Chapter 474
No.1
Ethan slammed the table. "Is this how Horizon treats people? You take credit for the good work and dump the scandals on Evelyn?"
Penelope turned deathly pale, her lips trembling.
"Enough," Alexander cut in coldly. "Ethan, you're talking too much."
Ethan shut his mouth, aggrieved.
Why was it fine when Nathan defended Evelyn, but he got scolded?
"Ms. Sinclair," Alexander's gaze sharpened. "You claim you didn't write it. Do you have proof?"
Evelyn nearly laughed. "Do I need to prove I never interviewed you, Mr. Kingsley?"
No.2
She tilted her head. "The burden of proof lies with the accuser. If you say I wrote it, show me the evidence."
A flicker of amusement flashed in Alexander's eyes.
Julian Ashford couldn't suppress a quiet chuckle.
Penelope jumped in desperately. "I have proof! I called Evelyn to assign the interview—the call log is still there!"
Evelyn feigned surprise. "Penelope, Horizon never secured the interview rights. You sent me anyway?"
"I—"
"You did call me, but perhaps you should recall what was actually said?" Evelyn prompted kindly.
No.3
Penelope looked as if she'd been struck by lightning.
What had she just blurted out in panic?
Sending Evelyn without authorization—wasn't that an obvious setup?
Cold sweat drenched her back.
"Oh," Evelyn added casually, "Penelope mentioned going to the hospital that day. Do you have the medical receipt?"
Penelope's legs nearly gave out.
What receipt? Her stomachache had been an excuse!
No.4
Evelyn shook her head and fell silent.
The truth was already crystal clear.
Now Penelope genuinely felt sick to her stomach.
She'd thought pinning this on Evelyn would save her, never expecting the other woman to be prepared.
Melissa Lee's carefully laid trap had crumbled effortlessly before Evelyn.
"So," Evelyn concluded, "Penelope never sent me to the interview, and I never wrote the article. As for its origin—"
"It was you who gave it to me!" Penelope blurted.
No.5
"Proof?" Evelyn countered.
"Melissa can confirm! You emailed it to her first!"
Evelyn nodded agreeably. "Then let's check the inbox."
Penelope's heart sank.
Evelyn was far too composed.
William grimaced and called Melissa on speakerphone.
"What really happened with that article?"
No.6
Melissa's hesitant voice crackled through. "At the time... to leave no trail... I had her recall the email... and emptied the drafts..."
Dead silence filled the room.
The air in the conference room froze.
William Yearwood's hand trembled slightly as he gripped his phone.
Melissa Lee's voice continued relentlessly through the speaker. "Evelyn must have destroyed all the evidence. If push comes to shove, we'll pin it on Penelope. She's pregnant—what can Alexander possibly do to her?"
Before she could finish—
Alexander Kingsley suddenly laughed.
No.7
The sound carried clearly through the phone.
Melissa's voice cut off mid-sentence.
Dead silence spread from the device.
She finally realized the magnitude of her mistake.
The call disconnected in panic.
"Your company's corporate culture is truly eye-opening," Alexander said leisurely. "Especially Director Lee's problem-solving methods—absolutely unparalleled."
He was genuinely amused.