Preston watched the gleeful smile spreading across Melanie's face and didn't ask a single question.
He didn't need to.
Just then, the waiter brought the second course: blue lobster with black truffle, decorated with 24-karat edible gold leaf.
"How extravagant…"
"Today is a day worth celebrating. A little extravagance is appropriate."
"A day worth celebrating?"
Melanie tilted her head, staring at Preston.
Surely he couldn't have predicted her spur-of-the-moment decision to bring down the Hale Group today?
Back when Gregory used her father to threaten her into cleaning up Evelyn's mess, she had already thought of turning their own plan against them.
With Evelyn's boastful and opportunistic nature, Melanie knew that if she produced results, Evelyn would snatch the credit.
So, through Elias, she had Veloria Beauty dangle a tempting bait for Evelyn, then guided Evelyn toward the pharmaceutical genius Schrödinger's Pill—
Which was Melanie herself.
In doing so, she had gained control over the entire fate of Evelyn and the Hale Group.
Originally, Melanie had been hesitating about when to spring the trap.
But as luck would have it, she ran into Dominic, Evelyn, and Lila at an ultra-exclusive restaurant like Le Marcelline.
So, Melanie decided to deliver the fatal blow at the very moment the family of three was at their happiest.
However, she hadn't told anyone about this plan.
Melanie looked at the elegantly dining Preston and asked curiously,
"When you say 'celebrate'... you don't mean because I'm treating you to a meal without having to spend a dime, do you?"
After she said it, Melanie thought she saw the hint of a smile on Preston's face.
Earlier at the entrance, she had insisted that a promise was a promise and she didn't want to go back on her word.
Besides, even if Preston was some rich heir, she couldn't just stand by and watch him spend twenty million dollars to treat her to dinner.
"A friend of mine has a VIP membership, so neither of us has to pay."
It was only after hearing Preston's explanation that Melanie had relented.
Thinking about it, today was indeed a great day. Not only was the Hale Group going bankrupt, but she also got a free, super-luxurious meal with a handsome man for company.
Melanie raised her glass.


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