The Cruelty Of His Scheme - Ep - FULL ✅ #fullmovie #engsub #tvseries #trending2026 #dramaseries #romancemovies #fullhd
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00:00Yesterday, I was the joke of Los Angeles.
00:03My husband Jackson auctioned my dead mother's shame photos.
00:06Everyone knew I was too broke to lift a finger.
00:08They laughed at my face.
00:10They took bets on when my studio would collapse.
00:13And Jackson orchestrated gavel came down.
00:16Opening bid, 160,000 per set.
00:21Minimum raise, 80,000.
00:24In less than 60 seconds, we were past 800 grand.
00:28Everyone was watching.
00:30Waiting for my crash.
00:31Then I took one slow breath, raised my hand.
00:33Looked the auctioneer in the eye.
00:35And said the words that changed everything.
00:38Unlimited bidding.
00:40Those photos flashing on the giant screen.
00:43The exact ones I've spent years trying to burn out of my brain.
00:47Every big shot in Los Angeles was packed into that room.
00:50Sipping drinks and passing judgment like it was casual Friday.
00:54I heard someone mutter.
00:56Her mom used to be the star attraction at the Pleasure Hallis.
00:59Dad was the guy downstairs collecting the cash.
01:02Another voice chimed in.
01:04Who would have guessed?
01:06LA's hottest young designer came from that kind of family?
01:10And then the killer line.
01:13Talent clearly runs in the blood.
01:15Mr. Stainberg kept that side of things quiet.
01:18No wonder he's living so comfortably.
01:19All the business buddies shot these knowing looks at Jackson.
01:23I stood there frozen.
01:24Hands and feet ice cold.
01:26Nails digging so deep into my palms I could feel the sting.
01:29I turned to look at my husband, the man I shared a bed with every single night.
01:33And there he was.
01:34Lounging back.
01:35Jesse curled against his chest like she belonged there.
01:38Batting her lashes at me with that smug little victory smile.
01:41Jackson just smirked.
01:43Slow and lazy.
01:45Each page sells separately.
01:47Highest bidder gets the private drive.
01:50Full videos.
01:51Every single client your mom entertained over the years.
01:53The room exploded.
01:54Applause.
01:55Cheers.
01:56A couple of whistles like we were at some twisted comedy show.
01:59Jackson pulled Jesse closer.
02:01Stood up.
02:02And strolled over to me.
02:03Looking down like I was mildly entertaining.
02:08Baby.
02:09He drawled.
02:10This is your big moment.
02:12Time to start raising that paddle.
02:15Don't worry.
02:17Jesse won't steal the spotlight tonight.
02:19Everyone smelled drama and crowded and tighter.
02:22Phones half raised like they were waiting for the money shot.
02:24Some guy in the back couldn't resist.
02:27Come on Jackson.
02:28He called out.
02:28Grinning.
02:29Last auction you straight up told us to choke her studio.
02:34We did.
02:35She can't even afford to lift her hand once.
02:39Never mind five hundred times.
02:41Laughter rolled through the room.
02:43Jackson shrugged.
02:44Playing innocent.
02:46Hey that was just me.
02:48Being dramatic.
02:49Didn't think you guys would actually.
02:51Go through with it.
02:52My bad.
02:53He paused.
02:54Then added with a shrug.
02:55Guess my mother-in-law's photos.
02:57Are gonna end up in someone else's private collection.
03:02I stared at him.
03:03Stunned.
03:04Then I shot to my feet.
03:06You told people to sabotage my studio behind my back?
03:10My voice cracked.
03:12Do you have any idea?
03:14I've poured every last dollar I had just to keep the lights on.
03:19I even mortgaged my mom's bracelet to pay my staff.
03:23The whole place burst out laughing.
03:24Like I just told the punchline of the year.
03:27Someone yelled.
03:28Jackson.
03:29You gonna sponsor your wife a little?
03:31Come on.
03:33He gave that helpless, charming shrug everyone used to love.
03:39She's the picture of independence.
03:41Insists on doing it all with her own skills.
03:45Unlimited bidding and everything.
03:47Tough girl.
03:48Daughter of a gangster, after all.
03:50Another voice jumped in.
03:52True!
03:53Remember that $13 million bracelet?
03:57She claimed it without even blinking.
03:59Can't wait to see what she pulls off tonight.
04:02The auction bell rang.
04:07Everyone filed back to their seats.
04:09Checking their paddle numbers like it was assigned seating at a wedding.
04:12As they passed me, half of them didn't even bother hiding the smirks.
04:16Little side eyes.
04:17Tiny snickers.
04:19Real classy.
04:20The last six months.
04:21Every dollar I could touch had been frozen, tied up, or quietly strangled.
04:26Every single person in that room could outbid me without blinking.
04:29Just one lazy flick of the wrist.
