Chapter 1224

No.1

"Melissa Lee won't let this go. Even without proof, she'll find another way." A sharp glint flashed in her eyes. "And between her and me, there's still unfinished business."

Melissa Lee paled the moment she pushed open the CEO's office door.

William Yearwood sat at the head of the table, Julian Ashford beside him. Her father stood rigidly by the window.

"What the hell have you done?" Her father spun around and slapped her.

Melissa staggered back, clutching her cheek in shock.

"Dad—"

"Don't call me that!" he roared. "Winston Strauss demanded your termination! Do you know what his assistant said? That you tried to seduce him to steal the interview!"

No.2

Melissa trembled.

"That's not true—"

"Enough!" William cut in. "This isn't the time. Melissa, take a few days off. We'll discuss this after the Financial Summit."

Her father exhaled heavily.

Outside, he hissed under his breath, "Have you lost your mind? What will the Yearwoods think? What will Julian think?"

Tears spilled down Melissa's cheeks.

"It's all Evelyn's fault!" she seethed. "I had explosive footage of Winston and his assistant, but it vanished from my camera! She must have tampered with it!"

No.3

Her father's expression darkened.

"Julian and that reporter—"

"He only has eyes for Evelyn!" Melissa wiped her tears. "Don't worry, Dad. This time, I won't hold back."

Laughter filled the Financial Department's workspace.

"Evelyn is amazing! She got Winston Strauss to agree to a free interview!"

"Can you get his autograph for me? I adore him!"

"Our team's performance will top the charts again this month!"

No.4

Melissa stood outside the door, her nails digging into her palms.

She shoved it open.

The laughter died instantly.

Everyone scrambled back to their seats, the air turning tense.

"Too much free time?" Melissa sneered. "KPI all met?"

Her gaze, sharp as a blade, locked onto Evelyn.

"You. My office. Now."

No.5

Evelyn Sinclair had just stepped into the office when Melissa Lee abruptly stood up.

"You stole the camera and deleted the footage!" she hissed through gritted teeth.

Evelyn calmly closed the door, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"I heard the department head is resigning?"

"Don't even think about it!" Melissa slammed her palm on the desk, causing water to splash from the teacup. "Evelyn, you won't beat me with these underhanded tricks!"

Her shrill voice pierced through the thin office glass.

Heads turned at the workstations outside.

No.6

"I never wanted to compete with you for anything," Evelyn said softly. "But you've targeted me at every turn, even spreading rumors about my relationship with Julian."

"Innocent?" Melissa suddenly burst into laughter. "Then whose bastard are you carrying?"

Evelyn's brow furrowed slightly.

"My husband's last name is Kingsley. You should know that well. Meanwhile, you threw yourself at Winston Strauss's assistant just to steal my interview—"

"Shut up!" Melissa grabbed the mouse from her desk and hurled it.

Evelyn sidestepped the projectile.

The mouse hit the door, swinging it fully open.

No.7

The entire office fell silent.

Everyone had heard Melissa's scandal.

Evelyn walked slowly to the doorway, then turned back.

"Oh, and Mr. Strauss specifically requested that the agreement include a clause barring you from ever working at Horizon Media again. Otherwise..." She paused. "Horizon would face bankruptcy from the penalties."

Her words echoed clearly across the floor.

Melissa's face turned ashen. She snatched her bag and stormed out.