They were the greedy fraction of the company executives. To them, even if Eva had pointed out the flaws in this project they couldn't accept to lose a young woman. They have to find a way to make the chairman want to accept the proposal.“Director Watt, why are you speaking like this? This young lady is clearly right and saying the truth. I'm glad that you all have someone to point out the obvious flaw in this project, let's just accept that this project proposal is forfeited and let's all move on.” Mr. Wesson replied to the man who had spoken up before Eva could open her mouth to reply to him. After he heard everything Eva had stated earlier, he had given it a deep thought and somewhat landed to a conclusion that Mr. Banner, Mr. Watt and the rest of the executives are trying to embezzle some money out of the project money into their pockets. No wonder he felt something was off and he thought the price money for the project was too much. “You seem to be more farsighted than me. So el
He continued to watch her and when he saw her fierce, unwavering gaze locked on the powerful men that were obviously twice her age made him realize why George cherished this feisty little woman. There was no expression that stated the fact that she was afraid in the slightest to speak her mind and pointed out the flaws of both the presenters and the executives. She had amazing eyes to be able see through the inconsistencies in the proposal and expertly calculate the actual revenue as well as profits from signing the contract. Where did she learn all of these things? He doubted if she had any idea how dangerous her potential was? People like her are rare and if words about her abilities got out, she would have countless companies fighting for her. Powerful men would use all kinds of dubious means to get her to their side, or worse, if they can't have her then they would permanently remove her from the hand of Lawrence Smith. Damien stared intently at the wall. She was a hidden weapon
Damien's polished leather shoes echoed in the quiet meeting room as he walked towards her. Eva could sense that he was walking but she pretended to not hear anything and continued to submerge herself in the paperwork.Confusion appeared on the executives faces as they watched Damien approach the woman. Why was he suddenly focused on that woman alone?“You're not going to greet me?" Damien inquired, hovering right over her. He stood with hands tucked into his pocket as usual, while staring down at her.He saw the allure of her snow white skin and she continued to work and ignore him. He removed his hand from his pocket and lightly touched her hair and used it to cover her neck. Her hair fell over her like a thick heavy curtain which blocked her view once again and it only annoyed her further. Eva pressed her lips together in frustration and finally raised her head up.Damien's expression remained the same despite the fact that he was slightly happy when he saw her doing so, however th
He was amused that Eva was pretending to be nonchalant to the obvious stare that was boring a hole through her head.“Grandpa, that is a service that would require and cost you an additional few millions to my consultation fee.” Eva replied with a knowing smile on her face. Already seeing right through his plans. She grabbed her purse and was prepared to stand up from her seat and take her leave when suddenly, aarge hand submerged from beside her.It touches the table, revealing a white bank check note. “State whatever price you want." Damien uttered in his usual cold voice, not wanting her to leave quickly. He had just seen her and it was clear enough for him to know that she was avoiding him. And he needed to know why? “Grandpa, you need to have some people take care of the bugs in here. There seems to be a very big annoying fly buzzing next to me. I apologize but I must take my leave in order to escape it, since you're aware of the fact that I don't like bugs.” Eva remarked while
Dylan stared at the old man who had trained and taken care of him since he was a child till he became what he was today and being the one who held the second highest position in the company. “I wouldn't have mentioned it if it's something I could do. You need to check this paperwork by yourself because they require your signature apart from mine.” Dylan ignored the old man's antics and replied with a serious expression on his face.“Fine." Lawrence finally gave in with a sigh. Seeing the unyielding look on the face of Dylan he knew that it was impossible to sneak out of signing those documents as well. Besides, there is nothing he could do after hearing that the paperwork that he was talking about needed his signature.“You can leave now to prepare the documents and place them on my desk in the office once you're done. And apart from that, I want you to dig up information about what had just taken place now. I want to know how those greedy executives came about with this contract that
Only Damien, Lawrence, and Eva remained in the glass room after Dylan left the meeting room. Silence enfolded in the entire room when no one said a thing until Eva broke the silence.“If that will be all with what you need me to do here, grandpa. I'll be taking my leave home-” Eva was unable to finish her words when she was interrupted by Lawrence."Oh, that reminds me! I'm sure that you haven't had your breakfast since I was the one who had called you early this morning. It's well in the afternoon so why don't you have lunch with me before heading back home. “ Lawrence knew what Eva was about to say so he quickly changed the topic of discussion before she could complete the statement.Just after he finished speaking and right on que, a light rumble sound echoed throughout the entire room.Instantly, Eva felt a heavy blush traveling from her neck to her cheeks at the humiliation of her stomach grumbling. It was true that she had indeed skipped her dinner last night thanks to waking up