04:31They weren't just rich.
04:33They were asterisk untouchable asterisk rich.
04:35And Jackson knew it better than anybody.
04:37He also knew exactly what would happen if even one of those photo books leaked.
04:41I'd be finished.
04:43Done.
04:43Worse is my mom and dad, already gone.
04:46I'd get dragged through the mud all over again.
04:50Endless jokes, dot memes, cruel comments.
04:52People would treat their deaths like entertainment.
04:55It felt like someone had me on a spit, turning slowly over an open flame.
04:59No exit.
05:00No air.
05:03I grew up in those fancy schools.
05:05The kind with uniforms that cost more than most people's rent.
05:08Top tutors thought summer programs in Europe.
05:10The whole package.
05:12I worked my ass off.
05:14Chased the dream.
05:15Actually caught it.
05:16People started looking at me with envy instead of pity.
05:19I finally made it.
05:20And the night I hit that peak.
05:22That was the night mom and dad locked every door.
05:24Lit the charcoal brazier in the living room.
05:27And quietly ended it.
05:28They left a note.
05:29Short.com, basically.
05:31We're not letting our past ruin everything you built.
05:34Go be brilliant.
05:36They died so I could pretend I was born on third base like the rest of these people.
05:40And now Jackson was torching the whole damn thing.
05:43Someone in the crowd muttered, loud enough for me to hear.
05:48Yeah, who's got time for her little sob story?
05:51If she's broke, just admit it.
05:54We came for the porn videos.
05:57Jackson's eyes turned to slits.
05:59His voice came out low.
06:01I scold.
06:02Get.
06:03The hell.
06:05Out.
06:05The room went dead quiet.
06:07Like someone hit mute.
06:08I turned, kept my spine straight, and walked out.
06:11Forced my legs to move.
06:13Straight into the restroom.
06:14Door shut.
06:16I leaned against the sink, yanked my phone out, and texted the studio's finance girl.
06:21Transfer every cent we've got left.
06:23Right now.
06:24It wasn't nothing, but compared to what it would take to buy up every single one of those
06:29albums.
06:29A teaspoon in the ocean.
06:31Mom spent her whole life protecting me.
06:33Mom took every hit so I wouldn't have to.
06:36Mom's past wasn't pretty, sure.
06:38But she still raised me to walk into any room like I belonged there.
06:41Head high dot shoulders back.
06:43That thought cracked something open inside me.
06:45Tears just started falling.
06:47Couldn't stop them.
06:49Didn't even try.
06:49And right there, blurry through the crying, my eyes landed on a number I'd had saved in
06:54my contacts four years.
06:57The restroom smelled like bleach and old perfume.
07:00A faucet somewhere dripped.
07:02I stared at the screen until my vision blurred.
07:05Thumb hovering over that number.
07:07Then I just.
07:08Tapped it.
07:09Mom's voice popped into my head.
07:10One last time.
07:12Clear as anything.
07:13Once you decide, baby.
07:15Don't look back.
07:17Ten minutes later I walked back into the auction hall.
07:19Heads turned, whispers rippled.
07:21I lifted my eyes and locked straight onto Jackson across the sea of people.
07:25For half a second something ugly flashed in his face.
07:28Something dark.
07:29Something almost scared.
07:31Gone in a blink.
07:32The smirk slid right back into place.
07:34He tilted his head.
07:35Pinched Jesse's cheek like she was his favorite toy.
07:38Gave me a lazy side eye.
07:40Then leaned in and kissed her deep.
07:42Right there.
07:43In front of everybody.
07:46Jackson murmured loud enough for me to hear.
07:49Baby.
07:50Tonight, I'm gonna make sure you're real satisfied.
07:54Every little thing they've done to you, I'll make them pay ten times over.
07:59Trust me.
08:00I looked away, face blank.
08:02Nothing left to give him.
08:03I walked back to my seat, sat down, and said calm, like I was ordering coffee.
08:08Thanks for waiting, everyone.
08:10We can start now.
08:11The auctioneer flicked a quick glance at Jackson.
08:14Jackson gave the tiniest nod.
08:16Gavel cracked.
08:18First set of albums popped up on the screen.
08:20Ten photos per set.
08:21My mom's face.
08:22Her body.
08:23Her shame.
08:24All of it laid bare.
08:25No blur.
08:26No mercy.
08:27Everyone could see.
08:28My phone buzzed against my thigh.
08:30Jackson's message lit up the screen.
08:33If you kneel right now and apologize to Jesse in front of the whole room, I'll buy every
08:37single one of these and take them home.
08:40No one else will ever see them.
08:43I let one corner of my mouth twitch.
08:46Just barely.
08:47Then I held down the power button.
08:49Screen went black done.
08:51Auctioneer's voice cut through.
