Chapter 171

No.1

...

Horizon Tower erupted in chaos.

The Wells family barged into Financial Department dragging Evan. The matriarch's voice boomed: "Where's Evelyn Sinclair?"

Penelope Pope shrilled: "Evelyn! Visitors!"

Evelyn barely looked up when a palm came flying.

Smack!

A leather notebook intercepted the blow. The old woman hopped in pain.

No.2

"You harlot!" Mrs. Wells jabbed a finger at Evelyn's face. "Seduced my son!"

Evan struggled against restraining relatives. "Those rumors were scripted! Sister Evelyn and I are innocent!"

"Lies!" The matriarch spat.

Evelyn deflected with her notebook - straight into the old woman's face.

"She struck me!" The matriarch lunged, aiming a kick at Evelyn's abdomen.

Evelyn sidestepped, but the woman grabbed her collar and shoved.

"Careful!" Martha caught her.

No.3

"Bastard child!" the matriarch screeched. "Who knows what bastard you're carrying!"

Evelyn's eyes frosted over. So the rumors had spiraled this far.

When the woman charged again, Evelyn seized her wrist and pushed—

"Oof!" The matriarch toppled into Mrs. Wells.

"To the hospital!" The Wells clan surged forward.

"Don't touch her!" Evan broke free, shielding Evelyn. "This is assault!"

"We're saving you!" relatives clamored.

No.4

"Terminate it today!"

Security arrived late, spectating. Only Finance Team 5 stood with Evelyn.

Penelope fanned flames from the sidelines: "Just get examined and settle this." She relished Evelyn's public humiliation.

The Wells mob cornered Evelyn, hands raised—

"Freeze!"

Black-suited men swarmed in, controlling the scene instantly.

Alexander Kingsley entered, voice glacial: "Lay one finger on her. I dare you."

No.5

"Who dares lay a finger on Evelyn Sinclair?"

Martha Nash stormed into the Financial Department with most of the Entertainment Division staff, forming a protective wall around Evelyn. She shoved the Wei family aside, shielding Evelyn like a mother bear protecting her cub.

Iris Cooper clung to Evelyn's arm, eyes brimming with tears. "How dare you bully her like this?"

Evelyn's fingertips trembled slightly.

How long had it been...

Since her parents' deaths, no one had defended her so fiercely.

"Manager Nash," Melissa Lee emerged from the shadows with a saccharine smile, "this is a Financial Department matter. The Entertainment Division needn't interfere. Evelyn disappeared for two days without explanation. The family's emotional reaction is understandable."

No.6

Her contemptuous gaze swept over the Entertainment staff.

Were they insane? Risking her wrath for some nobody like Evelyn?

"Evelyn started in our division," Martha stood her ground. "We won't tolerate anyone mistreating her!"

Melissa sneered. "The intern's family just wants to know if Evelyn is carrying their heir." She deliberately drawled, "After all... statutory rape is illegal."

Slap!

The sharp crack of a palm meeting flesh echoed through the room.

Melissa staggered back, clutching her cheek, gaping at the elegant noblewoman before her.

No.7

Evelyn's pupils constricted.

Mrs. Kingsley?!

"I don't need an excuse to slap trash," Mrs. Kingsley adjusted her sleeves with deliberate grace.

"Who—who are you?" Melissa struggled to contain her rage. The woman's aristocratic bearing marked her as someone important.

Mrs. Kingsley elegantly linked arms with Evelyn. "Her mother."

"Mother?" Melissa's shrill laugh grated. "Evelyn's parents are dead. Did you crawl out of their graves?"