Chapter 159

"Who dares lay a finger on Evelyn Sinclair?"

Martha Nash stormed into the Financial Department with most of the Entertainment Division staff, forming a protective wall around Evelyn. She shoved the Wei family aside, shielding Evelyn like a mother bear protecting her cub.

Iris Cooper clung to Evelyn's arm, eyes brimming with tears. "How dare you bully her like this?"

Evelyn's fingertips trembled slightly.

How long had it been...

Since her parents' deaths, no one had defended her so fiercely.

"Manager Nash," Melissa Lee emerged from the shadows with a saccharine smile, "this is a Financial Department matter. The Entertainment Division needn't interfere. Evelyn disappeared for two days without explanation. The family's emotional reaction is understandable."

Her contemptuous gaze swept over the Entertainment staff.

Were they insane? Risking her wrath for some nobody like Evelyn?

"Evelyn started in our division," Martha stood her ground. "We won't tolerate anyone mistreating her!"

Melissa sneered. "The intern's family just wants to know if Evelyn is carrying their heir." She deliberately drawled, "After all... statutory rape is illegal."

Slap!

The sharp crack of a palm meeting flesh echoed through the room.

Melissa staggered back, clutching her cheek, gaping at the elegant noblewoman before her.

Evelyn's pupils constricted.

Mrs. Kingsley?!

"I don't need an excuse to slap trash," Mrs. Kingsley adjusted her sleeves with deliberate grace.

"Who—who are you?" Melissa struggled to contain her rage. The woman's aristocratic bearing marked her as someone important.

Mrs. Kingsley elegantly linked arms with Evelyn. "Her mother."

"Mother?" Melissa's shrill laugh grated. "Evelyn's parents are dead. Did you crawl out of their graves?"

Evelyn's eyes turned glacial.

"Did the Lee family ancestors bless you with such eloquence?" Her soft chuckle carried venom. "No wonder your words reek of sewage."

"Evelyn Sinclair!" Melissa's face twisted. "You're dead!"

"The instigator bears the blame." Evelyn held her ground. "Focus on your work, Manager Lee. Soon you won't even qualify to count monopoly money."

As Melissa prepared to retaliate, Martha suddenly gasped, holding up her phone. "Impressive work, Financial Department! Exposing PetStar's scandal!"

"My investigation!" Evan Wells jumped forward. "Editor Sinclair and I worked on it separately!"

Melissa and Penelope Pope turned ashen.

Chaos erupted as the entire Financial Department scrambled to read the explosive report going viral.

"I never approved this!" Melissa shrieked.

Penelope grabbed Evan's arm. "When did you submit this?"

"During the two days you had us detained." Evan shook her off. "Emailed to the editor-in-chief. Problem?"

Melissa swayed, vision darkening.

"I'll sue you!" she screamed hysterically. "You've caused Horizon irreparable damage—"

Evan suddenly waved toward the entrance. "Cousin! She's threatening to sue me!"