Chapter 222

Evelyn Sinclair's lips trembled slightly, but no sound escaped.

The oxygen mask silenced all her words, leaving only the sharp rhythm of her breathing in the sterile hospital room.

Melissa Lee looked down at her with cold satisfaction, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Don't worry. I won't hurt you here." She leaned closer, tracing a finger along Evelyn's pale cheek. "Watching you suffer like this is far more satisfying than killing you outright."

Her gaze lingered on Evelyn's delicate features, envy flickering in her eyes.

"Such a shame the accident didn't ruin this pretty face." Melissa's voice dropped to a whisper. "But I heard you lost the baby? That saves me the trouble."

Evelyn's fingers twitched.

"Stop pretending." Melissa pulled a document from her bag. "I'm here for your signature."

She roughly grabbed Evelyn's hand, smearing lipstick on her fingertip.

"Winston Strauss's exclusive interview rights now belong to me."

The red fingerprint stained the paper like dried blood.

Melissa tucked the document away with a satisfied smile, checking her watch.

"Ten o'clock. Lance should be—"

"Exactly ten o'clock." Evelyn suddenly removed her oxygen mask, her voice startlingly clear.

Melissa whirled around.

Evelyn's eyes were sharp and alert, no trace of weakness in her posture.

"You—"

"Have you seen the news?" Evelyn's lips curved slightly.

Fumbling for her phone, Melissa's screen lit up with a breaking alert:

[Financial Titan Winston Strauss Comes Out, Aide Lance Yeager Confirms Decade-Long Romance]

Her hands shook as she scrolled to the next headline:

[Kingsley Group Emergency Funding Stabilizes Strauss's Stock Plunge]

"Impossible..." Melissa staggered back. "Alexander wouldn't—"

"Surprised?" Evelyn pushed herself upright. "Did you think you were the only one who could scheme?"

The door burst open.

Lance stood framed in the doorway, his expression dark as two police officers flanked him.

"Melissa Lee," he said with icy precision, "you're under arrest for attempted murder."

The officers seized her arms.

"It wasn't me!" Melissa thrashed wildly. "She set me up! Look at her—she's not even hurt!"

Lance held up his phone. "The recording we just made is more than enough evidence."

Turning to Evelyn, his expression softened. "He's awake."

Evelyn exhaled in relief.

She'd known the tide was turning when she saw Lance pacing outside her room last night.

"He wants to see you." Lance's voice cracked. "He said... thank you for the advice."

Evelyn looked toward the window.

Sunlight streamed through the glass.

Just like the truth Lance had confessed outside the ICU, tears streaming down his face—

"His greatest wish was to hold my hand in broad daylight, without hiding."