
00:47:34You wouldn't
00:47:35destroy your
00:47:36own father.
00:47:40Fletcher
00:47:40loves a good
00:47:41purge.
00:47:42He calls it
00:47:43market correction.
00:47:47We were
00:47:48barely out of
00:47:49the elevator
00:47:49when Richard
00:47:50came sprinting
00:47:51through the
00:47:51lobby.
00:47:53Estella,
00:47:54wait.
00:47:57You can't
00:47:58do this.
00:47:59I suggest
00:47:59you start
00:48:00selling today.
00:48:01We have
00:48:02nothing left.
00:48:03You'll
00:48:04kill your
00:48:05father!
00:48:06I don't
00:48:06care.
00:48:07Every cent
00:48:08stolen from
00:48:09my mother's
00:48:09inheritance,
00:48:09I'm taking
00:48:10it all
00:48:11back.
00:48:12He grabbed
00:48:13my clothes.
00:48:13Fletcher
00:48:14didn't even
00:48:14turn his
00:48:15head.
00:48:17Let go,
00:48:17Richard.
00:48:18What you
00:48:19owe isn't
00:48:19just money
00:48:20anymore.
00:48:21The next
00:48:22day,
00:48:23I sent
00:48:23Richard a
00:48:24spreadsheet.
00:48:25Unless all
00:48:26funds are
00:48:26returned within
00:48:2748 hours,
00:48:28this
00:48:29spreadsheet will
00:48:30be forwarded
00:48:30to Eric's
00:48:31fiance's
00:48:31family,
00:48:32the
00:48:32Vanderbilts.
00:48:34Susan
00:48:35showed up
00:48:35at the
00:48:35estate
00:48:36that
00:48:36night.
00:48:40Her
00:48:41Birkin
00:48:41bag was
00:48:42full of
00:48:42her
00:48:42personal
00:48:42jewelry,
00:48:43diamonds,
00:48:44pearls,
00:48:45the watch
00:48:46Richard gave
00:48:46her for
00:48:47their 10th
00:48:47anniversary.
00:48:48She set
00:48:49it on the
00:48:50potting
00:48:50bench,
00:48:51then knelt
00:48:51on the
00:48:52stone floor.
00:48:55Please,
00:48:56don't send
00:48:56that spreadsheet
00:48:57to the
00:48:57Vanderbilt's.
00:48:58Eric didn't
00:48:59know where
00:48:59the money
00:49:00came from.
00:49:00Ignorance
00:49:01isn't a
00:49:02defense.
00:49:04He spent
00:49:05it.
00:49:06You can
00:49:07take
00:49:07anything.
00:49:08Take the
00:49:09apartment.
00:49:10Take the
00:49:11car.
00:49:14Just leave
00:49:15Eric's
00:49:15wedding
00:49:16alone.
00:49:17I picked
00:49:18up a
00:49:18plickboard
00:49:19from the
00:49:19bench,
00:49:19a confession
00:49:21drafted,
00:49:22waiting for
00:49:22a signature.
00:49:23It stated
00:49:24that Susan
00:49:25Holcomb
00:49:25had acted
00:49:26alone,
00:49:27forged with
00:49:27Ruspin's
00:49:27signature,
00:49:28embezzled
00:49:29the trust
00:49:30funds entirely
00:49:31by herself.
00:49:32Richard knew
00:49:32nothing.
00:49:34If I
00:49:35sign this,
00:49:36he'll divorce
00:49:36me.
00:49:38He'll
00:49:39throw me
00:49:40to the
00:49:40walls.
00:49:42In a
00:49:43heartbeat.
00:49:44Sign it,
00:49:45and Eric's
00:49:46wedding proceeds.
00:49:48If you
00:49:49refuse,
00:49:50the
00:49:51Vanderbilts
00:49:51get the
00:49:52spreadsheet
00:49:52by noon,
00:49:53and the
00:49:54police get
00:49:55the full
00:49:55file.
