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They Humiliated Me. I Shut Them Down

They Humiliated Me. I Shut Them Down

Maikling Kwento · Emotional Realism
By:  YulansaKumpleto
Language: English
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10Mga Kabanata
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Synopsis

Feel-Good Story

Plot Twists

Girl Power

Independence

Freak

Female Growth

Face Slapping

For ten years, I've handled leather procurement for the group. Every year, I buy more than ten million euros' worth of rare hides. As usual, I went to Marco's Leather Goods to choose some hides, but the owner, Marco Bellini, wasn't there. Instead, his son, Leo Bellini, was sprawled on the couch playing video games. I spoke as casually as always. "Hey, the grain on this year's saltwater crocodile hides looks a little flat. I'll cut a sample for testing." Leo rolled his eyes at me and went back to his game. I ran a finger along the edge of the hide, then sniffed my fingertip. The sharp smell of tanning chemicals hit my nose. The brand's couture reputation was on the line, so I also cut small samples of lambskin and cowhide from the next rack for lab testing. But as soon as I put them in a bag, Leo jumped up and knocked it to the floor. "Quit acting like a big shot. If you can't afford it, just say so. This is the same premium leather Hermès uses. You think this is some scrap leather you can cut up whenever you feel like it?" I took a deep breath and explained. "This batch doesn't feel right. I need to have it tested at the lab. That's how we've always done business. "I place orders worth ten million euros with your dad every year. If you don't believe me, call him. We've always done it this way." Leo snorted and video-called his father. "Dad, there's some woman here cutting up our stock and helping herself like she owns the place!" Marco, who used to fawn over me whenever I walked in, appeared on the screen with an icy expression. "We have a deal with a major North American conglomerate now. We don't need to coddle picky little buyers anymore. "Charge her for every full hide she cut into. If she won't pay, call the cops!" I looked at that ugly face on the screen, and without a word, I paid €50,000. Then I walked out of the shop, turned left, and went into Bottega Artigiana, the quiet little shop next door. An hour later, Leo was kneeling at the workshop entrance, fran

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Kabanata 1

Chapter 1

"Payment approved: €50,000!"

The terminal's confirmation chime echoed through the vast, luxurious showroom of Marco's Leather Goods.

Leo went still.

He'd expected me to grovel or meekly haggle over the price.

I watched his jaw drop, calmly straightened my cuffs, and spoke as if it were nothing.

"€50,000. Consider it dog food.

"But remember this next time: even a dog wags its tail before it eats."

With that, I turned and walked to the door without giving him another look.

Leo's jowls twitched, and he kicked the brass display rack beside him.

He ripped the Chrome Hearts chain from his neck, stormed out after me, and shouted for the whole street to hear.

"Everybody, look! It's her!

"She's been mooching off us for ten years, helping herself to our finest leather! Well, her little scam ends today!

"If you're broke, quit pretending you're some big shot in luxury fashion! You take our leather for free and still complain about it. Who do you think you are, the queen of fashion?"

It was the busiest time of the morning in Milan's leather wholesale district.

A few designers shopping for materials and several wealthy women browsing for leather goods stopped and gathered around, curious.

Leo jabbed a finger at me, sneering as he spat out his accusations.

"Come on, folks! You tell me who's in the wrong here!

"She's just a buyer for some cheap contract manufacturer, earning a lousy salary every month. Who does she think she's fooling, acting rich?

"My dad's a good man. He thought a woman on her own had it rough, so every time she came in, he let her test the hides first.

"But she took advantage of his kindness! One day she'd cut into our saltwater crocodile hides, the next she'd help herself to our prized Himalaya crocodile leather.

"And she's been pulling this stunt for ten years!

"The leather she's wasted over the years could've bought a Ferrari!

"I only just took over the shop, and the second I ask her to pay what she owes, she throws a fit and acts like I'm the one in the wrong!"

The crowd started buzzing.

A heavyset leather dealer wearing a Rolex rolled his eyes at me.

"She looks respectable enough. Why's she such a mooch?"

"Right? Marco's a decent guy, but that doesn't mean you get to treat him like a sucker."

"Young people these days. All dressed up and looking respectable, but they're nothing but thieves!"

I stopped, turned around, and looked at Leo coldly.

I took out my phone and called Emily Walsh, the head of finance for the group's European division.

She picked up instantly.

"This quarter's couture leather budget is ten million euros.

"Send someone from Finance here within ten minutes with the cash and the purchase contract."

I hung up.

For a moment, everyone went quiet.

Then Leo burst out laughing, so hard he doubled over.

"Ten million euros?

"Come on! At least make your lies believable!

"That dump of a factory you work for can barely afford to hire a seamstress, and you expect us to believe you've got ten million to blow on leather?

