She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 771

Melanie wasn't sure if she was overthinking it.

But it was clear that Preston and Gabriel, despite sharing no blood, had an incredibly strong bond.

Even though she and Preston had broken up, her professional ties with Stellaris were tighter than ever, and her relationship with the Whitmore family seemed to be deepening.

She didn't know if this was a good thing or a bad thing.

Regardless, if only to uncover the truth behind her mother's death, she had to maintain frequent contact with Stellaris. Forging a strategic alliance seemed to be an unavoidable necessity.

She had assumed that the next day's business headlines would be dominated by the massive three-way partnership between the Royce Group, Stellaris PharmaTech, and the Carter Group.

Instead, what hijacked the number one spot on the trending lists was a scandalous rumor about her.

Royce Group CEO Suspected of Affair with Stellaris Vice President!

When Gabriel saw the headline, he spat a mouthful of hot tea all over Philip.

"Brother, I'm innocent!"

Gabriel stared with wide, pleading eyes at Preston, who had stopped signing documents.

Preston ignored Gabriel entirely and looked at Philip.

"Look into it."

"Yes, Mr. Whitmore."

Philip took the order and immediately stepped out of the office.

That left just Gabriel and Preston.

Suddenly, Gabriel slapped his thigh as if a lightbulb had gone off.

"Oh, brother! I think I know who did this!"

Preston finally lifted his gaze and looked his brother in the eye.

Meanwhile, over at the Royce Group.

Nathaniel Royce was laying into Melanie.

"Look at this mess you've made!"

A scandal like this wouldn't even leave a scratch on his reputation.

But Melanie was different.

She was a woman.

In Nathaniel's eyes, this kind of exposure was disastrous for her reputation.

"You're a young woman out in the professional world; you need to keep your guard up. How could you let that Gabriel grab your hands like that?!"

As Nathaniel scolded his daughter, his eyes flicked occasionally toward Everett Kingsley, who was standing quietly nearby.

Everett looked as though he wanted to say something but was holding back.

"What is it, Everett? Something on your mind?"

Startled by the sudden attention, Everett rubbed his nose and spoke up.

"It's nothing. I just wanted to say... don't be too angry, Nathaniel. Melanie didn't do it on purpose. It was definitely that Vice President from Stellaris making unwanted advances."