When she turned to look at him and saw that he was also staring at her with a slightly hopeful expression on his face, she was surprised because she hadn't seen Damien have that kind of expression on his face. She had always known him to be a very cold, and aloof person but this expression was a new thing to her.In all honesty, she was confused about why he was so Intrigued by her. Shouldn't men who are influential and powerful like him have a beautiful woman with a stellar reputation that matches with his beside him? Why does he keep looking for her, even after she tried to ditch and ignore him he was always there. She didn't want to have anything to do with him but they kept on crossing paths with each other. Eva was starting to hate their encounter because it was beginning to look like what people would call ‘Fate or Destiny' and that is the last thing she needed to hear right now. They are not bound by Fate or Destiny, they were just unfortunate to always be at the same place. S
“What? You don't know what you did? You're the number one reason I'm gloomy.” Nathalia responded, pointing an accusing finger at Ella who raised a clueless brow. “I still don't understand what you mean." She shook her head.“You don't? Then I don't mind telling you." Nathalia said, adjusting very well on the couch to face Ella properly. “You seized my cell phone, despite knowing what I needed to do with it. And you won't let me get any other cell phone or touch a phone. So you see that you're the cause of my gloomy expression. “ Nathalia complained like a spoiled child.Ella burst into a fit of laughter after hearing all of Nathalia's childish complaints. It was true that she had seized Nathalia's phone for the past three days so that she would be focused on her work since her mind has been more focused on what is going on in Miami after she saw the headlines of what happened at the banquet. “Did I say something funny to make you laugh?" Nathalia asked, raising her brow at Ella. “Y
“I... I’m starting to think Eva might be trying to sabotage me. You know, with the awards coming up, and her growing popularity... I just have this feeling she’s trying to push me out of the competition,” Christine said, her voice trembling slightly as if she was on the verge of breaking down. She knew Mark would respond to weakness, to vulnerability, just as he always had.Mark’s voice was low, filled with annoyance. “What do you mean, sabotage you? She’s already got the public on her side. What else does she want?”“I don’t know, Mark. But I can’t shake the feeling that she’s behind some of the things happening to me lately,” Christine continued, carefully planting the seed of doubt. “She’s been getting more endorsements, more media attention... She’s always one step ahead, and I feel like she’s using me to boost her own career. Maybe she’s trying to push me out of the spotlight, making sure I don’t have a chance to win.”Mark was silent for a moment, processing the information. Chr
Eva didn’t respond immediately. She could feel the seriousness in Everett’s words, and for a brief moment, the playful rivalry between them was pushed aside.Everett’s eyes softened slightly as she looked at Eva, a rare glimpse of concern flickering in her gaze. “What are you going to do about her? She’s the one who caused my accident but had that person lie he was a fan, right? Also with the recent things happening, I can tell she’s been pulling strings, trying to break you down.”Eva's expression hardened, her grip tightening on her wine glass. “I’m not sure yet. But Christine’s time is running out.” She gave a slight, bitter laugh. “I won’t let her destroy me.”Everett studied Eva for a moment, her face unreadable. “Be careful, Eva,” she said quietly, her tone more serious than Eva had ever heard. “Christine’s dangerous. And she’s got a way of making everyone believe her sweet little act.”Eva took a deep breath, looking away briefly as she processed Everett’s words. The concern wa
The day of the event arrived, and Christine was glowing with victory. Dressed in an elegant gown, she enjoyed the attention as she mingled with industry elites, knowing she was now the headlining speaker.With Eva out of the picture, this was her moment.Then the doors opened.Gasps rippled through the crowd as Eva walked in, effortlessly poised, wearing a breathtaking designer dress. The cameras instantly shifted toward her, flashing in rapid succession.Christine’s smile faltered. “What is she doing here?”Before she could react, the event host stepped onto the stage, microphone in hand.“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special surprise. While there were some scheduling changes, we’re honored to have Eva here tonight.”Christine stiffened. “What? That’s impossible!”Eva merely smiled, making her way toward the front.Kai had pulled the right strings behind the scenes. Even if she wasn’t an official speaker anymore, she was still one of the biggest names in the room—and the audience
