Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
During the gathering of relatives, my affluent cousin embarrassed me.
She works in a bistro. Every one chuckled as her
discreetly whispered, Madam, we require your financial institution's authorization for
urgent funds. My Phil's face turned white when he realized
I was the CEO. I never planned to keep my
success a secret. Life just worked out that way. Growing
(00:24):
up in Singapore, my parents taught me the value of
hard work and education. Emily, knowledge is the one thing
nobody can take from you, my father would say as
he drove his taxi laid into the night to fund
my studies. My mother worked two jobs, and together they
made sure I had everything I needed to excel. Their
sacrifice paid off. I graduated top of my class in
(00:48):
finance and landed a position at one of Asia's largest banks.
By twenty eight, I was the youngest division head in
the bank's history, managing over fifty billion dollars in corporate loans.
But few this side of me. I met James at
my friend's small cafe, where I loved to work on weekends,
helping out just to stay grounded. He walked in one
(01:09):
rainy morning, ordered a latte and smiled when I drew
a little heart in the foam. This is the best
coffee I've had in months, he said, his eyes crinkling
at the corners. The secret is making it with care,
I replied, wiping down the counter. He came back every
weekend after that. We talked about everything, his work as
(01:29):
an architect, his dreams of designing sustainable buildings, his close
relationship with his family. I found myself looking forward to
our conversations, enjoying how he saw me for who I was,
not what I owned. When he finally asked me out,
I said yes without hesitation. Our first date was at
a humble Hawker center, sharing plates of char Kwaitio and
(01:51):
laughing about nothing in particular. I fell in love with
his kindness, his integrity, and how he treated everyone with respect,
regardless of their status. My family's a bit traditional, he
won me before our first dinner with them. They can
be jugmental about status and career. Don't worry, I assured him,
I can handle it. I wasn't prepared for Richard Chin,
(02:14):
James's father, a self made real estate tycoon. He dominated
every room he entered. His wife, Helen, was equally intimidating
in her designer clothes and perfectly coefed hair. James's sister
Victoria took after their mother down to her dismissive glance.
When I mentioned working at a cafe, a cafe, Richard's
(02:36):
voice boomed across the dinner table. James, I thought you
said she went to university. She did, Dad, Emily has
a degree in clearly not putting it to good use.
Richard interrupted. In this family, we believe in ambition, excellence,
not serving coffee. I saw James's face redden but he
(02:57):
stayed silent. Helen pearl necklace a habit I've learned, meant
she was about to deliver a carefully crafted insult. Dear,
perhaps you could help Emily find a more suitable position.
The cleaning company we use is always hiring. Victoria snickered
at least sheet of health insurance. I maintain my composure
(03:19):
years of high stakes negotiations serving me well. I enjoy
my current work. But thank you for your concern. The
rest of dinner passed in a blur of subtle digs
and patronizing advice. James apologized profusely on the drive home.
They'll come around, he promised, they just need time to
know you, but they didn't. Over the next year, as
(03:43):
James and I grew closer, his family's disdain only intensified.
Every family gathering became an exercise in endurance. Richard never
missed an opportunity to remind every one of my humble station.
Helen orchestrated seating arrangements to keep me far from important guests.
Victoria openly suggested James find some one more appropriate. When
(04:06):
James proposed, their reaction was predictable. A cafe worker, Richard exploded,
have you lost your mind? Dad? I love her. James
stood firm. Love won't maintain our family standing. Richard shot back,
if you marry her, don't expect any support from me.
(04:26):
But James chose me. We had a small, beautiful wedding
without his family present. Months past, I continued my week
end cafe shifts, finding peace in the simple work while
managing one billion dollar deals during the week. James respected
my choice to keep my career private, understanding my need
to be loved for myself, not my position. Then came
(04:49):
the annual Chin family reunion. We have to go, James
insisted there still family. I agreed, hoping time had softened
their hearts. I was wrong. The reunion was held at
Richard's mansion, a sprawling estate that screamed old money. The
moment we arrived, I felt the familiar weight of jgmental stares.
(05:11):
Oh the cafe girl still hasn't done a real job,
Victoria's voice carried across the garden. How persistent, Richard gathered
every one for his annual family undress, champagne flowing freely
as he boasted about the family's achievements. Then he spotted us, James,
come tell every one about your new project. His eyes
(05:34):
slid past me. And your wife can serve drinks. It's
what she's good at. Yes. Laughter rippled through the crowd.
James opened his mouth to protest, but before he could speak,
a commotion erupted near the house. Richard's secretary came running out,
face pale, mister Chen urgent call from the bank. Not now,
(05:56):
Richard waved her off. We're celebrating, sir. It's about the
emergency loans they're denied. Richard's smile faltered. Impossible. I spoke
with the division head yesterday. No, sir, the new CEO
is reviewing all major loans personally, their requesting a meeting tomorrow.
