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00:00I was the sole heiress to the oldest crime family.
00:03My adoptive parents raised me like a princess,
00:05making sure I don't have to take anybody's shit.
00:08The first day I returned to my billionaire biological family,
00:11their adopted daughter Yara was all tears.
00:13If you don't like me here, sis, I'll leave.
00:17How much is this mansion worth?
00:19About $200 million, miss.
00:23Dad, this place is disgusting.
00:25Buy me the mansion next door.
00:28What the hell are you doing?
00:30You just got back and you're already moving out?
00:33Or should I stay here so you can take turns humiliating me?
00:37Do you even give a damn about this family?
00:40Of course, but I'm allergic to favorism.
00:43Ellie, that's selfish of you.
00:45Blame it on my DeLuca gene.
00:46I was raised to love myself, love money, and never waste time on idiots.
00:50I'm Ellie DeLuca, the adopted daughter of the world's most feared mafia family.
00:55My parents gave me a life of comfort and love,
00:57and one DeLuca rule they hammered into my brain.
01:00Never swallow disrespect.
01:01When I was five, a boy at preschool stole my favorite hair clip.
01:04I didn't cry.
01:05That hair clip bore the DeLuca crest.
01:07Steal from us, and we named the price.
01:09The next morning, his father dragged his bruised son to my doorstep.
01:12One apology later, the entire West Coast shipping line was ours.
01:15When I was eight, an old woman called me, a little... nobody wanted.
01:19My adoptive mother showed up at her door the very next day.
01:22Can't keep that trashy mouth shut, ma'am.
01:25No worries.
01:28I'll be happy to quiet for good.
01:30When I was ten, Dad took me to inspect our marinas.
01:33One of our capos sneered.
01:34What's this little charity ate doing here?
01:36The next Donna?
01:37Give me a fucking break.
01:38Dad didn't say a word.
01:39He just glanced at the two men standing behind him.
01:41That was the last time anyone ever saw that couple.
01:44On the way home, Dad taught me the first rule of the DeLuca family.
01:47Sweetheart, money lost can be earned back.
01:49But disrespect?
01:50You never let it live past sunrise.
01:52That stuck with me.
01:53If words work, we talk.
01:55If they don't, we settle it the DeLuca way.
02:01I was 20.
02:02The Carter family came to our house.
02:04They told me I was their biological daughter.
02:06Miss Ellie, your parents would like you to come home as soon as possible.
02:13Come home?
02:14This is her home.
02:17I meant return to her birth parents.
02:20Is the food any good?
02:23If it sucks, I'm not going.
02:25I have a sensitive stomach.
02:26And I'm not forcing down one miserable dinner just to make a good impression.
02:30Here.
02:31Deeds to a few of your properties.
02:34Your trust documents are in there, too.
02:36And our people will always be watching over you from the shadows.
02:39If anyone makes you uncomfortable, call him.
02:42Your old man's got your back.
02:45Sweetheart, if they ever make you feel like you don't belong, you come straight home.
02:50A DeLuso daughter doesn't beg for love.
02:52Not from anyone.
02:53Relax, Mom.
02:54I'm just going to give their love a little test drive.
02:57If they don't know how to treat me, I'll just return them.
03:01I thought about everything my adoptive parents had given me over the past 20 years.
03:06No matter how rich the Carters were, they couldn't buy what my parents had built for me.
03:11They were so gaugy, I almost checked to see if we'd accidentally taken a wrong turn into Vegas.
03:16Was your architect drunk when he designed this?
03:23Mom, Dad, now that your real daughter is back, do I have to leave?
03:27Oh.
03:28The family drama had started.
03:30Honestly, she had potential.
03:31But she was still a few tears short of a full-blown movie.
03:36Sis.
03:37Hi.
03:39Ellie, we're glad you're finally home.
03:41But I want to make something clear from the start.
03:43Yara may not be our biological daughter, but she's still our daughter.
03:46We've loved her for 20 years.
03:48I understand.
03:49Good.
03:50Because you're not coming back here, expecting to take her place.
03:53We'll make sure you have everything you need.
03:55But you don't get to push Yara aside or make her feel unwanted.
03:59Okay.
04:00You'd better mean that.
04:02She's always been in delicate health.
04:04The last thing she needs is unnecessary stress.
04:06Ethan, don't.
04:07Ellie just got here.
04:08She must feel strange enough already.
04:09If she wants my bedroom, I'll move out.
04:11It's really not a big deal.
04:13Which room is yours?
04:14That was exactly the question she'd been waiting for.
