Chapter 571

No.1

"Don't pity me..."

His low voice seemed to echo in her ears.

Evelyn finally closed the contacts list.

She dialed Iris Cooper's number instead, but it was still switched off.

Nathan Carter had promised to send Iris home last night, but there'd been no word since.

Ding—

The elevator's chime snapped her out of her thoughts.

Julian Ashford was leaning against the opposite doorframe. He straightened when he saw her.

No.2

"Reporting to Horizon Video today?" he asked.

Evelyn gave a slight nod.

"I'll drive you."

She instinctively wanted to refuse, but his resolute gaze gave her pause.

"Evelyn," Julian said softly, "I know my boundaries. Just to the company entrance, alright?"

The car moved steadily through morning traffic.

"Did you research the video company?" Julian asked, hands on the wheel.

"Hugo Lee is in charge," Evelyn replied, watching the scenery blur past. "Melissa Lee's father."

No.3

The air in the car seemed to freeze at the name.

"Not just him." Julian tapped the steering wheel. "Vincent Sullivan is there too. My father assigned him."

Evelyn turned to look at him.

"His son Xavier Stapleton also works there," Julian's voice darkened. "Be careful around that man."

The car slowed to a stop at a red light.

Julian turned to study her. "Contact me immediately if anything happens."

His gaze burned too intensely. Evelyn had to look away.

"I will," she murmured.

No.4

The car pulled up before Horizon Video's building.

"Evelyn." Julian stopped her again.

She bent to peer into the car.

"Stop carrying everything alone." His voice ached. "You've never been alone."

Evelyn froze for a second before turning toward the building.

The engine roared behind her like a stifled sigh.

The receptionist's eyes widened at the sight of her.

"Evelyn Sinclair?" She gave Evelyn a once-over. "Follow me."

No.5

Whispers trailed them through the office:

"New actress?"

"That aura is unreal..."

"Bet she's some big shot's daughter..."

The receptionist forced a smile. "Everyone's...enthusiastic..."

A stack of files suddenly slammed at Evelyn's feet.

"Is this the trash you call work?!" a shrill voice screeched. "Did we hire you to freeload?!"

Evelyn looked down at the scattered papers, then slowly raised her head.

No.6

The documents scattered across the floor made Evelyn Sinclair instinctively take half a step back.

A lanky young man crouched down in a fluster, clumsily gathering the papers. His messy hair framed dull eyes behind black-framed glasses, his lips cracked as if he hadn't drunk water for days.

Evelyn's gaze shifted away from him, only to meet another pair of intense eyes.

The man had a face that left a striking impression—not handsome, but so memorably unattractive. Evelyn quickly lowered her lashes, careful not to betray even a flicker of reaction.

"Who's this?" The unattractive man strode forward, his dress shoes crushing the freshly organized documents without hesitation.

The receptionist hurried to explain, "This is Evelyn Sinclair, transferred from headquarters—"

"I know you!" His voice boomed, silencing the entire floor. "Those fools at headquarters must be blind. You're a thousand times more beautiful than the rumors!"

Evelyn's fingers trembled slightly.

No.7

She was all too familiar with this kind of scene. Since childhood, the awestruck stares of strangers had followed her everywhere. But now, she sensed something more complex in their gazes—curiosity, speculation, even a hint of subtle hostility.

"I'm Xavier Stapleton, department manager." The man blocked the receptionist, eagerly closing the distance. "How about joining my team? We're short-staffed..."

Evelyn retreated subtly. "I should report to HR first."