She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 972

Logic dictated that cracking Tobias would be the fastest route to dismantling Shawn Sterling's conspiracy.

However...

After a brief, chilling encounter with him, Preston had deduced that Tobias might actually be more psychotic and dangerous than Shawn himself.

Melanie agreed that making a move on the cunning elder brother would likely just trip all their alarms.

And since the remaining three brothers were total ghosts,

Sebastian emerged as the absolute perfect mark.

"So, how exactly do you plan on reeling him in?"

Preston studied Melanie, his gaze thick with dark curiosity.

"Oh, that's easy."

Melanie flashed him a wicked, sultry smile, deliberately tossing her hair over her shoulder.

"A classic honey trap."

"Absolutely not."

Preston's face darkened instantly, his jaw ticking in rage.

A sudden, terrifying wave of hostility rolled off his frame, practically dropping the temperature of the entire auditorium by ten degrees.

Melanie's lips twitched as she fought back a grimace.

Was that violently possessive reaction really necessary?

While she found it amusing, Preston looked entirely ready to commit murder.

"If you even think about using a honey trap..."

"What? What will you do to me?"

His barely restrained fury only fueled her rebellious streak.

She held his gaze, her eyes sparking with brazen provocation.

Preston fell dangerously silent.

After a long, torturous beat, he leaned in smoothly, his perfectly sculpted lips hovering just millimeters from the shell of her ear.

"I'd lock you up and keep you all to myself in a gilded cage..."

He left the rest of the filthy threat unspoken, but her treacherous imagination instantly filled in the blank:

...until you beg for mercy.

Well...

That didn't actually sound terrible.

"Jesus, is the AC broken? It's like a meat locker in here."

Melanie's mouth tightened into a flat line as her face hit critical mass.

Beside her, Preston had to duck his head to muffle a low, victorious laugh.

The hushed chatter in the room suddenly died down as it was finally Sebastian's turn to take the stage.

Melanie and Preston immediately dropped the banter, turning their full, predatory focus to the front.

The executive assistant flanked Sebastian, efficiently arranging his notes on the podium and adjusting the mic stand to suit his height.

Once everything was flawlessly prepped, she faded into the wings, leaving Sebastian standing alone in the spotlight.

The harsh beam of the stage lights struck him directly, turning his crisp white lab coat blindingly bright.

A pin-drop silence swept through the vast auditorium.

Melanie noticed half the room subtly straightening their posture, a clear sign of the immense gravity they placed on his every word.

For a fraction of a second, Melanie felt Sebastian's icy stare lock dead onto hers.

But he immediately dismissed her, his gaze sweeping past as if she were entirely beneath his notice.

Melanie arched a challenging brow, a sharp, feral grin touching her lips.

She was officially intrigued by the second York son.