Chapter 48

The girl who used to chase after him was gone.

She would always call him "Brother Julian" with stars in her eyes.

He took it for granted, even looked down on it, constantly testing her limits...

He only tolerated her company because of their families' business ties. She wasn't his real sister—why bother?

The funniest part? No matter how cold he was, she'd still greet him sweetly next time, like an annoying piece of gum that wouldn't come off.

Last time, Alexander Kingsley spent an entire afternoon with her, but the moment Julian called, she immediately abandoned Alexander and ran back.

Julian Ashford always thought Evelyn Sinclair was just an insignificant little follower.

Until the day she walked straight into Alexander's arms without looking back...

Evelyn squinted at the imposing mansion before her.

The vermilion gates were tightly shut, the walls loomed high, and even an electrified fence had been installed.

"It's just a weekend retreat. Why the military-grade security?" she muttered.

Three days earlier.

The entertainment department launched a new project interviewing veteran artists.

By tradition, each team was assigned two interviewees.

But Victoria Henn called Evelyn into her office alone.

"Evelyn, your team got Vincent Sullivan. It's a heavy responsibility, so the whole team will support you."

Evelyn frowned. "Why me?"

She hadn't even passed her probation. Such an important interview should go to a senior reporter.

Victoria smiled mysteriously. "I'm being transferred. The new director will be promoted from existing editors, leaving a vacancy..."

It was practically a direct hint.

"You've stood out. I have high hopes for you."

Evelyn sensed a trap. "I haven't even been regularized yet."

"Secure Vincent's interview, and I guarantee you'll get an exceptional promotion," Victoria vowed. "I'll handle HR."

After the assignment was announced, even Martha Nash looked at her differently.

Evelyn whispered, "Editor, is this a trap?"

Martha patted her shoulder. "Not a trap."

Evelyn relaxed slightly.

"It's a volcano crater," Martha added.

Evelyn: "..."

Vincent Sullivan was a national treasure but hadn't given an interview in ten years.

What was Victoria thinking, dumping this hot potato on her?

The entire team's next-month bonus depended on this.

If she failed, forget promotion—she might lose her job entirely.

Could she refuse?

No.

No one else could take this task, and failing consecutive assignments would doom her probation.

Her "achievements" so far were staggering:

Alexander's report cost Horizon Media eight million.

Ryan Holt's interview sparked a media war.

Martha crunched her lollipop. "Others coast through probation, but you choose nightmare mode?"

Evelyn sighed. "Guess it's fate."

"Ask the Crown Prince for help?"

"No!" Evelyn said firmly.

Martha groaned. "Not using connections when you have them is stupid! You think people don't assume you're relying on them anyway?"

Evelyn held her back. "Calm down!"

Martha couldn't calm down.

She liked this girl—smart, capable, seemingly sweet but secretly cunning, with an aunt who could level cities...

But the chaos Evelyn brought was exhausting.

Martha hadn't slept well since she arrived.

"Don't worry, I'll handle Vincent," Evelyn promised.

Martha brightened. "Got another shady trick?"

Evelyn: "..."

She relied on skill, thank you very much!

But now...

Even sunbaking into jerky wouldn't help.

Evelyn shielded her eyes from the sun and sighed.

Vincent was impenetrable.

Three days of dead ends led her here, only to face locked gates.

Why?

She'd tapped every connection, even asked Eleanor Kingsley and Julian, but no answers.

Vincent attended events but refused interviews.

There had to be a key detail she'd missed.

This mansion's location came from Eleanor.

Evelyn said guiltily, "I left without a word and only come back when I need help. Feels pretty shameless..."

Eleanor laughed. "Drop the 'feels.'"

Then she gave the address without hesitation.

"If you're going to be shameless, own it. Be shameless with style, with flair."

Evelyn's eyes stung.

If she ever regained her memories before age ten, she hoped her mother was just like Eleanor.