Chapter 1024
No.1
"Our oversight," the manager smiled apologetically. "Ryan gets nervous around recording equipment—mild social anxiety."
It made sense. Ryan was famously reticent in public, which fans praised as authenticity.
"Fine, I'll take handwritten notes." Evelyn surrendered her devices.
The manager handed back the bag. "Just place it aside."
Entering the inner suite, an assistant scanned her with a metal detector.
"Apologies—paparazzi tactics keep evolving." The assistant offered an ingratiating smile.
Evelyn nodded understandingly.
She was led to the suite's sitting area, where the assistant poured water before exiting.
Evelyn arranged her notepad. Without recordings it would be challenging, but her shorthand skills remained sharp.
No.2
The room was silent save for pen scratches.
Minutes ticked by with no sign of Ryan.
Sunlight streamed through the windows, raising the temperature steadily.
The sealed room felt like a greenhouse.
Evelyn wiped her forehead, glancing at the AC vent.
Odd—cold air was clearly flowing.
"Could we adjust the—" She turned to find herself alone.
The door was shut, the assistant gone.
...
No.3
Every nerve in Evelyn's body went on high alert.
She approached the thermostat.
23°C.
It shouldn't be this hot—either the AC was broken, or...
"See something interesting?"
A male voice whispered directly in her ear.
...
Evelyn's entire body erupted in goosebumps.
"What are you looking at?"
No.4
A strange male voice suddenly whispered in her ear.
Evelyn Sinclair spun around, her back hitting the cold air conditioning panel.
The metal's chill seeped through her silk blouse like a venomous snake slithering up her spine.
Ryan Holt's face was inches from hers.
She could even smell the scent of his body wash mixed with lingering dampness.
"Hello." Evelyn forced composure, sidestepping half a step away.
Plink.
A drop of water fell from his hair onto her hand.
The rising superstar was undeniably handsome—his sharp features beneath wet hair even more striking than on screen.
No.5
But Evelyn sensed danger.
Unlike Alexander Kingsley's reassuring dominance, this man made her entire body tense.
"Horizon Media, Evelyn Sinclair." She flashed her press pass. "Scheduled interview."
Ryan suddenly raised his arm, trapping her against the wall.
"How deep?" He raised a suggestive brow.
Disgust churned in Evelyn's stomach.
A nobody three months ago, now he thought he could look down on everyone.
"Mr. Holt," she met his leering gaze, "maintain professional distance."
His eyes locked onto her flushed cheeks like he'd discovered treasure.
No.6
The room was stifling, yet this woman's stare remained icy.
"Aren't you hot, Miss Sinclair?" He deliberately leaned closer. "Want to... relocate?"
Before she could react, he suddenly bent to grab her.
"Ah!"
A scream echoed through the suite.
By the time Ryan collapsed to his knees, his forehead already bore a dark bruise.
His assistant barely opened the door before a flying phone smashed into his face.
"Stop her!" Ryan roared, clutching his arm.
When the entourage rushed in, the hallway stood empty.
No.7
"Isabella..." Ryan's trembling fingers dialed. "There's been a... complication..."
"Useless!" Isabella Winslow's shriek nearly shattered his eardrum. "Do you know how hard I worked to convince Alexander to catch her in the act?"
The call ended with a violent click.
Ryan slumped onto the sofa, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
......