Chapter 686
No.1
Horizon Media would become just the beginning. No company would dare hire her.
Could an ant topple a redwood?
Martha knew the history.
Years ago, Kingsley Group's coordinated attack nearly bankrupted this legacy media house.
Only Julian's overseas intervention saved Horizon from collapse.
And the mastermind behind that corporate war?
None other than the now-untouchable Alexander Kingsley.
No.2
"With her looks," Martha crunched her lollipop, "I'd have married rich instead of suffering here."
"Why's Alexander suing us for libel?" a colleague asked.
"Him suing her, not us," another corrected. "Thank God I didn't write that piece!"
"The Kingsley-Winslow merger should be good news. Why's Kingsley Group overreacting?"
"Who knows? Maybe they've got special plans..."
"Ridiculous. What difference does early announcement make?"
"Isabella's in showbiz. Probably wants privacy..."
No.3
"Enough!" Martha snapped. "Where's the Ryan Holt update? Finish your drafts!"
......
Evelyn pushed open Legal's door.
"Miss Sinclair, Kingsley Group sent negotiators." The director spoke gently. "Don't worry, we'll accompany you."
Nathan and his legal team stood ready in the conference room.
Of Alexander's two lieutenants, Ethan handled emotions. Nathan dealt in cold logic.
His presence signaled Alexander's deadly seriousness.
No.4
"Miss Sinclair." Nathan offered a perfunctory smile.
"Three demands." He cut to the chase. "First, Horizon must issue a public apology."
"Second, eighty million in damages."
"Third, permanent ban on reporting Mr. Kingsley's private life."
Horizon's lawyer scoffed. "Is Kingsley Group delusional?"
Public humiliation? Extortionate fines? A gag order?
Did they think Horizon was spineless?
No.5
Nathan remained unperturbed. "If these terms are unacceptable..."
His gaze lingered meaningfully on Evelyn.
The negotiation request from Kingsley Group came unexpectedly.
Horizon Media's executives held an emergency overnight meeting, ultimately deciding to settle out of court. No one wanted a public legal battle over such trivial matters.
When Nathan Carter entered the conference room with his elite legal team, Horizon's attorneys braced for tough negotiations. But no one anticipated the opening move—a demand that would overturn the entire negotiation table.
Evelyn Sinclair lowered her eyes with a faint smile.
This familiar tactic... Wasn't it Alexander Kingsley's specialty to first present impossible terms, then offer a "merciful" alternative?
No.6
"Horizon Entertainment fabricated the romantic relationship between Mr. Kingsley and Ms. Winslow, severely damaging their reputations," Nathan adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his gaze piercing Evelyn. "However, Mr. Kingsley is magnanimous enough to offer Horizon a dignified solution—"
He flipped open a folder, his tone turning icy.
"If journalist Evelyn Sinclair publicly admits to fabricating the story, submits a handwritten apology letter, records a video confession, and vows to permanently leave the media industry, this matter will end here."
The conference room fell deathly silent.
Horizon's lead attorney snapped his laptop shut. "Are you suggesting we either sacrifice a journalist or have the entire Horizon Media apologize?"
Nathan ignored him, staring at Evelyn. "Ms. Sinclair, you should understand Mr. Kingsley is currently recuperating in the hospital. If you resign today and personally apologize to him there..."
He paused deliberately. "We'll withdraw the lawsuit immediately."
No.7
The legal team exchanged uneasy glances. These humiliating terms placed Horizon Media and a single journalist on equal footing as bargaining chips.
And the absurdity—
Since when did Isabella Winslow, a public figure, have privacy? Weren't celebrities profiting from selling their personal lives?
"I'll resign," Evelyn suddenly spoke.
Meeting Nathan's gaze, her lips curved into an almost imperceptible smile. "But I won't apologize. Tell Alexander Kingsley to file the lawsuit quickly. On trial day... he should dress presentably."
Nathan's pupils contracted.
This version of Evelyn was unsettlingly unfamiliar. He quickly composed himself, straightening his suit as he stood. "I hope you won't regret today's decision, Ms. Sinclair."