This relationship is nothing but a risk.
And if anyone were to find out, it'd be even more dangerous.
Do you have anything to tell me about your boss?
If we could just stop time here, that'd be perfect.
What happened between us
was just a moment of weakness.
If you decide to forget it, you'll forget eventually.
What's going on between you and Superior's heiress?
Dad, you can see it clearly yourself.
She's your rival.
Why would you get yourself involved with her?
Answer me properly, or I'll come down hard on you.
But Dad, have you ever thought
that the reason I am with her
might be because I am doing exactly what you want?
What do you mean?
Didn't you say it yourself, Dad?
That you wanted to know the competitor's bidding numbers.
Good.
If that's really the reason you're with her,
then I hope your plan
will make Orienna win the bid.
I'll be watching.
Yes, Dad.
But I have one condition.
What condition?
If I can make Orienna win the bid,
whatever happens between me and Maevika after that,
you must stay out of it.
Fine.
But you have to win the bid. That's all.
Because if you succeed,
whatever you choose to do is your business.
I won't interfere.
I know.
When it comes to your personal life, I can't help.
But if there's anything I can do,
please tell me, Ms. Ai.
I'll do anything for you, Ms. Ai.
I know. No need to get all dramatic.
What are you looking at on your phone?
Just houses and condos.
Why?
Looking for a new place?
Yes.
Why? Is the place where you live now not good enough?
Since you started working at Orienna,
have you gone back to see your family?
No answer means you haven't.
By now, they must miss you so much.
They must wonder how you're living,
how happy you really are.
Or should I send word to them myself?
Well, it's good.
I'm just tired of the same old atmosphere.
Ms. Ai,
the owner of this house
has the same name as your mother.
FOR INQUIRIES, CONTACT ARUNWALAI
TWO-STORY HOUSE FOR SALE IN PHUKET
Mom.
But these days, a lot of people share the same name.
This exact name, spelled this way,
it's definitely one of a kind.
Hello?
Well, I saw your post about selling the house,
and I was interested, so I reached out.
Yes.
If I'd like to set a date to view it in person,
would that be possible?
When will you be coming?
Hello, Ms. Ai.
Are you free the next couple of days, Ms. Mae?
Why?
What thrilling plan are you dragging me into now?
If I tell you, it won't be exciting.
Let's go then.
Dad.
Didn't the doctor tell you not to stress?
So why are you still working like this?
Mae, I'm the owner of this company, my dear.
No matter how sick I am,
I can't just sit still.
One day, when you step into my place,
you'll have to do the same, my child.
So, what is it?
Why come see me now?
Well,
I wanted to ask you
if I could take a short trip for two days.
But don't worry.
I've finished all my work already.
Everything's ready.
These past weeks,
I've been so stressed about the bidding.
I just want a break.
But I'll take my tablet with me,
in case urgent work comes in, I'll handle it right away.
Alright, as you wish.
Thank you.
Actually…
there's something else, Dad.
Uh, Mae.
Speak, my dear.
We don't hide things from each other, do we?
What is it?
What would you think, Dad, if…
I was dating a woman?
Listen.
Even though I'm getting old,
I still understand love these days.
No matter what gender they are,
as long as they're a good person,
don't take advantage of you,
and don't hurt you,
that's all that matters to me.
Thank you, Dad.
I love you.
I love you too.
Ms. Ai, what are you doing here?
I'm here to meet someone important.
And…
bringing me along,
aren't you afraid she'll find out about us?
I want her to know.
That's exactly why I brought you.
I'm in front of the house now.
I'm sorry, truly.
I had to fly abroad urgently.
So I couldn't meet you.
But you can get the key from the caretaker
and look around the house yourself.
Then…
when will you be back?
Well…
I don't have a date yet.
But don't worry.
If you're truly interested in buying this house,
I'll sign over power of attorney to let someone handle it for me.
In that case…
Mom…
it's me, Ai.
Aiwarin, your daughter.
I've never had a child.
You must have mistaken me for someone else.
So let's leave the house matter at that.
Let's get some exercise.
Let's see if you can catch me.
Come on. Please?
