All Chapters of The Girl He Ruined: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Tumigil ang mundo ko. Parang binuhusan ako ng yelo. Parang umikot ang dibdib ko. Parang gusto kong takpan ang tenga ko. Hindi ko na matandaan kung kailan huling nabanggit ang pangalan niya sa bibig ko. Matagal ko nang iniwasan ang kahit anong video niya, kanta niya, article niya. Maski playlist na may pangalan niya, binubura ko agad.Pero ngayon, hawak niya 'yung blush na ginawa ko, gamit niya 'yung mismong produkto na hinugot ko mula sa mga panahong durog ako.Binuksan ko ang IG story. It was just a behind-the-scenes clip. Maikli lang yun. Pero sa gitna noon, andun siya. Si Thorne.Mas matured na, mas tahimik ang kilos at mas refined ang style niya. Malaki na rin pala talaga ang pinagbago niya. Malayong malayo sa taong minahal ko noon. Tapos narinig ko ang makeup artist niya. "Today we're using Nyssa Beauty's 'Earthbound' tint for a soft flush on Thorne's cheeks..."At sa sandaling 'yon, hindi ko na marinig ang ibang bagay. Para akong nawala sa sarili kong katawan. Parang hindi pa t

"Miss Cortez." Andrei Velasquez stood up from the long marble table as soon as I stepped in.He extended his hand politely, but there was something else in his eyes. A flicker of hesitation or recognition. "Nice to finally meet you properly," he said, voice still smooth, but unsure.I shook his hand. "Me too,"In this room, I was no longer the girl standing in a corner holding a makeup brush. I was the reason they called this meeting. We sat across each other, documents already laid out—mock-ups, numbers, brand decks. Their side had color palettes and packaging ideas; mine had lab results, supplier audits, and ingredient sourcing proof."Before we go further," Andrei said carefully, "We want to thank you for even entertaining the collab. Horizon Axis rarely goes outside for partnerships, lalo na sa indie brands. But Nyssa Beauty... well, you've become something different."I nodded, arms crossed loosely. "Let's make one thing clear. I agreed to collaborate because I respect your plat

Pagkatapos ng press conference, everything changed. The morning after, headlines exploded like fireworks.My name was trending for three days straight after the confession. Headlines read "The Face Behind Nyssa Beauty Speaks Out", "Seven Years of Silence, Now a Voice", and "Liora Cortez Breaks Her Silence With Grace and Fire."My name, Liora Cortez which once lived only in whispers, became the headline on every major beauty and lifestyle publication, no longer preceded by scandal or followed by question marks, but instead by respect, admiration, and the phrase I never thought I'd read attached to my story:"Finally, she spoke."People listened and more than that, they believed me. Sales surged almost instantly, crashing our website by noon and breaking our previous monthly record within a single day, while orders poured in from across Southeast Asia, Europe, even regions we hadn't fully tapped yet, and for the first time since I started Nyssa Beauty, I felt the entire world turning to

At pag-alis niya, I leaned back again, closed my eyes, and let the silence return. It was quieter now and a little less heavy.Pagpasok ko sa opisina, the sharp scent of espresso clung to the morning air, but something else was waiting. Tania stood by my desk, holding a thick envelope—jet black, trimmed with silver, sealed with an intricate crest. Her expression was carefully neutral."Miss Cortez," she said. "This just arrived. Hand-delivered by a representative from LuxeSummit Global."I took the envelope from her. It was heavier than usual."They're hosting a private bidding event. Three weeks from now. Aria Hotel, Manila. Only four brands were invited."I looked at her. "Bidding for what?"Tania's voice dropped a notch. "A skincare formula. Nocturne-8. Developed by Dr. Adrien Vautrin—the French dermochemist behind Harmelle's viral serum. This is his final formulation before retirement. Full rights—exclusive production, branding, and distribution across Southeast Asia."That stoppe

Ang buhay ko ngayon ay umiikot lang sa schedules, layouts, contracts, and creative control. I wasn't just the girl behind Nyssa Beauty anymore, I was a key creative consultant under Horizon Axis for product campaigns across Southeast Asia. Every day felt like a full runway rehearsal: fast-paced, high-stakes, and no room for mistakes. At ngayon, nandito kami sa flagship HQ ng Horizon Axis for another long day of campaign revisions, shoots, and marketing alignment. The studio floor was alive. Models being prepped, stylists moving like clockwork, directors barking notes from their monitors. Even the lighting team had their own rhythm. I thrived in this kind of mess. Sanay na ako. I built myself for this.Fusion Five was in the middle of a branding campaign for a skincare collab under Horizon Axis, and kahit alam kong naroon siya... si Thorne, I didn't flinch.He was seated on a high stool while the team powdered his jawline, brows furrowed as he flipped through a concept deck.Sometimes