Chapter 57

"Work?" Victoria Sterling shook her head. "You're not officially part of the team yet, Evelyn. You haven't passed my evaluation."

She paused, her gaze sharp. "So, I won't assign you any tasks."

Evelyn Carter crossed her arms. "If you're suggesting I do menial chores instead, the answer is no."

"I'm a perfumer," Evelyn continued, her voice firm. "I know my worth and my role. Cleaning isn't beneath me, but it's not what I was hired for."

Victoria's lips thinned. She had expected Evelyn to grovel, to prove herself by doing whatever was asked. Instead, the woman stood her ground.

"Fine," Victoria said coolly. "You have three days. If I don't devise an assessment by then, consider yourself approved."

Evelyn smiled faintly. "Perfect. I'll be waiting for your call, Ms. Sterling."

With that, she turned and walked out, leaving whispers in her wake. The others in the office exchanged glances—had Evelyn just been fired? Or had she walked out on her own?

Evelyn didn’t care. She had bigger problems to solve.

The moment she slid into her car, her phone rang. An unknown number.

"Hello, is this Ms. Carter? Evelyn Carter?" The voice was polite but unfamiliar.

Evelyn frowned. "Yes. Who is this?"

"I represent DR Holdings. Mr. Reeves has assigned me to handle your case regarding the alleged theft of confidential information."

Evelyn nearly laughed. Theft?

Dominic had been careful with his words before. Now, he was outright calling her a criminal.

"Ms. Carter," the lawyer continued smoothly, "the evidence is stacked against you. You have two options: settle privately or publicly."

"And what does private settlement entail?" Evelyn asked, twisting open a bottle of water.

"A written apology, prepared by us. You sign it. Then, a week of public apologies—to Mr. Reeves and Ms. Blake. Oh, and you’re barred from the industry for three years."

Evelyn took a slow sip. "And the public option?"

"We go to court."

She recapped the bottle with a sharp click.

"Court it is."