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- 17 hours ago
Hands Off My Twin Short Drama 2026 - FULL Drama
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00:00I'm ex-special force, and I run the private military company.
00:03I'm taking the place of my dying sister to go to her home and protect her kids.
00:07Day one back at the manor, my husband's cousin Amber was already bullying my daughter.
00:11I splashed scalding milk in her face.
00:13Are you crazy?
00:13No, you're crazy.
00:15How dare you?
00:16Why wouldn't I?
00:16Lucy, you-
00:17Shut up!
00:18Three days ago, I was drilling my squad when a chopper came flying in from over the sea.
00:24Who the hell dares trespass on my island?
00:28My men raised their weapons in unison, all trained on the cabin door.
00:32The situation is critical, Miss Morgan.
00:34We need you to come with us.
00:36I recognized that bracelet.
00:37It was my sister's.
00:41Lead the way.
00:43The chopper flew for three hours before touching down in front of a massive manor.
00:49I was led inside the manor into a private care suite.
00:52A woman lay in the bed.
00:53She was pale, wasted down to almost nothing,
00:56but her face was the mirror image of mine.
00:59You're my sister?
01:01Sis.
01:01Before I could even process it, she broke into violent coughing.
01:04How did you get so sick?
01:06My sister Lucy leaned back against the pillow, catching her breath.
01:09Then she finally told me what happened all those years ago.
01:12After we got separated, she bounced around the foster system for two years
01:15before the Sterlings took her in.
01:16They couldn't have kids of their own, so they raised her like their own daughter,
01:19and in the end, left her the estate and their intendant.
01:21Later, she married Derek Ashford,
01:23and the whole family settled in at Sterling Manor.
01:26All these years, I've had people out looking for you.
01:29It wasn't until recently, when I really couldn't hold on anymore,
01:32that I finally tracked you down.
01:37Lucy's gripped my hand, her fingers ice cold to the touch.
01:40Kate, I brought you here to ask you a favor.
01:42I don't think I've got many days left.
01:44I have two children.
01:46They're still so young, I can't leave them like this.
01:48We look identical.
01:49I'm begging you.
01:50Take my place.
01:51Stay in this manor and protect them for me.
01:53I just found my sister, and before I could even feel happy about it,
01:56she was telling me she was dying.
01:58Don't worry.
01:59I'll take care of them for you.
02:01Lucy took a moment to collect herself,
02:03then filled me in on the situation at the manor.
02:05She picked up the phone, swiped a few times, and held it out to me.
02:09On the screen was a little girl who looked pretty timid.
02:12This is Anna, my daughter.
02:14She's been picked on all her life,
02:17especially by Ruby, Derek's cousin's daughter.
02:20Ruby never lets up.
02:21Kate, please, protect her from me.
02:24Relax.
02:25With me around, nobody's laying a finger on her.
02:29Lucy swiped to the next photo.
02:31It was a teenage boy, handsome, dressed like a total rebel.
02:36This is my son, Zane.
02:38Nobody can handle him.
02:39He's always getting into fights at school.
02:41Kate, if you can straighten him out for me,
02:43I could die with peace of mind.
02:46He's just some kid.
02:47No matter how tough he is,
02:48you think he's harder to handle than my guys fresh off the battle wheel?
02:51Lucy let out a small laugh,
02:52then swiped to the last photo.
02:53The woman in the photo was in her 30s,
02:55stunningly beautiful,
02:56but with eyes as venomous as a viper.
02:58This is Amber Cain, Derek's cousin.
02:59She's cunning, the best there is at stirring up trouble.
03:02After Lucy finished speaking,
03:04blood spilled from her lips again.
03:06I quickly helped her lie down.
03:08Get some rest.
03:09You don't need to worry about it.
03:10She held my hand tight and refused to let go.
03:14Kate, my assistants, they'll help you from now on.
03:18She paused to catch her breath.
03:19One more thing.
03:20My mother-in-law, Mary, just moved into the manor today.
03:23I should be going down to greet her, but I can't get up.
03:25I'll have to ask you to do it for me.
03:27I glanced at her and nodded in agreement.
03:30Okay, I'll handle it.
03:31I lowered my gaze at her pale face and squeezed her hand tight.
03:34I said in a low voice.
03:36From now on,
03:37I looked at the face in the mirror, identical to Lucy's.
03:40Lucy, I will make them pay for you.
03:43Lucy's assistant, Rola, led me toward the dining room.
03:45As we passed one of the side wings, her steps slowed.
03:47Miss Morgan, that's the wing where Amber Cain stays.
03:49A guest living better than the lady of the house?
03:51I scoffed inwardly, but said nothing.
03:53I just followed Rola onto the dining room.
03:56The room was full.
03:58Mary sat at the head of the table.
03:59A man to her right had to be Derek.
04:01To her left sat Amber and her daughter, Ruby.
04:03On the other side, a little girl stood with her head down,
04:06holding a coffee pot, pouring cup after cup.
04:08She was dressed plain.
04:09But I recognized that was Anna.
04:11My sister's daughter.
04:13The heir to Sterling Manor.
04:14Waiting on these people like hired help.
04:16Oh, Anna, sweetie.
04:18You really can't do anything right, can you?
04:20It's just coffee.
04:22I'm sorry, Miss Cain.
04:24It's my fault.
04:26My fist clenched.
04:27Some distant relative, bossing around the mistress's own child.
04:31The absolute shameless.
04:33Anna finished, then carried the milk over to Ruby.
04:36Ruby, here's your milk.
04:38But just as she handed it over, Ruby knocked into her hand on purpose.
04:41Scorting milk spilled onto Ruby's skirt and Anna's hand instantly.
04:44Ow, it burns!
04:46Anna, are you trying to scalt me to death?
04:47Anna's hands burned bright red from the heat.
04:50No, I didn't mean to.
04:51Before she could finish, Derek slammed the table from the impact
04:55and shot to his feet.
04:56Anna Sterling!
04:57You little demon.
04:58How dare you hurt Ruby on purpose!
05:00Dad, I'm sorry.
05:02I really didn't mean to.
05:04Look at you.
05:06Useless.
05:08Just like you're...
05:10Derek!
05:12Don't you dare yell at my daughter!
05:15Mom!
05:16I walked over, took the picture from her, and pulled her behind me.
05:20Then I looked around the room.
05:23Funny.
05:25I don't recall when my daughter turned into the coffee girl for all of you.
05:31Lucy, what nonsense are you spouting?
05:35Nonsense.
05:37Anna is my daughter.
05:39Why the hell is she waiting on guests?
05:41Lucy, it's my fault.
05:42If you're really upset, I'll apologize to Anna right now.
05:45It's just, Ruby got burned so badly.
05:47Mom, it's okay, really.
05:49Anna's never really liked me anyway.
05:51I don't mind.
05:53It's just a little sting.
05:54Lucy, this little showdown with Anna?
05:56In front of everyone?
05:58Honestly, I don't even know what to say.
06:00Anna's a guest in this house, Lucy.
06:02You're seriously going to let this turn into a whole thing?
06:05Over nothing?
06:06Every single person in the room was ganging up on me and Anna.
06:10So this was the life my sister had been living all these years.
06:14A billionaire, in her own home, with every single person taking turns walking all over her.
06:20She couldn't even protect her own daughter.
06:22Anna?
06:24Apologize to Ruby right now, and pour her another glass of milk.
06:27Don't!
06:29Mom, it's okay.
06:30I can do it.
06:31Don't make Dad mad.
06:34And with that, she actually reached for the pitcher herself, ready to pour Ruby another glass.
06:41Anna's still a child.
06:42Let me handle the milk.
06:44I took the pitcher from her hand.
06:46Amber and Ruby smirked, barely hiding it.
06:48I walked slowly over to Amber and dumped the hot milk right in her face.
06:52Are you crazy?
06:53No.
06:53You're crazy!
06:54How dare you!
06:56Why wouldn't I?
06:57Lucy, you shut up!
06:59Everyone stared at me surprisedly.
07:02You've lost your mind!
07:04How dare you hit me!
07:06Since when did you get so crude?
07:08So out of line?
07:09Out of line?
07:10You people are in no position to lecture me about that.
07:13Who gave you the nerve to shout at my daughter in my house?
07:16And who gave you the guts to lecture my daughter?
07:19And you're sitting there like a queen while my daughter fetches your coffee?
07:22Who the hell do you think you are?
07:24All three of them were frozen.
07:27Lucy Sterling?
07:28Are you crazy today?
07:30Shut it!
07:31You don't even get to say my name.
07:33He froze at that, eyes full of disbelief.
07:37This is Sterling Manor.
07:39I run this house.
07:41My daughter Anna is the heir to every inch of it.
07:45Who the hell do you think you are?
07:47Derek's face flushed to deep red, like he'd just been publicly stripped bare.
07:50You, you insolent!
07:52This family has always been run by men.
07:54Since when does a woman get to throw her weight around in here?
07:57You bitter old hag.
07:58I let it slide before because of your age.
08:00Don't forget, whose house are you living in?
08:03I walked right up to Mary, spelling every word out for her.
