Chapter 44

The phone screen lit up with a push notification.

Julian Ashford immediately dispatched someone to contact Orange Media.

Their attitude was brazen, claiming to possess irrefutable evidence of Evelyn Sinclair seducing Ryan Holt.

For now, the news was only circulating in small circles.

If Horizon Media ignored it, the scandal would trend by morning.

Ryan would inevitably flip the narrative, dragging both Horizon and Evelyn into a PR nightmare...

"Name your price," Julian replied with just two words.

Orange Media refused monetary compensation.

Their representative sent a mocking voice message: "Mr. Ashford, your pockets run deep, but Orange isn't short on cash. Here’s a list of demands. Take it or leave it."

The demands soon landed in the hands of every department head.

Melissa Lee slammed the table. "We pulled thirty all-nighters compiling that financial report, and they want it handed over?"

The sports editor scoffed. "Our exclusive with Williams was built on five years of rapport. They think they deserve it?"

The social affairs chief shook the paper in fury. "This is outrageous. Our reporter risked his life for that exposé, and now they want co-byline credit?"

Last month, their undercover journalist had been discovered infiltrating a black-market ring. He died clutching the evidence after a staged car crash.

Horizon had defied threats to publish, sparking public outrage.

Now Orange wanted to claim the fruits of their sacrifice?

This wasn’t about credit—it was a slap to Horizon’s face.

Yet Julian, uncharacteristically, didn’t outright refuse. "Tell them I need time to consider."

He stepped out of the private room, Melissa hot on his heels.

The door cracked open behind them—just wide enough for prying ears.

In their line of work, curiosity was second nature.

The gap widened as Melissa’s accusation rang out: "Julian, Horizon isn’t your personal playground! Dote on Evelyn all you want, but don’t bankrupt the company for her!"

"Proof?" His voice was ice.

"How did she win the thesis award? How did she land the job straight out of school? And now we’re cleaning up her mess!"

Melissa had snapped.

The golden girl who’d once been Julian’s childhood companion—his prom date, his butterfly-chasing partner—now stood humiliated.

Who was Evelyn Sinclair to steal her place?

"She’s the one you mentioned at the victory party, isn’t she?" Tears streaked Melissa’s face.

Julian frowned. "You need a leave of absence."

She wiped her cheeks violently.

Professional pride forced her voice steady. "Fine. Let’s talk business. Orange has evidence of Evelyn seducing Ryan Holt and wants our core assets in exchange. Firing her solves everything. Which will you choose?"

She pointed to the ajar door. "Every department head is listening. Tell them your decision!"

Julian studied the woman unraveling before him. "Why assume Orange’s evidence is real?"

Melissa froze.

"Why assume Evelyn would debase herself for someone like Ryan Holt?" His laugh was cold.

Of all people, she should know—Evelyn never would.

That third-rate celebrity wasn’t worth the dirt beneath her shoes.

"You’re defending her?" Jealousy seethed in Melissa’s whisper. "We haven’t even seen the proof!"

"Exactly. Yet you’re convinced it’s genuine?" His gaze sharpened. "Unless... you already know something?"

A chill crawled down her spine.

She’d forgotten Julian was Imperial Media’s top debater—his logic far outmatched hers.

"I—I overreacted," she backpedaled. "But Orange wouldn’t bluff. They’d risk a defamation suit!"

A soft voice cut through from the doorway:

"Because they think... I’ve run out of moves."

Evelyn leaned against the frame, smiling.

That smile turned Melissa’s blood to ice.

"Don’t worry, Melissa. If I truly seduced Ryan, I’ll resign immediately." She turned to Julian. "Don’t concede. I’ll handle this myself. Enjoy the rest of your evening."

Ryan’s counterattack hadn’t caught her off guard.

Alexander Kingsley was right—traps lurked everywhere. Only clarity could shield her.

He’d failed her in love but taught her survival.

"You have more leverage?" Melissa couldn’t resist asking.

Evelyn glanced back, her smile serene. "No. But truth prevails. That’s what we journalists believe in."

As she left, Julian spoke words that made Melissa’s skin crawl:

"There’s a mole in this room tonight."