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
“Did you really think Mark is the kind of man to care who I walk with into the banquet?” Eva asked, knowing better than anyone else that making Mark get jealous is obviously a waste of time. What's there for him to get jealous about when he already possesses everything he wants? Even if her partner was truly of a higher class and wealthy family which was on the same par with his family. He would be blinded by the delusion that he was perfect in every way.He never lamented and thought any man was higher than him in comparison to wealth and looks because he had his head stuck in the clouds of illusion that made him think he was already the best man in the country.“If Christine is present then forget it, he will probably see no one else except for her. Without her his whole world would become a blur to him.” Eva added which was true.Mark has always had his eyes centered on Christine and no one else. She was the angle that had descended from heaven in his eyes and everything around wa
Eva sighed, but she maintained her composure. “That’s not true,” she said firmly. “I have nothing but respect for your designs and what you’ve achieved in this industry.”Victoria raised an eyebrow. “And you expect me to take your word over hers?”Eva met her gaze, unflinching. “Yes. But I also believe actions speak louder than words. Let me prove my sincerity by working with you on something that reflects your vision entirely.”Victoria’s expression softened slightly. “So you’re proposing a collaboration—on my terms?”Eva nodded. “I want to respect your artistry, not overshadow it. Whatever you need, I’m here to deliver.”Victoria hummed thoughtfully, tapping her fingers against the table.Eva arched her brow. “What? You think I’m lying?”“No, I can tell you’re being sincere.” Victoria leaned back, crossing her arms. “I was just wondering how you managed to be such a bitch last night, and now here you are, offering me a deal. It’s like you’re two completely different people. My frien
After the dinner, Eva sat in her dressing room, her expression calm but her mind sharp with suspicion. Gwen and Trix stood nearby, sensing the shift in her mood.“Something’s off,” Eva finally said, leaning back on the couch. “Victoria was completely different tonight. I’m sure Christine is behind this.”Trix frowned, scrolling through her tablet. “Wouldn’t be the first time. Christine’s tricks are anything but subtle.”“She must have fed Victoria something damaging,” Gwen added. “Victoria isn’t the type to act on baseless rumors unless she was nudged in the right direction.”Eva scoffed. “I expected Victoria to be more rational than to fall for empty gossip.”“Well, think about it,” Gwen countered, crossing her arms. “Victoria has never met you before. If she treated you that way tonight, then someone must’ve gotten to her first. And given the way you reacted, it only reinforced whatever she was told.”Eva arched a brow. “What? You wanted me to play nice and kiss up to her? If she wa
Two days after Christine’s meeting with Victoria, the pre-collaboration dinner finally arrived.Victoria moved through the room with an air of grace, greeting the models with warm professionalism. Even Christine received a polite smile, which only fueled her satisfaction—Victoria had clearly taken the bait.“It looks like she believed everything you told her,” Tanya murmured under her breath as she stood beside Christine, observing Victoria’s interactions.Christine smirked, keeping her expression composed. “Patience. She may have bitten, but we need to see how deep the hook is.” Her gaze swept the room, searching for Eva. She had expected her sister to make an entrance by now, yet there was no sign of her.“Where is Evangeline?” Christine’s voice carried a hint of irritation.“That evil woman is over there,” Tanya scoffed, tilting her head toward the center of the room.Christine followed her line of sight and found Eva effortlessly commanding attention. She was surrounded by a group
The buzz of an elite designer collaboration filled the industry. Working with the renowned designer Victoria Byrd wasn’t just a career milestone; it was a privilege. Known for her impeccable artistry and influence, Victoria's approval could make or break a model's reputation.For Eva, the collaboration was an exciting opportunity, not that she needed it for any particular reason. She just wanted to get her hands on the opportunity so that Christine doesn't. Moreso, Victoria admired professionalism and authenticity, two traits Eva embodied. However, Christine saw it as yet another chance to undermine Eva.“Tanya, get me an appointment with Victoria Byrd,” Christine ordered as she set her phone down with a decisive click.Tanya blinked in surprise before furrowing her brows. “Victoria Byrd? Why do you suddenly want to meet with her?”Christine let out a scoff, her lips curling into a knowing smirk. “What do you think? To put my plan into motion, of course. I’m not about to let this gol
