She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 589

It was obvious that compared to Sabrina and Aria, Gregory was the one who came fully prepared for war.

Melanie listened in silence to his masterful gaslighting, casting a side glance at her father on the hospital bed.

Nathaniel remained quiet.

But Melanie could read the conflict, guilt, and hesitation warring in his eyes.

She let out a soft sigh.

Her father wasn't even that old, yet he was already this easily manipulated.

Standing beside her, Preston acutely noticed the subtle shift in her expression.

His fingers tightened around hers, a silent, grounding anchor.

He didn't need to speak. That firm squeeze told her everything.

He probably thought Gregory's speech was making her anxious, so he was reminding her that no matter what happened, he was standing right beside her.

While Gregory's silver tongue wasn't entirely expected, Melanie wasn't actually worried.

Still, Preston's protective gesture sent a surge of warmth through her chest.

"Nathaniel, I know we crossed the line this time. The Hale Group has paid a massive price for it... Right now, our cash flow is completely severed. My partners are protesting outside my building every single day... I'm not asking you to repay evil with kindness, but given our history... you shouldn't be kicking me while I'm down!"

Gregory's voice cracked, sounding like a desperately broken man pouring his soul out.

Melanie genuinely thought the Academy owed him an Oscar.

"Kicking you while you're down?"

Nathaniel finally broke his silence, his gaze instinctively drifting toward Melanie.

If anyone in this room had the power to systematically crush Gregory, it was her.

Before Melanie could reply, Gregory beat her to the punch.

The only winner in that bloodbath was Melanie.

To Gregory, being pitted against a start-up run by his buddy's stepdaughter in a desperate dogfight was the ultimate insult.

"Nathaniel... I saved your life! I don't expect you to treat me like a saint forever, but you can't bite the hand that fed you! How could you let your daughter humiliate me like this?"

As he yelled at Nathaniel, Gregory's voice physically shook, his widened eyes rimmed with red.

Melanie mentally applauded again. Pure cinematic gold.

The man was a veteran actor.

Looking back at Nathaniel, Melanie saw that his defenses were completely crumbling.

She knew her father was falling for the pity play all over again.

Especially since Gregory casually—yet very deliberately—dropped the 'I saved your life' card, emphasizing the cruelty of their 'betrayal'.