08:06In this manner, my word is law.
08:09If you don't like it, you can get the hell out.
08:11Right now!
08:13You!
08:16Mary's vision went black, and she nearly passed out.
08:18The servant beside her rushed forward in a panic.
08:21Mrs. Ashford?
08:22Are you alright?
08:23Derek stared at me like I was a total stranger.
08:25What the hell has gotten into you?
08:28You've never been like this before.
08:29I snealed inside.
08:31The old Lucy Sterling, the one you all needed like dough?
08:34Of course she'd never be like this.
08:35Too bad, I'm not Lucy.
08:36I'm the woman who spent half her life dancing with death on the battlefield.
08:39Don't you dare bring up before.
08:41That's exactly how you all forgot who's in charge here.
08:44At that moment, I thought about the task Lucy had given me.
08:47Derek had been running this place for years.
08:49And every miserable year Lucy had spent here, he'd had a hand in that too.
08:54Derek, the account keys.
08:56Hand them over.
08:57His head snapped up.
08:58What did you just say?
08:59Don't make me say it twice.
09:00Lucy, I've been running this manor for years.
09:03Not a single slip up.
09:05And now you want to take it all back with one sentence?
09:08Exactly!
09:09You a sickly thing who can't even get out of bed.
09:12You want to manage the money now?
09:13Do you even know how?
09:15I'm the one who gave you that authority, so I'm the one who takes it back.
09:19Simple as that.
09:20What, you want to have a chat with my lawyer?
09:23Derek's hands trembled, his lips gone pale.
09:27What are you standing there for?
09:29Hand it over!
09:35Reluctantly, Derek pulled the key from the safe and passed it to me.
09:38I took the key, smiling.
09:41But just then, Ruby couldn't help but speak up.
09:44You vicious woman!
09:45Uncle Derek's been helping you all this time, and this is how you treat him?
09:49You outsiders live in my house, and now you've got the nerve to shout at me?
09:53I'm not an outsider!
09:55Mom said Uncle Derek is my...
09:59Ruby!
10:03Ruby flinched, snapped out of her trance.
10:05This is Uncle Derek's house.
10:08He's the one letting us stay here.
10:10I watched everyone's reactions, and a suspicion suddenly took frame in my head.
10:14I looked at Ruby.
10:15This is my place.
10:17Even your Uncle Derek only lives here because I allow it.
10:20You getting to stay here?
10:23You should be on your knees thanking me.
10:25Keep acting up, and I'll throw you out today.
10:27Ruby went white as a sheet, her lips trembling.
10:31Lucy, no matter what you say, Derek brought us here himself all those years ago.
10:36He promised he'd take care of Ruby.
10:38She grew up here.
10:41This is the only home she's ever known.
10:43You can't just throw us out like this.
10:44Good point.
10:46You've had free room and board for years.
10:48Time to settle up.
10:48I turned to the butler.
10:49Go get me the employment contracts.
10:51All of them.
10:52Who'd already been scared stiff.
10:54Everyone froze.
10:55Well, if she wants to stay here, she can earn her keep.
10:58Starting today, Amber, you're signing a full-time servant's contract.
11:04This is absurd.
11:05Amber is my cousin.
11:06How can you make her sign a servant's contract?
11:09Because this is Sterling Manor.
11:11If you've got a problem with that, pack up and leave.
11:13See how far you get without us.
11:15One sentence, and Derek's face went ashman.
11:18He couldn't get a word out.
11:21If he actually had what it took,
11:23he wouldn't have spent years leeching off the Sterlings,
11:26living fat on their money.
11:28Before long, the butler brought over the contract.
11:32I took it and, without hesitation,
11:35signed the name.
11:36Sign it.
11:39Amber's face was pale,
11:40but under my cold stare,
11:42she signed her name with a trembling hand.
11:47Well, from this moment on, you're my servant.
11:50Ruby wouldn't stop crying.
11:52Amber kept her head down,
11:53not daring to say a single word back.
11:55I couldn't be bothered to look at them anymore.
11:57My eyes swept coldly across the room.
12:00New rules.
12:01From now on,
12:02only my kids and I can sit at the main table.
12:05As for everyone else,
12:06you'll eat when we're done.
12:09That's just how it works now.
12:10The servants in the dining hall nodded herrickly.
12:14I paid them no more attention,
12:16reaching out to take Anna's hand.
12:18Anna stared at me,
12:20her eyes red-rimmed.
12:23Come on, sweetheart.
12:24Let's go back with Mom.
12:25I'll put some medicine on it.
12:28Only then did she nod,
12:29following me obediently.
12:32On the way back,
12:34Anna kept sneaking glances at me.
12:37Her eyes were timid,
12:39testing,
12:39and just a little disbelieving.
12:42I led her back to the small wing where she lived.
12:44The place was honestly pathetic.
12:46She's a sterling child,
12:48and yet she was living in a place like this.
12:49Even the hallway lights were broken.
12:51Compared to Amber's wing,
12:52it was like night and day.
12:53That fire in my chest started rising again.
12:56What kind of life had Lucy been living all these years?
12:59Even her own flesh and blood
13:00had been ground down to this.
13:02I turned to look at Anna.
13:05She was standing behind me,
13:07fingers twisting tightly at the hem of her clothes.
13:10What is it, sweetheart?
13:13Mom,
13:15you seem, um,
13:17really different.
13:20Looking at how carefully she was treading,
13:22something in my chest went soft.
13:24I raised my hand and pulled her in front of me.
13:27Yeah,
13:27I'm different now,
13:28because Mom wants to protect you.
13:30Anna's eyes were red all at once.
13:32I rubbed her head.
13:34Anna,
13:35remember,
13:36you're my daughter.
13:37You're a master of this house.
13:39From now on,
13:39you don't have to be afraid of anyone.
13:41Anyone who bullies you,
13:42you bully them right back.
13:43If you can't take them,
13:44you come find me.
13:45I will always be right by your side.
13:47Anna seemed like she couldn't hold back anymore
13:49and threw herself into my arms,
13:51crying with her shoulders twitching.
13:53Mom,
13:54I thought you didn't like me.
13:55They said I was stupid,
13:57that I couldn't do anything right.
13:58I held her,
14:00gently patting her back,
14:01and for the first time
14:02felt something completely unfamiliar
14:03wash over me.
14:04It was heartache.
14:05This was my sister's child,
14:07my niece.
14:08Since I'd taken her mother's place,
14:10I'd treat her like my own.
14:11Okay,
14:12no more crying.
14:13I'm here.
14:13Nobody's going to hurt you again.
14:15Look at you,
14:16all splotchy from crying.
14:18She gave a shy smile.
14:20I watched her,
14:21sighing inwardly.
14:22All these years,
14:23not one person had stood up for her.
14:25It's okay.
14:26Starting today,
14:26I'm here.
14:27That night,
14:28Anna held onto my hand
14:29and wouldn't let go.
14:30Mom,
14:31can you wait until I'm asleep?
14:32I looked at her still red eyes
14:34and nodded.
14:35Of course, sweetheart.
14:36Once her breathing evened down,
14:38I gently slipped my hand free
14:39and stood up.
14:40Suddenly,
14:40there was a rapid knock on the door.
14:42I'm ex-special force,
14:44and I run the private military company.
14:46I'm taking the place
14:46of my dying sister
14:47to go to her home
14:48and protect her kids.
14:49Day one back at the manor,
14:51my husband's cousin Amber
14:52was already bullying my daughter.
14:54I splashed scalding milk in her face.
14:55Are you crazy?
14:56No,
14:56you're crazy.
14:57How dare you?
14:58Why wouldn't I?
14:59Lucy,
15:00you-
15:00Shut up!
15:01Three days ago,
15:01I was drilling my squad
15:03when a chopper came flying in
15:05from over the sea.
15:07Who the hell dares trespass on my island?
15:11My men raised their weapons in unison,
15:13all trained on the cabin door.
15:15The situation is critical,
15:16Miss Morgan.
15:16We need you to come with us.
15:18I recognized that bracelet.
15:20It was my sister's.
15:23Lead the way.
15:26The chopper flew for three hours
15:28before touching down
15:29in front of a massive manor.
15:32I was led inside the manor
15:33into a private care suite.
15:35A woman lay in the bed.
15:36She was pale,
15:37wasted down to almost nothing,
15:38but her face was the mirror image of mine.
15:41You're my sister?
15:43Sis.
15:44Before I could even process it,
15:46she broke into violent coughing.
15:47How did you get so sick?
15:48My sister Lucy leaned back against the pillow,
15:51catching her breath.
15:52Then she finally told me
15:53what happened all those years ago.
15:54After we got separated,
15:56she bounced around the foster system
15:57for two years
15:57before the Sterlings took her in.
15:59They couldn't have kids of their own,
16:00so they raised her like their own daughter,
16:02and in the end,
16:03left her the estate and their intendant.
16:04Later, she married Derek Ashford,
16:06and the whole family settled in
16:07at Sterling Manor.
16:08All these years,
16:10I've had people out looking for you.
