autumn in the city

Ruby and Steven fell in love in high school but separated due to family feuds. Ruby initiated the breakup; Steven agreed, believing she'd discovered his father's role in her father's death. Afterward, Steven changed his surname to Gibson, founded Gibson Tech, while Ruby became a freelance writer. Though never contacting her, Steven monitored Ruby's life, learning of her workplace harassment resignation and continued single status. Now successful, he orchestrates her business trip to the city of Syntherra. They reunite, but Ruby mistakenly thinks he's married and withdraws. Even after clearing this misunderstanding, unresolved family conflicts keep her distant. Steven persists, proposing cohabitation without publicity and dating without marriage discussions. Still deeply in love, Ruby succumbs to his gentle persistence, agreeing to a short-term relationship.

Katy Ferguson is a renowned businesswoman in the city who dotes on her biological daughter Naomi Ferguson, giving her everything while remaining cold and distant toward her adopted daughter Alice Ferguson. However, Naomi schemes to steal the family fortune,causing Katy immense suffering. Before dying, Naomi reveals the truth: she's actually a fake daughter! Everything stemmed from butler Howard Adams' conspiracy years ago—he switched his own daughter with Katy's real daughter, deceiving Katy for her entire lifetime. Only in her dying moments does Katy realize that the "biological daughter" she spoiled her whole life wasn't as worthy as the adopted daughter she drove away three years ago. Given a second chance at life, she decides to shower all her love on Alice instead.

Nolan drunkenly rushed home, blaming Heather, his mother, for stopping him from being with Winona in the past. Now, the Shaw family had become the richest in the city, and he had missed the opportunity to be a wealthy son-in-law. In the midst of their argument, Nolan killed Heather by accident. And then Heather was reborn. Nolan chose to leave his stable job to pursue Winona. Heather agreed but coldly laughed at his decision. After he left, she began to dress up, determined that this time she would live for herself rather than for her son. She later got married to Sam. When Sam returned to the company, he learned that Heather’s son, Nolan, was dating Winona, who was connected to one of his subordinate's partnerships. He instructed his assistant to subtly assist the Shaw family. At a banquet, Heather faced humiliation, but Sam fiercely defended her while concealing his identity as a global billionaire. It wasn’t until the final reveal that he disclosed his true status.