stephen colbert: meanwhile

Ashley and her mother became separated during her childhood, and Vanessa, an orphan from the same orphanage, assumed Ashley's identity. As Ashley grew up and pursued a career in design, she faced constant challenges and manipulation from Vanessa. Vanessa also deceived Ashley's biological mother, causing trouble for Ashley at every turn. Fortunately, she crossed paths with Malcom, who trusted and appreciated her.In the end, through continuous effort and personal growth, Ashley managed to reconnect with her biological mother, reclaim her true identity, and emerge as a talented designer. She also found love. Meanwhile, Vanessa faced the consequences of her actions.

Lottie Garner faces a forced marriage to the Ford family's son, an overweight playboy with STDs, to pave the way for her stepsister Nikki Garner's marriage alliance with the Weber family, the wealthiest in the capital. To escape this fate and exact revenge on Nikki and her mother, Lottie decides to seduce Nikki's fiance, Zaxton Weber. They begin a clandestine affair. At Nikki's engagement celebration, Lottie arrives exquisitely dressed, her striking figure capturing everyone's attention, including Zaxton's. The pair share an intimate moment in the stairwell during the party. Meanwhile, an increasingly anxious Nikki searches for them, heading toward the stairwell where a dramatic confrontation is about to unfold.

Twenty years ago, Quilla saved Yosef and his family by chance.The two fell in love over time, and she chose to stay with Yosef, raising his three children as her own. Twenty years later,the ex-wife Mary reappears. Emotionally, the three children lean more toward their birth mother, so the family decides to drive away Quilla, the only "outsider". Heartbroken, she cuts ties with them for good. Meanwhile, the Grant family's business begins to decline,and Mary proves to be nothing but a gold-digger. They finally remember Quilla's kindness and try to win her back, but her heart is already dead, and she starts a new life.

Paul Smith, CEO of Horizon Group, had it all—until his own adopted children and former college friend Lewis stabbed him in the back. Forced into bankruptcy, he watched his empire crumble while grappling with his mother's failing health and furious employees demanding back pay. Just when all seemed lost, Dylan Walker stepped in, offering him a lifeline at his own firm. At the Tech Chip Competition, Paul staged a stunning comeback, leading his team to victory and landing a game-changing deal. Meanwhile, justice caught up with Lewis and his co-conspirators—their schemes finally earning them a one-way ticket to prison.

Tina Garcia's daughter, Candy Leed, clings to life after a terrible accident. She holds on, hoping her doctor father, Leo Leed, will arrive in time to save her. However, when Leo finally appears, he prioritizes his first love and her daughter, who are only pretending to be injured. He rushes them to the hospital and takes good care of them. Meanwhile, Candy, having lost too much blood, tragically passes away as she misses the critical window for treatment. Heartbroken, Tina then learns of the affair between Leo and his first love. Consumed by grief and anger, she vows to make them pay for what they have done to her daughter.

Madelyn, leader of the world's top assassin organization Vermilion Order, discovers she's the long-lost daughter of Southhaven's powerful Randall family. She returns home pretending to be a poor girl from the slums, hiding her true identity. While her family showers her with love, her Uncle Louie plots to seize power, teaming up with the mafia to expose her past. Meanwhile, old enemies from the Darkscale Union seek revenge.Madelyn joins forces with her once-hostile stepsister Britney and reconnects with Jeffrey Hudson—secretly the head of the Duskthorn Order. With her strength and her family's support, Madelyn defeats the threats and secures her place in both the family and the underworld.

