************A few minutes earlier,Cross Enterprise. Both Shane and Eric walked into Damien's office with different reports they wanted to give their boss. And as expected, Damien was sitting behind his enormous desk while going through his work that had been brought to him. According to Shane, this work was the first badge as the second badge had yet to be prepared.“Report." Damien ordered, immediately he noticed his two most trusted men walking in.Both Shane and Eric glance at each other in confusion. He said ‘Report’ but who was he talking to? “Are you both going to just stand there?" The two of them turned their attention towards Damien when they heard him.“Um….. Boss, do you mind telling which one of us you are talking to?” As the oldest worker and the most closest to Damien. Eric nugged Shane to ask their boss what he meant.“Both of you." Damien curtly replied, still not raising his head up from the file on his desk.“I'll go first." Shane nodded his head and chose to sta
Dressed in a royal blue colored spaghetti string-strap dress with a slit in front which exposed one of her beautiful legs in a decent way, she had her long hair curled and let it cascade down her back. Eva paired her entire outfit with a long white colored fur coat and a pair of blue heels to match her dress. After stepping out of the car she adjusted her fur coat and let one side slide down her shoulder. She reached inside the car and grabbed her white purse and wore her sunglasses. Everyone was extremely surprised and shocked at the person they saw stepping out of the car. Although they all knew that she would eventually come to the company one day after the fashion show, they didn't expect her to be so bold to show up when the entire building was surrounded by paparazzi and reporters. “Is that…….?” " Oh my gosh! It's Evangeline Carter!” Before one of the reporters could call Eva's name, someone in their midst yelled upon seeing Eva. “It's really Evangeline Carter, the woman wh
Eva coldly ignored the reporters and smiled when she saw Nathalia. The two of them hugged and Nathalia released the embrace while checking her best friend out.“Woah, you look sexy and beautiful my dear." Nathalia complimented Eva, her eyes roaming on Eva's body.“Stop undressing with your eyes. You look like a pervert." Eva rolled her eyes at Nathalia who chuckled when she heard her.“I can't help it. If I were a man , I'm sure I wouldn't be able to control my urge. I would have dragged you away and rented a room only for the two of us.” Nathalia shamelessly replied. Sometimes she normally confused people into thinking that she was a lesbian with her actions and talking.“Hey, Miss ‘If I were a man' people are watching, let's go.” Eva ignored Nathalia's remark, already used to it, so there was no need to be shocked now that she was hearing it again.“Yes, Miss. Sexy looking. I must say that you really love making an entrance." Nathalia said as they walked towards the entrance of the
As expected, Mark had an irritated and annoyed expression on his face when he sighted Eva, who was calmly smirking at them approaching where she was standing. He really wanted to wipe that stupid smirk off her face but Christine had whispered to him to calm down, so he would patiently wait for her to cross the line.“Sister, what are you doing here?" Christine asked after they finally got to where the two beautiful ladies were standing. “Sister Nathy, how have you been? It's been a while since I saw you.” She turned her attention to face Nathalia with a smile on her lips.Nathalia scowled at her, immediately she heard her. “It has been a while like you said, Christine. However, I don't remember us being so close to each other for you to address me by such a nickname.” Before Eva could say anything to Christine, Nathalia spoke in a not so friendly way to Christine." What….? ….... I-" Christine was taken aback by Nathalia's response which made confused on what to say.“Aren't I right C
“And what does that have to mean? I'm here with Christine so you better watch your mouth Evangeline Carter." Mark replied with a deep frown on his face. “I think you should apply that to yourself, Mark Johnson. Don't run your mouth anyhow in our Industry. You might be the boss in your company but we are the boss here." Before Eva could reply, Nathalia, who had been silent, suddenly spoke. Mark suddenly turned to look at Nathalia who also had the same deep frown on her face. “Nathalia, why are you suddenly picking a fight with me?" He asked. “Isn't it obvious? I'm definitely not happy to see you for various reasons. First of all, you're here acting like you own Elite Entertainment and speaking to our top model with so much lack of manners. Secondly, I don't particularly like seeing this annoying face of yours. Thirdly, I still have other reasons why I don't like you but I can say them now.” Nathalia replied, unlike most people who would be scared to speak to Mark because of his stat
Both Mr. Owen and Lane who had spoken earlier also gulped when they felt her aura. They were thankful that she hadn’t directed this aura to them when they were talking to her earlier. Mark was taken aback by the aura that emitted from Eva. It took him back to his encounter with her at the bathroom entrance a few weeks ago at the Grason patriarch's birthday banquet. It seems like she was no longer always scared of him which was starting to give him a weird feeling. He knew Eva was a daring woman in the past, but no matter how daring and stubborn she was, she had her limit and that was him. Seeing the way she was acting and glaring at from time to time made him feel like he didn't know her anymore. “You…… What kind of sister converse with her younger one in such an intimidating and terrifying way?” Mark manages to retort after regaining himself. He can't just shut up because Eva told him to. “This is the best way I can talk to my lovely sister. As her elder and senior in this
