After Rising From The Ashes

Actually, the auction for that bracelet was a hoax set up by Natalie.

That so-called bracelet with a starting bid of three million dollars? It was just a ten-dollar knockoff from a street stall.

When Yosef asked me for money, I directed him to Natalie's uncle's loan company.

I told Yosef, "If you want to make an omelet, you have to break a few eggs. Andrea's family has billions, so sincerity means everything to her.

If you skimp on even a bracelet, how's she supposed to trust your love?"

With a little push from me, Yosef ended up signing for a five-million-dollar loan.

Natalie worked her contacts, and Yosef managed to secure the bracelet for six million. After Natalie paid off her insiders, she and I netted four million.

Before Yosef got the bracelet, "Andrea" kept playing up her woes.

"Andrea" said, "Yosef, dear, I think we're not right for each other. Your mom looks down on me, and if I married you, I'd just have a tough enough time.

Does your family prefer sons over daughters? She's so hard on Layla.

Are you actually going to get that bracelet for me? My dad heard it was auctioned off."

"Andrea" broke down crying, and Yosef, pissed off, stormed home and blew up at Maria.

A week later, when Yosef finally had the bracelet, he texted "Andrea" to meet.

Andrew showed up with light makeup, looking vulnerable and delicate.

Instead of Yosef, though, Maria showed up.

Spotting Maria charging into the restaurant like a storm, I quickly pulled Natalie into a corner to hide.

Maria, already fed up from dealing with Yosef, was ready to dump all her frustration on "Andrea."

She confronted Andrew sharply, "So, you're Andrea?

I'm Yosef's mother. If you want to be his wife, you follow our rules.

I don't care if you're an heiress from a wealthy family. Yosef was raised a prince.

Since you've taken our dowry, let's get the wedding sorted quickly. Once you're in, keep your head down. I control the Watson finances. When you have a son, I'll make sure you get some spending money."

Andrew was stunned into silence. Maria, thinking she'd scared him, slammed down a stack of papers. "These are our family rules. Get familiar with them."

Natalie filmed everything and gave Andrew cues.

Choking back tears, Andrew said, "Mrs. Watson, if you don't respect me, just say it directly. There's no need to insult me."

I was blown away by Maria's twisted logic. Here she had a rich and attractive potential daughter-in-law, and instead of welcoming her, she setting harsh rules.

I quickly messaged Yosef: [Mom's about to hit Andrea. Andrea needs you right now!] I spiced up the story and sent Yosef the video Natalie had filmed.

Yosef replied urgently: [Layla, keep Andrea safe. I'll be there in five!]

With the cues from Natalie, Andrew started to provoke Maria.

Andrew snapped back, "Mrs. Watson, your family's too poor to be acting all high and mighty. You think I'd marry into your mess of a family for chump change? And your son? What a disaster. He's ugly and so are his thoughts.

Maybe go see a psychiatrist, huh? Seems like delusions run in your family.

No wonder Yosef is so shameless. He gets it from you, bitch. You're all crooked."

Maria was livid. "You! I'll rip your lips off!"

As she grabbed a pot of coffee to throw at Andrew, Yosef caught her right in the act.