She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 1187

This wasn't Melanie's first time visiting the Lockridge facility. The last time she was here, the place had been bustling, the entrance flanked by lines of luxury cars. But now... Melanie scanned the perimeter as she walked toward the entrance. It was eerily desolate. The surface parking lot was practically empty, save for a few beat-up sedans. With foot traffic this abysmal, the convalescent home had to be hemorrhaging money.

Melanie stepped into the grand lobby. There wasn't even a receptionist at the front desk. She pulled out her phone to make a call, but a voice echoed through the hollow space.

"Melanie, you made it."

She looked up to see Gavin Lockridge slowly descending the staircase from the second floor. At first glance, she almost didn't recognize him. He looked like he hadn't seen a barber in months. A heavy scruff shadowed his jaw, and he exuded an aura of total exhaustion. His suit was severely wrinkled. While he wasn't exactly wearing rags, he looked nothing like the polished corporate heir he once was.

Melanie's eyes widened in sheer disbelief. "Gavin... what happened to you?"

Gavin caught her shock but didn't immediately explain. "Come upstairs. We can talk there."

As he turned back up the stairs, Melanie instinctively glanced at the elevators tucked in the corner. "Are we not taking the elevator?"

"It's broken," Gavin replied dryly.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify