Chapter 244

"What's her angle?" Wendy West gripped her chopsticks, knuckles turning white. "Targeting Roman for no reason?"

"Who knows," a colleague whispered. "Last time something went missing, she blamed Roman. Or maybe it's about that incident with the glasses?"

"Roman." Wendy suddenly raised her voice. "Aren't you going to say anything?"

Roman Young's fingers trembled around his bowl, lips pressed into a thin line.

"Roman." Xavier Stapleton set down his chopsticks with a metallic clink that silenced the private dining room. "Heard your probation period's almost up?"

The overhead lights glared off Roman's glasses as he slowly lifted his head to meet Xavier's mocking gaze.

"Yes."

"Want to stay?" Xavier tapped the tabletop.

The air turned to ice. Every movement stilled as a dozen pairs of eyes pinned Roman in place.

"Yes." The word scraped out between clenched teeth.

Xavier leaned forward, alcohol-laced breath hitting Roman's face. "Here's your chance. Go back to the office. Get close to Evelyn Sinclair."

Roman's pupils contracted.

"Copy the final cut of her Winston Strauss interview." Xavier studied the clear eyes behind those lenses, jealousy flashing in his own.

"Impossible!" Roman shot up, his chair screeching across the floor.

Xavier smirked. "Do it, or get out of Horizon. Your choice."

"Roman," Wendy waved her phone, "this is your last shot."

Roman's fists slowly unclenched. "After I get it?"

Wendy unlocked her screen. "Send it to this contact."

Evelyn massaged her stiff neck, the computer screen reflecting her exhausted face. She'd single-handedly edited the entire Winston Strauss interview.

With the new department launching soon, she needed to master every detail. Her fingers flew across the keyboard until a knock interrupted.

"Just leave the takeout by the—"

Her words died as Julian Ashford appeared in the doorway, takeout bag in hand, tie loosely draped around his neck.

"Passing by?" Evelyn arched a brow.

"Delivery guy got lost." Julian unpacked the containers. "I played navigator."

He settled across from her, scanning the document-covered desk.

"Settling in?"

"Only been a few days." Evelyn split her chopsticks, a grain of rice sticking to her lip.

Julian's throat moved as he quickly averted his gaze. "Eating so little?"

"Enough." She chewed carefully, cheeks puffing slightly.

Silence stretched between them until Julian spoke abruptly. "He's still contacting you?"

Her chopsticks paused at the container's edge. "Mm."

"Evelyn." Julian's voice deepened. "Are you really going to keep seeing him?"