She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 1070

Daphne texted back immediately, insisting it was an emergency and that she'd explode if she didn't talk to her right now.

"That serious? Alright, I'm on my way."

Melanie dropped her files, grabbed her purse, and practically sprinted out of the office. She was moving so fast she nearly collided straight into a hard chest.

Preston caught her effortlessly, his strong, gloved hands gripping her arms and offering an instant wave of security.

"Whoa, sorry about that," Melanie said with an apologetic laugh.

"Where's the fire?" Preston asked, his eyes scanning her face.

"I'm grabbing lunch with someone."

"Who?"

The single word dropped like a stone, the temperature in the corridor plummeting as a dark, predatory aura radiated from him.

Melanie couldn't help but laugh. "Relax, it's Daphne. Why are you so on edge?"

Hearing the name, the lethal tension instantly drained from Preston's posture. He pressed his lips into a thin line, choosing not to say a word.

He wasn't overreacting. With wealthy playboys like Shawn Sterling and Sebastian York constantly circling Melanie like sharks, he had every right to be on high alert.

Seeing his stoic, bodyguard-like stance, Melanie teased, "Alright, stand down. I'm going to eat with my best friend now."

As she slipped past him, Preston murmured, "I'm guessing she wants to talk about Everett."

Melanie paused and looked back over her shoulder. "Everett? What about him?"

But the second the question left her mouth, she read the subtle shift in Preston's expression. Flashing back to the awkward tension at the lodge yesterday, it all clicked into place.

"Got it. I'm leaving now."

"I can drive you," Preston offered smoothly.

"No need. If you drop me off, it'd feel weird not inviting you to eat, and this is girl talk."

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