She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 986

"Apologize to her!"

Kensington suddenly roared at the top of his lungs.

Valerie immediately planted her hands on her hips and sneered at Melanie. "Did you hear him? He told you to apologize!"

"I'm talking to you!"

Valerie yelped as Kensington shoved her hard by the shoulder. It took a solid second for her brain to catch up to reality—he wasn't talking to Melanie. He was screaming at her.

"Honey, what's wrong with you? She's the one who needs to apologize..."

"It's you!" Before Valerie could point a manicured finger at Melanie, Kensington shoved his own finger right in Valerie's face, his voice shaking with fury. "Do you have any idea who you're talking to? How dare you pick a fight over a dress with Ms. Royce! And then you have the nerve to disrespect her to her face?! Apologize right now! No, wait, I mean get on your knees and beg Ms. Royce for forgiveness!"

Valerie was utterly dumbfounded.

Kensington was her boyfriend. The only reason she subjected herself to sleeping with this aesthetically challenged man was so she could throw his weight around when she wanted to. What the hell was happening?

"Are you out of your mind?!" Valerie screeched.

"You're the one out of your mind! Apologize right now!"

Kensington grabbed Valerie by the arm, yanking her so hard she cried out in pain. "Let go of me! I'm not apologizing!"

"Do as I say!"

"No!"

*Smack!*

Kensington slapped her across the face so hard her head snapped to the side.

Valerie froze. Her cheek burned with a stinging heat, and hot tears of humiliation and fury instantly welled in her eyes.

The commotion naturally drew the attention of the surrounding guests. Mortified and sobbing uncontrollably, Valerie covered her swelling cheek and bolted from the banquet hall.

At that moment, Sebastian walked over with Clarice, looking mildly concerned. "What just happened? Are you alright?"

Preston narrowed his eyes slightly, noting that Sebastian had specifically asked 'Are *you* alright?' instead of addressing both of them.

"Director York was gracious enough to invite you to this banquet. You should consider it an honor and stop causing drama," Clarice snapped, her disdain for Melanie as sharp as ever.

Sebastian shot his secretary a warning glare, though he didn't explicitly reprimand her.

Just then, another group of medical professionals approached to offer Sebastian a toast. "Director York, is your lecture at the medical university tomorrow confirmed?"

"Yes, it is." Sebastian nodded, then shifted his gaze back to Melanie. "Will you still be on Ruben Isle tomorrow, Ms. Royce?"

Melanie offered a polite smile. "I will be."

"Would you be interested in attending my lecture? It's at the medical university, ten o'clock in the morning."