08:52Opening bid, $160,000 per set.
08:57Minimum raise, $80,000.
08:59Less than 60 seconds later, we were already over $800,000.
09:03My phone kept buzzing.
09:06More of Jackson's little love notes popping up one after another.
09:10I didn't even look.
09:11Everyone around me was watching like it was the best reality show they'd seen all year.
09:15Smirks.
09:16Phone cameras angled my way.
09:18They were waiting for the crash.
09:19Waiting for me to hit bottom and keep falling.
09:22I took a slow breath.
09:23Raised my hand.
09:24Looked straight at the auctioneer.
09:26And said it clear.
09:27Word by word.
09:29Those all.
09:31Unlimited bidding.
09:34Gasps hissed through the room like air leaking from a tire.
09:37Damn, she's got guts.
09:39Someone muttered.
09:40Sullivan just doesn't know when to quit.
09:42Another voice, louder.
09:44Last time she couldn't even get a secondary card out of Staincroc.
09:47Now her studio's basically dead.
09:49She's got nothing.
09:50And she's still putting on this little performance?
09:53I turned my head slow.
09:55Locked eyes with Jackson.
09:57No blinking.
09:57No backing down.
09:59The cruel amusement in his stare hit like the last shove before you fall off a cliff.
10:03Jessie leaned in close.
10:05Her red lips grazing his ear.
10:07Voice all syrup and poison.
10:08Look at her, Jackson.
10:10Still trying to fight you.
10:12Face on the line in front of everybody.
10:14And she'd rather humiliate herself than just admit she's wrong.
10:18Jackson kept his eyes on me.
10:20Calm, almost bored.
10:21Like he was watching a street performer who'd overstayed their set.
10:26Jackson turned to Jessie, cupped her face with fake tenderness.
10:30Kissed her slow, right in front of me.
10:32Well then.
10:33He drawled, lazy and cruel.
10:35Let's just watch.
10:36See how far she gets before she's tapped out and still can't pay.
10:40Jackson paused.
10:41Let the words hang.
10:42If it gets that bad, she can always follow in her mom's footsteps.
10:46Strip down.
10:47Sell herself off.
10:48A small, mean laugh.
10:50I doubt anyone's lining up.
10:53Seconds after I've already worn her out.
10:55The auctioneer's face went blank professional.
10:58He had to ask Dot Protocol.
10:59If you're serious about unlimited bidding, Miss Sullivan?
11:05You'll need to register with the house and verify funds.
11:08We have to confirm you can cover it.
11:10My jaw locked so hard my teeth ached.
11:13Whole body felt hollowed out.
11:15Like someone had reached in and scooped everything vital.
11:18Eyes burning.
11:19Tears right there.
11:20But I refused to let them fall.
11:21No problem.
11:23Voice shook just a little, barely.
11:26A loud snort cut the air.
11:28One guy stood up, leaned over his seat.
11:30Staring me down like I was roadkill.
11:32Come on, Sullivan.
11:33Drop the act.
11:35That joke of a company?
11:36We're the ones who placed bets on bearing it.
11:39We know exactly how broke you are.
11:42Dragging this out isn't fooling a soul.
11:46Laughter exploded again.
11:47Sharp, mean, rolling.
11:49My chest felt like it was splitting open.
11:51I looked straight at Jackson.
11:52He stared back.
11:53No flinch.
11:54Just that smug, empty calm.
11:56What?
11:57About to beg now?
12:00Sorry, sweetheart.
12:02Sorry, sweetheart.
12:03Too late.
12:04He turned to the auctioneer like he was doing everyone a favor.
12:08If she wants to put on a show, let's give her the stage.
12:13You guys got time, right?
12:15More knowing chuckles.
12:17Of course.
12:18Someone yelled from the back.
12:19This is why we showed up.
12:21Good drinks, good seats, and free entertainment.
12:25If the clown wants to keep juggling, who are we to walk out?
12:30I ripped my gaze away, shut my eyes for one second hard, then forced my legs to move up
12:36the steps.
12:37Onto the stage, I pulled up the digital card on my phone, handed it over to the attendant
12:42who'd climbed up with the card reader.
12:43Down below, the crowd was buzzing, pointing, whispering like we were at a circus sideshow.
12:51She's hilarious.
12:52One woman's voice carried across the room.
12:55Better actress than half the girls at the clubs.
12:58Like mother, like daughter, that kind of talent definitely runs in the family.
13:02Another voice.
13:03Look at her hands, they're shaking like leaves.
13:06Bet she'll collapse the second that balance comes up empty.
13:09Right then, Jessie piped up, all fake sweetness, cutting through the noise like she was doing
13:14everyone a favor.
13:15Oh, come on, gentlemen, that's enough.
13:17Can't you see Nicole's about to cry?
13:19She's still a woman.
