Chapter 1057
No.1
Alexander stood there, gaze locked onto their retreating figures.
The aura around him transcended mere darkness.
He'd arrived just one step too late, only to watch her leave willingly with Julian...
In Evelyn Sinclair's pond, he'd never been the only fish.
"Discharge me." He ordered Ethan coldly.
Ethan panicked. "My lord—"
Demanding discharge the same day as surgery? This was suicidal!
No.2
Alexander's glacial stare silenced him. "Find a replacement if you refuse."
For all Ethan's years of service—though mediocre in skill, his loyalty had been unquestionable—Alexander had always overlooked minor mistakes.
This marked the first time Alexander explicitly threatened to replace him.
Trembling, Ethan went to process the discharge while secretly messaging Mrs. Kingsley to tattle.
"Madam, Miss Sinclair has no sense of propriety! Lord Alex merely asked her to wait briefly, yet she left with Julian Ashford! His lordship is so enraged he's demanding discharge!"
Mrs. Kingsley...
Ethan's sole virtue might be his inability to lie.
No.3
Mrs. Kingsley cursed outright: "Wait briefly? Who's being unreasonable here! Let him discharge himself if he wants! Who does he think he's threatening?"
She was done!
Consider this child a lost cause—let the world burn!
......
"Melissa, Evelyn reports to Finance Department tomorrow." Victoria Henn raised her glass. "Planned her welcome yet?"
"Finance has plenty to keep her busy." Melissa Lee smiled contentedly. "We'll see. I expected Ashford to come demanding explanations—prepared a whole speech for nothing."
"I told you—the Crown Prince's just amusing himself with her. Young girls dream big with pretty faces," Victoria agreed, "but actually marrying into aristocracy? Old money cares about pedigree. Everyone at Horizon knows you're the families' chosen match..."
No.4
Victoria had initially wanted no part, but Melissa made an irresistible offer—
Horizon Video needed a deputy head. All Victoria had to do was maneuver Evelyn to Finance Department, and Melissa would recommend her.
Money talks.
So Victoria assigned Evelyn the impossible: securing Vincent Sullivan's interview.
When Evelyn miraculously succeeded, the plan simplified further—
Victoria dangled early regularization to pressure Evelyn into transferring.
They'd analyzed every angle, certain Evelyn would complain to Julian.
No.5
Instead, Evelyn signed without argument.
Julian never came demanding answers.
Their scheme had succeeded beyond expectations. After work, they'd met to celebrate.
Near Ashford University, a new barbecue place had opened.
They chose a window seat—perfect for chatting while people-watching.
As Victoria flattered, Melissa smirked smugly... until her expression froze.
She stared through the window, eyes sharp as blades.
No.6
Victoria followed her gaze and gasped: "Is that the Crown Prince with—"
Neon lights flickered across the food plaza in the night.
Melissa Lee sat by the café's floor-to-ceiling window, her fingers absently tracing the rim of her cup.
Her hand suddenly froze.
Outside the glass, Julian Ashford and Evelyn Sinclair walked side by side.
The man was scrolling through his phone, occasionally showing the screen to the girl beside him. Evelyn shook her head with a soft laugh, taking a bite of the sugar art in her hand.
It was a butterfly, its wings spread as if ready to take flight.
No.7
Melissa's nails dug deep into her palms.
She knew better than anyone about Julian's obsession with butterflies. Those precious specimen albums in his study—he wouldn't even let her touch them.
"Julian, can I have one butterfly specimen?" she had once cooed.
"Buy your own," he'd replied without looking up.
Yet now, he'd specially commissioned this enormous sugar butterfly for Evelyn. The golden syrup glistened under the lights, stinging Melissa's eyes.
The pair stopped in front of a barbecue stall.