She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 816

"Mr. Lester, out of respect for the years of partnership your father had with the Royce Group, I decided to sober you up using the gentle method. Otherwise... I would have just slapped you."

"You wouldn't dare!"

The moment the words left Julian's mouth, Melanie decisively raised her hand, ready to strike.

"My mistake, my mistake! Ms. Royce, please... calm down..."

Seeing Julian immediately surrender, Melanie slowly lowered her hand.

Julian had a filthy mouth and had coveted Melanie for a long time.

But after getting a face full of wine, he didn't dare push his luck.

After all, in a setting like this, no one was going to defend a man sexually harassing a woman in public.

More importantly, Melanie wasn't just the CEO of the Royce Group anymore; she was also the rumored lover of Stellaris PharmaTech's Vice President.

Julian might be bold enough to flirt with her, but he didn't have the guts to actually cross the line.

With his face, suit, and tie drenched in red wine, Julian gave Dominic a quick nod and excused himself to go change.

Melanie had barely taken a step when Dominic blocked her path again.

"Melanie, Julian and I already know everything..."

Seeing Dominic's smug, 'your efforts are useless' expression, Melanie calmly asked, "And what exactly do you know?"

"We know exactly where you got the nerve to make a hundred-million-dollar bet with Leila."

Dominic's words instantly drew the attention of Nathaniel and Everett, who were standing nearby.

During the Botanical & Pharmaceutical Trade Expo, Melanie had not only made a massive public wager of a hundred million dollars with Leila Langley, but she had also unilaterally slashed prices on the spot, promising to raise them later.

Even though Gabriel Whitmore's influence had helped them secure several contracts, her reckless behavior had nearly given Nathaniel a heart attack.

"Melanie, you hired the Aldoria University lab to survey the old, abandoned plantation on the outskirts of town because the soil contains a special Core Bio-Strain that can replicate the effects of the Type-L Bio-Fertilizer."

Dominic frowned, looking at her with dead seriousness.

"But you're not the only one who knows about this strain, and you're certainly not the only one who saw its potential."

"Why do you think... in all these years, no one has ever managed to commercialize the strain from that land?"

Dominic asked in an earnest, patronizing tone. Melanie remained completely silent.

Taking her silence for defeat, he continued, "Because the strain is nearly impossible to extract from that soil. Current technology simply isn't advanced enough."

"I'm sure... the researchers from Aldoria University have already explained this hurdle to you, haven't they? Your plan to use this new strain was doomed from the very start!"

Overhearing Dominic's explanation, Nathaniel's vision darkened. If Everett hadn't quickly supported his weight, he would have collapsed right there.

"Melanie, you can't win this bet against Leila."