********Eva stared out of the car window, well dressed guests strutted in and out of the exquisite and luxurious hotel where a beautiful water fountain greeted the cars of the guests and a golden carpet was laid out on the ground.“Miss, we are there.” The driver announced them arriving at her destination.Eva nodded slightly and paid the driver his money before she opened the car and placed one foot out gently, then the other and climbed out of the car. At this point, it has always been a habit for Eva to always elegantly exit. The minute she exited the car, Eva was forced to remember her roots. No matter how far she runs, no matter how she changes for the better, no matter her current lifestyle, she will never be able to run and hide away from the fact that she would always be the eldest daughter of the Carter family.Stepping out of the taxi, Eva was beginning to garner the attention of a few onlookers. Because the hotel was really popular and famous among the socialites, the peo
Eva's head immediately snapped up and she peered at him innocently, like a naive dove. Seeing her reaction, Damien suddenly felt tense which stimulated him far too much.“Are you stalking me?” Eva gawked at him. This was the second time she was running into him, anytime she was outside.Damien rubbed his thumb across his watch, releasing a haunty breath. Eva stomach knotted at the sound, her heart skipping a beat when his lips curled up in slight amusement. “And what prospect do you have for me to stalk you?” Damien taunted, his voice smooth as silk but extremely cold as ice.The corner of her eyes twitched uncontrollably when she heard Damien's response. “Don't you have any other nice and creative lines?” Eva mumbled.Damien narrowed his gaze, sending chills down Eva's spine. Yet, her face went red when he tucked his hand inside the front pocket of his trouser, observing her.He stared intently at her outfit and he couldn't help but wonder what she was doing in a hotel, all alone, a
Finally, Eva saw a small sign that pointed towards the hotel restaurant, she hurried down the corridor and skipped through the long line ignoring the stares that were thrown at her.“Good afternoon, Ma'am. Do you have a reservation?” The hostess at the front counter asked, offering the guest a professional warm smile. She had briefly skimmed through Eva's outfit, she has been working here for a while and could instantly smell money from afar. Right now, Eva seems to be made of it.“I don't.” Eva curtly replied. She had no idea who made the reservation, Laura didn't tell her anything about making a reservation. Her words immediately caused the women by the entrance to giggle and gossip. “Hah, I thought she was some big shot seeing her dress so expensively but she can't get in.” “The reservation wait-list here is two months, there is no way she can get in. Did she think this place is just some regular restaurant?” The women laughed to themselves, clearly not knowing who Eva was and he
“Sir, please let go of my hand.” Eva frowned and glared up at him.“Why should I? You always look like you're about to pounce me like a wild cat?” Damien mused. Eva unconsciously touched her face. ‘I plan on doing that if I don't get your hands on me!’ she thought when she realized that she had a scowl on her face.“Am I so handsome that you don't want to stay close to me?” Damien asked, his words were supposed to sound like a tease but he appeared as serious as a statue. Damien was not the kind to tease or crack jokes for someone, so everything that came out of his mouth was always serious.Eva blinked up at him. This arrogance he possessed was really starting to infuriate Eva. “Sorry to disappoint you, but you're so ugly and it hurts my eyes so much that's why I want to get away from you.” Eva replied bluntly as she stared directly at him, hoping that he would be discouraged by her words. Too bad for her, his eyes flashed with amusement. Damien was intrigued by her, not because of
“Evangeline, right?” The man remarked, revealing a gently friendly smile. Eva was a little bit surprised, because she was expecting the man Laura would set her up with would be bad tempered. However, this man seemed harmless, with his soft eyes, well-kept hair and handsome features. “My apologies, I should have waited for you by the door, instead of sitting down first.” Her blind date explained, placing a hand on his chest. “I’m sorry for the late introduction, my name is Lucas.” “Eva. Evangeline is too long.” Lucas smiled immediately widened when he heard Eva.“Is the restaurant not to your liking? How about we go to another place which you might find comfortable.” Lucas suggested, he had no idea why Eva wanted to leave the restaurant.Eva was appreciative that he didn't judge or get annoyed by the fact that she denied him earlier. She liked his manners and decided to humor Laura who had set the date. After all, she had a mission to come here . Besides, she was yet to bring out th
“So I heard you were a model from your stepmother?” Lucas suddenly asked, finally deciding to make small talk and change the awkward atmosphere when noticed that Eva was barely saying anything about herself. He tried to ask her questions about herself instead.“That was a long time ago.” Eva replied with a dry tone.She secretly hates the idea that Laura had to cast about her before her to Lucas. ‘Is that bitch trying to even annoy me from afar?’ “Is that so,” Lucas lightly laughed. “Honestly, I expected you to be part of the prestigious business women in the country considering how influential the Carter family are.”Eva paused her lips into a thin line, trying her best to hide her disgust at his words. It seems like he had no idea about her business skill she had to learn after she quit modeling.“Not everyone wants to be an uninspired, unimaginative, ready-made heir.” Eva retorted back bluntly as she pushed the strand of her hair behind her ear.Lucas was taken aback in surprise b
