Chapter 98

William Yearwood slammed his teacup onto the table. "Pay her off and get rid of her. The Kingsleys played the philanthropist back then, and now they want to dump their burden on the Yearwoods? Dream on!"

Julian Ashford's gaze turned glacial. "Fine. If she goes, I go too."

"Have you lost your mind?" William shot up from his seat. "Four years ago, Alexander Kingsley almost—"

"It was your incompetence!" Julian cut him off sharply. "If Evelyn hadn't pleaded for mercy back then, Horizon would've been finished. Look at Kingsley Group's scale now versus Horizon's pathetic state. Without Autumn Detail's support, would the Yearwoods even have today? Father, have some conscience."

"Conscience?" William trembled with rage. "You'd abandon your own family name for an outsider?"

Julian turned to leave. "The name means nothing. Being human does."

The sound of shattering porcelain followed him, along with William's roar: "Ungrateful wretch!"

Melissa Lee's caked foundation couldn't mask her ashen complexion. "Evelyn, you're off The First Lady project. The crew's unhappy, public opinion's unfavorable, and the company has decided—"

Martha Nash had already hinted that higher-ups planned to recall her to headquarters and sideline her.

Horizon wouldn't fire her outright but would bench her until they found a proper excuse to dismiss her.

"So this is Horizon's famed loyalty." Evelyn gave a soft laugh.

Melissa slammed her palm on the desk. "Horizon only protects those who know their place!"

Evelyn regarded her silently.

That gaze acted like a mirror, exposing the unease in Melissa's heart.

Those eyes were terrifying!

Jealousy burned through Melissa.

Why? She'd grown up in this industry, graduated from elite schools, yet still couldn't measure up to this orphan who supposedly slept her way up?

Worse, Julian had mobilized the entire East China region's Crimson Roses for her!

"Your replacement arrives tonight," Melissa spat through gritted teeth. "Leave willingly or be removed. Your choice."

"Chief, are you really going back?" Charlie Young and Iris Cooper paced anxiously.

"We swear we didn't leak the styling designs!" Iris looked ready to cry.

Evelyn shook her head. "I believe you."

"We've decided," Charlie suddenly straightened. "If you're leaving, we're going with you!"

"Horizon's executives are blind," Iris fumed. "Someone clearly framed you, and they're pretending not to see it. Chief, let's start our own thing!"

Go independent?

Evelyn had plans, but the timing wasn't right yet.

"Leaving like this means admitting defeat." She narrowed her eyes. "Want to play a big hand?"

Their eyes immediately lit up.

In the surveillance room, Iris wiped sweaty palms. "Chief, why are we copying this?"

"Instinct." Evelyn worked swiftly.

If she'd obtained Ryan Holt and Isabella Winslow's call records last time, she'd find the crack this time too.

Isabella had grown smarter, pulling strings from behind the scenes.

But foxes always left tails exposed.

"Done?" Iris checked her watch repeatedly. "Charlie can't stall much longer."

"Go!" Evelyn yanked out the flash drive.

In the hallway, Charlie waited anxiously. "Well?"