- 10 hours ago
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00:01At my engagement party, my fiancé Alex walked onto the stage holding a blonde girl's hand.
00:05Stella, Lily's apartment burned down. She has nothing left. We cannot just abandon her.
00:10You are a high society heiress who has everything. Just spare a little love for her.
00:13I was so moved that tears streamed down my face on the spot.
00:16Then I backhanded my engagement diamond ring into a champagne glass.
00:20Since you are so compassionate, I suppose adding another man to this household wouldn't be a problem either.
00:24I turned around and dialed the number of the underground king of Brooklyn.
00:27In the top floor ballroom, I was in my gown greeting the guests.
00:30The door swung open and my fiancé Alex walked in shielding his junior schoolmate Lily.
00:34Alex snatched the microphone from the MC, his voice booming throughout the hall.
00:38Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement to make.
00:40This is Lily, my most important junior schoolmate.
00:44Her apartment was destroyed in a fire last night.
00:46All her belongings were reduced to ashes and she is now homeless.
00:50Stella has always been a kind and generous woman.
00:53She will understand my decision.
00:55Starting today, Lily will move into our marital home on the Upper East State.
00:59And murmurs broke out everywhere.
01:01I looked at this man I had been in love with for three years.
01:03I had used the Rossi family's last connections and funds to help him survive three bankruptcy crises.
01:08Now he was going to shove a strange woman into my home at my own engagement party.
01:12Stella, you have everything.
01:13High society status, inexhaustible wealth, a fiancé who loves you.
01:18Sparing a little love for poor Lily is nothing for you.
01:21He reached out to take my hand, but I dodged him.
01:24Lily also came over.
01:25Her voice so soft it seemed about to melt away.
01:28Sister Stella, I won't trouble you for long.
01:30I'll move out as soon as I find a job.
01:33Senior Alex is just too kind-hearted.
01:35Please don't misunderstand him.
01:36As she spoke, she started to bow to me.
01:39Her foot suddenly twisted and her whole body stumbled toward me.
01:42The red wine in her hand splashed onto my gown.
01:44I'm sorry.
01:46I'm so sorry.
01:47She fumbled frantically, grabbing a tissue to wipe my dress.
01:50I didn't mean it.
01:51I'm really just, just so clumsy.
01:54Alex shoved me aside and steadied Lily.
01:57Stella, why didn't you catch her?
01:59She almost fell.
02:02This gown was the engagement gift you gave me, worth $200,000.
02:06Alex frowned.
02:07It's just a dress.
02:08Is it really such a big deal?
02:10Lily has lost everything and you only care about a dress?
02:12Lily clung to Alex's arm, buried her face in his shoulder, and let out suppressed sobs.
02:17Senior, I should just leave.
02:19Sister Stella doesn't like me.
02:22I don't want to ruin your relationship.
02:24Alex held her tighter and looked up to glare at me.
02:26Don't a fight.
02:27With we here, no one can drive you away.
02:29Stella, Lily is aging no couldient.
02:32Can't I want to be a more magnacy?
02:34Your usual eye manners.
02:35I smiled.
02:36I picked up another glass of red wine and poured it over Lily's blonde hair from the top.
02:40Lily shrieked.
02:42What are you doing?
02:44Stella, that's enough.
02:45I'm just helping a homeless junior schoolmate.
02:48What's wrong with that?
02:49If you want to help her, use your own money.
02:51I took off my engagement diamond ring.
02:53With a crisp sound, it fell into the champagne glass.
02:56Since you feel so sorry for her, you marry her.
02:58I'm done here.
03:00Are you crazy?
03:02Canceling the engagement over such a trivial matter?
03:04I turned and walked toward the main door.
03:06Alex shouted from behind me.
03:08Stella, if you walk that door today, your family's real estate project in N-City will
03:13be completely shut down.
03:15The banks are calling in loans and suppliers are demanding payment.
03:19Without my capital infection, you won't last the month.
03:22I stopped in my tracks.
03:23He had indeed obtained the project's financial data and knew I had already sunk all my liquid
03:27funds into it.
03:28Seeing me stop, Alex strode quickly up to me.
03:31That's more like it.
03:33Go back and apologize to Lily.
03:35I'll pretend nothing happened.
03:37He continued at a volume only the two of US could hear.
03:39Your family is no longer the Rossi empire it once was.
03:42Do you think those banks still give you face?
03:44Without me, you can't even pay tomorrow's interest.
03:51Alex threw a meaningful glance at the bodyguard in the corner.
03:54Several men in black immediately stepped forward and blocked my path.
03:57Stella, you're being too impulsive.
03:59Don't make this ugly.
04:00I don't want tomorrow's Wall Street Junesbolt headline to be a scandal about the Rossi family
04:04heiress.
04:05He lowered his voice to warn me, his tone carrying an undisguised threat.
