She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 427

As Preston ate his toast and drank his milk, his mind unconsciously drifted back to a specific morning from four years ago.

It was a morning he had initially brushed off as completely ordinary, only for it to become permanently etched into his memory.

The Melanie of four years ago had been more youthful and radiant, lacking the refined maturity she possessed now.

"There's only one small convenience store nearby, and they barely have any stock. This was all I could get—some milk that's about to expire and a few slices of bread. We'll just have to make do!"

"Preston... Preston?"

Jerked back to reality, he realized Melanie was calling his name.

She was waving her hand in front of his face.

"Are you okay? Do you feel sick? You look a little pale..."

Melanie reached over and casually checked the expiration date on his milk carton. It was fine.

The woman sitting right in front of him had a face full of genuine concern.

It was the exact same caring look she had given him four years ago.

Preston suddenly set down his toast, leaned over, and captured her lips.

Melanie gasped in surprise.

Thankfully, unlike the heavy, desperate passion of last night, this morning's kiss was as light and brief as a passing breeze.

"Thank you... darling..."

Melanie was entirely bewildered by his sudden gratitude.

"Are you going to finish that last bite of toast or not?"

"I am."

Preston popped the remaining bread into his mouth before driving her to work.

As usual, he dropped her off right at the main entrance of her office building, naturally drawing the attention of her colleagues.

"Ms. Royce looks so happy!"

"I'm so jealous that Ms. Royce has such a gorgeous boyfriend."

The whispered comments from her employees made Melanie's face flush.

While they were lingering through their goodbyes, Preston suddenly murmured to her:

Preston's previously relaxed posture went rigid the second he saw her, his gaze sharpening into cold daggers.

He didn't offer her a single syllable. In stony silence, he stepped to the side, attempting to walk around her.

"Aren't you being a little ungrateful, Mr. Whitmore?"

Aria stepped sideways, blocking his path once again.

The main entrance of the Royce Group was swarming with employees rushing in for the morning grind. Although Melanie and Preston had just made their relationship official, the news had already spread through every floor of the company in a mere twenty-four hours.

Yet here was Preston, trapped by Aria, who seemed determined to cause a scene.

Everyone in the building knew about the toxic rivalry between Melanie and her stepsister.

Witnessing this confrontation naturally sent imaginations running wild.

"You don't think this hot guy is two-timing them, do you?"

"Playing both sisters? And he just got caught?"

"It definitely looks like she's confronting him over some romantic drama..."

The gossiping crowd murmured among themselves. Standing just outside the revolving doors, Melanie heard every single word.