She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 258

Melanie's eyes widened, and she immediately began to struggle.

But Preston was incredibly strong. He held her tightly in his arms, and she couldn't move an inch.

"Preston, let me go!"

Melanie protested vehemently, but Preston turned a deaf ear.

"If you don't let go, I'm going to get angry!"

"You're already angry."

Preston's response left Melanie not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"Alright, alright, I promise I won't leave. I'll listen to what you have to say. Is that good enough?"

Hearing her words, Preston finally, slowly, relaxed his tense arms.

Melanie sighed in resignation.

He was the one who had provoked her, so why did it feel like she was the one coaxing him?

A lingering heat spread through her where he had held her. Melanie grabbed a glass of water from the table and gulped it down.

"Um..."

As she set the glass down, she saw Preston point at it.

"I just drank from that."

Melanie's cheeks grew hot.

She and Preston had actually, properly kissed before, skin on skin. This was just an indirect kiss, so she shouldn't be so embarrassed.

And yet, she found herself inexplicably shy.

Her heart began to race.

Preston watched Melanie, whose face was beet red, unsure if it was from shyness or anger.

He picked up a bottle of mineral water, twisted the cap off, and handed it to her.

"This one is new."

Melanie hesitated for a moment before taking the bottle.

If she didn't do something, she felt like she would combust from the heat spreading through her.

By the time she finished the bottle, the awkward tension had only been replaced by the uncomfortable fullness in her stomach.

Just then, she noticed Preston looking at her.

His usually stern, cold eyes were now shimmering like melting ice.

Melanie turned her face away and cleared her throat.

"So, what's the deal with that Elara woman?"

The moment she spoke, Melanie felt her tone sounded like a girlfriend interrogating her boyfriend.

Melanie was bewildered.

"That's it?"

Preston tilted his head.

"What else do you want to hear?"

"Of course, I want to hear about your past with Miss Elara! All the romantic stuff, like gazing at the stars..."

Preston frowned, looking as if he were wracking his brain.

"There's nothing..."

Preston looked at Melanie, his expression serious, his voice firm and decisive.

"We've met only a handful of times, and each time our families' elders were present. I’ve certainly never taken her on a romantic getaway or shared a sunset alone with her."

Preston's answer was so literal and earnest that Melanie couldn't help but chuckle.

Judging by his reaction, he probably hadn't seen the TV show that line was from.

"So that day when I saw... you having dinner with Miss Elara... that wasn't your engagement party?"

"No."

Preston shook his head.

"The Bennett elders were just visiting Averin with Elara, and my family asked me to host a welcome dinner for them."