Chapter 249

The moment Evelyn pushed open the conference room doors, she felt the weight of multiple piercing gazes.

Some were curious. Some were scrutinizing. And one was particularly venomous.

She lifted her eyes and met Hugo Lee's hate-filled stare.

She'd been closely following Melissa Lee's case. Though Winston had returned abroad, he kept in touch.

Lance had made it clear—they wouldn't let Melissa off the hook.

Hugo must have exhausted every resource, only to accept his daughter's imprisonment.

Melissa was his pride and joy, his greatest achievement.

As a father, how could he admit his daughter was at fault?

In his eyes, Evelyn was to blame for everything.

This woman who should've died long ago had not only resurfaced at Horizon but ruined Melissa's engagement and landed her in prison.

Given the chance, he'd make sure Evelyn joined her short-lived parents underground.

Too bad his pawns had proven utterly useless...

As everyone took their seats, the meeting began.

Evelyn scanned the room and spotted Xavier Stapleton's father, Vincent Sullivan, in the front row.

A flicker of recognition passed through her when she saw his face.

There was something oddly familiar about Vincent's eyes.

Noticing her gaze, Vincent gave her a polite nod.

Studying his features, Evelyn suddenly realized why he seemed familiar.

The meeting proceeded with orderly precision.

Horizon Video was jointly overseen by Hugo and Vincent, who sat at the head of the table.

The atmosphere was heavy with tension.

But Evelyn remained unfazed.

As a child, she'd often been brought to Kingsley Group meetings. While Alexander conducted business, she'd wait in the lounge with snacks.

Compared to Kingsley, Horizon's display was insignificant.

When her turn came, Evelyn systematically addressed each point from HR's provided outline.

Hugo's expression darkened with every word.

The materials HR gave her had intentional omissions...

Yet she flawlessly filled in every gap.

Hugo never expected Evelyn could reconstruct the missing content just by listening to others' reports.

He'd planned to attack her oversights but found no opening.

All he wanted was to humiliate her publicly.

Such a simple wish, yet it eluded him.

The memory of Melissa's haggard, deranged state during yesterday's prison visit made his fists clench.

Evelyn's presentation was concise, powerful, and impeccable.

She concluded smoothly and returned to her seat.

A brief silence fell before Vincent broke it.

"Well done. Next." His nod acknowledged her performance.

Xavier stood, shooting Evelyn a challenging look.

"I have a new proposal to present." He produced a document.

Evelyn's stomach dropped at the title.

As Xavier began reading, she rose discreetly.

All eyes turned to her, forcing Xavier to pause.

"Apologies, I forgot a file." She offered the excuse casually.

Just as Hugo bristled, Vincent granted permission. "Go ahead."

Xavier frowned at Evelyn's retreating figure.

"Continue," Vincent urged.

"Right." Xavier lowered his head to resume.

No one noticed his trembling grip on the proposal.

......

"Got some nerve, harassing Wendy?"

In the print room, a male employee kicked Roman hard in the ribs.

"You want jail time? Or will you kneel, kowtow to Wendy, and slap yourself a hundred times?"

Roman curled on the floor, clutching his stomach in pain.

He knew arguing was pointless.

That morning, he'd been heading to the meeting with his proposal when someone tripped him from behind—sending him crashing into Wendy.

She'd immediately screamed about assault.

Colleagues dragged him into the print room without question, beating him relentlessly.

They demanded groveling apologies and self-inflicted slaps.

None of that mattered to him.

Only the proposal did.

It represented all his effort, his only hope.

Now it was missing.

Had someone stolen it?

If humiliation meant freedom, he'd comply.

But the colleagues blocking the exit told him this wouldn't end easily.

"Thinking about your...proposal?" Zachary bent down with a malicious grin.

Roman's pupils contracted.

"Bet he wonders how we know about it," Wendy taunted. "Should we tell him Evelyn ratted him out?"

