Chapter 1032

No.1

Julian answered plainly: "Evelyn and I grew up together. I've always seen her as a younger sister."

True enough—after graduation, Julian joined Horizon, pursued further studies abroad, then returned... with no sign of Evelyn.

Melissa made her moves, hinting at her feelings through words and actions.

Julian never took the bait.

Only once did he slip.

Years ago, when Horizon was under siege by Kingsley Group and other investors, Julian returned from overseas to salvage the crisis.

At the victory banquet, he drank too much.

No.2

Melissa found him perched on a hotel rooftop windowsill, legs dangling over the edge.

"Tell me," his voice floated on the wind, "do only the dead get remembered?"

"If I died... would she think of me for the rest of her life?"

Melissa lunged forward and dragged him down.

Julian collapsed into her arms, tears streaming.

"I was such a fool..." His voice broke. "Why did I abandon her? Why did I lie? She trusted me completely..."

"I pushed her away with my own hands. Now I regret it and chase after her... How pathetic am I?"

No.3

Melissa asked, "Who is she?"

Julian hugged his knees in silence until sobriety returned.

That night was never mentioned again.

Melissa didn't dare ask.

She feared the answer.

Now, Evelyn had reappeared.

"Normally, probationary employees who make such mistakes should be fired immediately," Victoria said. "But I can't do it overtly."

No.4

Melissa raised a hand. "Don't fire her."

Her eyes narrowed. "Transfer her to the finance division."

At Imperial, Julian had shielded Evelyn from her reach.

Now, finance was her territory...

......

Office gossip grew uglier.

"Half a day left—where's that 'Ryan Holt will be ruined' promise?"

No.5

"Ryan's the industry's model professional. Even rival companies can't dig up dirt on him. Does she think she can conjure some?"

"If she actually had leverage, would Ryan have refused the interview? Overestimating herself after riding on her looks?"

"Did that Alexander Kingsley profile give her delusions of genius?"

"What was so special about that article? Martha spoon-fed her all the research!"

"This Ryan mess makes my blood pressure spike! Anyone else would've had the magazine on shelves by now! Now Orange Media gets the scoop!"

"How long has it been since Horizon lost to Orange? The whole company's efforts wasted because of one person!"

"Horizon's disgrace!"

No.6

"Shh—here comes Eight Million!"

......

Evelyn rather liked her new nickname.

Eight Million.

Sounded valuable.

Her colleagues fascinated her. They had private chats for backbiting, yet insisted on snide remarks within earshot.

The moment she appeared, they scattered like startled birds.

No.7

During work, they exchanged sudden laughter or meaningful glances...

Evelyn remained unruffled.

Martha Nash cracked first.

"Evelyn, do you actually have dirt on Ryan?" she asked.

The entire office strained to listen.

"Of course." Evelyn's tone was breezy.