00:50:00She signed
00:50:01her name,
00:50:03a jagged,
00:50:04tear-stained
00:50:04scroll.
00:50:06I picked
00:50:06up the
00:50:07clipboard.
00:50:08That
00:50:09confession
00:50:09would spend
00:50:10the rest
00:50:10of its
00:50:11life in
00:50:12a Zurich
00:50:12vault,
00:50:12until the
00:50:13day I
00:50:15needed to
00:50:15pull the
00:50:16trigger.
00:50:16The next
00:50:17day,
00:50:17a moving
00:50:18crew in
00:50:18jumpsuits,
00:50:19two Holland
00:50:20lawyers,
00:50:21all rolled
00:50:21into the
00:50:22Holcomb
00:50:22apartment.
00:50:23Richard sat
00:50:24in the
00:50:24living room
00:50:24on a
00:50:25folding
00:50:25chair,
00:50:25in
00:50:26pajamas,
00:50:27holding
00:50:27a whiskey,
00:50:28drunk at
00:50:299 a.m.
00:50:30The
00:50:31vultures
00:50:32have
00:50:32arrived.
00:50:33We're
00:50:33here for
00:50:34the
00:50:34collection,
00:50:34and the
00:50:35check.
00:50:37Stop!
00:50:39That's my
00:50:40Steinwine!
00:50:42Bought with
00:50:42trust money.
00:50:44Take it.
00:50:50Richard
00:50:51stood,
00:50:51swaying.
00:50:52He lunged
00:50:53at me,
00:50:54arm raised.
00:50:55But that
00:50:56blow never
00:50:56landed.
00:50:57Fletcher's
00:50:57hand caught
00:50:58his wrist
00:50:58mid-air.
00:50:59I suggest
00:51:00you lower
00:51:00your voice
00:51:01and your
00:51:02hand.
00:51:04Fletcher,
00:51:05you're
00:51:05breaking it!
00:51:06I'm
00:51:06restraining
00:51:07myself.
00:51:08Breaking
00:51:09it would
00:51:09sound
00:51:09different.
00:51:10Fletcher
00:51:11shoved
00:51:11Richard backward
00:51:12and adjusted
00:51:13his cuffs
00:51:14like he'd
00:51:15touched
00:51:15something
00:51:15dirty.
00:51:19Susan
00:51:19burst in,
00:51:20clutching
00:51:20an envelope,
00:51:21a certified
00:51:22check from
00:51:22a Diamond
00:51:23District
00:51:23pawnbroker,
00:51:24three-point
00:51:25two-million.
00:51:27They'd sold
00:51:28everything,
00:51:28cars,
00:51:29art,
00:51:30her jewelry,
00:51:31still short.
00:51:33Fletcher took
00:51:33the check for
00:51:34me.
00:51:37He then
00:51:38pulled a piece
00:51:38of paper from
00:51:39his inside
00:51:40pocket.
00:51:41Susan signed
00:51:42confession.
00:51:43If you ever
00:51:44approach my
00:51:45wife again
00:51:46or speak to
00:51:47the press,
00:51:48I will mail
00:51:49this to the
00:51:50prosecutor.
00:51:54As we
00:51:55left,
00:51:56they were
00:51:56screaming at
00:51:57each other
00:51:58in the
00:51:58living room.
00:51:59No!
00:52:00Help me!
00:52:01Help me!
00:52:02The wreckage
00:52:03of the
00:52:03Holcomb
00:52:03apartment
00:52:04shrank
00:52:04behind us.
00:52:05I didn't
00:52:06feel victorious.
00:52:07I just
00:52:08felt
00:52:08cauterized.
00:52:09Burnt it
00:52:10all down?
00:52:11Empty,
00:52:12but clean.
00:52:15Good.
00:52:16Because
00:52:17tonight,
00:52:17the real
00:52:18work begins.
00:52:21Grand Dame
00:52:22wants a
00:52:22meeting with
00:52:23you.
00:52:24Alone.
00:52:25She knows
00:52:26about today?