16:11It wasn't until recently,
16:13when I really couldn't hold on anymore,
16:15that I finally tracked you down.
16:19Lucy's gripped my hand,
16:21her fingers ice cold to the touch.
16:23Kate, I brought you here to ask you a favor.
16:25I don't think I've got many days left.
16:27I have two children.
16:28They're still so young,
16:29I can't leave them like this.
16:31We look identical.
16:32I'm begging you,
16:33take my place.
16:34Stay in this manor
16:34and protect them for me.
16:35I just found my sister,
16:37and before I could even feel happy about it,
16:39she was telling me she was dying.
16:41Don't worry.
16:42I'll take care of them for you.
16:44Lucy took a moment to collect herself,
16:46then filled me in on the situation at the manor.
16:48She picked up the phone,
16:49swiped a few times,
16:50and held it out to me.
16:51On the screen was a little girl
16:53who looked pretty timid.
16:54This is Anna,
16:56my daughter.
16:57She's been picked on all her life,
16:59especially by Ruby,
17:01Derek's cousin's daughter.
17:02Ruby never lets up.
17:04Kate, please protect her from me.
17:07Relax.
17:08With me around,
17:10nobody's laying a finger on her.
17:12Lucy swiped to the next photo.
17:14It was a teenage boy,
17:16handsome,
17:16dressed like a total rebel.
17:18This is my son, Zane.
17:21Nobody can handle him.
17:22He's always getting into fights at school.
17:24Kate, if you can straighten him out for me,
17:26I could die with peace of mind.
17:28He's just some kid.
17:30No matter how tough he is,
17:31you think he's harder to handle
17:32than my guys fresh off the battle wheel?
17:33Lucy let out a small laugh,
17:35then swiped to the last photo.
17:36The woman in the photo was in her 30s,
17:38stunningly beautiful,
17:39but with eyes as venomous as a viper.
17:40This is Amber Cain,
17:41Derek's cousin.
17:42She's cunning,
17:43the best there is at stirring up trouble.
17:45After Lucy finished speaking,
17:47blood spilled from her lips again.
17:49I quickly helped her lie down.
17:51Get some rest.
17:52You don't need to worry about it.
17:53She held my hand tight
17:54and refused to let go.
17:56Kate,
17:57my assistants,
17:58they'll help you from now on.
18:00She paused to catch her breath.
18:02One more thing.
18:03My mother-in-law,
18:04Mary,
18:04just moved into the manor today.
18:06I should be going down to greet her,
18:07but I can't get up.
18:08I'll have to ask you to do it for me.
18:10I glanced at her and nodded in agreement.
18:12Okay,
18:13I'll handle it.
18:14I lowered my gaze at her pale face
18:16and squeezed her hand tight.
18:17I said in a low voice,
18:19From now on,
18:20I looked at the face in the mirror,
18:22identical to Lucy's.
18:23Lucy,
18:24I will make them pay for you.
18:25Lucy's assistant,
18:26Rola,
18:27led me toward the dining room.
18:28As we passed one of the side wings,
18:29her steps slowed.
18:30Miss Morgan,
18:31that's the wing where Amber Cain stays,
18:32a guest living better than the lady of the house.
18:34I scoffed inwardly,
18:35but said nothing.
18:36I just followed Rola onto the dining room.
18:39The room was full.
18:41Mary sat at the head of the table.
18:42A man to her right,
18:43had to be Derek.
18:44To her left sat Amber and her daughter,
18:46Ruby.
18:46On the other side,
18:47a little girl stood with her head down,
18:48holding a coffee pot,
18:49pouring cup after cup.
18:50She was dressed plain,
18:52but I recognized that was Anna,
18:54my sister's daughter.
18:55The heir to Sterling Manor,
18:57waiting on these people like hired help.
18:59Oh,
19:00Anna,
19:00sweetie,
19:01you really can't do anything right,
19:02can you?
19:03It's just coffee.
19:05I'm sorry,
19:06Miss Cain.
19:07It's my fault.
19:08My fist clenched.
19:10Some distant relative,
19:11bossing around the mistress's own child,
19:14the absolute shameless.
19:16Anna finished,
19:17then carried the milk over to Ruby.
19:19Ruby,
19:20here's your milk.
19:21But just as she handed it over,
19:22Ruby knocked into her hand on purpose.
19:24Scorting milk spilled onto Ruby's skirt
19:26and Anna's hand instantly.
19:27Ow,
19:27it burns!
19:28Anna,
19:29are you trying to scalt me to death?
19:30Anna's hands burned bright red from the heat.
19:32No,
19:33I didn't mean to.
19:34Before she could finish,
19:36Derek slammed the table from the impact
19:37and shot to his feet.
19:39Anna Sterling,
19:40you little demon.
19:41How dare you hurt Ruby on purpose?
19:43Dad,
19:44I'm sorry.
19:44I really didn't mean to.
19:47Look at you.
19:49Useless.
19:51Just like you're...
19:53Derek!
19:55Don't you dare yell at my daughter!
19:58Mom!
19:59I walked over,
20:00took the picture from her,
20:01and pulled her behind me.
20:03Then I looked around the room.
20:06Funny.
20:08I don't recall when my daughter
20:09turned into the coffee girl for all of you.
20:14Lucy,
20:14what nonsense are you spouting?
20:17Nonsense.
20:20Anna is my daughter.
20:22Why the hell is she waiting on guests?
20:24Lucy,
20:24it's my fault.
20:25If you're really upset,
20:26I'll apologize to Anna right now.
20:27It's just,
20:28Ruby got burned so badly.
20:30Mom,
20:30it's okay,
20:31really.
20:32Anna's never really liked me anyway.
20:34I don't mind.
20:35It's just a little sting.
20:37Lucy,
20:38this little showdown with Anna,
20:39in front of everyone?
20:41Honestly,
20:41I don't even know what to say.
20:43Anna's a guest in this house,
20:44Lucy.
20:45You're seriously going to let this turn into a whole thing?
20:47Over nothing?
20:49Every single person in the room
20:51was ganging up on me and Anna.
20:53So this was the life my sister had been living all these years.
20:57A billionaire,
20:58in her own home,
20:59with every single person taking turns walking all over her.
21:03She couldn't even protect her own daughter.
21:05Anna,
21:07apologize to Ruby right now,
21:08and pour her another glass of milk.
21:10Don't!
21:11Mom,
21:12it's okay,
21:13I can do it.
21:14Don't make Dad mad.
21:17And with that,
21:18she actually reached for the pitcher herself,
21:20ready to pour Ruby another glass.
21:23Anna's still a child.
21:25Let me handle the milk.
21:27I took the pitcher from her hand.
21:29Amber and Ruby smirked,
21:30barely hiding it.
21:31I walked slowly over to Amber,
21:33and dumped the hot milk right in her face.
21:35Are you crazy?
21:36No.
21:36You're crazy!
21:37How dare you!
21:38Why wouldn't I?
21:39Lucy,
21:40you shut up!
21:42Everyone stared at me surprisedly.
21:45You've lost your mind!
21:47How dare you hit me!
21:49Since when did you get so crude?
21:50So out of line?
21:52Out of line?
21:53New people are in no position to lecture me about that.
21:56Who gave you the nerve to shout at my daughter in my house?
21:59And who gave you the guts to lecture my daughter?
22:02And you're sitting there like a queen while my daughter fetches your coffee?
22:05Who the hell do you think you are?
22:07All three of them were frozen.
22:09Lucy Sterling?
22:11Are you crazy today?
22:13Shut it!
22:14You don't even get to say my name.
22:16He froze at that,
22:17eyes full of disbelief.
22:20This is Sterling Manor.
22:22I run this house.
22:24My daughter Anna is the heir to every inch of it.
22:27Who the hell do you think you are?
22:29Derek's face flushed to deep red,
22:31like he'd just been publicly stripped bare.
22:33You, you insolent!
22:35This family has always been run by men.
22:37Since when does a woman get to throw her weight around in here?
22:39You bitter old hag.
22:41I let it slide before because of your age.
22:43Don't forget,
22:44whose house are you living in?
22:46I walked right up to Mary,
22:48spelling every word out for her.
22:49In this manner,
22:50my word is law.
22:51If you don't like it,
22:53you can get the hell out.
22:54Right now!
22:56You!
22:59Mary's vision went black,
23:00and she nearly passed out.
23:01The servant beside her rushed forward in a panic.
23:04Mrs. Ashford?
23:04Are you alright?
23:05Derek stared at me like I was a total stranger.
23:08What the hell has gotten into you?
23:10You've never been like this before.
23:12I snealed inside.
23:13The old Lucy Sterling,
23:15the one you all needed like dough,
23:16of course she'd never be like this.
23:18Too bad,
23:18I'm not Lucy.
23:19I'm the woman who spent half her life
23:20dancing with death on the battlefield.
23:22Don't you dare bring up before.
23:24That's exactly how you all forgot who's in charge here.
23:27At that moment,
23:28I thought about the task Lucy had given me.
23:30Derek had been running this place for years,
23:32and every miserable year Lucy had spent here,
23:35he'd had a hand in that too.
