She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 707

Lexington wasn't far from Averin.

Since Melanie Royce had been invited as a judge for the Medicinal Gastronomy Championship, Daphne Morrell naturally tagged along for the ride. It was her first time seeing her best friend act as a judge for a major culinary event.

As for Preston Whitmore, it went without saying. Unless he was buried in work, he wanted to be glued to Melanie's side twenty-four hours a day.

Everett Kingsley had also made the trip, though he wasn't seated with Preston and Daphne. As the COO of the Royce Group, he was attending in an official capacity on behalf of the company.

"Unbelievable! What kind of dumb luck did Dominic Hale stumble into?" Daphne cursed under her breath the moment she spotted Dominic sitting at the judges' table, dressed in a sharp, tailored suit.

She had thought she would never have to look at his face again. Melanie had endured so much to finally bring down Dominic and the Hale Group, yet somehow, he had managed to rebrand himself as the adopted grandson of the Lockridge family's patriarch. Daphne felt like the universe was playing a sick joke.

"The Hale family is completely bankrupt..." Daphne pointed an accusing finger at Dominic, who was seated right next to Melanie.

Preston furrowed his sharp brows. Dominic's new status as Holden Lockridge's adopted grandson had indeed taken him by surprise.

"And I heard he even got himself a jewelry designer girlfriend... How does a piece of trash like him get a girlfriend? It makes me sick!" Daphne continued to vent her frustration.

Even though Dominic having a new girlfriend meant he probably wouldn't harass Melanie anymore—which was undeniably a good thing—Daphne just couldn't stomach seeing a cheating ex thrive. He had latched onto the Lockridge family's wealth and found love, parading around like a winner who had it all. When the Hale Group collapsed, Dominic should have been left destitute, living on the streets. That would have been true justice.

Everett let out a heavy sigh, consumed by a suffocating wave of inadequacy.

Up on the stage, Melanie was well aware that Dominic kept sneaking glances at her. However, she didn't spare him a single look.

The sting of her complete indifference gnawed at Dominic. Several times, he parted his lips, wanting to initiate a conversation, but forced himself to swallow the words. He couldn't afford to mess this up.

He wasn't the same man he used to be. He was a Lockridge now. And he had a beautiful, talented girlfriend. He refused to believe Melanie wasn't at least a little bit jealous. Even if she wasn't jealous, she had to be curious, right?

Dominic suppressed his restless energy. He needed to stay composed. He had to draw Melanie's attention naturally, making her interested in him again rather than acting like a desperate fool chasing after her. That was the only way he could win her back.