04:17The one upstairs.
04:19It overlooks the gardens.
04:20It's the nicest bedroom in the house.
04:22Honestly, it should have been yours.
04:24Don't be ridiculous, sweetheart.
04:25That's your room.
04:27Ellie, seriously?
04:28You've been here five minutes and you're already trying to take Yara's room?
04:31When did I ever say I wanted her room?
04:34I haven't even decided which room I'm taking.
04:37Ellie, I just thought you might be upset.
04:40Sweetheart, how thoughtful of you.
04:42Worrying about everyone's feelings before.
04:44They've even opened their mouths.
04:45I gave her a slow, disdainful once-over.
04:49You'd make a natural servant.
04:50Having everything anticipated before your master even asks.
04:57Do you always have to be so damn passive-aggressive?
05:00I shook my head, looking completely sincere.
05:02I am not.
05:03I'm a DeLuca.
05:04I was raised to say what I mean.
05:06We don't do hints and hidden messages.
05:08Then I smiled at Yara.
05:10But if you're putting on a soap opera, just give me a hint next time.
05:13Maybe slow down a little.
05:15I'm having trouble keeping up with all the drama.
05:17Alexander frowned.
05:18Ellie, you just got here.
05:20Don't start making trouble.
05:21I looked at them, each one defending the next.
05:24Strangely, it didn't hurt much.
05:25I'd known before I came.
05:27The Carters weren't welcoming a daughter.
05:29They wanted someone they could control.
05:30Too bad for them.
05:31I wasn't that girl.
05:32The butler led me upstairs.
05:34Yara followed close behind.
05:35At the very end of the hall, he stopped and opened a narrow door.
05:39A cloud of dust rushed out.
05:42Yara covered her mouth, looking horrified.
05:45Ellie, I'm so sorry.
05:46I had no idea they hadn't finished getting your room ready.
05:49If you want, I can move out of my room tonight.
05:51You can have it.
05:52I looked at the dust-covered bed, then at the butler.
05:54This is the room you prepared for the Carters' biological daughter?
05:58Mr. and Mrs. Carter said, for now...
06:02What?
06:02Planning to post those online and play the victim?
06:05No.
06:06I'm sending them to my dad.
06:08He should be glad to see your hospitality.
06:10Ellie, don't exaggerate.
06:11We'll have someone clean it.
06:13Yara already feels terrible, Ellie.
06:14You don't need to make it worse.
06:15Mrs. Carter, I've barely said a word.
06:17And you have already convicted me?
06:20Wow.
06:21That's efficient.
06:22Not so bright, though.
06:23Ellie!
06:25No need to yell.
06:26My hearing works just fine.
06:27I'm allergic to hypocrisy.
06:29And I don't tolerate parents who play favorites.
06:31At dinner, the Carters had gone all out.
06:33The table was covered with expensive-looking dishes, crystal glasses, and enough food to
06:38feed a dozen people.
06:39Yara sat beside Vera, sweetly piling food onto her plate.
06:42Ethan sat across from us.
06:44Every few minutes, he'd quietly hand Yara a napkin or refill her glass.
06:47He hadn't looked at me once.
06:49I couldn't have cared less.
06:50I served myself some fish.
06:52One bite, and I went silent.
06:58Not used to this kind of food?
07:00Maybe Ellie is more used to simple home cooking.
07:03This was prepared by a private chef.
07:05Maybe it's a little too sophisticated for her palate.
07:08It's not sophisticated.
07:09It's terrible.
07:10Ellie, this chef has worked for our family for more than 10 years.
07:14No one's ever complained about his food.
07:16So you must all be very polite.
07:18The fish is overcooked, the sauce is way too sweet, and the acidity is completely off.
07:23It's like a broken family.
07:25Looks perfect on the outside, empty underneath.
07:27What would you know?
07:28You weren't raised in high society.
07:30I grew up in Palm Beach, not under a rock.
07:33Is that how you see the world?
07:35You're either a Carter or fighting to survive in the jungle?
07:38Enough!
07:39It's dinner.
07:39Do you have to turn everything into an argument?
07:41Alexander, you brought me here.
07:43Without a proper room.
07:44Without a strat of respect.
07:46And now I'm supposed to sit here and pretend I love food?
07:49I can't even finish?
07:50Did someone hand you a handbook called How to Make Everything About Yourselves?
07:54Because you're all following it beautifully.
07:57Do you really hate me that much?
07:59You even hate the food my family makes?
08:01Not everything is about you, Yara.
08:03Bad food is the chef's problem.