04:08I'd hate even more for something unfortunate to happen to you on your way home.
04:12Lily walked over and naturally looped her arm through Alex's.
04:15Miss Stella, Senior Alex is doing this for your own good.
04:18A woman too strong-willed will never find happiness.
04:21You need to learn to yield.
04:23Your father is dead.
04:24Your mother is insane.
04:27If you don't behave, who would want you?
04:30I raised my hand and slapped her across the face.
04:33You dare hit me?
04:34Lily clutched her face, looking at me in disbelief.
04:37Exactly you.
04:38Alex backhanded me across the face.
04:40You dare hit her!
04:43Don't refuse a toast, only to be forced to drink a four-nitty.
04:48Do you still think you're that high and muddy heiress who could command the wind and rain?
04:52I was dragged by him into the VIP lounge.
04:55Lily followed in and locked the door behind her.
04:57Alex released his grip and shoved me down onto the sofa.
05:00He pulled out a document from inside his suit jacket and slammed it onto the coffee table.
05:03Sign it.
05:05Don't waste my time.
05:06I glanced at it.
05:07It was a gratuitous transfer agreement for the Upper East Side penthouse apartment.
05:10In the assignee column were written the names of both Alex and Lily.
05:13You want my house?
05:14Our marital home.
05:15Lily will stay in the master bedroom and you'll take the guest room.
05:18Once we're married, my name will have to be added to the deed anyway.
05:21Doing it now saves trouble.
05:22Lily spoke up from the side.
05:24Stella, just accept your fate.
05:25Senior Alex doesn't love you at all.
05:27He just needs the last remaining resources of the Rossi family.
05:30Once he drains you dry, you'll be completely useless.
05:32Sign now and at least you'll have a guest room to sleep in.
05:35Don't sign and you won't even make it out this door today.
05:38Alex pulled off the pen cap and shoved the pen into my hand.
05:41Sign.
05:41I gripped that ice cold pen tightly.
05:44Alex, this is robbery.
05:46Robbery?
05:47We're about to get married.
05:49What's yours is mine.
05:50This isn't robbery.
05:51It's resource consolidation.
05:54You think those investors value my ability?
05:57They value the Rossi family legacy you can inherit.
06:01They value what little remaining connections you have.
06:05Oh right, senior.
06:07I remember her mother left a necklace behind.
06:09I heard it's quite valuable.
06:10Almost forgot.
06:11That old silver necklace, the keepsake your mother gave you.
06:13Hand it over.
06:14No.
06:15Seeing this, Lily picked up a glass of ice water from the table and, without hesitation,
06:19threw it in my face.
06:20It's not up to you.
06:21Alex shouted outside and a bodyguard came over and roughly snatched my clutch bag from my hand.
06:25All the contents were dumped onto the coffee table.
06:28Lipstick, powder compact, wallet, cell phone, and that old silver necklace.
06:32Lily's eyes were quick, and her hand was even quicker.
06:36This is it?
06:37It looks really cheap.
06:38Don't touch it!
06:39So ugly.
06:40You treasure this kind of trash?
06:42Has the Rossi family really fallen to such poverty?
06:44That slap you gave me just now really hurt.
06:47Here's the deal.
06:48Kneel down and apologize to me, and I'll give the necklace back.
06:51Stella, it's just kneeling.
06:52Aren't you Rossi's best at this?
06:54I heard your father knelt in the bank manager's office for an entire afternoon to secure a loan
06:57back in the day.
06:58What's so hard in carrying on the family tradition?
06:59I didn't move.
07:00Lily loosened one finger.
07:02The necklace swayed in the wind.
07:03I'm counting to three.
07:04One, two, three.
07:06The necklace disappeared into the night outside the window.
07:09My mind went completely blank in an instant.
07:11I broke free from the bodyguard's hold, grabbed Lily by her blonde hair, and slammed her heart
07:15against the glass window.
07:16I'm going to kill you.
07:19Die!
07:20Die!
07:21Die!
07:24Alex rushed over, grabbed me from behind, and forcefully threw me aside.
07:28The bodyguard restrained me again.
07:30Stella!
07:31What are you doing?
07:32Lily slid to the floor, clutching her neck and coughing violently.
07:36Senior, she was going to kill me.
07:39She's a lunaturk.
07:41You bitch, you really have gone crazy.
07:43I stared at Alex's face and suddenly burst out laughing.
07:46Alex frowned.
07:47What are you laughing at?
07:48I'm laughing because you don't know what true fear is.
07:53I grabbed the fruit knife from the coffee table, turned around, and plunged it into the
07:57bodyguard's thigh.
07:58Lily shrieked and shrank into the corner.
08:00Alex's face changed drastically.
08:01You're crazy!
08:02I pulled out the knife, blood splattering onto the carpet.
08:05Hold her down!
