Chapter 1559

No.1

He’d spotted Melissa first, then deliberately acted intimate with Lance—all to force Lance’s hand through her blackmail.

"Lance likes you," Winston said. "He’s always indulgent with beautiful people."

In short, an unapologetic aesthetics snob.

"Add your connection to Alexander, and he pities you enough to grant a free interview with me. So I decided to test it."

Test whether Lance would defy Melissa’s threats and choose to go public—for Evelyn’s sake.

Winston had even prepared to suppress the scandal.

He knew not to push too hard, but if Lance took this step, they might one day stand together openly.

No.2

"Yet you unraveled my scheme so swiftly, Miss Sinclair." Winston smiled.

Alexander’s eye for talent was as lethal as ever.

Precise with investments—even more so with women.

"Seems I overstepped," Evelyn said wryly.

Taking Melissa’s camera had been instinct.

The woman’s panic, the exposed equipment when she stumbled—Evelyn had sensed the trap immediately.

After viewing the footage, she’d devised the cleanest solution.

No.3

Only to realize it was all part of someone else’s design...

"I deleted the video in front of Lance," Evelyn said. "There’s nothing left in my possession."

"Oh, but there is." Winston leaned forward, exuding quiet pressure. "You’re not Melissa, Miss Sinclair. You’d never erase your only copy."

He couldn’t let this opportunity slip away.

Chances like this were rare.

Lance wasn’t a fool—too many coincidences would raise his suspicions.

Facing an opponent like Winston, Evelyn knew deception was futile.

No.4

Her lips curved. "Since you know I’m not Melissa, why not try taking it from me?"

Lance was her friend now.

She would never betray a friend’s trust.

Winston Strauss tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, his gaze fixed on Evelyn Sinclair.

"Miss Sinclair, what are you so worried about?" His lips curled into a faint smirk. "The video is only in your possession. If it leaks, Lance will suspect you first."

Evelyn met his eyes steadily.

"Mr. Strauss, I've made myself clear." Her voice remained calm. "I deleted the video in front of Lance. There are no backups. Lance is my friend—I would never betray him."

No.5

Winston's expression gradually hardened.

"You should know," he said slowly, "I agreed to this interview partly because Lance likes you, and partly out of respect for Alexander Kingsley. But the final decision is mine."

He stood, looking down at her.

"I can change my mind about signing anytime."

Evelyn let out a soft laugh.

"If you want to back out, I can't stop you." She smoothed her hair. "But you want to go public with your relationship, while I only want to respect my friend's wishes. Shouldn't you honor Lance's choice too?"

"Are you lecturing me?" Winston's eyes turned icy.

No.6

Evelyn gave a slight bow.

"Of course not."

She turned toward the door, her posture straight, without hesitation.

Winston suddenly chuckled.

"True," he muttered to himself. "Not even the Kingsley fortune could keep you. Why would a mere interview make you compromise your principles?"

Evelyn's hand rested on the doorknob.

"The interview stands," Winston said abruptly. "I don't resort to threats."

No.7

Evelyn glanced back, a faint smile on her lips.

"Mr. Strauss, you should let Lance decide for himself."

"What do you mean?" Winston narrowed his eyes.

Evelyn stepped closer, lowering her voice.

"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.