08:05Your drama is your problem.
08:07Those are two completely different things.
08:10Ellie, apologize to Yara.
08:13I'd love to.
08:14But it's getting late, and I have a strict bedtime.
08:17One more thing.
08:18Starting tomorrow, I'll arrange my own meals.
08:20I'll pay for them myself, so don't worry about the expense.
08:24And please stop testing my manners with food this bad.
08:27You think the Carters can't afford to feed you?
08:30Perfect.
08:31Glad to hear it.
08:32I was starting to worry you'd make me pay for my own welcome dinner.
08:40Miss Yara, your favorite tiramisu, fresh from Italy.
08:44Miss Ellie, this is quite good, too.
08:46I looked from her plate to mine.
08:47Why does she get tiramisu while I get this?
08:49Miss Yara isn't very strong.
08:51Mrs. Carter specifically asked me to make her something she'd like.
08:54Ellie, if you want tiramisu, we can have some brought in tomorrow.
08:58What's your name?
08:58Rosalie, how long have you worked for the Carters?
09:01Twelve years.
09:02Perfect.
09:03I unlocked my phone.
09:04Send me your employment contract, payroll records, household expense reports, and purchase
09:08receipts.
09:09I'm sorry?
09:10Nothing complicated.
09:12If twelve years of loyalty paid for this level of service, consider your invoice cancelled.
09:18Ellie, Rosalie is practically family.
09:20Then she should know better than to act like this.
09:22People with integrity keep honest records.
09:24Wouldn't you agree?
09:25Sis, please don't make this harder for her.
09:27Rosalie works so hard taking care of me.
09:30Oh.
09:31Then that's even more reason to check the books.
09:33She works for you, but the Carters pay her, and Carter family expenses come out of the
09:38family estate, which means they affect my inheritance, too.
09:41Why do you always have to make everything about money?
09:44Because so far, it's the only thing in this family I've found worth counting.
09:47The next morning, my favorite breakfast arrived at the Carter estate right on schedule.
09:53Flaky croissants made with French butter, fresh fruit drizzled with organic honey, avocado
09:58toast on sourdough, topped with black truffle, and a steaming cup of hot chocolate.
10:02Miss Ellie, Mrs. DeLuca thought you probably didn't get much to eat last night.
10:06She sent this over to make sure you started your morning right.
10:10And for lunch, she's sending the chef himself to prepare your meal.
10:17You've been here one night, and you're already putting on a show?
10:21What, do you think this house is a hotel?
10:23Hotels at least ask whether their guests are comfortable.
10:25Your family hasn't even managed that.
10:28Ellie, what exactly are you doing?
10:30Letting strangers walk into this house whenever they please?
10:32I'm living the way I was raised.
10:34With good food, good service, and people who actually know how to treat a guest.
10:38I'm not interested in lowering my standards just because I changed houses.
10:42Have your adoptive parents always spoiled you like this?
10:44Yes.
10:46That's probably why I'm healthy, emotionally stable, and capable of asking for what I want without
10:50crying for attention.
10:51Enough. Stop picking on Yara.
10:53I didn't bother explaining.
10:54After breakfast, I went upstairs to get my purse.
10:57A suitcase was sitting outside the storage room.
10:59Inside were several cheap outfits and a thin blanket.
11:02Miss Ellie, I've put your things here.
11:04Mrs. Carter said you'll be staying in this room for now.
11:06We'll figure out something else in a few days.
11:08Who gave you permission to touch my things?
11:10Organizing your belongings is part of my job.
11:13I crouched down and opened the suitcase.
11:15The clothes were a mess.
11:16Then I noticed my document folder.
11:18And someone had gone through the document folder I'd tucked into an inner compartment.
11:24What's so funny?
11:25Your complete lack of professionalism.
11:28If you're going to snoop through my belongings, at least make sure you stay out of the security
11:31cameras.
11:33Yara hurried out of her room.
11:34Ellie, don't scare Rosalie.
11:36She was only trying to help you unpack.
11:38By going through my private documents.
11:40Ellie, are you planning to cause a scene every single day?
11:43Then maybe you should see what she was looking through.
11:46A second later, his expression changed.
11:48Inside sat three things.
11:50Full authorization for my attorneys to act on my behalf.
11:53A breakdown of my net worth.
11:54And a signed purchase agreement for the mansion next door.
12:00Since you didn't have a proper room ready for me, I asked my dad to contact the owner
12:04next door last night.
12:05The property next door?
12:06Yes, it's cleaner than this place.
12:09And the decor is less over the top.
