She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 818

Right now was the perfect opportunity to win back Nathaniel's favor.

"Please don't worry, Mr. Royce. Leila is my girlfriend, so this bet was just a harmless joke between friends. It doesn't actually count. In two months, when the hype dies down, I'll have Leila publicly announce that the wager is void. That way, the Royce Group won't lose a single cent."

Dominic's reassurance noticeably softened the tight lines of worry on Nathaniel's face.

Standing nearby, Everett lowered his head, his expression darkening considerably.

In the end...

He had been completely useless, leaving Dominic to play the savior.

Everett clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white.

"Who said the bet doesn't count?"

Melanie suddenly stepped between Dominic and Nathaniel.

She shot a look at Dominic, then turned to her father, her voice ringing with absolute certainty.

"The bet stands. We'll see who wins in two months."

"Melanie, why do you insist on doing this? Even if you hate the idea of accepting my help, there's no need to sabotage yourself!"

Dominic's arrogant, self-righteous tone genuinely made Melanie laugh.

But before she could fire back, a deep, magnetic voice cut through the tension.

"VP Hale thinks a little too highly of himself..."

Following the voice, Dominic's face instantly dropped.

Nathaniel and Everett's expressions shifted as well.

Everett, in particular, looked at the newcomer with unconcealed hostility...

And pure jealousy.

The man walking toward them was tall and broad-shouldered, dressed flawlessly in head-to-toe black. He exuded an overwhelming, predatory aura, looking like a lethal enforcer stepping out of the shadows.

The only break in the darkness was a pair of snow-white silk gloves, their luxurious sheen instantly drawing the eye.

"Does a bet made by our CEO get canceled just because you say so? Who exactly are you to Ms. Royce?"

Faced with Preston's icy interrogation, Dominic opened his mouth, bristling.

"And who the hell are you to her?"

"I am her assistant. It's my job to swat away the annoying flies."

As the dinner began to wind down, Melanie smoothly linked her arm through Preston's. Under the deeply confused gazes of the three men, they walked out of the banquet hall together.

"Were you really going to pay that hundred million for me?"

Outside in the cool night air, walking toward the parking lot, Melanie looked up at Preston with genuine amusement.

Preston simply shook his head.

"No."

Melanie immediately started to pull her arm away.

But Preston calmly finished his sentence.

"Because you aren't going to lose."

Meanwhile, at the Lockridge Group.

The CEO's office was brightly lit.

Holden Lockridge sat behind his massive mahogany desk, staring sharply at Dominic, who stood respectfully before him.

"I heard you've been getting quite close to the new owner of Apex Organics... Did our company secretly buy out their entire stock of Type-L Bio-Fertilizer?"