Damien glanced at Gwen briefly, his gaze carrying a sense of approval because, with her around, he would be rest assured no man could get close to Eva. So, without a word, he headed into the bathroom to shower. After seeing him leave, Gwen rested on Eva's arm, feeling drained from that little encounter with Damien as she spoke, "Why didn’t you tell me earlier? You made me embarrass myself in front of such an important person again!" She accused Eva. "I only found out last night when I returned to the room," Eva shrugged innocently. "Also, you didn't let me speak when I tried to explain.” She added. " That is no excuse. All you could have done is make me listen to you. Gosh!” Gwen retorted back. " Like you would even calm down to listen.” Eva muttered as she used her finger to push Gwen away. “Apart from that, let's be serious here. Did you realize how romantic Mr. Cross is to you?” Gwen quickly changed the topic and looked at Eva who raised one brow at her, obviously in disagreem
Because the entire commercial had no script and took up only 30 seconds, the models were required to get into the right emotional state really quickly. The scene they were about to film, was the one where Eva would be chasing. So, the expressions on her face had to show a sense of urgency; starting off looking hopeful and slowly changing to despair as she realizes she can’t catch up... The filming was about to start. Without the help of anyone, Tangning found her position in front of the camera...as soon as the slate clapped down, The original calm and collected Eva suddenly disappeared. In her place, stood an abandoned bride looking around helplessly searching. Her eyes reddened, but no tears fell out. Most importantly, after running, she was detailed enough to add in some panting…… Putting up such an act like this one wasn't as hard as everyone thought it would be for Eva. It was easy for her to pull it off because this was similar to what had happened to her at her wedding so she
Eva took the business card from the director’s hands, but refused politely as usual, "I am happy where I am right now." The director nodded his head in understanding with a gentle smile as he didn’t want to pressure Eva. "Even so, we will always welcome you." Eva thanked him and started to head towards Damien. But, Gwen suddenly rushed towards her holding out her phone exclaiming, "Just now, there was a woman called Trix that called, proclaiming she is the new manager HB industry has arranged for you. She also said, after you are finished with your shooting, you should return back to the country.” Gwen quickly informed Eva. “New manager? Why wasn't I informed about having another manager?" Eva asked. “According to what I know, I am still your manager but since you are now an ambassador for two companies in collaboration, you need someone picked by the two companies to put you through your work as an ambassador. Of course, I'm remaining as your manager now matter what." Gwen expla
"No, I just thought staying away from the company might be troublesome. Moreso, I'm working here and so should you as well. I don't want to be the reason you have to skip work.” Eva replied, making Damien frown while Gwen sighed. "You're more important than the company. I also came to work by checking on our company branch here.” Damien replied. Eva looked at him for a few seconds before she slowly nodded at him. After dropping Eva and Gwen off at the hotel, Damien headed directly back to the airport where his private jet was waiting for him. The moment Eva closed her hotel room door after bidding Gwen goodbye, her phone began to buzz in her pocket. She raised a brow when she saw who the caller was. “Grandfather?" She said, immediately she answered the call. “Evangeline Carter." George's voice rang out from the other side of the phone. “It's been a while now, Grandfather? Why did you call me?" Eva asked. " What do you mean? Why wouldn't I call you when it's been a while since
After making sure that George would not send someone to pick her up, Eva hung up the call and stood up from the couch. She headed to the bathroom to shower and rest since she still had some shoots to do tomorrow as well. ‘Geez, I never knew my work was this stressful and tiring until now.’ Eva thought. The first thing that Eva did when she left the office was to call Harry. She knew if visit George tomorrow he was definitely going to interrogate her about Harry. It's better lying to George over the phone but lying to him face-to-face is very difficult because he would figure it out. At least not when he knew that Eva was very close to her male cousins. She wanted him to know that she might not be able to keep lying to their grandfather so he should prepare himself. He picked up on the first ring but what greeted her was the sound of loud explosions and gunshots. "A squad is coming in from the South East. You guys provide cover fire while we go in this house and snipe." He shouted
"The best way to hide from someone is by staying right underneath them. I know you too well. Do you grandfather wouldn't have found all this month of you running if you were in other states? It's because you never left California that they can't find you.” She explained to him as she played with her hair. " You're really scared when you know my movements and how I think. But why did you want us to eat together all of a sudden?” He was impressed by how Eva figured his secret out but he was still suspicious about her. She chuckled. "Do I need a reason to invite a cousin to eat? Don’t be so skeptical of me." "I'm skeptical if it comes out of nowhere." He said, just as his stomach decided to grumble for food. He tilted his head to look at the empty pizza box that was on his desk and wondered whether he should maybe eat something healthier. "What? Two cousins can’t suddenly enjoy a good meal together?" Eva frowned a bit because she sounded suspicious, even to her own ears. "I just wan
“Why didn’t you say so earlier? I’m going grocery shopping right now. Want me to pick something up for you?" She lied. Although she was ready to get dressed and do some shopping for him since it was not completely late yet. "No need. I’m already eating as we speak." He told her. She sighed. "Tomorrow, you’re going grocery shopping with me. You need some nutrition in your body." She scolded and thought of his tall but incredibly lean frame. He was very skinny and pale. "Going to the grocery is so much work-" "I’ll pay you to go with me." She said, "Really? How much?" He gleefully asked, his eyes lighting up at the idea of making money. Eva chuckled at his enthusiasm. "How does a couple thousand sound?" There was a fond smile on her face as she teased him. "Pft! Are you kidding, just a couple thousand? I’m pretty sure you use a couple thousand as your toilet paper! How about something in the hundred thousand or Million?" She laughed at his greedy words. "If I want to remain ri
Her heart drummed in fear when she found her body unable to move and even the driver wasn't responding to her. She struggled to open her eyes, only to see a strange dispenser near the air conditioner vent. She looked at the rear view mirror and felt her heart drop when she saw the gas mask on the cab driver. ’What the hell was going on?’ She thought to herself. He turned the air conditioner to the highest setting which caused more wind to circulate around the car and the strange dispenser blew out more gas. Eva tried to focus, to fight against the suffocating fog enveloping her mind, but every thought slipped away like water through her fingers. Her eyelids fluttered as she strained to stay conscious. ‘Something is wrong. I need to get out of this car.’ The thought came with force, shaking the last remnants of her strength. However , no matter how she tried to fight, her body remained sluggish, unresponsive, and refused to cooperate with her. She glanced around the car through bl
“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