Chapter 1

"Valerie Miller, 231 pounds. Severely obese."

The red digital numbers on the scale burned my eyes.

I looked down at my collarbones, so hollowed out they looked like caves.

And my legs. They were like thin twigs.

Today was the final round of the International Supermodel Search. My entire career was on the line.

"There's a mistake. I only weigh 92 pounds."

The head judge, Robert Croft, sneered and shut my file.

"The machine doesn't lie, Valerie. You're disqualified."

Beside him, Chloe Sinclair—the nepotism baby of the industry—covered her mouth and giggled.

She was clearly two sizes larger than me, yet her recorded weight on the screen was perfect.

"And don't think you can just walk away," Robert added, his voice cold. "Your breach of contract fine is five million dollars. Payable immediately."

Every camera on the stage, from telephoto lenses to livestream rigs, slammed into my face.

I shoved the security guard aside and lunged straight toward the main live camera.

"Five million dollars, right? Open your damn eyes and look at this!"

In front of millions of live viewers worldwide, I ripped down the zipper of my skin-tight evening gown, exposing my skeletal torso and every single rib beneath my skin.

"Does this look like two hundred and thirty pounds to you?!"

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