She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 573

The winter night carried a sharp chill that even the dazzling city lights couldn't warm.

The Bio-Data Research Center.

The Centennial Ballroom.

The moment Melanie stepped into the venue, four pairs of eyes locked onto her—Aria, Sabrina, Dominic, and Gregory.

It was glaringly obvious they had been waiting for her.

By now, Aria's Creative Studio and the Hale Group were the undisputed rising stars of the industry, widely viewed as the inevitable successors to the Royce Group's legacy.

The successful launch of VitalBreath Fortis had further cemented their reputation in the Western medicine sector.

There was a saying in the entertainment world:

Success is the best cosmetic.

That logic perfectly applied to the corporate world as well.

Back when the Hales were entirely dependent on the Royces after the divorce, Dominic and Gregory had attended these galas radiating an aura of submissive desperation.

As for Aria, despite her impressive academic background, she had always cultivated a fragile, sweet princess persona, almost exclusively wearing innocent white dresses.

Tonight, however, the dynamic had completely shifted.

Dominic and Gregory were sharp in bespoke haute couture suits, their hair meticulously styled, exuding the confidence of high-society elites.

Sabrina wore a plunging velvet sapphire gown, paired with a matching set of blinding sapphires, seemingly desperate to scream her wealth at the room.

But Aria was the most extravagant of all.

This was the first time Melanie had ever seen her in red.

Her crimson satin gown featured an enormous train, the bodice and skirt heavily encrusted with complex gold embroidery. Topping off her high updo was a literal golden tiara.

The outfit commanded maximum attention.

Business was ruthless, and Melanie wasn't going to lose sleep over their betrayal.

Now, these exact people stood beside Aria and the Hales, throwing mocking, predatory glances her way.

"I can't believe she actually showed up."

"Does she still think she's industry royalty? Her company is practically dead."

"Keep your voice down. A dying camel is still bigger than a horse. They might drag things out a bit longer."

"Drag what out? Everyone knows their only advantage was the raw materials grown with that exclusive serum. Without that monopoly, what do they even have left?"

"Exactly. Instead of clinging to a sinking ship, she should just cash out while it's still worth something."

"Absolutely. Good thing Aria is so generous, setting up an exit strategy for her."

Amidst the sycophantic chatter of Aria's followers, Melanie watched her half-sister pull a thick stack of documents from her Louis Vuitton bag.