The studio was buzzing with energy two days later. The collaboration project had reached its most critical stage—a high-profile photoshoot for a luxury fashion campaign. Every detail, from the lighting to the wardrobe, had been meticulously planned to create a series of iconic images.Eva arrived early, as always, her posture radiating quiet confidence. She greeted the team warmly, moving through the studio with a calm authority that put everyone at ease. Her reputation for professionalism preceded her, and she intended to keep it that way.“Miss Evangeline, your wardrobe is ready in Dressing Room A,” the stylist called out.Eva nodded and headed toward the room. She felt a flicker of apprehension as she passed Christine, who was chatting animatedly with the photographer. Christine’s laughter was just a little too loud, her smile a little too sharp. Eva knew the woman well enough by now to sense when she was plotting something.As Eva entered the dressing room, her suspicions were con
“But…” Eva trailed off, the warmth in her expression vanishing in an instant. She took a deliberate step forward, closing the distance between them. Christine instinctively stiffened, unable to move as Eva reached out. With slow, calculated ease, Eva tucked a stray strand of Christine’s hair behind her ear, her fingers brushing against her cheek lightly.“If someone is truly pulling the strings behind this little stunt,” Eva murmured, her voice low enough for only Christine to hear, “I would expect them to put in more effort. It would be such a shame if this was all they could muster—it’s almost disappointing.”Christine swallowed hard, her hands curling into fists at her sides, but she couldn’t bring herself to move.“Christine,” Eva’s voice took on a commanding edge, soft yet firm. “Look at me.”Christine’s head lifted instantly, her gaze locking onto Eva’s before she could even think to resist. A slow, knowing smile spread across Eva’s lips.“Don’t you agree with me?” she asked lig
The next morning, Eva’s phone buzzed incessantly, pulling her from her thoughts as she reviewed her schedule for the week. She glanced at the screen, her brow furrowing at the dozens of notifications from her social media accounts. Messages poured in—some supportive, others scathing.Confused, she clicked on one of the links shared by Trix. It opened to a viral video, its caption glaring in bold letters: “Evangeline Carter Exposed: The Real Diva of the Industry is back!”Her breath caught as she watched the video. It depicted her at yesterday’s photoshoot, supposedly berating a makeup artist. In the clip, Eva’s voice was sharp, her tone laced with irritation as she gestured toward the stylist’s equipment. The video cut abruptly, leaving viewers to draw their own damning conclusions.Eva’s fingers tightened around her phone. She didn’t recall any such incident—because it hadn’t happened. Someone had manipulated the footage.“Christine,” she muttered, her voice low with restrained fury.
The sun filtered through the tall windows of the lavish studio, casting a golden glow on the marble floors. Eva adjusted the strap of her gown, her every movement embodying grace and confidence. Today was the first photoshoot for the collaboration project. However, it wasn’t the prestige of the project or the significance of the moment that lingered in Eva’s mind; it was the presence of Christine.Christine stood nearby, her face a mask of saccharine sweetness as she chatted with the director. Her voice, dripping with feigned enthusiasm, carried across the room. To everyone else, she appeared friendly and cooperative, the perfect team player. Eva knew better. Behind Christine's polished smile was a mind working overtime, strategizing ways to undermine her.“Eva, you’re up,” the photographer called, breaking through her thoughts.Eva turned, her poise unwavering, and stepped forward. She exuded a quiet confidence, her years of experience as a model shining through with each graceful s
Eva had just finished reviewing some documents that Gwen sent, when her phone buzzed beside her. She picked it up absentmindedly, expecting it to be a work message, but her brows lifted in surprise when she saw Lucien’s name flashing across the screen. Lucien? Calling her? That was rare. Though they kept in touch through messages, Eva knew that Lucien wasn’t someone who liked making calls, especially not at this hour. Curious, she answered. "Lucien? Is everything okay?" On the other end of the line, Lucien’s voice was calm but carried an unusual seriousness. "Hey, Big sis. Yeah, everything’s fine. Just wanted to check in on you." Eva leaned back in her chair, amused. "Check in on me?" she repeated with a teasing lilt. "That’s new. Should I be flattered?" Lucien huffed. "Tch. Don’t make this weird." Eva laughed. "Alright, alright. So what’s up?" There was a slight pause before Lucien spoke again. "I heard you signed a contract with Christine." Eva’s amusement faded slightly.