Chapter 94

Melissa Lee's fingers trembled on her phone screen.

She couldn't believe the headline: [Orange Media Official Statement: Horizon Reporter Innocent, Our Journalist Misreported]

The top trending topic stung even more: [Orange Media Issues Public Apology to Horizon Reporter Evelyn Sinclair]

...

Evelyn pushed open the bathroom door, water droplets still clinging to her hair.

"Still here?" She tilted her head, twirling a damp lock around her finger. "Reached a verdict yet? How will you punish me?"

The room fell silent.

Melissa wished she could vanish.

In the time it took her to read the headlines, Evelyn had already freshened up and stood before them.

"Evelyn..." Iris timidly tugged her sleeve. "The news is out."

Evelyn's lips curved. "What does it say?"

Iris hesitated, then found courage in Evelyn's calm smile.

"Orange admitted to spreading lies! Said their reporter mistook settlement money for bribes. They fired the journalist and issued a public apology!"

Evelyn leisurely tied up her hair. "What about those bank transfer records?"

"Fake!" Iris chirped. "Anyone can Photoshop these days. Lies spread faster than truth!"

Evelyn turned to Melissa, her smile serene.

"Speaking of difficulty... perhaps our overnight investigation team could weigh in?"

Red-eye flights must be exhausting.

Melissa turned pale and spun toward the exit.

"Safe travels, superiors," Evelyn's voice floated after them. "Watch your step."

Melissa whirled around. "Evelyn Sinclair! Don't push your luck!"

"Supervisor Lee." Evelyn's smile vanished. "The guilty party is obvious. Why take it out on me?"

"What are you implying?"

"Orange decided to apologize last night." Evelyn's gaze sharpened. "Yet no one told you? Some partnership."

Melissa's face contorted. "Slander! I have no ties to Orange!"

"My mistake." Evelyn inclined her head. "Let me rephrase—Miss Winslow knew about the apology last night. Yet she let you make this pointless trip. Some best friend."

Melissa's breathing turned ragged. "Lies!"

She stormed out, but Evelyn's voice followed: "If I'm wrong, I'll apologize properly."

The investigators exchanged knowing looks.

Melissa's back prickled with discomfort.

She suddenly stopped, a cold smile twisting her lips.

So Evelyn's ambitions extended beyond Julian Ashford—to Alexander Kingsley?

Challenging Isabella Winslow for a man?

Melissa nearly laughed aloud.

A nobody like Evelyn?

Her phone rang. A middle-aged colleague handed it over. "Supervisor Lee, Editor-in-Chief Ashford is calling."

Julian's voice cut like ice: "Melissa Lee, why did you rush to the film set overnight?"

"Trying to act first, report later?"

"Find anything?"

His final sentence shattered her: "Save yourself some dignity."

The phone clattered to the floor again.

Melissa trembled violently.

For Evelyn, Julian would go this far?

...

"Evelyn, you knew this would happen, didn't you?" Iris gazed at her in awe. "No wonder you slept so well last night—"

"Out." Alexander's voice sliced through the room.

Iris scurried away, carefully shutting the door behind her.

Alexander advanced on Evelyn. "Isabella did this?"

Evelyn grabbed her jacket, heading back toward the bathroom. "I didn't say that."

Alexander blocked the door. "What leverage made her apologize?"

"Show me." His tone brooked no argument.