Chapter 1988

No.1

"We need evidence regarding your forged cease-and-desist letters."

The legal staff turned deathly pale.

When Evelyn returned to the company, Horizon Media was in upheaval.

"Evelyn!" Sophie rushed over excitedly. "Mr. Lee's been stripped of power! Mr. Sullivan just axed half the company!"

She handed over a list densely packed with Lee faction members.

Xavier Stapleton's entire team had been purged.

"Oh," Sophie lowered her voice, "Mr. Sullivan wants to see you immediately."

No.2

Outside the CEO's office, Evelyn encountered Hugo Lee.

The man's eyes burned with venomous hatred, as if he wanted to devour her alive.

Evelyn didn't spare him a glance, pushing straight into Vincent Sullivan's office.

"You're here." Vincent smiled, extending a gilded invitation. "Next week's family banquet—you must attend."

Evelyn opened the card. Ocean Palace, Kingsbury's most exclusive venue, booked for the entire day.

The Sullivans were making up for twenty years of neglect in one grand gesture.

"Roman's recovering well?" She closed the invitation.

No.3

"He'll be discharged next week." Vincent's eyes softened. "I'll have him continue working under you."

He paused, growing serious. "I'm assembling a dedicated team for your new interview program."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Lee's faction—"

"He's finished." Vincent's smile turned icy. "The forged documents case is airtight."

The older man massaged his temples wearily. "Twenty years... I was blind for so long."

Evelyn lowered her gaze.

A question hovered on her lips.

No.4

"Uncle Vincent," she finally said, "how did you and Mr. Lee... meet?"

"University classmates." Vincent sighed deeply. "Decades of friendship, and yet..."

Evelyn pressed her lips together, leaving the rest unasked.

Some truths, she knew, she'd have to uncover herself.

"Ask whatever you want." Vincent Sullivan noticed Evelyn Sinclair's hesitation and smiled gently.

Evelyn's fingertips traced the rim of her teacup. Vincent clearly didn't know her true identity—he was even unaware of Hugo Lee's schemes. How could he possibly know about the feud between the Sinclairs and Hugo?

"Uncle Vincent, I heard Hugo Lee is one of Horizon's founding members?"

No.5

"He joined the company before I did." Vincent sighed, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepening.

Evelyn feigned casualness. "So he founded Horizon? The Financial Department seems to be full of his people."

"Founder is too strong a word. He merely took advantage of an existing..." Vincent suddenly stopped, his expression turning complicated.

Evelyn stood to leave. "I won't take up more of your time. See you at the banquet next week."

Vincent seemed to want to say more but only nodded in the end.

Inside Horizon Tower, the video of Wendy West pushing someone spread like wildfire.

News of Evelyn's pregnancy took flight, reaching every corner in an instant.

No.6

"You knew she was pregnant?" William Yearwood slammed a stack of photos onto the desk. "Is that why you refused the arranged meetings?"

Julian Ashford stood by the window, his back rigid. "I didn't know."

Even if he had, he would have been the last to know.

Her secrecy cut deeper than any rejection.

"And you're still obsessed?" William sneered. "Even if she has the child, the Ashfords will never accept her. A boy can stay. A girl, she takes with her."

"It's over between us." Julian turned, his eyes icy. "My marriage isn't yours to decide."

William froze.

No.7

"Since Evelyn and I are done," Julian enunciated each word, "leave her alone. The child—" His Adam's apple bobbed. "Regardless of gender, carries Ashford blood. That's my final line."

Silence swallowed the office.

Only when Julian opened the door did William snap out of it. "If you cooperate, the family won't trouble her."

Julian closed his eyes briefly.

Trading this hollow pretense for her safety—it was the last thing he could do for her.

"The Sullivans' banquet next week. The whole family will attend." William's voice chased after him.