08:06Alex yelled toward the door.
08:07The door was pushed open again, and three more bodyguards rushed in.
08:10I grabbed the glass ashtray from the coffee table and hurled it at the nearest bodyguard.
08:14Then I picked up the sharpest shard.
08:16I turned around and pressed it against my own neck.
08:18Everyone froze.
08:19Give me a phone.
08:20I stared at Alex, my voice hoarse.
08:22Alex didn't dare move.
08:23What he wanted was my money, not a murder case.
08:26Stella, put the glass down.
08:28You're bleeding.
08:28The sharp edge of the glass cut into my skin.
08:30Warm liquid trickled down my neck, staining the collar of my gown red.
08:34Alex pulled out his phone and handed it to me.
08:36Who are you calling?
08:36The police?
08:37The precinct captain for this area was drinking at my house last night.
08:40Senior, she doesn't actually know any dangerous people, does she?
08:43Impossible.
08:44Her parents died long ago.
08:45Her family business is fragmented.
08:46Her connections are just me and a few bankrupt old men.
08:48Who can she possibly call?
08:50Put down the glass.
08:52I'll take you to the hospital.
08:53I'll send you living in fiends every month from now on.
08:56Ensuring you won't starve.
08:58Enough.
08:59Stop the act.
09:00You have no trump card at all.
09:04I dialed the number I hadn't called in three years.
09:07Victor, come get me.
09:09Kill them all.
09:10A brief silence came from the other end of the line, then a voice sounded.
09:13Location.
09:13Park High at Manhattan Top Floor VIP Lounge.
09:16Five minutes.
09:18Alex's face changed.
09:20Victor?
09:20Which Victor?
09:21Victor from Brooklyn?
09:23Victor Walker?
09:24You know him?
09:24Lily grabbed Alex's sleeve.
09:26Senior, who is Victor?
09:27Did she really call someone?
09:29Do something quick.
09:31Impossible.
09:32How could you know someone from the Walker family?
09:34Your Rossi family stopped associating with the mafia long ago.
09:38I stood against the wall, my hand holding that glass shard steadily.
09:41There are still many things you don't know.
09:43Alex suddenly lunged for the landline phone in the room.
09:45I'm calling the police commissioner.
09:46There's a terrorist here.
09:47Someone is threatening my life.
09:49Yes!
09:49This is Alex.
09:50Park Hyatt Top Floor VIP Lounge.
09:52Gangsters are about to storm this place.
09:54Send SWAT immediately.
09:55They're heavily armed.
09:56It's the Walker family from Brooklyn.
09:58Stella, you're done.
10:00The police will surround this place in five minutes.
10:02Colluding with the mafia, attempted murder.
10:04These charges are enough to put you in prison for 20 years.
10:06I filmed everything of you trying to kill someone.
10:08This is all evidence.
10:09Your mother is in a mental hospital.
10:10You'll be in prison.
10:11You mother and daughter won't have to see each other, which is quite fitting.
10:13No need to waste words on her.
10:15When the police arrive, she'll regret not signing just now.
10:18Five minutes were up.
10:18There was no sound from outside.
10:21Your rescuer isn't coming.
10:22Who does Victor Weyer think he is?
10:24Would he stand up for a bankrupt heiress like you?
10:26Your little act has fallen apart, Stella.
10:28He raised his hand to look at his watch.
10:30The police will be here in two more minutes.
10:32If you kneel down and beg me now, I might drop one of the charges.
10:35Just at the instant his fingers were about to touch me, a dense volley of gunfire erupted,
10:40accompanied by the screams of bodyguards, blood spreading across the carpet.
10:43Lily's scream caught in her throat.
10:45Alex collapsed to the floor, a wet stain seeping through his crotch.
10:48A dozen men in black stormed into the room, their guns pointed uniformly at Alex and Lily.
10:52A man walked in through the gun smoke.
10:54Victor Walker, mafia godfather, also my stepbrother.
10:59His eyes swept across the room and saw the glass shard I held against my neck.
11:06Alex lay limp on the floor, looking up at Victor.
11:09Mr. Walker, this is a misunderstanding.
11:12I didn't know she was with you.
11:13I can compensate, whatever amount you want.
11:16Victor didn't look at him.
11:17He walked up to me and extended his right hand.
11:20Give me the glass.
11:21My hand began to tremble.
11:22Everything I had endured for three years, all of it surged out of my body in this moment.
11:26I placed the glass shard into his palm.
11:28You called the police.
11:29No, no, I didn't.
11:31I was joking.
11:34Mr. Walker, please don't kill me.
11:38You called the police, claiming the Brooklyn Walker family was storming the hotel with heavy
11:42weapons.
11:42This is slander.
11:43The Walker family is a legally operated enterprise.
11:45Such defamation would cause me considerable trouble.
11:48Alex froze, unable to guess what he meant.