“Ah, yes?” Eva muttered, snapping out of her thought. “I'm afraid I would not be able to entertain you on another date.” She remarked as she looked at Lucas.“Then how about you let me entertain you on the date instead.” Lucas insisted. “I don't think either can work.” Despite that it was a tempting offer, Eva had to decline realizing that this blind date could eventually lead to an unfortunate marriage which would definitely ruin all of her plans.“I'm sorry-” “Please, I totally understand so you don't have to apologize.” Lucas cut off Eva and reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card, stretching his hand over the table handing it to her. “Incase you ever change your mind, Miss Carter. You will know where to find me.” Lucas said amicably.Eva stared at the card, his name was branded on the card as the CEO of his father's law firm. She wasn't a fool, she knew who Lucas was, knew that he was among the most obtainable, eligible bachelors and she knew how many young femal
The waiter's face suddenly lights up in relief at Eva's response, he could eventually save his life and job. Without bothering to delay any further, so that Eva doesn't change her mind. The waiter immediately turned and walked into the direction of the restaurant where Damien was waiting for her while Eva just silently followed behind him.The waiter led Eva to the third restaurant which was considered as the restaurant only top elite families in the country visit. Only the highest class and most influential families!Once inside, she was immediately welcomed with a soft and soothing melody played on a piano. She suddenly felt like she was indeed out-of-place in her clothes when she saw the long dresses that people wore inside. She knew that she can't turn back now and so, she sighed internally and continued to follow the waiter who went upstairs where the private room was located.After walking for a few meters, the attendants finally stopped and turned to face Eva. He bowed respect
Lucien entered the living room with his usual quiet air, his school bag slung over one shoulder. His dark eyes, cold and unreadable, briefly scanned the room before landing on his mother, Laura, seated gracefully on the couch with a teacup in hand. Her posture was as poised as ever, but Lucien’s sharp gaze detected the faint smugness that usually lingered after one of her scheming conversations with Christine.He said nothing, brushing past her with the silent intent of heading upstairs. His long strides were interrupted when Laura called out, her tone laced with a false warmth."Lucien," she said, setting her teacup down. "Come here for a moment."Lucien stopped mid-step, his back stiffening. He slowly turned around, his expression blank but his sharp gaze silently questioning her interruption.Laura’s smile wavered under his cold stare, but she maintained her composure. "Christine just got back a while ago. Why don’t you go upstairs and greet her?"Lucien raised an eyebrow, crossing
Christine stormed into the Carter mansion, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor, her jaw clenched tightly in frustration. She tossed her designer bag onto the couch, her lips pressed into a thin line as she paced back and forth. The events of the day replayed in her mind like a relentless reel—Eva’s smirk, her cutting words, the way she had effortlessly dismissed Christine in front of everyone. It was a humiliation Christine couldn’t stomach."That woman," she hissed under her breath. "She always finds a way to one-up me. How does she always come out on top?"Laura, who had been sitting in the adjacent room sipping tea, looked up as her daughter’s angry footsteps echoed. She set her cup down gracefully and stood, smoothing her dress as she approached Christine."Christine," Laura said in a calm, measured tone, "what’s the matter now?"Christine stopped pacing and turned to her mother, her eyes blazing with frustration. "It’s Eva! She humiliated me again today, in front
Once the deal was official, she turned to leave the meeting room with Gwen and Trix at her side. They made their way down the sleek hallway of HB Industry, their footsteps echoing on the polished floors. Just as they neared the exit, they came across Christine and her entourage, who had just arrived.Christine’s eyes widened when she saw Eva. Her usual fake smile quickly appeared, though there was a slight tension in her features. Eva wasn’t sure whether to laugh or feel disgusted as Christine approached her.“Sister!” Christine said, her voice sweet and syrupy as she stepped forward. “I am so sorry for being late. I didn’t mean to hold up the meeting like this. I just got caught up in some last-minute details.”Eva’s expression remained neutral, but she couldn’t help the slight roll of her eyes at Christine’s words. She had no intention of entertaining Christine’s faux apology, but Christine wasn’t finished yet.“Oh, and about last night,” Christine said in a tone that was just loud