12:11I'm buying it.
12:12I'll live there instead.
12:13That's ridiculous.
12:14You just came back to this family and you're already moving out?
12:18What are people going to think?
12:20What are they going to think when they find out?
12:22You put your biological daughter in a storage room?
12:26Ellie, are you still upset because I have your room?
12:29I can move out.
12:30I really can.
12:31Don't.
12:32Keep your room.
12:33I don't fight over things I want.
12:35I just buy them.
12:36You make it sound that easy.
12:38Do you even know how much that property costs?
12:42Sir, the owner of the property next door is here.
12:45She's brought a real estate agent and an attorney.
12:48And also...
12:56Princessa, did you sleep well?
12:58No.
12:59The room was covered in dust.
13:01And you are?
13:03I'm Ellie's mother.
13:09Mrs. DeLuca, our daughter is back with us now.
13:12I don't think it's appropriate for you to interfere in our family affairs.
13:17Alexander, let's set appropriate aside for a moment.
13:19You have three debts coming due next quarter.
13:22I'm the creditor on the largest one.
13:27So I'm not just here to collect my daughter.
13:31I'm also here to see whether you intend to pay what you owe.
13:39Three years ago, the Carters ran into a cash flow problem.
13:42You took out two loans through intermediaries.
13:46Then you pledged part of your company's shares to keep your supply chain funded.
13:50You didn't seriously think that money came out of thin air, did you?
14:01Dad, I thought the company was doing fine.
14:05Mrs. DeLuca, surely there's been some kind of misunderstanding?
14:10There hasn't.
14:13The only misunderstanding was yours.
14:15You thought Ellie would have nowhere to go if she left this family.
14:19I'd always known my adoptive parents were wealthy.
14:22They'd just never felt the need to flaunt it.
14:26My dad drove a nondescript old car whenever he went to check on his territory.
14:31My mom dressed elegantly even when she was cooking dinner herself.
14:34From the outside, we looked like just another comfortable family in Palm Beach until I turned 18.
14:41That was the day my parents handed me a folder listing their assets.
14:50Commercial properties, private debt holdings, shares in companies I'd actually heard of,
14:55and most importantly, an underworld network no one even knew existed.
15:02Dad, how much money do we actually have?
15:06Not much.
15:08Just enough to make sure you never have to bow your head to anyone.
15:11Across the room, Yara stood frozen by the staircase.
15:14Her face had gone pale, panic flashing in her eyes.
15:17She'd probably never imagined that the adopted girl she'd looked down on
15:21had never come from humble beginnings at all.
15:26Mrs. DeLuca, debt is one thing.
15:29Family is another.
15:31Of course.
15:33That's why I only have one question today.
15:37How do you intend to treat my daughter?
15:48Mrs. DeLuca, this is all my fault.
15:52I shouldn't have taken Ellie's room.
15:54I'll leave right now.
15:57Yara.
16:01Yara, you used that trick last night.
16:04Keep performing the same scene, and eventually your audience gets bored.
16:13Ellie, I just wanted you to stop being angry with me.
16:17I'm not angry.
16:19I just think you need to work on your acting.
16:22If you're going to play the victim,
16:23at least learn to stay out of the security cameras.
16:29Last night, you told Rosalie to search my suitcase.
16:33And today, you're standing here pretending you had no idea what happened.
16:45What?
16:54Check her document folder.
16:55Take pictures if you can.
16:58There's no way an adopted girl like her has that kind of money.
17:01She has to be faking it.
17:04What if she catches us?
17:09Then just say you were helping her unpack.
17:12Mom, Dad, and Ethan will believe me.
17:15They always do.
17:16Silence swallowed the room.
17:28Yara, you...
17:34No, Mom.
17:35It's not like that.
17:37I was just scared she'd hate me.
17:39I never meant to hurt her.
17:43You never meant to?
17:47Then I guess being cruel just comes naturally to you.
17:57Since this family still hasn't learned how to treat Ellie with basic respect,
18:01she'll be staying in the house I purchased next door for the time being.
18:08As for your debts, I'll have my legal team reassess your current ability to repay them.
18:14Mrs. DeLuca!
18:18Don't look so nervous.
18:26I didn't come here to make trouble for you.
18:29I only came to remind you of one thing.
18:33My daughter is not alone.
18:36I moved next door that very day.
19:00Honestly, this was more like it.
19:02The first time Ethan came knocking,
19:03I was stretched out on a lounge chair in the garden,
19:06enjoying the afternoon sun.
19:13Ellie, Dad wants you to come home for dinner.