“I heard rumors in the past that the Johnson family heir is so quick to use his hand twice on a woman. However, I didn't want to believe it, but I do now, seeing how a prick like is trying to slap a woman in public. Where are you manners and respect that were taught to you as a child to always show some respect?” She added, as she angrily fling Mark's hand and brought out a handkerchief to wipe her hand like she had just touched something filthy. “How dare you speak to me like that Nathalia Evan? Did you what what would happen to you if you go against me-” " What would happen?” Nathalia asked, cutting Mark off. " You think I would be scared of a jerk like you because of that mere threat? I would advise you to not even think about it in the slightest.” she added again. “Are you going to pick that woman's side?" Mark asked. He know how powerful the Evan family are and he doesn't plan to go against at least not with the Johnson Corporations that is currently unstable. " Are you reall
“That guy really needs to be put in his place." Nathalia grumbled when she saw Mark glaring at Eva. “Calm down, Nathy. This is the first time he is seeing me like this in a long time. He's probably just worked up and pissed over something." Eva calmed Nathalia down. Kai didn't say anything and just led the two ladies to the private elevator which was only used by him, and some other important people which included both Eva and Nathalia. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ “I guess it was not only the lobby that got redesigned. You changed your office as well." Eva remarked when they walked into Kai's office. She remembers how it used to look before but now there were a lot of significant changes. “The lobby and the other part of the company's new design was not my idea. They are somebody's idea who was obviously jobless.” Kai replied while taking a sneak look at Nathalia. " Hey! Are you talking about me?” Nathalia yelled, quickly grabbing on to what he was talking about. " Is there anyone else tha
The sound of glass shattering echoed through the luxurious hotel suite as Christine hurled a vase across the room. Her chest heaved with rage, her nails digging into her palms as she glared at the headlines flashing on her phone screen. Her latest scheme to ruin Eva’s reputation had backfired, and instead of dragging her sister through the mud, she had only strengthened Eva’s position. Every carefully placed trap had been countered, every lie had been exposed. Christine had never felt so powerless. Sitting on the couch, Tanya crossed her legs and sighed, watching Christine throw another decorative piece to the floor. She had been working with Christine for years now, and while she had always known that Christine despised Eva, it was becoming clear that this wasn’t just about competition anymore. ‘It was an obsession’ she thought. Tanya remained silent as Christine raged, knowing full well that any attempt to calm her down would only make things worse. Instead, she waited for the
— That evening, Eva arrived at the mansion, feeling a strange sense of relief as she stepped inside. After staying in a hotel for so long, returning here felt like coming home—not just because of the place but because of who was waiting for her. She slipped off her heels and sighed, stretching her sore muscles. Just as she was about to call out, a deep, familiar voice came from the living room. “Took you long enough.” She turned and found Damien leaning against the doorway, watching her with that quiet intensity that always made her heart skip a beat. His sleeves were rolled up, his tie loosened, and despite the exhaustion she knew he must have felt from his long day, there was a softness in his gaze reserved only for her. A slow smile spread across her lips. “Miss me?” she teased, walking toward him. Instead of answering, Damien reached out and gently pulled her into his arms. His embrace was warm, steady—like an anchor. Eva let out a soft breath as she melted into his hold, re
—-- Meanwhile, at Cross Enterprise, Damien was already aware of the situation. Sitting in his office, he scanned the online articles, his expression darkening. Christine had dared to attack Eva through the media, hoping to cause irreparable damage. Big mistake. Damien didn’t tolerate anyone trying to harm what was his. Without hesitation, he placed the tablet down and looked at Eric. “Tell the PR team to shut it down,” he ordered. “And make sure every major outlet retracts the story and destroys whatever companies are involved in this scandal.” Eric frowned slightly when he heard his boss. Again he was trying to protect Eva all again. However, he couldn’t voice out his displeasure so he quietly nodded his head. “Yes, sir.” Within an hour, the suspicious articles started disappearing. Gossip blogs that had been flooded with scandalous headlines were suddenly quiet. Comments under posts were being flooded with contradictions. The narrative was crumbling before Christine’s eyes.
