Chapter 37

Dominic's expression darkened as the concern drained from his face. His jaw tightened, and his eyes turned icy as they locked onto Evelyn.

"Are you threatening me?" His voice was low, dangerous.

Evelyn met his gaze without flinching. "I only want what's fair." Her demand was simple, uncomplicated. She wasn’t asking for more than she deserved—just no longer willing to let others take what was rightfully hers.

A humorless laugh escaped Dominic’s lips. He tugged at his tie, loosening it with restless fingers before undoing the top button of his shirt. His stance widened, arms crossing over his chest as he loomed over her.

"What exactly do you deserve?" His tone dripped with condescension. "For years, I paid for everything—your clothes, your food, your rent. What more could you possibly claim?"

Evelyn studied his face, once so familiar, now twisted into something unrecognizable. The absurdity of his words made her laugh—a bitter, hollow sound. Not at him, but at herself. How had she ever been blind enough to love a man like this?

Her silence only fueled his arrogance.

"Don’t get ahead of yourself just because you mixed a few perfumes," he sneered. "Who provided the materials? Who rented the lab? Without me, you’d have nothing."

Slowly, Evelyn lifted her chin. "So you admit that most of DR Holdings’ perfumes were my creations?"

Dominic scoffed. "And what of it? Do you think they’d sell without marketing, without operations? You’re nothing without the company behind you."

His argument might have sounded reasonable—if it weren’t so full of holes. But Evelyn didn’t bother pointing them out. She simply smiled.

"Good. At least you admit it." She turned to leave. There was nothing left to say.

"Wait!" Dominic lunged forward, grabbing her arm. In the struggle, something clattered to the floor.

Evelyn snatched it up before he could, clutching it to her chest.

Dominic’s eyes widened in disbelief. "You recorded this?" His voice was sharp with betrayal. The woman he’d once thought so docile, so pliable—she’d outplayed him.

His hand shot out, trying to seize the device, but Evelyn twisted away.

"If you have nothing to hide, why does it matter?" she challenged.

Dominic didn’t try again. Instead, he laughed—cold, calculated. "You think this changes anything? I could claim you edited it, manipulated my words. And do you really believe I haven’t prepared for this?" His smirk was venomous. "See you in court, Evelyn."

She turned to leave—only to find her path blocked.

Dominic remained where he stood, lighting a cigarette with deliberate calm. The flame flickered in his eyes as he exhaled smoke.

"You’re not letting me leave?" Evelyn arched a brow.

"I didn’t want it to come to this," he said, almost regretful. "We had good times, didn’t we?"

But the threat in his voice was unmistakable.