00:52:27She knows
00:52:27everything.
00:52:28She has
00:52:28spies in the
00:52:29woodwork.
00:52:31You drew
00:52:32blood from
00:52:33your own
00:52:33bloodline.
00:52:34She wants
00:52:35to see that
00:52:36killer instinct
00:52:37up close.
00:52:38I can
00:52:39bite.
00:52:40I know.
00:52:41Just
00:52:42remember,
00:52:43when you
00:52:43walk into
00:52:44that room,
00:52:44you're not
00:52:45a Holcomb
00:52:45anymore.
00:52:47You don't
00:52:47apologize.
00:52:48You don't
00:52:49explain.
00:52:49You take
00:52:50up space.
00:52:51The recovered
00:52:52assets arrived
00:52:53that day.
00:52:53Three trucks.
00:52:54I had them
00:52:55park in front
00:52:56of the fountain,
00:52:57where every
00:52:58pair of eyes
00:52:58behind those
00:52:59curtains could
00:53:00see every
00:53:01single item.
00:53:02The old
00:53:03butler climbed
00:53:04down from
00:53:04the lead
00:53:05truck,
00:53:05clapboard in
00:53:06hand.
00:53:07Twenty years
00:53:08serving his
00:53:08master,
00:53:09and he'd
00:53:09counted more
00:53:10pieces of
00:53:11jewelry than
00:53:12he could
00:53:12remember.
00:53:13Madam,
00:53:14the driver
00:53:14was asking
00:53:15about the
00:53:15service bay.
00:53:16I had them
00:53:17park here.
00:53:18the light
00:53:18is better.
00:53:19I'm inspecting
00:53:20every piece.
00:53:21Five items
00:53:22were missing
00:53:22from the
00:53:22manifest.
00:53:23Hemingway's
00:53:24first editions,
00:53:25jade statuettes,
00:53:27a pair of
00:53:2718th century
00:53:28French dueling
00:53:28pistols.
00:53:29They weren't
00:53:29in any
00:53:30crate.
00:53:33Mr. Higgins,
00:53:35where are
00:53:35they?
00:53:37I don't
00:53:38know,
00:53:38Madam.
00:53:40Perhaps
00:53:40they were
00:53:40misplaced
00:53:41in transit.
00:53:42You signed
00:53:42for this
00:53:43transport.
00:53:45That makes
00:53:45you the
00:53:46legal custodian.
00:53:47Mrs. Holcomb
00:53:48told me to
00:53:49pull those
00:53:49items before
00:53:50transit.
00:53:51I told her
00:53:52it was
00:53:52illegal.
00:53:52I told her.
00:53:54Then you'll
00:53:54sign an
00:53:54affidavit stating
00:53:56exactly what
00:53:56she did and
00:53:57that you told
00:53:58her it was
00:53:58illegal.
00:53:59If I sign
00:53:59that,
00:53:59she'll fire
00:54:00me.
00:54:00She's
00:54:01bankrupt.
00:54:02She can't
00:54:02pay your
00:54:02salary.
00:54:06And if
00:54:07you don't
00:54:08sign,
00:54:09I'll have
00:54:10you charged
00:54:10as an
00:54:11accomplice
00:54:11to
00:54:11theft.
00:54:13He signed.
00:54:14I slipped
00:54:15that affidavit
00:54:16into my
00:54:16folder.
00:54:19Then I
00:54:19walked over
00:54:20to the
00:54:20grand dame's
00:54:21personal
00:54:21attendant,
00:54:22who'd been
00:54:22watching from
00:54:23the second
00:54:23floor balcony
00:54:24the entire
00:54:24time,
00:54:25and put
00:54:25that safe
00:54:26deposit box
00:54:27key in
00:54:27my pocket.
00:54:28The next
00:54:29day,
00:54:29Susan's
00:54:30certified
00:54:30check
00:54:31cleared.
00:54:34Draft
00:54:35a press
00:54:35release.