Think of it as burning off what you ate, so you won't gain weight.
I have no idea
what you have been through
and the problems you've had to face.
But, if those problems
can't be solved right away,
we just have to let them go
and keep moving forward.
That house.
I thought
it was my mother's.
I saw it listed for sale online,
so I rushed over,
thinking I'd get to see my mom.
And the reason I brought you
was because I wanted you to meet her too.
I wanted
the two people I love most in this world to meet each other.
But that wasn't her.
Maybe just someone with the same name.
When you once told me
that you had no mother,
the truth was your mother is still alive.
But you haven't been in contact?
No.
It's been 20 years.
I don't even know why she left home back then.
What reason she had.
She just left all of a sudden.
Without saying a word.
Not even…
a goodbye.
And what about your father?
He never told you anything?
No.
All he ever said was to forget her.
After that,
I tried to do everything my father told me to.
And I secretly hoped that,
since I had no mother,
I thought Dad would step up,
to make up for what I'd lost.
But, no.
It only got more stressful.
And he pressured me to do everything
the way he wanted.
Because he thought
I was the only one left,
the only person in his life.
And so now,
I've become the person you see, Ms. Mae.
Always trying to look strong.
Even when inside,
I'm painfully fragile.
But now you're here with me.
Thank you.
I just want to comfort you, to ease your sadness.
Just stay still, Ms. Ai.
I'll be the one to make you happy.
Hello, Mr. Adisorn.
Alright, when?
Okay.
-Was that urgent work? -Yes.
FINAL MEETING SUMMARY
UNANIMOUS RESOLUTION: SUBMIT A BID OF 26 BILLION BAHT
26 BILLION BAHT
Beautiful, isn't it?
It is.
But you're more beautiful.
Such sweet talk,
does that mean you're not sad anymore?
I feel so much better now.
Because of you, Ms. Mae.
Ms. Ai, have you ever thought
about if
we weren't rivals at all,
but just two ordinary women
who happened to meet, like each other,
and start dating. What would that be like?
It would be wonderful
if we didn't have to hide whenever we're together.
And…
if we didn't have to worry that behind our backs,
the other might be plotting something.
So you've been suspicious of me, Ms. Mae?
A little, yes.
Because we are rivals, after all.
But…
after spending time with you, Ms. Ai,
we've been through both hard times
and happiness together.
So I'm certain,
you'd never hurt me, Ms. Ai.
And so,
no matter what happens from now on,
I'd never hurt you either.
Ever, for sure.
G
-Yes? -Ms. Mae, something's happened.
A SECRET DEAL BETWEEN TWO BILLION-DOLLAR HEIRESSES
IS IT PERSONAL, OR COLLUSION IN BIDDING?
Contact the news page that posted it.
Do whatever it takes to delete it all.
Pay them whatever they ask.
And for those who shared it,
damaging Superior's name,
send someone to threaten them.
If they don't delete it, we'll sue them all.
Who do you think did this, Ms. Ai?
I'm not sure.
It could be anyone.
Someone who benefits from this.
Or else…
we must've gotten in their way.
But if I had to guess,
there's only one reason.
The bidding.
Thank you
for preparing so thoroughly.
But I'm sorry,
I'd rather not join forces with you.
No matter how much I want to win this bid,
I never planned on using dirty tricks
or doing anything dishonest.
I'll just work harder on my own
and win another way.
As you wish.
But let me warn you,
I'm not someone who wastes time on people
without getting something in return.
You'll have to take responsibility for turning your back on me.
Let me tell you something.
If I were really afraid of your threats,
I wouldn't have come here in the first place.
You're refusing me
because you've got a secret deal with Orienna, right?
Do you really think Aiwarin is sincere with you?
It's obvious
she's just exploiting your inexperience, that's all.
Aiwarin would never back down.
Worried I'd be gone missing?
I just went to get something from the car.
I'll be right back.
Rachen?
-Hello. -I've got a reservation.
-Under Rachen. -This way, please.
Right this way, sir.
Bring the menu. Mr. Direk's guest has arrived.
Hello.
-Yes? -Do you have a reservation?
My friend booked it already.
