She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 982

"It's just a dress. I can wear anything," Melanie said.

Preston shook his head. His voice was a rich, magnetic baritone, steady and unyielding.

"Hold on. Let's wait a second."

Valerie caught his words and let out a harsh bark of laughter.

"Wait? Wait for what? You could wait until hell freezes over, and no one is going to help you."

As if on cue, the glass doors of the boutique swung open.

A man in his late thirties stepped inside.

Melanie didn't recognize him, but the manager and the staff instantly stiffened in shock.

"Mr. Banks!"

The employees chorused, hastily greeting their regional superior.

When Valerie saw Mr. Banks, her eyes lit up like a predator spotting prey.

"Mr. Banks!"

She shrieked excitedly.

She couldn't believe her luck. The universe was practically handing her the victory.

She had just name-dropped the regional manager to intimidate the staff, and the man himself had magically appeared.

It was destiny.

"Mr. Banks, do you remember me?"

Valerie rushed up to him, a hand delicately pressed to her chest as she introduced herself.

"I'm Valerie Vaughn, Mr. Kensington's girlfriend. From Vanguard Medical Systems? We met at the gala a few days ago."

She poured on the charm, desperate to leverage the connection.

Mr. Banks gave her a single, dead-eyed glance.

"Ah, it's you... You're the one trying to steal clothes from Mr. Whitmore?"

The smug smile instantly vanished from Valerie's face.

Ignoring her entirely, Mr. Banks practically sprinted over to Preston and bowed deeply, folding himself in half.

"Mr. Whitmore, I am so profoundly sorry. The sheer incompetence of my staff has caused you unnecessary trouble. Please forgive us."

His apology was utterly sincere, bordering on sheer terror.

This wasn't right...

None of this was right!

Furious and completely bewildered, she pointed a shaking finger at Melanie and Preston.

"This is Ruben Isle! Who the hell are you people?!"

Melanie smiled sweetly, her tone dangerously light.

"Someone way out of your league."

"You—!"

Valerie was hyperventilating with rage, but before she could scream another word, Mr. Banks signaled for security.

Amid a flurry of unhinged shrieking and pathetic protests, Valerie was physically tossed out of the boutique.

With the pest removed, no one dared challenge Melanie for the dress. The ice-blue mermaid gown was packed up perfectly.

Stepping out of the Elie Saab boutique, Melanie turned to look at Preston.

"I didn't realize your network reached this deep into Ruben Isle."