Eva forcefully tore her gaze from the painting and glanced at the bottom of the drawing to read the name of the artist.“Surprisingly, it was drawn by S. Black.” Lucas read out as he looked at the name written beside the painting. "This is shocking, I never knew that S. Black made this painting before her death. Probably, this was the last piece she made before she died but how come she was able to hold a paintbrush, much less make such a beautiful and delicate line when she is sick?” “She was always good with her fingers no matter what situation." Eva muttered. "What? Do you know her?” Lucas asked, baffled by her words. Every one that the infamous artist S. Black was a woman but she had never once shown her face in public for people to know what she looked like. There was only news about her being sick and after a few months she died.Eva's eyes went wide in panic because she had forgotten that her mother hadn't revealed her identity when she was alive. “What I mean is that S. Blac
Damien ignored the murmur and glances he received from the women that passed by. His focus was entirely on Eva who had been staring blankly at the picture both she and Lucas had stopped in front. Damien watched as she touched her throat and glanced to the ground blinking her eyes multiple times. Even from afar, he could see that was choked up and emotional at the moment.“Boss, you shouldn't smoke indoors.” Shane moved closer to Damien and whispered gently beside him. He glanced at the cigarettes hanging dangerously low in his boss's fingertips. The ashes were burning, the smoke lingering to the ceiling, yet not once had Damien taken a drawl from it. Damien watched as Eva continued to tour the section but her expression was extremely dull and gloomy as he noticed the blood drained from her face.Damien straightened up, dropping the cigarettes to the ground and stomping it out. He will ask Shane to pay for the damages later.After a few minutes, she muttered something to Lucas and wi
“I understand your worries, Mira but I have enough strength to do it now. Don't worry I'll be fine. Besides I'm just going to sit down and draw for my daughter there is nothing so stressful about that. Who knows, this might be the last time I get the chance to draw ever again." Shenley looked up at Mira, hoping that her words would convince Mira.“Madam, please don't speak in that manner. You still have a lot of chances to draw and do whatever you like. But if you so wish that you want to draw then I have no other choice. You just have to promise me that you'd stop if you ever get tired.” Mira hesitantly uttered, she knew how her Madam loved to draw and she couldn't stop her.“I agree." Shenley quickly agreed to Mira's condition with a smile on her face. Happy about the fact that she was able to convince Mira.After Mira was done arranging the place where Shenley wanted to paint, she went back and assisted Shenley to stand up from the bed because she was too weak to stand up by hersel
“I understand your worries, Mira but I have enough strength to do it now. Don't worry I'll be fine. Besides I'm just going to sit down and draw for my daughter there is nothing so stressful about that. Who knows, this might be the last time I get the chance to draw ever again." Shenley looked up at Mira, hoping that her words would convince Mira.“Madam, please don't speak in that manner. You still have a lot of chances to draw and do whatever you like. But if you so wish that you want to draw then I have no other choice. You just have to promise me that you'd stop if you ever get tired.” Mira hesitantly uttered, she knew how her Madam loved to draw and she couldn't stop her.“I agree." Shenley quickly agreed to Mira's condition with a smile on her face. Happy about the fact that she was able to convince Mira.After Mira was done arranging the place where Shenley wanted to paint, she went back and assisted Shenley to stand up from the bed because she was too weak to stand up by hersel
“Mom, you were right. I eventually grew up to be just as you expected, I wish you were here to witness it." Eva softly muttered to herself, nearly breaking into tears.Eva watched her face one more time in order to compose herself back but it wasn't working as she was still filled with too much emotion. She decided to force herself out of the bathroom despite the fact that her gaze was hazy due to the water of the tears threatening to pour down her face.Just after Eva walked out of the bathroom and took a few steps further, she suddenly lost her balance. Eva was prepared to fall down when a strong hand caught her. Her head snapped up and saw Damien before her through her blurry vision.“.... Dam…ien…..?” Eva called out in order to confirm if it was him. Her legs gave out again but he caught her again.Damien steadied her against his chest, his arms wrapped around her trembling body. He pressed his palm against her lower back, pulling her small waist towards him.“Shh….. I've got you
Eva raised her head up and peered into his eyes. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the fire burning within them. He wasn't even touching her yet, but it already feels like he had undressed her.“This blazer belongs to my brother.” Eva finally admitted, not wanting to push her luck any further. Damien paused. His gaze flickered to the blazer and observed it carefully. It was a much smaller size than Lucas' body frame, but the blazer still hung loosely on her body and that was because Lucien was bigger and taller than Eva. Even though she was also tall, she didn't have a big body frame. So she was telling the truth. “From the same parents?" Damien beseech."Same father. But he is my blood.” Eva replied Damien relaxed a little bit when he heard her. “Good."“Good," Eva repeated.“Marvelous." Damien mused, trying to see if she would say anything else.“Fantastic…..” To his dismay, Eva did.Damien narrowed his eyes, did she think it was a game? Eva's eyelashes fluttered and she loo