11:50Victor waved a hand at his subordinates.
11:52Stand down.
11:53Everyone withdraw to the parking lot.
11:54A subordinate immediately took out a walkie-talkie and issued the order.
11:57All the armed men in black evacuated cleanly and completely.
12:00One minute later, the dense sound of police sirens filled the hallway.
12:06The SWAT team stormed into the room.
12:09Freeze!
12:10Everyone hands up!
12:11Alex crawled to the policeman's feet and grabbed his pant leg.
12:15Help!
12:16There were gangsters here just now.
12:19They had heavy firepower.
12:20They were going to kill me!
12:22Captain scanned the room.
12:23I stood in place, switched hands to cover my bleeding wound.
12:26Captain, please take him away.
12:28My fiancee attempted to forcibly seize my property and, along with this lady, unlawily
12:33detained me here for over 10 hours.
12:35They beat me, robbed me of my mother's keepsake, and tried to force me to sign property transfer
12:40documents.
12:41Lily screeched in retort.
12:42She's lying!
12:43She stabbed herself with the glass just now!
12:46But was betrayed by the video recording on her own phone.
12:48The captain took the phone handed to him by a subordinate.
12:51The video on the screen clearly captured her face as she threatened me, along with the line,
12:55your mother in the mental hospital.
12:56You in prison!
13:02Cuff them.
13:03Take both away.
13:13Throughout the entire process, not a single mafioso appeared on camera.
13:16Alex was arrogant and aggressive in the footage, while I leaned against the wall, neck bleeding,
13:21holding the glass shard.
13:22After watching the video, the captain waved his hand expressionlessly.
13:26Cuff them.
13:27Take both away.
13:29You're arresting the wrong person!
13:31That bitch is the mastermind!
13:33Go investigate Victor Walker!
13:34He and she are in cahoots!
13:36I made the emergency call!
13:38It was Walker who led people to storm the hotel!
13:41Go arrest him quickly!
13:42The captain holstered his pistol and walked toward Victor.
13:45Mr. Victor, thank you for your cooperation.
13:47Your front desk promptly called the police after receiving a guest's plea for help, providing
13:51the police with crucial leads.
13:52You're welcome.
13:53Assisting the police is a citizen's duty.
13:56Alex finally understood completely.
14:01Alex finally understood completely.
14:03His so-called emergency call had not been accepted at all.
14:05From the police to the hotel, everyone was on Victor's side.
14:08The call he dialed himself only confirmed that he himself was the perpetrator.
14:12Alex screamed, veins bulging on his neck.
14:14You plotted against me!
14:16You joined forces!
14:18Victor didn't look at him.
14:19The police escorted Alex and Lily out of the room.
14:22The room fell silent.
14:23Only Victor and I remained.
14:25And the glass shards and bloodstains all over the floor.
14:28The ambulance is outside.
14:29No need.
14:30Victor stepped forward, bent down, and lifted me up by the waist.
14:33I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck.
14:36My blood from my neck stained his black suit.
14:38Victor didn't stop walking, carrying me out of the lounge.
14:41What did you say three years ago when you drove me away?
14:43I said, go out and live your normal life.
14:48Then why are you here to get me now?
14:50His arms tightened a little.
14:53You called.
14:56In the hallway, those in-city socialites who had laughed at me during the engagement party
15:00were held back by police behind the cordon line.
15:02Journalists raised their cameras, flashes popping, all blocked by Victor's men.
15:06A bulletproof Rolls Royce was parked at the hotel entrance.
15:09Victor personally placed me into the back seat and sat down beside me.
15:12The car door closed, shutting out all the noise from outside.
15:16That necklace.
15:17It will be found, even if I have to search every sewer in Manhattan.
15:22Victor opened the car's medical kit and took out antiseptic pads and bandages.
15:25With one hand, he steadied my chin.
15:27With the other, he cleaned the wound on my neck.
15:30When the antiseptic touched the wound, I sharply sucked in a breath of cold air.
15:33Now you know it hurts.
15:35You were holding up pretty well just a moment ago.
15:37I reached out and snatched the cotton pad from his hand, pressing it against my own neck.
15:41That Lily, do you want to handle her yourself, or shall I?
15:44Keep her locked up for now.
15:46I'll deal with her after my wounds heal.
15:51When I woke up, it was already the afternoon of the next day.
15:54The curtains in the hospital room were drawn tightly.
15:56A clean bandage had been put on my neck,
15:58and ointment had been applied to the bruised area on my ribs.
16:01Victor sat on the sofa next to the hospital bed.
16:03He had changed into a dark gray suit, an unlit cigar between his fingers.
16:07On the side table next to him lay a document envelope and a jewelry box.
16:11Awake.
16:14I propped myself up on the mattress to sit up, a dull ache coming from my ribs.
16:18Where is this?
