Chapter 309

"Ask whatever you want." Vincent Sullivan noticed Evelyn Sinclair's hesitation and smiled gently.

Evelyn's fingertips traced the rim of her teacup. Vincent clearly didn't know her true identity—he was even unaware of Hugo Lee's schemes. How could he possibly know about the feud between the Sinclairs and Hugo?

"Uncle Vincent, I heard Hugo Lee is one of Horizon's founding members?"

"He joined the company before I did." Vincent sighed, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepening.

Evelyn feigned casualness. "So he founded Horizon? The Financial Department seems to be full of his people."

"Founder is too strong a word. He merely took advantage of an existing..." Vincent suddenly stopped, his expression turning complicated.

Evelyn stood to leave. "I won't take up more of your time. See you at the banquet next week."

Vincent seemed to want to say more but only nodded in the end.

Inside Horizon Tower, the video of Wendy West pushing someone spread like wildfire.

News of Evelyn's pregnancy took flight, reaching every corner in an instant.

"You knew she was pregnant?" William Yearwood slammed a stack of photos onto the desk. "Is that why you refused the arranged meetings?"

Julian Ashford stood by the window, his back rigid. "I didn't know."

Even if he had, he would have been the last to know.

Her secrecy cut deeper than any rejection.

"And you're still obsessed?" William sneered. "Even if she has the child, the Ashfords will never accept her. A boy can stay. A girl, she takes with her."

"It's over between us." Julian turned, his eyes icy. "My marriage isn't yours to decide."

William froze.

"Since Evelyn and I are done," Julian enunciated each word, "leave her alone. The child—" His Adam's apple bobbed. "Regardless of gender, carries Ashford blood. That's my final line."

Silence swallowed the office.

Only when Julian opened the door did William snap out of it. "If you cooperate, the family won't trouble her."

Julian closed his eyes briefly.

Trading this hollow pretense for her safety—it was the last thing he could do for her.

"The Sullivans' banquet next week. The whole family will attend." William's voice chased after him.

No need to guess—another meticulously arranged meeting awaited. With Melissa Lee gone, countless others like her stood ready...

The Kingsley living room was littered with invitations.

"The Sullivans?" Eleanor Kingsley arched a brow at the gilded card. "We've never associated with them."

"That family's matriarch is insufferable." Madeline Kingsley sniffed, lifting her teacup.

A servant's excited voice interrupted. "Lord Alex is home!"

Both women turned toward the foyer.

Alexander Kingsley appeared in the doorway, his tailored suit immaculate, his expression stormy.

"Did the sun rise in the west today?" Eleanor greeted him with a smile.

Alexander strode straight to Madeline.

Her smile faltered as he snatched the phone from her hands.

"Alex!" Eleanor gasped.

His long fingers swiped across the screen. His voice was glacial. "Who's been Isabella's mouthpiece? Who leaked Evelyn's pregnancy?"

Madeline went pale.

Eleanor stood frozen.

Every servant in the room held their breath.

Alexander had never lost control like this. His warning to Madeline that day had only been the beginning.

"Explain yourself!" Eleanor moved to grab the phone.

But the old woman had already collapsed onto the sofa—her prized dignity shattered beyond repair.