In the sleek, minimalist meeting room at HB Industry, Eva sat at the center, sitting by her sides were none other than Gwen and Trix, with her official company lawyer at her side. They were all dressed sharply, the atmosphere tense as they awaited the start of the meeting. On the other side of the polished conference table, Mr. Carl and his HB Industry team sat with the Whyte Corps representatives, their suits impeccably pressed and faces expressionless.It was a rare sight to see Eva waiting this long, especially for a meeting she had no patience for. She had already signed the contract in her mind, but the delays were irking her. The anticipation of what was supposed to be a routine procedure seemed to drag on indefinitely. The room had grown uncomfortably still as they all waited for the meeting to start. Eva’s fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of her chair, a subtle gesture that spoke volumes about her impatience .With a soft sigh, Eva glanced at Gwen and Trix, silently expre
She stood at the doorway, adjusting the strap of her handbag as she prepared to leave for HB Industry. Damien followed her to the entrance, his hands casually tucked into his pockets, though his piercing gaze gave away his reluctance to let her go.“Don’t forget to call me if anything comes up,” he said, his deep voice steady yet tinged with a protective edge.“I won’t,” Eva replied with a small smile. She turned to open the door when his voice stopped her.“Wait.”She turned back, one brow raised in question.“You’re leaving without giving me a proper goodbye?” Damien asked, a teasing smirk tugging at his lips.Eva blinked, caught off guard by his request. “A proper goodbye? You’re serious?”He stepped closer, the warmth of his presence wrapping around her like a cocoon. “I don’t joke about such things. A goodbye kiss is mandatory.”Her cheeks flushed slightly, though she masked it with a playful roll of her eyes. “Fine,” she relented, taking a step toward him. “But I’ll only give yo
After a pause, George returned to the phone. “Damon Cross,” he said, purposely mispronouncing the name to irritate him.Damien felt his nose twitch at the deliberate and grating mispronunciation of his name, but he maintained a polite tone, reminding himself he was speaking to an elder. “Yes, Grandfather?” He replied smoothly, emphasizing the title in retaliation. Two could easily play the game of pettiness.George resisted the urge to march over to the banquet and knock some sense into the boy for daring to use that title. Grandfather? He scoffed internally. ‘If you want to call me that, first show me a ring on her finger—and then give me some great-grandkids before you even think about it! I wonder what that useless grandfather of his taught him.’“Now listen clearly to me. If she stays at your house, it’s for tonight only. And if I find out you’ve done anything improper, I’ll personally see to it that you’re castrated. Do you understand?”Julian, overhearing the threat, nearly cho
---As the banquet neared its end, Damien escorted Eva to his car. He fully intended to take her home—to their home—hoping to spend the night by her side. But his plans were thwarted by an all-too-familiar figure: her meddling grandfather.The moment Eva settled into the car, her phone rang. Damien, still holding the door open for her, frowned at the sound. When he saw the caller ID, his expression darkened further. Of course, it was him.While Eva answered the call, Damien’s sharp eyes scanned the area. Hidden in the shadows near the back entrance, a figure lurked—one of George’s men, undoubtedly there to keep tabs on her. His presence only worsened Damien’s mood.“Yes, Grandfather, I’m leaving the banquet now,” Eva said into the phone, her tone polite but weary. “Yes, I’ve made a few connections… I’m heading home? No, not to Damien’s. I know, I know, there will be more rumors if—”Before she could finish, Damien snatched the phone from her hand.“She’ll be perfectly safe with me,”
Eva turned to him, her voice barely above a whisper. "Did you do this?" She lifted her gaze to meet his, realizing he had been watching her the entire time, his piercing eyes fixed solely on her. She had heard whispers, unconfirmed reports that Lydia was behind the replica of the blue dress that was sent to her. But to see her now, reduced to this state, it seemed the consequences of her actions were almost... excessive. "Yes," Damien replied without hesitation, his tone calm but firm. He tried to guide her out of the banquet, his hand lightly pressing against her back, but Eva stood her ground, refusing to move. "Why?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. Damien’s sharp eyes narrowed at her question, his jaw tightening. What did she mean, why? That woman had orchestrated her public disgrace, and now Eva was hesitating, questioning the justice served? Did she not understand that showing mercy to enemies was akin to betraying herself? "She was responsible for your humiliati
Christine’s nails dug into her palm, her anger simmering beneath a mask of civility. She longed to lash out, but Damien’s presence reminded her of her place. Any wrong move could lead to her downfall.“It’s unbecoming to insult others so publicly…” Christine’s voice was a deliberate attempt at calm, but it lacked conviction.“The truth often stings, get over it.” Eva replied coldly, her unapologetic tone reinforcing her dominance. The crowd e were not even surprised by her response because they were used to this behavior of hers, but they were taken back by Christine's sudden desire to argue with Eva.Wasn't Wasn’t Christine supposed to be the passive type, the one who ended arguments rather than starting or joining them? The sudden shift in her behavior was beginning to alter everyone’s perception of her, casting doubt on the image she had so carefully cultivated.Dusti standing nearby with a glass of wine, observed the scene with quiet amusement. Eva’s sharp wit was refreshing, a st