She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 348

“If you won’t do this with dignity, we’ll take it to court. And when we do, you’ll be paying me fifty billion dollars in the settlement!”

Melanie’s voice was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.

Dominic’s legs gave out, and he almost buckled to his knees.

“Melanie! You ungrateful wretch! After how well the Hale family has treated you, you’re divorcing Dominic? And you dare demand fifty billion? I hope you choke on it!”

Camilla, furious, grabbed a nearby vase and hurled it at Melanie.

A dull thud echoed as the vase struck someone squarely in the back.

Melanie found herself pressed against a broad, warm chest, the steady, powerful rhythm of his heart thrumming against her ear.

“Preston, are you okay?”

Tilting her head up, Melanie looked at Preston, who was now inches away.

His expression seemed untroubled, but the vase Camilla had thrown was large and the impact was forceful. Melanie was still worried.

“Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

Melanie’s face was reflected in Preston’s deep eyes.

That face, so beautiful it made his heart race.

And the thought of her plotting all this alone made his heart ache for her.

Preston’s gaze swept over Melanie, checking her from head to toe.

More than his own well-being, he was concerned about whether she had been hurt.

“Well, well, Melanie. You have the nerve to talk about me cheating when you and this guy are clearly involved, aren’t you?”

Watching Preston rush onto the stage in front of everyone, pull Melanie into his arms, and shield her, Dominic felt like his brain was about to explode.

“If you two weren’t involved, would he be so protective of you? Melanie, how did I never realize what a common slut you are!”

As soon as Dominic’s hysterical shout ended, Preston raised his fist, ready to swing.

Crack!

The sharp sound of a slap silenced the entire hall.

Dominic was stunned—

Stunned by Melanie’s blow.

Just as Preston was about to punch Dominic, Melanie had stepped forward and slapped him first.

“Melanie, you’ve gone too far! My brother’s life is ruined because of you... You heartless bitch!!”

No sooner had Evelyn defended Dominic than she, too, received a slap from Melanie.

“This is what you two deserve!”

Melanie stood on the stage, her presence overpowering everyone in the room.

Before the last guest had even left, news broke that Adrian Mercer and his entire team were defecting back to the Carter Group.

The new anti-cancer drug, which had captured over sixty percent of the market share, also became the patented property of the Carter Group.

In its haste to sign the collaboration agreement and beat Stellaris PharmaTech to the punch, the Hale Group had overlooked several hidden clauses Melanie had planted in the contract.

These included a valuation adjustment mechanism, personal guarantee agreements, non-compete clauses, and the stripping of decision-making power.

Among them was one crucial line—

If the investing party were to be involved in a major personal scandal, Adrian Mercer’s studio would unconditionally reclaim all rights related to the new anti-cancer drug.

Now was the time for that hidden clause to take effect.

In a single day, Hale Health Center’s stock went into a freefall, cratering within minutes. Its operations ground to a halt, its cash flow dried up, and banks began calling in their loans.

The parent company, the Hale Group, which had also been an investor, was dragged down with it. Its stock nosedived, and billions in market value evaporated.

Camilla fainted and was hospitalized.

Evelyn and Lila hid at home, afraid to go out, as a large group of protesters held banners outside their residential community, screaming insults at her for being a shameless homewrecker.

Conversely, Nathaniel’s company stock soared.

As the sole victim in the scandal, Melanie not only received a wave of sympathy and support from across the internet, but her brilliance and decisiveness also earned her widespread recognition and admiration.

Stellaris PharmaTech.