Chapter 39

The night deepened, streetlights casting dappled shadows across Evelyn Sinclair's face.

She stood beside Julian Ashford's car, fingers absently tracing the strap of her purse.

"Senior, you really don't need to drive me," she murmured.

Julian rested one hand on the steering wheel. "I'm going that way anyway."

As they spoke, a slender figure emerged from the shadows.

"Always so considerate, Julian." Melissa Lee approached in clicking heels, her gaze sweeping over Evelyn. "Long time no see, junior."

Evelyn gave a slight nod. "Senior Lee."

This childhood friend of Julian's had regarded her with hostility since freshman orientation.

Evelyn remembered sophomore year when Melissa cornered her outside the library.

"Orphaned, I hear?" Melissa had smiled sweetly, her words razor-sharp. "No wonder you're so good at clinging to powerful people."

Those venomous words had coiled around her heart, making her avoid Julian for a month.

"Lucky junior." Melissa's voice snapped her back to the present. "Julian helped with your thesis, and now he digs up dirt for your work—"

"Melissa!" Julian's expression darkened. "Evelyn completed her thesis independently. The Ryan Holt situation has nothing to do with me."

Melissa's smile froze.

She hated nothing more than Julian's protective stance toward Evelyn.

Evelyn abruptly opened the car door and slid inside.

"You—" Melissa grabbed for the rear handle, finding it locked.

"Julian!" She rapped on the window.

He lowered it slightly. "Isn't your car parked over there?"

Evelyn waved through the glass. "Goodnight, senior."

In the rearview mirror, they watched Melissa hurl her handbag to the pavement.

......

Silence filled the car.

Julian chuckled unexpectedly. "You've grown bold."

Evelyn watched neon lights streak past the window. "I cared too much about others' opinions before."

She finally understood—no matter how carefully you tread, those who despise you will always find fault.

Better to live unapologetically.

"About Ryan Holt..." She turned to Julian.

"Wasn't me." He kept his eyes on the road. "I know you have your own plans."

Evelyn blinked.

This didn't align with Julian's usual approach.

He preferred supporting her from the sidelines, not taking over.

Then who?

The car stopped at her apartment complex.

Evelyn had barely stepped out when she felt piercing eyes upon her.

Alexander Kingsley leaned against a black Maybach, Isabella Winslow beside him wrapped in a silk shawl.

Evelyn turned to leave.

"Evelyn!" Isabella rushed forward. "I came to apologize... I've waited four hours..."

Evelyn paused. "Did I ask you to wait?"

Isabella's tearful eyes sought Alexander. "Alex..."

"Evelyn." Alexander's voice was glacial. "Isabella came to make amends."

"So?" Evelyn's laugh was brittle. "Her apology obligates me to accept it?"

Alexander frowned.

When had she become so confrontational?

"Evelyn, I truly didn't know about Ryan's contract..." Isabella's eyes welled up. "I've already terminated it..."

Julian exited the car. "Your affairs don't concern her."

He positioned himself before Evelyn like an impenetrable shield.

Isabella's tears froze mid-track.

Alexander's gaze turned murderous.

Under the night sky, tension crackled between the four like live wires.