She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 533

The imposing black Rolls-Royce finally exited the highway.

Preston had returned to Averin. He and Gabriel had dozed off together in the back of the car during the long drive.

Last night, he, Gabriel, and several key political figures had stayed up all night entertaining Prince Alaric of Zendaria.

He had a few more high-stakes deals to close today, and if he didn't catch a quick nap in the car, he was going to collapse.

The driver knew Preston wasn't heading to the Whitmore estate, but rather to Rosevale Heights.

So, he dropped Gabriel off first.

As the Rolls-Royce pulled into the luxurious gates of Rosevale Heights, Preston spotted Philip standing by the curb, clearly waiting for him.

The window rolled down, and Preston simply said, "Get in."

Even though his assistant hadn't said a word yet, Preston's sharp instincts kicked in. Philip had something urgent to report, something so critical it had to be delivered in person.

Undoubtedly, it was about Melanie.

The Royce Group.

The fading sunset painted the glass walls of the skyscraper in a warm, hazy glow.

Inside her office, Melanie rested her chin on her hand, staring into space for what felt like hours.

Her productivity today had been abysmal, completely unlike her usual sharp self.

The harder she tried to focus, the more her thoughts spiraled out of control.

No matter how many times she told herself not to believe the poison Aria had fed her, she couldn't stop obsessing over it.

She had to admit it—she was completely, deeply in love with Preston.

Otherwise, she wouldn't care this much.

The suffocating anxiety gnawing at her all day was undeniably jealousy.

Melanie mentally cursed herself for being so weak.

She was a divorced woman, not some naive teenager experiencing her first crush. Why was she acting so insecure and overly attached?

Several times, she had almost picked up her phone to demand answers from him directly.

But a stubborn part of her desperately wanted Preston to be the one to reach out, to willingly offer an explanation.

Caught in this exhausting internal tug-of-war, the clock finally struck the end of the workday.

But logic eventually won out. Melanie forced her legs to move and walked right up to him.

The storm clouds in Preston's eyes didn't dissipate.

This took Melanie slightly by surprise.

She still remembered how predatory and aggressive his gaze had seemed when they first met.

Anyone else would have thought she'd deeply offended him.

But as they spent more time together, she had realized Preston wasn't actually a hostile person; his dominant aura was simply overwhelming.

And since they had started dating, he smiled much more often and was far more talkative.

Yet, standing in front of her right now, Preston felt entirely like a stranger.

Usually, no matter how severe he looked, the moment he saw her, his features would soften completely.

Melanie frowned, a knot tightening in her stomach.

She couldn't shake the feeling that Preston was furious.