She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 429

"I'm already late."

"Since you're already late, is Ms. Royce terrified of getting her pay docked?"

Preston's teasing tone made Melanie laugh helplessly.

"Alright, alright. I'm already late anyway."

Just like that, they strolled hand-in-hand through the landscaped grounds of the Royce Group's corporate campus.

"You didn't seem... jealous of Aria at all?"

Preston asked, genuine curiosity in his voice.

"So you actually wanted to see me get jealous!"

Melanie sighed in amusement.

"If you were jealous, it would prove you care about me. If you weren't, it proves you trust me."

Preston delivered this with utter sincerity, earning a thumbs-up from his girlfriend.

"A win-win logic for you. Classic."

The conversation lulled for a peaceful moment before Melanie continued:

"I trust my own judgment... There is zero chance you'd ever fall for someone like Aria. Plus... I kind of feel responsible for her harassing you."

A weary, helpless expression crossed her features as she spoke.

"I don't know if she actually has feelings for you... but I do know she is dead set on stealing whatever is mine."

Boyfriends, their father's affection, the company...

Preston watched her in silence, a flicker of heartache passing through his eyes.

He knew exactly what her position was within the Royce family—

She was entirely isolated.

"You have me now. I won't let anyone take what belongs to you."

His calm yet fiercely absolute promise dropped like a stone into the quiet lake of her heart, sending warm ripples through her chest.

Without thinking, Melanie squeezed his hand, tightening their intertwined fingers.

Just then, her phone buzzed.

Melanie pulled it out and checked the screen. The caller ID read: Dominic.

She froze, instinctively glancing up at Preston.

She had a strong feeling that Dominic calling her right now had everything to do with Preston.

The fluid, practiced motion made it obvious that he had been itching to block the man for ages.

"You didn't have to block him, did you?"

Melanie laughed softly.

A second later, she caught him staring at her with dark, brooding resentment.

"Do you still have feelings for him?"

Melanie reached out and flicked him hard on the forehead.

"You blocked him. What happens when I need my Project Director to actually do his job? Should I ask you instead?"

Hearing this, Preston finally remembered that, for the time being, Dominic still technically held the title of Project Director at the Royce Group.

"You can come to me. I'm more than happy to be of service."

Preston gazed down at her, his eyes swirling with an ocean of devotion that made her feel as though she were drowning in his intensity.

While Melanie and Preston were wrapped up in their own little world, back at the hospital, Dominic was lying in his bed, violently swiping everything off his nightstand.

That included his freshly mailed divorce certificate.

"She divorced me and jumped straight into bed with a new guy the very next day! What a ruthless, conniving bitch!"