She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 518

Just as she opened her mouth to deliver the final blow, Preston's towering figure materialized beside Melanie.

"Are you ladies actively trying to smear Stellaris at our own gala? Would you prefer I call security to drag you out?"

His low, magnetic voice practically vibrated with a terrifying menace, draining the color from their faces.

"W-who are you?"

They didn't recognize him, and none of the known Stellaris executives were this devastatingly attractive.

But despite his flawless looks, none of them dared to meet his eyes, feeling as if they were staring down the barrel of a loaded gun.

"I am Melanie's boyfriend."

Preston stated coldly.

A flash of raw jealousy ripped through the clique.

Aria immediately stepped in to play peacemaker.

"Mr. Whitmore, you're misunderstanding my friends. They're just confused... Melanie lacks the capability and professionalism required for this, and they were wondering why the R&D team greenlit a formula that paralyzed the project."

"They meant well, worried that Stellaris was being manipulated and taking massive losses."

Aria's pivot was masterful, and the socialites eagerly nodded along.

Preston's gaze hardened into ice.

"Stellaris's business is not open for public debate. And since you love throwing around the word 'professionalism,' Aria, let me ask you a question. Eight years ago, how long did it take the Carter Group to finalize their third-generation lipid-lowering statin? How many technical overhauls did it endure? How many failed clinical trials? How many years did they spend in a bottleneck?"

Aria stared at him, completely paralyzed.

She hadn't anticipated such a brutal interrogation.

"Fifteen years ago, how long did Stellaris take to perfect our cerebral phospholipid supplement? How many system reboots? How many dead ends? How many times was the project shelved, do you know?"

A dedicated work ethic?

Melanie almost laughed, knowing if she hadn't managed to convince Regina Lane during that closed-door seminar, Regina would have chewed her out and probably fired Preston on the spot.

She held back a chuckle.

Still, Preston's little performance practically sealed the trap in Aria's eyes.

Humiliated beyond belief, Aria glared at Preston, her face flushed dark red as she played the victim.

Recognizing they were outgunned, her friends turned to flee.

Melanie called out casually, stopping them in their tracks.

"Audrey, did you know your family's factory is currently begging the Royce Group for a shipment of rare supplies?"