16:19VIP ward at Walker Hospital.
16:21Your wounds have been treated.
16:23No rib fractures, six stitches on your neck, no scarring.
16:27Victor stood up, walked to my bedside, picked up the cup from the nightstand, and handed it to me.
16:31Drink some water.
16:32I took the cup and drank some water, looking at him.
16:36Just say it directly.
16:38The corner of Victor's mouth lifted slightly.
16:40He threw the document envelope from the side table onto my blanket.
16:43Several things done overnight.
16:46Several things done overnight.
16:48First, all three of the Alex family's ongoing construction projects in N-City
16:53have been ordered to stop work due to failed fire safety inspections.
16:57They had already borrowed $1.2 billion from banks for these projects.
17:01Second, at market open this morning, the Alex family business' stock price plummeted.
17:06Their capital chain won't last more than 48 hours.
17:09Third, he picked up the jewelry box and opened its lid.
17:12I found in the air conditioner external unit below the hotel.
17:18No need to thank me.
17:20I wasn't planning to thank you.
17:22This is what you owe me from three years ago when you drove me away.
17:26I'm still holding a grudge.
17:27For a lifetime.
17:33I recuperated in the hospital room for two days.
17:36In those two days, three major suppliers of the Alex family simultaneously broke their contracts,
17:40citing commercial fraud in the partnership.
17:42Banks froze all loans to the Alex family.
17:44Alex's father was voted out of the chairman position by shareholders at the board meeting
17:48and suffered a heart attack on the spot, being rushed to the ICU.
17:51Alex himself, facing multiple charges including unlawful detention,
17:55embezzlement of property, and falsifying medical records,
17:58was formally placed under police investigation.
18:00His junior schoolmate Lily Thompson, suspected of arson to defraud insurance money and fraud,
18:05was also formally investigated.
18:07This news overwhelmingly occupied the front pages of major media outlets in N-City.
18:11Lying in the hospital bed, I read these news articles one by one,
18:14finding them utterly uninteresting.
18:18On the afternoon of the third day, Victor came.
18:20Let's go.
18:22Standing at the door of the hospital room, his jacket draped over his arm.
18:25Where to?
18:26The basement.
18:27They have 24 hours before they are formally handed over to the police.
18:31Before the transfer, do you want to see them in person?
18:33I threw off the blanket and stepped barefoot onto the floor.
18:36Of course.
18:37Alex was tied to a metal chair welded to the floor.
18:40His suit was crumpled into a ball.
18:41His tie was gone, and a large piece of his shirt sleeve had been torn off at some point,
18:45exposing his forearm.
18:47Lily was curled up in the corner.
18:49Her blonde hair was a tangled mess.
18:51Her lips deathly pale.
18:52Seeing me walk in, Alex struggled violently.
18:58Seeing me walk in, Alex struggled violently.
19:04I pulled over the chair that Victor's subordinate had brought and sat down a step
19:04and was hospitalized.
19:10The board of directors wants to outject me.
19:13All the shareholders are stumping their stocks.
19:16What did you do?
19:17Stella, you can't do this to me.
19:20Let's talk this out.
19:22Haven't we already finished talking?
19:24I'm just giving back to you what you gave me.
19:27I pulled over the chair that Victor's subordinate had brought and sat down a step away in front
19:31of him.
19:31Lily crawled over on all fours from the corner, only to be kicked in the shoulder by a nearby
19:35bodyguard, her whole body rolling back.
19:38Sister, I was wrong.
19:39I'll give Senior back to you.
19:42Of course.
19:43I truly know I was wrong.
19:45Please, please let me go.
19:48I kicked away her grasping hand.
19:49Don't touch me.
19:51And don't call me sister.
19:53I stood up, took a document from Victor's hand, and threw it in front of Lily.
20:00Lily Thompson, I've thoroughly investigated everything about you.
20:04Lily looked at the documents on the floor, and the last vestige of color drained completely
20:08from her face.
20:09You are not a victim at all.
20:12You set fire to your own apartment to defraud a large insurance payout.
20:16You also owe two million in gambling debts to an underground casino in Brooklyn.
20:20Your loanharks have been looking for you for a long time.
20:25With every sentence I spoke, Lily's face grew paler.
20:28Your loanharks have been looking for you for three months.
20:32I have now informed them of your location.
20:36When the police release you, they will take over you.
20:41You targeted Alex because he's stupid.
20:43He's gullible.
20:45You thought a wealthy heir who could be manipulated by me was your best AT.
20:49I turned my head to look at Alex, who sat dumbfounded in his chair.
20:53You thought she loved you?
20:54She loved your money.
20:55Your title as heir.
20:57You, for this piece of trash, destroyed a seven-year relationship, destroyed the last
21:01remaining goodwill between our two families.
21:03Alex looked at Lily in disbelief.
21:05His lips began to tremble.
