An Open Letter to Bella 白爛, My Former Landlord
Public Statement and Request for Independent Review
The following account describes events connected to a housing dispute and subsequent legal proceedings in Taiwan. I am sharing this record in good faith and in the public interest so that the full circumstances, documentation, and procedural history may be independently reviewed.
Where I describe events, I describe what I personally experienced, understood at the time, or what appears in preserved materials. I do not ask anyone to accept conclusions without verification and welcome correction where reliable evidence shows otherwise.
My goal is simple: fair review, proportional resolution, and the possibility of returning to Taiwan, a place where I lived for many years and where I built my life, work, and community.
Statement Regarding a Former Housing Dispute in Taiwan
I am Ross Cline (柯受恩), a Canadian citizen who lived in Taiwan for many years operating a language school and contributing to the local community. Taiwan was not merely a place of work for me — it was my home.
The dispute described here began when I raised concerns regarding safety and access conditions at a rental property, including issues relating to secure entry. I believed these concerns were inconsistent with the rental agreement and created legitimate safety risks. Attempts to resolve the matter escalated into legal proceedings that extended over several years.
During this period, and under significant stress, I briefly shared a copy of the rental agreement online to document what I understood to be relevant contractual terms and to seek advice. The material was removed promptly, and I issued an apology. Despite this, the dispute continued and developed into multiple legal proceedings with severe personal and financial consequences.
The process ultimately resulted in significant loss, prolonged distress, and my departure from Taiwan under pressure of custodial consequences or compelled alternatives. This outcome was deeply painful given my longstanding connection to the country and my desire to remain there.
Throughout the proceedings I also faced substantial language barriers, as key documents and procedures were conducted in Chinese while I am not a Chinese reader. I repeatedly struggled to obtain reliable translation and explanation at critical stages, which made it difficult to fully understand, respond to, and defend my position.
I share this account not to escalate conflict, but to document my experience and encourage careful examination of fairness, proportionality, and procedural access — particularly where language barriers and power imbalances may exist.
I continue to hope that closure, understanding, and fair resolution remain possible. My deepest wish is simply to return to Taiwan and rebuild the life that was disrupted.
Respectfully,
Ross Cline 柯受恩
rosscline.com
iLearn.tw
Supporting Video Documentation
Ongoing Impact
The consequences of this matter have affected my livelihood, stability, and ability to return to Taiwan. I continue to seek a fair and proportionate resolution that would allow closure and the possibility of returning home.
I believe transparency, access to documentation, and independent review of the full record will help clarify the circumstances and support a balanced understanding of what occurred.
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