13:20She's got her pride.
13:22You keep pushing like this, and of course she's gonna drag herself up on stage.
13:27Honestly, I kinda get it.
13:30Jackson let out this soft, amused laugh.
13:34She treats you like trash, and you're still defending her?
13:39You're such a little fool.
13:40The room jumped right in to kiss her ass.
13:43Look at Missy's Kruger.
13:45That's what a real lady from a good family looks like.
13:48We've been saying it forever.
13:50Jackson never should have married Nicole, just because he pitied her.
13:54That one weak moment cost him the perfect match.
13:58Good thing it's not too late.
14:00Kicking that bitch's bastard kid to the curb?
14:04Best move he's ever made.
14:06I stood up there on the stage, looking down at every single face until my eyes landed on
14:10Jessie's smug little grin.
14:12I let out a short, ugly laugh, sharp enough to cut.
14:15A lady?
14:17You're calling her a lady?
14:18Since when does a real lady sneak around seducing someone else's husband with zero shame?
14:25As far as I'm concerned, she's dirtier than any hooker on the street.
14:32Jackson's voice dropped dot cold as ice.
14:35Nicole, I'm warning you, watch your mouth.
14:38I laughed again, bitter and hollow, yeah.
14:40I believed him, completely.
14:42All of this the photos, the sabotage, the public shredding was because I dared to take
14:46back something that was my mom's.
14:48I'd stolen Jessie's spotlight for five seconds.
14:51And Jackson had built this whole circus just to crush me for it.
14:55What would he do next time?
14:56I didn't even want to picture it, but honestly, it didn't matter anymore.
15:00Whatever scraps of love I'd still had for him, burned clean away.
15:03The only thing keeping me upright right now was the fire they'd lit under me.
15:07Nothing else he could do would hurt worse than this.
15:09I turned back to the hostess with the card reader.
15:12Gave her the tiniest, coldest smile.
15:14Well what are you waiting for?
15:16Run it.
15:18The pause machine beeped once, twice, the whole room the sneers, the chuckles, the whispers
15:24went dead silent.
15:25Every eye locked on that little screen, they were practically salivating.
15:29Waiting for the number to flash up small and pathetic so they could laugh all over again.
15:33But the hostess's smug look slowly cracked.
15:36Her eyes widened.
15:38Mouth parted just a little.
15:39I bit my lip hard.
15:41Clenched my fists to stop the shaking.
15:43Swallowed the burn in my throat and asked quiet.
15:46What's result?
15:47She didn't answer, just stood there frozen for what felt like forever.
15:51Then she shot a nervous glance at the auctioneer.
15:54Like help.
15:55He leaned over, looked at the screen.
15:57His bored, half-lidded eyes snapped wide.
16:00A second later he jerked his head toward Jackson.
16:03Mr. Mr. Steinberg.
16:06Jackson caught the shift instantly, brows furrowed.
16:10What?
16:11Number two embarrassing to say out loud?
16:13Jackson chuckled, waving it off.
16:16Come on, don't hold back on my account.
16:20Everyone here knows I'm not that sensitive.
16:22The crowd chimed in, all fake cheer.
16:26Exactly!
16:28We've been buddies with Jackson for years!
16:30Just spit it out!
16:31They were still grinning, still buzzing with that ugly excitement.
16:35Still waiting for me to crash and burn.
16:37The auctioneer let out a long sigh.
16:39Then picked up his phone and plugged it into the data cable on his podium.
16:43Upon verification, Mrs. Sullivan has more than enough funds to make the unlimited bidding.
16:50The auction may proceed as normal.
16:53As soon as he finished speaking, the big screen lit up, projecting my phone interface for all to see.
16:58The balance showed a number with ten digits.
17:07Jackson stared hard at the figure, completely frozen.
17:11Didn't Mr. Steinberg cancel all of Nicole's secondary cards?
17:15Where did this money come from?
17:18Don't tell me these two planned this together and are just playing us for fools.
17:22In an instant, the crowd's excitement twisted into suspicion.
17:25Everyone turned to Jackson.
17:27The glee they'd shown earlier was replaced by open doubt.
17:30Jessie could no longer maintain her demure facade.
17:33Her shrill voice rang out like nails on a chalkboard.
17:36Jackson, what is going on?
17:38You told me you'd put her in her place.
17:41Why does she still have this much money?
17:43Did you lie to me?
17:45You owe me an explanation.
17:47Irritated, Jackson shoved Jessie aside and stormed up to the auction platform like a caged beast ready to snap.
17:53He grabbed my wrist in a vice-like grip, his eyes dark and furious, like he wanted to drill a
17:58hole straight through me.
18:00Nicole, what did you do?
18:03I lowered my gaze, glanced at Jackson, then curled my lips into a cold smirk.
