She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 696

She couldn't pull an all-nighter at the office tonight, though, because she had to attend a jewelry design exhibition hosted by the Lockridge Group the following day.

The Lockridge Group was Gavin Lockridge's family empire.

The corporation dabbled in a vast array of industries but mastered few. Their operations were complex but lacked a distinct standout feature.

In high-society circles, the Lockridge Group certainly held a prominent seat.

However, unlike the Royce Group, which immediately brought to mind top-tier botanical cultivation and bio-pharmacology, they lacked a clear identity.

The Royce Group had a definitive brand and market placement.

In Melanie's eyes, the Lockridge Group had been coasting on their legacy for years. Currently, their strategy resembled casting a massive, indiscriminate net, dabbling everywhere in the hopes that one of their gambles would hit the jackpot.

They even had a stake in the medical and pharmaceutical sector.

But when it came to massive, comprehensive bio-pharmaceutical conglomerates, the city of Averin boasted Stellaris PharmaTech.

And for Advanced Bio-Pharmacology, there was the Royce Group.

The Lockridge Group didn't even rank in the top tier.

Because of this, Melanie couldn't quite fathom why she had been invited to a jewelry exhibition they were hosting.

Still, she didn't decline. She treated it as a social outing, a good opportunity to maintain her networking contacts both inside and outside her industry.

This particular exhibition was a collaboration between the Lockridge Group and Leila Langley, an emerging, avant-garde designer. It exclusively featured Leila's personal creations.

The theme was "Peacock's Splendor."

The entire collection heavily utilized malachite as the primary gemstone setting.

It wasn't until Melanie arrived at the venue that she realized the Lockridge Group hadn't just invited her—they had invited her father as well.

In other words, this was less of a personal invitation and more of a strategic nod to the Royce Group as a whole.

Seeing Nathaniel Royce at an event like this wasn't a shock.

"Any success I have is all thanks to Mr. Royce's guidance and support."

Everett's gratitude was entirely genuine, but Nathaniel simply waved it off.

"Don't speak like a stranger! We're practically family here; there's no need for formalities."

Initially, upon seeing Everett return with such polished confidence, Melanie had assumed he had finally moved on. She thought he was pouring all his energy into his career and had abandoned his romantic aspirations regarding her.

But watching her father and Everett play off each other, a sinking suspicion took root. Her father hadn't given up on playing matchmaker at all; if anything, he was doubling down.

That was the exact reason he had sent Everett to further his education.

It was all a calculated move to make him more worthy of her and the Royce Group.

"Alright, Melanie, why don't you and Everett head inside together?"

Nathaniel urged, pressing the VIP invitation into Everett's hands while shooting the younger man a pointed look.