She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 500

Suddenly, Elara took a step forward, and Gabriel instinctively backed up.

"I don't expect you to be warm and fuzzy. But I'd appreciate it if you stopped treating me like I'm radioactive."

She reached down, casually tracing her fingers through the shimmering water.

"Gabriel, our families have been doing business for generations. By any standard, we should be friends. I just can't wrap my head around why you despise me so much, yet you treat Melanie like gold."

Before she could finish her thought, he cut her off.

"That's a no-brainer. Melanie is dating my brother. You're just someone I used to know."

Hearing him defend Melanie so fiercely made her stomach churn. She rolled her eyes.

"So, let me get this straight. You like her because your brother likes her? You're just blindly following his lead?"

He shot her a look of utter exhaustion.

She let out a soft, mocking laugh.

"Well, consider me curious. He hasn't even known her that long. What's so spectacular about her that he's so obsessed?"

"How the hell should I know?" he snapped, glaring at her.

"They clicked. Maybe she's just his type."

Seeing that he was grasping at straws, she pressed her advantage.

"Even if she's pretty and comes from a decent family... have you ever stopped to think about how many gorgeous, wealthy women exist in our circle?"

He glared down at her as she continued her relentless interrogation, still missing the venomous implication beneath her words.

"When it comes to pedigree and education, she's hardly top-tier. She's even divorced. And despite all that baggage, he is absolutely devoted to her."

"That just proves how amazing she is!"

"No."

She shook her head, instantly cutting him off.

"Don't talk trash about Melanie!"

He fired back, his temper flaring.

Deep down, he knew Preston was keeping secrets from him, especially when it came to Melanie. But he absolutely refused to believe she was using manipulative mind games to control his brother.

"If you dragged me all the way out here just to poison the well, you're wasting your breath. I'm out."

He leveled a vicious glare at her and turned away.

"Stop right there!"

She grabbed his arm, her grip surprisingly strong.

"Why are you accusing me of starting drama? Can you honestly prove she didn't target him for his money?"

"Because she doesn't even know he's the boss of Stellaris PharmaTech! So what could she possibly be after?!"