Chapter 161

The Wells family's hypocrisy was nauseating.

They had started the conflict, yet now blamed the victim for not being forgiving enough.

Evelyn Sinclair watched the farce unfold with cold detachment.

Evan Wells suddenly rushed to the window, threatening to jump.

"I can't live with this shame!" he screamed hoarsely. "Editor Sinclair saved my life, and this is how you treat her?"

The room erupted in gasps.

Panicked, the Wells family scrambled to restrain him.

"It was Penelope Pope who made me frame Editor Sinclair!" Evan shouted, eyes bloodshot. "She ordered me to sabotage the Monthly Summit, then sent me to spy on Kingsley Group's trade secrets!"

Penelope turned deathly pale, her back drenched in cold sweat.

The ugly truth lay exposed before everyone.

Her Finance Department colleagues regarded her with open contempt.

"Such despicable tactics..."

"Disgracing Horizon Media's reputation..."

The whispered condemnations cut into Penelope like knives.

Evan continued his damning testimony. "If not for Editor Sinclair's mercy, I'd have lost my fingers to loan sharks!"

Only then did the Wells family grasp the gravity of the situation.

Old Mrs. Wells dropped to her knees before Evelyn. "Our benefactor, we were blind..."

Eleanor Kingsley stepped between them in disgust. "Save your theatrics!"

Chaos ensued.

Eventually, the Wells family slunk away in humiliation.

But Penelope's nightmare had just begun.

HR's transfer order arrived swiftly—relegated to the Printing Department.

From core finance to menial labor, her career lay in ruins.

"Manager Lee, please help me..." she begged Melissa Lee.

Melissa sneered. "Your incompetence isn't my problem."

She had her own crisis—PetStar's massive losses were spiraling out of control.

Isabella Winslow offered hollow promises of loan assistance while shifting blame.

Both women's resentment festered toward Evelyn.

"Unless we eliminate Evelyn Sinclair..." Melissa said darkly.

Meanwhile, Eleanor personally escorted Evelyn home.

"Tomorrow's the adoption ceremony." Eleanor's eyes shone with anticipation. "You'll officially become a Kingsley."

Evelyn gave a slight nod.

In the elevator, they encountered Julian Ashford.

Eleanor extended an invitation. "We'd be honored by your presence, Mr. Ashford."

Julian's intense gaze lingered on Evelyn, lips curving. "Wouldn't miss it."

Something in his expression made Evelyn's pulse quicken.

For the first time, she sensed her senior's possessive undercurrent.

In the Ashford study, William Yearwood slammed the desk. "Have you lost your mind? Antagonizing the Lees for a woman?"

Julian tossed down a financial report.

"Will this compensate our losses?"

William fell silent.

"The Kingsleys are adopting her?" He paled at the invitation.

Julian smirked. "Now, who's unworthy of whom?"

Late that night, Evelyn awoke to scuffling outside her door.

Alexander Kingsley had forced his way past Eleanor's security detail.

"Evelyn!" His voice shattered the stillness. "Come out!"

Only now did the Kingsley heir discover the cruel twist—the woman he loved would soon become his sister.