19:22Which home?
19:27The Carter House.
19:31Send me the menu.
19:32If the food's bad, I'm not coming.
19:34Why is inviting you anywhere so difficult?
19:38I'm not one of your customers with an overdue bill.
19:45I don't owe you anything.
19:47Just because your family needs help fixing its financial problems.
19:55About last night.
19:57I didn't know Yarda would do something like that.
20:01You didn't know because you didn't want to know.
20:04If you're not going to use your eyes, donate them to a lamp hole.
20:15I treated you badly.
20:17I'm sorry.
20:19Apology accepted.
20:21Forgiveness denied.
20:24How long is that going to take?
20:26How long is that going to take?
20:26Depends on how you behave.
20:27Depends on how you behave.
20:33Could you help me with something?
20:40People at school have been mocking Yara over everything that's happened with our family.
20:45They're mocking me too.
20:48Aren't you the Carter family's eldest son?
20:51It's the school board president's son, Niall Kensington. He's always had it out for me.
21:00Let's go.
21:02Where?
21:05School.
21:11We can fight among ourselves all we want,
21:14but we don't let outsiders humiliate our family.
21:19Family business stays in the family. Understood?
21:28What about Yara?
21:37She can come. She may be dramatic, but she's still a Carter.
21:43If someone outside this family targets her, they're disrespecting my family too.
21:51Call it my first contribution to the family.
21:54That afternoon, the three of us went to school together.
22:02Niall Kensington was laughing with a group of students near the basketball court.
22:09Well, look at that. The real daughter and the fake one.
22:16Your family's pretty entertaining, Ethan. One sister turns out to be an imposter and the real one can't
22:22wait to get away from you.
22:27You're Niall Kensington.
22:31Oh, the famous real daughter.
22:33What happened? Couldn't even get a room in the mansion, so you had to move next door?
22:37The students around him laughed.
22:40That's right. I bought the house next door.
22:48You should try working a little harder too.
22:50Maybe by graduation, you'll be able to afford a parking space without asking daddy to buy it for you.
23:06And just so we're clear, I recorded everything you just said.
23:12Insults, rumors, defamation.
23:17My lawyer is free this week.
23:20I'm sure he'd love something to do.
23:25You really think you can scare me?
23:28My dad's on the school board.
23:30What a coincidence.
23:33My mom just donated an entire science building to this school.
23:38They haven't named it yet.
23:40How does the Niall Kensington Center for Legal Education sound?
23:49Wait, seriously?
23:56No.
24:02But the lawyer is real.
24:04So is the recording.
24:06And so is your complete inability to shut up.
24:09You're insane!
24:17People like us don't waste time trading insults.
24:20When someone crosses the line, we let their parents pay the bill.
24:24That night, Niall's father called Alexander.
24:27Not to complain, to apologize.
24:29After the call, Alexander looked at me for a long moment.
24:32I couldn't tell what was going through his mind.
24:34I'm not going through it.
24:41Ellie.
24:43This is for you.
24:52an Americano you don't like it I take mine with oat milk light on the sugar
25:02this is exactly how you operate you put in all that effort and somehow still
25:07managed to get it completely wrong I'll get you another one
25:15Ellie thank you for yesterday Yara wasn't crying today that surprised me no need to thank me I looked
25:23at her just stop crying over every little thing it'll do you some good I'll try no don't try do
25:31it stay with the carters if that's what you want just stop treating me like I'm your enemy
25:37I'm not interested in competing for this family's love if I were you wouldn't even make the shortlist
25:49why don't you hate me
25:53I do
25:57that doesn't mean I'm going to waste my life thinking about you
26:01you're not a hundred dollar bill not everyone has to like you
26:11you're right you've been acting strange lately I just think you're a lot more dependable than I
26:19expected don't flatter me flattery isn't going to get me to write your disciplinary report either
26:28how did you know after my lawyer sent Niall that letter he probably tried to fight back
26:35the school asked you to write a statement about what happened didn't they
26:39how do you know everything I patted him on the shoulder I have a good brain you should try getting
26:48one
26:48from that day on
26:49Ethan started learning from me how to speak his mind without crossing the line
26:53Yara slowly stopped crying over everything too the helpless act disappeared little by little but
26:58Vera surprised me the most for the first time she actually tried texting me
27:03Ellie it's mom will you come home for dinner tonight I asked the chef to make the shrimp pasta you
27:07like
27:07I stared at those two words it's mom I didn't feel much but the pasta sounded tempting fine if the