00:54:36Mrs. Holland
00:54:37is donating
00:54:37the full
00:54:38amount of
00:54:38the recovered
00:54:39funds to
00:54:39the New York
00:54:40Arts Foundation.
00:54:411.2 million
00:54:42gone.
00:54:46You gave
00:54:47it all
00:54:47away.
00:54:48That
00:54:48check was
00:54:49dirty money.
00:54:50If I
00:54:50keep it,
00:54:51I'll feel
00:54:51guilty.
00:54:52But if
00:54:53I donate
00:54:53it,
00:54:54her whole
00:54:55narrative
00:54:55falls apart.
00:54:58That's
00:54:59a smart
00:54:59move.
00:55:00The
00:55:01grand
00:55:01dame
00:55:02sent a
00:55:02bottle
00:55:02of
00:55:031982
00:55:03Petrus
00:55:04to my
00:55:04room.
00:55:05The
00:55:06butler
00:55:06said it
00:55:06was a
00:55:07housewarming
00:55:07gift.
00:55:09I
00:55:09set
00:55:10that
00:55:10bottle
00:55:10on
00:55:10the
00:55:10table.
00:55:1240
00:55:13years
00:55:14worth
00:55:14the
00:55:15wait.
00:55:17Fletcher
00:55:17tossed the
00:55:18USB key
00:55:18back into
00:55:19my lap.
00:55:20I told
00:55:20him I
00:55:21didn't
00:55:21need
00:55:21his
00:55:21allowance.
00:55:22I
00:55:23had my
00:55:23own
00:55:23money
00:55:23now.
00:55:24Open
00:55:24it.
00:55:25I
00:55:26plugged
00:55:26it in.
00:55:27What
00:55:27came up
00:55:27on the
00:55:28screen
00:55:28wasn't a
00:55:29bank
00:55:29interface.
00:55:29It
00:55:30was a
00:55:30complex
00:55:31equity
00:55:31trading
00:55:31platform.
00:55:32It's
00:55:33voting
00:55:33stock.
00:55:345%
00:55:35of
00:55:35Holland
00:55:36Media
00:55:36Group.
00:55:37That
00:55:37company's
00:55:38board
00:55:38seat is
00:55:38now an
00:55:39open
00:55:39door for
00:55:39you.
00:55:41I
00:55:41didn't
00:55:41give you
00:55:42an
00:55:42allowance.
00:55:43I
00:55:44gave
00:55:44you
00:55:44a
00:55:44weapon.
00:55:45I
00:55:45could
00:55:45vote
00:55:46against
00:55:46you.
00:55:47I
00:55:48could
00:55:48cause
00:55:48chaos.
00:55:50You
00:55:50could,
00:55:51but
00:55:51you
00:55:51won't.
00:55:52Because
00:55:53chaos
00:55:53is bad
00:55:54for the
00:55:54stock
00:55:54price.
00:55:55And
00:55:55you're
00:55:55too
00:55:55smart
00:55:56to
00:55:56make
00:55:57that
00:55:57mistake.
00:55:57I
00:55:58held
00:55:58that
00:55:58USB
00:55:59key,
00:55:59voting
00:56:00power
00:56:00behind
00:56:005
00:56:01billion
00:56:01in
00:56:02valuation.
00:56:02Not
00:56:03for
00:56:03buying
00:56:03things,
00:56:04for
00:56:04buying
00:56:05outcomes.
00:56:06That
00:56:06night,
00:56:07in
00:56:07Fletcher's
00:56:07study,
00:56:08I
00:56:09finally
00:56:09understood
00:56:10what
00:56:10he'd
00:56:10always
00:56:11meant
00:56:11by
00:56:11partner.
00:56:12Three
00:56:13tech
00:56:13IPOs
00:56:14next
00:56:14week.
00:56:15Read
00:56:15the
00:56:16prospectuses.
00:56:16I
00:56:17want
00:56:17your
00:56:17valuation
00:56:18opinions
00:56:18by
00:56:18Friday.
00:56:23Is
00:56:24this
00:56:24a
00:56:24test?