23:36Derek,
23:37the account keys.
23:39Hand them over.
23:40His head snapped up.
23:41What did you just say?
23:42Don't make me say it twice.
23:43Lucy,
23:44I've been running this manner for years.
23:46Not a single slip up.
23:48And now you want to take it all back with one sentence?
23:50Exactly!
23:52You a sickly thing who can't even get out of bed.
23:54You want to manage the money now?
23:56Do you even know how?
23:58I'm the one who gave you that authority,
24:00so I'm the one who takes it back.
24:01Simple as that.
24:03What,
24:03you want to have a chat with my lawyer?
24:05Derek's hands trembled,
24:07his lips gone pale.
24:10What are you standing there for?
24:12Hand it over!
24:17Reluctantly,
24:18Derek pulled the key from the safe
24:19and passed it to me.
24:21I took the key,
24:23smiling.
24:24But just then,
24:25Ruby couldn't help but speak up.
24:26You vicious woman!
24:28Uncle Derek's been helping you all this time,
24:30and this is how you treat him?
24:31You outsiders live in my house,
24:33and now you've got the nerve to shout at me?
24:35I'm not an outsider!
24:37Mom said Uncle Derek is my...
24:41Ruby!
24:45Ruby flinched,
24:46snapped out of her trance.
24:48This is Uncle Derek's house.
24:51He's the one letting us stay here.
24:53I watched everyone's reactions,
24:54and a suspicion suddenly took frame in my head.
24:57I looked at Ruby.
24:58This is my place.
25:00Even your Uncle Derek only lives here
25:01because I allow it.
25:03You getting to stay here?
25:05You should be on your knees thanking me.
25:07Keep acting up,
25:08and I'll throw you out today.
25:10Ruby went white as a sheet,
25:11her lips trembling.
25:13Lucy,
25:14no matter what you say,
25:15Derek brought us here himself
25:16all those years ago.
25:19He promised he'd take care of Ruby.
25:21She grew up here.
25:24This is the only home she's ever known.
25:25You can't just throw us out like this.
25:27Good point.
25:28You've had free room and board for years.
25:30Time to settle up.
25:31I turned to the butler.
25:32Go get me the employment contracts.
25:34All of them.
25:34Who'd already been scared stiff.
25:37Everyone froze.
25:38Well,
25:38if she wants to stay here,
25:39she can earn her keep.
25:41Starting today,
25:41Amber,
25:42you're signing a full-time servant's contract.
25:46This is absurd.
25:48Amber is my cousin.
25:49How can you make her sign a servant's contract?
25:52Because this is Sterling Manor.
25:54If you've got a problem with that,
25:55pack up and leave.
25:56See how far you get without us.
25:58One sentence,
25:59and Derek's face went ashpen.
26:00He couldn't get a word out.
26:04If he actually had what it took,
26:06he wouldn't have spent years leeching off the Sterlings,
26:09living fat on their money.
26:11Before long,
26:12the butler brought over the contract.
26:15I took it and,
26:16without hesitation,
26:18signed the name.
26:19Sign it.
26:21Amber's face was pale,
26:23but under my cold stare,
26:24she signed her name with a trembling hand.
26:30Well,
26:31from this moment on,
26:32you're my servant.
26:33Ruby wouldn't stop crying.
26:35Amber kept her head down,
26:36not daring to say a single word back.
26:38I couldn't be bothered to look at them anymore.
26:40My eyes swept coldly across the room.
26:43New rules.
26:44From now on,
26:45only my kids and I can sit at the main table.
26:48As for everyone else,
26:49you'll eat when we're done.
26:51That's just how it works now.
26:53The servants in the dining hall nodded herrickly.
26:56I paid them no more attention,
26:58reaching out to take Anna's hand.
27:01Anna stared at me,
27:02her eyes red-rimmed.
27:05Come on, sweetheart.
27:07Let's go back with Mom.
27:08I'll put some medicine on it.
27:10Only then did she nod,
27:12following me obediently.
27:15On the way back,
27:17Anna kept sneaking glances at me.
27:20Her eyes were timid,
27:21testing,
27:22and just a little disbelieving.
27:25I led her back to the small wing where she lived.
27:27The place was honestly pathetic.
27:29She's a sterling child,
27:30and yet she was living in a place like this.
27:32Even the hallway lights were broken.
27:34Compared to Amber's wing,
27:35it was like night and day.
27:37That fire in my chest started rising again.
27:39What kind of life had Lucy been living all these years?
27:41Even her own flesh and blood
27:43had been ground down to this.
27:45I turned to look at Anna.
27:48She was standing behind me,
27:50fingers twisting tightly at the hem of her clothes.
27:52What is it, sweetheart?
27:56Mom,
27:58you seem, um,
28:00really different.
28:02Looking at how carefully she was treading,
28:05something in my chest went soft.
28:07I raised my hand and pulled her in front of me.
28:09Yeah, I'm different now,
28:11because Mom wants to protect you.
28:13Anna's eyes were red all at once.
28:15I rubbed her head.
28:17Anna, remember,
28:18you're my daughter.
28:19You're a master of this house.
28:21From now on,
28:22you don't have to be afraid of anyone.
28:24Anyone who bullies you,
28:25you bully them right back.
28:26If you can't take them,
28:27you come find me.
28:28I will always be right by your side.
28:30Anna seemed like she couldn't hold back anymore
28:32and threw herself into my arms,
28:34crying with her shoulders twitching.
28:36Mom,
28:36I thought you didn't like me.
28:38They said I was stupid,
28:39that I couldn't do anything right.
28:41I held her,
28:42gently patting her back,
28:43and for the first time felt something
28:45completely unfamiliar wash over me.
28:47It was heartache.
28:48This was my sister's child,
28:50my niece.
28:51Since I'd taken her mother's place,
28:52I'd treat her like my own.
28:54Okay,
28:54no more crying.
28:55I'm here.
28:56Nobody's gonna hurt you again.
28:58Look at you,
28:59all splotchy from crying.
29:01She gave a shy smile.
29:02I watched her,
29:03sighing inwardly.
29:05All these years,
29:06not one person had stood up for her.
29:07It's okay.
29:08Starting today,
29:09I'm here.
29:10That night,
29:11Anna held onto my hand
29:12and wouldn't let go.
29:13Mom,
29:13can you wait until I'm asleep?
29:15I looked at her still red eyes
29:16and nodded.
29:17Of course,
29:18sweetheart.
29:19Once her breathing evened down,
29:20I gently slipped my hand free
29:22and stood up.
29:23Suddenly,
29:23there was a rapid knock on the door.
29:25I'm ex-special force
29:26and I run the private military company.
29:28I'm taking the place
29:29of my dying sister
29:30to go to her home
29:31and protect her kids.
29:32Day one back at the manor,
29:34my husband's cousin Amber
29:35was already bullying my daughter.
29:36I splashed scalding milk in her face.
29:38Are you crazy?
29:39No,
29:39you're crazy.
29:40How dare you?
29:41Why wouldn't I?
29:42Lucy,
29:42you-
29:43Shut up!
29:43Three days ago,
29:44I was drilling my squad
29:46when a chopper came flying in
29:47from over the sea.
29:50Who the hell dares trespass
29:51on my island?
29:54My men raised their weapons
29:55in unison,
29:56all trained on the cabin door.
29:57The situation is critical,
29:59Miss Morgan.
29:59We need you to come with us.
30:01I recognized that bracelet.
30:03It was my sister's.
30:06Lead the way.
30:09The chopper flew for three hours
30:11before touching down
30:12in front of a massive manor.
30:14I was led inside the manor
30:16into a private care suite.
30:17A woman lay in the bed.
30:19She was pale,
30:20wasted down to almost nothing,
30:21but her face
30:22was the mirror image of mine.
30:24You're my sister?
30:26Sis.
30:27Before I could even process it,
30:28she broke into violent coughing.
30:30How did you get so sick?
30:31My sister Lucy
30:32leaned back against the pillow,
30:34catching her breath.
30:34Then she finally told me
30:36what happened
30:36all those years ago.
30:37After we got separated,
30:38she bounced around
30:39the foster system
30:40for two years
30:40before the Sterlings
30:41took her in.
30:42They couldn't have kids
30:42of their own,
30:43so they raised her
30:43like their own daughter,
30:44and in the end,
30:45left her the estate
30:46and their intendant.
30:47Later, she married
30:48Derek Ashford,
30:48and the whole family
30:49settled in at Sterling Manor.
30:51All these years,
30:52I've had people
30:53out looking for you.
30:54It wasn't until recently,
30:56when I really couldn't
30:57hold on anymore,
30:58that I finally
30:58tracked you down.
31:02Lucy's gripped my hand,
31:03her fingers ice-cold
31:05to the touch.
31:06Kate, I brought you here
31:07to ask you a favor.
31:08I don't think I've got
31:09many days left.
31:10I have two children.
31:11They're still so young,
31:12I can't leave them like this.
31:13We look identical.
31:15I'm begging you,
31:16take my place.
