Chapter 37
No.1
Madam Eleanor Kingsley scoffed. "That's all she's got?"
She hurried over to Evelyn Sinclair, scrutinizing her. "Evelyn, did she hurt you?"
Before Evelyn could answer, Madam Kingsley slammed her hand on the table. "So what if something happened? Are men the only ones allowed to have fun these days?"
"If you're interested, darling, I'll find you a dozen handsome men to play with—a different one every day!"
Evelyn massaged her temples.
Madam Kingsley never failed to surprise her.
"Oh!" Madam Kingsley suddenly remembered something and turned to Alexander Kingsley. "Where's that male model catalog I left here?"
No.2
Alexander's face darkened. "Burned it."
"Burned it?" Madam Kingsley laughed instead of getting angry, pulling a brand-new catalog from her bag. "Good thing I printed ten backup copies."
She eagerly shoved it toward Evelyn. "Take a look, darling—"
Julian Ashford leaned in curiously.
Alexander abruptly stood and strode over to snatch it away.
"Wait, Aunt Eleanor," Evelyn suddenly picked up her phone. "It's Martha Nash."
Martha's furious voice blasted through the speaker. "Evelyn Sinclair! Do you have any idea Ryan Holt's interview fell through? The entire team's hard work went down the drain!"
No.3
"I'm sorry, Martha, I—"
Madam Kingsley snatched the phone. "Who do you think you are, yelling at my Evelyn like that?"
Martha paused. "...Who is this?"
"Someone you don't want to mess with!" Madam Kingsley unleashed her full fury. "Are employees not human? Do they need permission to get sick? Is your company a prison?"
Alexander frowned.
Madam Kingsley only grew more heated. "Why don't you yell at Alexander Kingsley instead? Coward!"
Alexander, caught in the crossfire: "?"
No.4
Ethan Miller seized the moment to stir the pot. "Horizon Media is a joke!"
Madam Kingsley redirected her anger. "Julian Ashford! How do you run this company?"
Julian: "..."
Ethan pressed on. "Miss Sinclair should join Kingsley Group! Lord Alex always protects his own!"
Evelyn rubbed her forehead. "Thanks, but no."
Alexander's expression darkened further.
Madam Kingsley smirked.
No.5
This was just the beginning.
He'd be crying soon enough.
Two days later, Evelyn returned to the office.
Martha dragged her aside. "What exactly did you do to Ryan Holt?"
Evelyn blinked. "What could I possibly do to him?"
"Then why did he say you..." Martha hesitated. "...made inappropriate advances?"
Martha Nash narrowed her eyes, fingertips tapping the desk. "My professional instinct tells me Ryan Holt is about to crash and burn."
No.6
She leaned in, voice dropping to a whisper. "Rumor has it he changed his hairstyle overnight—that fringe is so thick it could double as an umbrella. Don't you find that suspicious?"
The entertainment industry had no secrets.
Ryan had abruptly broken contract, then granted an exclusive interview to Horizon Media's rival. Leaked photos showed his heavy fringe obscuring half his face—ironic for someone who'd once mocked celebrities relying on bangs to hide flaws, boasting he was a "true heartthrob unafraid to show his forehead."
...
Evelyn Sinclair remained silent.
Ryan's hatred for her was justified.
In showbiz, looks were currency. Her slap had threatened his livelihood.
No.7
But she didn't regret it.
Drugged and disoriented, she'd meant to strike his cheek. In that panicked moment, she'd dialed her stun ring to maximum voltage—ensuring he'd never forget the lesson.
Mrs. Kingsley always called Evelyn a pushover.
She never realized this seemingly soft dumpling hid a needle laced with venom.
Ryan could only swallow his rage. If he dared complain, people would ask: Why would a journalist attack him so viciously?
Unless she'd been pushed to the brink.
Everyone knew the industry's dirty secrets. No one ripped off the veneer unless facing utter ruin.