Chapter 452
Chapter 452:
Grinding her teeth, she snapped, “Fine. Maybe I messed up. But don’t act like this is all on me! The delivery guy screwed it up, too! If he’d done his job, none of this would’ve happened p>
Just then, the delivery guy who had brought the wrong order stormed back into the room, his expression tight with frustration. Initially, he’d intended to resolve the issue calmly, but Brinley’s rude remarks had been the last straw. He strode over, his steps heavy with purpose, and fixed his gaze on Brinley.
“Delivering the wrong order was my mistake, and that’s on me,” he said, his voice steady but laced with anger. “But let me tell you something—I might not be well-educated, so my words might not sound fancy, but even someone like me knows the difference between shame and shamelessness p>
The room froze as the delivery guy’s voice, rough and cutting, shattered the tense silence.
“Look, let’s not pretend you don’t know the truth here,” he said, his words sharp and deliberate. “You knew exactly what you ordered, and you also knew that food wasn’t yours. Yet you just ate it anyway p>
Brinley’s cheeks flushed an angry crimson, but the heat wasn’t from rage—it was humiliation, pure and scalding.
“I don’t have time for this. Let’s just split it 50-50,” the delivery guy added.
His jaw tightened, the muscles twitching under his skin, but his gaze stayed locked on Brinley. Two hundred dollars. For him, that wasn’t just a number. It was hours of sweat, days of exhaustion. Brinley’s shamelessness was salt in an open wound.
When he spoke, his voice was like gravel—low, steady, and all the more dangerous for it. “Miss, if you refuse to pay, I’ll call the police. And just so you know…” He reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone and holding it up, the screen glowing faintly. “I’ve already recorded everything you said. The Internet’s a powerful tool these days. How does this sound for a headline? ‘College Girl Steals Food and Gets Caught Red-Handed p>
The words landed like a slap, and for the first time, Brinley faltered. The arrogance that had been her armor cracked, and her voice wavered as she mumbled, “Fine. I’ll pay half. Happy now p>
But she wasn’t done being spiteful. Whipping around to face her group, her tone turned venomous. “You guys ate too p>
Find great reads at g αℓ ησ ν𝒆 𝓁s․com
“Don’t think you’re getting off easy—you’re paying up as well p>
The room fell into a suffocating silence. Brinley’s lab mates exchanged uneasy looks, their earlier confidence shrinking. The lavish meal they’d been savoring moments ago now felt like a weight in their stomachs—heavy, sour, and sickening.
With the money finally collected, Yelena turned on her heel and walked out, the delivery guy trailing closely behind her. Before they parted ways, Yelena turned to him, her voice soft but steady.
“Keep your money. You don’t have to pay up. I know how tough things can get for you guys p>
The delivery guy froze, blinking at her as if he hadn’t heard correctly. For a long moment, he stared at her, searching her expression for any sign of insincerity but finding none. It hit him then—how different people could be. Some, like Brinley, took without hesitation, their entitlement blinding them to right and wrong. Others, like Yelena, gave without expecting anything back, their kindness a quiet strength.
Shaking his head firmly, the delivery guy said, “I can’t accept that. This whole mess happened because I wasn’t careful enough. It’s my responsibility, and I should bear the cost. Let this be a lesson for me—I’ll make sure to be more focused in the future p>
Yelena studied him for a moment before giving a small nod, recognizing his sincerity.
“Alright,” she said softly. “If I ever need delivery tasks again, I’ll make sure to contact you directly,” she added simply, her tone steady yet kind.
“I ruined your lunch, yet you’re still helping me. You’re… you’re very kind. Thank you,” the delivery guy stammered, genuine gratitude flooding his voice.
Yelena smiled, offering the faintest shrug. “It’s no big deal p>