She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 363

Bryant and Elina were already waiting inside.

They had chosen a table with an excellent view, overlooking not only the sparkling surface of the bay but also the boats passing by.

Ever since the Hale Group's IPO celebration, Bryant had been texting Melanie every day.

He always asked the same question:

[Are you and Dominic officially divorced yet?]

Previously, the reply he received was always:

[Not yet.]

But today was different.

Today, Melanie’s reply was—

[We just finished the paperwork at the clerk's office.]

Bryant knew there was a mandatory 30-day waiting period for divorces now.

However, he was well aware that Melanie was dead set on divorcing Dominic.

And since Dominic had already gone with Melanie to file the papers, there was no turning back.

Melanie had been prepared for two scenarios.

If Dominic had refused to agree to the settlement, Melanie would have filed a lawsuit and taken him to court.

Dominic's affair with his adopted sister and the deception of passing off his illegitimate child as Melanie's had become a massive scandal. The evidence against him was irrefutable, leaving him no room to maneuver.

Therefore, if it went to court, Dominic would only lose on all fronts.

Agreeing to the settlement was the best option left for him.

Bryant was confident that Dominic couldn't back out now.

Melanie wouldn't give him the chance.

Since they had already filed the papers and entered the waiting period, in Bryant's eyes, it was as good as done. Melanie was divorced.

He couldn't wait to take her out and celebrate properly.

Bryant had been in an excellent mood, a constant smile on his face as he and Elina waited for Melanie.

However, the moment he saw Melanie arrive, his smile vanished.

Melanie wasn't alone.

Preston was with her.

Bryant’s face fell the instant he saw Preston.

Throughout the meal, Melanie and Elina did most of the talking.

At kindergarten, Elina had transformed from the sad little girl ignored by her parents and bullied by her peers into a popular figure among teachers and classmates. An entertainment company had even approached her about becoming a child star!

Melanie felt a sense of gratification, feeling she had done a good deed.

Bryant watched Melanie and Elina chat enthusiastically. He tried to jump into the conversation several times, but whenever he spoke, it was as if he were a conversation killer. The topic would die instantly.

Bryant didn’t understand. Melanie clearly adored Elina and had endless things to talk about with her, so why couldn't it be the same with him?

While Bryant was growing increasingly anxious, Preston remained silent from beginning to end.

But Preston wasn't anxious. On the contrary, he seemed to enjoy the silence and the listening.

He just watched Melanie quietly as she chatted with Elina, as if carefully imprinting her every expression into his memory.

“Mr. Whitmore? What a coincidence to run into you here.”

A sweet voice cut through the air.

The voice was not unfamiliar to Melanie.

She lifted her eyes and saw the woman standing next to Preston.

It was none other than Aria.