She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 496

Melanie walked over and opened the door. Unsurprisingly, Preston stood there.

He was carrying a takeout bag, and even through the thermal lining, she could smell the savory aroma of food.

"Thank you! You went out of your way to grab lunch for me."

She reached out to take the bag, but he deliberately dodged her hand and stole a quick kiss on her cheek.

She froze, shooting him a warning glance to remind him that Everett was sitting right there.

But Preston merely narrowed his eyes, feigning a look of hurt.

"Honey, are you trying to keep me a secret again?"

She couldn't help but massage her temples.

She remembered him being this untouchable, stoic god of a man.

When did he become so outrageously needy and manipulative?

Carrying the food into the room, Preston faced Everett, who was still sitting on the bed.

Everett had looked pale before, but the sight of Preston made him look downright ghostly.

"Melanie, this is..."

Everett started, though he already knew the answer.

He knew exactly who Preston was.

When Melanie had rescued him from the horrors of The Marlowe District, Preston had been right there with her.

He was well aware of the dynamic between them.

Before Melanie could make the introduction, Preston stepped forward smoothly.

"I'm Preston. Melanie's boyfriend."

He extended a hand toward Everett.

Everett couldn't help but notice the crisp white gloves Preston wore, which struck a jarring contrast with his all-black attire.

The gloves were immaculate, blindingly white. It felt less like a preference for cleanliness and more like a deliberate barrier to physically shut out the rest of the world.

At least, that was how Everett saw it.

"I'm Everett Kingsley. Melanie's... friend."

He shook Preston's hand.

Even the word "friend" felt like sandpaper in his throat.

"Doesn't it taste... a bit weird?"

"Not at all! This is my favorite way to have it."

He could still see the radiant, sunlit smile she had given him that day.

He would never forget the time they had spent living together in that tiny apartment.

But...

She had likely forgotten it all.

She slurped her noodles, catching a glimpse of him out of the corner of her eye. His expression left her utterly bewildered.

What was his deal?

One second he was smiling over a bowl of noodles, the next he was frowning like he was possessed.

Everett ate in silence.

Her attention was entirely focused on Preston, while his was entirely on her.

"Oh, right, Melanie..."

He finally spoke up, pulling her gaze back to him.