She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 410

Desperate to sway him, Aria leaned in close, her low-cut top leaving little to the imagination as she deliberately brushed against his arm.

Sensing the contact, Dr. Hayes immediately pulled his arm away and shot her a strange look.

Playing it off flawlessly, Aria smiled. "Professor, I can double-check the sources. But what if it's true? Shouldn't we at least gather some preliminary samples just in case?"

"I suppose. Just ensure you verify the information thoroughly. Scientific research isn't a game," he replied sternly. He gave her a brief glance, brushing off the physical contact as a clumsy accident. "Adjust the compound ratios, and then you're free to head home."

With that, Dr. Hayes grabbed his briefcase and exited the lab.

The moment the door clicked shut, Aria's sweet smile vanished, replaced by an ugly scowl. She had assumed Dr. Hayes would be just as easily manipulated by a little seduction as Mr. Brenner or Dr. Hartmann. All she usually needed was a low-cut top and a few suggestive touches to get her way.

To her immense frustration, Dr. Hayes turned out to be a massive prude. He hadn't even registered her advances.

"Ugh!" Aria scoffed.

It looked like she was going to have to play the long game. She needed to fabricate enough legitimate data to make the expedition to the MD region look absolutely essential to the project.

Two days later, Preston wrapped up his business trip, but instead of flying straight home, he rerouted his private jet to Valerius Isle.

Situated perfectly between Aldoria and Quarevia, the island was neutral territory. The ultra-luxurious Solstice Regent Hotel sat in the dead center of the island, ready to host an incredibly tense gathering.

The Whitmores and the Bennetts.

The Lumine Grand Hall had been entirely cleared out. Callum, Chloe, and Elara Bennett arrived together. They hadn't brought personal security because Preston's team had already coordinated with the hotel to lock down the entire floor.

Two rows of intimidating, stone-faced bodyguards flanked the entrance—all employed by the Whitmores.

Initially, Callum and Chloe had been cautiously optimistic when they received the dinner invitation. They hoped Preston had reconsidered the broken engagement and wanted to mend ties with their family.

But the moment they stepped into the grand hall, the suffocating, almost hostile atmosphere hit them like a physical blow. The reality of the situation was violently different from what they had imagined.

"Elara, did something happen between you and Preston?" Chloe whispered sharply.

Elara clenched her jaw, forcing a stiff shake of her head. "No."

The chilling energy radiating from Preston seemed to plunge the temperature in the room by several degrees.

The waitstaff silently brought out a lavish spread of the Bennetts' favorite gourmet dishes, prepared to absolute perfection.

Callum and Chloe ate, though every bite tasted like ash under the crushing weight of the silence.

"Preston, thank you for hosting us. The food is spectacular," Chloe finally said, offering a warm, strained smile to break the ice. "Perhaps... it's time you told us why you invited us all here tonight?"

The heavy atmosphere instantly turned suffocating.

Preston deliberately set down his silverware.

Elara hadn't spoken a single word to him since she walked in. She hadn't even dared to look him in the eye, keeping her head bowed and pretending to focus on her plate. In reality, she hadn't managed to swallow a single bite.

Her paralyzing fear and depression hadn't gone unnoticed. Callum and Chloe had seen it all.