Chapter 555
No.1
When he’d mentioned Evelyn to Alexander earlier, he’d caught the flicker of something unusual in that notoriously detached man’s eyes.
Even with their contract, Evelyn was the woman Alexander had personally chosen.
He’d assumed someone as sharp as her would recognize that distinction and act accordingly.
Yet she carried herself like a single mother, wary of every step.
Winston shook his head, amused. "For someone like Alexander, even the smallest favor would make others grovel with gratitude, no?"
Wasn’t that the truth?
Evelyn’s lips curved into a faint smile. "I used to think so too."
No.2
She had waited years for his mercy.
Only to realize he wouldn’t even grant her the chance to feel grateful.
By the time he finally offered scraps, she had already outgrown the need to bow for anyone’s meager affection...
"Give it to me," Winston suddenly extended his hand.
"What?"
He met her gaze directly. "The footage you took from Melissa Lee."
Evelyn froze—then everything clicked.
No.3
Those images had been staged for Melissa’s camera!
Lance had deliberately chosen a room far from Winston’s to avoid suspicion, yet Winston still monitored his every move.
He’d spotted Melissa first, then deliberately acted intimate with Lance—all to force Lance’s hand through her blackmail.
"Lance likes you," Winston said. "He’s always indulgent with beautiful people."
In short, an unapologetic aesthetics snob.
"Add your connection to Alexander, and he pities you enough to grant a free interview with me. So I decided to test it."
Test whether Lance would defy Melissa’s threats and choose to go public—for Evelyn’s sake.
No.4
Winston had even prepared to suppress the scandal.
He knew not to push too hard, but if Lance took this step, they might one day stand together openly.
"Yet you unraveled my scheme so swiftly, Miss Sinclair." Winston smiled.
Alexander’s eye for talent was as lethal as ever.
Precise with investments—even more so with women.
"Seems I overstepped," Evelyn said wryly.
Taking Melissa’s camera had been instinct.
No.5
The woman’s panic, the exposed equipment when she stumbled—Evelyn had sensed the trap immediately.
After viewing the footage, she’d devised the cleanest solution.
Only to realize it was all part of someone else’s design...
"I deleted the video in front of Lance," Evelyn said. "There’s nothing left in my possession."
"Oh, but there is." Winston leaned forward, exuding quiet pressure. "You’re not Melissa, Miss Sinclair. You’d never erase your only copy."
He couldn’t let this opportunity slip away.
Chances like this were rare.
No.6
Lance wasn’t a fool—too many coincidences would raise his suspicions.
Facing an opponent like Winston, Evelyn knew deception was futile.
Her lips curved. "Since you know I’m not Melissa, why not try taking it from me?"
Lance was her friend now.
She would never betray a friend’s trust.
Winston Strauss tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, his gaze fixed on Evelyn Sinclair.
"Miss Sinclair, what are you so worried about?" His lips curled into a faint smirk. "The video is only in your possession. If it leaks, Lance will suspect you first."
No.7
Evelyn met his eyes steadily.
"Mr. Strauss, I've made myself clear." Her voice remained calm. "I deleted the video in front of Lance. There are no backups. Lance is my friend—I would never betray him."
Winston's expression gradually hardened.
"You should know," he said slowly, "I agreed to this interview partly because Lance likes you, and partly out of respect for Alexander Kingsley. But the final decision is mine."
He stood, looking down at her.
"I can change my mind about signing anytime."
Evelyn let out a soft laugh.