31:16Stay in this manor
31:17and protect them for me.
31:18I just found my sister,
31:20and before I could even
31:20feel happy about it,
31:22she was telling me
31:22she was dying.
31:23Don't worry.
31:24I'll take care of them
31:25for you.
31:27Lucy took a moment
31:28to collect herself,
31:29then filled me in
31:29on the situation
31:30at the manor.
31:31She picked up the phone,
31:32swiped a few times,
31:33and held it out to me.
31:34On the screen
31:35was a little girl
31:36who looked pretty timid.
31:37This is Anna,
31:38my daughter.
31:40She's been picked
31:41on all her life,
31:42especially by Ruby,
31:44Derek's cousin's daughter.
31:45Ruby never lets up.
31:47Kate, please,
31:48protect her from me.
31:50Relax.
31:51With me around,
31:52nobody's laying
31:53a finger on her.
31:55Lucy swiped
31:56to the next photo.
31:56It was a teenage boy,
31:58handsome,
31:59dressed like a total rebel.
32:01This is my son,
32:02Zane.
32:04Nobody can handle him.
32:05He's always getting
32:05into fights at school.
32:07Kate,
32:07if you can straighten him
32:08out for me,
32:08I could die
32:09with peace of mind.
32:11He's just some kid.
32:12No matter how tough he is,
32:14you think he's harder
32:14to handle than my guys
32:15fresh off the battle wheel?
32:16Lucy let out a small laugh,
32:17then swiped
32:18to the last photo.
32:19The woman in the photo
32:20was in her 30s,
32:21stunningly beautiful,
32:21but with eyes
32:22as venomous as a viper.
32:23This is Amber Kane,
32:24Derek's cousin.
32:25She's cunning,
32:26the best there is
32:26at stirring up trouble.
32:28After Lucy finished speaking,
32:29blood spilled
32:30from her lips again.
32:32I quickly helped her
32:33lie down.
32:33Get some rest.
32:35You don't need
32:35to worry about it.
32:36She held my hand tight
32:37and refused to let go.
32:39Kate,
32:39my assistants,
32:41they'll help you
32:41from now on.
32:43She paused
32:44to catch her breath.
32:45One more thing,
32:45my mother-in-law,
32:46Mary,
32:47just moved into
32:47the manor today.
32:48I should be going down
32:49to greet her,
32:50but I can't get up.
32:51I'll have to ask you
32:52to do it for me.
32:52I glanced at her
32:53and nodded in agreement.
32:55Okay,
32:55I'll handle it.
32:57I lowered my gaze
32:58at her pale face
32:58and squeezed her hand tight.
33:00I said in a low voice,
33:01From now on,
33:02I looked at the face
33:04in the mirror,
33:04identical to Lucy's.
33:06Lucy,
33:06I will make them pay for you.
33:08Lucy's assistant,
33:09Rola,
33:09led me toward the dining room.
33:11As we passed
33:11one of the side wings,
33:12her steps slowed.
33:13Miss Morgan,
33:13that's the wing
33:14where Amber Kane stays,
33:15a guest living better
33:16than the lady of the house.
33:17I scoffed inwardly,
33:18but said nothing.
33:19I just followed Rola
33:20onto the dining room.
33:22The room was full.
33:23Mary sat at the head
33:24of the table.
33:25A man to her right
33:26had to be Derek.
33:27To her left
33:27sat Amber
33:28and her daughter Ruby.
33:29On the other side,
33:30a little girl stood
33:30with her head down,
33:31holding a coffee pot,
33:32pouring cup after cup.
33:33She was dressed plain,
33:34but I recognized
33:35that was Anna,
33:36my sister's daughter,
33:38the heir to Sterling Manor,
33:40waiting on these people
33:41like hired help.
33:42Oh, Anna, sweetie,
33:43you really can't do
33:44anything right, can you?
33:45It's just coffee.
33:48I'm sorry, Miss Kane.
33:50It's my fault.
33:51My fist clenched,
33:53some distant relative
33:54bossing around
33:55the mistress's own child,
33:56the absolute shameless.
33:58Anna finished,
34:00then carried the milk
34:00over to Ruby.
34:02Ruby,
34:03here's your milk.
34:03But just as she handed it over,
34:05Ruby knocked into her hand
34:06on purpose.
34:07Scorting milk spilled
34:08onto Ruby's skirt
34:09and Anna's hand instantly.
34:10Ow, it burns!
34:11Anna, are you trying
34:12to scalt me to death?
34:13Anna's hands burned
34:14bright red from the heat.
34:15No, I didn't mean to.
34:17Before she could finish,
34:18Derek slammed the table
34:19from the impact
34:20and shot to his feet.
34:21Anna Sterling!
34:23You little demon!
34:24How dare you hurt
34:25Ruby on purpose!
34:26Dad, I'm sorry.
34:27I really didn't mean to.
34:30Look at you.
34:32Useless.
34:34Just like you're...
34:36Derek!
34:38Don't you dare
34:39yell at my daughter!
34:40Mom!
34:41I walked over,
34:43took the picture from her,
34:44and pulled her behind me.
34:46Then I looked around the room.
34:49Funny.
34:51I don't recall
34:52when my daughter
34:52turned into the coffee girl
34:53for all of you.
34:56Lucy,
34:57what nonsense
34:58are you spouting?
35:00Nonsense.
35:03Anna is my daughter.
35:04Why the hell
35:05is she waiting on guests?
35:06Lucy,
35:07it's my fault.
35:08If you're really upset,
35:09I'll apologize to Anna right now.
35:10It's just,
35:11Ruby got burned so badly.
35:12Mom,
35:13it's okay,
35:14really.
35:14Anna's never really
35:15liked me anyway.
35:17I don't mind.
35:18It's just a little sting.
35:20Lucy,
35:20this little showdown
35:21with Anna
35:22in front of everyone?
35:23Honestly,
35:24I don't even know
35:24what to say.
35:26Anna's a guest
35:27in this house,
35:27Lucy.
35:28You're seriously
35:28going to let this
35:29turn into a whole thing
35:30over nothing?
35:32Every single person
35:33in the room
35:34was ganging up
35:34on me and Anna.
35:36So this was the life
35:37my sister had been
35:38living all these years.
35:39A billionaire
35:40in her own home
35:42with every single person
35:43taking turns
35:44walking all over her.
35:45She couldn't even
35:46protect her own daughter.
35:48Anna,
35:49apologize to Ruby
35:50right now
35:51and pour her
35:52another glass of milk.
35:53Don't!
35:54Mom,
35:55it's okay.
35:55I can do it.
35:57Don't make Dad mad.
35:59And with that,
36:00she actually reached
36:01for the pitcher herself,
36:03ready to pour Ruby
36:04another glass.
36:06Anna's still a child.
36:08Let me handle the milk.
36:09I took the pitcher
36:10from her hand.
36:11Amber and Ruby smirked,
36:13barely hiding it.
36:14I walked slowly
36:15over to Amber
36:15and dumped the hot milk
36:17right in her face.
36:18Are you crazy?
36:18No.
36:19You're crazy!
36:20How dare you!
36:21Why wouldn't I?
36:22Lucy,
36:23you shut up!
36:25Everyone stared at me
36:26surprisedly.
36:27You've lost your mind!
36:30How dare you hit me!
36:31Since when did you
36:32get so crude?
36:33So out of line?
36:35Out of line?
36:36People are in no position
36:37to lecture me about that.
36:39Who gave you the nerve
36:40to shout at my daughter
36:41in my house?
36:42And who gave you
36:43the guts to lecture
36:44my daughter?
36:44And you're sitting there
36:45like a queen
36:46while my daughter
36:46fetches your coffee?
36:47Who the hell
36:48do you think you are?
36:50All three of them
36:51were frozen.
36:52Lucy Sterling?
36:54Are you crazy today?
36:55Shut it!
36:56You don't even
36:57get to say my name.
36:59He froze at that,
37:00eyes full of disbelief.
37:03This is Sterling Manor.
37:04I run this house.
37:06My daughter Anna
37:07is the heir
37:08to every inch of it.
37:10Who the hell
37:11do you think you are?
37:12Derek's face
37:13flushed to deep red
37:14like he'd just been
37:15publicly stripped bare.
37:16You, you insolent!
37:17This family
37:18has always been run by men.
37:20Since when does a woman
37:21get to throw her weight
37:21around in here?
37:22You bitter old hag.
37:24I let it slide before
37:25because of your age.
37:26Don't forget,
37:27whose house
37:27are you living in?
37:28I walked right up to Mary,
37:30spelling every word
37:31out for her.
37:32In this manner,
37:33my word is law.
37:34If you don't like it,
37:35you can get the hell out.
37:36Right now.
37:39You.
37:41Mary's vision went black
37:42and she nearly passed out.
37:44The servant beside her
37:45rushed forward in a panic.
37:46Mrs. Ashford?
37:47Are you alright?
37:48Derek stared at me
37:49like I was a total stranger.
37:51What the hell
37:51has gotten into you?
37:53You've never been
37:54like this before.
37:55I snealed inside.
