Chapter 1262

No.1

Dark currents churned in Alexander's eyes.

"Remember your words," he said, voice dangerously low.

If she dared cross the line, he'd make her pay.

Roman Young's project proposal had been stolen outright by Xavier Stapleton.

Leveraging his status as a shareholder's son, Xavier pushed the project through without discussion.

Boarding the plane, Evelyn checked her seat number with icy detachment.

Xavier flashed her a smirk. "Let me help with your luggage, Evelyn."

No.2

He grabbed for her suitcase but missed.

"Oops!" Feigning a stumble, he lunged for Evelyn with groping hands.

A figure suddenly blocked his path.

Roman slammed Xavier to the floor.

"Sorry!" He kept his head down. "I need to switch seats with Evelyn. I get airsick..."

"You?" Xavier snarled through clenched teeth.

"I agree." Evelyn gave Roman a silent thank-you.

No.3

Xavier's face darkened. He pulled out his phone and texted Hugo Lee: [Is Evelyn still in contact with the Crown Prince?]

[No signs of it. Why?]

Xavier glanced at Roman shrinking into his seat. [Can we get rid of him soon?]

After a long pause, Hugo replied: [Handle it yourself during this trip...]

"Evelyn, help me out?" Wendy West batted her lashes.

Evelyn twirled a pen. "Sorry, I'm busy."

For three days, she'd refused all extra tasks.

No.4

Wendy's smile stiffened. "We're colleagues..."

"I have three interviews scheduled for 3 PM." Evelyn Sinclair turned her laptop screen toward Wendy West. "Here's my calendar. You handle the new hires for our department, and I'll take care of your project proposal?"

With the project nearing completion, she needed to assemble her team quickly.

She and Xavier Stapleton held equal positions now—neither could order the other around.

Wendy's lips twisted. "With such a packed schedule, why bother coming on this business trip, Evelyn? Found the hotel view particularly inspiring?"

Who did this expense-account tourist think she was?

Evelyn's smile vanished. "Is this your opinion or Xavier's? If it's Xavier, tell him to address me directly. If it's you..." She paused. "Wendy, focus on your own affairs first."

No.5

The door slammed behind Wendy's furious exit.

"Boss, that woman refuses to leave her room," she reported through gritted teeth.

"What about Roman?"

"Compliant as ever." Wendy lifted her chin smugly. "Today I rejected his draft and made him rewrite it. When he submits the second version, I'll use his first draft instead."

Tormenting people came naturally to her.

"Ensure his name appears nowhere on the final product—not even a punctuation mark." Xavier's voice turned icy. "Oh, and send him to me immediately after he finishes."

...

No.6

Roman appeared in Xavier's office two hours later.

"You wanted to see me, sir." His posture remained submissive.

Since the airplane incident, he'd been awaiting Xavier's retaliation.

Strangely, four days had passed with only routine harassment. But retribution would come.

Given another chance, he'd still block that filthy hand reaching for Evelyn.

Even if the consequences dwarfed a damaged suitcase.

Evelyn was sacred to him.

No.7

So when Xavier spoke next, Roman froze completely.

"Let's skip formalities between brothers." Xavier's grin unsettled him. "Certain things needn't be said aloud, right?"

Roman's head jerked up.

Brothers?

The word turned his blood to ice.