The man stepped into the room and stared directly at Evelyn. He was a stranger, and a wave of tension and shock washed over her. The security at the television station was strict, requiring three access card scans from the main entrance to her floor. For this middle-aged man to stand in front of her, he must have had someone important who let him in.

“Miss Joy, I’m John, Jenny’s father. I’m in the real estate business,” he said, squinting his small, beady eyes as he pulled out a shiny gold business card from his pocket and handed it to her.

Evelyn caught a glimpse of a bank card tucked beneath the business card and instinctively stepped back, putting some distance between them. “Mr. Walker, I don’t know you. I think you’ve got the wrong room.”

“I’m looking for you, Miss Joy,” John said, noticing her reluctance. He placed the card and the bank card on her desk, a flattering smile plastered on his face. “There’s one hundred thousand yuan on that card. Please, give me a favor and help Jenny.”

Evelyn deliberately turned away, discreetly activating the voice recorder on her phone. “How does Mr. Walker want me to help?”

“I asked Director Logan. Miss Joy will participate in the revival competition and the finals. Just turn a blind eye, and when it’s time for the evaluations, say a few good words for Jenny. That hundred thousand is yours,” John said, his gaze becoming more intense and daring.

“I’ll help if I can, but I’m off work now. Please have Mr. Walker take the card and leave immediately.” Evelyn quickly opened the door, eager to expel him.

John’s expression soured, his jowls tightening. “Miss Joy, you’re still young. You have a long way to go in Riverton. Don’t make it difficult for yourself.”

“Your card!” Evelyn called after him as he made his way to the elevator.

By the time the elevator doors closed, she steeled herself, clutching the card as she headed straight to Director Logan’s office. Jenny’s advancement meant pushing out a genuinely capable contestant. She had her principles.

In her position, she would fulfill her duties. As long as she was an evaluator, she wouldn’t allow Jenny to take advantage of the situation.

Before she could knock, Director Logan opened the door, ready to leave for the day. “Eve.”

“Director Logan, this is John’s card that he left in my office. Please help me return it to him.” Evelyn didn’t reveal the truth as she handed it over.

“This is John’s kind intention. Don’t think too much about it,” Director Logan said, lowering his voice. “Eve, you’re all alone in Riverton. You need to be flexible. More friends, more paths.”

“Since you’ve brought it up, I will give Jenny some consideration, but I can’t accept this card. If you can’t return it to John, I’ll have to report it to the relevant departments,” Evelyn replied, keeping her phone recording in case John decided to retaliate.

Director Logan frowned as he took the bank card, speaking earnestly. “I’ll keep it for you. When you come to your senses, come find me.”

“Just return it. I won’t take this money,” she insisted, seeing that Director Logan was already swayed by John’s financial pressure.

“Let’s talk about it later,” he said, folding the card and returning to his office.

Feeling defeated, Evelyn made her way back to her office, estimating that Director Logan would head downstairs once he left the broadcasting building.

As she cautiously searched for her car in the parking lot, she was careful to avoid running into Grace.

Upon arriving back at 9 Bliss Garden, she hadn’t even taken off her coat when Jason returned home.

“Come with me to the hospital,” Jason said, ripping off his tie and tossing it onto the living room sofa.

Evelyn was taken aback, looking at Jason with curiosity.

Jason’s gaze shifted slightly. “You need to apologize to Cecilia. It won’t take much of your time.”

Hearing this, her heart sank. “She provoked me first at BeyondSoul Tower. Her self-harm has nothing to do with me.”

“Regardless of whether she provoked you, she’s in the hospital now, and that’s bad enough.”

“It’s her own fault.” Evelyn bent down to open the shoe cabinet, and just as she grabbed her slippers, Jason tugged at her arm, pulling her back.

The slippers flew off her feet, and the cabinet door slammed shut with a bang.

Evelyn had no desire to argue and couldn’t resist Jason’s pull as she unlocked the security door.

Jason drove her to the hospital, and they remained silent the entire way.

At the elevator, they ran into Cecilia’s attending physician. Jason exchanged a few words with the doctor, and Evelyn learned that Cecilia had been causing a ruckus all day, smashing everything she could in her hospital room.

Finally, it dawned on Evelyn why Jason insisted she come and apologize to Cecilia that night. The pent-up frustration and heartache left her feeling frantic.

She had already been turning a blind eye to the mess between Jason and Cecilia, but Jason wasn’t willing to let her off the hook; he always had to stab her a few times in the heart. Each wound cut deep, penetrating to her very core.

Following Jason into the intensive care unit, Evelyn found Cecilia sitting up in bed, a quick-witted nurse feeding her porridge.

Cecilia’s face was pale, taking small, careful sips, appearing frail and delicate.

Upon seeing Jason and Evelyn, her eyes reddened, and she stopped eating.

“Miss Brooks, you haven’t eaten anything all day. The doctor said that without proper nutrition, your wounds will heal very slowly,” the nurse encouraged.

Cecilia shook her head, and the nurse, sensing the mood, put down the bowl and exited the room, closing the door behind her.

“Cecilia, Evelyn came here specifically to apologize to you,” Jason broke the silence first.

Evelyn shot a venomous glare from Cecilia to Jason. For the past three years, they had been in many similar scenarios, and all her humiliation stemmed from this man.

Cecilia began to sob softly, “I can’t accept Mrs. Stark’s apology. I made a rash decision to harm myself; it has nothing to do with her.”

“If she hadn’t provoked you with her words, you wouldn’t have been so distraught. Even if she’s my wife, she must take responsibility for her actions.”

“Just the fact that Mrs. Stark came to my room is enough for me; please don’t mention apologies again.”

“I’m speaking about the situation. She must apologize to you.”

The interaction between the two only served to rub Evelyn’s heart and dignity into the dirt once again.

Before coming to the hospital, she had anticipated witnessing such a disgusting scene but still followed Jason here.

Because she wanted to take a chance.

Since Jason trusted Cecilia so much, she would tear away Cecilia’s hypocritical facade right in front of him!

“Evelyn.” Jason’s deep voice was thick with pressure. “Apologize.”

“Fine, I won’t disappoint Mr. Stark and Miss Brooks.” She forced a perfunctory smile and approached the bedside.

Cecilia lifted her chin, her eyes gleaming with smug satisfaction.

“Miss Brooks, actually that day at BeyondSoul Tower—” Evelyn’s tone lingered as she sat down next to Cecilia’s bed.

Before Cecilia could react, Evelyn’s hands gently landed on her bandaged wrist and yanked it hard!

A pristine wrist emerged, completely free of any self-harm marks!

“Mrs. Stark, you’ve already humiliated me at BeyondSoul Tower. If you’re not going to apologize, what are you doing this for?”

The bandage fell to the floor, and Evelyn stepped on it.

Cecilia didn’t want Jason to see and, in a panic, tried to hide her “injured” wrist under the blanket.

But unexpectedly, Evelyn grabbed her hand and lifted it high, turning to Jason. “Mr. Stark, please tell me, which hand did Miss Brooks use to attempt suicide?”