She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 979

Melanie couldn't help but study the newcomer.

The woman was trendy, sporting a deep tan, striking features, and a highly voluptuous figure. She appeared to be of mixed heritage.

"That's Valerie Vaughn. A prominent local socialite and one of Ruben Isle's top commercial models," Preston murmured, leaning close to Melanie's ear.

The name rang a bell.

On the flight over, almost every fashion magazine Melanie flipped through had featured an ad starring this Valerie Vaughn.

No wonder she acted like she owned the place.

Melanie watched as Valerie sauntered up to the manager, acting like they were old friends.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Vaughn, but the store has been reserved for a private client today."

"Reserved? What is that supposed to mean?"

Valerie flicked her voluminous hair in a painfully theatrical gesture.

"Did you forget that I'm your top-tier VIP?"

"But..."

The manager looked deeply conflicted.

Melanie stepped in.

"It's fine. Let her browse."

She didn't want to make the manager's job harder, but Valerie offered no gratitude. Instead, she shot Melanie a venomous glare.

"That blue dress... I want to try it on."

Valerie pointed a manicured finger directly at the ice-blue gown Melanie had just admired.

The manager hesitated but eventually signaled an attendant to hand the dress over.

It wasn't that she wanted to deny a sale; it was just that no one had ever looked good in it. In fact, it highlighted clients' physical flaws so severely that many left the store in a foul mood, refusing to buy anything else.

However, considering Valerie was a highly successful model, the manager hoped she might actually pull it off.

Unfortunately...

She had vastly overestimated Valerie's proportions.

Her tone was pure venom.

She already despised Melanie.

Valerie hated it when a store was shut down for another woman while she was trying to shop.

And she hated it even more that the man who had rented out the store for Melanie was unimaginably handsome.

Valerie was burning with jealousy.

She was the most famous model on Ruben Isle.

Yet she had never landed a man that looked like Preston.

Every sugar daddy who paid her bills was either morbidly obese, ancient, or revolting to look at.

If it weren't for the cash, she would have thrown up long ago.

Melanie sensed the raw hostility but couldn't understand it. They had just met; why was this woman looking at her like she wanted her dead?

"Nothing..."