Chapter 889

No.1

Her words echoed clearly across the floor.

Melissa's face turned ashen. She snatched her bag and stormed out.

Within half an hour, the entire company was buzzing:

Melissa Lee had tried to seduce Winston Strauss's assistant to steal an interview and was fired from Horizon.

The financial department erupted in chaos.

"Is Evelyn getting promoted to department head?"

"She hasn't been here long."

No.2

"Melissa was an outsider too when she started."

"At least Evelyn actually knows what she's doing..."

In the break room, a few female colleagues whispered among themselves.

"I heard she never actually married the Crown Prince."

"The Ashfords don't acknowledge her."

"Winston only chose her for the interview because of her looks..."

Meanwhile, Julian Ashford stood in the chairman's office.

No.3

"The financial department head position will be decided by the board," William Yearwood said coldly. "It won't be Evelyn."

"And why was Melissa qualified?" Julian scoffed.

"You!" William slammed his hands on the desk. "If it weren't for what you did back then—"

Their heated argument leaked through the door.

At the Kingsley estate, Madeline Kingsley anxiously clutched Eleanor Kingsley's hand.

"With all these vile rumors spreading, why is Alexander still letting her work outside?"

Eleanor withdrew her hand impassively.

No.4

"I haven't heard anything."

"You—!" The old lady stamped her foot in frustration. "A Kingsley daughter-in-law, pregnant and interviewing men—what kind of disgrace is this!"

Eleanor Kingsley massaged her temples.

This was the third complaint call from the matriarch this week.

"Mother, Alex has a stable career with good income," Eleanor explained patiently. "And Sophie's medical expenses—"

"Since when can't the Kingsleys afford medical bills?" The old woman interrupted sharply. "What does a girl need a career for? Look at yourself—haven't you lived comfortably?"

Eleanor's fingers stilled.

No.5

Through the window, the meticulously trimmed rose garden suddenly resembled gilded cages for songbirds.

"Mother," she said softly, "how do you know I enjoy this life?"

Silence stretched for several seconds.

"So I'm the villain now!" The matriarch slammed down the phone.

......

"Mrs. Laurel, am I wrong?" Madeline Kingsley studied her wrinkled reflection in the vanity mirror.

The maid hurried closer. "How could you be wrong, madam? It's dangerous for the young mistress to roam about in her condition."

No.6

She lowered her voice. "I heard she's meeting that foreign journalist alone tomorrow—"

"What?" The matriarch whirled around. "This is unacceptable!"

A triumphant gleam flashed in Mrs. Laurel's eyes. "Indeed. If word gets out—"

The old woman clenched her sandalwood comb.

The teeth dug into her palm, yet she felt no pain.

......

Evelyn Sinclair checked her watch.

No.7

Twenty minutes early, she waited in the hotel lobby.

Winston Strauss had a packed schedule—she needed every available slot to complete the interview.

"Young Mistress."

A stern, aged voice rang behind her.

Evelyn turned to find Madeline Kingsley advancing with a dozen unfamiliar bodyguards.

"Grandmother." She forced a smile. "What brings you here?"