00:56:26Everything
00:56:27is
00:56:27a
00:56:27test.
00:56:28Back
00:56:29in
00:56:29the
00:56:29bedroom,
00:56:30I
00:56:30put
00:56:31that
00:56:31key
00:56:31in
00:56:31my
00:56:32nightstand
00:56:32drawer.
00:56:34A
00:56:34month
00:56:35ago,
00:56:35I
00:56:35was
00:56:35worried
00:56:35about
00:56:36my
00:56:36credit
00:56:36card
00:56:36limit.
00:56:37Now,
00:56:38I
00:56:38held
00:56:38voting
00:56:39rights
00:56:39to
00:56:39a
00:56:39media
00:56:40empire.
00:56:41Addison
00:56:41received
00:56:41a sternly
00:56:42worded
00:56:42legal
00:56:43audit
00:56:43notice.
00:56:44She
00:56:44stormed
00:56:44into
00:56:45the
00:56:45estate
00:56:45that
00:56:45same
00:56:46afternoon.
00:56:47What
00:56:47is
00:56:47this?
00:56:48You're
00:56:49auditing
00:56:49my
00:56:49accounts?
00:56:51Not
00:56:52your
00:56:52accounts.
00:56:53every
00:56:54foundation
00:56:54expense
00:56:55you've
00:56:55touched
00:56:55in
00:56:55the
00:56:55past
00:56:56five
00:56:56years.
00:56:57Your
00:56:57gallery
00:56:57bleeds
00:56:58money,
00:56:58but
00:56:58your
00:56:59personal
00:56:59travel,
00:57:00clothing,
00:57:00and
00:57:01consulting
00:57:01fees
00:57:03were
00:57:03billed
00:57:04through
00:57:04the
00:57:04foundation.
00:57:05Those
00:57:05were
00:57:06administrative
00:57:06costs.
00:57:07You
00:57:08have
00:57:08no
00:57:08proof.
00:57:09I
00:57:10have
00:57:10scans
00:57:10of
00:57:10every
00:57:10invoice
00:57:11and
00:57:11screenshots
00:57:12of
00:57:12every
00:57:12bank
00:57:13transfer,
00:57:15including
00:57:15your
00:57:15hotel
00:57:16bill
00:57:16from
00:57:17that
00:57:17art
00:57:17scouting
00:57:18trip
00:57:18to
00:57:18Nice,
00:57:21a
00:57:22hotel
00:57:22that
00:57:22doesn't
00:57:23even
00:57:23have
00:57:23paintings
00:57:23on
00:57:23the
00:57:23walls.
00:57:26What
00:57:27do
00:57:27you
00:57:27want?
00:57:29I
00:57:30want
00:57:30you
00:57:30to
00:57:30sit
00:57:30quietly
00:57:32in
00:57:33every
00:57:33family
00:57:34meeting
00:57:34from
00:57:34now
00:57:35on.
00:57:35The
00:57:36first
00:57:36collision
00:57:36happened
00:57:37at
00:57:37that
00:57:37week's
00:57:38family
00:57:38dinner.
00:57:40First
00:57:41item,
00:57:42formal
00:57:42confirmation
00:57:43of the
00:57:43foundation
00:57:44chair.
00:57:45The
00:57:45foundation
00:57:45needs
00:57:46someone
00:57:46who
00:57:46knows
00:57:47how
00:57:47to
00:57:47handle
00:57:47the
00:57:47old
00:57:48families.
00:57:48Estella
00:57:49has
00:57:49already
00:57:50handled
00:57:50situations
00:57:51ten
00:57:51times
00:57:52more
00:57:52difficult
00:57:53than
00:57:53yours.
00:57:54But
00:57:54your
00:57:54administrative
00:57:55costs
00:57:55tripled
00:57:56this
00:57:56year.
00:57:56That's
00:57:57a
00:57:57very
00:57:57interesting
00:57:58number.
00:57:58I
00:57:58don't
00:57:59want
00:57:59to
00:57:59investigate
00:57:59it
00:58:00now.