Roman's breath hitched.

"Idiot!" Wendy shrilled. "You were supposed to get Evelyn's interview footage for our boss, but you showed her your proposal? Thought she'd help? Dream on!"

Roman stayed silent on the floor.

"You don't know how things work at HQ," Zachary said faux-kindly. "Evelyn lost her baby in that crash and got demoted here. And you thought she was your ticket up?"

"She sold you out to suck up to our department," Wendy added. "She needs us now."

"Boss wanted Evelyn's interview to show her up, but you sided with her." Zachary delivered another kick. "Serves you right!"

Roman didn't react.

As Wendy prepared more insults, a knock interrupted.

"Open up. I need to print something for the meeting." Evelyn's voice was clear.

Panic erupted.

They yanked Roman up, hastily straightening his clothes.

"One word and you're dead," Zachary hissed.

Wendy opened the door with a simpering smile. "Evelyn, why print yourself? No assistants in the meeting?"

Evelyn's gaze swept the room, landing on Roman. "Your proposal's being discussed. Shouldn't you present it?"

Roman's head jerked up in disbelief.

Wendy and the others paled.

"Come with me," Evelyn told Roman.

He followed instantly.

"Evelyn!" Wendy stammered. "I thought you needed to print—"

"I did. But finding Roman was more urgent." Evelyn's tone was flat.

Wendy didn't dare stop them.

However much they schemed behind her back, Evelyn's status still intimidated them openly.

As they hurried toward the conference room, Evelyn paused. "Fix your appearance."

Roman quickly adjusted his clothes and hair.

"Xavier's already presented your proposal," Evelyn murmured. "Play it smart inside."

Roman blanched but nodded.

The proposal was just the prelude. His real goal was...

Taking a deep breath, he followed Evelyn in.

Xavier's face twisted at Roman's entrance, then settled into a venomous smirk.

Evelyn scanned the room—Vincent was gone.

Roman noticed too. Clutching his aching ribs, his vision darkened as he collapsed.

"Ah!" A colleague shrieked. "What's wrong with him?"

The meeting halted as they carried Roman to the lounge, debating an ambulance.

Xavier stepped forward. "He's from my department. I'll handle this. Resume the meeting."

He ushered everyone out—except Evelyn, who watched coldly.

When Roman came to, he struggled upright.

Xavier played uncharacteristically helpful. "Easy there. My family just called—my mother's unwell. My father left already..."

"Oh, he took my proposal with him. Said it was excellent."

Roman seized Xavier's collar. "That's my work!"

Xavier shrugged. "So? You gave it to Evelyn, who gave it to me."

He smirked at Evelyn. "You're so good to me. From now on, your word is law in our department."

Evelyn admitted she'd underestimated Xavier.

He wasn't just a spoiled heir—he had cunning too.

Stealing Roman's proposal, adapting swiftly, even driving a wedge between them.

"Evelyn would never betray me or ally with you!" Roman's chest heaved with rage.

As Kingsley Group's young madam, Evelyn had her reasons for staying at Horizon. Roman knew she'd never stoop to Xavier's level.

That Xavier and Wendy thought they could turn him against her was laughable.

They had no idea of Evelyn's background or influence.

That Kingsley's heir and Horizon's crown prince had clashed over her—yet she walked away unscathed.

"Xavier! How much more will you steal from me?" Roman roared.

Xavier shoved him back. "Steal from you? You're beneath me! Get lost before I make you."

He strutted toward the exit, pausing to leer at Evelyn. "You know how I feel—"

"Not interested," Evelyn cut in coldly. "Give up."

Public rejection before Roman made Xavier flush with humiliation. "Then stay out of my way!"

"Let me advise you too," Evelyn said icily. "What isn't yours will cost you doubly."

Xavier stormed out, slamming the door.

"Ungrateful bitch!" His curses faded down the hall. "Since you want it hard, don't blame me!"