She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 390

Melanie wasn't blind; she knew Aria had a massive crush on Preston.

However, knowing Preston's standards, she seriously doubted he'd ever be interested in someone as excessively fake as Aria.

At the window table, Dr. Hayes had been there initially but excused himself not long after, leaving Aria and Preston completely alone.

Aria had clearly gone all out today. She wore a sweet, pale pink lace dress, with her makeup, hair, and accessories all meticulously styled. This wasn't a professional meeting; she had dressed for a conquest.

Preston was in his usual all-black attire, the crisp white gloves on his hands serving as the only stark contrast.

"It's all set. Starting tomorrow, you can report to Stellaris PharmaTech Headquarters, Mr. Whitmore."

Aria handed him the completed transfer paperwork, carefully watching his face, desperately hoping to spot a flicker of gratitude in his eyes.

Instead, his gaze remained frosted over, devoid of anything but cold, distant apathy.

Aria suppressed a sudden shiver and quickly lowered her eyes, avoiding his penetrating stare.

His gaze was genuinely terrifying, as if he could slice right through her and read her darkest intentions.

"Mr. Whitmore, I..."

"If there's nothing else, I'm leaving."

Seeing him stand up, Aria panicked.

"Wait..."

Just then, her phone conveniently slipped from her hand and clattered to the floor.

Preston bent down to retrieve it for her. The photo brightly displayed on the screen instantly snagged his attention.

Aria smiled inwardly.

"Oh, I took that picture for my sister," she said, plucking the phone from his gloved hand.

"That bag she's holding is the newest Hermes. It costs over three hundred thousand dollars! Dominic bought it for her."

It wasn't until Dominic's name was dropped that Preston's eyes flickered, a faint shift breaking his icy composure.

Aria cheered in her head.

She knew he'd care.

"I think... my sister and Dominic might be getting back together soon. Otherwise, she'd never accept such an expensive gift from him."

"After all... she isn't a gold digger, right, Mr. Whitmore?"

She kept her eyes glued to his face. He stood completely still, but she could sense a dangerous storm brewing beneath his calm exterior.

Melanie walked over to support his swaying weight, internally cursing him for drinking so unprofessionally during a business meeting.

She practically dragged him from the buffet to the main hotel lobby. When she finally tried to let go, Douglas clamped a heavy hand around her arm.

"We're already at a hotel, Ms. Royce. Why don't we head upstairs and grab a room?"

Disgusted by his drunken advances, Melanie violently yanked her arm free.

"You've had too much to drink, Mr. Strickland."

"Who cares if I'm drunk? Come upstairs with me, and I’ll make sure the Royce Group gets the prime spot at the expo. I can make you the star of the show... if you play your cards right."

Faced with the intoxicated executive's blatant threats, Melanie simply crossed her arms, finding the whole display pathetic.

The expo on Saturday might be the biggest annual event in Aldoria's medical industry, but she wasn't desperate enough to compromise her dignity for it.

Seeing her sneer and turn on her heel, Douglas flew into a rage.

He was furious not just because she was rejecting him, but because she was outright dismissing his authority.

"Hold it right there!"

He lunged forward, his clumsy, drunk hands grabbing Melanie tightly by the shoulder.