Chapter 157

"Evan!"

"Evan! Are you alright? Who locked you in here?"

"Was it that woman?"

"Where is she? Make her show herself!"

Evan Wells' mother and grandmother rushed forward in agitation.

Triad Hyde's men grew impatient, shoving the Wells family aside as one grabbed Evan's collar. "Where's Ms. Sinclair? Why are you alone?"

"What did you do to her?"

"Start talking!"

"How dare you?" The grandmother shrieked, lunging at them. "Are you that woman's lackeys sent to harm my grandson?"

Before anyone could react, the elderly woman collapsed dramatically onto the floor.

"Assaulting the elderly! Murder! That woman wants to destroy our entire family—"

Triad's men immediately backed away. "We never touched her. Everyone saw that."

Seizing the opportunity, the grandmother scrambled up and grabbed the factory door. "Don't be afraid, Evan! Grandma's here to save you!"

She flopped back down wailing whenever anyone approached.

Evan... silently observed his grandmother's performance.

Once the commotion outside settled, he leisurely produced a key and unlocked the factory door.

The crowd stared in stunned silence.

"Evan!" The grandmother embraced him, inspecting every inch for injuries.

Horizon Media and Triad's men stormed inside but soon returned empty-handed. "Where's Evelyn Sinclair?"

Evan blinked in confusion. "Editor Sinclair? Why are you looking for her?"

"Wasn't she the one who kidnapped you?" The grandmother stamped her foot. "We'll sue her for abducting a minor!"

Evan hastily covered her mouth. "Grandma, I'm an adult!"

"You'll always be our child!" she declared stubbornly. "You haven't even graduated yet!"

"Don't be afraid," his mother chimed in. "We'll protect you. Tell us what that woman did to you."

Evan was utterly baffled. "What are you talking about? What happened to Editor Sinclair?"

"Didn't she—" The grandmother lowered her voice. "Didn't she try to take advantage of you, luring you here to have her way?"

Evan's jaw dropped.

He'd expected slander against Evelyn, but not this direction.

"That's impossible! Editor Sinclair and I have a purely professional relationship! Who fed you these lies?"

"Wasn't it you?" His mother showed a screenshot. "You said she harassed you, even touched your face?"

Evan went pale.

Damn it!

If he'd known this would happen, he'd have bitten his tongue off back then!

His silence was mistaken for admission.

The grandmother wailed, slapping her thighs. "Did she claim to be pregnant to trap you? Foolish boy! It's barely been days—how could she be pregnant? She's trying to extort you!"

Evan flushed crimson.

"Stop this nonsense!" Everyone at Horizon knew Evelyn was the Ashford family's treasure.

If anyone was marrying into wealth, it'd be the Ashfords. What did the Wells family have to do with it?

"Bring her out! We'll confront her directly! How dare a woman in her twenties prey on our nineteen-year-old son!"

Triad's men grew agitated. "Ms. Sinclair clearly said she'd be here. Tell us the truth!"

The two sides began arguing again.

"Enough!" Evan shouted. "I was undercover! This company is shady—I was getting an exclusive story! You're ruining my scoop! This has nothing to do with Evelyn Sinclair!"

He turned to his family. "Do you want me to share my career-making exclusive with her?"

The Wells family fell silent.

Then Triad's phone rang.

"Stand down. She's already safe," Triad Hyde sighed. "She's more capable than we thought."

He'd hoped to earn her favor, but she'd escaped on her own.

......

"Stop here," Evelyn said, gazing out the window.

She hadn't expected Alexander Kingsley to come, let alone get information from Triad Hyde.

Alexander admitted he'd planted listening devices in Triad's sofa.

"Triad's dangerous. Be careful," he told her.

Evelyn smiled faintly. "I will."

The only person she'd ever let her guard down for was him.

The price had been devastating enough to last a lifetime.

Watching Evelyn enter Horizon Media's building, Alexander instructed Nathan Carter:

"PetStar's about to collapse. Prepare accordingly."

Nathan hesitated. "Short or long position?"

"Neither." Alexander's voice was calm. "Whatever Evelyn does, we amplify it from behind."

Nathan froze.

This was the first time Alexander had acted without financial motive.

"Keep it quiet. Kingsley Group stays out of it," Alexander added.

Nathan frowned.

If Evelyn wouldn't know, what was the point?

Alexander smiled bitterly. "If she knew... she'd refuse..."

Once she'd craved his kindness, and he'd withheld it.

Now he wanted to give it, but she no longer wanted it...

......

"How did she return alone?" Penelope Pope gasped.

Melissa Lee got the update immediately. "Only Evan Wells was found there."

She made a snap decision. "Contact the Wells family. Tell them Evelyn's spreading rumors about being pregnant with Evan's child!"

No one understood rumor-mongering better than them.

Even without evidence, they'd manufacture a scandal.

Who knew? They might uncover something real...