Chapter 15

"Evelyn Roland!"

The man's voice on the phone was icy enough to freeze bone marrow. "You've got some nerve stealing Horizon Tech's trade secrets. Is this your pathetic revenge because I left you?"

Evelyn's fingers trembled. A chill crawled up her spine.

"What nonsense are you spouting at this hour? I wouldn't touch your company's worthless files even if they were handed to me for free."

"Melanie Evans has confessed. She said you ordered her to steal the documents." Adrian Valentine's voice dripped venom. "We have proof—a million-dollar transfer to her account. Return everything within the hour, or else—"

The call ended with a violent click.

Victoria Laurent handed her a steaming cup of tea. "Miss..."

Evelyn stood abruptly, her eyes glinting with frost. "Contact Nathan. I want every detail of Melanie's recent movements. And get Sophia here in ten minutes."

She turned and strode upstairs to change.

When she descended, Sophia Blanchet's car was already idling outside. Evelyn had shed her disguise, her porcelain skin glowing coldly under the sunlight.

"Boss, you were undercover at Horizon Tech?" Sophia gripped the steering wheel.

Evelyn watched the blur of passing scenery. "For a year."

That marriage had been a nightmare.

Sophia slammed the wheel. "Who the hell does Horizon think they are? Accusing you of stealing their plans?"

The car screeched to a halt outside Horizon Tech's headquarters.

Nathan's report arrived simultaneously. Evelyn scanned the screen and dialed Adrian. "Bring your people down here. Now."

"You want a public confrontation?"

"Scared?" Her laugh was razor-sharp. "Perfect. Let everyone see how the great Adrian Valentine frames his ex-wife."

Five minutes later, the revolving doors disgorged a crowd.

Adrian led the pack, his tailored suit accentuating broad shoulders and a narrow waist. Isabella Langley clung to his arm, her face a mask of faux distress.

"Miss Roland," she said, voice quivering, "do you have any idea how important this project is to Adrian? Stealing corporate secrets is a crime..."