---Meanwhile, George had just wrapped up a meeting as the chairman of the company when he noticed the storm rolling in. He stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of his office, his expression darkening as thunder cracked in the distance.“Prepare the car immediately,” he instructed his assistant, Julian. Without hesitation, Julian made the call, ensuring the driver was ready.Minutes later, George arrived at the hospital. The bodyguards outside Eva’s room stepped aside without question, allowing him entry.When he opened the door, his heart sank.The room was dim, lit only by the faint glow of lightning outside. On the bed was a trembling pitiful figure huddled beneath the blanket.“Eva,” he called gently.She didn’t respond.Julian didn’t dare enter the room and remained by the door, with his phone in hand. The weather app confirmed the worst: the storm would last all night. He sighed. There wasn’t much his boss could do within the confines of the hospital.In the end, apart from the
As they left the hospital, George’s gaze remained fixed on the pouring rain outside the car window. His normally unshakable expression revealed a rare hint of worry.“She’s fragile,” he said, almost to himself. “This environment does more harm than good.” He didn't want her to leave the hospital since she just woke up but it seems like it is not helping at all.Lately, he has been digging deeper into Eva's past and how she had been living her life when he had ignored her. Even though the information he got wasn't clear, he was able to find out that his granddaughter had developed some mental health issues but during the time she had disappeared, she was able to recover herself a bit. He just hoped the thunder combined with the irrational fear of the hospital wouldn't bring back any dangerous harm to her because he wasn't willing to take that risk.Julian glanced at him through the rearview mirror. “Sir, will the young miss be returning to the hospital for further treatment?”“Not unle
Moments later, Damien’s phone buzzed with a message.“Don’t be mad at Eva anymore, Damien. Just return her calls. She needs you.” — Nathalia.His lips curled into a scowl. Nathalia’s meddling had gone too far this time, but he couldn’t deny her words hit a nerve.Eva’s trembling figure flashed in his mind, and for the first time in hours, he felt the stirrings of guilt.………When Eva arrived at the main mansion, the new staff were visibly startled by the sight of a grown woman trembling in fear of thunder. Old Butler Song, however, was unperturbed. Familiar with her childhood anxieties, she quickly took charge. Leading her to her room, she had the curtains drawn, the windows locked, and the lights turned on.She ordered warm milk with honey and instructed the staff to bring in a noise-canceling machine. Soft piano music played in the background to drown out the thunder’s rumble. Once Eva drank her milk, she fluffed her pillows and persuaded her to lie down.At last, Eva succumbed to sl
The next morning, Doctor Sam arrived at the mansion to check on Eva. He ensured her bandages were clean and properly dressed before prescribing a regimen of light exercises, such as daily walks in the garden.George, ever meticulous, had ordered medical supplies to be delivered from the hospital, including IV bags and a drip pole. No one dared question his decisions, knowing better than to challenge the formidable patriarch.After ensuring everything was set up for Eva’s comfort, George prepared to leave for work. Before departing, he gently patted her head.“Eva, I’m heading to the office now,” He said.Eva looked up from her thoughts. “Why are you going to the company?” she softly asked. She remembers that her grandfather said he wanted to stop going to the company and that was why he appointed his son, Raphael as the CEO of the company. “That’s because your uncle has gone on a business trip and there are matters that need my attention at the company.” George calmly replied and exp
At three in the morning, Damien silently wandered through the dim hallways of the Black Mansion. He was impressed by the high-level security surrounding the estate. The electrified fences, guard dogs pacing near the main door, and laser beams hidden within the hallways were all expertly placed—but nothing could stop Damien.The soft glow of the full moon seeped through the tall windows, lighting his path. After a few moments of searching, he found a door with a golden plate engraved with Eva’s name.He pushed it open, the door clicking softly as he locked it behind him. His footsteps made no sound on the polished floor, but a faint, heart-wrenching cry made him halt in his tracks.“No... I’m sorry…”Damien stiffened. His sharp gaze snapped toward the bed where delicate muslin curtains draped down from the canopy.Her muffled sniffles and broken sobs were like knives stabbing at his chest. The sound of her despair pulled him forward, and he gently pulled back the curtain.The sight bef
As the minutes ticked by, her breathing evened out completely, and Damien could tell she had fallen into a deeper sleep. He leaned back slightly to observe her peaceful face, but her hands gripped his shirt tighter, pulling him closer.“...Damien…” she mumbled, her voice barely audible.His eyes widened at the sound of his name on her lips. A soft smile crept onto his face.“I’m here,” he whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her damp forehead. At first he thought she was awake but seeing how tightly her eyes were shut, he couldn't help but let out a sigh. Was he expecting her to say something?“D…Damien….. I-I….” She suddenly grumbled some gibberish which made Damien look at her again. Knowing that she was only sleep talking and would end up saying something confusing, he raised his hand up and stroked her hair again. However, he stopped when she spoke again."...You..." He frowned, realizing he’d missed the first part of her murmuring."Even in your sleep, you're such a tease,"
He spun around quickly, only to feel a sharp pang in his chest at the sight before him. It was the first time he had seen her cry because of him, and the experience was nothing short of devastating. The sight shattered his heart and left his mind reeling, stripping away any semblance of reason. All he could think about was holding her, comforting her, and making the pain disappear.“There’s nothing to talk about,” Damien said, his words cutting through the silence like a blade.Eva felt her heart shatter, each syllable ripping through her chest. A wave of unbearable pain swelled within her, threatening to crush her completely.“Damien, I—”“Let go of me.” His voice was sharp, cold, and gruff, the irritation laced in his tone striking her like a physical blow.Eva opened her mouth to reply, but no words came. Her lips trembled, her eyes stung, and her throat tightened with unshed tears. She had promised herself she wouldn’t cry, not again, but it was a battle she was losing.“No.” Her
Her eyes, usually so bright and full of life, glistened with tears that fell in unrelenting streams. Those beautiful eyes, once akin to brilliant stars, now reflected nothing but hurt. He stepped toward her instinctively, but she moved back, widening the distance between them.Regret struck him like a wave, heavy and suffocating. He hadn’t intended to push her so far, to break through her boundaries in this way. He only meant to test her resolve, not to wound her so deeply. Now, guilt and remorse clung to him like an oppressive weight as he stood frozen, unable to undo the damage he had caused.“Look away…” she begged, her voice shaking as she pressed herself against the glass window.Despite how she promised her to never win Damien over with her tears, she couldn't control herself. She swore she would never cry over a man as she had done with Mark in the past.“Eva,” he whispered, stepping closer, but she held up a trembling hand to stop him.“I’ll stop bothering you,” she stammered
"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