Chapter 13 - The Charity GalaThe grand ballroom of the St. Regis Hotel was dripping in crystal chandeliers and the intoxicating scent of expensive perfume. Tonight was the annual City Developers' Gala, and I was slated to receive the "Innovator of the Year" award.
I wore a floor-length emerald green gown that hugged my curves, paired with a diamond necklace that cost more than Jason’s entire failed startup. I was surrounded by the city's elite—mayors, senators, and billionaire investors. I was in my element.
"And the award for Innovator of the Year goes to a woman who has single-handedly redefined our downtown skyline," the presenter announced. "Megan Vance of Apex Development!"
The room erupted into applause. I smiled gracefully, ascending the steps to the stage. I took the heavy glass trophy, adjusting the microphone to speak.
"Thank you. When I started Apex, I was told..."
"She's a fraud!"
The scream ripped through the elegant ballroom, shattering the polite silence.
The crowd gasped and parted. Standing in the center of the room, wearing a poorly fitting catering uniform he had clearly stolen, was Jason. His eyes were bloodshot, his hair disheveled. He reeked of cheap alcohol and desperation.
"She's a monster!" Jason yelled, pointing a trembling finger at me while the city's wealthiest looked on in absolute horror. "She destroyed my family! She left my mother homeless! She's ruthless and cold, and she doesn't deserve this!"
Security was already rushing toward him, but I held up a hand. The guards paused. The entire room held its breath, waiting for my reaction. They expected me to crumble. They expected a scene.
I leaned into the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen," I said, my voice calm, projecting perfectly across the silent room. "This man is Jason Miller. Three years ago, he was my fiancé. During that time, he secretly funneled eighty thousand dollars of my personal earnings into his own accounts, repeatedly gaslit me, and eventually left me stranded in a freezing pool while he took his mistress to a hotel on my credit card."
A collective, audible gasp rippled through the high-society crowd.
Jason froze, the color draining from his face. He hadn't expected the truth. Manipulators never expect the truth to be spoken in the light.
"His mother lost her home because they squandered their own wealth, expecting me to be their permanent ATM," I continued, my gaze fixed on him, pinning him to the floor. "And two nights ago, he was caught on camera attempting to destroy machinery at an Apex construction site. He is currently out on bail."
The whispers started instantly. Disgust. Pity. Mockery.
May you like
"I am not a monster, Jason," I said softly, but the microphone carried every word. "I am just the consequence of your actions. Security, please remove the trash. It’s ruining the ambiance."
The guards seized him by the arms. He didn't even fight back this time. He just sobbed as he was dragged out the grand double doors, utterly broken and humiliated in front of the entire city.
Related Stories
