She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 169

So, Melanie took the initiative to contact Gabriel, wanting to maintain this valuable connection.

After all, in business, it's all about who you know.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Melanie was about to get to the point and ask Gabriel out for a meal to strengthen their connection.

But Gabriel spoke first.

“Ms. Royce, are you free this weekend? There’s a new resort that just opened on the north side of town. It has tennis courts, and I’ve recently gotten into the sport. Do you play? How about we go play together this weekend?”

Melanie was taken aback by his forwardness and fell silent.

She knew how to play tennis.

But going to a resort alone with Gabriel seemed a bit inappropriate.

Besides, the resort was remote, and a trip there would most likely require an overnight stay.

Just as Melanie was about to politely decline, Gabriel spoke again.

“Oh, and you can bring a male partner. I’ll be bringing a female partner, so we can play mixed doubles. How about it?”

Hearing this, Melanie realized she had misunderstood him.

It seemed Gabriel had no intention of trying to take advantage of her at the resort.

“Okay, that sounds great. It’s a date.”

“I’ll add you on a messaging app now, so we can communicate privately instead of calling the company.”

After hanging up, Melanie accepted Gabriel’s friend request.

She was a little puzzled, though. She had never given Gabriel her phone number, so how did he manage to add her?

***

Stellaris PharmaTech.

Gabriel showed his phone to Preston, giving him a heads-up.

“See, bro? I just added Ms. Royce.”

He didn't want his brother to see Melanie’s contact in his phone one day and get fiercely jealous.

“So you invited Melanie to the resort to play tennis?”

Sensing a hint of jealousy in Preston’s magnetic voice, Gabriel immediately explained.

Solmere Hotel.

Private dining room.

Melanie was dining with the heads of several supplier companies.

Dominic and Evelyn were there as well.

Evelyn was all smiles, clearly having been placated by Dominic.

Gregory had been there initially but had left midway through to deal with a company matter.

“I really envy Mr. Hale. Mrs. Hale is so beautiful. You’re a lucky man!”

“Isn’t that the truth! I’ve seen all those popular starlets, and none of them are even a fraction as beautiful as Mrs. Hale!”

“This is my first time meeting Mrs. Hale, and I’m just stunned. I can’t take my eyes off her.”

“And not only is Mrs. Hale’s face gorgeous, she has an amazing figure, too. Truly rare… exceptionally rare!”

The executives from the supplier companies showered Melanie with compliments, with every other sentence circling back to her face and body.

Dominic kept a smile plastered on his face, unable to say much even as he watched the men stare lecherously at Melanie.