Chapter 64
No.1
Victoria had initially wanted no part, but Melissa made an irresistible offer—
Horizon Video needed a deputy head. All Victoria had to do was maneuver Evelyn to Finance Department, and Melissa would recommend her.
Money talks.
So Victoria assigned Evelyn the impossible: securing Vincent Sullivan's interview.
When Evelyn miraculously succeeded, the plan simplified further—
Victoria dangled early regularization to pressure Evelyn into transferring.
They'd analyzed every angle, certain Evelyn would complain to Julian.
No.2
Instead, Evelyn signed without argument.
Julian never came demanding answers.
Their scheme had succeeded beyond expectations. After work, they'd met to celebrate.
Near Ashford University, a new barbecue place had opened.
They chose a window seat—perfect for chatting while people-watching.
As Victoria flattered, Melissa smirked smugly... until her expression froze.
She stared through the window, eyes sharp as blades.
No.3
Victoria followed her gaze and gasped: "Is that the Crown Prince with—"
Neon lights flickered across the food plaza in the night.
Melissa Lee sat by the café's floor-to-ceiling window, her fingers absently tracing the rim of her cup.
Her hand suddenly froze.
Outside the glass, Julian Ashford and Evelyn Sinclair walked side by side.
The man was scrolling through his phone, occasionally showing the screen to the girl beside him. Evelyn shook her head with a soft laugh, taking a bite of the sugar art in her hand.
It was a butterfly, its wings spread as if ready to take flight.
No.4
Melissa's nails dug deep into her palms.
She knew better than anyone about Julian's obsession with butterflies. Those precious specimen albums in his study—he wouldn't even let her touch them.
"Julian, can I have one butterfly specimen?" she had once cooed.
"Buy your own," he'd replied without looking up.
Yet now, he'd specially commissioned this enormous sugar butterfly for Evelyn. The golden syrup glistened under the lights, stinging Melissa's eyes.
The pair stopped in front of a barbecue stall.
Melissa saw Julian frown. Evelyn said something, and suddenly he laughed, following her inside.
No.5
The glass cup creaked ominously in Melissa's grip.
Julian detested the smell of grease. Every time their department dined out, she made sure to avoid hotpot and barbecue places.
Yet now, he willingly entered a street-side grill.
Soon, Julian emerged alone to pick ingredients. Rolling up his sleeves, he carefully selected items from the freezer, occasionally turning to ask for Evelyn's input.
Melissa finally slumped forward onto the table.
Across from her, Victoria Henn didn't dare breathe.
"Not a word about what you saw today," Melissa said as she lifted her head. Her makeup remained flawless, but her eyes gleamed with venom.
No.6
......
In the Finance Department's break room, a group of female employees huddled together.
"Did you hear? Evelyn Sinclair is being transferred to our department."
"That performance harvester from Entertainment? Great, she'll steal all our resources."
"Just riding on her looks, isn't she? Alexander Kingsley, Ryan Holt, Vincent Sullivan—which exclusive interview didn't she land by batting her eyelashes?"
"Let's see how Melissa deals with her..."
......
No.7
An HR specialist escorted Evelyn into the Finance Department's workspace.
The noisy office instantly fell silent, everyone pasting on professional smiles.
Melissa emerged from her office, scanning the room.
"Welcome, Evelyn," she said with a polished smile. "Penelope, you'll mentor our new colleague."
Penelope Pope glanced around helplessly. "Melissa, we don't have any free desks."
"What about that one over there?" Melissa pointed casually.
In the corner sat a small, dust-covered table, glaringly out of place amidst the modern office setup.