She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 407

"So she bought the same bag because she wants to be Miss Bennett's understudy? Trying to seduce someone else's fiancé!"

"Have you no shame? You're a shameless homewrecker carrying a fake bag, trying to be a fake version of the real thing."

"How did she even have the nerve to show up tonight? Talk about digging your own grave."

"Haven't you heard? Some people are immune to shame, which only makes it more painful for the rest of us to watch."

"She belongs on social media, doing anything for a scrap of attention."

The uglier the insults grew, the more immense satisfaction bloomed in Elara's chest.

Yet, beneath her victorious exterior, a memory gnawed at her. Back in the Hermes boutique, Preston's words had struck her like a physical blow: 'I bought this bag for Melanie because she's the woman I'm pursuing. I gave her my mother's heirloom necklace, too.' That sentence had festered like a thorn in her heart ever since.

Eventually, the wealthy women ran out of fresh insults, and the vicious chatter began to die down.

Elara had expected Melanie to crumble under the weight of the public shaming and flee in tears. Watching her break down and sob would have been the perfect end to the evening.

Instead, Melanie pulled out her phone right in front of her.

"I'll call Preston right now. I'm sure he can clear up this little misunderstanding for us."

Without another word, Melanie dialed his number and slammed it on speakerphone.

The steady ringing echoed through the hushed banquet hall.

Before the call could connect, Elara lunged forward, grabbing Melanie's phone and frantically hitting the end button.

Melanie raised an eyebrow, a slow, knowing smile spreading across her face.

"What's wrong, Miss Bennett? If Preston is your fiancé, and he custom-ordered that bag just for you, and I'm just a homewrecker carrying a fake... why won't you let me call him? What exactly are you so afraid of?"

"W-Who said I'm afraid?" Elara stammered, her perfectly crafted composure shattering. Panic flared wildly in her eyes.

The sudden, unhinged yell made Sylvia flinch. To these women, Elara had always been the epitome of grace—gentle, refined, and entirely non-confrontational. They had never seen her lose her temper like this.

Slowly, the women began backing away, putting physical distance between themselves and Elara. They had known Elara longer, but they weren't blind. It was blindingly obvious who was actually lying.

Under the crushing weight of their stares, Elara was left flustered and frantic.

Melanie just shrugged. If Elara hadn't gone out of her way to orchestrate this trap, she wouldn't be shooting herself in the foot right now. The farce had dragged on long enough, and Melanie had no desire to make a permanent enemy out of the Bennetts. They were a powerful family, and as the COO of Royce Group, she needed to play the long game.

Deciding to leave with her head held high, Melanie turned toward the exit.

Suddenly, a group of men flooded into the hall. Melanie quickly assessed them. The men in uniform black suits looked like elite bodyguards, while the few in the center radiated corporate authority.

Bathing in the confused stares of the socialites, the middle-aged man leading the pack stepped forward and offered a polite bow.

"My apologies for the intrusion, ladies. I am the Averin Regional Manager for Hermes."