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Lahat ng Kabanata ng Exposing His Bankrupt Act Turned Me Into a Queen: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

10 Kabanata

Chapter 1

I stared at the screen in disbelief, my ears ringing as Steven Delaney's mocking smile stared right back at me.That face was far too familiar to me. On the corner of his right eye was the scar he'd gotten fighting for me back then.Steven had laughed and said it was a badge of honor for loving me. But now, he was mocking me together with others, calling me a "beer lady", when he knew perfectly well how much I hated that nickname.It was as if my heart stopped beating in that instant. I stood frozen in place, so out of it that I didn't even notice the customer sliding his hand onto my waist.He said, "So, it really is you in that live stream? You're better off coming with me, missy. It's better than serving someone who treats you like a joke—"I snapped back to my senses when the customer's greasy breath brushed against my ear. Not bothering to wipe away my tears, I instinctively pulled a can of pepper spray from my bag and sprayed it straight into his eyes. Then, I turned and

Chapter 2

"Be more careful next time," Steven simply said before turning his attention back to his phone.I knew exactly what he was doing.Aside from live-streaming, Steven's account had thousands of videos uploaded.There were clips of me being forced to scrub the floor after getting doused in beer by customers. There were also clips of me gathering my belongings, which were thrown into the trash can when I couldn't make rent, in humiliation.All of it had become Steven's content without exception.Looking at his back, I finally worked up the courage to speak. "I don't want to sell beer anymore…"Steven paused, then turned around to coax me. "Don't fuss over something so trivial, Mel. Besides, aren't you already used to this kind of thing?"His words felt like cold water down my back.Of course, getting groped by drunk men while working at a dive bar was nothing unusual. Steven would just brush it off and tell me to put up with it every time I told him about it.It turned out that my

Chapter 3

It was just like three years ago.I started shaking. Not out of fear, but because of how shocked I was at the show Steven had put on.He'd really put in the work when it came to lying to me.Just as Scarface and his crew were about to start trashing the apartment, I suddenly pulled out a bank card. "There's 100 thousand dollars on this. Is that enough?"Steven froze, even forgetting to keep up his act. "Have you gone mad, Mel? This is the startup fund you saved for me. You can't give it to them!"He lunged at me, grabbing my wrist like he'd lost his mind.However, I tossed the card onto the floor, near Scarface's feet. I even added on, "The PIN is 888888."The room fell completely silent.Steven's expression went rigid. He stared at me in disbelief, completely forgetting to keep up his act by now. "So, you're just giving it away like that? Have you lost your mind, Melanie? You're just handing money away when someone asks you for it?"That's the money you worked your ass off fo

Chapter 4

Even so, their mocking laughs kept drifting in nonstop."When was the last time she washed her hair? She smells like barbecue.""You really put in the work, Mr. Delaney. You'd even kiss a woman like that just to live-stream it for all of us!""I'll bet 100 thousand dollars that everything she owns, including her underwear, doesn't add up to 50 dollars!"They were getting out of hand. Finally, Steven spoke up to stop them, yet the smugness in his tone was unmistakable. "Enough. She gave up Karnell for me, you know."I slowly lifted my head and looked at myself in the mirror. My dark circles were heavy under my eyes, and my hair looked greasy from years of working at a dive bar.Was this really the same person who'd once been a top student standing on stage?"What are you hiding in the bathroom for, Melanie?" The door flew open, and Steven dragged me back out roughly."Everyone came out of their way to celebrate your birthday. Is this how you treat guests?" He shoved a cake knife

Chapter 5

My words landed like an invisible slap, one that stunned Steven far more than the one I'd just given him.His expression froze. The tender curve of his smile remained, yet panic flooded his eyes."What are you talking about, Mel?" Steven reached for me, but I took a step back.I could feel myself shaking all over. It wasn't only from coming that close to dying in the fire but also from finally finding an outlet for the three years of rage and humiliation."Didn't you have someone live-streaming this?" I asked, raising my phone.On the screen was Steven's "performance" of being pinned under the cabinet. Beneath it, the comments kept rolling, filled with praises for him and ridicule for me.I asked, "So, are you satisfied with my performance in this little experiment in human nature, Mr. Delaney?"The color drained from Steven's face. His lips trembled, but no sound came out.The cheering around us gradually quieted down. They began to whisper among themselves."He looks familia

