Chapter 3

"Long time no see, junior." Julian Ashford stood in the light, his lips curved in that familiar smile.

Evelyn Sinclair's fingers trembled slightly. "Senior, it's been a while."

She thought he was still abroad.

After all, when he left, he'd said he wouldn't appear before her again—to avoid complications.

She never expected to meet him here.

"Did he agree to let you work?" Julian took her onboarding documents, his tone casual.

Evelyn's breath hitched before she forced a smile. "We broke up."

Julian froze mid-step. Surprise flickered behind his glasses. "Does the Kingsley family know?"

"No need for them to." Her voice remained steady. "He ended it."

The memory of Eleanor Kingsley threatening suicide to force their relationship still haunted her.

Love obtained through coercion was nothing but a farce.

"You've suffered." Julian's gaze drifted to the Entertainment Department's sign. "If you don't like it here—"

"It's fine." Evelyn cut him off. "I enjoy this job."

She owed him too much already.

The Entertainment Department buzzed with activity.

"Isabella Winslow had to announce her relationship today, didn't she? Ruining everyone's evening." Martha Nash sucked on a lollipop and slammed a stack of photos onto the desk.

Evelyn's heart clenched.

So soon?

She'd left Royal Gardens this morning. By afternoon, their official announcement was already circulating.

He couldn't even wait a single day.

"New girl!" Martha suddenly pointed at her. "These are fresh exclusives. Give me copy in two minutes!"

"Help us out, will you?" Simon York handed her several photos with an ingratiating smile.

No one dared mistreat someone brought in by Julian.

Especially when Evelyn was breathtakingly beautiful—enough to make even jaded entertainment reporters hold their breath.

Evelyn took the photos, her fingers unnaturally steady.

One minute later, the copy was submitted.

Her heart remained perfectly calm.

There was a time when just hearing Isabella's name would make it hard to breathe.

Turns out letting go wasn't as difficult as she'd imagined.

The photos were taken late last night.

Alexander Kingsley stood at the club entrance, gently draping a coat over Isabella's shoulders.

That was around the same time Evelyn had been turned away at the door.

So he did have time. Just not for her.

Isabella, heiress to the Winslow fortune and graduate of Imperial Media University's acting program, flourished in entertainment under Alexander's patronage.

They did make a striking couple.

...

The phone rang while Evelyn stared blankly at her screen.

"Where are you?" Alexander's voice was glacial.

She answered reflexively. "I—"

"Be back in thirty minutes."

The line went dead.

Evelyn clutched her phone and suddenly laughed.

Her screen still displayed Alexander and Isabella's tender moment.

At 1:30 AM, he still remembered to check on her?

How ironic.

She used to wait obediently for him. Now he thought he could order her around?

Evelyn powered off her phone.

"Breaking news!" Simon jumped up. "I got footage of them ring shopping!"

The office erupted.

On screen, Alexander and Isabella leaned close together, surveying an array of glittering jewels.

So this was the "important business" that kept him from seeing her.

Evelyn quietly closed her laptop.

This time, there was no pain.