(06:21):
I felt my phone vibrate, my own secretary calling. I
knew what this was about. Richard's company had been flagged
for suspicious accounting, and as CEO of the corporate banking division,
I had ordered a complete audit. The timing couldn't have
been more perfect. Excuse me, I said, quietly, stepping away
(06:42):
from the crowd to take my call. Ma'am, my secretary whispered, Chin, developments,
financials are worse than we thought. The audit shows systematic
misrepresentation of assets. Send me the files, I replied, I'll
review them tonight. When I returned, Richard was in full
crisis mode. His face had lost its usual smugness, replaced
(07:06):
by barely concealed panic. He was barking orders into his phone,
while Helen hovered near by, wringing her perfectly manicured hands.
Victoria sidled up to me, her voice dripping with false sympathy.
Looks like daddy's company is having issues. Not that you'd
understand business matters more, Champagne, I smiled politely, no, thank you,
(07:32):
but I do have a question. How's your position at
your father's company? She preened, I'm executive vice president of operations. Interesting,
and what exactly do you do? Her smile faltered. I
oversee things, important things like the shell companies in the
Cayman Islands. Victoria's glass slipped from her fingers, shattering on
(07:56):
the marble floor. Several heads turned our way. I don't
know what you're talking about, she hissed, the ones hiding
your father's debt, or perhaps the inflated property valuations. Before
she could respond, Richard's voice boomed across the garden. Every
one party's over family emergency. As guests began to leave,
(08:19):
Richard pulled James aside, Son, I need your help. The
bank there being unreasonable. Your architecture firm has good relationships
with other banks. Yes, James looked uncomfortable. Dad, We're just
a small firm. We don't handle those kinds of loans. Useless,
(08:40):
Richard exploded, just like your choice in wife. If I
lose this company, it's on your head for bringing bad
luck into this family. That was enough. I stepped forward,
my phone in hand. Mister chen, I believe we have
a meeting tomorrow at nine a m. He barely glanced
at me. This doesn't concern you, coffee girl, Actually it does.
(09:07):
I opened my banking app displaying my executive profile. I'm
the CEO you'll be meeting. The silence that followed was deafening.
Richard's face cycled through confusion, disbelief, and horror. Helen's pearl
necklace clattered to the ground. Victoria looked like she might faint.
(09:27):
That's impossible, Richard stammered Emily Chen, CEO of Corporate Banking
Division Singapore United Bank. I stated, calmly, your lone applications
crossed my desk last week. The irregularities were concerning. James
stared at me, mouth agape Emily. All this time. I
(09:47):
wanted to be loved for who I am, not what
I own, I explained softly. You gave me that gift.
Your family not so much. Richard suddenly straightened. His businessman
instincts came kicking in. Well, this is wonderful news. We're
all family here. Surely we can work something out. Family,
(10:09):
I echoed, like when you called me a gold digger
at our wedding reception, or when you told your business
associates that James married beneath the station. Helen stepped forward,
arms outstretched darling. We were just protecting our son. Surely
you understand. I understand perfectly. You judged me, humiliated me,
(10:31):
and treated me like dirt because you thought I was
beneath you. Now you want my help. Victoria attempted damage control.
Emily sweety. We were just teasing. It was all in
good fun. I turned to James. Did you know about
your sister's role in the company. He shook his head.
(10:52):
She said she was handling operations. She's been helping your
father hide debt and inflate assets. The audit shows years
of financial manipulation. Richard's face turned purple. Now see here,
you can't just I can, and I will. I interrupted.
Tomorrow's meeting isn't about loans, It's about fraud investigation. The
(11:14):
color drained from his face. You wouldn't dare were family family,
I laughed softly. Let me share some wisdom from my father.
The taxi driver you mocked at my wedding. He taught
me that true family supports you, believes in you, and
loves you regardless of your status. You've done none of
those things. I took James's hand. The authorities will be
(11:38):
contacting you tomorrow. I suggest you get your lawyers ready.
As we turned to leave, Helen called out desperately, Wait
what about Victoria? She was just following orders. I paused
at the door. Actions have consequences, Helen. Victoria chose to
participate in fraud, she'll face the same investigation as every
(12:02):
one else. The drive home was silent. Finally, James spoke,
why didn't you tell me? Would you have treated me
differently if you knew? He thought for a moment. No.
I fell in love with you, not your job. That's
why I fell in love with you too. I squeezed
his hand. I'm sorry for keeping this from you. I
(12:26):
just needed to know our love was real. What happens now,
I sighed. Your father's company will be investigated. With the
evidence we have, there will likely be criminal charges Victoria too,
if she's implicated and us. That depends. Can you handle
being married to a woman who makes more than your
(12:47):
entire family combined? James laughed, the tension breaking. I think
I'll manage. But no more secrets, No more secrets, I promised.
