An hour later, Nathalia had cleared almost two clothing sections for Eva and the hands of two sales attendants were already full. "Tilly, I think that's enough shopping for today. I'm already tired and it's not like I have a place to wear all this dress to." Eva expressed her thoughts. She tried to persuade her best friend to end this shopping hour and let them return back home."Enough? I'm just getting started and if you're tired just go and sit over there I'd do the rest of the shopping for you. We aren't leaving this place until I'm satisfied." Nathalia stubbornly refused as pointed in the direction of the small living room that was set in the boutique. "Besides, from now on you now have to go out with me, take it or leave it." She added, leaving now room for argument.Eva sighed again, she knew it would be impossible to persuade Nathalia anymore now that she is in her shopping mood.They kept walking around the boutique section, while Nathalia kept picking whichever clothes ca
Eva was taken aback when another hand suddenly grabbed the same purse. She was a little surprised when she raised her head up to look at the person who had also sighted the same purse as her.The person who had grabbed the purse was none other than Christine, her younger stepsister. When Christine and the other four ladies arrived at the bag section, they were happy to see that the boutique had some latest designs of bags and purses. While they were picking out the bag they preferred, Christine sighted the red Chanel purse that was placed separately from the other bag. She was captivated by the beauty of the purse. Most especially she was surprised that she was seeing that purse there, because she couldn't find that brand of purse in any boutique she went to.Without further delay, Christine immediately went towards the purse but she saw a hand grabbing the purse, she immediately grabbed it but to her surprise the person was a little bit faster than her. When she looked up to see
Sil was utterly frightened by Eva's demeanor but she couldn't back down because it would ruin her reputation and people in the boutique already had their attention on them."Yes, I am. What are going to do about it, huh? Did you think you still held the power you once had in the past" Sil confirmed that she was talking to Eva after regaining her composure.Eva scoffed when she heard Sil. She took a few steps but still maintained some distance between both of them. "Can you really handle the consequences of what I'm going to do to you? You should think very twice before starting a fire you can't put out. Unlike you I don't start shit but I'd gladly tell you how it would end." Eva gaze was so meanancing that Sil was forced to take a couple of steps backward."Sister, don't be offended at Sil instead it should be you should get angry at because Sil was only saying that protect me." Christine said from behind Eva."Christine!!" Trish yelled but Christine waved her hand to stop her."It's
"You're still such an ungrateful wench!" Reah yelled angrily."Ungrateful? Did I argue with her when we both grabbed the purse? Even though I was the first person to grab it first. I let it go but Christine kept trying to push it to me." Eva retorted back with a calm expression."What is all this ruckus about?" A voice bellowed loudly. Everyone turned around to see who it was this time around. The voice belonged to a man around his forties, everyone froze when they saw the man approaching. However, one would think they had that expression on their face because of the man who just spoke, they had their gaze locked on the man who was walking beside him wearing an expensive three-piece business suit with his hands inside the pocket of his trousers.The man who had caught everyone's attention was none other than Damien Cross. The Cross Enterprise had invested in a lot of business. Therefore, this is one of the boutique operating under one of Cross Enterprise subsidiaries. Damien was here
"Enough, you're just as pompous as you ever were but before you talk about our flaws then you should take a look at yourself and look where you ended up with all your knowledge. It doesn't seem like you ever learned about what happened to you in the past." Sil pointed out the fact, hoping that her words would tarnish Eva's confidence."It's very concerning when you couldn't spare your sister from your fury and bullied Christine when she was only trying to be nice to you." Reah remarked.Eva scoffed with a raised eyebrow, "I understand if you're trying to protect your friend. However, you should know that Christine would have been kneeling on the cold hard floor on her two knees and be in a pathetic state already if I was truly bullying her. You should be aware that isn't an understatement since I'm very famous for that and you have also experienced it for yourself in the past." Eva revealed, locking gaze up to Reah's face with an intimidating look. Reah gulped in fear, unable to say a
"I apologize that you had to endure that Miss Nathalia. It wasn't my intent that your friend would have to experience this kind of thing on her first visit to our stall. I'm sorry, Miss. Our staff should have handled the situation more effectively." The manager immediately apologized to Nathalia and Eva respectively."Oh, that's okay. Besides, those ladies have a lot of unsorted problems with me, since I've also not been a good influence. And, you don't have to get angry at Miss Maria because I was the one who told her not to interfere, she was only following my order." Eva stated. "O-of course, if it was your order she was following, I have no problem with that." The manager replied. Even if there was a problem he couldn't say it.He turned to look at Damien. "Mr Cross, please excuse me, I have to take care of some matters quickly." He requested.Damien nodded his head, giving him the permission to leave. "Thank you, Sir. Maria follows me." He thanked Damien before signaling Maria to
"You're indeed a crazy woman to have a lot of courage to say that and deny knowing me." His voice was so thick with restrained anger, no one had ever spoken like this and this Eva's second time speaking to him in such a casual manner. Nathalia nearly ran out of the boutique in fear, why did her cousin have to pick a fight with her best friend.But Eva was used to these types of men who thought that their intimidating and daunting stare could make a woman run for their life. All of the times Mark had glared and threatened her had toughened her skin. Eva was lethargic and apathetic to this kind of behavior.She can't deny the fact that this man did it better than Mark, but who cares?"I don't think I'm obliged to know you when I don't. As for the fact that called me a crazy woman, I will let it go this time." Eva remarked, ignoring the warning bell in her head and the obvious red flag waving in front of her.Nathalia stood frozen in shock. On one hand, she was extremely satisfied with w
After going back to Eva's apartment condo, Nathalia headed straight to the to grab something to drink. She walked back to the living and saw that the driver had helped to place all the shopping bags containing the clothes and shoes they had bought.Sitting down on the L-shaped couch, Nathalia opened the bag of chips she had brought along with her from the kitchen."Now, let's see you try out all these clothes right away." She remarked while putting a piece of the chips in her mouth."You mean all of them?" Eva suddenly turned to look at her."Yes, and I know what you're thinking but the sooner you try them out the quicker you rest." Nathalia stated as she waved her hand urging Eva to go and try out the dresses. Shaking her head, Eva grabbed the shopping bags and headed towards the bedroom.An hour later, Eva walked out of the room wearing the last pieces of dress Nathalia bought for her. It was a navy blue spaghetti strap colored empire dress. "Wow, you look gorgeous and stunning.
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