Chapter 26

Eleanor Kingsley's fingers trembled with rage.

Evelyn Sinclair had endured until now before breaking up with Alexander?

How much suffering had that poor girl endured all these years?

"It's over between you." Eleanor's voice turned glacial.

"Evelyn admitted it herself. Everyone around you says so. The whole world believes it. Alexander Kingsley, how long will you keep lying to yourself?"

Her lips curled in disdain.

"My son was never this pathetic."

Alexander remained silent.

Kingsbury's elite social circle praised Eleanor's diplomatic charm.

Only Alexander knew how venomous her words could truly be.

"Fine. You claim she's pulled this stunt before. Even if that's true, didn't you say ignoring her would work?" Eleanor adjusted her cuffs with deliberate slowness.

"Then ignore her now. Stop harassing her. Look at your recent behavior—does any of it resemble the Alexander Kingsley I raised?"

A mocking laugh escaped her.

"Though I suspect greater humiliation awaits you."

Alexander didn't understand her implication.

But her words struck a chord.

He remained at the hospital. By evening, Nathan Carter delivered the backlogged documents.

"The Horizon Media lawsuit," Alexander tapped the desk after concluding his video conference, "proceed as planned."

"Understood." Nathan scribbled notes. "Still assigning it to Ethan?"

"No. You'll handle this personally."

......

"Evelyn, Legal wants you." Martha Nash tapped her shoulder, glancing at the draft on her screen. "Finish this later."

Alexander had made his move.

The Crown Prince's bold promise to protect Evelyn had been empty after all.

Martha sighed as Evelyn walked away.

Even if Julian Ashford provided temporary shelter, how could he shield her forever?

If Alexander was determined to crush a rookie, what did winning one lawsuit matter?

Horizon Media would become just the beginning. No company would dare hire her.

Could an ant topple a redwood?

Martha knew the history.

Years ago, Kingsley Group's coordinated attack nearly bankrupted this legacy media house.

Only Julian's overseas intervention saved Horizon from collapse.

And the mastermind behind that corporate war?

None other than the now-untouchable Alexander Kingsley.

"With her looks," Martha crunched her lollipop, "I'd have married rich instead of suffering here."

"Why's Alexander suing us for libel?" a colleague asked.

"Him suing her, not us," another corrected. "Thank God I didn't write that piece!"

"The Kingsley-Winslow merger should be good news. Why's Kingsley Group overreacting?"

"Who knows? Maybe they've got special plans..."

"Ridiculous. What difference does early announcement make?"

"Isabella's in showbiz. Probably wants privacy..."

"Enough!" Martha snapped. "Where's the Ryan Holt update? Finish your drafts!"

......

Evelyn pushed open Legal's door.

"Miss Sinclair, Kingsley Group sent negotiators." The director spoke gently. "Don't worry, we'll accompany you."

Nathan and his legal team stood ready in the conference room.

Of Alexander's two lieutenants, Ethan handled emotions. Nathan dealt in cold logic.

His presence signaled Alexander's deadly seriousness.

"Miss Sinclair." Nathan offered a perfunctory smile.

"Three demands." He cut to the chase. "First, Horizon must issue a public apology."

"Second, eighty million in damages."

"Third, permanent ban on reporting Mr. Kingsley's private life."

Horizon's lawyer scoffed. "Is Kingsley Group delusional?"

Public humiliation? Extortionate fines? A gag order?

Did they think Horizon was spineless?

Nathan remained unperturbed. "If these terms are unacceptable..."

His gaze lingered meaningfully on Evelyn.