“Did you seriously not remember me?" He asked but Eva frowned at him again.“I do and that is because you've been crossing my path constantly and I'm beginning to wonder if you have someone stalking me. Now does that answer your question?" Eva impatiently replied. " I see.” Damien muttered as he released her wrist. "Go.” He shoved her lightly towards Lucas.“Hey-" Eva stumbled at the movement, she was about to turn around and complain when Damien interrupted her.“Remember me well." He commanded. “You can have as many boy toys as you wish, but remember this… .you will always belong to me.” Damien remarks, before Eva could respond to him he stalked off. Despite the fact that Lucas was standing behind her, Eva's gaze was still focused on Damien. How could she not? Damien's long legs carried him down the hallway. He rested a hand in his pocket, revealing the white shirt that clung onto his broad shoulder, outlining his powerful muscles. Not once did he look back, not like he had a rea
The moment Eva stepped out, blinding lights flashed in front of her eyes. Soon enough, Lucas stood directly behind her. And together, they were captured by the paparazzi for everyone to see. Very soon, the entire country would know that Evangeline Carter and Lucas Sander were on a date.Eva froze, it felt like roots grew from the ground, tying and keeping her in place. The lights flashed before her eyes, enough to cause her a seizure.She tried to compose herself but couldn't. Eva just opened and closed her mouth as the paparazzi took pictures one after the other, until her vision turned white.“Miss Carter, look this way!"“Miss Carter, are you and Lucas Sander official?!” "Where have you been all this while, Miss Carter after your failed wedding day?”"Is this a date?”Questions after the other were thrown at Eva. Eva trembled slightly, her breath caught up in her throat and her mind went blank. She couldn't think, much less blink or even react at the moment.Eva felt like she was
Lucien entered the living room with his usual quiet air, his school bag slung over one shoulder. His dark eyes, cold and unreadable, briefly scanned the room before landing on his mother, Laura, seated gracefully on the couch with a teacup in hand. Her posture was as poised as ever, but Lucien’s sharp gaze detected the faint smugness that usually lingered after one of her scheming conversations with Christine.He said nothing, brushing past her with the silent intent of heading upstairs. His long strides were interrupted when Laura called out, her tone laced with a false warmth."Lucien," she said, setting her teacup down. "Come here for a moment."Lucien stopped mid-step, his back stiffening. He slowly turned around, his expression blank but his sharp gaze silently questioning her interruption.Laura’s smile wavered under his cold stare, but she maintained her composure. "Christine just got back a while ago. Why don’t you go upstairs and greet her?"Lucien raised an eyebrow, crossing
Christine stormed into the Carter mansion, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor, her jaw clenched tightly in frustration. She tossed her designer bag onto the couch, her lips pressed into a thin line as she paced back and forth. The events of the day replayed in her mind like a relentless reel—Eva’s smirk, her cutting words, the way she had effortlessly dismissed Christine in front of everyone. It was a humiliation Christine couldn’t stomach."That woman," she hissed under her breath. "She always finds a way to one-up me. How does she always come out on top?"Laura, who had been sitting in the adjacent room sipping tea, looked up as her daughter’s angry footsteps echoed. She set her cup down gracefully and stood, smoothing her dress as she approached Christine."Christine," Laura said in a calm, measured tone, "what’s the matter now?"Christine stopped pacing and turned to her mother, her eyes blazing with frustration. "It’s Eva! She humiliated me again today, in front
Once the deal was official, she turned to leave the meeting room with Gwen and Trix at her side. They made their way down the sleek hallway of HB Industry, their footsteps echoing on the polished floors. Just as they neared the exit, they came across Christine and her entourage, who had just arrived.Christine’s eyes widened when she saw Eva. Her usual fake smile quickly appeared, though there was a slight tension in her features. Eva wasn’t sure whether to laugh or feel disgusted as Christine approached her.“Sister!” Christine said, her voice sweet and syrupy as she stepped forward. “I am so sorry for being late. I didn’t mean to hold up the meeting like this. I just got caught up in some last-minute details.”Eva’s expression remained neutral, but she couldn’t help the slight roll of her eyes at Christine’s words. She had no intention of entertaining Christine’s faux apology, but Christine wasn’t finished yet.“Oh, and about last night,” Christine said in a tone that was just loud
