Chapter 173

Evelyn Carter sat up and regarded Dominic Reeves with an amused tilt of her head. She arched a brow, her tone laced with deliberate patience.

"Mr. Reeves," she began, "if memory serves, you've been telling everyone that Vanessa Blake was the mastermind behind DR Holdings' perfumes."

A slow, knowing smile curved her lips.

"Then, pray tell, how could I possibly have tampered with your formula?"

She leaned forward slightly, her gaze sharp.

"Besides, if Ms. Blake truly created those perfumes, shouldn't she be the one capable of making adjustments? How does this equate to my revenge?"

Dominic had anticipated this reaction. He lowered his voice, glancing around to ensure no one was within earshot.

"Evelyn," he murmured, "there's no audience here. Drop the act. We both know the truth about that formula."

His jaw tightened.

"I admit—I used you. And for that, I am sorry."

His tone shifted, turning almost conciliatory.

"But you've nearly ruined my company. Now that you've moved on to Phoenix Labs and are thriving there, I won’t demand much. Let’s just... forgive and forget. What do you say?"

This was his grand concession—his magnanimous offer. No legal repercussions for her actions, and in return, she was expected to erase his past betrayals from memory.

Evelyn stared at him, her expression unreadable.

For a moment, she simply studied him, as if seeing him for the first time.

The sheer audacity of this man.

No remorse. No genuine regret. Just the gall to paint himself as the wounded party.

Dominic Reeves was, without a doubt, the most shameless man she'd ever met.

A cold laugh escaped her.

"So now you're admitting I was the one behind all of DR Holdings' previous perfumes and essential oils?" she countered, sidestepping his so-called truce.

Dominic opened his mouth—

"Evelyn! There you are!"

A voice cut through the tension like a blade.

Dominic stiffened as a woman strode up, her hand landing playfully on Evelyn’s shoulder.

"Got you!" she declared, grinning. "Now you have to introduce me to your—"

Her words died as she turned and spotted Dominic.

Her smile froze.

Then twisted into something far less friendly.

"Oh. You."

Victoria Sterling knew exactly who he was.

Not Evelyn’s boyfriend.

Her ex.

The smirk that curled her lips was pure venom.

"To what do we owe the honor of DR Holdings' esteemed director gracing us with his presence?"

Dominic blinked, taken aback by the sheer hostility radiating off her.

He didn’t even know this woman.

Had they met before?

No. He was certain they hadn’t.

So why was she looking at him like he’d personally wronged her?

Unless...

His gaze flicked to Evelyn.

No. That couldn’t be it.

Evelyn had only joined Phoenix Labs recently. There was no way she’d formed such a close bond with someone so quickly.

And this woman—whoever she was—didn’t strike him as the type to associate with someone of Evelyn’s... background.

"Hello," he said smoothly, extending a hand. "Dominic Reeves. And you are?"

Victoria ignored the gesture.

She flashed him a perfunctory smile before turning back to Evelyn, her tone brightening instantly.

"I have the most unbelievable news for you!"

Evelyn’s lips twitched.

Victoria’s sudden appearance had derailed her original plan, but she wasn’t complaining.

Anything to escape this insufferable man.

"What is it?" she asked, genuinely curious.

Victoria opened her mouth—then paused.

She frowned.

"Wait. I—" She groaned, pressing a hand to her forehead. "Ugh, I forgot!"

She’d been so excited to finally catch Evelyn with her mystery boyfriend.

Instead, she’d walked in on Dominic Reeves.

The sheer disappointment had wiped her mind blank.

Her glare snapped back to Dominic.

"This is your fault," she accused.

Dominic could only stare, utterly speechless.