She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 126

As if sensing Melanie's confusion, Preston took the initiative to explain.

"My grandmother is getting older, and her health hasn't been great these past few years. Her greatest wish... is to see me settle down and start a family."

Melanie was dumbfounded.

Preston settling down...

That had even less to do with her.

She was already married.

Though that marriage was about to fall apart.

Thinking of family, Melanie's thoughts inexplicably drifted to Dominic.

In her opinion, In her eyes, Dominic was the master of the double life—a devoted husband at home, and a lover waiting in the wings.

As Preston spoke, he carefully watched Melanie's expression.

She seemed to have drifted into a memory of some kind.

And not a pleasant one.

Otherwise, Melanie wouldn't have frowned, and her gaze wouldn't have turned so cold.

"My grandmother was hospitalized this time... I don't know when she'll get better, and I don't want her to have any regrets, so..."

Melanie's attention returned to what Preston was saying.

Their eyes met, and in Preston's dark, deep pupils, she saw a hint of cautiousness, a fear of being rejected.

"I told her I would bring my girlfriend to visit. Can you pretend to be my girlfriend?"

Preston asked directly.

Melanie wasn't surprised at all.

She had guessed as much when he mentioned settling down.

"I'm sorry, I can't help you with this."

Melanie shook her head, giving Preston an apologetic smile.

A flash of disappointment appeared in Preston's eyes.

But he hid it well.

"Is it because you're married?"

Melanie didn't answer right away.

She was concerned about her married status.

But not for Dominic's sake.

It was because if Dominic got any dirt on her, it would jeopardize her plans to make him leave the marriage with nothing.

"Preston, you must have other female colleagues, right? Or female friends? Why me?"

"Because…"

Preston thought for a moment.

At a huge corporation like Stellaris PharmaTech, there were countless female employees.

But whenever they ran into him, they kept their distance.

"Then it's a deal."

"Okay."

"...Thank you..."

After thanking her, Preston finally let go of her arm.

It was only then that Melanie realized he had been holding her arm the entire time.

Now, even though he had let go, the lingering touch and warmth on her skin were still vivid.

Melanie touched her arm and turned to go into the master bedroom.

Preston went back to his guest room.

Just then, Gabriel sent a text:

[How's it going, bro? Did the deep V-neck, skin-baring club look I told you about work? Did Ms. Royce agree or not?]

He was met with silence.

The next day, before going to the hospital, Preston took Melanie to a mall.

That morning, Melanie had wracked her brain trying to pick out an outfit.

After all, she was visiting his grandmother as his girlfriend. Her clothes shouldn't be too flashy, but considering the grandmother's age and her being in the hospital, wearing something too somber or plain might be seen as bad luck.