37:56The old Lucy Sterling,
37:58the one you all needed
37:58like Doe,
37:59of course she'd never
38:00be like this.
38:00Too bad,
38:01I'm not Lucy.
38:02I'm the woman
38:02who spent half her life
38:03dancing with death
38:04on the battlefield.
38:05Don't you dare
38:06bring up before.
38:07That's exactly how
38:08you all forgot
38:08who's in charge here.
38:10At that moment,
38:11I thought about the task
38:12Lucy had given me.
38:13Derek had been running
38:14this place for years.
38:15And every miserable year
38:16Lucy had spent here,
38:17he'd had a hand
38:18in that too.
38:19Derek,
38:20the account keys.
38:21Hand them over.
38:22His head snapped up.
38:24What did you just say?
38:24Don't make me say it twice.
38:26Lucy,
38:27I've been running
38:27this manor for years.
38:29Not a single slip up.
38:30And now you want
38:31to take it all back
38:32with one sentence?
38:33Exactly!
38:34You a sickly thing
38:36who can't even
38:36get out of bed.
38:37You want to manage
38:38the money now?
38:39Do you even know how?
38:41I'm the one
38:41who gave you
38:42that authority,
38:42so I'm the one
38:43who takes it back.
38:44Simple as that.
38:45What,
38:46you want to have
38:46a chat with my lawyer?
38:48Derek's hands trembled,
38:49his lips gone pale.
38:53What are you
38:53standing there for?
38:55Hand it over!
39:00Reluctantly,
39:01Derek pulled the key
39:02from the safe
39:02and passed it to me.
39:04I took the key,
39:05smiling.
39:06But just then,
39:08Ruby couldn't help
39:08but speak up.
39:09You vicious woman!
39:10Uncle Derek's been
39:11helping you all this time,
39:13and this is how
39:13you treat him?
39:14You outsiders
39:15live in my house,
39:16and now you've got
39:17the nerve to shout at me?
39:18I'm not an outsider!
39:20Mom said
39:21Uncle Derek is my...
39:24Ruby!
39:28Ruby flinched,
39:29snapped out of her trance.
39:31This is Uncle Derek's house.
39:34He's the one
39:35letting us stay here.
39:36I watched everyone's reactions,
39:37and a suspicion
39:38suddenly took frame
39:39in my head.
39:40I looked at Ruby.
39:41This is my place.
39:42Even your Uncle Derek
39:43only lives here
39:44because I allow it.
39:45You getting to stay here?
39:48You should be
39:49on your knees
39:49thanking me.
39:50Keep acting up,
39:51and I'll throw you out today.
39:52Ruby went white as a sheet,
39:54her lips trembling.
39:56Lucy,
39:56no matter what you say,
39:58Derek brought us here
39:59himself all those years ago.
40:02He promised
40:02he'd take care of Ruby.
40:03she grew up here.
40:06This is the only home
40:07she's ever known.
40:08You can't just
40:09throw us out like this.
40:10Good point.
40:11You've had free room
40:12and board for years.
40:13Time to settle up.
40:14I turned to the butler.
40:15Go get me
40:15the employment contracts.
40:16All of them.
40:17Who'd already been
40:18scared stiff.
40:19Everyone froze.
40:20Well,
40:21if she wants to stay here,
40:22she can earn her keep.
40:23Starting today,
40:24Amber,
40:25you're signing
40:25a full-time
40:25servant's contract.
40:27Huh?
40:29This is absurd.
40:30Amber is my cousin.
40:31How can you make her sign
40:32a servant's contract?
40:35Because this is Sterling Manor.
40:37If you've got a problem
40:37with that,
40:38pack up and leave.
40:39See how far you get
40:40without us.
40:40One sentence,
40:41and Derek's face
40:42went ashpen.
40:43He couldn't get a word out.
40:47If he actually had
40:48what it took,
40:49he wouldn't have spent years
40:50leeching off the Sterlings,
40:51living fat on their money.
40:53Before long,
40:55the butler brought over
40:56the contract.
40:57I took it and,
40:59without hesitation,
41:01signed the name.
41:02Sign it.
41:04Amber's face was pale,
41:06but under my cold stare,
41:07she signed her name
41:08with a trembling hand.
41:13Well,
41:13from this moment on,
41:14you're my servant.
41:16Ruby wouldn't stop crying.
41:17Amber kept her head down,
41:19not daring to say
41:20a single word back.
41:21I couldn't be bothered
41:22to look at them anymore.
41:23My eyes swept coldly
41:24across the room.
41:26New rules.
41:27From now on,
41:28only my kids and I
41:29can sit at the main table.
41:31As for everyone else,
41:32you'll eat when we're done.
41:34That's just how it works now.
41:36The servants in the dining hall
41:37nodded herically.
41:39I paid them no more attention,
41:41reaching out to take Anna's hand.
41:44Anna stared at me,
41:45her eyes red-rimmed.
41:48Come on, sweetheart.
41:49Let's go back with Mom.
41:51I'll put some medicine on it.
41:53Only then did she nod,
41:54following me obediently.
41:58On the way back,
41:59Anna kept sneaking glances at me.
42:02Her eyes were timid,
42:04testing,
42:05and just a little disbelieving.
42:07I led her back to the small wing
42:09where she lived.
42:10The place was honestly pathetic.
42:12She's a sterling child,
42:13and yet she was living
42:14in a place like this.
42:15Even the hallway lights
42:16were broken.
42:17Compared to Amber's wing,
42:18it was like night and day.
42:19That fire in my chest
42:20started rising again.
42:22What kind of life
42:22had Lucy been living
42:23all these years?
42:24Even her own flesh and blood
42:26had been ground down to this.
42:28I turned to look at Anna.
42:30She was standing behind me,
42:32fingers twisting tightly
42:34at the hem of her clothes.
42:35What is it, sweetheart?
42:39Mom,
42:41you seem, um,
42:43really different.
42:45Looking at how carefully
42:46she was treading,
42:47something in my chest
42:48went soft.
42:49I raised my hand
42:50and pulled her in front of me.
42:52Yeah,
42:53I'm different now,
42:54because Mom wants to protect you.
42:56Anna's eyes were red
42:57all at once.
42:58I rubbed her head.
43:00Anna,
43:00remember,
43:01you're my daughter,
43:02you're a master of this house.
43:04From now on,
43:05you don't have to be afraid
43:06of anyone.
43:07Anyone who bullies you,
43:08you bully them right back.
43:09If you can't take them,
43:10you come find me.
43:10I will always be right by your side.
43:13Anna seemed like
43:14she couldn't hold back anymore
43:15and threw herself into my arms,
43:16crying with her shoulders twitching.
43:18Mom,
43:19I thought you didn't like me.
43:21They said I was stupid,
43:22that I couldn't do anything right.
43:24I held her,
43:25gently patting her back,
43:26and for the first time
43:27felt something completely unfamiliar
43:29wash over me.
43:30It was heartache.
43:31This was my sister's child,
43:33my niece,
43:34Since I'd taken her mother's place,
43:35I'd treat her like my own.
43:36Okay,
43:37no more crying.
43:38I'm here.
43:39Nobody's gonna hurt you again.
43:41Look at you,
43:42all splotchy from crying.
43:43She gave a shy smile.
43:45I watched her,
43:46sighing inwardly.
43:47All these years,
43:48not one person
43:49had stood up for her.
43:50It's okay.
43:51Starting today,
43:52I'm here.
43:53That night,
43:54Anna held onto my hand
43:55and wouldn't let go.
43:56Mom,
43:56can you wait until I'm asleep?
43:58I looked at her still red eyes
43:59and nodded.
44:00Of course, sweetheart.
44:02Once her breathing evened down,
44:03I gently slipped my hand free
44:05and stood up.
44:05Suddenly,
44:06there was a rapid knock on the door.
44:08I'm ex-special force
44:09and I run the private military company.
44:11I'm taking the place
44:12of my dying sister
44:13to go to her home
44:14and protect her kids.
44:15Day one back at the manor,
44:16my husband's cousin Amber
44:18was already bullying my daughter.
44:19I splashed scalding milk in her face.
44:21Are you crazy?
44:22No, you're crazy.
44:23How dare you?
44:24Why wouldn't I?
44:25Lucy, you-
44:25Shut up!
44:26Three days ago,
44:27I was drilling my squad
44:28when a chopper came flying in
44:30from over the sea.
44:32Who the hell dares trespass
44:34on my island?
44:36My men raised their weapons
44:38in unison,
44:39all trained on the cabin door.
44:40The situation is critical,
44:41Miss Morgan.
44:42We need you to come with us.
44:44I recognized that bracelet.
44:46It was my sister's.
44:49Lead the way.
44:52The chopper flew for three hours
44:53before touching down
44:54in front of a massive manor.
44:57I was led inside the manor
44:59into a private care suite.
45:00A woman lay in the bed.
45:01She was pale,
45:02wasted down to almost nothing,
45:04but her face was
45:05the mirror image of mine.
45:07You're my sister?
45:09Sis-
45:10Before I could even process it,
45:11she broke into violent coughing.
