She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 57

Preston returned to the guest room with the newly purchased dress and took out his phone to send a text to his assistant, Philip:

[Have Clara make Homestyle Baked Chicken tomorrow.]

Philip, who was on call 24/7, was about to reply to his boss's instruction when the next one came through.

***

Today, Melanie first went to the Hale Health Center.

The joint project with the Halevy Group had officially begun, but it was still in the initial preparatory stages.

The most urgent task at hand was still the development of the cell-level-efficacy serum required by the Luminaria Aesthetic Institute.

Melanie returned to the Hale Group just before her lunch break. Before she could even get to her office, she received a delivery.

Inside were three boxes and an insulated food container.

Melanie opened the boxes first.

Each box contained an outfit.

Melanie's eyes lit up as she took the clothes out one by one.

The first box held a Dior pearl-white satin fishtail gown—

Melanie thought it looked like a wedding dress.

The second box contained a Gucci vintage gown with a diamond-encrusted, full skirt—

Though glamorous, it was dramatic enough for a celebrity on the red carpet.

The third box contained a two-piece skirt set. It had no brand label, but the black fabric was tastefully adorned with sequins, giving it an understated yet formal feel. The tailoring was also exquisite.

Each gown was beautiful, but Melanie was still completely baffled.

Who sent these to her?

And why?

And sending three at once, as if the sender didn't know her preferences and wanted to give her options.

Putting the clothes down, Melanie picked up the insulated container.

Inside was a portion of Homestyle Baked Chicken, still at the perfect temperature.

Melanie was utterly perplexed.

"Could someone have a secret crush on me?"

Melanie chatted on the phone with Daphne while eating the chicken.

"Oh, dear, your admirer maybe be pretty old. Probably some sleazy, middle-aged guy. You better watch out!"

Melanie just smiled and offered no explanation.

Of course, she was late on purpose.

It wasn't the first time the Hale family had held a family dinner.

In the past, she would not only be on time but would arrive early to help with preparations.

That was because back then, she saw herself as the Hale family's daughter-in-law.

As one of the family.

A junior.

But Dominic's relatives would praise her for being sensible and virtuous to her face, then gossip behind her back, saying she was nothing like a proper young lady, more like a servant. They said she was far less graceful than her stepsister, and that a daughter without a mother's guidance was bound to be ill-bred.

In the past, Melanie had endured it.

For the sake of the Dominic who loved her.

But now…

Who gave a damn about Dominic?

"Melanie, why aren't you wearing the dress my brother bought you yesterday?" Evelyn suddenly exclaimed. "It's a luxury brand, it cost my brother over four hundred thousand dollars! He bought it specifically for today's family dinner. For you not to wear it… isn't that just throwing his good intentions back in his face?"