27:14food's bad I'm leaving
27:17Deal I'll have the chef make it exactly the way you like it
27:25Try this I made sure the chef went easy on the sugar
27:30I got your coffee too oat milk light on the sugar
27:35Ellie we're having a meeting with some of our suppliers next week
27:42if you're free would you like to sit in
27:46she just got back and you're already dragging her into the company
27:50you're going to wear her out
27:53I was only asking
27:55I can come I charge by the hour
28:00you really never let yourself lose do you
28:03in my family we're kind to each other
28:06that doesn't mean we forget what things are worth
28:08the first time I met the Carter relatives was at Vera's birthday party
28:12it was a huge celebration
28:14the estate was packed with relatives
28:16family friends and business associates
28:19honestly I hadn't wanted to go
28:21then Vera texted me
28:22Ellie I want you there
28:24I want to officially introduce you to the whole family
28:27I stared at the message for a long time
28:29in the end I put on an elegant teal dress and went
28:37at the party
28:39Vera took my arm and introduced me to everyone herself
28:42this is my daughter Ellie DeLuca
28:44this time she didn't add biological
28:46and she didn't introduce Yara first
28:51I'm okay
28:52good
28:53I see you're getting better at managing your emotions
28:56thanks
28:57just then
28:57a woman covered in jewelry approached
28:59and slipped her arm through Vera's like they were old friends
29:02darling is this the daughter you found
29:04pretty girl
29:05though I hear she wasn't raised in the family
29:07I suppose she's a little short on manners
29:09Raquel don't say that
29:11and who are you
29:12your aunt Raquel
29:14oh
29:14was that supposed to be my welcome gift
29:16how cheap
29:17Ethan nearly burst out laughing
29:19Raquel quickly recovered her smile
29:21she's got spirit
29:23I hear your adoptive parents have quite a bit of money
29:26now that you're back you should help the family out
29:28my son's starting a business
29:30he just needs a little capital
29:31nothing much
29:32just eight million
29:34how much?
29:35only eight million
29:42your parents are wealthy
29:43so are your adoptive parents
29:45we're family
29:46don't be so calculating
29:48does she always ask for money like this?
29:51a loan
29:51why call it that?
29:53talking about money just ruins family relationships
29:55not talking about money ruins your finances
29:59what's that supposed to mean?
30:00I can lend you the money
30:03but we'll sign a contract first
30:04market rate interest
30:06collateral
30:06miss a payment
30:07and we take legal action
30:09if that's too much trouble
30:10don't borrow it
30:12I'm your aunt
30:13being my aunt doesn't entitle you to an interest-free loan
30:16if you need money
30:17go to a bank
30:19if even a bank won't lend to you
30:20there's probably a reason
30:22and if the Carters still do
30:24clearly they haven't learned their lesson
30:26Vera
30:26I'm your sister
30:27you're really going to let your daughter humiliate me?
30:32Raquel
30:33Ellie is right
30:35you need to repay
30:36what we've already lent you to
30:3836,200,000 in total
30:44I've already asked finance
30:45to prepare the full breakdown
30:46if you don't repay it
30:48we'll enforce the contracts
30:50have you all lost your minds?
30:52Aunt Raquel
30:53love is one thing
30:54money is another
30:55being family is all the more reason
30:57to keep the account straight
30:58exactly
30:59your relatives aren't ATMs
31:00excellent
31:03setting boundaries
31:04was catching on
31:05after the party
31:06Vera took me into the garden
31:08Ellie
31:09I used to think family meant putting up with things
31:11that if you love someone
31:13you just endure it
31:14then I realized something
31:16the more you let people get away with
31:19the more they start thinking they're entitled to it
31:21you understand now
31:22it's not too late
31:24and you?
31:26are you still willing to see me as your mom?
31:28a soft breeze moved through the garden
31:30the lights caught the tears gathering at the corners of her eyes
31:35Mrs. Carter being family isn't paperwork
31:37it doesn't become real just because someone signs a birth certificate
31:42we could try a trial run though
31:45past the probation period
31:46and we can make it official
31:52real crisis hit the carters a month later
31:55their supply chain suddenly collapsed
31:57several major clients demanded to terminate their contracts at once
32:00then the banks started calling in their loans
32:02overnight
32:02Alexander looked like he'd aged 10 years
32:05Ethan paced across the living room
32:07visibly panicked
32:08Alexander rubbed his temples
32:10dad how did this happen?
32:11someone's been working against us behind the scenes
32:13I sat on the sofa
32:14calmly reviewing a stack of documents
32:16not just someone
32:17you have an insider
32:19someone is betraying you from the inside
32:21Alexander's head snapped toward me
32:23how do you know?
