She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 439

"I'm here to take my wife home."

Preston's tone was dangerously calm, his gaze sliding past the leader to rest entirely on Melanie.

The leader glanced back at her and shrugged.

"You might have the wrong idea. I'm not the one trying to make her life difficult... Even if you hadn't shown up, I already agreed to grant the girl asylum, seeing as she promised to fix my legs."

Preston looked at Melanie, a silent question in his eyes.

Understanding his silent inquiry, she nodded to confirm the leader was telling the truth.

"However..."

The leader's tone shifted abruptly, his expression hardening into something much more vicious.

"My territory isn't a place where people can just come and go as they please. If I let you walk out of here without a hitch, I'd be the laughingstock of the underworld."

"You can take the woman, but the man stays. Any man who cowers behind a woman is useless anyway. I can sell him off to make a quick buck."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Preston saw Melanie shaking her head frantically at him, her eyes wide with desperation.

Only then did Preston actually look at the man hiding behind his wife.

He was covered in grime, wearing tattered clothes that made it impossible to clearly see his face.

Even if he could, Preston wasn't sure he would recognize him.

But he could tell that Melanie knew him.

And more than that...

He was important to her.

"Make your choice. Take the girl, leave the man."

As the leader issued his ultimatum, Preston took a deliberate step forward.

One of the guards instantly moved to intercept, but before the thug could even draw his weapon, Preston shoved him back with a single, gloved hand.

Preston reached into the breast pocket of his tailored suit and pulled out a sleek business card.

The guards nearly opened fire, assuming he was reaching for a gun.

Instead, they watched as Preston calmly extended the card toward their boss.

"I'm taking the man, too."

It wasn't a request.

It wasn't a negotiation.

Melanie pulled Everett along as she rushed to Preston's side.

Their eyes locked in a silent, profound understanding.

Her gaze assured him that she was completely unharmed.

Without wasting another second, Preston led Melanie and Everett toward the waiting helicopter.

Melanie ushered Everett aboard first, knowing he lacked the mental capacity to board safely on his own.

Just as she placed her foot on the step, a sudden volley of gunfire echoed from the eastern ridge.

Preston grabbed Melanie, pulling her tight against his chest.

Chaos erupted in the blink of an eye.

The Black Viper Syndicate had launched an ambush on the Brotherhood.

Preston shoved Melanie securely into the cabin. When he finally climbed in after her, she gasped.

Blood was seeping rapidly through the sleeve of his black jacket.

"You were hit by a stray bullet?!"

Melanie's face drained of all color.