She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 408

"Why is the regional manager for Hermes here?"

"This is a private gala..."

"It couldn't be..."

The socialites exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes darting between Elara and Melanie.

"Someone is about to get wrecked," a few of them whispered, snickering with malicious glee.

Naturally, they assumed Melanie was the one about to be publicly humiliated. After all, it was impossible for someone like Elara Bennett to carry a knockoff. But even if the tables turned, it was guaranteed entertainment.

The manager marched straight toward Elara, stopping inches from her, and extended his hand with cold professionalism.

"I apologize, Miss Bennett, but the handbag in your possession did not go through our company's official distribution channels. You obtained it through illicit means by bribing a boutique manager. We are officially confiscating the item, and our legal team will be contacting you shortly regarding the matter."

The room erupted.

In a single breath, the flawless web of lies Elara had spun completely disintegrated. A tremor of raw humiliation coursed through her. As the pampered heiress of the Bennetts, she had never experienced anything close to this level of public humiliation in her entire life.

She stood paralyzed, her mind short-circuiting. She didn't even register the manager slipping the handbag from her loose grip. Every pair of eyes in the hall was locked onto her, reveling in her catastrophic downfall.

Suddenly, a jagged sob tore from Elara's throat. She buried her face in her hands and bolted from the grand hall, fleeing into the night.

With Elara gone, the collective gaze of the room snapped straight to Melanie.

Most of these women had no prior relationship with her. If Elara hadn't staged this massive confrontation, half of them wouldn't have even known who she was. But they weren't stupid. It was glaringly obvious that Melanie had the backing of someone terrifyingly powerful.

The manager pivoted and approached Melanie.

"Ms. Royce, this was entirely a failure on our end. We allowed a duplicate of your exclusive custom piece to slip through. The employees involved have already been severely disciplined. As a gesture of our deepest apologies, Hermes would like to offer you a complimentary haute couture ensemble. I hope this meets your satisfaction?"

"Yes, absolutely! It's way too early to head home. Stay and chat!"

Melanie kept her internal eyeroll to herself. Unlike these women, she had actual corporate projects to run.

"Ms. Royce, we were a little out of line earlier. You won't hold it against us, will you?" one woman asked, flashing a practiced smile.

Melanie smiled back, a picture of flawless grace. "I don't hold grudges over minor misunderstandings. It's fine."

The woman's smile twitched slightly before settling back into place.

Melanie didn't particularly care for this crowd, but navigating social hypocrisy was just another Tuesday in the business world. She blended seamlessly into their circle. Oddly enough, it felt like the very women who had just been tearing her down were now bending over backward to kiss up to her.

And she had a feeling it wasn't just her imagination.