Chapter 999

No.1

......

"Evelyn, you and Charlie are covering the Starlight Awards in the capital tonight." Martha Nash lowered her voice. "Isabella Winslow will be there. Get her to admit something—anything. Once she confirms it publicly, let's see how Alexander Kingsley dares to sue you."

The Starlight Awards carried little prestige in the industry, which was why seasoned reporters avoided them.

Originally assigned to someone else, the task now fell to Evelyn, the rookie. Surprisingly, her colleagues rallied behind her.

"Go get 'em, rookie! Bring back solid evidence to shove in Alexander's face!"

"We've got your back!"

"Just sneak under their bed and snap the proof—victory will be yours!"

No.2

Good grief...

Martha nodded. "Crude but true. Do your best, Evelyn."

Though the "Crown Prince" had promised protection, Kingsley Group's influence was formidable. A head-on collision would benefit no one.

If Alexander insisted on suing Evelyn, would Horizon Media really risk a feud with Kingsley Group over one junior reporter?

More likely, they'd throw her under the bus immediately.

Martha studied Evelyn's delicate profile with a quiet sigh.

The girl had beauty, talent—everything but luck.

No.3

A meteoric rise followed by an equally swift fall.

Crossing Alexander Kingsley, that living demon, meant either destruction or losing a layer of skin.

......

Charlie had already set up the camera.

At the Starlight Awards, Isabella Winslow's lips stayed sealed tighter than a clam.

Reporters swarmed, only to be blocked by bodyguards.

"Miss Winslow, is your relationship with Alexander Kingsley real?"

No.4

"Isabella! Is that diamond ring on your finger an engagement ring?"

"How do you respond to Alexander's lawsuit against the media for spreading rumors?"

Isabella ignored them all, maintaining a flawless smile as she hurried away.

Evelyn didn't join the frenzy.

She and Charlie headed straight for Isabella's hotel, aiming for the heart of the matter.

Martha had given her this chance to fight for survival.

But...

No.5

Evelyn scanned the lurking paparazzi around them.

She wasn't the only one with this idea.

"Waiting here won't get us anything useful," Evelyn murmured.

Everyone was fixated on Isabella's hotel window, desperate for even a shadowy glimpse.

The problem? Alexander wasn't even in the capital...

"I'll go up." Evelyn loosened her pinned-up hair.

Charlie blinked at the cascade of dark silk, then snapped back to attention. "Eve, this is Karl's Boutique. How are you getting in?"

No.6

The five-star members-only hotel restricted ordinary guests to the lower ten floors.

Isabella occupied a VIP suite on the fifteenth.

Evelyn pushed aside foliage in the landscaped path. "I have a card."

From Eleanor.

Investigating her ex-fiancé's new flame wasn't painless.

But Evelyn needed this job. Needed the money. Sophie still lay in the hospital, clinging to hope.

More evidence meant better odds.

No.7

Alexander wanted to sue her?

Fine.

She'd meet him head-on.

His lawsuit would become the stepping stone to her career.

Charlie watched Evelyn stride into the hotel lobby.

Under the glittering lights, her poised elegance made her indistinguishable from the elite clientele.