She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 561

Everett was painfully aware that he was entirely unwanted in this dynamic.

Yet, he hesitated, unable to tear himself away.

Because...

Melanie's father was hospitalized. Even as just a regular friend, he felt he had a duty to stay and support her, just in case she needed him for anything.

Seeing Everett hovering awkwardly, Melanie took the initiative.

"Everett, you should head back. You just finished moving, I'm sure you have a million things to unpack. Preston is here with me, everything is fine."

Her words were completely reasonable, but Everett couldn't hide the crushing disappointment in his chest.

Subconsciously, he glanced at Preston.

Aside from being ridiculously handsome, Preston exuded an overwhelming sense of security. He was undeniably reliable.

With Preston by her side, Melanie genuinely didn't need him.

Everett had enough self-awareness to accept that reality.

But it still burned with resentment.

"Then... I'll head back..."

He turned around reluctantly, took a few steps, and then looked back over his shoulder.

"By the way, thank you for helping me move today."

Melanie froze.

Beside her, Preston's eyes flicked upward.

Everett turned his head back around and quickened his pace until he was out of the hospital.

He felt despicable.

He had deliberately mentioned Melanie helping him move right in front of Preston.

The moment the words left his lips, he regretted them.

But the damage was done.

Once Everett was gone, Melanie noticed Preston was completely silent, his brow heavily furrowed.

"What, are you jealous again?"

Melanie stepped onto her tiptoes, reaching up to smooth out the crease between his eyebrows.

With the distance closed, Preston didn't say a word. He just pulled her in and planted a firm kiss on her lips.

Melanie gasped and lightly slapped his chest.

Preston could tell that unlike Dominic, Everett wasn't rotten to the core.

However, Everett was deeply insecure.

And a man fueled by deep-seated insecurity was capable of extremely dangerous, extreme actions.

Because Preston used to be exactly like that.

Preston lowered his gaze, his eyes turning dark and unreadable.

Standing next to him, Melanie felt his expression was complicated, his eyes hiding too many secrets.

"What are you worrying about?"

Preston snapped back to reality and offered a smooth lie.

"I'm just worried about your dad's health..."

It wasn't a complete lie.

But he was far more concerned about the men hovering around Melanie than her father's condition.

Of course, that concern was laced with his own selfish possessiveness.

But without concrete evidence of foul play, he couldn't act like a tyrant and force her to stop being friends with Everett.