Chapter750AFruitlessVenture


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


    she had sparked a cmity.


    “The model previously in charge of the grand finale had a mishap in the hotel bathroomst night.


    She’sid up in the hospital, unable to move. Worried that it would cause a dy in today’s show, I


    urgently contacted the model agency to rmend an experienced recement to solve the problem.


    They sent me Mnie,” she exined.


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


    “I investigated Mnie’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 Mnie. 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 epted bribes from Mnie to let her infiltrate and disrupt their


    fashion show.


    “You’ye mistaken. The person who has a conflict with Mnie is me, not Victoria. Victoria was only


    standing up for me,” Christina rified.


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


    Christina did not offer further exnation and instead said, “Although this mess wasn’t intentional on


    your part, you vited our workce 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 Mnie and said, “Ms. Steele, I sincerely apologize for my oversight which led to an out–of–


    the- norm hiring process. Therefore, I have to rece you. Rest assured, the payment agreed upon


    earlier will be sent in full to yourpany. 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 Mnie didn’t tarnish their image after leaving their doors.


    –Mnie met Rayne’s gaze with cold, unreadable eyes. “And what if I refuse and insist onpleting


    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.‘


    Mnie’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?” Mnie 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 y?”


    Even if the evidence was allid out in in sight, Mnie would never admit to her ulterior motives.


    Stiffly, Mnie 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 Mnie. Following this, she transferred the payment


    and even generously covered her meal and transportation costs.


    This gesture only served to heighten Mnie’s suspicion that Rayne was treating her like a beggar.


    Never before had she suffered such an insult.


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


    Meanwhile, Victoria stared after Mnie’s retreating form and fumed. “She got off too easy! I should


    have wed her face and made sure she was unable to charm anyone else with her looks.”


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    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 recement


    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,


    comining, “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 dy of ten minutes. Mnie 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 sunsses, sending messages to her dear friend whoy 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, Mnie pocketed her phone and navigated her way toward them.


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


    However, Mnie 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.”


    Mnie 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 ess because theyck an invitation just like you.”


    The woman looked up at Mnie, who offered her a friendly smile and said, “I have an invitation. I


    could sell it to you.”