Chapter 1738
No.1
"Photos?" Julian sneered. "What photos are worth more than a human life? Making her work past midnight daily - have you no conscience?"
The entire Finance Department fell silent.
Everyone shrank back, afraid to be noticed.
Evelyn stood quietly aside, the faintest smile playing at her lips.
The play had finally reached the climax she desired.
"What happened to the photo?" Julian Ashford's voice was icy. "Was it deleted by mistake or on purpose?"
Evelyn Sinclair kept her gaze fixed on the floor.
No.2
"On purpose," she answered softly.
Roxanne Luna's lips curled in triumph.
See? She knew this rookie was up to no good!
A greenhorn who barely knew the ropes, daring to show off in front of her. Now she'd fallen flat on her face.
Let's see how the Crown Prince protects her this time!
Julian had built a reputation for impartiality since taking office—even Melissa Lee couldn't sway him.
If he made an exception for Evelyn today, his carefully crafted image would be ruined.
No.3
"Evelyn rarely makes mistakes," Penelope Pope interjected timidly. "The policy states minor errors within the acceptable rate don't warrant penalties..."
Was that the point?
The point was the deliberate deletion!
A malicious act!
The entire department held its breath, waiting to see Julian's decision.
"Explain." His tone was flat.
Evelyn nodded. "First, I admit overstepping—a first-round editor shouldn't assess photo risks. Second, I should've informed Roxanne and the editor-in-chief after deleting it. But I..."
No.4
"What risk?" Julian cut in sharply.
Evelyn lifted her head.
"It was..." Her throat tightened.
Why was this so hard to say aloud when she could face Melissa's barbs without flinching?
She took a deep breath, forcing a fragile smile.
"The founders of Autumn Detail. A portrait taken... one week before their deaths."
Julian's pupils contracted.
No.5
Her smile held fragments of a past he couldn't reclaim.
"Evelyn..." His voice was barely audible.
The finance team exchanged confused glances.
What was wrong with the Crown Prince?
Evelyn's smile froze. She ducked her head, blinking back tears.
"I couldn't alter the article, but removing the photo mitigated risks. I worried... the Kingsleys might take offense."
Her whisper faded into silence.
No.6
Roxanne scoffed. "That feud was ages ago. Would Kingsley Group really attack us over one photo? We've weathered Alexander's lawsuits before..."
She raised her voice deliberately, betting Melissa would reward her audacity.
She'd already crossed Julian—she needed new allies.
Julian's gaze turned razor-sharp.
"You wrote about Autumn Detail without knowing its history?"
Roxanne's back prickled with cold sweat.
"Do you know who founded this department?" Julian's voice cut like steel.
No.7
His fist smashed into the glass wall.
CRACK!
A spiderweb of fractures erupted. Blood seeped between his fingers.
Evelyn's heart lurched.
Those were the wounds from saving her...
Melissa looked bewildered.