Sara and Nyla were sisters of the Caldwell family. In their previous life, Sara married Eddie, a penniless man, but his family unexpectedly struck it rich and lived in prosperity. Meanwhile, Nyla married Tyler, a powerful military officer, but he died shortly after their wedding, driving her into madness. Blinded by jealousy over Sara's happiness, Nyla stabbed her to death—only to be killed by Sara's dying strike.When the sisters were reborn, returning to the moment of the marriage proposals, Nyla decided to snatch Eddie away. Little did she know that Sara had also been reborn and would later prevent Tyler's death, ending up far more successful than Nyla this time…

Tuanzi, an orphan from a modern-day orphanage, dies in a car accident and transmigrates into the body of the missing granddaughter of the Prime Minister of the Great Yuece Dynasty. Saved by Crown Prince Xiao Yu, she learns that her mother, Yue Qing, is imprisoned and needs the Imperial Seal and the Emerald Edge to be freed. Tuanzi excels in her imperial exams and gradually uncovers that her aunt, Lin Yue, discarded her mother's necklace. As Lin Yue's malicious deeds slowly come to light, her second uncle, Yue Xing, sees his restaurant become successful with Tuanzi's help. Meanwhile, Crown Prince Xiao Yu faces political roadblocks, and Tuanzi proposes a new way to help refugees—teaching them skills instead of just giving them handouts.

Young scientist Sharon Lynd is the leading figure at the Halora Academy of Sciences, pioneering the development of universal synthetic blood. Her groundbreaking work earns her the Nobel Prize in Medicine, yet she remains humble and unpretentious. During a blind date, a conflict arises with her fiancé, Howard Ted's company secretary, Yvette Smith, over a parking spot. Meanwhile, Howard company is on the brink of collapse, and Howard himself, arrogant and snobbish, harbors prejudice toward Sharon before their meeting. At the blind date, Sharon endures public humiliation, her humble gift of fruit is crushed, and Howard demands exorbitant compensation,making her a laughingstock. Having endured enough humiliation, Sharon strikes back with force and refuses to be pushed around.

Six years ago, Lauren Zane was drugged by her stepsister, Yasmin Zane, and had a one-night encounter with Yosef Jones, the world's wealthiest man. Seizing the opportunity, Yasmin took Lauren's place and began dating Yosef. Lauren, meanwhile, escaped and later gave birth to six children. Due to congenital genetic defects, the youngest child had to be left in a hospital abroad. Determined to earn money for her child's treatment, Lauren returned to her country with her five other children, intent on reclaiming everything Yasmin had stolen from her. Fate repeatedly brought Yosef into their lives. With the help of her children, Lauren reunited with Yosef and brought justice to those who wronged her. In the end, they lived happily together with their children.

Celeste Sawyer is the true heiress of Sawyer Group. However, she went missing when she was little and was adopted by June Jensen, a scavenger. When she grows up, she returns to her family to inherit her position as CEO of the company, while also helping June search for her missing daughter. On her first day of work, Celeste bumps into Holly Farke and notices that Holly bears the same birthmark on her wrist as June. Consequently, Celeste arranges for a paternity test between them. Meanwhile, Holly pretends to be the heiress of Sawyer Group. Celeste receives assistance from Kieran Scott, a Javoska tycoon, while Holly enlists help from Yves Graham. Gradually, Celeste's true identity begins to surface, and Holly's lies start to unravel.

After being betrayed and left for dead by her sister Cathy Bane, Summer Bane loses her memory. She starts a new life, helping Salem Pike build his company, only to suffer domestic abuse. Once her memory returns, Summer transforms into a business tycoon. Following her divorce, she rises to prominence through her own capabilities, determined to find her would-be murderer. In a surprising twist, she uncovers her sister Cathy's conspiracy. Summer's bold return shocks the Bane family, and she ultimately exposes Cathy’s crimes, sending her to prison. Meanwhile, Summer rekindles her relationship with Rory Falk, embarking on a new chapter in her life.

