Chapter 200

It would have been fine if DR Holdings hadn’t cared about this issue. If they wanted to sue Evelyn for leaking trade secrets, so be it. Given Dominic’s vindictive nature, it was unlikely he’d let this slide.

"Don’t worry," Evelyn reassured Sophia, her voice steady. "I wouldn’t have done this if I didn’t already have a plan. DR Holdings won’t be able to use this against you anymore. Just focus on your work here." She gave Sophia’s hand a comforting squeeze.

Evelyn’s eyes sparkled with unwavering confidence, making it clear she wasn’t just offering empty reassurance.

"Evelyn," Sophia hesitated, her brows knitting together. "Tell me you didn’t make some kind of deal with that snake, Dominic?" The thought made her stomach twist. In Sophia’s mind, the only way Evelyn could have resolved this so smoothly was by striking some underhanded bargain. Dominic wasn’t known for his generosity.

Victoria nodded in agreement, her expression tight with concern. "She’s right. Please tell me you didn’t agree to something reckless. You’ve got too much ahead of you to throw it away now."

Evelyn laughed, the sound light and carefree. "You two are acting like I’ve signed my soul away. It’s not that dramatic. There was something resembling a deal, but I’m not the one who had to compromise. Trust me."

"Are you sure?"

Their skepticism was palpable. They feared she was sugarcoating the truth just to ease their worries.

"Absolutely," Evelyn assured them, her tone firm. "In a few days, DR Holdings will withdraw their claims. So, no more resting—you’ll be working for me soon." She gave Sophia’s shoulder a playful nudge.

"I can’t wait," Sophia replied, relief washing over her as she nodded.

The atmosphere in DR Holdings’ shareholder meeting was thick with tension. Dominic resisted the urge to loosen his tie completely—it wouldn’t be professional, no matter how stifling the room felt.

"Mr. Reeves," one of the major shareholders spoke up, his voice icy. "Don’t you think you owe us an explanation about the leaked perfume formulas?"

Dominic remained composed, his expression unreadable. He had anticipated this. Slowly, he spread his hands in a gesture of calm control. "I’m sure you’ve all seen the company’s official statement. Public opinion is still in our favor. Our reputation remains intact. In fact, the benefits of this situation far outweigh the drawbacks. I don’t see a need for further explanation."

"The benefits?" Another shareholder scoffed, his face reddening. "The leak will cause direct financial losses! Who knows how many competitors will replicate our products now? Have you considered the impact on our market position? And you dare claim the pros outweigh the cons? Who exactly will be covering these losses?"

Shareholders cared about one thing—their profits. And now that their money was at risk, they weren’t about to stay silent.

Dominic leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. His voice was smooth, deliberate. "Mr. Hayes, there’s no need for such agitation. Let me explain the financial aspect clearly. The leaked formulas belong to our older products—ones that have been on the market for years. Yes, they’ve generated significant revenue."

He paused, letting his words sink in.

"But let’s be honest—they’ve lost their novelty. Consumers have moved on. This leak? It’s an opportunity to push forward with new innovations." His lips curved into a calculated smile. "And that is where the real profit lies."