Chapter 219
No.1
Julian's rejection had broken something in her.
Whether Evelyn returned Julian's feelings or not, she'd become Melissa's sworn enemy.
"Overeager?" Melissa's voice spiked. "You're the one spewing lies! Do you even know what a Strauss interview costs? That foreign media rely on sponsors?"
"I do." Evelyn smiled. "Last year's million-dollar session was bankrolled by financiers just to share his frame."
"Audacious!" An executive slammed the table. "Counting on protection, or betting we won't verify?"
The subtext was clear: Don't think the Crown Prince's favor lets you play god.
"Perhaps Editor Sinclair really succeeded?" another sneered. "Though I wonder where she'd find a million dollars. If she can raise it, that's... impressive."
No.2
All eyes turned to William Yearwood.
Who else but Julian would fund this?
But a million dollars—whether personal or company funds—was absurd!
William's face darkened. "Melissa, she's your subordinate. Handle this."
Malice flashed in Melissa's eyes.
With William's blessing, she had free rein.
"Evelyn, admit your mistake now, and I might plead leniency for you," she offered faux mercy.
No.3
Leniency?
Evelyn saw through the death sentence.
Melissa wouldn't just fire her—she'd ensure total ruin.
Perfect...
Ice glinted in Evelyn's gaze.
The moment Melissa targeted her unborn child, she'd crossed the line.
There would be no second chance.
No.4
This time, Evelyn would bury Melissa forever.
A faint, icy smile curled at the corners of Evelyn Sinclair's lips.
"I'm ready to cooperate with any investigation and willing to forfeit this interview. Do as you see fit, Director. After all, you once suggested I should go home and rest for my pregnancy."
"Ha!" A senior executive couldn't help but scoff. "So now you're giving up completely?"
"Are you admitting to promising an exorbitant interview fee without authorization?" Melissa Lee pressed, her voice sharp. "Who did you consult? Who approved this? Now that the company's reputation is damaged, with potential financial losses looming—do you really think you still belong here?"
"How does the Director plan to handle me?" Evelyn countered.
"Write a public apology, then go home and wait for your delivery. The company will clean up your mess and won't pursue legal action." Melissa's smile turned venomous. "Of course, if you think this is unfair, you can resign outright—just sign a five-year non-compete agreement."
No.5
This was her real goal.
The Winston Strauss interview, the meeting—all were just pretexts.
She wanted to pin a crime on Evelyn and force her out with justification.
"Given the Director's vast knowledge, you must know what 'cuckoo in the nest' means." Evelyn regarded her with pity.
"What did you say?" Melissa froze, then erupted in fury.
How dare Evelyn accuse her of being the usurper?
She was the one who had stolen Julian Ashford!
No.6
"When did Director Lee start seeing herself as a true Horizon Media insider?" Evelyn continued. "When did you start treating the Financial Department as your personal fiefdom? When did you begin taking your position and privileges for granted?"
"Stop spouting nonsense! I graduated with a master's from Imperial Media University and worked my way up from the bottom. Everything I have today, I earned!" Melissa hissed through clenched teeth.
Including Julian—he should have been hers.
It was Evelyn, this uninvited interloper, who stole her love and now sought to take the Financial Department too.
She could have stayed in the shadows as a mistress, but instead, she flaunted her pregnancy like a trophy.
If Evelyn wasn't removed soon, she would be the one forced to leave...
"Director, you scored ten points below Imperial Media's admission cutoff in your college entrance exams. Fifty points below the competitive majors." Evelyn's tone was light, almost casual. "It was only because your father leveraged Horizon's internship program with the university that you got in. And as for how you secured your postgraduate recommendation—shall I elaborate?"
No.7
"You—" Melissa paled.
How did she know these things?
"And let's not forget, Senior, your so-called 'achievements' in the Financial Department. The veterans have seen it all. Without your father, would you even be a director?"
"You're just jealous!" Melissa shrieked. "Jealous that I have family backing while you're nothing but an orphan!"
Evelyn chuckled.
When she first joined the Financial Department, Melissa had been too proud for petty insults.
Now she was unraveling like a hysterical shrew.