Chapter 539

Evelyn Sinclair's expression darkened as she turned to leave. The room reeked of desperation and cheap liquor.

Behind her, Victoria Ashford lunged forward with drunken clumsiness, her fingers clutching at Evelyn's sleeve.

"Don't go, Ms. Sterling! Please!" Victoria's voice was thick with desperation. "You don’t understand—I’m about to be disowned by the Ashfords because Sterling Enterprises took that contract from Ashford Group. My family will destroy me if I don’t get it back!"

Evelyn sidestepped, her voice icy. "I warned you before. Actions have consequences. Unless there’s a greater benefit, Sterling Enterprises won’t sacrifice its interests just because I pity someone."

Her logic was unshakable. She knew exactly what Victoria was trying to do—convince Vincent Moretti to break the contract.

If they succeeded, fine. But not at Sterling’s expense.

Victoria’s lips trembled, despair flooding her eyes. "To you, it’s just a simple favor. Why are you pushing me into a corner?" Her voice cracked, raw with emotion.

Evelyn stared at her, unimpressed. Victoria had walked herself into this mess. Why should Evelyn clean it up?

She wasn’t running a charity.

On the sofa, Vincent Moretti staggered to his feet, a glass of wine in his hand. "Come on, have a drink."

Victoria recoiled, fear flashing in her eyes. She knew that wine wasn’t ordinary.

"No, Mr. Moretti, I—I can’t drink anymore..."

He snorted, his gaze sliding to Evelyn with a leer. "If you won’t drink, then let the new celebrity do it. If she drinks for you, I’ll consider breaking the contract with Sterling. How’s that sound?"

Victoria’s face lit up with hope.

She turned to Evelyn, hands clasped in pleading. "Ms. Sterling, it’s just one glass. What’s the harm?"

Evelyn arched a brow, amusement laced with frost. "Drink for you? How bold. No one has ever dared ask me that before."

She moved toward the door, disgusted.

But Victoria was like a persistent shadow, slamming her back against the exit, blocking Evelyn’s path.

Her eyes were wild, her face flushed with desperation. "Just one glass! That’s all I’m asking! If I don’t get that contract back, I’m ruined! You did this to me—don’t you feel guilty at all?"

Evelyn’s patience snapped.

Behind her, Vincent lurched forward, his hand reaching for her shoulder.

She twisted away, her knee driving upward with brutal precision.

A sharp scream tore from his throat as he crumpled, his face draining of color.

Evelyn turned to Victoria, whose expression had gone slack with horror.

"Mr. Moretti—Ms. Sterling, you’ve gone too far!"