She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 157

Suddenly, a food delivery arrived.

Melanie hadn't ordered it, nor had Dominic or Gregory.

The delivery was a bowl of beef stew and a bottle of cherry soda.

From the packaging, it was clearly from the 24-hour diner across the street.

Melanie took out her phone and sent two words to Preston.

[Thank you.]

Seeing Melanie typing on her phone with a knowing smile, Dominic felt a heavy knot form in his stomach.

The takeout was obviously ordered specifically for Melanie.

By whom?

In front of Gregory, Dominic couldn't ask her directly.

Doing so would make it seem like he couldn't even keep his own wife in check.

But the more he couldn't ask, the more anxious he became, an uncomfortable itch crawling under his skin.

Noticing Dominic's hesitant glances, Melanie thought the beef stew and cherry soda tasted even better.

To avoid arousing Dominic and Gregory's suspicion, Melanie didn't have Adrian Mercer immediately accept the Hale Group's investment.

On the surface, Adrian was still shopping around and comparing offers.

Melanie wasn't in a hurry.

She wanted to make Dominic and Gregory anxious.

***

Today, Melanie got off work half an hour early.

Because tomorrow was a big day.

Melanie drove to her secret lab, and by the time she returned to Rosevale Heights, it was already dark.

To her surprise, Preston was home.

As usual, he was dressed in black silk pajamas, with the buttons done up meticulously and a pair of white silk gloves that seemed fused to his hands.

For some reason, seeing Preston at home gave Melanie an indescribable sense of security.

After chatting with him for a few minutes, she sat down on the living room sofa and started wrapping a package.

"Is that… a gift?"

When he saw Melanie place a packet of something resembling white powder and a small note into an elegant gift box, Preston's curiosity got the better of him, and he had to ask.

"Mhm, it's my dad's 60th birthday tomorrow."

After she spoke, Melanie noticed Preston's deep eyes were still fixed on the gift box.

The mansion was large and grand, and the guest list was long.

The entire Hale family attended.

Gregory brought Camilla, and Dominic brought Evelyn and Lila.

Melanie arrived by herself.

As soon as she reached her father's estate, she saw Lila sitting on Dominic's lap, being held tenderly. Beside them, Evelyn was laughing and chatting with Dominic, even peeling grapes to feed him.

From any angle, Dominic, Evelyn, and Lila looked like the real family.

Melanie remembered how disappointed Dominic had been with Evelyn's behavior at Adrian Mercer's reception.

However, it seemed true what they say: a married couple can never stay angry at each other for long.

Melanie had never really felt the truth in that saying before.

Because she and Dominic were hardly a real couple.

But now, seeing Dominic's behavior, that old saying was starting to ring true.

When he saw Melanie arrive, a flicker of discomfort crossed Dominic's face, and for the first time, he refused a grape that Evelyn offered him.

"Lila, go sit with your mother!"

Pushed off Dominic's lap, Lila pouted and, when no one was looking, shot Melanie a vicious glare.