In the sleek, minimalist meeting room at HB Industry, Eva sat at the center, sitting by her sides were none other than Gwen and Trix, with her official company lawyer at her side. They were all dressed sharply, the atmosphere tense as they awaited the start of the meeting. On the other side of the polished conference table, Mr. Carl and his HB Industry team sat with the Whyte Corps representatives, their suits impeccably pressed and faces expressionless.It was a rare sight to see Eva waiting this long, especially for a meeting she had no patience for. She had already signed the contract in her mind, but the delays were irking her. The anticipation of what was supposed to be a routine procedure seemed to drag on indefinitely. The room had grown uncomfortably still as they all waited for the meeting to start. Eva’s fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of her chair, a subtle gesture that spoke volumes about her impatience .With a soft sigh, Eva glanced at Gwen and Trix, silently expre
She stood at the doorway, adjusting the strap of her handbag as she prepared to leave for HB Industry. Damien followed her to the entrance, his hands casually tucked into his pockets, though his piercing gaze gave away his reluctance to let her go.“Don’t forget to call me if anything comes up,” he said, his deep voice steady yet tinged with a protective edge.“I won’t,” Eva replied with a small smile. She turned to open the door when his voice stopped her.“Wait.”She turned back, one brow raised in question.“You’re leaving without giving me a proper goodbye?” Damien asked, a teasing smirk tugging at his lips.Eva blinked, caught off guard by his request. “A proper goodbye? You’re serious?”He stepped closer, the warmth of his presence wrapping around her like a cocoon. “I don’t joke about such things. A goodbye kiss is mandatory.”Her cheeks flushed slightly, though she masked it with a playful roll of her eyes. “Fine,” she relented, taking a step toward him. “But I’ll only give yo
After a pause, George returned to the phone. “Damon Cross,” he said, purposely mispronouncing the name to irritate him.Damien felt his nose twitch at the deliberate and grating mispronunciation of his name, but he maintained a polite tone, reminding himself he was speaking to an elder. “Yes, Grandfather?” He replied smoothly, emphasizing the title in retaliation. Two could easily play the game of pettiness.George resisted the urge to march over to the banquet and knock some sense into the boy for daring to use that title. Grandfather? He scoffed internally. ‘If you want to call me that, first show me a ring on her finger—and then give me some great-grandkids before you even think about it! I wonder what that useless grandfather of his taught him.’“Now listen clearly to me. If she stays at your house, it’s for tonight only. And if I find out you’ve done anything improper, I’ll personally see to it that you’re castrated. Do you understand?”Julian, overhearing the threat, nearly cho
---As the banquet neared its end, Damien escorted Eva to his car. He fully intended to take her home—to their home—hoping to spend the night by her side. But his plans were thwarted by an all-too-familiar figure: her meddling grandfather.The moment Eva settled into the car, her phone rang. Damien, still holding the door open for her, frowned at the sound. When he saw the caller ID, his expression darkened further. Of course, it was him.While Eva answered the call, Damien’s sharp eyes scanned the area. Hidden in the shadows near the back entrance, a figure lurked—one of George’s men, undoubtedly there to keep tabs on her. His presence only worsened Damien’s mood.“Yes, Grandfather, I’m leaving the banquet now,” Eva said into the phone, her tone polite but weary. “Yes, I’ve made a few connections… I’m heading home? No, not to Damien’s. I know, I know, there will be more rumors if—”Before she could finish, Damien snatched the phone from her hand.“She’ll be perfectly safe with me,”
Eva turned to him, her voice barely above a whisper. "Did you do this?" She lifted her gaze to meet his, realizing he had been watching her the entire time, his piercing eyes fixed solely on her. She had heard whispers, unconfirmed reports that Lydia was behind the replica of the blue dress that was sent to her. But to see her now, reduced to this state, it seemed the consequences of her actions were almost... excessive. "Yes," Damien replied without hesitation, his tone calm but firm. He tried to guide her out of the banquet, his hand lightly pressing against her back, but Eva stood her ground, refusing to move. "Why?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. Damien’s sharp eyes narrowed at her question, his jaw tightening. What did she mean, why? That woman had orchestrated her public disgrace, and now Eva was hesitating, questioning the justice served? Did she not understand that showing mercy to enemies was akin to betraying herself? "She was responsible for your humiliati
Christine’s nails dug into her palm, her anger simmering beneath a mask of civility. She longed to lash out, but Damien’s presence reminded her of her place. Any wrong move could lead to her downfall.“It’s unbecoming to insult others so publicly…” Christine’s voice was a deliberate attempt at calm, but it lacked conviction.“The truth often stings, get over it.” Eva replied coldly, her unapologetic tone reinforcing her dominance. The crowd e were not even surprised by her response because they were used to this behavior of hers, but they were taken back by Christine's sudden desire to argue with Eva.Wasn't Wasn’t Christine supposed to be the passive type, the one who ended arguments rather than starting or joining them? The sudden shift in her behavior was beginning to alter everyone’s perception of her, casting doubt on the image she had so carefully cultivated.Dusti standing nearby with a glass of wine, observed the scene with quiet amusement. Eva’s sharp wit was refreshing, a st