Knowing fully well that Eva can do what she said, Matthew calmed down a bit. Yesterday, after Laura received a call from Christine, who told her mother everything that happened. Laura urged him endlessly to contact Eva and tell her to let go of the deal but he knew it was useless since Eva wouldn't agree. So he decided to call her and speak with her about the marriage idea Laura had brought up a few days ago. “Fine, tell me when you will come home? I have something I want to discuss with you.” Matthew asked, “Does this thing you want to discuss with me can’t be disturbed on the phone? If I remember correctly, none of our phone conversations had anything to do with us seeing each other.” Eva asked, finding why he wants to suddenly see her very weird. “We have to discuss it personally and it’s a face to face conversation?” Matthew replied, raising his voice a bit. “Is that so? Then I need you to tell me the importance of this discussion before I tell you when I will come?” She inqui
********** Eva personally drove herself to her destination which was none other than the Carter Corporation the next day. By the time she got there, she didn’t bother parking in the garage and pulled over in an empty space in the outdoor parking lot. She stepped out of the car fully dressed in a sleeveless , pleated midi- length navy blue gown with a brown long coat draped over her shoulder. Eva glanced at the building, which was none other than the Carter Corporation. There was a dull expression on her face , obviously not liking the idea that she was back here again. Just like the Johnson Corporation, she never had a good and memorable time when she used to secretly work for her father as well. “We are already here, Evangeline. There's no going back.” She mumbled to herself. Eva took a deep breath and walked to the entrance of the building. Just as she was entering the building, she unexpectedly bumped into someone by the entrance. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t looking at where I was
"My brother might be angry at you and me if he found out that I was the one that kept from meeting him. Don't worry, I will be staying longer in the city than I normally do, so I can wait till you can squeeze out time for us, my dear.” Brian gently said, not wanting to get into an argument with his older brother if he finds out. “Alright, I'll definitely find time in my schedule then." Eva didn't bother to push it further and agreed with him since he said he would stay in Miami longer than he usually does before. After insisting to walk Brian to his car, Eva finally made her way back to the building. The moment the receptionist in the lobby saw Eva, she quickly stood up and bowed her head at her since she knew who Eva was. She nodded her head to acknowledge the receptionist's greeting as she walked into the elevator. By the time she stepped out of the elevator when she got to the floor of her father's office she saw his secretary sitting behind his desk. “Good afternoon, Han. I
“You kept me waiting to chat with Brian? I knew this would happen when he kept asking for you." Matthew remarked, knowing that Brian was the person Eva was talking about. Somehow, he didn't like the fact that Eva was very much close to his younger brother than all his other siblings. “Trust me, he is one of the few people that is really worth my time.” She coldly replied. “But if you called me here to scold or talk about something irrelevant, it's not too late for me to take my leave now.” Eva added, just as she was about to stand up from her seat. "Sit down. I have something else to say.” Mathew waved at her. “Good, so tell me what was the important thing you asked to see me for?" Eva asked after she sat down back. “It's something that would benefit you greatly." Matthew told her but Eva wasn't convinced. Instead she had a scowl on her face when she heard him. “I think my coming here was a mistake. Whenever you say something that benefits me is not a good thing. If I remember co
“Really? When I was becoming a model in the first place, you were never there as my support. I have to face the harsh and cruel world all alone without my so-called family. So if Christine wants to get half of the fame and popularity that I possess, tell her to stop running back to daddy and complaining every time things don't go her way because if it's not me she would handle it herself." She coldly replied back to him. "Don't drag your sister into your mess, Evangeline. Christine asked for my permission when she wanted to become a model unlike you so I have to give her my full support.” Matthew defended himself. "I don't expect you to remember when I asked for your permission. But if that is the case then I see no reason why I should tell you my decision to return since I haven't asked the first time as well. Besides, we have never sat down together as a father and daughter to discuss what my personal decision was, it was always what you wanted. That one-sided decision you make, c
"Yup, you always remind me that I caused what happened at the wedding. Thank you for reminding me once again. Also stop using my disappearance as an excuse because if I didn't disappear you wouldn't check up on me in any way.” Eva coldly retorted back. “You……. Anyways, as I was saying before. You can't remain single like this and cause trouble around. You've had enough time to heal from what happened to you so move on. And that is where we can discuss matters about the dates you had.”Matthew said, choosing to ignore Eva and go straight to the point. “What date?" She asked, with a clueless brow raised up. “Do not play games with me, Evangeline! You know exactly what I'm talking about.” Matthew glared at her. “I don't. If you are not ready to tell me then we have no discussion." She stubbornly told him while crossing her arm in front of her chest. ‘If only weren't useful for me.’ Matthew thought in his mind as he looked at Eva. “I'm talking about your dates you had recently.” He f
