Matthew slammed his hand onto the table, the water on his cup swishing from the momentum.He glared at his daughter with so much intensity, one would think she killed his firstborn. "It seems I haven’t disciplined you well enough. To talk back to your father and even dare to interrupt me, it seems you haven’t learned your lesson.""I’ve raised a brat like you for twenty-three years, and this is what I get in return? A disappointment of a daughter and a failure of a woman. No wonder you were abandoned by your fiance. Disrespectful and rude, you sure have a lot of guts." He seethed, each word going through one of Eva's ears and out the next.She looked at him, bored. "I’m glad you know. And as for my fiance, it's not my fault he doesn't have a jewelry maker's eyes, if not he would have been able to see the hidden gem in me. Something you are too blind to see as well,my father.." She said, crossing her arms. Despite the prickling pain in her heart, her face remained haughty and passive-a
Lawrence noticed how sullen and upset his prized granddaughter had become. Her shoulders were slightly hunched over and with the dim lighting, she looked pale and lonely. Despite the fact that she was surrounded by people, the more he looked at her, the more he realized how depressing this dinner was.He knew he should’ve warned her in advance that her family would be at the table, but he knew she would immediately refuse to come.He hadn’t seen her in a couple of days and after she went to deliver the file to Cross Enterprise and he wanted to personally see how she was doing.He couldn’t help but sigh at how ironic this situation was.Whenever any of his children or grandchildren yearned for his attention and acknowledgment, he didn’t spare them a second glance. But when it came to this specific granddaughter, he was the one who was always initiating for her to come to him.She rarely visited him and he knew it was because she was fearful of appearing too clingy. In fact he was even
"You see it as sass, I see it as a genuine question." She shrugged, much to his dismay. "Oh, and my visit to the house you're so hung up about was only because of my brother. Trust me, I have only one more visit to make to that place and it's the last time you see there. Besides, you should thank me for coming home, if not your mistress wouldn't have been able to successfully hook me in another annoying date.” Eva added, completely disregarding her father's warning and keep addressing Laura as a ‘mistress’“Evangeline Carter! How dare-" "Besides, you’ve never helped me before in the past. Why start now?" She cut him off before he could complete his words. She turned her back to him and walked away to hail down a cab. However, before she had the chance to do so, Dylan stepped up."I’ll drive you home." He was obviously worried about her. It was already late at night and she had already experienced enough trouble.Getting into a taxi right now would be very dangerous, especially for a
************A few minutes later, Eva finally arrived outside a huge black gate. The security team watching from the CCTV had told her to wait for some minutes so that they could confirm from Old Lee when she told them she lived here.“We apologize, madam for keeping you waiting.” The guard apologized when they confirmed that was the new madam of the mansion. Eva nodded her head, not offended by their action. In fact she would have scolded them personally if they had let her enter like that without confirming her identity since she hadn't properly introduced herself to every worker here.As expected, Old Lee was waiting for Eva when she parked her car and got out of it. She smiled apologetically at the old man for keeping him awake at this time because she arrived late.****The next day******Eva got dressed, grabbed her bag and went out of the black mansion. She insisted on going out on her own but the worrywart butler just won’t let her, but since she was in a happy mood today she
“I am interested now. And if this turns out to be true, then it's the perfect place to start taking back what was stolen from me.” Eva replied, her eyes darkened dangerously."First of all, before I tell you if it's true or not. Tell me what was the exact reason you married Damien?” Nathalia inquired.“I told you already, Nathy. I'm done regretting and beating myself up Nathy. It's time I leave up to that reputation that everyone knows me as." “And that is…..?" Nathalia trailed off, she wanted to get a real response from Eva, that way she would know that her Eva was finally over Mark.“My position as the Queen of Socialites. Don't you think my throne has been resting all this while? Everyone sees me as an evil, wicked, vicious, spiteful, jealous woman, so why should I try to convince them? Rather than convincing them that I'm not, I would just expose the people that they think are the heroes.” A sinister smile graced Eva's face.“That is what I'm expecting to hear! Finally I have my
“Yes, he asked me to be his girlfriend a few days ago before I arrived. However, even though I agreed, I told him we aren't announcing yet because we are just getting to know each other.” Nathalia replied as she watched Eva's expression."I forgot to ask what his name is?” she finally asked after a few moments of silence." Stanley Breaker.” Nathalia answered immediately. She was nervous about what Eva would say about him.“Alright, since you like him, I wish you the best and I'm happy for you. However, look out very well. I don't want you ending up in that same crappy relationship you had with you know who." Eva remarked, her eyes burning dangerously.“Really? You're in support of it, thank God." Nathalia let out a huge breath she had been holding.“Of course, I would. I want you to be happy just as much as I am. Were you nervous because Ella didn't approve of it?" She asked.“How did you know that? Well, it's not like she didn't agree, Ell was just being over cautious about him and
