Chapter 47

The envelope felt heavy in Evelyn's hands. She opened it to find a neat stack of cash inside.

She turned to Julian in the driver's seat.

"Your monthly bonus," he said calmly, steering with one hand.

"But the department just had bonuses revoked." She distinctly remembered him signing the penalty notice himself.

"This is yours." Julian glanced at her, warmth softening his features. "I can't let you lose money chasing exclusives. At least... the five hundred you gave the janitor..."

Evelyn immediately pulled out five bills and pushed the rest back.

"This is enough."

She knew this money came from Julian's pocket, not Horizon Media.

The envelope landed back on her lap.

"There's a form to sign inside," Julian said, eyes on the road. "Finance needs it for records."

Evelyn reopened the envelope and found the bonus receipt.

"Sour Lemon already paid well," she murmured.

The unassuming studio had surprised her with their generous offer.

"You earned it." Julian chuckled. "The only thing Horizon provided was a camera."

Getting Orange Media to publicly apologize had been unthinkable before.

When Evelyn hid the camera in the couch seam, she never expected it to capture anything useful.

But caution was necessary—especially after learning about Ryan Holt's alliance with Isabella.

In her haste after the interview, she'd almost forgotten the device. Later, under the guise of shopping with Mrs. Kingsley, she retrieved it from the janitor for five hundred.

So what if the janitor's testimony had inconsistencies?

Once Ryan's lies were exposed, who would care about minor details?

Evelyn understood exactly what the audience wanted—they only craved the truth that fit their narrative.

Whether Horizon and Orange Media suspected her involvement no longer mattered.

Ryan's career was over. The media had already moved on to the next scandal.

"Know who orchestrated this?" Julian asked suddenly.

Evelyn nodded.

That explained why he'd remained hands-off. These minor waves were just warm-up exercises for her.

"Ryan would never implicate Isabella, even facing prison," Julian added.

"Of course." Evelyn watched the glittering cityscape pass by. "I never planned to use him against her."

She'd long stopped caring whether Alexander believed her.

Julian suddenly reached over to brush a stray hair from her face.

"Hmm?" She turned.

"Just a loose strand." He withdrew his hand quickly, fingertips still tingling from the contact.

To shift focus, he asked, "Do you know the West family backs Orange Media?"

Evelyn's gaze turned glacial. "The Wests still have survivors?"

Her hatred for that family needed no disguise.

"Evelyn." Julian's voice tightened. "You're safer with the Sinclairs. If William West finds an opening..."

"Let him try." Her smile was razor-sharp. "We'll see who destroys whom this time."

The Wests had shattered her family. The Sinclairs had nearly exterminated them in return. This feud now spanned generations.

"If you're ever in danger," Julian said hoarsely, "remember I'm here."

"Of course." She laughed lightly. "You saved me once, Julian. Would you mind doing it again?"

"Preferably not." His response was barely audible.

That snowy night seven years ago, when he'd found Evelyn barely conscious, she'd been clutching a hard drive.

"Julian...give this to Alexander..."

It was the first time she'd called him that since they were ten.

But Julian knew better than anyone—his place in her heart had vanished long ago...