She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 397

Several rival companies that harbored grudges against the Royce Group joined in, murmuring and laughing at Melanie's expense.

Bryant stepped forward to defend her.

"What do you know? Melanie was heavily involved in our data center project—"

"So what?" Terrence cut him off. "Does that prove your ingredients are any good? If your quality was actually top-tier, you wouldn't be groveling for Stellaris PharmaTech's new tech!"

Bryant faltered. He couldn't answer that.

He actually knew very little about the new cold medicine project Melanie was managing.

Knowing Preston worked at Stellaris, Bryant looked at him and lowered his voice. "Help her explain it!"

"There's no need," Preston replied flatly.

He didn't even glance at Bryant. His dark eyes were fixed entirely on Melanie.

In those deep, shadowed depths, Bryant saw an unshakable certainty.

It was absolute trust.

Melanie held Terrence's gaze, her eyes laced with quiet mockery.

"Tell me, Mr. Aldwin, do you eat raw rice for dinner?"

"What?"

Terrence blinked, completely thrown by the random question.

"I asked if you eat your rice raw," Melanie repeated.

"Don't be ridiculous. Of course I eat it cooked!"

"And do you use a stove to cook it?"

"What the hell is your point?"

Terrence was losing his patience with her rapid-fire, nonsensical questions.

Melanie, on the other hand, remained the picture of calm. She offered a sweet, patronizing smile.

"According to your logic, seeking out newer, better extraction technology means our ingredients are inherently flawed. By that same reasoning, shouldn't I assume you use a stove to cook your rice because the rice itself is garbage? Doesn't that sound completely absurd?"

"You—"

"The finest rice in the world still needs a good pot and heat to become a perfect meal," Melanie continued seamlessly. "The best medicinal herbs require modern technology to extract their maximum potential. Combining our premium ingredients with advanced scientific methods is the exact advantage of bridging traditional and modern medicine. If you can't grasp a concept that basic, it's no wonder Herbanthus Remedies has been bleeding market share for three years straight. You're practically being outpaced by neighborhood clinics."

Terrence’s face turned a deep, mottled red.

Curiosity danced in Melanie's eyes. In response, Preston deliberately leaned in, lowering his head until his lips were right beside her ear.

His warm breath brushed against her skin, sending a flush straight to the tips of her ears.

She knew he was just whispering a secret.

But to anyone watching, it looked like he was leaning in to kiss her cheek.

"Just tell me. Why are you standing so close?" Melanie murmured, a little flustered.

She felt the vibration of a low chuckle, followed by his magnetic voice vibrating against her eardrum.

"My rivals are all in the room. If I stand close to you, they'll know to back off."

Melanie couldn't help but laugh, her eyes curving into bright crescents.

To the rest of the room, they looked undeniably intimate—a perfectly matched couple.

Aria noticed people in the crowd pointing at them, whispering excitedly about the undeniable chemistry.

She ground her teeth together. Suddenly, the memory of a phone call from Evelyn rang in her mind.

"Would you do me the honor of meeting up with me?"