18:09In the next moment, I yanked my wrist out of his grasp.
18:12My voice was calm and unwavering.
18:14I'm keeping unlimited bidding for all the items in this auction.
18:17You can all decide for yourselves if it's worth draining your liquidity over things that, frankly, have nothing to do
18:23with you.
18:24Everyone in the room scattered quickly.
18:26As they left, they shot accusatory glares at Jackson.
18:29Convinced that the two of us had teamed up to trap them in a cash flow crisis.
18:33It was a trap but the real target was never me.
18:36Jackson was left speechless, unable to explain.
18:39Only after the crowd had completely cleared did he turn to me, eyes burning with rage.
18:43Like a wild animal on the verge of attacking, he marched up to me, yanked me off the stage with
18:48brute force.
18:49Jessie was sobbing uncontrollably behind him, only adding to his frustration.
18:55Jackson poured all of that fury onto me, gripping my wrist so tightly it felt like he was trying to
19:01snap it in two.
19:02Nicole!
19:03What dirty deal did you make behind my back?
19:06Who did you sell yourself to?
19:10I looked up at him cold.
19:12Then, without warning, I raised my phone and smashed it against his chest with everything I had.
19:18You want to know who I am?
19:20I laughed soft at first, then tinged with rising madness and despair.
19:26Crazy?
19:27You're damn right I'm crazy!
19:29I went crazy the moment you exposed my mother's most private secrets!
19:34I went crazy when you knew exactly what I'd been through, and still used my deepest pern to tear me
19:40apart!
19:41I went crazy the second you started using every underhanded, vile trick you could think of to get back at
19:47me!
19:48For another woman!
19:49I stepped toward him, slowly but deliberately, tears brimming in my eyes.
19:55Jessie flinched and tried to back away, but I was never going to let her off that easy.
20:23Jessie looked up at me, face full of horror, completely falling apart.
20:31Nicole, what are you trying to do?
20:34Jackson! Help me!
20:37Jackson gritted his teeth, fighting through the pain.
20:40He rushed forward and shoved me away with all his strength.
20:43I wasn't prepared.
20:45I hit the ground hard.
20:47The back of my head cracked against the edge of the stage steps.
20:50A wave of dizziness hit me.
20:52I felt the pressure surge through my nose, even though I'd long since given up on Jackson.
20:58That moment still struck like a fist to the chest.
21:04Jackson came at me again, grabbing me by the shoulders.
21:08His blood dripped onto my face, thick and metallic, the scent making me nauseous.
21:15Nicole!
21:16He growled, eyes dark with fury.
21:19I don't care how insane you've become!
21:21If you ever lay another hand on Jessie again, I swear I'll make you pay for it a hundred times
21:27over!
21:30I could feel the pressure tightening around my neck.
21:33The air around me was growing thinner by the second.
21:37Just when I thought I might die here today, a sudden commotion erupted at the entrance.
21:42A team of bodyguards burst in, storming straight toward us.
21:46Before anyone could react, one of them kicked Jackson square in the chest, sending him flying.
21:52He hit the ground hard, I even heard the sickening crack of bone.
21:58Jackson trembled from the pain, unable to say a word before he passed out cold.
22:07Jessie froze in shock.
22:10The Kruger family might have been a prominent family, but she'd never seen anything like this.
22:17Jessie stood there like a statue, watching as someone gently helped me up and escorted me out of the auction
22:24hall.
22:26The crowd at the entrance parted to make way.
22:30I never looked back.
22:32Outside the auction room, a car was already waiting.
22:36Black, sleek, the kind of car that costs more than most people make in a decade.
22:43The bodyguards walked me to the car.
22:47Made sure I was inside safely.
22:50Shut the door.
22:52Headed to the vehicle behind.
22:53A man put down his phone and looked up at me.
22:58Taking in my disheveled, pitiful state.
23:04He let out a barely audible sigh.
23:08You are just like your mother.
23:12Tears streamed down my face.
23:15A wave of emotion I couldn't hold back surged forward.
23:19My poor mother had been forced to sell her body just to support me.
23:23It wasn't until she met my adoptive father that she finally found a tiny, stable corner of the world to
23:29call her own.
23:30To everyone else, I was just the daughter of a whore.
23:34Anyone could throw that past in my face to hurt me.
23:37But no one knew that the man sitting across from me, this elegant, poised man with a natural air of
23:44nobility, was my biological father Jordan Fletcher.
23:47When he saw my tears, his expression softened.
23:51I know I failed your mother.
23:54But back then, I wasn't in control of my life either.
23:59The Fletcher family kept me under strict watch.
24:02I had no freedom.
24:05I didn't even know my family had done such awful things to her.
24:13They left her with no choice but to make that decision.
24:16But Nicole, whether you believe me or not, I regret it.