00:58:01But
00:58:01say
00:58:02one
00:58:02more
00:58:02word
00:58:03on
00:58:03this
00:58:03topic
00:58:04and
00:58:05I
00:58:05will.
00:58:06Addison's
00:58:07mouth
00:58:07snapped
00:58:07shut.
00:58:09After
00:58:10dinner,
00:58:12Darcy
00:58:12knocked
00:58:12on my
00:58:12study
00:58:13door.
00:58:18She
00:58:19was
00:58:19holding
00:58:19a
00:58:19bottle
00:58:19of
00:58:20cabernet
00:58:20she'd
00:58:20swept
00:58:21from
00:58:21the
00:58:21cellar,
00:58:22already
00:58:22uncarked.
00:58:27Addison's
00:58:27finished.
00:58:28When you
00:58:29first walked
00:58:29in here,
00:58:30I thought
00:58:30you were
00:58:30just another
00:58:31decoration
00:58:31in the
00:58:32drawing room.
00:58:33I figured
00:58:34Addison would
00:58:35crush you,
00:58:35and now you
00:58:36don't.
00:58:38I'm here to
00:58:39form an
00:58:39alliance.
00:58:41Addison will
00:58:42find out.
00:58:43By the time
00:58:44she does,
00:58:45it'll be too
00:58:45late.
00:58:45In this
00:58:47war,
00:58:47I'm on
00:58:48your side.
00:58:49We
00:58:50clinked
00:58:50glasses.
00:58:51That
00:58:51sound.
00:58:52Clear.
00:58:53Ringing.
00:58:54A month
00:58:54ago I
00:58:54was alone.
00:58:55Now
00:58:56allies were
00:58:56being pulled
00:58:57to my
00:58:57table,
00:58:58one by
00:58:58one.
00:58:59The
00:58:59next
00:58:59day,
00:59:00the
00:59:00grand
00:59:00dame
00:59:01called
00:59:01Addison
00:59:01into
00:59:02her
00:59:02private
00:59:02sitting
00:59:03room.
00:59:03I
00:59:04was
00:59:04in
00:59:04the
00:59:04adjoining
00:59:04chamber.
00:59:05The
00:59:06French
00:59:06doors
00:59:06not
00:59:06fully
00:59:07lashed.
00:59:07Alistair
00:59:08will
00:59:08attend
00:59:08La
00:59:09Rosie.
00:59:09Fletcher
00:59:10has
00:59:10already
00:59:10called
00:59:11the
00:59:11board
00:59:11of
00:59:11regents.
00:59:12He
00:59:12starts
00:59:15teaching,
00:59:16not
00:59:17with
00:59:17money,
00:59:17not
00:59:18with
00:59:18threats.
00:59:18He
00:59:19needs
00:59:19distance
00:59:20from
00:59:20you
00:59:21and
00:59:21your
00:59:21influence
00:59:21as
00:59:22far
00:59:22as
00:59:22possible.
00:59:23He'll
00:59:23hate
00:59:23me.
00:59:25No,
00:59:26he'll
00:59:26thank
00:59:26you
00:59:26later.
00:59:27Get
00:59:28out.
00:59:29Addison
00:59:30came out
00:59:30of that
00:59:30room with
00:59:31her
00:59:31shoulders
00:59:31trembling.
00:59:32Not
00:59:32anger.
00:59:33Fear.
00:59:34She
00:59:34realized
00:59:35that her
00:59:35most
00:59:35powerful
00:59:36shield,
00:59:37the
00:59:37one
00:59:37she'd
00:59:37used
00:59:38to
00:59:38hold
00:59:38this
00:59:38entire
00:59:39family
00:59:39at
00:59:39bay,
00:59:40had
00:59:40just
00:59:40been
00:59:40stripped
00:59:41from
00:59:41her
00:59:41hands.