32:24I spread several purchase contracts across the coffee table
32:27these three have inflated prices
32:29and unusual delivery schedules
32:31and every payment ends up at the same shell company
32:33I tapped one of the contracts
32:35its registered agent is connected to Rosalie's nephew
32:37Vera's face changed
32:39Rosalia?
32:39Yara suddenly went pale
32:41a few days ago she told me
32:43she would destroy the carters sooner or later
32:45she got the wrong person
32:46I tapped the contract again
32:47she's the parasite bleeding this family dry
32:49I'm just here for pest control
32:51Alexander's jaw tightened
32:52he reached for his phone
32:53I'm calling the police
32:54wait
32:55he stopped
32:57I looked at him
32:59reporting her isn't enough
33:01someone else is behind this
33:02who?
33:03I turned toward Yara
33:05she instinctively took a step back
33:06I cut her off
33:08Ali why are you looking at me?
33:09I really didn't
33:10her expression shifted
33:12not you
33:13Yara looked confused
33:15but someone used you
33:16I handed her my phone
33:23a series of messages filled the screen
33:26they were conversations between Raquel and Rosalie
33:29Raquel had been pushing Rosalie to steal information from the Carter family's contracts for weeks
33:35but that wasn't all
33:36she had also been contacting the Carter's clients using Yara's name
33:41she told them the family was fighting over the inheritance
33:44that the siblings were turning against each other
33:47that the company was on the verge of collapse
33:49Yara slowly finished reading
33:51her face went completely white
33:56she used my name?
33:58yes
33:58Yara stared at the screen
34:00her hands trembling
34:01you played helpless for so long
34:03that everyone believed you were the victim
34:06so she borrowed your identity to play the victim too
34:09it made the lie more believable
34:11Yara's lips trembled
34:13I saw the tears gathering in her eyes
34:15don't even think about it
34:17she immediately blinked them back
34:18beside her
34:19Ethan muttered
34:20she's actually doing great
34:22thanks Ethan
34:32one
34:33report everything and let the legal process run its course
34:36two
34:37reassure the clients first
34:38then use the situation to draw Raquel and the rival company into the open
34:42do you have a plan?
34:43yes
34:44but I charge
34:47again?
34:48of course you do
34:49and we'll pay
34:50even family has to keep the book straight
34:52if she saves the family she gets paid
34:58good
34:58you're learning
35:20over the next three days
35:21I arranged meetings with several of the Carter's most important clients
35:25in a city near Puerto del Este
35:26I didn't take them to a hotel or a boardroom
35:29I took them to my mother's private restaurant
35:31it was tucked behind a quiet garden
35:34with water running between smooth stones
35:36and soft live music
35:38drifting through the evening air
35:39the food was exquisite
35:40even the shrimp looked like they belonged in a jewelry case
35:43the clients had arrived prepared to discuss terminating their contracts
35:47but after a good meal and a few glasses of wine
35:50half the tension had already disappeared
35:52my father sat to one side
35:54calmly sipping tea
35:55gentlemen
35:56the Carters do have management problems
35:58but their supply chain isn't going anywhere
36:03half of their key suppliers depend on companies I control
36:11Alexander finally understood
36:13now he knew why Leah had been so calm
36:16when she told him she was the Carter's largest creditor
36:18the DeLuca hadn't suddenly appeared to meddle in the Carter's affairs
36:23they had already been involved in some of the most critical parts of the family's business
36:28Raquel thought she could take advantage of the chaos
36:31and carve out a piece of the company for herself
36:37she had no idea she was stepping into territory protected by my adoptive parents
36:43that night she met with the head of the rival company at an exclusive private club
36:47the Carters are a complete mess
36:51no matter how clever that real daughter thinks she is
36:53she's still just a girl
37:01Aunt Raquel
37:02enjoy the food
37:07but keep your hands off our contracts
37:11this time
37:12you're paying the bill
37:14the rival executive slowly lowered his glass
37:16he finally realized this wasn't a business meeting anymore
37:19it was an ambush
37:20in the end Raquel was placed under investigation
37:23so was Rosalie
37:24for embezzlement and leaking confidential business information
37:27once the crisis was resolved
37:29Alexander gave me his first real apology
37:31he was sitting in his study that afternoon
37:33his shoulders looked more stooped than before
37:36Ellie, I was wrong
37:46I thought bringing you back
37:49giving you money
37:50and officially acknowledging you as my daughter
37:52would make up for everything
37:55but I forgot something
37:57those were the last things you needed
37:59what I needed was to be treated like your daughter
38:02from the beginning
38:04not like a problem you suddenly had to find room for
38:11Ellie, I'm sorry
38:13I always thought Yara was fragile
38:15so I protected her first
38:17then I realized you could get hurt too
38:20you just never let the hurt control your life
38:25Ellie, I owe you an apology too
38:28I was scared you'd come back
38:30and take everything away from me
38:33so I kept pretending to be helpless
38:37then I realized you never wanted to take anything from me
38:45you already had more love
38:46than I ever managed to get by pretending
38:52does the Carter family get a bulk discount on apologies?
