Chapter 34

"Ms. Carter, do you truly possess evidence, or is this merely fabrication? Have you considered the consequences if this case proceeds to trial?" Evelyn surveyed the skeptical crowd with calm composure.

Her poised demeanor and quiet confidence hushed the murmurs around her.

Parting her crimson lips slightly, she uttered four decisive words: "File the lawsuit."

Evelyn had anticipated obstacles, but she hadn’t expected Dominic to intercept her in the dimly lit alley.

Hadn’t he just chased after Vanessa? Why was he still lingering?

Dominic’s expression was stormy, his hands buried deep in his trouser pockets as he leaned against the brick wall. The shadows swallowed his form, amplifying his menacing aura.

Evelyn hesitated, her steps faltering. She had no intention of engaging with him.

She turned sharply, intending to leave, but found her path blocked by two broad-shouldered men.

Ah. So that’s why Dominic had been whispering to his associates earlier.

Had he orchestrated this? If so, it was the first time he’d ever bothered to pay her such attention.

Trapped, Evelyn squared her shoulders and approached him. "Is this a threat, Mr. Reeves? Or an abduction?"

Dominic pushed off the wall and closed the distance between them.

He didn’t raise his voice, but fury radiated from him in waves.

The sharp click of his leather shoes against the pavement echoed ominously.

Evelyn’s gaze flickered to the surroundings—no security cameras in sight.

How meticulous of him.

"Evelyn." His voice was deceptively soft, but the weight behind it was crushing. "What the hell are you playing at?"

"Shouldn’t you already know?" she countered icily.

"Didn’t we have an agreement?" His patience frayed.

He tried one last time to reason with her. "What exactly do you hope to achieve by turning against DR Holdings—against me? What did Phoenix Labs offer you? Don’t be a fool. Do you honestly believe they’ll treat you as anything more than a pawn?"

His voice dropped to a venomous whisper. "They’re using you as a weapon. DR Holdings has surged ahead in the market. The competition is ruthless, and rivals will exploit any weakness. You’re walking into a trap. Once they’ve squeezed you dry, they’ll discard you without a second thought."

Dominic had convinced himself Phoenix Labs was behind this.

What promises had they made? What lies had they fed her?

It couldn’t be about Vanessa—Evelyn would’ve confronted him directly if she knew.

She studied him with detached amusement.

How effortlessly he spun lies without so much as a flicker of guilt. The concern in his voice almost sounded genuine.

"Evelyn, stop this madness. Don’t throw away everything we’ve built. There’s a line, even in anger. If you persist, you’ll regret it."

His hand shot out, gripping her shoulder. "Did someone from Phoenix Labs contact you again? You—"

"I reached out to them."

Evelyn glanced pointedly at his hand before shrugging free.