She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 52

When Melanie returned to the office, she saw colleagues gathered in small groups, whispering and occasionally shooting her strange glances.

She didn't ask any questions and went into her office to call Preston.

“Are you busy?”

“Not really.”

“There's something I need to ask you for help with.”

The line went silent, but he didn't hang up, so Melanie continued:

“Since you're at the Luminaria Aesthetic Institute, you probably know that our company, the Hale Group, is being held accountable for falsifying data… I went to see your Mr. Vellor today with a new proposal, but I couldn't get a meeting with him.”

“I know… I'm in no position to make demands, but I'm still asking for Mr. Vellor to give the Hale Group one more chance. Preston, could you help me contact him and ask him to make some time to see me?”

Stellaris PharmaTech Headquarters.

Preston's phone was on the desk in front of him.

It was on speaker, and Melanie's voice was coming through.

Standing before him were Gabriel and Mr. Vellor, both bolt upright.

Mr. Vellor had beads of sweat on his forehead, his heart pounding.

He'd had a meeting that morning and didn't know the Hale Group had sent Melanie to see him.

Mr. Vellor didn't know what Preston's relationship with Melanie was, but after so many years in the corporate world, he knew who he could and couldn't afford to offend.

And Melanie was someone he absolutely could not offend.

A brief silence fell over the office.

On the other end of the line, Melanie heard the silence and assumed Preston didn't want to help her.

She could understand why.

Even if Preston came from a good family, he had gotten into the Luminaria Aesthetic Institute through connections. It was normal that he wouldn't have much influence in a large company like that, and it made sense that he wouldn't stick his neck out for her and risk his own position.

In truth, Melanie had called Preston for help just to see if it might work, on the off chance it would.

If Preston wouldn't help, she would find another way, but it was still worth one last try.

“Bro, come on, tell me. How far have you gotten with Ms. Royce?”

Preston gave Gabriel a cool glance and slapped a thick stack of files from his desk onto Gabriel's chest.

“I'm testing you on this before the end of the day.”

Gabriel's face twitched.

“Seriously, bro? How about… we just pretend I never asked, okay?”

The moment he finished speaking, Preston slapped another stack of files into Gabriel's hands.

The Hale Group.

Melanie had been rejected first by the Luminaria Aesthetic Institute and then by Preston, and she couldn't help but feel disappointed.

Just as she stepped out of her office, Emilia blocked her path.

“Well, well. I thought Ms. Royce was so capable, but didn't you just get the door slammed in your face at the Luminaria Aesthetic Institute? If you ask me, Ms. Royce, you should just go and tell Mr. Hale that you're not cut out for this job.”