00:59:43On
00:59:45the
00:59:46everyone
00:59:46was there,
00:59:47relatives,
00:59:48cousins,
00:59:48board members
00:59:49with their
00:59:49watchful
00:59:50eyes.
00:59:50Addison
00:59:51stood
00:59:51on the
00:59:51lawn,
00:59:52forced
00:59:52to
00:59:52clink
00:59:53glasses
00:59:53and
00:59:53smile.
00:59:59The
01:00:00grand
01:00:00dame
01:00:00handed
01:00:00me the
01:00:01wine
01:00:01cellar
01:00:01keys
01:00:02in front
01:00:02of
01:00:02everyone.
01:00:03Estella
01:00:03will
01:00:04manage
01:00:04all
01:00:04wine
01:00:05lists
01:00:05and
01:00:05banquet
01:00:06menus
01:00:06from
01:00:06now
01:00:07on.
01:00:09To
01:00:09her,
01:00:10Estella,
01:00:12for
01:00:12her
01:00:12tactics.
01:00:14She
01:00:14is
01:00:15a
01:00:15qualified
01:00:16Holland.
01:00:17The
01:00:17entire
01:00:18party
01:00:18raised
01:00:19their
01:00:19glasses.
01:00:20The
01:00:20new
01:00:20family
01:00:20order
01:00:21was
01:00:21formally
01:00:21established
01:00:22in
01:00:22this
01:00:22garden,
01:00:23sealed
01:00:23with
01:00:24a
01:00:24single
01:00:24toast.
01:00:25On
01:00:25Saturday,
01:00:26the
01:00:26family
01:00:26held
01:00:26a
01:00:27party
01:00:27in
01:00:27the
01:00:27garden.
01:00:28Everyone
01:00:28was
01:00:28there,
01:00:29relatives,
01:00:29cousins,
01:00:30board members
01:00:31with their
01:00:31watchful
01:00:31eyes.
01:00:32Addison
01:00:33stood
01:00:33on the
01:00:33lawn,
01:00:34forced
01:00:34to
01:00:34clink
01:00:34glasses
01:00:35and
01:00:35smile.
01:00:41The
01:00:41grand
01:00:41dame
01:00:42handed
01:00:42me
01:00:42the
01:00:42wine
01:00:43cellar
01:00:43keys
01:00:43in
01:00:44front
01:00:44of
01:00:44everyone.
01:00:44Estella
01:00:45will
01:00:45manage
01:00:46all
01:00:46wine
01:00:46lists
01:00:47and
01:00:47banquet
01:00:47menus
01:00:48from
01:00:48now
01:00:48on.
01:00:51To
01:00:51her,
01:00:51Estella,
01:00:53for
01:00:54her
01:00:54tactics.
01:00:56She
01:00:56is
01:00:57a
01:00:57qualified
01:00:58Holland.
01:00:59The
01:00:59entire
01:00:59party
01:01:00raised
01:01:00their
01:01:01glasses.
01:01:01The
01:01:02new
01:01:02family
01:01:02order
01:01:02was
01:01:03formally
01:01:03established
01:01:04in
01:01:04this
01:01:04garden,
01:01:05sealed
01:01:05with
01:01:05a
01:01:05single
01:01:06toast.
01:01:08Sunday,
01:01:09nine
01:01:09in the
01:01:09morning.
01:01:11Mr.
01:01:12Higgins,
01:01:12the
01:01:13Holcomb
01:01:13family's
01:01:14old
01:01:14butler
01:01:14called.
01:01:15Madam,
01:01:16Mrs.
01:01:16Holcomb
01:01:17is
01:01:17screaming.
01:01:18She
01:01:18told me
01:01:19to beg
01:01:19you for
01:01:19severance.
01:01:22I served
01:01:22this family
01:01:23for 20
01:01:23years.
01:01:24I helped
01:01:25you with
01:01:25the
01:01:25transport
01:01:26manifest,
01:01:26so you
01:01:27have to
01:01:27give me
01:01:27something.
01:01:28You
01:01:29signed that
01:01:29because you
01:01:30had to.