45:13How did you get so sick?
45:14My sister Lucy
45:15leaned back against the pillow,
45:16catching her breath.
45:17Then she finally told me
45:18what happened
45:19all those years ago.
45:20After we got separated,
45:21she bounced around
45:22the foster system
45:22for two years
45:23before the Sterlings
45:24took her in.
45:24They couldn't have kids
45:25of their own,
45:26so they raised her
45:26like their own daughter,
45:27and in the end,
45:28left her the estate
45:29and their intendant.
45:30Later,
45:30she married Derek Ashford,
45:31and the whole family
45:32settled in at Sterling Manor.
45:34All these years,
45:35I've had people
45:36out looking for you.
45:37It wasn't until recently,
45:39when I really couldn't
45:40hold on anymore
45:41that I finally
45:41tracked you down.
45:45Lucy's gripped my hand,
45:46her fingers ice-cold
45:47to the touch.
45:49Kate,
45:49I brought you here
45:50to ask you a favor.
45:51I don't think
45:51I've got many days left.
45:53I have two children.
45:54They're still so young,
45:55I can't leave them like this.
45:56We look identical.
45:57I'm begging you,
45:58take my place.
45:59Stay in this manor
46:00and protect them for me.
46:01I just found my sister,
46:02and before I could
46:03even feel happy about it,
46:04she was telling me
46:05she was dying.
46:06Don't worry.
46:07I'll take care of them
46:08for you.
46:09Lucy took a moment
46:10to collect herself,
46:11then filled me in
46:12on the situation
46:13at the manor.
46:13She picked up the phone,
46:15swiped a few times,
46:16and held it out to me.
46:17On the screen
46:18was a little girl
46:18who looked pretty timid.
46:20This is Anna,
46:21my daughter.
46:23She's been picked
46:23on all her life,
46:25especially by Ruby,
46:26Derek's cousin's daughter.
46:28Ruby never lets up.
46:29Kate,
46:30please,
46:30protect her from me.
46:32Relax.
46:34With me around,
46:35nobody's laying
46:36a finger on her.
46:38Lucy swiped
46:39to the next photo.
46:40It was a teenage boy,
46:41handsome,
46:42dressed like a total rebel.
46:44This is my son,
46:45Zane.
46:46Nobody can handle him.
46:48He's always getting
46:48into fights at school.
46:50Kate,
46:50if you can straighten him
46:51out for me,
46:51I could die
46:52with peace of mind.
46:54He's just some kid.
46:55No matter how tough he is,
46:56you think he's harder
46:57to handle than my guys
46:58fresh off the battle wheel?
46:59Lucy let out a small laugh,
47:00then swiped
47:01to the last photo.
47:02The woman in the photo
47:02was in her 30s,
47:03stunningly beautiful,
47:04but with eyes
47:05as venomous as a viper.
47:06This is Amber Cain,
47:07Derek's cousin.
47:08She's cunning,
47:08the best there is
47:09at stirring up trouble.
47:10After Lucy finished speaking,
47:12blood spilled
47:13from her lips again.
47:14I quickly helped her
47:15lie down.
47:16Get some rest.
47:17You don't need
47:18to worry about it.
47:19She held my hand tight
47:20and refused to let go.
47:22Kate,
47:22my assistants,
47:23they'll help you
47:24from now on.
47:26She paused
47:26to catch her breath.
47:27One more thing,
47:28my mother-in-law,
47:29Mary,
47:30just moved into
47:30the manor today.
47:31I should be going down
47:32to greet her,
47:33but I can't get up.
47:34I'll have to ask you
47:35to do it for me.
47:35I glanced at her
47:36and nodded in agreement.
47:37Okay,
47:38I'll handle it.
47:39I lowered my gaze
47:40at her pale face
47:41and squeezed her hand tight.
47:43I said in a low voice,
47:44From now on,
47:45I looked at the face
47:46in the mirror,
47:47identical to Lucy's.
47:49Lucy,
47:49I will make them
47:50pay for you.
47:51Lucy's assistant,
47:52Rola,
47:52led me toward the dining room.
47:53As we passed one
47:54of the side wings,
47:55her steps slowed.
47:56Miss Morgan,
47:56that's the wing
47:57where Amber Cain stays,
47:58a guest living better
47:59than the lady of the house.
48:00I scoffed inwardly,
48:01but said nothing.
48:02I just followed Rola
48:03onto the dining room.
48:04The room was full.
48:06Mary sat at the head
48:07of the table.
48:07A man to her right
48:08had to be Derek.
48:10To her left
48:10sat Amber
48:11and her daughter Ruby.
48:12On the other side,
48:12a little girl
48:13stood with her head down,
48:14holding a coffee pot,
48:15pouring cup after cup.
48:16She was dressed plain,
48:17but I recognized
48:18that was Anna,
48:19my sister's daughter,
48:21the heir to Sterling Manor,
48:22waiting on these people
48:23like hired help.
48:25Oh, Anna, sweetie,
48:26you really can't do
48:27anything right,
48:27can you?
48:28It's just coffee.
48:30I'm sorry,
48:31Miss Cain.
48:32It's my fault.
48:34My fist clenched.
48:35Some distant relative,
48:37bossing around
48:38the mistress's own child,
48:39the absolute shameless.
48:41Anna finished,
48:42then carried the milk
48:43over to Ruby.
48:45Ruby, here's your milk.
48:46But just as she handed it over,
48:48Ruby knocked into her hand
48:49on purpose.
48:50Scorting milk spilled
48:51onto Ruby's skirt
48:51and Anna's hand instantly.
48:53Ow, it burns!
48:54Anna, are you trying
48:55to scalt me to death?
48:56Anna's hands burned
48:56bright red from the heat.
48:58No, I didn't mean to.
49:00Before she could finish,
49:01Derek slammed the table
49:02from the impact
49:03and shot to his feet.
49:04Anna Sterling!
49:05You little demon!
49:07How dare you hurt
49:08Ruby on purpose!
49:09Dad, I'm sorry.
49:10I really didn't mean to.
49:13Look at you.
49:15Useless.
49:17Just like you're...
49:18Derek!
49:20Don't you dare
49:21yell at my daughter!
49:23Mom?
49:24I walked over,
49:25took the picture from her,
49:27and pulled her behind me.
49:29Then I looked around
49:30the room.
49:32Funny.
49:33I don't recall
49:34when my daughter
49:35turned into the coffee girl
49:36for all of you.
49:39Lucy,
49:40what nonsense
49:41are you spouting?
49:43Nonsense.
49:45Anna is my daughter.
49:47Why the hell
49:48is she waiting on guests?
49:49Lucy, it's my fault.
49:50If you're really upset,
49:51I'll apologize to Anna
49:52right now.
49:53It's just,
49:53Ruby got burned so badly.
49:55Mom, it's okay, really.
49:57Anna's never really
49:58liked me anyway.
49:59I don't mind.
50:01It's just a little sting.
50:03Lucy,
50:03this little showdown
50:04with Anna
50:04in front of everyone?
50:06Honestly,
50:06I don't even know
50:07what to say.
50:08Anna's a guest
50:09in this house, Lucy.
50:10You're seriously
50:11going to let this
50:12turn into a whole thing
50:13over nothing?
50:15Every single person
50:16in the room
50:16was ganging up
50:17on me and Anna.
50:19So this was the life
50:20my sister had been
50:21living all these years.
50:22A billionaire
50:23in her own home
50:24with every single person
50:26taking turns
50:27walking all over her.
50:28She couldn't even
50:29protect her own daughter.
50:31Anna,
50:32apologize to Ruby
50:33right now
50:34and pour her
50:35another glass of milk.
50:36Don't!
50:37Mom,
50:38it's okay.
50:38I can do it.
50:40Don't make Dad mad.
50:42And with that,
50:43she actually reached
50:44for the pitcher herself,
50:46ready to pour Ruby
50:46another glass.
50:49Anna's still a child.
50:51Let me handle the milk.
50:52I took the pitcher
50:53from her hand.
50:54Amber and Ruby
50:55smirked,
50:55barely hiding it.
50:56I walked slowly
50:57over to Amber
50:58and dumped the hot milk
50:59right in her face.
51:00Are you crazy?
51:01No.
51:02You're crazy!
51:03How dare you!
51:04Why wouldn't I?
51:05Lucy, you shut up!
51:08Everyone stared at me
51:09surprisedly.
51:10You've lost your mind!
51:12How dare you hit me!
51:14Since when did you
51:15get so crude,
51:16so out of line?
51:17Out of line?
51:19People are in no position
51:20to lecture me about that.
51:21Who gave you the nerve
51:22to shout at my daughter
51:23in my house?
51:25And who gave you the guts
51:26to lecture my daughter?
51:27And you're sitting there
51:28like a queen
51:28while my daughter
51:29fetches your coffee?
51:30Who the hell
51:31do you think you are?
51:32All three of them
51:33were frozen.
51:35Lucy Sterling?
51:37Are you crazy today?
51:38Shut it!
51:39You don't even get
51:40to say my name.