Terence Holt, a national hero, leads his team in defeating the evil forces threatening the country's interests. Over six years, Terence dedicated himself tirelessly to serving his country and its people, engaging in relentless battles and unable to return home. Meanwhile, his wife, Ruby Lowe, becomes a victim of the cruelty of wicked individuals. Upon hearing the news, Terence immediately rushes back to rescue her. However, due to the sensitivity of his identity, he struggles to fully explain the situation to Ruby, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts between them. After enduring the trials orchestrated by the Calter family, misunderstandings are finally resolved, and the couple reconciles. Terence solemnly vows to protect his wife from any harm in the future, ensuring she never suffers again.

Village doctor Shannon Lewis worked hard to pay for her fiancé Nathan Hardin's college education, only to discover that he had already married another woman in the city.Heartbroken,Shannon cut ties with Nathan. During this time,she accidentally saved the life of a pursued mafia boss,Kyson Pearson, who fell in love with her at first sight and proposed to her. Though ruthless and decisive in his dealings outside, Kyson became an obedient and doting partner at home. Through a series of near-exposures and sweet, amusing interactions, Shannon fell in love with Kyson and eventually learned about his true identity. Meanwhile, Nathan's wife, Paige, fearing that Shannon would continue to pursue her husband, schemed against her at every turn. In the end, Nathan and Paige paid the price for their selfishness and mistakes.

In his original timeline, Felix Cheney, chairman of Lacario Group, was betrayed and tormented by Ena Lewis and her family. He lost his company, watched his mother suffer, and ultimately died in despair—with hatred in his heart. But fate gave him a second chance. Reborn in 2018, Felix vowed revenge. At a charity auction, he set up Ena's mother, Gloria Lindsey, let her overbid, and then refused to pay, plunging her into chaos. Meanwhile, he found Lacario Group in disarray under Ford Lewis' mismanagement and began purging the rot from within. As his family faced harassment from Howard Lewis, Felix stepped in just in time to protect his sister, Sharon. Through the trials that followed, he rebuilt broken bonds and led his family toward a stronger, brighter future.

Five years ago, hotel attendant Regina Gentry had an unexpected encounter with Isaac Conner, the CEO of the Conner Group. But due to a mix-up by the butler, her friend Amelie was mistakenly taken in her place, living a life of luxury as Isaac's lover. Meanwhile, Regina, left behind and pregnant, gave birth to twins and struggled to raise them alone.Years later, Regina begins working at the Conner Group, where Isaac, assuming.she's a gold-digger, treats her with disdain. Yet, as they spend more time together, he finds himself drawn to her resilience and kindness. Consumed by jealousy, Amelie repeatedly schemes against Regina, even harming her children.When the truth finally comes to light, Regina's intelligence and courage win her the love she deserves, reuniting her family at last.

Wen Li wakes up inside a novel and discovers she's the story's doomed side character. On her wedding day, the male lead, Gu Yanzhi, abandons her for his true love, turning her into a joke. Later, he abuses her to help his lover rise in status, even pushing her to suicide. But this time, Wen Li decides to change her fate. She marries Gu Yanzhi's younger uncle instead and becomes their aunt, ready to teach them both a lesson. Meanwhile, Song Xuening, the capital's famed miracle doctor, claims to heal the incurable—until Wen Li revives someone she couldn't save. When Wen Li's true identity is revealed, Song Xuening's reputation crumbles.

Five years ago, Rachel Anderson invited her fiancé's sister, Sharon Chandler, on a shopping trip. A sudden delay left Sharon vulnerable to an attack by three thugs, leading to her death. Joseph Chandler, Rachel's fiancé, was gravely wounded trying to save his sister. To save him, Rachel gave up her kidney—only to have the Chandler family blame Sharon's death on her.Blinded by grief and hatred, Joseph kept Rachel captive by his side for five years, tormenting her endlessly. Rachel's health crumbled until she developed kidney failure. Meanwhile, Yasmin Howard—who falsely claimed credit for Rachel's sacrifice—now demands her last remaining kidney.Broken and hopeless, Rachel walks into the operating room, ready to embrace the end. But when Joseph learns the truth, he must finally face the devastating consequences of his cruelty.