Chapter 3

Three months ago, Brandon claimed another startup failure, needing to repay a hefty sum.

He suggested I take up food delivery, proudly calling it "helping me share the burden."

Looking back, it was all a carefully orchestrated scam.

A way to make me suffer, to avenge his Chloe.

Anyway, it's all in the past now. Life can finally get back on track.

I quit my delivery job and packed all my belongings in my apartment.

The next day, I arrived at The Grand Astoria.

It was the city's top hotel, and one of my grandfather's properties.

Dragging my oversized suitcases through the opulent lobby, my rough clothes and worn canvas sneakers clashed sharply with the luxury.

Suddenly, that irritating voice sounded behind me. Chloe, in a designer dress and high heels, approached like a proud peacock.

"Well, well, isn't this Amelia, the woman who jumped into the sewer the other day?"

I kept walking, but she grabbed my suitcase.

"What's wrong? Dumped by Brandon, so now you're desperate to come to a place like this to hunt for a sugar daddy?"

Her little posse burst into derisive laughter.

Someone even kicked my suitcase, scattering my clothes across the floor.

I looked at the mess, my voice calm. "Pick them up."

Chloe dramatically rubbed her ear, then stomped her foot onto my white shirt, leaving a clear high heel mark.

"What? You want me to pick them up? How about this: you get on your knees and beg me. Maybe I'll be in a good mood and help you then."

More and more people gathered, some starting to egg her on. "Kneel! Kneel!"

I remained motionless. Chloe suddenly reached out and shoved me.

"Stop acting! I couldn't stand that pretentious look on your face back in college, it just annoyed me."

But I was ready. I sidestepped, avoiding her push.

She, however, stumbled forward from the momentum, crashing into the designer bag display rack behind her.

Limited edition designer bags tumbled down, some even scratched by the metal edges of the display.

Crash!

The lobby instantly fell silent.

Chloe's face turned ashen. She pointed at me and shrieked. "You... you deliberately pushed me!"

"Oh my God! Those are limited editions!"

"I saw it! She definitely pushed her!"

"Hahaha, how many designer bags did that hick ruin?"

"A Chanel classic, three Hermès Birkins, and a few limited collaboration pieces..."

Chloe walked up to me, raising her voice. "These are worth at least five million dollars! That's ten years in prison, easily!"

I remained silent.

Chloe walked closer, triumphantly. "I do have a good idea, though. You can get down and bow down and beg to each of these bags. For each one you beg to, I'll pay for one of them. How about that? A good deal, right?"

A few of Chloe's cronies snickered and crowded around.

"Yeah, get down and beg! Let's see how the errand girl begs! Hurry up and do it, or we'll call the police and have you arrested right now!"

Just then, Brandon stepped out of the elevator.

He saw the scene, frowning. "What's going on?"

Chloe's expression shifted instantly. She melted into Brandon's arms, tears welling in her eyes. "Brandon, she tried to hurt me! She pushed me toward the display case!"

Brandon's eyes flickered to me before returning to Chloe. "Amelia," he said, his voice tight, "apologize to her. I can still help you through this.."

A cold laugh escaped me. "We're done. I don't need your help anymore."