"If you can cough up ten million euros, I'll eat that statue of David down the street!"

The people around us laughed along with him.

"She's really committed to the act."

"All that talk about ten million euros just to save her pride. Talk about biting off more than you can chew."

I looked Leo in the eye, my voice completely flat. "Leo, if your father doesn't value ten years of my business, I'll gladly take my money elsewhere."

I didn't waste another word. I turned and walked into the quiet little Bottega Artigiana next door.

Leo cursed behind me.

"Go! Go right ahead!

"That widow Elena's dump can't even scrape together €5,000 worth of calfskin!

"Let's see you spend ten million there!"
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Walang Komento
10 Kabanata
Chapter 1
"Payment approved: €50,000!"The terminal's confirmation chime echoed through the vast, luxurious showroom of Marco's Leather Goods.Leo went still.He'd expected me to grovel or meekly haggle over the price.I watched his jaw drop, calmly straightened my cuffs, and spoke as if it were nothing."€50,000. Consider it dog food."But remember this next time: even a dog wags its tail before it eats."With that, I turned and walked to the door without giving him another look.Leo's jowls twitched, and he kicked the brass display rack beside him.He ripped the Chrome Hearts chain from his neck, stormed out after me, and shouted for the whole street to hear."Everybody, look! It's her!"She's been mooching off us for ten years, helping herself to our finest leather! Well, her little scam ends today!"If you're broke, quit pretending you're some big shot in luxury fashion! You take our leather for free and still complain about it. Who do you think you are, the queen of fashion?"It was the bus
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Chapter 2
Bottega Artigiana was tiny and dim, and it smelled like old leather and beeswax.The owner, Elena Ferri, was a single mother. Her sick son, Matteo, who looked about three, was strapped to her back in a cloth sling, his face tinged blue.When I walked in, Elena was crouched on the floor, picking through waterlogged scraps one by one.When she saw me, she hurried to her feet and wiped her hands nervously on her apron."What can I get for you, ma'am? The vegetable-tanned cowhide is nice today. I can cut you a piece and give you a good price."Her smile was forced, and she couldn't hide the exhaustion and desperation in her eyes.I looked at her rough, cracked hands and the child on her back, so unnervingly still that my chest tightened.Ten years ago, I'd been just like her.Every penny counted. I'd spent countless nights stitching leather until my fingers cramped. I couldn't afford to get sick, much less take a break. If I stopped working, everything would fall apart.I fought back the e
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Chapter 3
A black Mercedes-Maybach pulled up in front of the shop, its horn blaring.The door opened, and Marco climbed out, leaning on a custom silver-topped cane.The moment Leo spotted his father, he lowered his fist but immediately launched into another complaint."Dad, this bitch has been mooching off us for ten years, and now she's gone next door to place a ten-million-euro order!"She's doing it just to humiliate us!"Marco ignored his son and turned to me.He forced a stiff smile."Ah, Ms. Whitmore."He came over and reached out to pat my shoulder.I stepped aside, leaving his hand hanging awkwardly in the air."Young lady, what's gotten into you? When did you become so quick to lose your temper?"Leo's young and doesn't know any better. He crossed the line, and I'm sorry for that."But..."Then his tone changed, and he sighed."You haven't exactly handled this well yourself."Ten years ago, your little purchasing office was barely scraping by. You stretched every penny."I felt sorry fo
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Chapter 4
The door slid open.Emily climbed out, sweating, carrying two silver combination-lock cases.Four elite private security guards in black suits and sunglasses followed her.Emily burst into the shop, clutching the cases. "I've got the full ten million euros, just as you asked!"Marco rubbed his hands together and stepped closer."Now you're talking."Leave the money, and we'll pretend today never happened."Emily pulled the cases close to her and glared at Marco."What do you think you're doing? This money is for Elena's order!"Leo lifted the cleaver and pointed the blade at Emily's face."Who the hell do you think you are? Nobody asked for your opinion!"Drop the money, get lost, and take your people with you!"I grabbed Emily's arm and pulled her behind me.Elena was slumped on the floor. The blood from her forehead had run down to the corner of her eye, and she didn't wipe it away.Her eyes held fear and despair, along with a spark that life had nearly extinguished.I thought about
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Chapter 5
"Dana Whitmore! She's the largest shareholder in Elysium Group!"She runs the largest financial empire in North America, hell, in the entire world!"Ten years ago, she went undercover as an ordinary buyer to investigate corruption throughout the supply chain!"And now she's finally ready to clean house, starting with the global luxury fashion industry!"Have you lost your fucking mind? If you've got a death wish, don't drag me down with you!"Marco's hand jerked.It hit the old tile floor with a sharp clatter.The call cut off.The shop went dead silent.Marco went deathly pale. His lips trembled, but no words came out.Leo, still clutching his broken, bloodied nose, suddenly burst into laughter.He spat a mouthful of bloody saliva onto the floor."Dad! Big boss, my ass!"She obviously paid someone to fake that phone call!"Mr. Vance is a big shot. Why would someone like him give a damn about a low-level buyer?"If she's really that rich and powerful, why would she spend ten years hang