"To who?" Eva seethed, her voice like icy death. "Lucas Sander. Your date." Matthew didn't waste his time and told her. ‘Asshole.’ A string of curses drifted through her head, none of which left her mouth. Eva glowered at her father with sheer hatred. She wished a hole would open up and swallow him whole. How could he have not consulted her when making such a horrible decision??? She opened her lips, but closed them. She needed a minute to breathe. Or else, she was going to curse him, his ancestors, and his entire livelihood. Once she had a slippery grasp of her sanity, she cleared her throat. "Did you publicly announce this yet?" Eva demanded, trying her hardest to keep her emotions in control. But all she wanted to do was chuck a glass of water at him. Matthew was impressed because he thought Eva was already starting to agree with him which he thought was a good thing. "I haven't announced this decision yet," Matthew stated. "But your husband's family has already agre
“When will you stop all this annoying attitude of yours? Lucas is the supposed victim of your affair, Eva, for your relationship with him was announced first," Matthew said, raising his voice a bit. "Those pictures of your museum date—" "Might as well have been posted by you or Laura." Eva seethed, her heart thundering from the tension. “Laura did what she knew was best for you as your mother. And she is still doing what's best for you, that's why she brought up this idea." Matthew stated, sighing and rubbing his forehead. “Laura? Tsk……I knew you couldn't come up with all this bullshit all alone without being instigated by that Mistress. I'm warning you father, tell that woman you call her to stop meddling in my business.” “I told you she is not a mistress!" Matthew lost his cool and slammed his hand on the table in anger. “She is the woman that you were in an affair with when you were still married to my mother. She will remain a mistress to me no matter what.” Eva retorte
---The next morning, the media was ablaze with photos of their romantic outing. Paparazzi had captured them at the amusement park, painting them as the ultimate power couple. In every image, Damien’s protective nature was evident—his arm firmly around Eva, his gaze never straying far from her.The headlines praised their chemistry, their undeniable connection. While most media outlets dared not mention Eva’s past, a few foolishly brought up her previous engagement to Mark and unearthed unflattering photos from years ago.Damien was swift in his retaliation. The companies responsible were swiftly dismantled, their employees blacklisted, and the malicious articles erased from existence. His actions sent a clear message: any attack on Eva would be met with swift and merciless consequences.Unaware of the media frenzy, Eva woke up to a flood of messages. Most were from her estranged family, whose sudden interest in her life only deepened her disdain.[Mistress]: Ungrateful child! Why did
Her words seemed to shatter the last of his control. Damien’s movements became more deliberate, his hands exploring her body with a confidence that left her breathless. She felt the heat of his touch through the thin fabric of her dress, and when his lips found the sensitive spot at the base of her throat, a soft moan escaped her.The tension between them built with every touch, every kiss, until it was almost unbearable. Damien’s hands found the straps of her dress, and he slid them down her shoulders, his lips following the path they left behind. She felt vulnerable yet safe under his gaze, the intensity in his eyes making her feel like the most precious thing in the world.Just as they reached the point of no return, the shrill sound of Damien’s phone shattered the moment. He froze, his forehead resting against hers as he let out a frustrated groan. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he muttered, his voice filled with irritation.Eva couldn’t help but laugh softly, her cheeks flushed a
She trembled at his words, their certainty sending a ripple through her. He spoke with such confidence, so assured that she would stay by his side for the rest of their lives, and to her surprise, she found comfort in it. There was something deeply reassuring about his unwavering resolve, about knowing he was the kind of man who would cross oceans and move mountains to keep her close—even if it meant chasing her to the ends of the earth just to bring her back."I never intended to run," she whispered, her voice soft but resolute. Her words made his heart race. He tightened his arms around her, unwilling to let go.Eva remained nestled against Damien’s chest, her breath steadying as his strong arms cocooned her in warmth. For a moment, the world around them seemed to disappear, leaving only the two of them in the magical ambiance he had created. The distant hum of the city and the lingering scent of roses faded into the background, replaced by the quiet, steady rhythm of his heartbeat