Christine was livid. Every attempt to ruin Eva had backfired, and now, the industry was beginning to suspect foul play.Her carefully crafted innocent image was slipping, and she refused to let that happen.Gripping her phone tightly, she dialed Tanya, her voice sharp the moment the call connected."Tanya, listen carefully. I don’t care what it takes—pull every string, bribe whoever you need to, but make sure Eva does not attend the upcoming fashion event. I want her out, completely.”Tanya hesitated. “Christine, are you sure about this? Maybe you should—”“Don’t question me!” Christine snapped, her frustration boiling over. “Do you think I have the luxury of waiting? Eva is already taking the spotlight. If this continues, I won’t even be considered for the Top Ten Models Award!”Tanya sighed. “Fine. I’ll see what I can do. But Christine, be careful. You’re playing a dangerous game. If this backfires, it could cost you everything.”Christine scoffed. “Please. Eva won’t be able to prov
Christine sat alone in the dimly lit hotel, her fingers lightly tapping against the side of her untouched wine glass. The usually confident and composed woman looked lost in thought, her expression unreadable as she stared at the city skyline beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.Everything she had planned against Eva had backfired spectacularly. Instead of destroying Eva’s reputation, she had only fueled the public’s admiration for her. The industry was turning against Christine, and the narrative was slipping out of her control.A soft click of heels echoed through the room, breaking Christine from her thoughts.“Christine?”She turned her head slightly, finding Tanya standing near the entrance, a curious look on her face.Tanya was one of the few people Christine trusted—or rather, tolerated—because she was useful. Smart, cunning, and always willing to play dirty, Tanya had been by Christine’s side long enough to know exactly how far she was willing to go to get what she wanted.“Wh
A few days after Mark successfully cleared his name from the Harper Luxuries scandal, Christine sat alone in her dressing room, her perfectly manicured fingers tapping impatiently against the vanity table.She had tried everything—sabotage, whispers in the right ears, carefully placed rumors—yet Eva always came out unscathed. Every plan Christine devised had crumbled before her eyes, and it was beginning to drive her insane.If indirect tactics didn’t work, she had to change her approach. This time, she wouldn’t hide behind shadows. She wouldn’t need to.Instead, she would manipulate the situation so well that Eva would ruin herself.All she needed was the perfect stage.---An exclusive fashion gala was set to take place, attended by top designers, influencers, and media elites. Both Eva and Christine had been invited as brand ambassadors for their respective labels.Christine smirked to herself. This was it. The perfect opportunity.She had carefully arranged for the media’s attenti
The dim candlelight cast a golden glow over the elegantly set dining table. A soft melody played in the background, filling the room with warmth. Christine had spent hours preparing this—his favorite dishes, the finest wine. Tonight had to be perfect.She glanced at the clock anxiously. Mark would be home soon. And she had to fix this.The front door finally opened, and Mark stepped inside. His face was tired, his eyes dark with frustration. He didn’t even glance at the romantic dinner she had prepared. Instead, he sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair.“Christine, what is this?” His voice was cold.Christine swallowed and stepped toward him. “A dinner. For us.”Mark scoffed, shaking his head. “A dinner? Christine, do you have any idea what I’ve been dealing with? My father’s furious. Investors are backing out after the Harper Luxuries. I've lost of funds.” His voice grew sharper, filled with exhaustion. “And do you know what people are whispering? That my own fiancée might
The silence between them was thick with unspoken thoughts, but Damien wasn’t one to leave things unresolved. He turned slightly, his piercing gaze fixed on her.“Why didn’t you ask for my help?” His voice was calm but held an edge of something deeper—something close to frustration.Eva, who had been absentmindedly tracing the rim of her wine glass, glanced at him. A small smirk curled her lips, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.“Because it was something I could handle,” she said simply. “Like always.”Damien’s expression remained unreadable, but his fingers curled slightly against his knee. “And if you couldn’t?”Eva shrugged. “Then I would have asked. But it wasn’t time for that yet.”That answer didn’t satisfy him. He exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple. “Eva—”“I know what you’re going to say,” she interrupted, meeting his gaze head-on. “You think I should have let you take care of it. But Damien, I don’t always need you to fight my battles. Sometimes, I want to win them on my own
Eva sat on the couch, feeling bored. The scandal had caused too much noise, and going home—where the paparazzi were undoubtedly lurking—was out of the question.With a sigh, Eva reached for her phone and scrolled through her contacts. Her finger hovered over Damien for a moment before she pressed the call button.The phone rang twice before his deep, smooth voice came through. “Eva.”Just her name. Nothing more. But there was something in the way he said it—low, controlled, yet sharp with attention—that made her exhale slowly.“Hey,” she murmured, leaning against the plush headboard.Silence. Then, “What’s wrong?”She almost smiled. He always saw through her.“I can’t go home,” she admitted, rubbing her temple. “The reporters are camped outside. And after today’s interview… they’ll only get worse.”Damien didn’t answer immediately. She could hear the faint rustling of papers, the click of a pen, before he finally spoke. “Where are you?”“Penthouse suite at the Grand Royale,” she repli