She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 544

Before she could even force the apology past her lips, Preston raised a dismissive hand.

"Save your breath. I won't accept it. What's done is done, and the damage can't be undone. But consider my warning to your family as us being even. Now, if there's nothing else, I have to go pick up my woman from work."

With that, Preston offered a polite, clipped farewell to the elders at the table.

But leaving the dinner early was an insult in itself.

Frederick and Marjorie exchanged a helpless look, swallowing their protests.

They had originally hoped this dinner would clear the air, smooth over the bad blood, and mend the rift.

Even if a marriage wasn't in the cards, their families were still old friends.

Besides, as far as Frederick and Marjorie were concerned, young love was fleeting. If Preston eventually grew tired of Melanie, Elara would still be the perfect backup plan.

That was why they desperately wanted to avoid burning bridges with the Bennetts, hoping Preston and Elara could at least remain cordial.

But things hadn't gone according to plan. Preston's reaction made it crystal clear he was cutting ties entirely. Frederick and Marjorie knew better than to push him; interfering now would only backfire.

The moment Preston walked out, Callum, Chloe, and Elara stood up in succession.

"Well... we should be heading back as well..."

Before Callum could finish, Elara suddenly bolted for the door.

"Elara! Elara, where are you going?"

Chloe's shouts faded into the background as Elara sprinted down the hall.

Outside the Kensington Grand, Elara finally caught up to Preston.

"Mr. Whitmore... Preston!"

Elara shouted, dropping the formalities.

Preston paused and glanced back, his eyes utterly dead as he took in her breathless state.

The second the words were out, Preston turned on his heel and strode away, vanishing from her sight with ruthless efficiency.

Standing alone outside the sprawling hotel, Elara dropped her arrogant facade. She pulled out her phone and opened the file her assistant, Marcus, had sent her.

The final page detailed the last research project Melanie's biological mother, Talia Monroe, had led four years ago before her death.

The primary sponsor of the project was Stellaris PharmaTech.

Deliberately sealed research data, a scientist dead in a tragic car accident in a foreign land...

And Preston terrified to tell Melanie he was the man running Stellaris PharmaTech.

Stringing the puzzle pieces together led to one inescapable conclusion.

Four years ago, Talia Monroe's death was no accident. She had uncovered something she wasn't supposed to during her research and was silenced permanently.

And the mastermind pulling the strings was none other than Stellaris PharmaTech.