24:19I do.
24:21And I truly want to make things right.
24:24I quietly looked away, turning my gaze to the window.
24:29My expression was blank, eyes cold and lifeless.
24:32Deep down, I felt nothing but numbness.
24:35Both my mother and I had placed our trust in a man's promises.
24:39And in the end, this was what we got.
24:42I calmly accepted all of Jordan's support.
24:46That's when I learned he and his wife had been married four years but never had children.
24:51I made a grand public return to the Fletcher family.
24:54They invited high-profile figures from every corner of society to the ceremony.
24:59Including Jackson, who had recently been discharged from the hospital.
25:04The moment Jackson stepped into the venue with Jesse and spotted me.
25:08He let go of her and headed straight in my direction.
25:12He grabbed my arm, dragged me into a quiet corner.
25:20What are you doing here?
25:23Nicole, don't tell me the reason you had money at the auction was because you became that old Fletcher guy's
25:29mistress?
25:30Have you no shame?
25:32You're nothing but a whore!
25:36As soon as Jackson said it, he tried to pull me away, not even sparing Jesse a glance.
25:42I yanked my arm out of his grip, gave a cold, mocking glance in Jesse's direction, then sneered.
25:53Jackson, who the hell do you think you are to tell me what to do?
25:58What's that supposed to mean?
26:00We haven't even divorced yet!
26:02You're still my wife!
26:05Oh, so now you remember I'm your wife?
26:09Funny, because I thought you had amnesia.
26:13Parading around with your mistress, hurting me for her.
26:17Did it ever cross your mind then that I was still your wife?
26:20Jackson swallowed his anger, lowered his voice.
26:24Stop making a scene.
26:26I was just mad because you embarrassed me in public.
26:31It wasn't entirely for Jesse's sake.
26:34Honestly, if you'd just backed down that day, I never would have let those photos leak.
26:39Not a single one.
26:42I couldn't hold back a laugh.
26:47And what if I refused to back down?
26:49Jackson, what makes you think I'd ever give in to the woman you cheated with?
26:55What do you take me for?
26:57Jackson was completely stunned by my words.
27:00His face darkened, but he had no comeback.
27:03I didn't bother with him anymore and turned to leave.
27:05But of course he refused to let go.
27:07He grabbed my wrist tightly, still unwilling to give up.
27:11No matter what, you're still my wife.
27:14You're coming home with me.
27:15Just then, the sound of a microphone rang out from the stage,
27:19and Jordan's deep, steady voice filled the room.
27:23The purpose of tonight's gathering
27:26is to introduce someone very important to me,
27:30my long-lost daughter.
27:31As he spoke, his gaze swept over the crowd and landed squarely on me.
27:37More than half the people in the room had attended the auction that day.
27:42Their eyes widened in disbelief.
27:44As they followed Jordan's line of sight, right to me,
27:48Jordan gave a small, calm smile, and continued.
27:52Please welcome my daughter.
27:58With everyone watching, I walked step by step toward the stage.
28:04Once I was up there, I turned around and smiled at the crowd.
28:10I'm not someone who forgives and forgets.
28:14So if you're smart, you'll start being very careful from now on.
28:18It was a naked threat, and everyone heard it loud and clear.
28:22One by one, the guests lowered their heads, scrambling to distance.
28:27They all claimed they'd forgotten the past,
28:30that they couldn't remember anything that happened.
28:33Before Anne certainly wouldn't speak of it to anyone.
28:36Jordan nodded in satisfaction.
28:40Jordan turned his attention to Jackson.
28:44I hear Mr. Stainberg has already moved on to someone new.
28:49My daughter will not marry a man like that.
28:52Consider the marriage over.
28:54I'll be choosing a more suitable husband for her.
28:57I ask that you cooperate and complete the paperwork as soon as possible.
29:01Jackson stared at me, dot-dazed,
29:03like he hadn't fully processed what Jordan had just said.
29:06It was like he'd lost his mind.
29:08Jackson refused to get divorced.
29:10I refused to get divorced.
29:11And even went so far as to fire Jesse.
29:14But trouble was closing in fast.
29:16The business people who'd attended the auction with him already suspected.
29:21Jackson had rigged the event to drain their cash flow.
29:24Now that I had officially rejoined the Fletcher family,
29:27they saw an opportunity, one by one.
29:30They turned on the Stainbrook family.
29:33The next time I saw Jackson,
29:35he was walking out of his office building.
29:37His suit jacket was slung over one arm.
29:39His tie hung crooked across his shoulder.
29:41His shirt was a mess of wrinkles.
29:43Deep, dark circles ringed his eyes.
29:45But the moment he spotted me,
29:47they lit up with hope.
29:48He rushed over.
29:51Nicole, the Fletcher family have kept you so well protected.