51:41He froze at that,
51:43eyes full of disbelief.
51:45This is Sterling Manor.
51:47I run this house.
51:49My daughter Anna
51:50is the heir
51:51to every inch of it.
51:53Who the hell
51:54do you think you are?
51:55Derek's face flushed
51:56a deep red
51:56like he'd just been
51:57publicly stripped bare.
51:59You insolent!
52:00This family has always
52:01been run by men.
52:02Since when does a woman
52:03get to throw her weight
52:04around in here?
52:05You bitter old hag.
52:06I let it slide before
52:08because of your age.
52:09Don't forget,
52:10whose house are you
52:10living in?
52:11I walked right up to Mary,
52:13spelling every word
52:14out for her.
52:15In this manner,
52:15my word is law.
52:17If you don't like it,
52:18you can get the hell out.
52:19Right now!
52:21You!
52:24Mary's vision went black
52:25and she nearly passed out.
52:27The servant beside her
52:28rushed forward in a panic.
52:29Mrs. Ashford?
52:30Are you alright?
52:31Derek stared at me
52:32like I was a total stranger.
52:33What the hell
52:34has gotten into you?
52:36You've never been
52:36like this before.
52:37I snealed inside.
52:39The old Lucy Sterling,
52:40the one you all
52:41needed like dough?
52:42Of course she'd
52:42never be like this.
52:43Too bad.
52:44I'm not Lucy.
52:44I'm the woman
52:45who spent half her life
52:46dancing with death
52:46on the battlefield.
52:47Don't you dare
52:48bring up before.
52:49That's exactly how
52:50you all forgot
52:51who's in charge here.
52:52At that moment,
52:53I thought about
52:54the task Lucy had given me.
52:56Derek had been running
52:56this place for years
52:57and every miserable year
52:59Lucy had spent here,
53:00he'd had a hand
53:01in that too.
53:02Derek,
53:03the account keys.
53:04Hand them over.
53:05His head snapped up.
53:06What did you just say?
53:07Don't make me say it twice.
53:09Lucy,
53:09I've been running
53:10this manor for years.
53:11Not a single slip up.
53:13And now you want
53:14to take it all back
53:14with one sentence?
53:16Exactly!
53:17You a sickly thing
53:18who can't even
53:19get out of bed.
53:20You want to manage
53:21the money now?
53:21Do you even know how?
53:24I'm the one
53:24who gave you
53:25that authority,
53:25so I'm the one
53:26who takes it back.
53:27Simple as that.
53:28What,
53:29you want to have
53:29a chat with my lawyer?
53:31Derek's hands trembled,
53:32his lips gone pale.
53:36What are you
53:36standing there for?
53:37Hand it over.
53:39Okay.
53:43Reluctantly,
53:44Derek pulled the key
53:44from the safe
53:45and passed it to me.
53:47I took the key,
53:48smiling.
53:49But just then,
53:50Ruby couldn't help
53:51but speak up.
53:52You vicious woman!
53:53Uncle Derek's been
53:54helping you all this time,
53:55and this is how
53:56you treat him?
53:57You outsiders
53:58live in my house,
53:59and now you've got
53:59the nerve to shout at me?
54:01I'm not an outsider!
54:03Mom said Uncle Derek
54:04is my...
54:07Ruby!
54:11Ruby!
54:11Ruby flinched,
54:12snapped out of her trance.
54:13This is Uncle Derek's house.
54:17He's the one
54:17letting us stay here.
54:18I watched everyone's reactions,
54:20and a suspicion
54:21suddenly took frame
54:22in my head.
54:22I looked at Ruby.
54:24This is my place.
54:25Even your Uncle Derek
54:26only lives here
54:27because I allow it.
54:28You getting to stay here?
54:31You should be
54:31on your knees
54:32thanking me.
54:33Keep acting up,
54:34and I'll throw you out today.
54:35Ruby went white as a sheet,
54:37her lips trembling.
54:38Lucy,
54:39no matter what you say,
54:41Derek brought us here
54:41himself all those years ago.
54:44He promised he'd
54:45take care of Ruby.
54:47She grew up here.
54:49This is the only home
54:50she's ever known.
54:51You can't just
54:51throw us out like this.
54:53Good point.
54:54You've had free room
54:55and board for years.
54:56Time to settle up.
54:57I turned to the butler.
54:58Go get me
54:58the employment contracts.
54:59All of them.
55:00Who'd already been
55:01scared stiff.
55:02Everyone froze.
55:03Well,
55:04if she wants to stay here,
55:05she can earn her keep.
55:06Starting today,
55:07Amber,
55:07you're signing
55:08a full-time
55:08servant's contract.
55:12This is absurd.
55:13Amber is my cousin.
55:14How can you make her
55:15sign a servant's contract?
55:18Because this is
55:18Sterling Manor.
55:19If you've got a problem
55:20with that,
55:21pack up and leave.
55:22See how far you get
55:22without us.
55:23One sentence,
55:24and Derek's face
55:25went ashpen.
55:26He couldn't get a word out.
55:29If he actually
55:30had what it took,
55:31he wouldn't have spent
55:32years leeching off
55:33the Sterlings,
55:34living fat on their money.
55:36Before long,
55:37the butler brought over
55:38the contract.
55:40I took it and,
55:42without hesitation,
55:43signed the name.
55:44Sign it.
55:47Amber's face was pale,
55:48but under my cold stare,
55:50she signed her name
55:51with a trembling hand.
55:55Well,
55:56from this moment on,
55:57you're my servant.
55:59Ruby wouldn't stop crying.
56:00Amber kept her head down,
56:02not daring to say
56:02a single word back.
56:04I couldn't be bothered
56:04to look at them anymore.
56:06My eyes swept coldly
56:07across the room.
56:08New rules.
56:10From now on,
56:11only my kids and I
56:12can sit at the main table.
56:13As for everyone else,
56:15you'll eat when we're done.
56:17That's just how it works now.
56:19The servants in the dining hall
56:20nodded hairically.
56:22I paid them
56:23no more attention,
56:24reaching out
56:24to take Anna's hand.
56:26Anna stared at me,
56:28her eyes red-rimmed.
56:31Come on, sweetheart.
56:32Let's go back with Mom.
56:34I'll put some medicine on it.
56:36Only then did she nod,
56:38following me obediently.
56:40On the way back,
56:42Anna kept sneaking glances at me.
56:45Her eyes were timid,
56:47testing,
56:47and just a little disbelieving.
56:50I led her back
56:51to the small wing
56:52where she lived.
56:53The place was honestly pathetic.
56:54She's a sterling child,
56:56and yet she was living
56:56in a place like this.
56:58Even the hallway lights
56:59were broken.
56:59Compared to Amber's wing,
57:00it was like night and day.
57:02That fire in my chest
57:03started rising again.
57:04What kind of life
57:05had Lucy been living
57:06all these years?
57:07Even her own flesh and blood
57:08had been ground down to this.
57:10I turned to look at Anna.
57:13She was standing behind me,
57:15fingers twisting tightly
57:16at the hem of her clothes.
57:18What is it, sweetheart?
57:22Mom,
57:23you seem, um,
57:25really different.
57:28Looking at how carefully
57:29she was treading,
57:30something in my chest
57:31went soft.
57:32I raised my hand
57:33and pulled her in front of me.
57:35Yeah, I'm different now,
57:36because Mom wants
57:37to protect you.
57:38Anna's eyes were red
57:39all at once.
57:40I rubbed her head.
57:43Anna, remember,
57:44you're my daughter.
57:45You're a master of this house.
57:47From now on,
57:48you don't have to be
57:48afraid of anyone.
57:49Anyone who bullies you,
57:50you bully them right back.
57:51If you can't take them,
57:52you come find me.
57:53I will always be
57:54right by your side.
57:56Anna seemed like
57:56she couldn't hold back anymore
57:58and threw herself
57:58into my arms,
57:59crying with her shoulders twitching.
58:01Mom,
58:02I thought you didn't like me.
58:03They said I was stupid,
58:05that I couldn't do anything right.
58:07I held her,
58:08gently patting her back,
58:09and for the first time
58:10felt something completely
58:11unfamiliar wash over me.
58:12It was heartache.
58:14This was my sister's child,
58:15my niece.
58:16Since I'd taken her mother's place,
58:18I'd treat her like my own.
58:19Okay,
58:20no more crying.
58:21I'm here.
58:21Nobody's gonna hurt you again.
58:24Look at you,
58:25all splotchy from crying.
58:26She gave a shy smile.
58:28I watched her,
58:29sighing inwardly.
58:30All these years,
58:31not one person
58:32had stood up for her.
58:33It's okay.
58:34Starting today,
58:35I'm here.
58:35That night,
58:36Anna held onto my hand
58:37and wouldn't let go.
58:38Mom,
58:39can you wait until I'm asleep?
58:40I looked at her still red eyes
58:42and nodded.
58:43Of course, sweetheart.
58:44Once her breathing evened down,
58:46I gently slipped my hand free
58:47and stood up.
58:48Suddenly,
58:49there was a rapid knock
58:49on the door.