Eva who was moments away from hitting him with the IV pole again when his pitiful plea caught her attention. “You can tell your boss to rot in hell—” she started, but the man cut her off.“Please, Lady Boss!” he cried, desperation in his voice. “I have a wife, kids, and a family to feed—”Eva's brow twitched at his words. Of course, he definitely wouldn't be a monk like his boss, however, she had a feeling he was saying this to make her feel guilty. “And you have a dog too, I bet?” she quipped sarcastically.His eyes widened in shock. “Y-yes! Exactly! His name is Chase!”She grit her teeth in annoyance, snatching the phone from his shaking hands. “What do you want?” she demanded, her patience wearing thin. She could guess that he was trying to stall time until he got here but she wasn't planning to let him meet her here.The bodyguards flinched in fear. They truly applauded her for her boldness, but they also feared for the poor woman's head! It would really fly if she continued talk
Eva jumped in alarm, spinning around to find a young girl sitting on a hospital bed. The room was filled with vases of flowers, their cloying fragrance filling the air. The child, no older than fourteen or fifteen years old, looked at her with wide, innocent eyes, her long hair framing her delicate face.Eva blinked in surprise, her anger momentarily forgotten as she stared at the young child. Somehow she felt something about this girl resembling a boy she used to know. “Hello.”“What's your name, child?" She asked, just as the footsteps outside became louder.The girl smiled faintly. “You’re running from people.” she said nugging at the door.Eva's brows furrowed. “Yes, I am.”. “Quick! Look for her before Boss gets upstairs!”The sound of the bodyguards’ voices rang in the hallway, getting closer. Panic flooded Eva's chest. She scanned the room frantically, looking for a way out, but the space was small, and the windows were sealed shut.She turned back to the girl, her pulse racing
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
"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.
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
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
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
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
"Ms. Lily, what seems to be the matter here?" the head of the security team, Mr. Billy asked, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd of dazzling socialites and the two strikingly beautiful women standing by the cashier.One exuded an angelic innocence, her golden glowing halo hovering above her head, while the other had a magnetic charm and a commanding aura that was impossible to ignore. Though dressed in casual, understated clothing, it was clear from her demeanor that she came from a background of privilege and influence."Thank goodness you're here, Mr. Billy!" Lily exclaimed dramatically, her tone laced with frustration. "This young lady here is causing an absolute scene! She’s insulting and disturbing one of our valued customers. Her behavior is disgraceful!" She put on a distressed expression, though her eyes still held their usual arrogance.Mr. Billy frowned, sensing there was more to the story. Still, before he could interject, Lily continued her tirade. "Can you believe the aud
Christine didn’t spare Eva another glance as she made her way to the checkout counter, but Eva decided to linger just a bit longer, intrigued by the brewing drama. If her memory served her right, Christine had always been meticulous when it came to spending, often opting for practicality masked as elegance.The sales associate broke the silence. “Ma’am, your total is fifty million dollars. Will that be debit or credit?”Christine froze, her carefully crafted poise faltering for the briefest of moments. A flicker of unease passed through her eyes as she stared at the bill in her hand. The credit card tucked away in her wallet wouldn’t even cover a fraction of the total.If only she had known this little excursion would cost so much, she would have brought her other credit card. But Tanya’s stern advice echoed in her mind: minimize spending and public outings until the scandal blows over. If anyone caught wind of her shopping extravagantly in the midst of her controversy, it could spark
……..The days passed peacefully, with little to disrupt Eva’s recovery. Soon enough, she found herself healed enough to venture beyond the confines of Damien's mansion. Thanks to Damien, she has been focused on causing chaos but he had been the ones to take extra care of her injury and body. Her wounds had started to fade, and the scar-reducing ointment he had given her worked wonders. Now, she was as elegant as ever, with no visible marks left behind.The upcoming banquet was less than a week away, and Eva decided it was time to shop for the perfect dress. Her grandfather had specifically requested that she shop at Stardom Mall, not only to show respect to the Banks family, who managed it, but also to honor the family’s deep ties to the mall. Everyone there knew better than to disrespect Lawrence Smith’s favored granddaughter—a figure of power who held significant shares in the mall.Eva opted for a casual outfit of black leggings and a simple hoodie. She believed comfort was key for