21:06You lied to me?
21:09You slut!
21:12You told me it was Stella who framed you!
21:15You said you were the victim all along!
21:18I walked up to Alex.
21:20And another thing.
21:21You thought I didn't know what your father did back then.
21:24To swallow the Rossi family's core assets, your father forged a psychiatric evaluation
21:28report, colluded with St. Mary's Mental Hospital, and forcibly locked my mother up.
21:33To coerce her into signing asset transfer documents, they drugged her, gave false diagnosis, and
21:38eventually overdosed her.
21:40Alex's lips began to tremble.
21:41No.
21:42My dad did all that.
21:44It has nothing to do with me, Stella.
21:46Of course you knew.
21:48My voice was very calm.
21:51You knew three years ago when I had my first date with you.
21:58You even discussed it with your father, planning that after you married me, you would gain full
22:04control of my mother's trust fund, and then kick me out of the picture.
22:09Alex's face turned completely ashen.
22:11His most secret scheme had been exposed.
22:13You thought I married you for love.
22:15I took a silenced pistol from Victor's hand.
22:17I married you because I've been waiting.
22:20Waiting to collect all the evidence.
22:23Waiting for an opportunity to take down both you and your father in one fell swoop.
22:28Now that time has come.
22:30I raised the pistol and aimed at his left leg.
22:35The muffled gunshot echoed in the basement.
22:38Alex screamed.
22:39A bloody hole appeared in his left leg, blood flowing down his calf onto the concrete floor.
22:43This shot is for that kick you gave me.
22:45I moved the muzzle, aiming at his right knee.
22:47This shot is for what your father did to my mother.
22:50Alex couldn't even scream anymore.
22:51He convulsed violently in the chair, making incoherent gurgling sounds from his throat,
22:56white foam oozing from the corner of his mouth.
22:57I walked up to Lily.
22:59She was already scared witless, pupils dilated, unable to speak.
23:03I lifted her chin with the still hot barrel of the gun.
23:05My mother's keepsake left to me.
23:08You threw it from the 50th floor.
23:15I moved the gun barrel away from under her chin, stepped back, and turned to Victor.
23:25Victor took out the jewelry box from the inner pocket of his suit jacket,
23:29retrieved the necklace, and handed it to me.
23:31I crouched down and held the necklace up in front of Lily's eyes.
23:33This necklace, it's worth more than the life of someone like you.
23:38You can't possibly compensate for it.
23:40I put the necklace back on around my neck.
23:42I stood up and returned the pistol to Victor.
23:45I won't kill them.
23:46Killing them would be too easy.
23:48Victor took the gun.
23:49Then how to handle them?
23:51Before handing him over to the police.
23:53Dig up all the hidden assets, notes, and contracts under Alex's name.
23:57Let him go in clean with not a single cent left.
24:00I looked back at Lily.
24:01She owes the underground casino 2 million, doesn't she?
24:04Pack her up and ship her over.
24:06Victor nodded and waved a hand at his subordinates.
24:09Do as the young lady says.
24:10Take them both away.
24:12The bodyguards efficiently unlocked the chains and dragged away the limp Alex and the already unconscious Lily.
24:17They would be transferred to two separate holding cells,
24:20undergoing more thorough interrogation in the final 24 hours before being handed over to the police.
24:24The last stroke of their fate had already been written.
24:27Alex would spend the rest of his life in prison, penniless,
24:30his family ruined, his father dead from illness in the ICU bed.
24:34Lily would be taken away by the casino's enforcers
24:36to repay that $2 million loan shark debt with her flesh and blood in some dark, sunless room in the
24:41red light district.
24:42Good and evil received their due.
24:44This is how the world has always been.
24:46Just that some people need to use their own hands to make it happen.
24:49It was exactly 3 in the afternoon when I walked out of the basement.
24:53Victor stood beside me.
24:54From behind, he reached out and gently pulled out the necklace I was wearing around my neck.
24:58You said down there just now that you married that waste of space to bide your time.
25:02I'm not very satisfied with that statement.
25:04What's not satisfying about it?
25:06You should have called me three years ago, instead of wasting your time with him until now.
25:11I looked up.
25:12Three years ago it was you who drove me away.
25:15You said outside was a normal person's life.
25:17You said I didn't belong here.
25:18I made a mistake.
25:20I was silent for a moment.
25:22Your apology is truly quite entertained.
25:24I'm a businessman.
25:25I never make a losing deal.
25:27As we walked out through the heavy oak doors, a stretched black Maybach had just pulled up smoothly in front
25:31of the main building.
25:32Two bodyguards helped a gray-haired woman in a gray cardigan out of the back seat.
25:36Her eyes were somewhat vacant.
25:37When she saw me, her lips moved slightly, and her hand at her side opened a little.
25:41That was my mother.