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Chapter 6
When Marco heard that, he stopped kowtowing.He slowly straightened. Although he was still on his knees, a glimmer of hope had returned to his eyes."Ms. Whitmore, my son has a big mouth, but he does have a point."You're a woman with an empire to run. Why waste your time picking a fight with people who know how things work around here?"My brother-in-law controls the supply network across Milan, right down to customs clearance."If you insist on placing that order with Elena, she'll never get the leather delivered."She can't handle a ten-million-euro order."Marco's expression shifted. The fear in his eyes gave way to the calculating look of a man who thought he'd found a way out."Here's what we'll do."I'll still take the deal."I'll knock 30 percent off the price, and I'll use nothing but the finest Himalaya crocodile leather."Consider it my way of making amends. What do you say?"He even reached for the cases on the floor.Emily kicked his hand away."Keep your filthy hands off
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Chapter 7
Richard came scrambling out.The leather dealers backed away, shocked by how disheveled he looked."Ms. Whitmore! Ms. Whitmore!"He rushed into the shop and made a beeline for me.He tried to grab my legs."Ms. Whitmore! I'm here!"Marco set me up! That bastard framed me!"I swear I've never taken a single kickback from him!"I looked down at the man who'd spent years throwing his weight around Elysium's European division, demanding bribes and squeezing suppliers for every penny.I kicked him away without mercy.He lost his balance and sprawled face-first onto the floor."Never taken a dime?"I turned to Emily."Show him the books."Emily pulled a thick red ledger out of her briefcase and slammed it into Richard's face."Take a good look, Mr. Vance!"Ms. Whitmore spent ten years in procurement uncovering your fraudulent accounts, one transaction at a time!"You and Marco worked together to inflate the reported losses on rare leather shipments year after year."You passed off inferior h
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Chapter 8
A team of heavily armed Carabinieri quickly cordoned off the area and stormed into the shop."Nobody move!" the officer in charge barked.The shout startled Richard and Marco into releasing each other.They pulled apart, panting, and collapsed on the floor.I stepped forward and handed my card to the officer in charge."Officer, I'm Dana Whitmore of Elysium Group."I have evidence of financial fraud within our company. This ledger documents Richard Vance's embezzlement and illegal kickback scheme."The officer accepted my card and the ledger, his expression growing serious."Ms. Whitmore, we received a report of a violent altercation. Can you tell me what happened?"I nodded and pointed toward Leo, who was still sprawled on the floor."It was much more than an altercation."That man threatened us with a leather-cutting cleaver and tried to extort ten million euros from us. He even threatened to hold us here until we handed over the money."He and his father also smashed this shop and a
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Chapter 9
After the police cars disappeared, all eyes turned to me.The heavyset dealer who'd rolled his eyes at me earlier came over, all smiles."Well, well, Ms. Whitmore."I knew there was something special about you!"You've got a presence you just don't see every day. There's nobody else in Milan quite like you!"And about what I said earlier? Just a little joke. No hard feelings, right?"I didn't even glance at him. I turned to Elena, who was still sitting on the floor.I walked over and held out my hand.She hesitated, looking almost afraid to take it.I gently helped her to her feet."Elena, how's your son doing?"I crouched beside him and gently brushed his cheek.He shrank back a little, frightened, but still whispered, "Grazie, signora," in a small, childish voice.Elena's eyes went red again, and the tears spilled over."Ma'am... no, Ms. Whitmore..."I don't know how I can ever thank you..."Without you, my son and I would've been beaten today, and this shop would've been finished...
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Chapter 10
It was the eve of Fall/Winter Paris Haute Couture Week.I was in the president's office on the top floor of Elysium Group's Manhattan headquarters.Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, Manhattan glittered below me.I had spent ten years biding my time at the bottom, enduring contempt and cold shoulders.Now it all felt like dust beneath my feet.There was a knock at my office door.Emily, the newly appointed director of European procurement, came in carrying a report."Ms. Whitmore, our latest couture leather collection has been shipped to flagship stores worldwide."The VIP clients love them. They all say this year's leather is the best we've ever had and that it feels incredible."Even our competitors are trying to find out who's supplying us."I picked up the black coffee on my desk and took a sip."How are things going with Elena?"Emily answered at once. "She's officially taken over Marco's former shop and completed the renovations."It's called Cuore Artigiano now. The name mean
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