She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 988

With that, she turned on her heel and walked into the bedroom.

"Melanie..."

Just before she shut the door, she heard Preston softly call her name.

The suite was deafeningly quiet. Just the two of them alone in the hotel made the simple act of him saying her name feel unreasonably intimate.

Her carefully steadied heart instantly spiraled back into chaos.

"What?" she demanded, glaring at him.

Reflected in Preston's obsidian eyes, Melanie's cheeks were flushed the color of a twilight sky.

The corners of his lips curved upward as he whispered, "Goodnight."

Melanie froze.

"That's it?"

Preston tilted his head in innocent confusion just as Melanie slammed the bedroom door shut with a loud *bang*.

***

Meanwhile, having left The Saint-Clair Auditorium, Sebastian casually turned to his secretary in the car.

"Do you happen to know where that Royce Group CEO is staying?"

"I saw her and her assistant heading upstairs," Clarice replied.

"Upstairs?" Sebastian's brow arched. "They're staying at the Auditorium?"

"I believe so."

Sebastian rubbed his chin, lost in thought. "Rooms at The Saint-Clair Auditorium aren't cheap," he murmured.

"Their outfits tonight weren't cheap either," Clarice pointed out.

Sebastian offered a dismissive scoff. "On Ruben Isle... no one has deeper pockets than the York family. Unless..."

He let the thought trail off into silence. He was exhausted. Leaning his head against the backseat, he closed his eyes.

His lecture at the medical university tomorrow was something he had initially found tedious.

But now...

He was suddenly looking forward to it.

***

*Averin.*

His eyes darkened, flashing with a chilling, psychotic cruelty. A deranged smile slowly spread across his otherwise handsome face.

***

*Ruben Isle.*

Melanie arrived at Ruben Isle Medical University right on time. Preston hadn't tagged along.

The weather on the island was dangerously erratic. When she left the hotel, the sun had been blazing. Now, thick, menacing storm clouds choked the sky, heavy enough to crush the city below.

The forecast had mentioned a typhoon passing through the Rosa Archipelago, warning of torrential downpours.

"I hope it doesn't actually pour," Melanie murmured.

She hadn't brought an umbrella.

After asking a few students for directions, Melanie found the science building where Sebastian was holding his lecture.

The tiered lecture hall was massive. By the time Melanie walked in, it was already two-thirds full.

Clearly, Sebastian was incredibly popular with his alma mater's student body.

Melanie picked a discreet seat near the back. Just a few minutes after she sat down, Sebastian strolled through the doors.