Chapter 199

Mrs. Laurel jerked her hand back, face turning pale. "I—I didn't..."

Madeline Kingsley rushed forward in quick strides.

All she saw was Mrs. Laurel gripping Evelyn's arm. Fury and alarm twisted her features. "Evelyn! Are you hurt?"

Evelyn lifted her misty eyes. "Grandmother, don't blame Mrs. Laurel. She just... accidentally bumped my stomach with her elbow..."

Madeline trembled with rage, raising her hand to strike the maid.

"You foolish old woman!"

Mrs. Laurel scrambled backward, waving her hands frantically. "Madam, I truly didn't! I merely gave the young mistress a light tug—"

"I saw you yanking her violently!" Madeline snapped. "How dare you handle her so roughly when she's carrying a child?"

The maid hung her head under the scolding, then suddenly gasped. "Madam, check on the young mistress first!"

They both turned.

The spot where Evelyn had been crouching was now empty.

Madeline froze.

Mrs. Laurel shrieked, "Oh no! The young mistress faked it! I told you I didn't touch her! She framed me to escape!"

"Where is she?" Madeline spun in circles, frantic.

She'd sneaked out today alone with Mrs. Laurel.

After her last complaint at the Kingsley estate, even Eleanor had dismissed her concerns.

"Alexander knows his limits, and Evelyn isn't reckless," William Kingsley had said. "Mother, stop meddling."

That night, the family patriarch had reprimanded her severely.

Now, in the blink of an eye, Evelyn had vanished.

Their chaotic search yielded nothing. Convinced Evelyn had fled by car, they sped off in pursuit.

Only after their taillights disappeared did Evelyn emerge from the neighborhood shadows.

Her gaze was icy.

Madeline Kingsley had crossed too many lines.

Some lessons needed to be taught.

......

Between the old woman's interference and traffic delays, Evelyn arrived five minutes late at Regent Grand Hotel.

She'd secured only thirty minutes with Mr. Nash, chief aide to Winston Strauss.

But at the entrance, security blocked her path.

"A journalist is already meeting with Mr. Nash," the towering guard said flatly. "One appointment per slot."

Evelyn didn't force entry.

She stood aside, reviewing the morning's events.

She'd been back at Horizon Media for days.

The summit schedule was set long ago.

Why had Madeline chosen today to ambush her?

This reeked of orchestration.

Mrs. Laurel?

After decades of loyal service and generous treatment, had she betrayed the family like Mrs. Wilson?

The door across the hall opened.

A familiar figure emerged, bowing obsequiously.

"Mr. Nash, the deposit will arrive shortly. Full payment before the interview, guaranteed."

Inside, a handsome young man gave a curt nod before closing the door—but not before his annoyed expression morphed into stunned admiration at the sight of Evelyn.

She straightened up.

The groveling man turned.

Their eyes locked.

"Well, if it isn't Editor Sinclair?" Simon York feigned nonchalance.

Her former Horizon Media colleague—the one who'd stabbed her in the back.

Evelyn's gaze dropped to his badge.

[Orange Financial]

So he'd jumped ship to Orange Media and switched to finance?

"What?" Simon puffed up. "Editor Sinclair can leap from entertainment to finance, but I can't find better opportunities?"

Evelyn turned to leave.

Simon chased after her like an excited puppy.

"Where's that famous sharp tongue, Editor? Cat got it?"

When she ignored him, he raised his voice:

"Who'd have thought we'd meet again so soon—with me coming out on top? Remember kicking me out of Horizon? Regret it now?"

"On top?" Evelyn halted abruptly.

Her voice carried farther than his: "A spineless hack who sells professional ethics for cash thinks temporary luck is worth bragging about?"

Simon's face darkened.

The Evelyn he knew was gentle and reserved—never this cutting.

"Am I wrong?" She stepped closer. "I wonder if Mr. Strauss knows what caliber of journalist he's dealing with."

"You—you're slandering me!" Simon panicked.

"What caliber? The kind who betrays interviewees and frames colleagues for money. Do your new coworkers know why Horizon fired you? Should I warn Mr. Strauss his exclusive might end up auctioned off?"

"Lies!" Simon sputtered. "When did I ever betray an interviewee?"

Evelyn's laugh was icy. "Isabella Winslow paid you to fabricate her engagement to Alexander Kingsley—manipulating stock prices. What financial outlet would hire such 'talent'?"

"Fabricated? They were practically engaged!" Simon exploded. "So I took money—who are you to judge? At least I'm not some old man's pregnant mistress shopping for a rebound guy!"

The door behind him swung open.

A tall, hazel-eyed man with chestnut hair stepped out.

Right behind him stood Alexander Kingsley, his expression thunderous...