The next morning, the Chin family empire began to crumble.
Richard arrived at my office precisely at nine a m.
Flanked by his lawyers. Gone was the arrogant tycoon. In
(13:10):
his place sat a man who finally realized he wasn't
the most powerful person in the room. The audit revealed
systematic fraud spanning five years. I stated, slighting the report
across my desk. Falsified valuations, hidden debts, shell companies. It's
all here, we can explain. His lawyer began, no need.
(13:32):
The evidence has been forwarded to the authorities. Richard leaned forward, Emily,
please think about what this will do to the family name,
like you thought about my reputation when you told every
one I was a gold digger. Before he could respond,
my secretary interrupted, ma'am, the police are here. What followed
was a media circus. Chin Development c e O arrested
(13:56):
for fraud splashed across headlines. Victoria was taken into custody
next her designer handbag clutched to her chest as officers
led her away. Helen had a very public breakdown at
the country club. James stood by me through it all,
though I knew it pained him to see his family
fall apart. They did this to themselves, he said one evening,
(14:19):
as we watched the news coverage, you just exposed the truth.
Weeks turned into months. The investigation uncovered more than even
I had suspected. Richard had been running a complex scheme,
using inflated property valuations to secure loans, then channeling the
money through shell companies. Victoria had helped coordinate the fraud,
(14:41):
her executive position nothing more than affront. The trial was swift.
Richard and Victoria were both sentenced to prison, eight years
for him, five for her. Helen was spared criminal charges,
but lost everything in the asset forfeitures. One day, as
autumn hainted Singapore's gardens in golden hues, Helen appeared at
(15:03):
my office. I know I have no right to be here.
She began, her designer clothes replaced by simple cotton. But
I need to say something. I gesture for her to continue.
I was wrong about you, so terribly wrong. Tears filled
her eyes. We judged you because we thought wealth and
status were everything. Now I'm alone, living in a small apartment,
(15:27):
working as a sales clerk, and I finally understand understand
what that character matters more than cash. You were kind
to us, even when we were cruel. You could have
destroyed us completely, but you let the law take its course,
that's that's real class. I studied her face, seeing genuine
(15:48):
remorse for the first time. What do you want, Helen,
a chance not to be close. I know I don't
deserve that, but to apologize to you and James to
try to be better. Six months later, we hosted a
small dinner party. Helen came bringing home made dumplings, a
skill she learned in her new life. She was different, now, humbler,
(16:12):
more genuine. James was healing too, visiting his father and
sister in prison, working through years of family dysfunction. As
for me, I kept my weekend shifts at the cafe,
not because I needed to hide any more, but because
I loved the simplicity of making someone's day better with
a perfect cup of coffee. One morning, a young woman
(16:32):
came in looking defeated rough day. I asked, drawing a
heart in her latte phone. My boyfriend's parents think I'm
not good enough. She sighed, wrong background, wrong job. I smiled,
remembering where my own journey began. Let me tell you
a story about family, pride, and what really matters in
(16:54):
the end. Life has a way of teaching us its
most important lessons. Sometimes at takes losing everything to understand
what truly matters. Richard and Victoria learned this in prison,
Helen learned it through humility, and I learned that being
true to yourself is worth more than all the wealth
in the world. James and I are expecting our first child.
(17:15):
Now We've decided to name her Grace, a reminder that
sometimes the hardest situations deserve a measure of mercy. Helen
is excited to be a grandmother, and even Richard, through
his prison letters, seems to be reflecting on what kind
of legacy he really wants to leave. The cafe still
stands a humble reminder of where our story began. Sometimes
(17:36):
customers recognize me the banking CEO who serves coffee on weekends.
They often ask why I still do it. My answer
is simple. Every cup of coffee is a chance to
make someone's day better, and at the end of our lives,
isn't that what matters most? They usually smile, understanding or not,
(17:57):
but I know my truth six Yes, isn't about power
or revenge or even proving others wrong. It's about staying
true to yourself, showing kindness even when it's not deserved,
and remembering that everyone, even those who hurt us, deserves
a chance at redemption. As I write this, I'm sitting
in the cafe watching the sunrise paint the city in
(18:18):
shades of hope. James will join me soon, as he
does every weekend. Helen might stop by with her dumplings.
Life isn't perfect, but it's real and rich with lessons learned.
And sometimes when I'm making coffee or reviewing one billion
dollar deals, I think about my father's words. Knowledge is
the one thing nobody can take from you. He was right,
(18:41):
but he missed something important. Integrity, compassion, and the courage
to be yourself. Those are things nobody can take either.