For the past few days, Christine had kept a low profile, following Tanya’s advice to wait for the right opportunity. Her previous schemes had failed miserably—each attempt to sabotage Eva had only backfired, making Eva look even more poised and untouchable. But Christine wasn’t the type to accept defeat.If she couldn’t surpass Eva professionally, then she would tear her down personally.Her mother, Laura, had been the one to plant the idea in her mind. "If you can’t win on the battlefield they’ve chosen," Laura had told her, "then change the game. Make them play on your terms."And that was exactly what Christine intended to do. This time, she wouldn’t just aim for petty sabotage—she was going to destroy Eva’s reputation completely.…………Early in the morning, Eva’s phone buzzed non-stop.Gossip sites, entertainment blogs, and even major media outlets were exploding with headlines:"Supermodel Eva Caught in Scandalous Affair with HB Industry CEO!""Is Eva Using Her Influence to Secure
Meanwhile, Eric, who had been silently watching the interaction, let out a small scoff. “So this is what I wasted my time for?” he muttered under his breath.Gwen immediately shot him a glare. “Excuse me?”Eric smirked slightly, shoving his hands into his pockets. “You barged in here like it was urgent, but all you’re doing is dragging her out for a photoshoot?”“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Gwen said mockingly. “I forgot you were Mr.Cross's bodyguard and not his secretary. If it bothers you so much, maybe you should have stayed outside instead of following me in.” she said, though she knew that he was Damien's secretary but still said that to irk him.Eric chuckled darkly.’This crazy human being.’ “Believe me, I wouldn’t be here if someone didn’t insist I help her get past the receptionist.”“I did not beg—” Gwen started before cutting herself off, clenching her fists. “You know what? Forget it. I don’t have time to argue with an overgrown ice cube.”Eva, who had been watching the entire exch
Eva leaned back against the couch, patting her stomach in satisfaction. "I have to say, I really outdid myself picking that restaurant," she mused.Damien, who was already sitting behind his desk, raised a brow. “You outdid yourself? All you did was order the food. I don’t remember you being the one who actually cooked it.”Eva scoffed, sitting up straighter. “Excuse you, do you know how much effort it took to pick the best dishes from that menu?”Damien smirked. “Oh, I’m sure scrolling through a menu and pointing at things was exhausting.”Eva gasped, placing a hand over her chest dramatically. “Wow, Damien. I put all this effort into making sure my husband doesn’t starve, and this is the appreciation I get?”Damien let out a chuckle, the warmth in his gaze betraying his otherwise teasing expression. “Your husband could have easily ordered lunch himself, you know.”Eva narrowed her eyes. “Really? Because from the looks of it, you were buried under so many files that you probably woul
Gwen strode into Cross Enterprise’s grand lobby, her heels clicking sharply against the polished marble floor. She just got back from where she had told Eva she was going and had tried calling Eva multiple times, but as expected, Eva was too busy flirting or whatever she was doing with Damien to answer her phone.Glancing at the time, Gwen muttered under her breath. “If she doesn’t come out now, Victoria’s going to have my head.”With no other choice, she let out an exasperated sigh, and approached the receptionist’s desk.“I’m here to see Mr. Cross,” she said, adjusting the strap of her handbag. “Let me through to the top floor.”The receptionist, a young woman with perfectly styled hair and an unbothered expression, simply smiled. “I’m sorry, miss, but you don’t have an appointment. I can’t let you in.”Gwen blinked, momentarily taken aback. “What?”The receptionist gave her a polite but firm look. “Without an appointment, I can’t let you through. Company policy.”Gwen narrowed her
As Damien led her to the couch, Eva suddenly halted, making him turn with a questioning brow.“You know,” she mused, tilting her head with mock seriousness, “before you interrupted me, I was actually offering a very expensive consultation service.”Damien crossed his arms, amusement twinkling in his dark eyes. “Oh?”Eva nodded, tapping her chin as if in deep thought. “Yes, I used to charge companies millions for my insights. So technically… you owe me.”Damien let out a low chuckle, stepping closer. “Let me get this straight,” he said, his voice rich with teasing authority. “You walked into my office, sat in my chair, went through my documents without permission—and now you’re asking me to pay you?”Eva grinned. “That’s business, Mr. Cross. Nothing is free.”Damien smirked. “And what if I refuse to pay?”Eva pretended to think, then shrugged. “Then I guess I’ll take my brilliant mind elsewhere.”Damien’s eyes darkened slightly, but he played along. “That would be a shame. Tell me, Mrs
Minutes passed, and Eva quickly grew bored.She had been in Damien’s office many times, but she still found herself looking around. It was immaculate and organized, but it lacked anything personal. Nothing in this room screamed Damien—except for the towering stacks of documents and reports on his desk.Her eyes narrowed as she walked over, running her fingers lightly over the ridiculous amount of paperwork.“No wonder he barely has time to eat.” She muttered, shaking her head.The sight of his overwhelming workload triggered a familiar ache in her chest. She remembered her past—being buried in work, managing her father’s company alongside Mark. She had spent countless nights drowning in documents, starving herself to meet deadlines, and yet… no one had cared. Neither her father nor Mark had ever asked if she had eaten.Her fingers clenched slightly against the papers.She had left that life behind, yet here Damien was, doing the same thing to himself.Determined to help him, Eva sat i