Okay, now remove your hands."Eva hesitated for a moment before doing as Damien instructed. When she opened her eyes, confusion flickered across her face. Darkness engulfed her entirely, so thick she could barely make out his silhouette ahead of her."What's going on—"Her words faltered as Damien pressed a button. In an instant, the oppressive darkness was replaced with a breathtaking display of shimmering lights.The scenery before her was magical, like something out of a dream. Majestic archways adorned with twinkling lights stretched as far as her eyes could see. Each arch was intricately designed with delicate white metalwork, interwoven with clusters of vibrant flowers. Fairy lights danced across the vivid blooms, their colors blending into a mesmerizing spectrum. String lights cascaded above them, adding to the enchantment.Her gaze drifted downward, and her breath caught. The ground was a carpet of roses—red, white, and pink—arranged in a heart-shaped pattern so intricate it s
Suspicious, Eva pulled out her phone and opened the camera. Her eyes widened in horror when she saw the glaring red marks on her neck—two perfectly visible hickeys."You!" she gasped, smacking Damien’s arm as he burst into laughter."You… you…!" she stammered, completely flustered. Her thoughts raced in a whirlwind of panic. ‘Oh my goodness! Has it been there this whole time? Is that why people kept staring at me?!’"It’s not funny!" she scolded, now using her purse to hit him, much to the amusement of his bodyguards."If it makes you feel better, you can leave some on me too," Damien teased, winking playfully. She retaliated by swatting at him repeatedly, but he was far too amused by her adorable expression to take her seriously. The mere thought of her leaving a mark on him filled him with excitement, his eyes glinting with anticipation and unspoken hopes."You wish!" she snapped, instantly crushing his hopes, though his smirk only deepened."Careful what you wish for," he murmured,
After the haunted house, Eva eagerly dragged Damien from one ride to another—towering roller coasters, spinning swings, and even a few kiddie rides. For her sake, Damien endured the sweltering heat and the endless lines. He’d thought a regular FastPass was fine, but Eva insisted they live like “normal” people for the day.He glanced at her flushed cheeks and noticed her eyes drooping slightly from the heat. With a sharp flick of his wrist, his bodyguards stepped forward. One handed him a hat while the other awaited further instructions."Get iced drinks," Damien ordered, placing the hat gently on Eva’s head.Her curious eyes peeked up at him, and she began to speak, but he cut her off with a sigh. "You're overexerting yourself, silly." Pulling out a pristine handkerchief, he wiped the beads of sweat forming on her forehead with surprising tenderness."But it’s so much fun…" Eva mumbled, reaching for his arm. To her dismay, he dodged her touch at first, only to surprise her by intertwi
Before she could respond, he kissed her with a fierce urgency, his lips claiming hers with an intensity that left her breathless. His mouth was rough and demanding, pulling her closer, but there was also an undeniable sweetness in the way he tasted her. Despite the forceful kiss, a warmth spread through her, igniting a growing heat within her body.A sharp gasp escaped her when he nipped at her bottom lip, the sudden sting quickly soothed by his tongue, the tenderness of his touch both punishing and soothing in equal measure. His kiss deepened, and as promised, her mind spiraled into blankness, consumed by the sensation of his lips on hers. His hand slid behind her, giving her a gentle but possessive squeeze that made her heart race.The soft sound of her breath hitched as he continued, kissing her mercilessly until her lips were tender and swollen. Her legs were barely holding her up, but he was there, steadying her, marking her with every kiss, every touch. When he finally pulled aw
“Don’t worry, Big Boss. If you’re scared, you can always hide behind me!” Eva smirked, seizing the rare opportunity to tease Damien. When she saw his face darken, the corners of his mouth pulling down into a displeased frown, her laughter bubbled out uncontrollably. The sound was like a melody that softened his rigid expression, a faint smile threatening to break through.“Oh, and here—” she extended her hand toward him, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “You can hold my hand too. Don’t worry, dear prince, This knight will protect you.”Her challenge was met immediately as Damien grabbed her hand, his firm grip tugging her toward him. He leaned down, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, his voice low and husky, “Teasing me like this won’t end well for you.”Eva’s stomach flipped at the sensation of his breath on her skin, but she refused to give in. Smirking, she countered, “Not before I teach you who’s in charge today.” She was amused that, even though he was clearly scared, he
Everywhere they went, they drew countless stares. Some people even stopped mid-step, their gazes lingering on the captivating striking pair. Some stole discreet glances, while others openly stared, mesmerized by the strikingly elegant couple. Despite the commanding presence of the tall, suave man walking beside her, she did not appear overshadowed. Her sharp eyes and composed demeanor radiated confidence, her neutral expression betraying nothing as she took in her surroundings. Together, their combined aura was magnetic and overwhelming, an air of authority and sophistication that seemed almost regal. They were, without question, the embodiment of a true power couple.“Oh my gosh, he’s so handsome!” In a hypnotic daze upon seeing someone so blindly charismatic, one woman whispered to her friend. “I wonder if he’s a model or an actor.”“No, he looks like an immortal!” another chimed in, hearts practically radiating from her eyes."Pfft! Ivy, you’ve been watching way too many historica