I'll find the table myself, thank you.
Of course, ma'am.
Sorry for making you come so far.
I thought meeting in Bangkok right now
might not be convenient.
It's not far at all, it's fine.
So, what is it you want to discuss with me?
I wanted to give you an update on Superior's deal.
Ms. Ai.
What are you doing here, Ms. Mae?
I saw you rushing out in your car,
so I followed.
What exactly are you planning to do?
The people in that room
are Rachen and Mr. Direk.
What?
I saw Rachen at the hotel,
so I drove after him.
I was sure something was up.
Turns out he was meeting with Mr. Direk.
And they're discussing the bidding.
What should we do?
How can we find out what they're saying?
I know it's risky,
but we really need to know, Ms. Ai.
Excuse me. I need your help with something.
MS. MAEVIKA
MS. AIWARIN
I'll make sure you're well compensated.
And if anything goes wrong,
I'll take full responsibility.
I'll even help you find a better job.
Please, help me.
I'll be honest.
I don't think this has anything to do with Aiwarin.
The reason Maevika came to you
might be because she knew you'd never keep your word.
In the end, once she gave you the numbers,
you'd just offer higher to win the bid anyway.
You'd never step aside and let her win.
Maevika isn't that smart.
But whatever. I've already prepared my backup plan.
What plan?
I've got you to back me up.
Back you up how?
I've already mapped out everything for you.
If I do more, I'll be risking too much myself.
Though I've already rewarded you generously.
Both what I've paid so far,
and what I'll pay again after the bidding's over.
Don't forget, Mr. Rachen,
even if I'm the chairman of this project,
it's not that easy
for me to interfere with everything as I please.
But there might still be a way.
What way?
Leave.
Go!
Yes.
So you went to meet Rachen,
even after I warned you.
I just wanted to know what his offer was.
Do you really want to win that badly, Ms. Mae?
So badly you'd risk dealing with someone like him?
And if something happened,
how would you protect yourself?
Yes.
I want to win.
Because it's the only way
to make everyone at Superior finally accept me.
Do you know, Ms. Ai,
even now,
there are still so many people
who don't believe
that I could ever rise to lead Superior.
And even more so,
now that they know my father's sick.
It makes me want to win even more.
Your father…
is sick?
Yes.
That's why
this bidding isn't just about me.
It's about doing it for my father too.
I want you to know, Ms. Ai,
that the two of us are both carrying the weight
and pressure of everyone's expectations.
Then,
why didn't you accept Rachen's offer
and do what he asked?
Because his offer
was to dig secrets out of you, Ms. Ai.
Exactly.
If the stakes are that high for you,
you could've just accepted.
But the reason you didn't
is because you saw through Rachen, just like Mr. Direk said.
That's not it.
The real reason I didn't,
is because I didn't want to.
I already told you before,
no matter what happens,
I'd never hurt you, Ms. Ai.
I'm sorry, Ms. Mae.
Sorry that
I didn't realize
everything you've had to face.
It's nothing.
Just having you here,
by my side, listening, that's enough.
So…
what should we do with the recording we got?
Should we just release it?
Not yet.
If we're up against people who play dirty,
that doesn't mean we have to become like them.
Let's choose the transparent way instead.
Don't worry.
Everything will work out just fine.
You know about Mae and Aiwarin, don't you?
Then why didn't you tell me?
I asked her to keep it secret, Dad.
Mae.
What were you thinking?
If you're with a woman, I don't mind.
But she's our rival, Mae.
I know, Dad.
At first, I only approached her,
got close to her just to gain an advantage in the bidding, that's all.
But now…
I've come to truly feel something for her, Dad.
Feel what?
I love her.
Mae.
In that case,
you'll have to step down from leading this bid.
Hand it over to me.
I'll take care of it myself.
Don't you see, competing against the one you love,
whether you win or lose, either way, it hurts.
I won't back down.
No matter what, I won't.
Aiwarin and I already agreed,
no matter how the bidding turns out,
we won't let it decide our relationship.
Are you sure
that you can do that?
I'm not sure, Dad.
Even if it hurts me,
at least now
I've already done it for you, Dad.