29:54I couldn't even get a glimpse of you.
29:56But now you're here.
29:58I knew it.
29:59I knew you still had feelings for me.
30:01I've already fired Jesse.
30:02She won't come between us again.
30:04Just give me one more chance, please.
30:07Help me save the company.
30:10Help us.
30:12I looked at him coldly.
30:16And for a moment,
30:18I genuinely couldn't remember what I'd ever seen in this man.
30:23Jackson, stop dreaming.
30:25I came here today for one reason.
30:28To tell you,
30:29I've already drawn up the divorce papers.
30:31All you have to do is sign.
30:33I don't want a single cent from the Stainbrook family.
30:36But if you keep pestering me,
30:38don't blame me for what happens next.
30:42Jackson still refused to let go.
30:44Nicole, please don't be so heartless.
30:46I know I was wrong.
30:48I do.
30:50He begged me desperately.
30:51It was all Jesse's fault.
30:52She messed with my head.
30:54I wasn't thinking straight.
30:56That's the only reason I treated you that way.
30:59Getting Dilu.
31:02But promise,
31:03I'll never see her again.
31:06Just forgive me, okay?
31:07Just this once?
31:10I let out a cold, humorless smile.
31:12Are you sorry?
31:13Or are you just scared because you're about to lose everything?
31:17Jackson, wake up.
31:19The moment you forced me into that corner,
31:22whatever we had was over.
31:24Jackson looked up at me in anguish,
31:26trying to say something.
31:27But before he could speak,
31:28a shrill female voice cut through the air.
31:31Jackson, you bastard!
31:32I'm pregnant with your child!
31:39Jesse came out of nowhere,
31:40dropped to her knees right in front of me.
31:47Mrs. Sullivan,
31:49you already have everything!
31:51That humiliating background of yours doesn't even matter anymore!
31:55No one in Los Angeles dares to bring it up now that Jordan's your father!
32:00So please,
32:01just stop fighting me over Jackson, alright?
32:05I'm carrying his child.
32:08My baby needs a father.
32:10Jackson's eyes widened in panic.
32:12He shoved Jesse away instinctively.
32:14I let out a snort,
32:15pulled the already prepared divorce papers from my bag,
32:18and tossed them at him.
32:20Take care of your wife and kid, Jackson.
32:24Sign the damn papers.
32:26Otherwise, whether the Stainwell group survives or not,
32:29won't be up to you.
32:31With that,
32:32I turned and walked away,
32:34behind me.
32:34The sound of them arguing and blaming each other
32:37slowly faded into the warmth of the spring breeze.
32:39But Jackson still wouldn't give up.
32:42He seemed completely convinced.
32:44I still had feelings for him.
32:46Then came the stunts one after another.
32:47He sent me flowers and gifts every day.
32:51Jackson came the most desperate move of all.
32:53He forced Jesse to terminate the pregnancy.
32:56And even had someone deliver the medical report to me,
32:59stained at the corners with fresh blood.
33:01I was disgusted.
33:03Around that time,
33:04Jordan started grooming me as the next successor of the Fletcher group.
33:07And the first challenge I set for myself was to
33:10bring down the Stainbrook group.
33:13After a series of calculated strikes,
33:16their stock plummeted.
33:17I seized the opportunity and bought up shares at rock bottom prices.
33:22Completely catching Jackson off guard.
33:26Backed into a corner and on the verge of bankruptcy,
33:29Jackson finally caved.
33:31He agreed to the divorce after the Friday market closed.
33:34We were finally, officially divorced.
33:39The day I got the divorce certificate,
33:42Jackson still tried to put on a lovesick act.
33:45The moment he started spewing that nauseating nonsense,
33:49I had to wave my hand and order my bodyguards to throw him out.
33:54That same night,
33:55I sent a dossier of dirt I'd been sitting on to the paparazzi.
33:58Within 30 minutes,
33:59the internet exploded.
34:02Stainbrook group.
34:03CEO Jackson
34:04allegedly forced girlfriend to get an abortion.
34:07Jackson Stainbrook cheated during his marriage.
34:10Mistress Jessie
34:10revealed as Kruger heiress fake innocent,
34:13real man-eater with dozens of flings.
34:15Jackson Stainbrook cheated during his marriage.
34:18The trending topics were a frenzy,
34:20and gossip-hungry netizens couldn't get enough.
34:22Jackson held a rushed press conference claiming he and Jessie were engaged,
34:26and that the abortion had been entirely her choice.
34:29Jessie also came forward,
34:31insisting she was innocent and just wanted to settle down quietly,
34:34no longer wishing to take up public resources.
34:37I shut off my phone and casually looked across the desk at the man standing before me.
34:41I chuckled.
34:42Mr. Stainbury,
34:43shouldn't you be busy planning a wedding right about now?
