Eva burst into a loud laughter when she heard Nathalia's words. “Your birthday is still seven months away, so I don't think you need an early birthday gift and particularly not this kind of gift.” Eva remarked.Even though Eva couldn't see her, Nathalia pouted when she got rejected by Eva too.“Besides, I have no intention of keeping this purse or giving it to you. I'm definitely going to return it back from where it came from.” Crossing her arms, Eva informed with a light sparkle in her eyes.Nathalia raised her eyebrows, “Return to where it came from? How did you plan to do it?” Nathalia asked in curiosity.Not just anyone could easily get in contact with Damien Cross. It was even hard for other CEOs from reputable companies to reach him. It would take months of booking in order to personally see him in person.“Besides, returning the gift might really make him come after you. What if he gave you this gift to test you…. I mean you don't want to keep making enemies with him by retu
Shane followed behind Damien and opened the door to the office and entered after Damien entered the office. As usual, just like Damien's personality, the room was lifeless and chilly. Damien strolled towards his chair and sat down behind his big desk. “Today's schedule?” Damien's deep voice rang out in the room.Shane cleared his throat and began his report as he looked at his tablet. “Well, you have a meeting with the CEO of Sky corporation at 2pm. You also-” “Postpone that meeting.” Damien cut off Shane with a dark expression.“What?! Okay, I understand.” Shane replied with a sigh, knowing Damien for years now he was already used to his expression. He knew it wasn't intentional but sometimes he wished that Damien could control his facial expressions. “What about the LT Corp CEO who is requesting another meeting with you? Do you wish to deny or accept?” Shane asked.“Deny.” Damien replied without much hesitation to think about it.“Okay.” Shane nodded his head. He was already anti
The presence of the knife gleaming under the light, made Shane swallow his saliva in fear. For a second he thought Damien was about to throw the knife at him again for voicing out his thoughts. He let out a sigh of relief when he saw that Damien cut through the box.Shane could feel his hand shaking slightly in extreme anxiety and anticipation of what inside the box. It was impossible to even think of entering the Cross Enterprise office building with having a workers ID. However, someone was capable enough of not only entering the building to the Cross Enterprise but also possess the private key card that gave the access to the highest floor in the building. This was practically impossible and unacceptable, only a few handful of people have the access to the private key card and they were mostly Damien's trusted men. So, how the heck was this a possible to be a hand delivery.Shane felt his heart beating faster and faster against his chest with each passing seconds as he watch Damie
After both Shane and Mary left the office, Damien stared at the big window behind his desk. The world looked so small to him as gaze down at the city from high up. He owned everything within a 70 mile radius and beyond, there was nothing he couldn't afford or get as long as he desired that thing in the world.The women threw themselves freely at him purposely and discreetly.Even when other country's most beautiful women threw themselves and approached him, he never flinched or even spared them a second glance. He wasn't interested in them even when they all did different kinds of schemes just to get his attention. He still didn't bat an eye for those kinds of women that shamelessly show off their bountiful bodies.Damien's mind wandered off to Eva and a slight frown appeared on his face, there was nothing special about Eva nor her background could be compared to the background of other ladies that were willing to sacrifice everything just to get his attention. Eva was different but y
Despite the fact of losing her title and position, the handful of people she was still acquainted with seemed to like her more than usual because she was now a single woman. She also remembers how Nathalia made fun of her about it, saying that most of them were like that because they knew that the spot beside her was empty and there was a chance she might fall in love with one of them.Eva didn't really believe that because she didn't plan to fall in love at this point of her life. She placed down the white card and grabbed her cellphone phone. She scrolled through her contact list for a while contemplating on who to call. After a few minutes of scanning through her contacts, she decided to text a high-profiled CEO that deals with cars in Miami.Eva had a small smile on her face, he really is trying to flaunt his wealth to her. He gifted her a purse, then she gifted him a wrist watch which was twice the price of the purse but now he is giving her this necklace which cost three times
“Your father informed me that you are going to attend the birthday party of the Grason Patriarch. He asked me to set a date for you with the Sander family heir because he doesn't trust you to not embarrass the family reputation with the date you will bring along.” Laura explained. Eva had a scowl on her face when she heard Laura's explanation. ‘Sander family?’ “Since when did you take charge of hooking me up with some random guys? How is that any of my father's concern about my date to the party? Wasn't he the one that wanted me at the party? Why did he want to choose my date for me again?” Eva questioned with an irritated look on her face.“What do you mean by that statement, Evangline Carter?! As the Madam of the family, I can order you to go on the blind date without your father asking me to.” Laura yelled angrily, she hated the fact that Eva wasn't treating her as the Madam of the Carter family. “As long as you're part of this family you have to follow every order.” She added.“
“How annoying!” Eva muttered as she threw her phone to the seat next to the couch. Those two just don't get the fact that she wanted to be left alone. “Giving such a short notice to a stupid blind date. Besides, why the Sander family heir?” she wondered. The Sander family is one of the most powerful law firm families in the entire country and as for the heir, Eva heard that he wasn't in the country and was staying overseas at that time she was still Mark's fiancee.‘Did he come back to the country? If that's the case then it is a reason for Laura to set a blind date because he doesn't know anything about my past that much.’ Eva thought. “Honestly I need to clear my head.” Eva stood up from the couch and headed towards her kitchen. She opened the cabinet and grabbed a bottle of wine and a wine glass. Pouring the alcohol into the wine glass, Eva raised her cup to her lips but she stopped again when the smell of the alcohol wraft her nose.Suddenly, she recalled the promise that Natha
“What?!” Nathalia yelled loudly over the phone.Eva had to remove the phone away from her ear before she lost her eardrum from Nathalia's loud voice. She was already expecting this reaction from Nathalia if she told her.“Since when did you have a date? With who? Why didn't you tell me? When are you going on the date?” Nathalia fired different questions at Eva without letting her answer each one.“Hold up, how many questions do you want me to answer at once.” Eva immediately stopped Nathalia from asking any further questions. “Okay, so I need you to explain everything to me right away.” Nathalia finally calms down. “I was just informed that I'm having a blind date with the heir of the Sander family today by Laura and the date is happening this weekend.” Eva explained.“The Sander family heir? Why would they have to choose your date to the party, trust me it would turn out as a disaster if you go with whoever they picked for you. Besides, why did you agree to go to the party?” Nathal
“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