I promise you,
I'll make you proud.
Give me this chance, Dad.
Let me see this through.
Yes, the original page deleted the post.
But I'm sure the board will still be suspicious.
You should prepare an answer, Ms. Ai.
I really want to know who leaked the story.
-I already know. -Really?
So, what will you do next?
Nothing much, just
keep doing everything the right way.
Have you got the numbers yet?
26 BILLION BAHT
Not yet.
If it's going to take this long,
I think you should change your plan.
I think by entangling yourself with that woman,
you're taking on a risk that's not worth it.
No. Just give me a little more time.
And what exactly is "a little more"?
The bidding deadline is almost here.
I'm trying, I really am.
Someone like you,
if you truly tried, you'd succeed.
Unless…
something's holding you back.
What is it?
Your heart.
You didn't get close to Maevika
just for business, did you?
It's because you like her.
I'll give you one more chance.
If you succeed,
I'll grant you whatever you ask for.
But if you fail,
you'll get nothing from me again.
TOMORROW AT THE MEETING, I WANT YOU, MS. MAE,
TO CLARIFY THE FACTS ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT'S HAPPENED.
YES, BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE HAVE QUESTIONS.
LIKE WHETHER YOU STILL HAVE THE FULL QUALIFICATIONS TO LEAD SUPERIOR GROUP.
If you all remember,
at the press launch of The Greater,
I told the media
that Aiwarin and I knew each other back in school.
So meeting again this time,
even as rivals,
doesn't mean I have to see her as an enemy.
Because after this bidding ends,
Orienna and Superior
might still work together on other projects in the future.
So maintaining relationships, maintaining friendships,
isn't such a bad thing.
But isn't this the wrong timing?
Why not wait until this is over?
Do friendships really have to follow timing?
Don't you think, Ms. Mae,
that the press, or even The Greater,
might not understand your intentions?
They might assume you and Aiwarin are colluding on the bid.
That accusation is a bit extreme, isn't it?
If someone's going to accuse us of collusion,
they'd better have solid evidence.
Not just a photo.
If a single picture
is enough to explain everything as fact,
then this world's become impossible to live in.
I think
everyone shouldn't worry too much about this.
As long as there's no official statement from The Greater
on whether Orienna or Superior
will be disqualified from the competition,
it means we're still in the clear.
And who knows,
maybe The Greater doesn't even care about this rumor.
They might see it
as just another tactic from other bidders
trying to discredit us.
Because tricks like this have always been
part of every bidding war.
And these "other bidders" you mentioned,
who do you think it is?
Could it be Superior themselves?
Why would they do that?
They'd be damaged too.
True, but we'd take the bigger hit.
Since we've been in the industry longer,
they could spin it as us tricking them into collusion.
No way.
Maevika's not that kind of person.
Meeting adjourned.
Ms. Ai,
is there something I should know?
Come in.
I'm starting to think your boss
won't be able to pull it off,
like she promised me.
I can see how much you love her.
So maybe you can do it for her.
What do you mean, sir?
I want you to help Aiwarin
get the bidding numbers from Superior.
Because you, yourself,
are close
with Maevika's assistant, aren't you?
You know about that?
Someone like me,
if I want to know something, I'll know.
And if…
I can't do it?
You wouldn't want me to do things
you'd rather I didn't, right?
So in truth, you already know Superior's numbers,
but you told him you didn't?
I can't do it.
I love her.
Hey…
Come on, stand up properly.
Hey…
What the hell are you doing?
Calm down.
Easy…
It's okay.
I was forced to hurt Ms. Ai…
and you too.
But I can't do it.
I thought…
this was the best way out.
It's okay. Calm down.
In a situation like this,
we should hold on to each other more.
Okay?
Alright?
I don't know what info you've already got on Orienna.
But I've also secured key intel from Superior.
So I'd say the time has come.
From now on, we're nothing but rivals.
-What do you want? -Proof.
By now, everyone's seen the rumors about Ms. Aiwarin of Orienna
and Ms. Maevika of Superior.
If there's any truth to it,
then both Orienna and Superior should be disqualified from the bidding. UP.