She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 994

Sebastian noticed it instantly—the moment Preston appeared, the tension completely drained from Melanie's shoulders.

"You really are inseparable from Ms. Royce, aren't you?"

Sebastian leveled a cool, assessing look at Preston.

"Of course. I'd very much like to secure my performance bonus this month."

Preston's reply was a deliberate reminder of his role as her assistant.

But Sebastian wasn't fooled. He never once believed Preston was just some nameless subordinate.

Preston stepped forward and offered Melanie his hand.

She took it without hesitation, stepping down into the rain and sliding seamlessly beneath the shelter of his umbrella.

The two shared the space, though the black canopy was noticeably tilted to protect Melanie.

They had only taken a few steps away when Sebastian suddenly called out to her back.

"Ms. Royce!"

Melanie paused.

Preston stopped with her, his dark eyes fixed entirely on her profile.

She didn't turn around.

Behind them, Sebastian's voice rang out through the rain.

"That partnership you mentioned... I'll consider it."

This time, Melanie looked back over her shoulder.

"Then I'll look forward to hearing some good news, Director York."

The two tall figures slowly vanished into the hazy curtain of the storm.

Melanie slid into the passenger seat of Preston's car, ready to head to the airport and fly back to Averin.

"What exactly did you propose to him?"

Preston asked, his curiosity piqued as he started the engine.

"I told him the Royce Group and Stellaris PharmaTech were collaborating on a Novel Solid Tumor Targeted Therapy, and that we wanted to partner with his oncology department for clinical trials."

His hands paused on the steering wheel. Preston looked at her, entirely captivated.

"You prepared a targeted therapy project for this?"

"Of course not..."

How was she supposed to navigate the York family all on her own?

But just being her assistant wasn't enough.

Preston felt that even being her boyfriend wouldn't be enough to protect her.

He wanted to stand beside her as her husband, to make every vulture circling her back off for good.

And yet...

It was just a hollow fantasy for now.

He wasn't even her boyfriend anymore.

Winning back the title of her husband felt like climbing a mountain made of glass.

Preston let out a quiet, frustrated sigh.

There was a time difference between the Rosa Archipelago and Averin.

By the time Melanie and Preston landed, it was mid-morning in the city.

As soon as she turned her phone on, a call came in from the Royce Group's front desk.

"Ms. Royce, there's a man here demanding to see you. He claims you're basically family and that you'd definitely want to see him. Oh, and he's got completely white hair, but he looks young. He refused to give his name, though."