Chapter 1251

No.1

Roman Young's fingers trembled around his bowl, lips pressed into a thin line.

"Roman." Xavier Stapleton set down his chopsticks with a metallic clink that silenced the private dining room. "Heard your probation period's almost up?"

The overhead lights glared off Roman's glasses as he slowly lifted his head to meet Xavier's mocking gaze.

"Yes."

"Want to stay?" Xavier tapped the tabletop.

The air turned to ice. Every movement stilled as a dozen pairs of eyes pinned Roman in place.

"Yes." The word scraped out between clenched teeth.

No.2

Xavier leaned forward, alcohol-laced breath hitting Roman's face. "Here's your chance. Go back to the office. Get close to Evelyn Sinclair."

Roman's pupils contracted.

"Copy the final cut of her Winston Strauss interview." Xavier studied the clear eyes behind those lenses, jealousy flashing in his own.

"Impossible!" Roman shot up, his chair screeching across the floor.

Xavier smirked. "Do it, or get out of Horizon. Your choice."

"Roman," Wendy waved her phone, "this is your last shot."

Roman's fists slowly unclenched. "After I get it?"

No.3

Wendy unlocked her screen. "Send it to this contact."

Evelyn massaged her stiff neck, the computer screen reflecting her exhausted face. She'd single-handedly edited the entire Winston Strauss interview.

With the new department launching soon, she needed to master every detail. Her fingers flew across the keyboard until a knock interrupted.

"Just leave the takeout by the—"

Her words died as Julian Ashford appeared in the doorway, takeout bag in hand, tie loosely draped around his neck.

"Passing by?" Evelyn arched a brow.

"Delivery guy got lost." Julian unpacked the containers. "I played navigator."

No.4

He settled across from her, scanning the document-covered desk.

"Settling in?"

"Only been a few days." Evelyn split her chopsticks, a grain of rice sticking to her lip.

Julian's throat moved as he quickly averted his gaze. "Eating so little?"

"Enough." She chewed carefully, cheeks puffing slightly.

Silence stretched between them until Julian spoke abruptly. "He's still contacting you?"

Her chopsticks paused at the container's edge. "Mm."

No.5

"Evelyn." Julian's voice deepened. "Are you really going to keep seeing him?"

Julian Ashford's voice froze the air for a moment.

Evelyn Sinclair lowered her lashes, fingertips tracing the rim of her cup. "Julian, I think this is fine as it is."

"Fine?" His knuckles turned white. "You call this fine?"

"At least it's peaceful." She lifted her gaze, eyes calm as water.

"And how long will this peace last?" This time, Julian stared directly into her eyes.

Evelyn pressed her lips together. "It'll end when it's time."

No.6

Julian's chest heaved violently. He thought he could endure this.

Hadn't he convinced himself to wait last time?

"So you still can't let him go?"

The words slipped out before he could stop them.

"It's not about letting go," Evelyn shook her head. "There are more important things."

"What could possibly tie you to the Kingsleys now?" Julian's voice strained. "You lost the baby, yet you stay. If not for him, then why?"

Evelyn's fingers curled involuntarily.

No.7

"Julian... the baby is still here."

His pupils contracted sharply.

"What did you say?"

"The accident that day... the baby survived." She didn't elaborate, but Julian's sharp mind would understand. "I'm still carrying our child."

Julian seized her shoulders.

"The baby's alive?" His voice trembled. "Say that again!"