39:00at last the room didn't feel so heavy
39:05alright, we'll settle the old accounts a little at a time
39:08and we'll take the future as it comes
39:11one apology isn't going to rebuild a family
39:14but if you're willing to learn
39:18I might stick around and keep teaching you
39:21I'll learn
39:22your dad will learn too
39:27your mom will too
39:29I've already learned your coffee order
39:31oat milk, light on the sugar
39:34I've learned not to cry
39:36well
39:37most of the time
39:44after that
39:45the Carter family changed completely
39:47when relatives asked for money
39:49Vera would smile and pull out a contract
39:51happy to discuss it
39:53let's agree on the interest and collateral first
39:55when an executive dodged a question during a meeting
39:57Alexander would frown
39:58skip the excuses
39:59show me the numbers
40:00when someone tried to provoke Ethan
40:02he no longer lost his temper
40:03he simply pulled out his phone and started recording
40:05say that again
40:06my sister's legal team has some free time lately
40:09but Yara changed the most
40:10the fragile girl who had always played innocent
40:12became surprisingly good at setting boundaries
40:14with a smile
40:15aren't you scared the real daughter will take your place?
40:19what place?
40:20she has her own house
40:21her own money
40:22and her own lawyers
40:23she doesn't even want my place in this family
40:26I just want to keep learning from her
40:27it'll save me 20 years of mistakes
40:29when I heard that
40:30I nearly spit out my coffee
40:31six months later
40:33the Carter family was back on solid ground
40:35Alexander officially proposed
40:37adding me to the family succession plan
40:45fine
40:47but we're adding one condition
40:50what condition?
40:51every major Carter decision
40:53goes through an independent audit first
40:55then we can talk about family feelings
41:01fair
41:04Ellie, are your adoptive parents coming this weekend?
41:06I want your mom to teach me how to make that corn dessert you love
41:09didn't you say you hated cooking?
41:11I want to learn
41:13because you like it
41:37thank you for raising Ellie so well
41:39thank you for raising Ellie so well
41:45she was always a good girl
41:48we just made sure she never had to settle
41:50for less than she deserved
42:00Ellie, try this one
42:02I followed your mom's instructions exactly
42:05a little too sweet
42:06and the corn was slightly undercooked
42:08but when I looked at Vera's hopeful expression
42:10I nodded
42:11it's okay
42:12a little less sugar next time
42:15mom, it's okay is basically a five-star review coming from Ellie
42:19exactly
42:19if she doesn't call it terrible
42:21she loves you
42:24I see you finally learned how to read me
42:27we learn from you
42:28be clear
42:29show people you care
42:31keep your account straight
42:33and never carry today's hurt into tomorrow
42:36to my sister
42:37the woman who can straighten out anything she walks into
42:44and to Mr. and Mrs. DeLuca
42:47thank you for giving Ellie the best upbringing she could have asked for
42:52our approach was simple
42:57my little girl was never going to have to get on her knees
42:59and beg anyone for love
43:07inside the Carter garden had been completely redesigned
43:10the ridiculously over-the-top fountain was gone
43:12in its place was a small ornamental stream
43:15surrounded by trees covered in fragrant blossoms
43:18a soft breeze drifted through the garden
43:21the sweet scent reached our table
43:22and suddenly I realized
43:24maybe this place could still be fixed
43:27and me
43:28I was still the same Ellie
43:30sweet when I wanted to be
43:31firm when I needed to be
43:33with money
43:35with a family
43:36and finally
43:37with a place I could call home
43:39love me
43:40and I'll give you even more love in return
43:42hurt me
43:43and I'll give back exactly what you gave me
43:46then I'll walk away
43:46because life gets a whole lot simpler
43:49when you know what you want
43:50set your boundaries
43:51and refuse to settle for less than you deserve
43:53and I never planned on settling again
43:55you
43:57and I'll give back some time
44:25You