Chapter Chapter 750 A Fruitless Venture

Rayne looked at the chaotic scene around her, a sinking feeling creeping into her heart, for she knew she had sparked a calamity.

“The model previously in charge of the grand finale had a mishap in the hotel bathroom last night. She’s laid up in the hospital, unable to move. Worried that it would cause a delay in today’s show, I urgently contacted the model agency to recommend an experienced replacement to solve the problem. They sent me Melanie,” she explained.

As her gaze met Christina’s icy countenance, Rayne felt a shiver of unease.

“I investigated Melanie’s background thoroughly. She’s been modeling part–time since her university days. Both her beauty and demeanor are exceptional. I meant to discuss it with you today, but it completely slipped my mind in the rush of preparations. I was unaware of the conflict between Ms. Lesley and Melanie. If I had known, I would have rather taken to the runway myself than invited her,” Rayne added.

Knowing Rayne as well as she did, Christina had no doubts about her assistant’s integrity It seemed improbable that Rayne would have accepted bribes from Melanie to let her infiltrate and disrupt their fashion show.

“You’ye mistaken. The person who has a conflict with Melanie is me, not Victoria. Victoria was only standing up for me,” Christina clarified.

Rayne stood in stunned silence, her eyes darting between Christina and Melanie.

Christina did not offer further explanation and instead said, “Although this mess wasn’t intentional on your part, you violated our workplace rules. So, you have to manage the aftermath.”

Rayne had no objections. After all, she was in charge of the fashion studio. “I’ll handle it immediately.”

“Wait,” Christina called after her. “Bring me all the information on the models.”

“I’ll have my assistant deliver them to you,” Rayne replied, summoning her assistant to fetch the required documents. She then concentrated on controlling the damage.

Rayne pacified the seething Victoria before instructing the staff to tidy up the scene. Then, she walked over to Melanie and said, “Ms. Steele, I sincerely apologize for my oversight which led to an out–of–the- norm hiring process. Therefore, I have to replace you. Rest assured, the payment agreed upon earlier will be sent in full to your company. I’ll also contact them to ensure you don’t face any consequences because of this.”

While Rayne leaned toward siding with Christina, she couldn’t be like Victoria, targeting anyone who crossed her path.

Reputation and public opinion were paramount for their newly reopened fashion studio. She had to make sure Melanie didn’t tarnish their image after leaving their doors.

–Melanie met Rayne’s gaze with cold, unreadable eyes. “And what if I refuse and insist on completing this show as per our contract?”

Rayne hadn’t achieved her position just by currying favor with Christina.

Her voice took on an icy edge. “Ms. Seymour, I suggest you put aside the benefits you think you might gain by making things difficult for me. Ms. Lesley is not just the special designer for our studio but also the heiress of the Lesley family. It would take her mere words to ruin someone’s career. Besides, my boss wouldn’t just stand by and watch.” Rayne smiled and continued, “If I were you, I’d take the payment and walk away without a fuss.‘

Melanie’s face clouded over, but her manners held strong. They were in a public space, and an image must be maintained. She couldn’t afford to cause a scene.

“Ms. Maguire, I’m not part of the model agency. I am here to help a friend in need. I’m a well–known figure in the entertainment industry. Are you trying to brush me off with a meager payment? Do you take me for a fool?” Melanie retorted.

“As you’ve stated, you’re here on a friend’s behalf. Well, allow me to be blunt. If it weren’t for this fashion show’s lucrative benefits, would you, a figure of modest fame, have been bothered by your friend’s request? Unless you’re implying, you aren’t in it for the money at all?” Rayne paused, her gaze turning frosty. “Or perhaps there’s a more nefarious scheme at play?”

Even if the evidence was all laid out in plain sight, Melanie would never admit to her ulterior motives.

Stiffly, Melanie conceded to Rayne’s initial proposition. “When will the payment be made?”

Rayne’s demeanor warmed slightly. “It can be arranged now. I’ll send someone over to assist you with your makeup removal.”

She beckoned over a makeup artist and a few staff members and personally oversaw the careful removal of the grand attire and jewelry adorning Melanie. Following this, she transferred the payment and even generously covered her meal and transportation costs.

This gesture only served to heighten Melanie’s suspicion that Rayne was treating her like a beggar. Never before had she suffered such an insult.

With her dignity fraying, Melanie collected her belongings and left, her face giving nothing away.

Meanwhile, Victoria stared after Melanie’s retreating form and fumed. “She got off too easy! I should have clawed her face and made sure she was unable to charm anyone else with her looks.”

While attending to the wound on Victoria’s neck with a cotton swab, Christina reminded, “Rayne is a woman, Victoria. Your attempts to ensnare her with your beauty won’t work. Can’t you keep a level head? You would have made the headlines again if your outburst was caught on camera.”

Victoria grumbled a few times, a piteous whine escaping her lips. “Christina, what do we do? My pride and joy, my creation was ruined by that wretched woman.”

Christina remained unperturbed. “I inspected the outfit earlier. Only a few appliqués were damaged. With a few adjustments and some needlework, it should be fine. I have already selected a replacement model. This fashion show is vital for our reputation. I won’t let our efforts go to waste.”

A delighted smile bloomed on Victoria’s face. The next second, she let out a moan of pain, complaining, “Christina, can’t you be more gentle?”

Christina chided her, “Who told you to squirm when I was applying the medicine? Just suck it up.”

Victoria obediently sat in the chair, allowing Christina to continue tending to her wounds.

The fashion show proceeded after a delay of ten minutes. Melanie emerged from Global Shopping Center but didn’t immediately take leave. Instead, she positioned herself discreetly in a corner, her face shrouded behind a mask and sunglasses, sending messages to her dear friend who lay in the hospital.

From the corner of her eyes, she spotted a suspicious figure lingering at the periphery of the show’s cordon.

Every time a passerby approached, the figure would retreat into their heavy coat, standing with their back against everyone, imitating a mere spectator.

Finding the person intriguing, Melanie pocketed her phone and navigated her way toward them.

On sighting Melanie’s approach, the figure turned tail to flee.

However, Melanie managed to out to grab the person by the shoulder. “Hey, are you trying to get into the show?” she asked.

After a brief struggle, the figure gave up and replied in a muted voice, “No.”

Melanie recognized it as an older female’s voice and said, “You needn’t be embarrassed. Today’s show has invited the internationally famous jewelry designer, Ms. Hera. Plenty of people around here are fans of Ms. Hera, who can’t gain access because they lack an invitation just like you.”

The woman looked up at Melanie, who offered her a friendly smile and said, “I have an invitation. I could sell it to you.”