Chapter 1428

No.1

He needed to see her.

Since Evelyn's business trip, Julian had been distracted—his gaze constantly drifting to her empty chair during meetings.

He'd once believed he could quit this addiction.

Their reunion proved Evelyn Sinclair was his forever craving.

"Orange Media will issue a public apology by tomorrow," Evelyn said firmly. "Don't worry."

Hanging up, she knocked on the designated door.

"Ms. Winslow has been waiting." The agent's glare could curdle milk.

No.2

The suite was frigid.

Isabella sat wrapped in a coat, face twisted with fury.

"What do you want?" she hissed. "Me to give up Alexander?"

Evelyn actually chuckled.

"Is men all you ever think about, Ms. Winslow?"

"Stop pretending!" Isabella sprang up. "I know exactly what trash you are!"

"Then we're done here." Evelyn turned to leave.

No.3

"Wait!" Panic cracked Isabella's voice. "Name your terms!"

"Orange Media's front-page apology by morning."

"Fine! But delete that video!"

Evelyn simply stared.

Isabella deflated. "That money... consider it hush payment..."

As Evelyn exited, shattering objects and screams followed:

Her grip tightened around her phone.

No.4

She'd held onto Ryan Holt's damning video of Isabella for precisely this moment.

......

"Evelyn! Wake up!"

Dawn barely tinted the sky when Iris Cooper shook her awake.

"Horizon sent investigators! They're here about the bribery allegations!"

The door burst open before Evelyn could rise. Iris gasped—

"You—"

No.5

"What's wrong?" Evelyn Sinclair's voice carried sleepiness as she fumbled for the comb on her nightstand. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders.

Iris Cooper stood frozen at the doorway, her face pale and lips trembling. The usually articulate reporter now resembled a wooden puppet.

"It's... it's..."

"Who is it?" Evelyn combed her hair while walking forward. What kind of monster had Horizon Media sent to terrify Iris like this?

Iris mechanically stepped aside.

The comb snagged in Evelyn's hair.

Alexander Kingsley strode in with measured steps.

No.6

His gaze swept between the two beds before locking onto Evelyn's.

She slept quietly.

The bedding remained nearly undisturbed, the blanket neatly folded.

Seeing Alexander scrutinize her bed, Evelyn swallowed hard.

Was he going to...?

Alexander suddenly settled into the armchair by the window.

"You have three minutes." His cold eyes lifted. "Horizon's people are arriving. Beg me, and I'll handle this."

No.7

Iris crept behind Evelyn, eyes wide.

What shocked her wasn't Alexander's appearance, but Evelyn's composure.

"Unnecessary." Evelyn's voice stayed calm. "Mr. Kingsley, if I recall correctly, we'll meet in court next month."

Alexander cut her off. "Forget the lawsuit. Without this job, how will you repay your debts?"

"Miss Sinclair," he deliberately maintained distance, "from half a month's salary to a full month's—how long will you keep dodging?"