The sudden hug left Melody Monroe frozen in place.
But she couldn't bring herself to just push her away.
"I'm okay now, thank you for your concern."
"Raymond, the elevator's here. You still need to get your makeup done, and we're on a really tight schedule," her assistant, Leah Young, reminded Raymond Ford.
Raymond Ford released Melody Monroe and said with a smile, "Melody, I'll head up first, then."
"Okay." Melody Monroe nodded.
Raymond Ford stepped into the elevator, followed by her assistant and a large entourage of staff.
Melody Monroe looked at the packed elevator, feeling awkward and unsure if she should try to squeeze in.
"Melody, come join us," Raymond Ford invited.
The moment Melody Monroe stepped inside, the elevator's overload alarm blared. She immediately backed out. "You all go ahead. I'll just wait."
"Alright, then. We'll see you at the venue."
The elevator doors closed, and Melody Monroe resumed her wait.
...
As soon as Raymond Ford entered the room, she collapsed onto the sofa.
"Rose really is generous with Melody. She just got out of the hospital, and she's already dragging her to this charity gala. Looks like she's trying to find another 'in' for her."
"There's no shortage of high-profile socialites here tonight. Melody might actually get lucky and find an opportunity," the assistant, Leah Young, said as she walked over and sat down in front of Raymond Ford.
"Melody is just too damn lucky. She was so seriously injured, yet there isn't a single scratch on that pretty face of hers!" Raymond Ford scoffed, shaking her head in frustration.
"I heard all the gowns for tonight are sponsored, right?" she asked Leah Young.
"That's right. I've already seen your gowns—there are three of them. I'll arrange for someone to go get them now. It's still early, so you can rest for a bit or grab a bite to eat before we do your hair and makeup."
"Since Rose favors Melody so much, she must have a gown set aside for her too. I want you to go get it yourself later. Do you know what I mean?"
Leah Young froze for a second before it clicked. "I understand."
...
Room 6011 on the hotel's sixth floor was being used as a temporary base by the staff of Stellaris Entertainment, and it was where all the gowns were being stored.
Talia Mercer reached the door and knocked.
She and Winter Kane had been stuck in traffic, so they were already running late. She decided to come here first to pick up Melody Monroe's gown and take it directly to her room to save time.
The door opened to reveal a staff member Talia Mercer didn't recognize.
"Are you here to pick up a gown?"
"Yes," Talia Mercer replied with a quick nod.
"Whose?" the person asked, not recognizing Talia.
"Melody Monroe's."
"Follow me."
Talia Mercer immediately followed the staffer inside. The room was filled with large clothing racks, all hung with a wide variety of gowns.
"Leah, your Raymond's gowns are gorgeous! They might all be sponsored, but there's a clear difference in quality."
"Our Raymond is gorgeous; she looks good in anything. Well, I'm off!" Leah Young said, heading for the door with three gowns in her arms.
"Melody Monroe's gown is over here. Come and get it."
Talia Mercer immediately walked forward, picked up the garment bag with Melody Monroe's name on it, and thanked the staffer.
Upon hearing Melody Monroe's name, Leah Young paused and glanced back at Talia Mercer, a flicker of a smirk in her eyes.
'A nobody like Melody Monroe, who hasn't even had her big break, only gets one gown—just enough to walk the red carpet. The charity dinner that follows is the main event for the A-listers. Small-timers like her just have to stay out of the way.'
...
Melody Monroe stared at the gown Talia Mercer had brought her, a troubled expression on her face.
"Do I really have to wear this?"
It was a long, mermaid-style evening gown, but the back was completely open, all the way down to her waist. The hem was studded with countless rhinestones that sparkled beautifully.