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
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