Chapter 193

Life wasn't about following rigid rules. Sometimes, you had to bend them to survive.

'I've been playing defense for too long. It's time to fight back and show Dominic and Vanessa they've messed with the wrong woman.'

When Alexander stepped into their penthouse, the sight of Evelyn sprawled across their Italian leather couch caught him off guard. Her fingers danced across the keyboard with practiced ease, legs kicking absently in the air as she focused on the screen. She rarely worked in such a casual position.

Alexander loosened his tie and slipped into his velvet house shoes before peering over her shoulder. Multiple browser tabs flashed - she was creating a fake account on some obscure forum.

"Trouble in paradise?" He poured two glasses of Cabernet, handing one to his wife.

Evelyn shifted to sit cross-legged, balancing the laptop precariously on her knees. She took the wine without looking up. "Someone wants to play dirty. I'm just returning the favor." Her clipped tone told Alexander everything.

"Who dared upset my beautiful wife?" He undid his cufflinks, rolling up his sleeves. This penthouse used to feel like a glorified hotel suite. Now, coming home to Evelyn's presence made all the difference. Her confidence told him she had things under control.

"Who else? That snake Dominic." Evelyn finally looked up, eyes flashing with determination before returning to her typing.

Alexander's brow arched as he settled beside her. The screen displayed confidential perfume formulas from DR Holdings. "Aren't those your creations from DR?"

"Bingo." Her fingers flew across the keyboard. "Dominic started this war. I tried taking the high road, but they left me no choice." With a final keystroke, she leaned back in satisfaction.

"And if he sues?" Alexander always thought three moves ahead.

Evelyn smirked. "He's tried that before. These formulas are mine. Some 'hacker' leaked them from my old email. DR publicly credited me for creating them, remember?"

She took a sip of wine. "To the public, I was just an admin assistant. How would I access trade secrets? Besides..." She winked. "I leaked multiple formulas."

Alexander considered this. "What if they claim you stole them while employed?"

"Proof?" Evelyn's laugh was sharp as broken crystal. "I never signed an NDA. Let him try his contract threats. I'm not their employee anymore."

She stretched like a satisfied cat. "If their security's so weak that a former admin can access formulas, they deserve the scandal."

Alexander nodded. Evelyn was right - in court, evidence was everything. Dominic wouldn't have dropped his last lawsuit if he'd had a solid case. The game was on.