Chapter 45
Ethan Miller stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows in Alexander Kingsley's office, his fingers absently tracing the edge of his suit sleeve.
His gaze lingered on the shattered phone lying on the floor. Beneath the cracked screen, the name "Evelyn Sinclair" glared back at him.
The same intel had earned Nathan Carter praise, yet when he delivered it, Lord Alex's fury erupted. This was the second phone destroyed this week.
"Lord Alex," Nathan interjected smoothly, "Orange Media's attack seems calculated. The Wu family might be pulling strings behind this."
Alexander's long fingers tapped rhythmically against the desk, his stormy eyes fixed on the computer screen.
Displayed was Orange Media's latest explosive article: [EXCLUSIVE: Horizon Reporter Evelyn Sinclair's Seduction of Ryan Holt Exposed].
A blurred surveillance still accompanied the piece—a woman's indistinct figure captured from behind.
"Investigate," Alexander's voice cut like ice. "I want the puppet master's name."
Nathan responded immediately while Ethan hesitated.
He couldn't shake the thought—why did every piece of news about Miss Sinclair send Lord Alex into a rage?
——
Orange Media's exposé detonated across the internet like a bomb.
First came an audio clip released by Ryan Holt's team, allegedly documenting Evelyn's repeated invitations.
Then a hotel housekeeper's testimony claiming Evelyn bribed her way into Ryan's room.
The fatal blow? A drug-laced adhesive film discovered in the ventilation system, confirmed by lab reports.
"Impossible!" Horizon's legal director slammed the table. "Reporter Sinclair was clearly—"
"Clearly what?" Melissa Lee interrupted sharply. "Where's your proof?"
The legal director faltered. Security footage from that day was mysteriously corrupted, and Evelyn had indeed visited that hotel.
——
The air in Victoria Henn's office hung thick with tension.
"Evelyn Sinclair, do you see what they're saying about you?" She shoved a tablet forward.
The screen displayed a fan-created hashtag—#EvelynSinclairDie—with over a million engagements.
[Whore deserves to rot!]
[Horizon protects criminals!]
[Dox this bitch now!]
Evelyn skimmed the vitriol without flinching.
"Director Henn," her voice remained soft, "these constitute illegal threats."
"Illegal?" Victoria sneered. "By the time courts act, your reputation will be garbage!"
Evelyn lifted her gaze, steel flashing in her eyes. "Then what do you suggest I do?"
Victoria stiffened. She'd expected panic, not this unsettling composure.
"At least... issue a statement!"
"Stating what?" Evelyn countered. "That I drugged Ryan Holt?"
Victoria's face purpled with rage. This seemingly fragile girl had spines of tempered steel.
——
Melissa's office door burst open.
"Director Lee!" Victoria gasped, bloodless. "Evelyn—she—"
"What now?" Melissa snapped.
"She submitted evidence to the police! Claims it proves Ryan lied!"
Melissa's pen clattered onto the desk.
"What evidence?"
"I—I don't know..." Victoria trembled. "But Ryan just got summoned for questioning!"
Melissa shot up, her chair screeching across the floor.
She grabbed her phone with shaking hands and dialed. "Young Master Wu... we have a problem."