She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 976

Sebastian strode toward them and actively extended something to Melanie.

"This is my card."

Before Melanie could take it, a large hand clad in a stark white glove intercepted the business card.

Sebastian immediately looked at Preston, who calmly tucked the card away.

When no explanation was offered, Sebastian asked,

"And this is...?"

"He's..."

"I am Ms. Royce's assistant."

Preston cut in, introducing himself smoothly.

Sebastian couldn't help but study the man.

Truthfully, he had noticed Preston back in the auditorium.

Preston was tall, possessing striking, almost overwhelming good looks. Dressed in head-to-toe black accented by those jarring white gloves, he was impossible to ignore.

He had stayed glued to Melanie's side the entire time.

But unlike Melanie, he hadn't shared even a fleeting glance with Sebastian.

Instinct told Sebastian that this man claiming to be an assistant was anything but.

He had never seen an assistant who could afford Italian bespoke tailoring.

And Sebastian had an eye for luxury.

It wasn't just the suit. The tie, the dress shirt, the cufflinks, the leather shoes... even the gloves. None of it came cheap.

If he were just a lowly assistant, he'd have to save for lifetimes to afford an outfit like that!

But the most telling detail was...

Preston's commanding aura was something an assistant could never possess.

However, since the man introduced himself as such, Sebastian didn't push the issue.

After Preston pocketed the card, Melanie pulled out one of her own and handed it over.

"So you are the CEO of the Royce Group."

Once Melanie was out of earshot, Clarice couldn't resist gossiping.

Instead of agreeing, Sebastian shot her a dark glare.

Clarice immediately clamped her mouth shut.

After leaving the venue, Melanie and Preston found a nearby restaurant for dinner.

"Why haven't you said a word this whole time?"

Melanie asked, perplexed, as they sat down.

From the conference hall to the restaurant, Preston had been dead silent.

And his silence was lethal—a suffocating weight that pressed down on anyone near him.

"Because I feel useless."

As he spoke, Preston reached over and poured Melanie a glass of juice.

She blinked, quickly realizing that by "useless," he meant she hadn't needed to leverage his immense status at Stellaris PharmaTech to successfully catch Sebastian's eye.