Chapter 209

"I'm sorry, Julian." Evelyn lowered her lashes, her voice feather-soft.

Julian studied her face for a long moment before stepping forward, trapping her against the wall.

"I know you have your reasons," he said quietly. "But Evelyn, don't go back down that path."

She turned her head away from his burning gaze.

The child in her womb had already made the choice for her.

Julian watched her before finally withdrawing the longing in his eyes. "Will you continue with Winston's interview?"

"Not sure." She pressed her lips together. "But Lance promised if I withdraw, Winston won't grant interviews to other media."

Julian gave a bitter smile. "That's your charm at work."

He knew Alexander's influence had secured Winston's cooperation. But getting Lance to make such a promise? That was purely Evelyn's doing.

Jealousy coiled like a venomous snake in his chest. Alexander could meddle freely in her affairs while he remained a powerless spectator.

That one mistake had already bound Evelyn and Alexander in a marriage of convenience. Every interaction between them diminished his hopes further.

To Melissa Lee, the conversation took on a very different meaning.

So Evelyn had seduced Lance to secure the interview!

And extracted such a promise.

"My only mistake was playing fair!" Melissa clenched her fists. "In pedigree and talent, how am I inferior? Why must she trample over me?"

The thought took root and festered.

After today's meeting, even her staunchest supporters among the executives wavered. They only saw results—her humiliating defeat, Evelyn's "capabilities."

At this rate, she'd lose everything.

......

"Mr. Yeager, a journalist named Evelyn says she has an appointment with you."

Lance was heading out when he immediately retrieved a prepared gift.

"Show her in."

The door opened. Lance moved forward with the gift, only to see a heavily made-up stranger sashay in.

"Who are you?" Lance frowned.

"Mr. Yeager, I'm the Finance Department head at Horizon Media. Melissa Lee." She sidled closer with a sultry smile.

Her low-cut minidress and towering heels accentuated her legs. No man could resist such temptation—or so she believed.

Lance gave her a once-over.

Finance Department head? Evelyn's superior?

And impersonating Evelyn to get in?

"Are you out of your mind?" Lance sneered. "First accusing others of being imposters, now becoming one yourself?"

Melissa's smile froze.

She hadn't expected such blunt hostility.

"Mr. Yeager, there must be some misunderstanding," she forced out. "Evelyn said she couldn't complete the interview, so I assumed she'd sent someone else—"

"Think I'm deaf?" Lance cut in. "I took that call myself. Heard every word between you. Get out before I call security."

Melissa refused to back down.

Proud to a fault, she'd never debased herself for any man—except Julian.

"Mr. Yeager..." She suddenly lunged forward, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Give me a chance."

"Get off!" Lance shoved her away like she was contaminated, storming to the door. "Security! Drag this shameless woman out!"

His furious shouts echoed down the hallway: "Blind? This is what Evelyn looks like? This ugly? How dare you let this trash in! I demand a room change!"

Melissa stared at her impeccably made-up reflection in the restroom mirror, trembling.

Evelyn was beautiful, but she considered herself no less. Why did Julian and Lance treat Evelyn like treasure while dismissing her as dirt?

She bit her lip hard to stifle the sobs.

Thirty minutes later, composed enough to leave, she froze at the sight awaiting her at the corridor's end...

......

Sweat slicked Melissa's palms in the elevator.

Head down, she hurried out—only to collide with someone.

"Ah!" Her ankle twisted in the stilettos, nearly sending her sprawling.

Steadying hands caught her.

"Melissa?" Evelyn's voice turned her rigid.

Melissa righted herself with forced calm. "Shouldn't you be home resting, with your... condition?"

"Was my resignation approved?" Evelyn countered.

"Check yourself!" Melissa spat.

As if she'd approve it. The rejection had been issued long ago.

This was pure mockery.

Melissa stalked off.

Evelyn remained, slowly uncurling her palm—where a tiny camera taken from Melissa's person lay.

To miss something so crucial...

Whatever it captured must be explosive indeed.