Chapter 243

Before Lucien could respond, Vanessa swiftly cut in, "Even though I've decided not to keep the baby, that doesn't mean we can proceed. I have an infection now, and it might even affect you. Can we wait until I've recovered, please?"

Lucien simply stared at her in silence.

"Don't worry," she reassured him, pressing closer and tracing a finger down his chest. "I'll keep my promise. My informant already told me Evelyn is taking a break—she’s likely traveling abroad. Handling her in Veridian City might be complicated, but overseas? That’s a different story."

"Really?" Lucien’s voice dripped with skepticism. He didn’t trust her for a second.

"Of course!" Vanessa scoffed, irritation flashing in her eyes. "Her latest product was a success, so she’s probably scouting inspiration for the next one." The thought made her blood boil. While she was drowning in problems—her failing health, Lucien’s unpredictable demands—Evelyn was thriving.

After leaving DR Holdings, Evelyn hadn’t just survived; she’d soared. Her rapid-fire perfume releases were staggering. Vanessa fantasized about sabotaging them—just a drop of acid in a batch—but for now, she had a better plan. If she could pawn Lucien off on Evelyn, it would be poetic justice. Let him be her problem.

"Oh? She succeeded?" Lucien arched a brow, mildly impressed. Though new to the industry, he had trained under a master and had elite resources. Evelyn, on the other hand, was a small-town nobody. Her rise was… unexpected.

"My source confirmed it," Vanessa said, waving a hand. "But details are locked down—no samples leaked. Who knows if it’s actually good? Either way, it’ll never surpass your work. Evelyn’s decent, but she’s no genius."

"At least she’s competent," Lucien shot back, smirking. He didn’t truly believe Evelyn could rival him, but he enjoyed needling Vanessa.

"Ugh!" Vanessa shoved him, disgusted by his obvious lust. "Listen, it doesn’t have to be Evelyn. Veridian City is full of beautiful women. I can arrange someone else while I handle her." She couldn’t risk him fixating on Evelyn—what if he switched allegiances?

Lucien’s expression darkened. "You think I’d settle for just anyone? Do I seem that desperate?"

Vanessa recoiled at his icy tone. "No! I just—I thought I’d help, since I can’t… service you right now. I’d find someone clean, safe—"

"I said no!" Lucien snarled, cutting her off. "Are you deaf?"