25:43She had been forcibly confined in St. Mary's Mental Hospital by Alex's father for three full years.
25:48I can't bear to think she suffered three long years locked away in that hospital.
25:52Yesterday afternoon, Victor's men stormed the mental hospital with a search warrant and the Alex family's indictment notice and legally
25:58took her out.
25:59I walked down the steps and took my mother's hand.
26:01The skin on her hand was as thin as paper, with needle marks from four drips on her knuckles.
26:06Mom.
26:07She looked at my face, her gaze pausing for a moment on the circle of white bandage on my neck.
26:12Her fingers lifted slightly, as if wanting to touch, but didn't make contact.
26:16You hurt.
26:18A small wound.
26:20I pressed her hand down and held it in my own.
26:22My mother lowered her head and said nothing more.
26:25I took her to the room specially prepared for her in the manor.
26:28Mother sat down on the edge of the bed.
26:29I poured her a glass of warm water and watched her drink it.
26:32She didn't ask where we were, nor did she ask about Alex.
26:35In her final year at the mental hospital, the excessive medication had damaged her short-term memory.
26:41I sat by her bedside for a very long time.
26:43By the time I walked out of the room, the sky had already darkened.
26:47Victor stood in the hallway, leaning back against the stone wall.
26:50The cigar in his hand had burned down to its end.
26:53She's asleep.
26:54Victor stubbed out the cigar and tossed the butt into the brass ashtray at the end of the hallway.
26:58Tomorrow I'll have the family doctor give her a full body checkup.
27:00I leaned against the wall next to him.
27:03My shoulder mere centimeters of air away from his arm.
27:05The hallway was very quiet, with only the occasional crackling of firewood burning in the distant fireplace.
27:11I want to announce something.
27:13Victor turned his head to look at me.
27:15I didn't turn back to look at him, just watched the stone wall at the end of the hallway, licked
27:19bright by the firelight.
27:20Tomorrow afternoon, I'm going to summon N-City all the media and hold a Muen conference.
27:27A press conference?
27:30I'm going to announce the formal return of the Rossi family, and the restart of operations for Rossi Real Estate
27:36Group.
27:36I'm going to relist and sell our penthouse apartment on the Upper East Side, pricing it at half the market
27:41value.
27:42And also, I'm going to announce that all frozen assets of the Alex family will be jointly taken over by
27:47Rossi Group and Walker Group.
27:48The merged company will be named Stoke Holdings.
27:51S for Stella, VK for Victor.
27:55SVK.
27:55The hallway remained quiet.
27:57A soft crackle came from the distant fireplace.
28:00Victor pushed himself off the wall and stood facing me.
28:02He was a full head taller than me.
28:04You arranged all three things by yourself and slotted me into the signing and stamping column, is that right?
28:09If you have any dissatisfaction, you can voice it.
28:12Victor raised his right hand, pinched my chin, forcing me to tilt my head up slightly.
28:16I have one request.
28:17He lowered his head and kissed me.
28:19It was a kiss that had nothing to do with gentleness.
28:21Carrying the bitterness of a cigar and the coolness of mint, his fingers tightened, knuckles embedding on either side of
28:27my chin.
28:27As if to repay me all at once for three years of suppressed control.
28:31Let's get married.
28:32He spoke against my lips.
28:34In that tone he only used right before pulling a trigger.
28:36My breathing was a little unsteady, but I didn't step back.
28:39Proposing so forcefully, no one would agree to that.
28:43You're not just anyone.
28:45You're the one I retrieved with a gun from that hotel.
28:48He took a black velvet ring box from the inner pocket of his suit jacket.
28:54The lid popped open.
28:55Inside was a silver ring band.
28:57Only a very small square diamond was set on the face of the ring, simply cut, without any superfluous decoration.
29:02This was what my mother wore when she married Andre.
29:06Later, when my mother passed away, Andre told me to keep it.
29:10I extended my hand.
29:12His fingers touched mine and pushed the ring onto the base of my ring finger.
29:15The press conference, add one more item.
29:18Add what?
29:19Becoming Victor Walker's fiancé.
29:21I leaned against the stone wall, the back of my head against the cold stone, looking at this man before
29:26me.
29:27This way, everyone in N-City will think I was coerced into agreeing after you rescued me from the hotel.
29:33What they think is their business.
29:35How we live is our business.
29:38Mary or not.
29:39I reached out and grabbed the lapel of his suit jacket, pulling him down, my forehead against his forehead.
29:45Mary.
29:473 o'clock the next afternoon, the ballroom of the Peninsula Hotel in N-City.
29:51Every media outlet of any note in N-City was in attendance.
29:54At one minute past three in the afternoon, I walked onto the stage.
29:57I wore a black haute couture suit, a Rossi family crest brooch pinned to the left lapel.
