She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 378

It's not for you anyway, so mind your own business!

Gabriel grumbled relentlessly in his head.

But he couldn't exactly say that out loud.

Truthfully, Melanie also felt the necklace was far too extravagant.

What confused her more was why Preston would be casually carrying such a masterpiece in his pocket to begin with.

Surely he wasn't psychic. He couldn't have known she was going to usurp Aria's victory party and be named the COO of the Royce Group.

Melanie's original plan was to simply wait for the banquet to end and quietly hand the piece back to him.

Now that her father had publicly called it out, it was the perfect excuse to return it.

Catching Melanie raising her hands out of the corner of his eye to unclasp it, Preston swiftly caught her wrist.

Through the silky fabric of her formal evening gloves, Melanie could feel the burning heat of Preston's palm seeping straight into her skin.

His grip wasn't overly tight, sparing her any pain.

But it was firm enough that she couldn't break free.

Eventually, Melanie abandoned the thought of taking it off.

Preston finally released her.

"You're overthinking it, sir."

He looked calmly at Nathaniel, offering a perfectly casual explanation.

"This necklace is second-hand. An acquaintance of mine didn't want it anymore and passed it along to me. It's really not that valuable."

Nathaniel scrutinized Preston's face, but the man didn't look like he was lying.

If it belonged to one of Preston's friends, it would explain why the piece looked faintly familiar to him. He could have sworn he had seen someone wear it before.

Hearing Preston's excuse, Sabrina let out a disdainful scoff.

"I knew it. How could a lowly employee afford high-end jewelry?"

"But still..."

Aria was still eaten alive by jealousy.

Even if it was second-hand, Preston had given it to Melanie. He had fastened it around her neck with his own two hands.

"Why couldn't he just give it to me!"

Hearing Aria's pathetic muttering, Sabrina glared at her daughter, frustrated by her total lack of ambition.

"Why are you obsessing over some garbage jewelry? It's just a hand-me-down. Used goods belong with used goods. She's divorced, she's second-hand herself! Aria, you deserve so much better, don't you get that?"

"..."

Aria pressed her lips into a tight line, saying nothing.

Tonight's welcome banquet had been an absolute, crushing disappointment.

She had actively invited Preston, hoping to close the distance between them and force him to see that she was the true heir to the Royce Group.

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