01:01:31It has
01:01:31nothing to
01:01:32do with
01:01:32me.
01:01:33I set
01:01:33the phone
01:01:34on the
01:01:34table,
01:01:34then I
01:01:35called
01:01:35Nina and
01:01:36had her bring
01:01:36the kitchen
01:01:37maid into
01:01:37the room.
01:01:38Zoe,
01:01:39I'm
01:01:40raising
01:01:40your pay
01:01:40because
01:01:41you
01:01:41were
01:01:41loyal,
01:01:42because
01:01:43you
01:01:43never
01:01:44leaked
01:01:44anything
01:01:45from
01:01:45day
01:01:45one.
01:01:46Here's
01:01:47cash.
01:01:50She
01:01:50took
01:01:51that
01:01:51envelope.
01:01:52I
01:01:52could
01:01:52hear
01:01:53Higgins
01:01:53breathing
01:01:54on the
01:01:54other
01:01:54end
01:01:54of
01:01:55the
01:01:55line.
01:01:56On
01:01:56Tuesday
01:01:57morning,
01:01:57a black
01:01:58sedan
01:01:59idled in
01:01:59the
01:01:59driveway.
01:02:01Alistair
01:02:01stood
01:02:02under
01:02:02the
01:02:02portico
01:02:03in a
01:02:04new
01:02:04but
01:02:04ill-fitting
01:02:05suit,
01:02:05hair
01:02:06cropped
01:02:06short,
01:02:07two
01:02:07leather
01:02:07cases
01:02:08beside
01:02:08him.
01:02:09It
01:02:09was
01:02:09the
01:02:09day
01:02:10of
01:02:10his
01:02:10exile,
01:02:10but
01:02:11he
01:02:11seemed
01:02:12a
01:02:12little
01:02:12happy.
01:02:14Uncle
01:02:14Stella,
01:02:15thank you
01:02:15for getting
01:02:15me the
01:02:16spot.
01:02:16Switzerland
01:02:17is
01:02:17cold.
01:02:18Did
01:02:18you
01:02:18pack
01:02:19enough
01:02:19scarves?
01:02:20Yes.
01:02:21I'll
01:02:22come
01:02:22back.
01:02:22I
01:02:23won't
01:02:23act
01:02:23like
01:02:23Jameson.
01:02:24I'll
01:02:25prove
01:02:25myself.
01:02:26Then
01:02:27learn
01:02:27something
01:02:27real.
01:02:29Learn
01:02:29how to
01:02:30read a
01:02:30balance
01:02:30sheet.
01:02:32Don't
01:02:33flash
01:02:33your
01:02:33last
01:02:33name.
01:02:34Flash
01:02:35your
01:02:35skill.
01:02:38Addison
01:02:38stood at
01:02:38the
01:02:39second
01:02:39floor
01:02:39window.
01:02:40She
01:02:41didn't
01:02:41come
01:02:41down.
01:02:42She
01:02:43was
01:02:43afraid
01:02:43people
01:02:44would
01:02:44see
01:02:44her
01:02:44crying.
01:02:46Jameson
01:02:46emerged
01:02:47from the
01:02:47side
01:02:47door
01:02:48in a
01:02:48wrinkled
01:02:48bathrobe.
01:02:49He
01:02:50stared
01:02:50at the
01:02:50sedan
01:02:51at my
01:02:52hands
01:02:53straightening
01:02:53Alistair's
01:02:54tie.
01:03:00You're
01:03:00happy he's
01:03:01leaving.
01:03:02One more
01:03:02problem
01:03:02packed off.
01:03:04That
01:03:05problem
01:03:05has
01:03:05temperature
01:03:06controlled
01:03:06heating in
01:03:06the
01:03:06Alps
01:03:07and a
01:03:07desk
01:03:08with a
01:03:08lake
01:03:08view
01:03:08and
01:03:09you
01:03:09are
01:03:10still
01:03:10in the
01:03:10mail
01:03:10room.
01:03:11time.
Comments