“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
“Okay. But why is your work schedule starting soon?" "I know but I was told that Bling’s New Product Launch is just around the corner." Eva explained to Damien. "Damien, give me a little more time. I will definitely climb to a position that will make you proud." She added with a determined smile on her face. "I've never doubted you," Damien said as he placed food on Eva's plate. Eva gave him a thank you smile before turning her attention back to her food. Just like that the two of them engaged in a little conversation which ended up enlightening her mood. ********** The contract signing ceremony with Bling corporation and HB Industry was to be held at 10am. The entire process was broadcast live and announced to the public. It could be considered Bling’s vote of support for Eva and Christine's battle. After four years, Eva had indeed forgotten what it felt like to attend a signing event. But, as soon as she put on ths white backless mermaid dress and wore the jewelry sp
Afterwards, Eva boarded the car with Gwen's help after bidding Damien goodbye. Damien turned and glanced at the head security, who was standing a few meters away. “Get two.cars.of.your best men to follow my wife." He instructed the head security while glancing one more time at Eva’s car that was driving away. “Yes, boss." The head security nodded his head in understanding. “Make sure she doesn't notice your presence as well." Damien added before walking towards his own car as well. He knew Eva's background and was aware of the fact that she can easily detect if she's being followed by his men. The last thing he needed was another argument between him and Eva even though he knew she was still playing him. On the way, Gwen said as the chauffeur drove, "The signing time is 10am, we will arrive at around 9:50 am. Not too early, not too late, perfect." "Your arrangements have never been a problem," Eva replied as she lowered her head as she swiped through her phone. “Eva, did you h
“Well, after signing the contract you have a flight that is already scheduled for you at 3pm. You should also be aware that Christine’s damned manager has arranged for anti-fans to wait for you at the airport. From what I can see, in her fan club, in order to slander you, they have arranged everything in an orderly manner. Some are responsible for taking photos and uploading them to the trending topics, some are specifically looking for an opportunity to make a move on you to embarrass you and some are pretending to be passersby to confuse bystanders." Gwen snorted disdainfully after giving Eva the necessary information. This was the behavior of a group of primary school students. But, it was also because of this that the behavior of primary school students brought the most harm to others. "How did you know all this?" Eva asked, finally raising her head up to look at Gwen in disbelief. "It's because I have an alternate account there..." Gwen snorted proudly, "Let the kids have fun..
“Gwen, why are two company cars following behind us?" Eva asked when she noticed the two black cars she recognized as Elite Entertainment cars following them. "Eva, I've told boss Kai about this, so he also wants a few company bodyguards to escort us.” Gwen explained to Eva. Of course, she wouldn't keep her mouth shut after she figured out some dangerous plot against Eva. " Is that really needed?” Eva questioned again, making Gwen snap her head to look at her " Don't joke around. This is more than needed. I will do my best to protect you. You also need to protect yourself at this point Eva, so don't slack when you get to the airport because we've got prey to avoid.” Gwen remarked. "Gwen, what do you think? Did you think I wasn't prepared in the first place? Don't worry, by now I already know that I'm attracted to trouble." Eva replied while maintaining her calm smile. Now that everything was within their control, what was there to be afraid of? Four years ago, she had already
Just as Rex reached for his expensive wine again, the door to the room burst open with a thunderous crash, silencing the revelry in an instant. Crimson laser dots swarmed the room, targeting every man, freezing them in place.Rex barely blinked when he saw the commotion. It was not something new to have enemies barge into the place he was having fun. Probably, it would end with another threat conversation before the other party leaves. Calmly, he sipped his drink and set it down. But just as his fingers released the glass, a bullet shattered it, spilling the expensive liquor onto his custom Dior shoes."Bold little bastards," Rex muttered, his patience wearing thin. Reaching into his waistband, he pulled out a pistol.Upon seeing the lethal weapon in his hand, the women beside scattered like frightened mice, their shrieks piercing the tension-filled air. They weren't women who worked for the clan, instead, they were just simple escorts and prostitutes called in to please these big-sho
After switching the light on, her eyes landed on a set of bags near the couch. The scent of familiar dishes wafted through the air, and her heart twisted painfully. He had brought her favorite foods, likely intending to eat with her.He had wanted to eat with her. Her chest prickled with guilt and for a moment, she hesitated.But then she glanced at the shattered vase she had thrown in anger, and the guilt was replaced by frustration. Gathering the bags, she marched to the door and opened it to find Damien’s bodyguards standing stiffly outside.“You must be hungry standing out here all day,” she said, shoving the bags into their hands. “Take these. I’m not in the mood to eat.”The men exchanged bewildered glances.“Lady Boss, are you sure—”“If you don’t want them, throw them away,” she said curtly, shutting the door before they could protest further.“We can't really toss this away, can't we? This is too expensive." One of the bodyguards said, glancing at the bag while the others nod
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