30:02The gauze on my neck had been removed and replaced with a narrow diamond choker, just perfectly covering the six
30:07-stitch scar.
30:08Good afternoon, everyone.
30:09I am Stella Rossio.
30:11Today, I have three announcements to make.
30:12First, the asset restructuring of Rossi Group has been completed.
30:16The Penthouse of Rambodentus Dabitles Upper East Street, its official list for sale, priced 50% below market value.
30:21Used to provide legal antipatients who have been misdiagnosed or forcibly institutionized.
30:25Second, Rossi Group and Walker Group jointly establish a new company, Stoke Harnershins.
30:29The new company will fully acquire and integrate all of the Alex family's frozen non-performing assets.
30:33Upon completion of the acquisition, all related projects will resume construction within three months.
30:38And all unpaid wages will be settled.
30:39A female journalist suddenly stood up, her voice recorder nearly falling from her hand.
30:45Behind her, a host of phone screens lit up, everyone madly typing and sending messages.
30:50The name Stoke Holdings, and the name Walker Group, landed like a bombshell in the banquet hall.
30:54Ollivan City had been guessing whether the Walker family would use this opportunity to formally force their way onto the
30:59high society table.
31:00Now there was no need to guess.
31:02I clenched my fist and turned the ring band on my left ring finger half a circle.
31:07Third.
31:07I raised my left hand.
31:09The silver ring band on my finger refracted tiny shards of light under the strong glow of the crystal chandelier
31:14in the banquet hall.
31:17The Rossi family and Walker family formally unite in marriage.
31:22My fiancé, Victor Walker.
31:26The audience below exploded after a full two seconds of silence.
31:29All journalists stood up at once.
31:31Questions rose one after another, a chaotic mess, no one could make out who was asking what.
31:36I turned and extended my hand toward the side wing of the stage.
31:39Victor walked out from the shadows.
31:41A black three-piece suit, his tie impeccably knotted.
31:43He walked to the center of the stage, held my hand with his left, and adjusted the microphone with his
31:48right.
31:49I am Victor Walker.
31:50The entire ballroom instantly fell silent.
31:53Those journalists who had been roaring questions moments before all fell mute.
31:56Victor's tone was steady, his voice not loud.
31:58Yet it transmitted clearly through the speakers.
32:01Just now my fiancé announced three things.
32:04I will add two remarks.
32:08First, if anyone thinks today's news can be maliciously interpreted, I welcome him to come to Brooklyn and discuss it
32:15with me face to face.
32:16He released my fingers, lifted my hand to his lips.
32:19Second, four months to go, see you at the wedding.
32:23Holding my hand, he walked off the stage.
32:25The bulletproof Rolls-Royce was already waiting in the hotel's private back entrance lane.
32:29We got into the back seat, the driver started the car, and drove out of the Peninsula Hotel's underground garage.
32:37That hand kiss just now was too pretentious.
32:39Victor leaned back in his seat, said nothing, just turned his head to look at me.
32:43Do you think announcing you were marrying me in front of hundreds of journalists was pretentious?
32:49I don't.
32:50He reached out and flipped open the lapel of my jacket, his fingertip gently rubbing the embossed pattern of the
32:55family crest brooch.
32:57Then don't talk to me about pretentiousness in the car.
33:00You're just not used to someone announcing announcing in front of the entire end city that he belongs to you.
33:05Announcing the marriage alliance, launching a new company, reopening the real estate listings, starting the foundation's operations, resuming construction within
33:14three months.
33:16You announce so many things in one day, all in one breath.
33:20That's exactly the effect I want.
33:22Let everyone know Rossi is back.
33:26His thumb rested on the base of my ring finger, rubbing back and forth on the band.
33:33Four more months.
33:35Hmm?
33:36Before the wedding, you still have time to change your mind.
33:41I turned my hand and clasped his fingers, interlocking our ten fingers.
33:44The wedding goes on as scheduled.
33:49The car drove down from the Brooklyn Bridge and into the heart of Brooklyn.
33:52The high tower of the castle peeked out from far above the treetops, its dark gray gothic spire piercing into
33:57the cold afternoon sky.
33:58Outside were skyscrapers, the river, the dazzling, colorful end city.
34:03Inside was the dark, silent, vast estate belonging only to the two of us.
34:06There's one more thing.
34:08Say it.
34:09My mom recognized me this morning.
34:13After breakfast, she looked at me and said one thing.
34:16She said, is that ring of yours silver?
34:19She recognized the ring.
34:21She remembered I told her when I was little that I would only wear a silver ring when I got
34:25married.
34:25Victor didn't say anything, just tightened his arms and pulled me into his embrace.
34:29The car fell quiet, only the muffled rolling sound of tires crushing the cobblestone roads of the old Brooklyn neighborhood.
34:34This manor awaited us up ahead.
34:37This city was within our territory.
34:38And I, I had finally come home.
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