She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 404

Blushing fiercely, Melanie shoved him away.

"Don't push your luck! You should be thrilled I complimented you at all."

Preston didn't press the issue, though a heavy, deliberate look of disappointment crossed his handsome features.

Melanie exhaled sharply.

Lately, every single time she was alone with him, there was this undeniable, thrumming tension between them.

Was it because he was getting bolder?

When they had first met, he had been the picture of restrained, untouchable discipline.

Melanie shook her head in helpless amusement.

When she and Preston finally walked out of the boutique, there was no sign of Dominic outside.

"Looking for your ex-husband?" Preston asked, his tone dropping into a possessive edge as he tracked her gaze.

"No. I'm just thinking that even though I got away from him today, he still works at the Royce Group. Running into him every single day is going to be exhausting," Melanie answered honestly.

A dark, protective flash appeared in Preston's eyes.

Without a word, he pulled out his phone and fired off a quick message to Philip.

The next morning, when Melanie arrived at the office, she was greeted with the news that Dominic was in the hospital.

"What happened?"

Melanie asked, brewing a cup of coffee while tuning into the office gossip.

Surely the boutique's security team hadn't beaten him that badly?

"I heard Mr. Hale got jumped by a gang of thugs."

"Not just one gang—three!"

"What?"

"He got jumped by three different groups of guys? In one day?"

"Yep!"

Who on earth manages to get pulverized three times in one afternoon by random strangers?

Melanie shook her head, thoroughly amused.

Well, whatever the cause, it saved her the massive headache of having to run into him in the hallways.

Meanwhile, at the Stellaris PharmaTech corporate headquarters.

Philip was standing in Preston's sprawling corner office, delivering his report.

"Mr. Whitmore, everything has been taken care of. Ms. Royce's soon-to-be ex-husband is currently hospitalized. He'll be bedridden for at least two months."

"Also... we've expedited matters with the city's registry office. The very second the mandatory waiting period expires, the finalized divorce certificates will be delivered directly to Ms. Royce and Mr. Hale."

Preston nodded, his expression completely unreadable.

"Good. Get back to work."

Philip had barely walked out when Gabriel bounded into the room.

"Man, in just a few days, your girl is going to be officially single! Do you think I should buy her a 'welcome to freedom' gift to make a good impression?"