She Left She Thrived She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 882

Shawn's voice remained perfectly composed.

"I actually called to let you know I'm temporarily closing the center. I have to take a long trip out of town and probably won't be back for a few months."

"But don't worry, our partnership still stands. I won't breach the contract. Once I wrap things up here, I'll head straight back to Averin, reopen the center, and take you out on that date!"

He didn't even give Melanie a chance to respond before abruptly ending the call.

She slowly lowered the phone, his words echoing in her mind.

He made it sound like a brief sabbatical, not a permanent retreat. What kind of business was so urgent that he had to drop everything and flee Averin?

She shook her head. Shawn claimed it was business, but only he knew the real truth. It was likely just a cover for whatever shady operation he was running next.

Guessing his next move was a futile effort.

While there wasn't concrete proof tying him directly to Elina Lennox's infection with the Chimera virus, he was unequivocally the prime suspect in Melanie's book.

She had meticulously calculated the virus's incubation period based on Elina's onset of symptoms. During that specific window of time, Shawn was the only person who had made deliberate, inexplicable contact with Elina at the banquet.

And now, this sudden departure from Averin. It wasn't a full-blown escape, but it set her on edge.

A suffocating wave of dread washed over her. If Shawn was indeed the one spreading the virus, what catastrophe would he unleash when he finally returned?

But what if...

What if he wasn't the culprit after all?

As a dull ache throbbed in her temples, a pair of warm, strong hands gently rested on her head.

She jumped slightly, realizing Preston was massaging her temples.

"Don't waste your energy stressing over a man like him," Preston murmured, his voice a low rumble. "He isn't worth it."

"But he's the biggest suspect we have."

"That virus didn't do much damage."

"I know," Melanie nodded.

The virus hadn't reached its full potential because the synthetic formula was flawed.

But what if... it had been perfected?

"Preston, wait," she said, gently pushing his hands away.

A fleeting shadow of disappointment crossed his eyes as he pulled back.

"Did you notice the background noise when he went quiet?" she asked. "It sounded like someone talking in the distance. I couldn't make out the words, but... I'm almost certain it was the local dialect of The Rosa Archipelago."

Preston's expression sharpened, confirming her theory.

"You're right. It was Rosa Archipelago dialect. Which means... Shawn is currently hiding out on one of their islands."

They spoke the last few words in unison.

"So..." Preston's gaze turned predatory, a subtle, calculating gleam in his eyes.

"Boss, do you think we need to go on a little business trip?"

Meanwhile, at the Lockridge Group.

Securing the contract with Fortis Power & Cable wasn't nearly enough to offset the disaster of the failed negotiations with the Royce Group. Today, Dominic Hale found himself summoned to Holden Lockridge's office for another grueling session.