She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 549

Melanie had only spent the morning at the office before slipping away for the afternoon.

She had promised to help Everett Kingsley go apartment hunting.

"See anything you like?"

Melanie asked gently as they strolled down the sidewalk.

They had spent the entire afternoon touring three different properties.

Everett's budget was practically non-existent, meaning they were limited to rundown, outdated complexes. Melanie obviously found them subpar.

And she could tell Everett hated them, too.

But it wasn't like Melanie had never lived in a dump before.

Four years ago, when she was in Quarevia investigating her mother's death, the temporary flat she rented had been in an equally decaying neighborhood.

"Yeah... let's keep looking."

Everett looked deeply conflicted, dragging a hand through his hair in frustration.

Honestly, he didn't care that much about where he slept.

Especially since he didn't even have a steady paycheck yet.

But the thought of inviting Melanie over to a cramped, depressing hovel physically pained him. He desperately wanted to rent something at least somewhat presentable.

His internal tug-of-war between his pride and his wallet resulted in an agonizing afternoon of indecision. Now, the sun was setting, the streetlights were flickering on, and he still hadn't signed a lease.

"I'm so sorry for wasting your entire afternoon..."

Hearing the guilt in his voice, Melanie smiled and shook her head.

"It wasn't a waste. We crossed a few off the list. If they don't work, we keep looking. Good things take time."

Everett was genuinely touched by her endless patience.

"Well, either way, I really appreciate you coming with me. Let me buy you dinner tonight, okay?"

He asked carefully, terrified she might reject him.

"Sure. You can buy me a bowl of wontons. I've actually been craving them."

Everett blinked, caught off guard.

"Just... wontons?"

Beside him, Melanie was also glued to her phone, her thumbs flying across the screen.

"Working?" Everett asked curiously.

"No..." Melanie replied without looking up. "Just replying to some forum posts."

"Forum posts?"

"Mhm."

She didn't elaborate, and Everett knew better than to pry.

Right now, finding the perfect local spot to treat her was his top priority.

Even if it was just a small diner, he wanted it to be perfect.

It was a meal with Melanie. He cherished every second of it.

Melanie scrolled through the forum with focused precision, eventually spotting the exact bait she had been waiting for.

But she didn't reply to it.