************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
His scowl deepened, and for a moment, she thought he might explode. But instead, he bit back whatever retort had been on the tip of his tongue. He knew that pushing her further would only backfire.“I understand you hate hospitals,” he said after a long pause, his voice gentler. “But staying here and resting is for your own good. You’re too stubborn to take care of yourself, so I have to do it for you.”Did he view her as a child? Why was he so persistent in keeping her here? She could recuperate somewhere else with a personal doctor — anything was fine, as long as it wasn't this chemical-filled location brimming with painful memories.Eva’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I don’t need your intervention.”His eyes narrowed, his irritation simmering just beneath the surface. “Don’t be stubborn—”“You’re a hypocrite,” she shot back before she could stop herself. Well, to some extent, she was hypocritical."Ehm, ehm……you demand me to not be stubborn, but here you are again, also being st
Eva felt her heart ache at the tone of Damien's voice, so small and fragile, like that of a lost child. Her chest tightened with guilt for having pushed him to this point. Her logical mind chastised her for taking things too far, while her heart yearned to soothe and comfort him.“Will you do it again?” she asked softly, her fingers tracing gentle circles over his rough, calloused hands.Immediately, his hand shifted to clasp hers tightly, intertwining their fingers in a firm yet comforting grip. Her heart skipped a beat at the gesture, a tiny smile tugging at the corners of her lips.“I can’t promise you a definite no,” he admitted, his deep voice muffled as he rested his head on her shoulder. He breathed her in—the intoxicating, calming scent of jasmine filling his senses and clouding his mind. “But I will try my hardest to be lenient.”She paused, unsure how to respond. Sensing her silence, Damien tightened his hold on her fingers, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.“Are you sti
Eva’s heart pounded as she searched for a way to diffuse his anger. She knew that escalating this tension would only make things worse. Desperate, she decided to play a different card—a gamble.“Tell me, how would you like to handle the consequences? Perhaps I should start with—" He was interrupted when she abruptly stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace. The suddenness of her action made him freeze in place.“What are you doing?" He blinked. "Damien," she murmured softly, her voice sweet and soothing. She pressed her face against his chest, rubbing her cheek against the silk of his shirt.His body stiffened, his clenched fists trembling at his sides. "This won't work," he said, though his voice had lost its sharp edge."I'm cold," she whispered, her words muffled against his chest."Eva," he warned, but his tone lacked conviction."Won’t you hug me?" She tilted her head up, gazing at him with wide, pleading eyes and a slight pout on her lips. Her heart ski
After bidding Belle goodbye and promising her one last time that she would return tomorrow, Eva walked down the hospital halls with a spring in her step. A soft hum escaped her lips, her arms filled with snacks Belle had insisted she take. The little girl had brightened her day and made her feel less alone in the dreariness of the hospital."You shout it out, but I can't hear a word you sayI'm talking loud, not saying muchI'm criticized, but all your bullets ricochetShoot me down, but I get up," Eva softly sang, her favorite song playing in her mind as she strolled back to her room. She smiled, wondering if her friend Nathalie would enjoy the snacks she was carrying.“I'm bulletproof, nothing to loseFire away, fire awayRicochet, you take your aimFire away, fire awayShe was in such a good mood that she even gently danced along the hallway to her. “You shoot me down, but I won't fallI am titanium………..”“You shoot me down, but I won't fallI am titanium” a low voice suddenly com
She paused, her mind flashing back to the countless fights, the shattered dishes, the cold silences that followed her every rebellion. "But I didn’t let their expectations control me. I chose my path, even when it meant walking away from them entirely." Eva let out a sigh, her gaze still focused outside the window. " I really loved it when I refused them, even though it would earn me being slapped senselessly. I always find pleasure somehow and I took pride in becoming the perfect, graceful black sheep of that damned family.” Belle hung on every word, her eyes wide with admiration and curiosity."But," She continued. “I only did it when I was a grown adult, legal enough to make my own choices. My plan wasn't perfect nor did it work in pleasing my family, but then again, why should I continue to please them when they were never family to me in the first place?" Eva gently moved her gaze back to Belle, leaning forward, "However, as someone who has gone through all that, you should k
"So, Belle," Eva began, pulling a chair close to the bed and sitting down. "Why don’t you tell me a little about yourself? What brought you here to this hospital room?" Her eyes scanned the room, taking in the overflowing flowers and gifts surrounding the small child."I caught a fever a few days ago," Belle replied glumly, her voice quiet. Though it was just a fever, she’d been stuck in this hospital for a week. She felt fine now, but her parents insisted she remain."I'm all better now. Nothing hurts anymore. I just want to go home, but they won’t let me." Belle’s lips turned down in a bitter frown as she recalled how her parents refused her calls and ignored her requests to leave. Deep down, she knew they preferred her absence."Why not?" Eva asked softly, though she already sensed the answer."Because they hate me."Eva’s heart clenched at the words, so full of pain and resignation. She studied the young girl, who stared back with guarded eyes that looked far older than her years.
Once the door shut, the girl turned her head slightly. "You can come out now."Eva pushed the gifts aside and slid out from under the bed. She straightened up, her gaze meeting the child’s lifeless, cold eyes. They lacked the innocent sparkle of youth."Why were those men chasing you? Who are you?" the girl asked, studying Eva intently. Despite her disheveled hair and rumpled gown, there was no mistaking the elegant air that surrounded her.Eva smiled faintly, deciding to test the girl’s intuition when she noticed how she was studying her. ‘Let’s see if you're smart. "Who do you think I am?"The child’s eyes narrowed. "You’re not a simple patient.""Oh? What makes you say that?""This is the VVIP floor, accessible only with a private keycard. Your gown is made of high-quality cotton, reserved for VVIP patients.""Well, I could’ve stolen the keycard and clothes," Eva countered.The girl’s gaze didn’t waver. "Despite your messy appearance, you carry yourself with grace. Your posture, ev
Eva jumped in alarm, spinning around to find a young girl sitting on a hospital bed. The room was filled with vases of flowers, their cloying fragrance filling the air. The child, no older than fourteen or fifteen years old, looked at her with wide, innocent eyes, her long hair framing her delicate face.Eva blinked in surprise, her anger momentarily forgotten as she stared at the young child. Somehow she felt something about this girl resembling a boy she used to know. “Hello.”“What's your name, child?" She asked, just as the footsteps outside became louder.The girl smiled faintly. “You’re running from people.” she said nugging at the door.Eva's brows furrowed. “Yes, I am.”. “Quick! Look for her before Boss gets upstairs!”The sound of the bodyguards’ voices rang in the hallway, getting closer. Panic flooded Eva's chest. She scanned the room frantically, looking for a way out, but the space was small, and the windows were sealed shut.She turned back to the girl, her pulse racing
Eva who was moments away from hitting him with the IV pole again when his pitiful plea caught her attention. “You can tell your boss to rot in hell—” she started, but the man cut her off.“Please, Lady Boss!” he cried, desperation in his voice. “I have a wife, kids, and a family to feed—”Eva's brow twitched at his words. Of course, he definitely wouldn't be a monk like his boss, however, she had a feeling he was saying this to make her feel guilty. “And you have a dog too, I bet?” she quipped sarcastically.His eyes widened in shock. “Y-yes! Exactly! His name is Chase!”She grit her teeth in annoyance, snatching the phone from his shaking hands. “What do you want?” she demanded, her patience wearing thin. She could guess that he was trying to stall time until he got here but she wasn't planning to let him meet her here.The bodyguards flinched in fear. They truly applauded her for her boldness, but they also feared for the poor woman's head! It would really fly if she continued talk