She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 470

Preston took a slow, deliberate step forward, walking straight over to Melanie's side.

Dominic's hand was still suspended in mid-air, mere inches from grabbing her arm.

Preston didn't say a word. He simply dragged his gaze down to Dominic's hovering hand.

The look was so chillingly predatory that Dominic instinctively recoiled, feeling as though Preston might physically sever his fingers if he didn't drop his arm immediately.

Melanie stared up at Preston.

She had no idea why he had suddenly shown up.

But the moment he stood beside her, every ounce of suffocating anxiety and frustration vanished into thin air.

She knew she was in deep.

At the very core of her soul, she had grown entirely dependent on him.

He was the only person in the world who made her feel truly safe.

Without a second thought, she reached out. Their hands found each other, fingers interlocking naturally.

The entire table witnessed the intimate gesture, and their expressions soured in entirely different ways.

The elders were deeply offended.

Preston and Melanie holding hands so brazenly in front of them was a silent, unapologetic declaration that they didn't respect anyone in the room.

Aria and Dominic, however, were consumed by raw, toxic jealousy.

They were both glaring with identical malice.

One was shooting daggers at Preston, while the other was glaring holes into Melanie.

"You mentioned this was a family dinner, Mr. Royce, and that I shouldn't intrude... but... if my wife doesn't even consider this place her home, then it hardly qualifies as a family dinner."

Preston delivered the words with devastating calm, completely unbothered by Nathaniel's fury. He then turned his attention down to Melanie.

"Honey, is this your home?"

Their eyes locked. Staring into his deep, unwavering gaze, Melanie couldn't help but think about how strikingly handsome his eyes were.

"No."

She shook her head, delivering the rejection with absolute, undeniable certainty.

Preston's lips curved into a faint smile.

"Good. Then I'm taking you back to your real home right now... I already picked up the groceries. I'm cooking tonight."

Hearing him mention cooking, a flash of genuine shock crossed Melanie's face.

She instantly realized he was saying it on purpose just to flex on Dominic and the others.

Especially Dominic and Aria.

Dominic couldn't comprehend how Preston was better than him.

Sure, he had cheated on Melanie during their marriage, but other than that, what heinous crime had he really committed?

Evelyn? Lila? He had dumped both of them!

He had turned over a new leaf! He was a changed man! Why was Melanie so dead set on refusing him a second chance?

Aria was plagued by her own bitter questions.

When it came to background and beauty, wasn't she exactly on par with Melanie?

Was Preston rejecting her just because her mother had started out as the other woman?

Subconsciously, Aria shot a resentful glance at Sabrina, biting down hard on her lower lip.

A second later, her gaze shifted over to Dominic.

Dominic happened to look up at her at the exact same moment.

An unspoken, sinister understanding passed between them.

Aria was going to rip the Royce Group right out of Melanie's hands.