After three days.The Black mansion was in chaos. The old butler can’t control the mansion’s wild princess anymore. Two days ago, the butler mentioned that Damien was actually taking such a long time whenever he goes abroad and he said that a month was surprisingly the shortest, making Eva shocked because she was told that he would take a week before he comes back. She really needed to discuss her plan with him immediately. However, at the same time, she was glad, for she didn’t expect that she would be given so much time to prepare for the approaching battle and prepare how she would tell him. Being jobless for the past few days, she then came and insisted on making some changes in the mansion’s garden. She wanted the dark, chilly garden to turn into something romantic. She wanted to add some colors in its monotone look. She wanted to transform it into a perfect dating spot for future purposes. However, she didn't know that this garden would surely come in handy for her.Well everyo
“If you are going to do something like this then you should have asked for help." Damien said and before Eva could respond he walked away back to the mansion. Eva was dumbfounded as she just stared at his back view until he disappeared from her view. “Wait, was he looking out for the stress that I was doing?” She mumbled silently while tilting her head. After a while she finished planting the flower she was doing in that area and also headed to the main mansion. The maids came to inform her that dinner was ready and she met Damien already sitting at the dining table when she got to the dining room. Unlike what Eva expected for their first dinner together since they got married, it was rather quiet. She stole a few glances at Damien who was pretty much focused on his food. “Is my face more satisfying than the food?" Damien suddenly asked, almost making Eva jump at being caught. She didn't know that Damien had caught her staring at him. “Of course the food is delicious and satisf
Eva exhaled deeply, her grip tightening on the steering wheel as Damien's words echoed in her mind. She hadn’t meant for the conversation to spiral into this, but his response had struck a nerve she hadn’t realized was so raw.He doesn’t understand what I’m trying to say. He keeps assuming I don’t see him as my husband. Damn it, of course, he’s everything anyone could want in a husband—perfect, dependable, and... maddeningly oblivious! she cursed inwardly, frustration bubbling beneath her calm exterior.What Eva truly wanted, though she could never bring herself to say it, was for Damien to ask her out the traditional way—a formal, heartfelt gesture that would solidify their relationship in the way she longed for. But she was too proud, too stubborn, to admit it aloud. Instead, she had resorted to subtle hints, hoping he’d pick up on them and take the next step.Yet Damien, with all his intelligence and sharp instincts, was painfully oblivious when it came to matters of the heart. He
After finishing her meal with Kai, Eva was ready to head home but paused, noting how bright the afternoon still was. Her grandfather’s words from their call replayed in her mind: Damien bought you a property.The curiosity nagged at her. Should she ask Damien about it? What if he thought she was being too demanding? After a few minutes of careful deliberation, she decided to call.The phone barely rang once before Damien picked up. His voice was calm but tinged with concern. “Eva, are you okay?”In the executive meeting room, heads turned in astonishment. Their boss, who usually disregarded calls during meetings, had not only answered his phone but done so without hesitation. His phone, typically kept out of reach, now sat prominently on the table—a change that hadn’t gone unnoticed.Eva hesitated briefly. “I’m fine, Damien. It’s nothing serious. I just wanted to ask you something.”“Go on,” he encouraged, his tone soft and attentive.“Well…” she began cautiously, unsure how to phrase
“Did Dustin Banks insist you attend the banquet, or was it your grandfather?” Kai asked, his tone laced with curiosity. It puzzled him why Lawrence couldn’t attend the event himself. Sure, the man was getting older, but didn’t he just make an appearance at a similar event three months ago? What has changed now?Eva blinked at the question, momentarily taken aback. She hadn’t thought about it in depth before, but now that Kai mentioned it, the whole situation did seem odd. Why was her grandpa Smith so adamant about her attending in his stead?“Now that you mention it, I’m not too sure,” Eva admitted, her brows furrowing as she contemplated it. She took a bite of the beef she had prepared, the flavors melting in her mouth, followed by a sip of soup to balance it out.Kai went quiet, his thoughts running wild as he considered different possibilities. His sharp eyes rested on Eva, who was too preoccupied with her food to notice his gaze.Even as she ate, there was an undeniable elegance t