34:46What are you doing here?
34:49Jackson's face twisted in agony,
34:51his eyes so bloodshot they looked ready to bleed.
34:55Nicole, I love you.
34:57The moment I realized I was about to lose you for good,
34:59I was crushed with regret.
35:01As he spoke,
35:02he yanked open his shirt,
35:04exposing his chest still bruised and swollen.
35:06A tattoo,
35:07etched in angry ink,
35:09spelled my name.
35:10The sight made my stomach turn.
35:11I wanted nothing more than to plunge a knife straight through him.
35:15And yet Jackson kept going,
35:16completely convinced he was pouring out some grand romantic confession.
35:21I'm only marrying Jessie because I have no choice.
35:24Once this all blows over,
35:25I'll divorce her,
35:26I swear.
35:27That's why I had your name tattooed over my heart.
35:30To prove my loyalty.
35:34Nicole, please.
35:36Wait for me, will you?
35:38I gave a little shrug,
35:40then casually picked up a tablet from the desk.
35:42After tapping it a few times,
35:44I tossed it in front of him.
35:45Jackson glanced down in confusion,
35:48then froze.
35:49His expression shifted instantly.
35:51Staring back at him were the original account logins
35:53behind every post that had set the internet on.
35:56Fire.
35:57They were all logged in on my tablet.
35:59He turned ghostly pale.
36:01His voice cracked.
36:04It was you?
36:06Why?
36:08I gave a slow, cold smile.
36:10Because you disgust me.
36:12After Jackson's so-called marriage,
36:13life didn't exactly turn out like a fairy tale.
36:16Their screaming matches were so dramatic,
36:18they might as well have been part of an action movie.
36:20And they made frequent appearances on trending searches.
36:23The fake pregnancy scandal destroyed whatever shred of credibility Jesse had left.
36:28Jackson couldn't trust a word she said anymore.
36:31Every fight ended with him screaming about the lies.
36:33And her screaming that she did it for him.
36:38Meanwhile, my world finally quieted.
36:40I took full control of Fletcher Group.
36:44I never deluded myself into thinking.
36:47Jordan backed me because he loved me.
36:49Jordan didn't.
36:50I was just the only child he had left.
36:52And the only one.
36:53Remotely capable of inheriting the empire he'd built.
36:57So I made sure I didn't disappoint.
36:59Not only did I solidify Fletcher Group's position,
37:01but I also expanded my fashion design studio into a major force.
37:08Eventually, I edged Jordan out completely.
37:11Stripped him of all power.
37:14Moved him into a luxury nursing home where he lived off the allowance I sent every month.
37:19To my surprise, he didn't resist at all.
37:22He only muttered one sentence as I turned to leave.
37:26You are my daughter.
37:28I didn't respond.
37:30I walked away, head held high.
37:35Finally tasting the sweet satisfaction of avenging my mother.
37:40Two years later, I received an invitation to an auction.
37:44There, in the auction hall.
37:46I ran into Jackson and Jesse, ghosts of the past.
37:49They looked nothing like the powerful pair from two years ago.
37:52Ragged, hollow-eyed.
37:54Worn down by time and failure.
37:56There weren't many items up for bid that night.
37:58And they barely raised their paddles there.
38:00Business was hanging by a thread.
38:02They had almost no money left to spend.
38:07I watched them from across the room.
38:09Jackson's hand rested on Jesse's shoulder.
38:11But his eyes kept drifting toward the exit,
38:13like he was looking for someone who was never coming back.
38:16Jesse clutched her purse tight,
38:18scanning the room with paranoid jitteriness,
38:20afraid of being recognized,
38:22afraid of the whispers that followed them everywhere they went.
38:24Then, the auctioneer stepped on stage to announce the final item of the evening.
38:29A private video featuring Jesse,
38:32the beloved wife of Stainberg Group's Mr. Jackson Stainberg.
38:35The highest bidder wins.
38:37Jackson and Jesse shot to their feet.
38:39Terror struck as a series of screenshots flashed across the giant screen.
38:44Cold sweat dripped from their faces.
38:46I smiled and slowly raised my hand high in the air.
38:50Unlimited bidding.
38:51The room fell silent.
38:53Just like that first night.
38:55Except this time I wasn't the one trapped in the corner.
38:58I wasn't the one with everything to lose.
39:01Jackson's face drained of color.
39:03His mouth opened.
39:04But no sound came out.
39:06Jesse grabbed his arm, trembling.
39:09Jackson, tell her to stop.
39:11Please.
39:12He didn't move.
39:13Couldn't move.
39:14Because we both knew just like before I
39:17had every intention of following through.
39:18The gavel came down, and for the second time in my life,
39:22I owned their shame.
39:23But this time, I wasn't buying it to protect anyone.
39:26I was buying it to end them.
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