Screenwriter Samantha had devoted two years of her talent to Christian, the eldest son of the Sterling family, only to be humiliated and cast out of the hospital by his mother, Victoria—with the help of a bodyguard—on the grounds that she was "unable to bear children." After witnessing her husband’s infidelity with Chloe, the widow of his own younger brother, a heartbroken Samantha dried her tears and revealed a secret: she and Christian had never actually legally registered their marriage at City Hall. That very night, she contacted Stefan—Christian’s devilishly powerful uncle. The two quickly married, and Stefan demonstrated his extreme devotion by purchasing several high-end luxury shopping districts in Manhattan to gift to his beloved wife. Samantha then returned to the industry, joining Ether Pictures as a high-ranking chief producer; she publicly rejected and halted a core film project that the Sterling Group had relied upon for two years, dealing a devastating blow to the arrogant Christian. At a banquet marking the return of the family patriarch, Thomas, Samantha presented an antique brooch that had been missing for half a century, officially receiving the family matriarch’s emerald brooch in return. On the day of their lavish wedding, Christian attempted to crash the ceremony with a premature infant in tow, but Stefan forcefully blocked him, compelling the younger man to bow his head and respectfully address Samantha as "Aunt." Ultimately, Samantha completely severed