Eva leaned her elbow against the window, a sly smile forming on her lips. “Let’s just say certain people needed a reminder of where they stand.”“I knew it!” Nathalia burst into laughter, the carefree sound lifting Eva’s mood further. “I was telling one of the stylists yesterday, ‘Eva doesn’t let people get away with things. If she’s back, she’s back with a bang!’ And look at you, proving me right.”“I didn’t do anything without reason,” Eva replied, her voice calm but firm. “Christine and Mark needed to be handled. And Director Rick? Well, he made his bed.”“Oh, believe me, I’m not judging,” Nathalia said, her tone growing slightly wicked. “You know I love seeing Christine squirm. She’s got that fake, angelic act down, but I’ve always known she’s rotten to the core.”Eva smirked. “You’re not wrong. She’s good at pretending, though.”“Too bad for her that she’s not as good as you,” Nathalia teased, a playful lilt in her voice. “By the way, did you see the video of Mr. Carl’s press con
Mr. Carl hesitated, clearly weighing his next words. “Given your... influence and recent actions, I wanted to request that you refrain from taking further steps that might escalate this situation. We’re still cleaning up the mess left by Director Rick, and another scandal would be... disastrous.”Eva crossed her arms, regarding him with a cold, calculating gaze. “Mr. Carl, I don’t cause chaos for the sake of it. Every move I make is deliberate and justified. If you’re asking me to sit quietly and tolerate disrespect, I’m afraid you’ve come to the wrong person.”“I’m not suggesting that,” Mr. Carl said quickly. “I’m only asking for your understanding. The company can’t afford another scandal right now.”Eva tilted her head slightly, her smile fading. “The person you should be worried about is Christine, not me. Both she and Mark have already shown that they won’t back down quietly. If I were you, I’d focus on keeping them in check.”Gwen cleared her throat, stepping in to soften the te
The next morning, Eva stepped out of the sleek black car with Gwen by her side. Both women radiated confidence—Eva in her tailored black suit and Gwen in a navy blue dress that reflected her sharp managerial style. HB Industry’s towering headquarters loomed before them, gleaming in the sunlight as if trying to hide the chaos within its walls.“Ready?” Gwen asked, glancing at Eva as they walked toward the building’s entrance.Eva smirked, her heels clicking confidently against the marble floor as they entered the reception area. “I’ve been ready since the moment I stepped back into this industry.”It wasn’t long before they were escorted to Mr. Carl’s office. The CEO of HB Industry rose from his chair as they entered, forcing a professional smile as he extended his hand.“Miss Carter, Miss Langley,” he greeted them, his tone polite but guarded. “Please, have a seat.”Eva and Gwen took their seats, and Mr. Carl sat down, adjusting his tie nervously.“To what do I owe this visit?” Mr. Ca
She paused at the door, her hand resting on the sleek silver handle. Instead of leaving, she turned back toward Kai with a mischievous glint in her eyes.“You know,” she began, folding her arms and leaning casually against the doorframe, “we’ve been talking about me and my plans all morning, but there’s something far more interesting we haven’t discussed.”Kai raised an eyebrow, already sensing trouble. “Oh? And what’s that?”“Your love life,” Eva replied with a grin, emphasizing the words like they were the juiciest gossip she’d ever uncovered.Kai groaned, leaning back in his chair. “Not this again, Eva. I don’t have time for love. Running a company is already a full-time job.”“Oh, please.” Eva waved a dismissive hand as she strolled back toward his desk. “That’s the oldest excuse in the book. You’re not fooling me.”Kai sighed, rubbing his temples. “And what, exactly, am I supposedly hiding from you this time?”Eva leaned on his desk, her smile growing sly. “Let’s just say I have
……..Eva stepped into the sleek, modern office of Elite Entertainment, her heels clicking against the polished floor. The massive windows behind Kai’s desk offered a stunning view of the city, but Eva’s attention was fixed on the man seated before her. Kai, the CEO of Elite Entertainment and her closest friend, leaned back in his chair, watching her with a mixture of curiosity and concern.“Eva,” Kai greeted with a warm smile as he gestured for her to sit. “To what do I owe the pleasure? Usually, I have to chase you down to talk.”Eva smirked, taking a seat across from him. “You’re exaggerating, Kai. I’m not that hard to find.”Kai raised an eyebrow. “Considering the chaos you’ve been stirring up lately, I’d say you’ve been keeping yourself quite busy.”Eva’s smile widened, but there was a glint of mischief in her eyes. “I suppose you could say that.”Kai leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “So, tell me—what’s the plan now? You’ve exposed Christine and Director Rick, shake
There was a long silence on the line. When Matthew finally spoke, his tone was icy. “You’re making a mistake, Eva. This vendetta of yours will come back to bite you. Mark my words.”Eva’s voice was steady, but her words were sharp as a blade. “The only mistake I made was ever thinking you cared about me. Don’t call me again unless it’s to apologize—and we both know that won’t happen.”“You're a mistake in my life, Evangeline Carter!" Matthew snapped angrily which almost made Eva laugh out loud.“That’s your loss, you should have gotten rid of me when you had the chance, Father , I'm prepared to drag all you down if it means I have to shred a part of me again. No matter how much power you oisseeWithout waiting for a response, she ended the call and tossed her phone onto her desk.Eva set the phone down, her jaw tightening slightly as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. The faint hum of the hairdryer and the quiet murmurs of her styling team filled the room, but her thoughts we