Arriving at Elite EntertainmentThe sleek glass doors of Elite Entertainment gleamed in the morning sunlight as Eva stepped out of her car. The reception area buzzed with activity, but the moment she entered, heads turned. Being one of the agency’s most prominent models, Eva’s presence never went unnoticed.Ignoring the whispers, she made her way to the elevator, her heels clicking against the polished floor. Moments later, she was stepping into Kai’s office, where he sat behind his massive desk, engrossed in a document.“Kai,” Eva greeted, her voice drawing his attention.He looked up, his sharp eyes softening slightly when he saw her. “Eva. What brings you here so early?”Eva placed the container of food on the small glass table with a sly smile. “Bribery.”Kai raised an eyebrow. “Bribery for what?”“For what I’m about to tell you,” she replied, sitting down on one of the couches in his office mini living room.Intrigued, Kai leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “This shoul
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the Miami sky in shades of orange and purple, Eva leaned back on her couch, flipping through a stack of papers. Her phone buzzed on the table beside her, and she glanced at the caller ID. “Grandpa Smith,” she answered with a smile as she picked up the call. “Eva, my dear, how are you feeling?” Lawrence’s warm, deep voice came through. His concern was evident, as always. “You’ve been overworking yourself lately, haven’t you? Tell me, how’s your health?” “I’m fine, Grandpa,” Eva assured him, her voice was light and soothing. “I’ve been careful, and I’m almost fully recovered. There’s no need to worry.” “Good, good,” Lawrence replied, though his tone suggested he wasn’t fully convinced. “I just wanted to check up on you—and remind you about the banquet. I assume you’ve prepared for it?” Eva chuckled softly. “Of course, Grandpa. I wouldn’t dare forget something so important. I’m getting everything ready, and I’ll be there on time.” “Good
"U-uhm, Boss?" Clara noticed he had been spacing out for quite a while.She couldn't deny the appeal of her worldly boss whose face resembled the statues tucked away in museums. His face was the polar opposite of his personality. His clean-cut appearance was amplified by the fact that he was smoking.In the dim room where the cigarette smoke was more prominent, his eyes were slightly squinted, sharp jaw clenched, and ruffled hair giving off a very dangerous type of man — the kind you wanted to convert into good."Clean my office." Mark flicked the ashes off of his cigarette.Because of the scandal, he had been having issues with Christine nonstop the past few days, with this morning being their worst… Today was not a good day for him."I'll contact the Janitor right away—""I don't have the time to wait for the janitor. Do it yourself." He commanded her, his tone not leaving any room for discussion.Disgruntled at his request, but with no option to disobey it, Clara could only grit he
The executive wailed upon hearing the two most dreadful words in the world. He squealed like a pig being slaughtered. "No, wait, Boss, please! Give me another chance! I swear I won't be bribed again—" Too late. He was dragged out of the room, screaming, kicking, and begging for mercy, his grating voice bouncing off the hallways, causing the employees to cringe upon hearing the deafening sound.Shane walked in immediately afterward. "Boss, your next order?""Have all of his work and personal history checked." Damien paused before saying, "Bankrupt him." He disdainfully said."I expect to see the stocks of Johnson Corporation drastically plummet by the crack of dawn.""Right away, Boss." Shane nodded, bowed his head, and excused himself. When he was out of the office and the door was closed, he sighed in disappointment.What a foolish man.Just a few minutes ago, the executive had miraculously talked his way into having a personal meeting with the President, and instead of eventually ut
Once outside, she spotted her assistants seated near the entrance, their faces etched with fatigue. They had clearly missed the commotion inside the store."Please ensure the purchases are delivered to the Cross Estate," she instructed. After a moment, she added, "You’re free to go home afterward. Thank you for today."The assistants blinked in disbelief before scrambling to their feet. "N-no, thank you, ma’am!" They bowed deeply as Eva walked off, determined to find a proper gift.Eva wandered from store to store, dissatisfied with every option until she reached a small boutique tucked into the corner of the mall. The store’s minimalist logo, "NE" caught her attention.“NE?" Eva muttered under her breath.Intrigued, she stepped inside. The boutique, despite its modest location, radiated sophistication. Every piece was crafted with exceptional detail and elegance. Yet, Eva couldn’t help but wonder why such an acclaimed brand was hidden away on the uppermost floor.A sales associate ap
"It's alright, Mr. Billy. A few replaceable employees aren’t worth losing sleep over." Eva’s calm smile sent shivers down Mr. Billy’s spine, leaving him terrified yet eager to please her.Understanding the unspoken warning, he quickly replied, "As the head of the security team, it is my responsibility to handle nuisances like these. Please don’t trouble yourself with such matters, ma’am." The fear of losing his lucrative position was evident in his voice. Though Eva appeared composed, Mr. Billy knew better than to underestimate someone with her reputation.The sales associate, now pale as a sheet, stammered, "M-ma’am, w-would you still like the cufflinks? I-I can wrap them up immediately and include a bonus—"Eva waved her hand dismissively, her gaze fixed on her nails. "No need for bonuses. Just swipe the card." She ignored Christine, who angrily slapped her polished black card onto the counter."I said those cufflinks are mine!" Christine’s voice trembled with rage. Losing to Eva tw