Chapter 6

My acceptance letter was in my suitcase.And more importantly, the only photo I had left of me and my parents was also in there. That photo was all I had after they died in the car accident. It was the thing that carried me through endless lonely nights."Are you out of your mind? The fire's out of control!" Steven grabbed my wrist and shoved me down irritably. "Enough with the drama. Now that you know I'm not actually bankrupt, I'll just pay you back whatever you lost. Just tell me what you want."I lay on the ground, watching as the flames swallowed the last possible path inside.I finally broke down crying. "The photo of my parents is in there. How are you going to pay me back for that? You knew what it meant to me!"Steven froze. Of course he remembered.It was pouring heavily during that night in our sophomore year. I had been preparing his birthday surprise when the police called.Steven was the one who went to the morgue with me. He watched as my hand shook so badly I cou

Chapter 7

I turned around and saw a familiar figure walking toward me. "Jimmy?"I recognized Jimmy Clove instantly. He was my upperclassman from undergrad and the only person who had ever truly rivaled me in the national-level finance competitions.He asked, "I recall you got your acceptance letter for Karnell University three years ago? Why are you only coming now?"Embarrassment washed over me at Jimmy's questioning. How was I supposed to explain that I'd given up my education for a man, and I'd spent three years selling beer at a dive bar just to support him?Panicking, I blurted out the first clumsy excuse I could think of. "Something came up at home back then, so I couldn't enroll on time. Now that I'm finally free, I'm not sure if Professor Donovan will still take me.""Of course he will!" Jimmy replied without a moment's hesitation.When I stared at him in surprise, he cleared his throat and continued, "You were the top student of your class back then. No professor would willingly l

Chapter 8

I stood frozen in place as tears streamed down uncontrollably, blending with the rain.It turned out Jimmy had known about it all.He gently gathered me into his arms, holding me as I trembled. He choked out, "From now on, will you let me take care of you?"I no longer rejected him this time.I moved into Jimmy's apartment, quit my job at the convenience store, and devoted myself entirely to my studies.He, too, spared no effort in helping me out. Under his guidance, my talent in finance finally flourished. In less than two years, I completed my degree ahead of schedule and made a name for myself as a sought-after investment analyst in the industry.…We were invited back to the country for work two years later.Jimmy gently took my hand and teased, "They're even calling you Midas now. So, Ms. Reid, now that you're done with your studies, shouldn't you start thinking about your happiness?"I didn't give him an answer. Instead, I looked out at the familiar city skyline.Then

Chapter 9

Steven's eyes widened. His lips trembled, yet no words came out.Just then, Mr. Delaney Senior came back in. "Steven, the wedding venue has been booked. Don't forget to go for the dress fitting with Selena tomorrow—"He noticed the awkward tension halfway through. "What happened?"I calmly collected my documents and got up. "I'm sorry. I'm afraid I'm unable to help Delaney Corporation with your matter. I'll be taking my leave now."Steven stood frozen in place, still on his knees.A sense of wicked satisfaction surged up as I looked at his pathetic state.I said, "By the way, congratulations on your upcoming wedding, Mr. Delaney."As I passed Steven, I deliberately lowered my voice. "But did you really not know where I was these past three years? Or did you just refuse to let go of the Delaney family's riches?"He began to shake violently. Pain and shame flickered across his face.It would've been easy to locate someone with the Delaney family's resources. The only reason Stev

Chapter 10

"Remember now?" Jimmy kissed my fingertips, eyes filled with regret. "If I'd known, I would've told you the truth back then."I shook my head gently and leaned against his shoulders. "It's not your fault. I was foolish back then."Back then, I was convinced Steven was my true love. Even if Jimmy had told me everything, I probably wouldn't have believed him."I'll handle the Delaneys myself. You don't have to dirty your hands for me." Retaliation would be easy given Jimmy's status, but it'd also leave him exposed."I'll leave your revenge to you, but I have to stand up for my future wife." He pulled me into his arms, and I stopped arguing with him.After all, I knew better than anyone that Delaney Corporation's finances were far worse than they appeared. There was little chance of saving them even if I stepped in.…A week later, Steven and Selena's wedding went ahead as scheduled. The lavish ceremony alone cost tens of millions of dollars, dominating almost every headline, and w

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