She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 399

Melanie didn't believe for a second that Preston was oblivious to Elara's feelings.

"I'll get going. You two catch up," Melanie said, already taking a step toward the door.

She wasn't sure why, but she suddenly felt the urge to flee. Her chest tightened with an unexplained ache, making it hard to catch her breath.

"Where are you going?"

Preston's hand shot out, catching her arm in a firm grip. Instead of walking away, Melanie practically stumbled backward into his chest.

Elara frowned, her perfectly curated mask slipping as a flash of displeasure crossed her eyes.

Her gaze dropped to where Preston's hand was wrapped securely around Melanie's arm.

"Preston, who is this...?"

"This is Melanie," Preston introduced her smoothly, then turned to Melanie. "And this is Elara."

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Bennett," Melanie offered politely, extending her hand.

Elara glanced down at Melanie's hand but made no move to take it.

Melanie slowly pulled her hand back, her impression of the elegant heiress plummeting instantly.

She had assumed a woman raised with such high-society refinement would at least possess basic manners.

"Are you here to buy a bag?" Elara asked, keeping her attention entirely on Preston. "Do you need me to help you pick something out?"

Melanie felt completely invisible, as if she wasn't even worth acknowledging.

"No need," Preston rejected the offer flatly.

"I'm buying a bag for Melanie. She's the woman I told you I'm pursuing. I already gave her my mother's heirloom necklace, too."

He delivered the bombshell with total calm, his expression completely unreadable.

Predictably, a storm of emotion flared in Elara's eyes. She was clearly using every ounce of her willpower to suppress her anger and keep her dignified persona intact.

It was almost comical.

Preston knew exactly how Elara felt about him, yet he had bluntly laid out the truth without an ounce of tact. Melanie couldn't help but wonder if he was doing it just to provoke her.

Was he avenging the snubbed handshake?

Melanie tilted her head, wondering if she was just overthinking things.

"If there's nothing else, we're leaving," Preston said coldly, pulling Melanie by the arm and leading her out of the boutique.

Back inside, Elara stood frozen in place, her complexion turning a stormy, ashen gray.

"Are you alright, Ms. Bennett?" one of her bodyguards asked cautiously.

"...I'm fine..." Elara replied in a hollow voice, finally forcing her legs to move further into the store.

The boutique manager recognized her instantly and rushed over, beaming with practiced hospitality.

"What can we help you find today, Ms. Bennett?"

Ignoring the pleasantries, Elara slowly walked the length of the showroom before finally speaking.

"What kind of bag did Preston just buy for that Ms. Royce?"

Outside, Preston was still tugging Melanie along the sidewalk.

"Preston, I can walk on my own. You don't have to drag me," Melanie complained, trying to twist her arm out of his grasp.

She failed.

When it came to the pharmaceutical world, she was fiercely confident and capable.

But...

When it came to love, she was damaged.

Deeply damaged.

Even though she was officially divorced from Dominic, the scars of his betrayal and lies hadn't magically vanished.

She couldn't deny that Preston made her heart race.

Everything he had done so far proved his sincerity.

And yet...

Starting a new relationship took a terrifying amount of courage.

Melanie couldn't bear the thought of giving her heart away again, only to watch it shatter into an illusion.

Her mind was a tangled mess of anxiety when a sudden, electric tingle brushed against her skin.

She looked down. Preston's hand was slowly sliding down her arm, tracing the line of her skin until his fingers laced perfectly with hers.

He held her hand with an unbearable gentleness. Melanie looked up, bewildered, as he guided her palm to rest against his cheek, letting her fingertips trace the edge of his forehead.

Their eyes locked. In Preston's dark gaze, she saw a chaotic, surging storm of emotion.

His voice dropped to a tense, fragile whisper.

"Do you really have no memory of it at all?"